Buy It for Life, Buy It Once Cry Once 2025 Edition

Kiwiboy86 on 10/03/2025 - 14:07
Last edited 10/03/2025 - 14:28 by 1 other user

Hello fellow OzBargainers,

What products do we think are well worth the money and/or fit the 'buy once cry once' category in 2025.

The reason I specify 2025, is some products just aren't made with the quality and care they once had a reputation for. I'm aware there's a prospective guestimate element for products bought today that are still to be battle-tested.

For my buy it once cry once, the list would include:

  • Leatherman multitools
  • Cast iron pan
  • Wusthof knives
  • RM Williams Boots (tbf I bought mine 10 years ago before any of the recent QC failures)
  • Solid hardwood bedframe

For my well-worth-the-money to quality of life/enjoyment improvement ratio, would be:

  • Roborock vacuum with LIDAR
  • DF64 Coffee Grinder
  • ULA Dragonfly Ultra Backpack (I do a lot of backpacking/travel)
  • Universal travel adaptor with USB ports
  • Uniqlo Ultralight Down Jacket

Future purchases I'm considering:

  • Weber Q BBQ
  • Sit/Stand Desk
  • Tools for DIY around the house (need suggestions)

What are your thoughts/suggestions/experiences.

Home & Garden

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  • Peza on 10/03/2025 - 14:19
    +20

    1) good quality ladder (eg. Baileys)
    2) Knipex tools

    • MS Paint on 10/03/2025 - 14:34
      +3

      2) Knipex tools

      Thanks to all the amazon.de deals on here I have a nice selection. Definitely a great value tool when going cheap.

      • RichardL on 10/03/2025 - 16:17
        +4

        It's been a while since we had Knipex/Wera deals…

      • Jackson on 12/03/2025 - 21:22

        I can't say knipex and value in the same sentence, they are nice tools for sure, but value? It would absolutely have to last a lifetime and not get "lost". If it's your trade and you dont ever lose a tool, maybe

    • EyyBanane on 11/03/2025 - 07:15

      No love for Greenlund?

  • NanoDuke on 10/03/2025 - 16:00
    +19

    A good office chair. I suffered through too many cheapies in my uni days. I now have a 2nd hand Herman Miller from one of those office strip-out companies.

    • Kiwiboy86 on 10/03/2025 - 16:29
      +3

      Yup couldn't agree more. I bought a second-hand HM Aeron and haven't regretted it one bit.

      • corvusman on 11/03/2025 - 08:51

        Aerons rule the world. Bought second hand one 6 years ago and till this day this is my best home office purchase.

        • peteru on 11/03/2025 - 16:27
          +1

          I used to think that an Aeron was the best thing too. I sat on mine for nearly two decades, but a Steelcase Leap V2 is more comfy and more adjustable. We'll see if it lasts as long - the warranty period for Leap is comparable to an Aeron.

          • montorola on 12/03/2025 - 15:49

            @peteru:

            but a Steelcase Leap V2 is more comfy and more adjustable

            I take it the Steelcase is……leaps……and bounds better than the Aeron?

        • cerealsmok3r on 12/03/2025 - 09:09
          +1

          that's what I thought but it doesnt bode well if you already have back issues. I'm still rocking the metro buro chair that i picked up for $250

          • corvusman on 12/03/2025 - 09:20

            @cerealsmok3r: I have herniated disk in my lower back. Tried many chairs from Ikea, various 'gaming' chairs, few 'ergonomic' ones, including those weird knee chairs.
            Aeron is the most comfortable chair I can use for the whole day without being in pain.

      • cobknob on 13/03/2025 - 01:37

        Mesh or foam?

    • Haulien on 11/03/2025 - 10:24

      This.

      Gone through god knows how many officeworks chairs before splurging on a proper office chair. Initial outlay cost hurt a lot but with how long it's lasted (and how much it's helped my back), it's paid for itself.

      • cobknob on 13/03/2025 - 01:36

        You ever tried full mesh no foam chair?

        • Haulien on 13/03/2025 - 01:40

          My current one is full mesh and I wouldn't go back to a foam/leather chair. Hasn't stretched with my fat ass on it over the last few years either, so bonus there.

    • lechuck123 on 11/03/2025 - 22:19

      Same. I was lucky enough to snag a 2nd hand Herman Miller Aeron just as covid hit.

      Just such a solid chair, and never have back pain like I did with the office works chairs

      • cobknob on 13/03/2025 - 01:36

        U got a link or photo please. I have a CE foam chaired for 20+ years and it's f*#ked

    • EitherWayUp on 12/03/2025 - 12:01

      I bought a $400 chair that is good and says it’s good and is big but it’s not as comfortable as I expected but for the past 5 years it’s held up without a scratch and I want to believe it is great because it was more expensive then other ones I bought in the past until I realised folks are buying $1,800 office chairs. What’s my point.. dunno. Have a nice day.

      • cobknob on 13/03/2025 - 01:35

        Is it an office works chair?

        • EitherWayUp on 13/03/2025 - 08:14

          Nah Andaseat.. gaming but doesn’t look gaming.

  • Tiredman on 10/03/2025 - 19:52
    +11

    My Zojirushi rice cooker.

  • EBC on 11/03/2025 - 10:49
    +9

    The problem with solid wood furniture is you also cry every time you need to move it…

    • banana365 on 11/03/2025 - 12:06
      +1

      Just slide a towel (if you have smooth floors) or bits of cardboard (carpeted floor) under the legs and you can slide even heavy furniture on your own. If it's really heavy, sit on your arse and push it with your feet.

      • EBC on 11/03/2025 - 12:09
        +1

        It's more the actual moving as in changing residences. No amount of cardboard is going to get it up narrow stairs with 90 degree turns!

        • skid on 11/03/2025 - 12:11
          +3

          Pivot!

          edit: beaten by codexd

        • CodeXD on 11/03/2025 - 12:11
          +1

          pivot!

        • banana365 on 11/03/2025 - 12:38

          Very true! That's when you need a bunch of friends that can be bribed with food and/or beer. I've got mega-heavy antique furniture up and down the narrow stairs of an old Edinburgh flat. It made me wish for the cheap, light Ikea stuff (briefly).

  • skid on 10/03/2025 - 14:16
    +8

    Roborock vacuum with LIDAR tops my list too.
    Ozito PXC lawn mower and other garden tools would be up there as well.
    Maybe a 3D printer for being able to print what can't be bought anymore.

    • Captain Cheapskate on 10/03/2025 - 15:37
      +3

      Masport petrol lawnmower. I'm blown away by it.
      I bought it 6-7 years ago and absolutely flogged it.
      Has been totally neglected, never ever serviced, never changed oil, never cleaned, left it out in the sun and rain many many times and it still starts on first pull, don't even have to pull it hard. Weather hasn't made the plastic crack either. It should have died by now.

      I can't speak for Ozito lawnmower as I personally haven't used it but I can say this, my brother's lawn was way overgrown, he bought the Ozito electric mower and it really struggled. He borrowed mine, piece of cake.

      • dtc on 10/03/2025 - 18:32
        +4

        If you are the kind of person that mows their lawn 2 or 3 times a year and lets it become a wild lawn in the interim, go for petrol. If you mow 6 or 8 times or more a year, go for battery

      • moar bargains on 11/03/2025 - 16:37
        +2

        TIL there are people that change the oil in their lawnmower!

      • surfingedge on 12/03/2025 - 13:09
        +2

        For an overgrown lawn you need the $499 ozito electric one.

        I bought the $399 one and used it at my new house where the previous owners hadn't mowed for 6 months over the summer - it did the job but took 2 passes at 75mm then 2 passes at 45mm and had to empty it every 15 seconds

      • miles3719 on 11/03/2025 - 10:57

        I am the same with my 909 (Masters) mower… I have NEVER changed the oil, use it every now and then and it literally starts first time every time. It is a team player for sure! Not the best chassis built as in the wheels are solid, mounted cheaply etc, but it was about $85 with discounts and what not. Just an amazing piece of kit!

      • dtrinh on 13/03/2025 - 10:36

        My masport going 22 yrs, never serviced too and going strong still

      • [Deactivated] on 16/03/2025 - 16:23

        Reel mower or rotary?

    • cfuse on 12/03/2025 - 14:37
      +3

      How are these vacuums versus a cat? Half my cat's metabolism is devoted to creating more fur to drop everywhere.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2025 - 17:39

        Great. The newer ones have dual brush and a newer design which means almost no hair gets caught

      • spackbace on 12/03/2025 - 19:42

        I don't think they'll vacuum cats off the floor

    • topherboi on 11/03/2025 - 07:46
      +2

      I love my Ozito PXC tools, but I highly doubt they will last a lifetime.

        • topherboi on 12/03/2025 - 07:42
          +3

          Say what you want about Ozito, I have abused my collection for years and they just keep going.

          I just hope that when they do decide to stop, they do it within their warranty period!

          • Jackson on 12/03/2025 - 10:24
            +1

            @topherboi: Mine are well and truly out of warranty and still going strong, they are pre-PXC but Li-ion and the entire kit of 5 tools was 99 bucks. At least 12 years old or more

            • tomfool on 12/03/2025 - 10:40
              +1

              @Jackson: They must not get much use. Ozito fine for smaller infrequent jobs, I used to purchase these cheaper tools and yes they work but I always sturggled with some harder jobs, bought better quality mower, grass trimmer, edger, drill and impact driver and it makes the work so much easier.

              • Jackson on 12/03/2025 - 21:19

                @tomfool: I am not a tradie, but I have renovated 3 properties with them and even lent them to people occasionally, and I tend to do stuff myself. Having said that, drills are known for being not often used unless your trade requires you to drill all day. For home use they are absolutely fit for purpose, and you are throwing money down the drain buying one of the big brands if using at home

                I should also mention that I have even occasionally flogged the batteries doing lazy things like drilling screws into hardwood fence paling but without pilot holes and the like, so while used infrequently they have got a work out at times

              • Doug Dinsdale on 15/03/2025 - 16:56

                @tomfool: I have always sturggled.

      • skid on 11/03/2025 - 08:21

        That was more to add to the "quality of life" list. But yeh, one day the brushes in the motor will wear out.

        • timuzhti on 11/03/2025 - 16:33

          Most of them should have brushless motors these days? I don't think I saw any with brushed motors even a few years ago.

          • peteru on 11/03/2025 - 16:35
            +2

            @timuzhti: Nah, plenty of the PXC skins still require carbon brush "consumables" that are not covered by the replacement warranty.

    • Kiwiboy86 on 10/03/2025 - 14:22
      +1

      Oh I forgot to add that I actually do need a lawnmower! Will checkout the Ozito PXC thanks

      • freefall101 on 10/03/2025 - 15:14
        +9

        Make sure you get a 36V one, the basic 18V one is garbage. Steel deck on sale is the gold standard.

        • Jackson on 12/03/2025 - 10:05

          The basic plastic one is fine if you have a small yard and don't let your grass grow too long

        • drhip on 20/03/2025 - 13:06

          Is it this one sir? Ozito PXC 36V (2 x 18V) 380mm Brushless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah Kit PXBTMK-2438

          • keeperofthegood on 23/03/2025 - 13:17

            @drhip: That's the one I have. It does the job well but the handle is awkward to hold and I find if I'm mowing for a bit my hands get sore.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/03/2025 - 14:37

      3d printer

      i was like…is that really buy it for life? And then I thought…well the a1/a1m is very easily serviceable..and honestly i cant see myself realistically wanting to upgrade as they are already awesome (had always thought i'd get the itch and want a p1s or something with a bigger print bed like 400 x 400 or bigger… .but nah .

    • SlickMick on 11/03/2025 - 08:50

      You're kidding yourself if you think these are "buy it for life".

      I hope they don't fit in the "gadget" category (I have the Roborock), but I suspect they are, with a relatively short life and expected to be upgraded.

      • 811b11e8 on 11/03/2025 - 21:04

        I had an earlier model vac definitely not buy it for like. I replaced the lidar, batteries and brushes somany times I lost count.

    • richmond12 on 11/03/2025 - 09:20

      Why hasnt someone invented a outdoor version of this? I need it to pick up leaves on my artificial turf

    • EitherWayUp on 12/03/2025 - 11:57

      Problem with those Roborock with lidar is they still require regular TLC. I feel I’m constantly maintaining my S7 Max V and with the self/clean dock which itself needs to be cleaned regularly. And the mop function is ok but no where near what a proper mop does. We find we use our $700 stick vac exponentially more than just letting the $2,500 robot do its thing. I wanted to believe it would change the game but they are not there yet.

  • JIMB0 on 10/03/2025 - 17:14
    +8

    Toyota Camry

    • timhn on 11/03/2025 - 04:14
      +1

      Following by Corolla.

    • Hadranius on 14/03/2025 - 19:49

      :chef-kiss:

  • liuzhen on 11/03/2025 - 12:02
    +8

    Not quite Buy it for Life but a good quality NAS wis up there on my list of things that have added great benefit.

    Set it up with various plugins/web services and most of my digital needs have improved:

    • Home Assistant
    • Arr's
    • piHole / AdGuard
    • Syncthing (backup photos)
    • Plex
    • etc
    • Blakagant on 11/03/2025 - 17:21
      +1

      Initial time investment, then it’s set and forget. Very much endorse these

      • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2025 - 17:48

        Updates and stuff are important to do often… otherwise becomes really difficult to do it.

        Also the power draw is a consideration, recently I’ve been shutting my NAS down and just using Popcorn Time

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/03/2025 - 14:08
    +7

    leatherman

    Yeah I agee. Great multi tools and was a painless warranty claim process the 1 time I had to do it.

    • RichardL on 10/03/2025 - 16:16
      +4

      I miss when Leatherman was affordable back in the days…

      • corvusman on 11/03/2025 - 08:48
        +2

        Victorinox Swiss tools are great. In some departments better than Leatherman.
        China upped their game with ridiculously good Roxon Flex.
        Many alternatives.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/03/2025 - 16:49

        i agree… i was going to get a leatherman arc for my 'treat yourself' birthday present this year…but just couldnt justify.
        hasnt been an even remotely good deal on that model, and i already have a black and a silver wave+

        • RichardL on 10/03/2025 - 16:51
          +1

          I currently own the Skeletool CX, Squirt PS4, Micra and Wingman.

          Regret not picking up a Wave+ back in the day…

          • Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/03/2025 - 16:56

            @RichardL: I got a gerber suspension as a cheapy to leave in my work ute and it’s really night and day difference.. leatherman hit the spot - but yeah curse this inflation

    • PerfectlyGneiss on 11/03/2025 - 11:26
      +2

      I understand they have a lifetime warranty, but in terms of toughness, I find the metal is actually weaker than the craft right ones at Bunnings. Definitely abuse my multi tools as I use them for construction, but find the leather man sadly disappointing in terms of quality.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2025 - 16:56
      +2

      I’d consider Gerber for the price these days.
      Probably on par quality at a fraction of the cost on special as a leatherman.
      Although I have a raxco from Amazon for a fraction of the price on special and that has served my purposes as well $24 on special.

    • knk on 13/03/2025 - 14:16

      While I can appreciate a well built leatherman, I put a gerber suspension through absolute hell for 10 years. I had that thing in my pocket through multiple renovations, used it for so many things I shouldn't have just because it was on me, it lived in my work bag and I had nothing on it fail until I lost it.

      Just replaced it with an SOG poweraccess deluxe, so we'll see how that holds up.

      I might've just got lucky with the gerber though, I've heard a lot of people mention quality is an issue.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/03/2025 - 14:35

        I have a suspension, haven’t used it much as I will usually have my leatherman on me during normal work hours as an edc. It seems decent enough.

    • Draco on 14/03/2025 - 17:17

      Just used to punch a new hole in a leather strap they're so useful

  • skidexa on 11/03/2025 - 14:02
    +7

    My osprey farpoint 40 backpack.

    • Bidet Mate on 11/03/2025 - 16:09
      +1

      I'll second opsrey. I got their Atmos AG 65 (several models older than the current one though) and its awesome. Not sure it's quite buy once territory though. I reckon a decade of hard use would probably end it.

    • Bren20 on 11/03/2025 - 18:40
      +1

      I've got a 15 year old osprey exos, the top part got damaged in transport 5 years ago and they sent me a replacement for free (when I was on a different continent as well), which I was very pleased with

      @Kiwiboy86, how do you find the ULA? I bought a similar UL pack years ago but I never use it as it got too hot and uncomfortable on my back even for short walks. I'm assuming if you're using a ULA you've got a fairly low baseweight, I was getting towards 8-10kg weight all included and having a really bad time. The osprey exos cost me about 600grams but made me so much more comfortable!

      I do love my Tarptent Double Rainbow, I bought it back in 2014 when the AUD was near parity, it's still in great condition, I was using it this weekend. As you've said though, it's not necessarily 'buy it for life' as you do trade off longevity for weight.

      • Kiwiboy86 on 11/03/2025 - 19:22
        +3

        Hey thanks for your reply.

        Yup, I had a total weight of 5-6kg for all my gear on a recent backpacking trip with the ULA. I found it great in that weight range, but no more. It isn't comfortable for anything past 6kg (especially in hot humid climates). If you have extra money and want to treat yourself, the Rofmia Large is another well built 30L but still under 1kg option.

        For another three-month backpacking trip, I used my ATD 1, which was absolutely perfect for the 8kg total weight kit I was using. Absolutely an overspend, but I really enjoyed its construction and the flexibility the roll top provided.

        I used to have an Osprey farpoint 40 during my early uni days, but donated that to my parents to get them into one bag travel. Otherwise, it was fantastic especially given it was like $150 when I bought it.

        In terms of getting your 8-10kg total weight down (if this is a goal), I have a few suggestions because I was in a similar boat until I streamlined the kit further. Get rid of the heavy laptop/iPad - I actually used a folding phone during the 3 month trip. Layering is your friend. The uniqlo ultralight down jacket is incredible not only for the price, but I think it's like 295 grams. That combined with a Patagonia 3L torrentshel is all I had and was fine down to 0 degree weather. Oh and instead of the bulky Anker bricks, a 5000mA slim lightweight battery pack is also all you really need. Getting rid of the peak design tech and washpouch and replacing with lighter, less engineered options also helped a lot.

        • Bren20 on 11/03/2025 - 22:23

          Appreciate the advice but my days of ultralight hiking are long behind me! My base weight was probably around 5 at its lowest, and the 10kg was with about 3L of water plus food. I went too far with the ultralight for a while, I found it much better when I sacrificed tiny cups, tuna can stoves and alfoil windshields for more convenient options!

          But all credit to you for getting it to work! I'm guessing at those weights you're not carrying much food and water

          • abuch47 on 07/05/2025 - 14:20
            +1

            @Bren20: can't recommend a dragonfly for hiking. It's a UL EDC backpack at best, or an awkward in between. sweaty back, no structure for weight transfer, a little big for EDC and kind of an ugly look. Still working very well for me as a one bag rough it all so far and am glad to have paid only $140 for it

    • aong152 on 11/03/2025 - 20:17

      I saw the ULA and Farpoint - i'm using a Caribee Skymaster which is much cheaper and less ergonomic. Time to upgrade :)

    • Hugh G Rection on 12/03/2025 - 07:14

      I was going to get one, but i ended up getting an Amazon Basics Carry-On Travel Backpack. i absolutely love it for traveling light without a check in luggage. i don't do this often enough so that is why i didn't buy the osprey. it was a good thing i didn't because the amazon version is awesome and way cheaper. still looks brand new after 5+ years.

    • deeevan on 15/03/2025 - 14:57

      I have the older Farpoint 55 with the zip on 15L daypack. They have served me well for all configurations of carry on only, check in + carry on, check in both as one piece of luggage.

  • Hugh G Rection on 10/03/2025 - 19:55
    +4

    mine would be:

    All Clad pan - i feel like im a 5 star michelin chef

    Shun knife - these are mini japanese samurai swords

    benchmade pocket knife - this would be like your leatherman, but nothing beats a good edc knife.

    premium king size bed - nothing better then being able to roll over a zillion times, lol.

    RM Williams boots - i pretty much wear this everyday, its an Australian staple.

    Tumi backpack and luggage for work and travel

    La Marzocco commercial Espresso Machine. i got this for cheap, but still expensive in comparison to a store bought one. my mate went out of business during covid and needed cash. wife was pissed when i brought this massive thing home. she is no longer mad because she has a personal barista. lol

    Grinder for the freshly roasted delivered coffee beans

    7 stage water filter, its hard to drink regular water now

    • whyisave on 12/03/2025 - 00:44

      7 stage water filter, its hard to drink regular water now

      What kind of water filter is it ?

      Is this similar to those Brita jugs (with filters) ?

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