11 Home Items That Are Actually Worth Buying At Buc-Ee's (& 5 To Leave On The Shelf)

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If you've ever taken a road trip through the Southern United States, and particularly through Texas, then you may have visited a Buc-ee's. For those unfamiliar with Buc-ee's, it's a chain of roadside convenience stores that sells gas and a wide range of unexpected products such as clothing and home goods, alongside classic offerings of prepared foods, candies, and assorted souvenirs. For many travelers, it's become a destination of sorts thanks to its beaver mascot and array of products. It's not just a pit stop during a road trip — it's an experience that also lets you stock up on unexpected supplies and home decor essentials that are actually worth buying.

If you're planning to make a stop at a Buc-ee's for any reason, you might be thinking about what to get for yourself or even as a gift. With so much to see, knowing what home goods you'll actually want on hand later on can make a trip to Buc-ee's even more exciting. Here are some worth buying and some better left on the shelves.

Christmas ornaments are a great way to showcase your memories. If you're on a road trip that includes a stop at Buc-ee's, grab one of these holiday decorations as both a souvenir and something you can use year after year. It helps that these ornaments are actually of decent quality and feature Buc-ee the beaver as the star of the show. Plus, the various options are sold at different price points for all kinds of budgets.

If you're looking for something soft and cozy at Buc-ee's, the throw blankets deliver. These plush offerings come in a variety of prints, including branded, seasonal, and holiday offerings, as well as everyday designs (the branded holiday designs also change every year). Not only do they make nice gifts, but they're also excellent personal souvenirs for your car or at home. Decorative plush blankets can also help tie a room together, so these are a solid purchase.

Buc-ee's does carry some cute dish and tea towels, but they aren't really the best value for your money. You're better off sticking with the usual stores like Dollar Tree and HomeGoods. At Buc-ee's you could find yourself paying almost $20 for a single tea towel with a ruffle or a similar dish design. It's simply not the best home purchase here.

Buc-ee's offers metal serving bowls and trays for your kitchen, and quite often, they're nice quality and priced fairly. The three-bowl tray that's welded together is the kind of find that you might be surprised to see in a convenience store. And it's not the only serving tray worth picking up, as Buc-ee's has also offered a golden flower-shaped tray. 

You can never go wrong with a metal tumbler, especially when you're on the road. Buc-ee's offers fun designs — from holiday-themed options to models with the Buc-ee beaver — that are perfect for everyday use in different sizes, including 20, 30, and 40 ounces, depending on the holiday or season. Overall, they work well for keeping things hot or cold for hours, look good, and are relatively durable. And at least for Halloween, they offer glow-in-the-dark tumblers.

Although the Buc-ee's Waffle Maker imprints the iconic beaver into your waffle, it's not a must-have item. Even if you do want cute waffles, there are plenty of options on the market that are more affordable and don't require a trip to Buc-ee's. For example, the DASH mini waffle maker with six removable plates, which gives you multiple designs with just one machine. The Buc-ee model also makes smaller-than-normal waffles, so it just doesn't feel like a worthwhile purchase.

Although we don't necessarily need a beverage dispenser, this is actually a fun way to serve drinks when the girls get together. It can even act as a conversation starter. These dispensers bring the fun of Buc-ee's home in an unexpected way, and they actually do serve a purpose, which is an added bonus. It helps that they really do work as if you were "pumping gas," and the retro design pairs especially well with a rustic kitchen setting.

The Buc-ee's home goods section is a great spot for anyone looking to add more of the farmhouse vibe into their home decor. And if you love chickens, grab some ceramics modeled after the animal to inject some quality and whimsy to your design. Not only do they have lidded crockery, but they also have chicken-shaped pitchers, salt and pepper shakers, and mugs. 

If you want a souvenir that you'll end up using a lot, canvas totes are a great purchase. The quality of Buc-ee's totes is nice, plus they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Whether you're shopping or heading to the beach, these bags are always nice to have on hand, and the Buc-ee beaver design makes them giftable as well.

While coffee mugs are often a go-to souvenir, they aren't usually a need because of how many people typically own already. Although Buc-ee's does offer a wide range of mugs to choose from beyond the souvenir Buc-ee's design, they aren't really worth the price. In the end, you'd save more money by going to a dollar store or a thrift shop.

Buc-ee's sells different styles of measuring spoons, including hammered copper models and designs featuring the Buc-ee beaver. No matter which ones you pick up, they're all worth buying — they're nice quality and work with both dry and liquid ingredients. Anytime you get in the kitchen to cook or bake and start measuring things, you'll think of your last stop at Buc-ee's.

When it comes to kitchen items, aprons are likely going to end up stained over time, so you may not want to invest too much in a more decorative option. While Buc-ee's certainly sells cute aprons, they really aren't the best choice as a home goods purchase or souvenir — you can get a three-pack of floral aprons on Amazon for under $20. And while having a Buc-ee beaver on an apron sounds adorable, it's better to pick something that you won't mind getting a bit dirty.

Buc-ee's jarred candles are a solid pick-up from the home goods section for the options alone. The chain offers interesting scents that you probably won't find anywhere else, including Beaver Nuggets, Cotton Candy, Roasted Pecans, and even Cherry Kolache. Plus, the glass jars can be reused and upcycled once the candles have burned through.

Although Buc-ee's does sell a variety of different pot holders, including silicone models featuring Buc-ee the beaver, they're just not worth it in the long run. You're better off going to dollar stores and big box stores for pot holders that are more affordable and sometimes even better quality (Dollar Tree offers them for $1.50 each, while this Buc-ee's option is $29.98). While the beaver is always fun on unexpected kitchen essentials, it still doesn't make this a must-have home good. 

Cast iron skillets are a solid buy for anyone looking for cookware that's both versatile and durable. The Buc-ee's models tend to be decently priced in the $20-$30 range, so they're worth the pit stop at this convenience store. As an added bonus, Buc-ee the beaver is imprinted on the bottom of the skillet as a cute decorative element. 

Cutting boards are a useful tool in any kitchen, and Buc-ee's offers a wide variety of both wooden and marble cutting boards. Not only do they have a Buc-ee beaver headboard, but they also sell wooden and marble boards in the shape of the state of Texas. While wood cutting boards do require special care, they're excellent alternatives to the plastic models.