8 Home Essentials To Avoid Buying At TJ Maxx — No Matter The Price

TJ Maxx is a store known for its discount goods in almost every category, from food to furniture. Because the company gets its products by buying overstock from all sorts of brands and other businesses, it's able to keep prices low. Many of its products are a steal, including kitchen essentials and home decor. Discount stores are sometimes seen as being cheap, but they can have some really great deals on name brands and products you know and love (along with some lesser-known brands). If money is tight (or you just love to stretch your budget), TJ Maxx can be just what you need. 

However, while it offers quite a few amazing deals and discounts, TJ Maxx also sells items that you should avoid whenever possible. Sometimes, you get what you pay for, and a few products in TJ Maxx embody this statement. Certain categories, like electronics and kitchen utensils, are known for falling apart quickly or being somewhat dangerous. Sometimes, TJ Maxx can even have products on the shelves that were recalled because of designs or features, though the store tries its best to remove the products quickly. 

While there are trustworthy items to buy, the ones on this list should be avoided at all costs. Even at a discounted price, they can be more problematic than they are worth, unless you're someone who likes to inspect and do a deep dive into the internet to see how reliable products are before making a purchase. 

TJ Maxx tends to get overstock or furniture from failed inspections. Because of this, its products aren't always up to the quality shoppers need or want them to be for their homes. Some common problems include defects or issues like uneven legs, drawers that don't open right, or already damaged pieces. You could inspect every piece of furniture, but that can be a frustrating process. Plus, you can still miss things, so it's best to avoid it altogether. The price might be tempting, but the headache isn't worth it when you're looking for safe, long-lasting furniture.

Many electronics items in TJ Maxx, like speakers, are also worth avoiding. If you're lucky, they may work for a while and do their job well, but they're likely to die much quicker than a better brand or have problems with sound quality and connectivity from the get-go. They may work if you need something like a charger right away due to an emergency, but under most circumstances, it's worth buying tech somewhere else. The one place you should be sourcing all your home electronics instead is Costco, thanks to its high-quality products and amazing return policy.

If taken care of correctly, well-made electric blankets can be a safe way to stay warm and ease various aches and pains. Unfortunately, they're not always made correctly. Improper wiring or unsafe temperatures can increase the risks of burns or even a house fire. With TJ Maxx being often selling unknown brands, imperfect goods, and older models of items, there is no telling if the electric blankets are outdated or damaged in some way. That's why these are products worth buying from a more reliable company, not an unknown brand. 

While TJ Maxx has some great kitchen equipment, not all of it is ideal. If you're looking for durable products, it would be better to go to a different store. Otherwise, you may get items that stop functioning as intended after a few uses. For example, small utensils, like measuring cups, are often flimsy and feature labels that wash away easily. Stick to the kitchen essentials from TJ Maxx that are always worth buying. Avoid the rest for your peace of mind and to save your wallet from a bad purchase. 

One thing you should absolutely avoid buying from TJ Maxx is its line of baby products. Pretty much anything targeting children should be left on the shelves. With toys, furniture, and other items, you risk improper manufacturing that could harm your child or you because of a defect. Since the company buys overstock, it is possibly selling items that have been recalled for other dangers, and you won't know about it unless you take the time to research everything before purchasing.

TJ Maxx is not the place to go if you're looking for high-quality home gym equipment, including the smaller or more basic products. Even items like yoga mats tend to fall flat, lacking the padding and stability you want when performing these exercises. They are usable, but they can be slippery and too thin for proper support and comfort. Yoga mats are definitely something you should splurge on and buy from a more reputable company, especially if you're hoping for proper support while doing your exercises and warm-ups.

When you first feel the bed sheets at TJ Maxx, they probably seem nice and soft. Unfortunately, they tend not to last for a long time, as they are often made from synthetic fibers. If you want something that feels nice and lasts a long while, choose sheets made fully from linen, as this material is the effortlessly luxe alternative to synthetic bed sheets. A trip through the washer will make them feel even softer than the synthetic ones at TJ Maxx. Cotton, flannel, and silk are good choices, too. 

TJ Maxx also sells small appliances, especially ones for kitchens, like coffee pots and toasters. Unfortunately, buying them isn't necessarily a good idea, as they often aren't made by reliable brands. Sometimes, this isn't a big deal, but these ones often produce inferior products with a shorter shelf life. You could also bring home damaged devices that are dangerous to have in your home — especially when you are considering the most dangerous kitchen appliances to have in your house, like air fryers or toasters.