Hotlist

• Rana GolfGolf bags sized for toddlers.
• Rancho GordoHeirloom beans, grains and chiles, sourced from small farmers they work with closely.Recommended by 6 readers
• Common GoodsOne shop for 400+ independent Canadian brands, from housewares to clothing.Canada only
• Diaspora Co.Single-origin spices from India, fresh, ethically sourced and tested for heavy metals.Recommended by 3 readers
• P.MarinArt prints, children's books and cards that celebrate kindness.US only
• Big Spoon RoastersSmall-batch nut butters and bars with inventive flavors and few ingredients.Recommended by 3 readers
• E. Frances PaperCards, notes and wrapping paper made from original hand-painted art.
• Origin USAClothing and boots made entirely from American-sourced materials.Recommended by 2 readers
• Browsers BookshopIndependent bookstore that wraps every book in brown paper and string.
• Breakaway MatchaMatcha, houjicha and ceramics from a founder who handwrites a note with every order.Recommended by 2 readers
• Ale-8-OneKentucky's century-old ginger soda, from a fourth-generation family company.
• Lee Valley ToolsCanadian family company selling woodworking, garden and kitchen tools, including its own Veritas line.Recommended by 2 readers
• Farmers Best PopcornVery good popcorn.
• Just CoffeeFair-trade co-op roasting coffee and making hot chocolate.Recommended by 2 readers
• Utopian CoffeeAward-winning coffee roaster with close relationships with coffee farmers.
• Saddleback LeatherFull-grain leather bags and accessories built to outlast you.Recommended by 2 readers
• Wargames AtlanticTabletop miniatures and wargames from an independent US maker.Ships worldwide
• Seed + MillTahini and seed-based foods from New York, including a chocolate tahini sauce.Recommended by 2 readers
• Vermont SpoonHandmade wooden kitchen tools.
• Bookshop.orgBuy books online and share the profit with independent bookstores.Recommended by 2 readers
• Honoka'a Chocolate CompanyArtisan chocolates from a small maker in Honoka'a, Hawaii.
• MumsKitchens NYCCaribbean baked goods and treats from family recipes, like carrot cake and fishcakes.Recommended by 2 readers
• Bottled Up DesignsAffordable jewelry made from reclaimed antique glass, each with a tag telling the glass's story.
• SweetwaterMusic and audio gear, with personal service from real people.Recommended by 2 readers
• True Orange BoutiqueCheerful boutique in downtown Clemson with clothing and gifts for teen girls.
• Maker MilkProtein-fortified oat milk powder from a small family company.Recommended by 2 readers · US only
• MarinSkin care made from lobster glycoproteins.
• Penzeys SpicesHigh-quality spices from a company that uses commerce to build community.Recommended by 2 readers
• Ocean Bottom SoapSoaps and beauty products for very sensitive skin, made with care by the owner.Canada only
• Peace by ChocolateChocolate from a company founded by Syrian refugees, whose story became a movie.
• PT's CoffeeAward-winning direct-trade coffee roasted in Topeka.
• PiperSingle-origin pepper and beautiful, easy-to-use grinders with no plastic.
• Mes Chaussettes RougesSocks that arrive in a lovely bag with a hand-addressed label.Ships worldwide
• KimlyparcVegan instant coffee with clean ingredients.
• ecoshHerbal supplement blends rooted in a relationship with nature.
• Bola GranolaGranola worth ordering direct, at a fair price.
• Coex 3D3D printing filament made in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
• Legacy ChocolatePremium chocolate truffles from a small maker.
• GoodeeThoughtfully designed home goods from makers around the world.
• Echoes of AntiquityClever, fun printed clothing from a very small shop.
• Upstate MNShop of small-maker apparel and accessories, with handwritten notes in every order.
• Prestogeorge Coffee & TeaExpertly roasted coffee and a wide tea selection from a longtime local shop.
• Grip6Minimalist, infinitely adjustable belts, plus wallets and clothing.
• Anna BronesPapercut art turned into prints, calendars and stickers.
• Farmgirl FlowersUnusual flower arrangements at fair prices, with real dedication to growers.
• Blacksmith Coffee RoasteryFemale-owned coffee roaster working out of an old blacksmith shop in Little Sweden, USA.
• BrodaliPersonalized teddy bears with a name or message.Canada only
• Brittle BrothersPeanut brittle from a founder who cares more about the candy than the packaging.
• Community GrainsMinimally processed flour, bread and pasta from farmers outside industrial agriculture.
• Thursday BootsWell-made boots at fair prices, with consistent sizing.
• Purl SohoNatural-fiber yarns from socially responsible mills.
• Curly Girl DesignGreeting cards with unique designs and the right message.
• Daisy MakesCake pop forms and cutters from founders with a clever idea.
• Weavers of IrelandIrish flat caps with great quality and a good story.
• The Little Fat GirlBlack-owned bakery known for vegan brownies, listed alongside Chicago's hometown Garrett popcorn.
• WerableClothing and accessories designed for people with accessibility needs.
• Anderson HouseFreeze-dried soup mixes from a small business.
• American Vinegar WorksCraft fermented vinegars that are as practical as they are delicious.
• Yuile Street StudioTruly handmade cards from a small studio in Melbourne.Australia
• Words with BoardsPersonalized cutting boards, trivets, coasters and ornaments.
• ezpz!Feeding gear for babies and toddlers, designed with pediatric feeding specialists and tested for safety.
• ChocolatiaSustainable, female-run chocolate maker in Scotland.UK only
• La Boite New YorkCreative herb and spice blends from New York with real depth of flavor.
• MusicmakersFolk instruments, especially the Reverie Harp, loved by music therapists.Ships worldwide
• Tea LyraHigh-quality loose tea at good prices.
• Gamine ParfumsOffbeat fragrances with an authentic founder story and lovely packaging.US only
• No. 6 Depot CoffeeSmall-batch coffee roasted in the oldest train station in the Berkshires.
• Grand Teton Ancient GrainsAncient grains grown by the sellers and shipped soon after harvest.US only
• MaterialStylish kitchenware in quality materials.
• Craighill CompanyEveryday tools designed and refined in-house by a small Brooklyn team.
• Alora AmbianceWoman-owned, Italy-inspired home fragrance and reed diffusers.
• Ridge MerinoDurable merino wool clothing for the outdoors.
• Town's ToffeeHigh-quality toffee.
• PactOrganic cotton clothing with little packaging and no plastic.
• CHARM IT!Detailed charms for kids, like a lunchbox that opens and an axolotl that swivels.
• ShankaraAyurvedic skin care made with pure, effective ingredients.
• PaynterClothing with great quality and great stories behind it.UK only
• Savant StudiosArtisanal objects and clothing.Ships worldwide
• Butterfly Bakery of VermontVermont hot sauces and goat milk caramel made from local peppers.
• Montana knife companyKnives made in Montana, built to last for generations.
• Ibiza Hair BrushesHandmade hair brushes from Spain and Germany.
• EKO clothingWomen's clothing with great style, quality and price.Ships worldwide
• Keap CandlesScented candles made with care, and Wirecutter's favorite pick.US only
• Monkey FishToy store full of hands-on games and toys, with excellent online service.
• Ted Brown Music Co.Fourth-generation family music store helping more people make music.
• P+VHome decor and entertaining goods with outstanding design.
• Wild RyeWomen-run B Corp making mountain bike, ski and everyday clothing in Ketchum, Idaho.US only
• Dietsch BrothersMulti-generation family maker of ice cream, chocolates and candy.
• Boreal FolkPersonal care products with a strong sustainability story.
• Anthony'sInstant coffee that actually tastes good, in thoughtful, sustainable packaging.
• Clandestine ChocolatesArtful chocolates.
• Tiny and SnailHand-drawn greeting cards from two sisters who put real care into every one.
• Nod SleepwearWomen's sleepwear redesigned for comfort, in eco-friendly fabric.Canada only
• Kehoe Carbon CookwareHand-forged carbon steel cookware, beautiful and functional.
• Dancing FoodsOlive oil from a women-owned family orchard in Greece.
• Rustek HatsHats and beanies in natural materials.
• Cedar & VineWomen-owned maker of linen clothing.
• Highwire Coffee RoastersApproachable, consistently excellent coffee from experienced roasters.US only
• Harry J Epstein CoOne of the last family-owned tool stores in the US.
• Bla Bla DollsWhimsical, durable hand-knit dolls.
• MacheNon-toxic yoga mats, wooden blocks and storage, almost all made in the US.
• Reno Fly ShopFly fishing gear from a knowledgeable, patient shop in Reno.US only
• Reluctant Trading ExperimentSpecial peppercorns and spices bought direct from growers.
• OrNotBike clothing made in small batches in California, for serious riders and everyone else.
• Soap for Goodness SakeOrganic handmade soap and shampoo bars.
• MODE Beach CompanyStylish, lightweight beach chairs and Turkish towels.US only
• Heal The EarthAdopt an avocado tree and get its fruit shipped to you.US only
• Murrelet Herb FarmTeas and herbs grown, picked and dried by hand on a sustainably run farm.
• Rockin Ron's MusicHuge harmonica selection, with models you can't get anywhere else in the US.
• ROAD iDPersonalized ID bracelets.
• ElilaWoman-owned maker of bras for plus-size bodies.US & Canada
• GlerupsWool slippers that are warm without being too warm.
• Joey's Hot SauceSmall-batch organic hot sauces, from mild to very hot.
• Oaktown Spice ShopExotic, always-fresh spices with recipe cards, from a shop that champions Bay Area makers.
• Kaars OnlineCandles in all kinds of scents, shapes and colors.Europe
• Termini Brothers BakeryOld-time family bakery making cookies, cakes and pies.
• Wolf CeramicsSimple, beautiful handmade dinnerware, mugs and vases.US & Canada
• Bell’s BooksRare books from a family bookstore in Palo Alto, now run by the founder's daughter.
• MESSAGE FootwearSlippers, slides and mules handcrafted in Portugal from sustainable materials.US only
• Topsy BlendsAll-natural skin care with well-researched ingredients and clear explanations of each.US only
• Herb Lester AssociatesIllustrated maps and offbeat travel guides, including maps of cities in famous books.
• Alpha CoffeeCoffee from a roaster that has given away more than 24,000 pounds to good causes.
• MoinkGrass-fed beef, pork, chicken and wild salmon from a small farm co-op.US only
• Dharma + DwellShop of high-quality sustainable products for everyday living.
• MartialOrganic, well-designed clothing for lifting and everyday wear.
• Point Reyes CheeseFourth-generation, women-owned family farm making cheese on the California coast.
• 4 ObjectsWomen-owned, bootstrapped maker of sustainable clothing built to last.Ships worldwide
• Narrowboat CoffeeFresh-roasted coffees named after England's canals.UK only
• The Real DillBloody Mary mix and pickles with real crunch and a kick.
• Princess AwesomeClothing with planets, pi and STEM designs that doesn't stereotype girls.
• Revolution Wool CompanyWool bedding and other wool goods from a small local company.
• Laslyn AlpacaAlpaca socks and other alpaca goods.Canada only
• CharManHot sauce made from chiles grown around Ojai, California.
• Bridge BUILTHigh-quality fitness equipment with real attention to detail.
• LoveFreshNatural soaps, lotions and cleaners that smell wonderful.
• CHIIZIILimited-edition fine art prints full of color and culture.
• CortoOlive oil, priced at or below Amazon and shipped in a beautiful box.
• Anne Koplik DesignsFamily-owned New York maker of enamel and crystal jewelry, in business 45 years.
• Kakawa Chocolate HouseHistoric chocolate elixirs with recipes spanning 1000 BC to the 1900s.US only
• sustainable hausNon-toxic, plastic-free cleaning and personal care products.
• Marley's MonstersReusable cloth towels, sponges and more, made to keep stuff out of landfills.
• Ngala tradingHome decor sourced from South Africa, with outstanding service.
• STEELPORT Knife Co.Premium kitchen knives made in Portland from US-sourced materials.
• Portland GearTravel gear and heavy sweatshirts, well made and fairly priced.
• Hilliard's CandyClassic chocolates and candy with rich flavors and old-fashioned packaging.
• The Toffee HouseEnglish toffee as close to grandma's as you'll get.
• Deneen PotteryHand-thrown mugs from a solar-powered pottery, the official mug of the National Park Service.
• TraistoSilk scarves, hats and bags dyed by hand with natural dyes in Greece.Europe
• Just Add HoneyBlack-owned family tea company that travels the world for ethically sourced leaves.
• Bernal CutleryKitchen knife specialists, including a carbon steel bread knife worth seeking out.
• Jacobsen Salt Co.Sea salt with great flavor and texture.
• Sugarbush FarmMaple syrup, cheddar and other Vermont foods made on a family farm.
• KnotzlandBowties and lavalieres made from repurposed fabric by a Black woman artist.
• River Sea chocolatesChocolate made from cocoa shipped by sailboat from South America.
• MZ DesignWooden kitchen tools and boards in New Zealand native woods, beautiful and functional.New Zealand
• By The NookPersonalized heirloom woven blankets.
• Beam PaintsIndigenous-owned maker of watercolor paints and art supplies.
• Rebel CheeseAward-winning dairy-free cheese cultured from real nuts.
• J-TeaTaiwanese oolongs sourced directly from small farms by an owner who knows tea deeply.
• Jack 59Indigenous, women-owned maker of shampoo bars and bath products.
• NutmanGourmet snacks and candy, packed locally and loved by local hospitals.US only
• Pilgrim Surf & SupplyFamily-owned surf shop with clothing, boards and a love of art and music.Ships worldwide
• Feldspar PotteryHandmade English bone china from Devon, well priced and quick to ship overseas.
• Weaver GreenRugs and home furnishings made from recycled plastic bottles in the UK.Ships worldwide
• Goodnow Farms chocolateSingle-origin chocolate bars from a mom-and-pop maker in Massachusetts.
• Harbor FarmChristmas wreaths from a small family business with personal service.
• Federal ColorProfessional-grade paints, inks and sketchbooks made by the artists who run St. Louis Art Supply.
• Bridge Bike WorksCarbon fiber bicycles built entirely in North America.
• Dodd's ShoesSmall-town shoe store that carries shoes you can't find on the big sites.
• Wet Shaving ProductsShave soaps and long-lasting fragrances.
• Bitch Creek CeramicsHand-thrown, hand-carved pottery with wonderfully satisfying textures.Ships worldwide
• SimplifiedPlanners and organizing tools for women.
• Pennyroyal cheeseExtraordinary goat cheese from a small farm.
• John’s Crazy SocksFun socks from a company run by an adult with Down syndrome, with handwritten notes.
• Highlander PensOne-of-a-kind handcrafted pens from a husband-and-wife shop, fairly priced.
• Emporio RulliAuthentic Italian pastries, including seasonal ones, by mail order.
• Tom BihnThoughtfully designed travel and everyday bags, built in Seattle.
• Bright EndeavorsCandles and diffusers from a social enterprise that trains young moms in Chicago.
• Le Sas BonCandles and home fragrance from a small New York maker on Orchard Street.
• AndSonsChocolate truffles from the sons of a Beverly Hills chocolate shop, in striking packaging.
• Fruition ChocolateExcellent single-origin chocolate bars and coated nuts.
• Homestead CultureSeeds for passionate gardeners, homesteaders and permaculture fans.US & Canada
• Maison JacyntheWomen-owned Quebec maker of skin care and supplements.
• Artifact BagsRustic, very durable bags and some clothing.
• We love jamHandmade jams, ketchup and barbecue sauce, each with a story.
• Beego HandmadeHandmade reusable goods in adorable seasonal fabrics.
• Indri VanillaVanilla beans and cacao nibs sourced to support farmers, with recipes and a lively community.
• Methodical CoffeeCoffee roaster that supports small farmers and runs four cafes in Greenville.
• Brooklyn HaberdasheryCurated craft supplies from a shop that sees making things as meditative.
• Betsy Frost DesignHandmade jewelry and classy gifts, a reliable answer to gift-giving for years.
• Alpenstock PressHand-lettered, illustrated notecards that make you want to write to someone.US only
• DeraA running belt you forget you're wearing.
• Island Thyme BotanicalsNatural skin care made in their own small factory, with some botanicals grown on site.US only
• McCrea'sFresh, locally sourced caramels.
• Lost Art PressWoodworking books printed in the USA.
• Second String Leather CompanyWallets and leather goods made in Grand Rapids from repurposed vintage sports gear.US & Canada
• Last MannerCurated everyday carry items for men, many you won't find elsewhere.
• Mill City RunningFamily-owned running store and a Twin Cities community favorite.
• High Country GardensNative plants that support wildlife and use water wisely.
• Christopher Elbow ChocolatesHandmade chocolates and bonbons with seasonal designs, plus an advent calendar.
• The Glass House StoreStained glass art, from salt dishes to sculptures, shipped within a day.
• Wabi SabiGoods from Japanese artisans, including traditional incense, glass and pottery.
• Taylor Custom RingsSmall family business making ethical, carefully crafted fine jewelry.
• Bread and Water PrintshopWell-designed, high-quality printed T-shirts.
• EscattoCold brew coffee that even a coffee hater enjoys.Canada only
• Bell Stone ToffeeCrunchy toffee that won't break your teeth.
• UgmonkAnalog note-taking systems and well-made goods from a small studio in Pennsylvania.
• LeckerleeSmall-batch soft lebkuchen, baked shortly before shipping and packed in decorative tins.
• Libro.fmAudiobooks that support the local bookstore of your choice.
• Well Your WorldSalt-, oil- and sugar-free plant-based foods, including a well-loved "cheese" sauce.
• BirdieBlueBags and wallets made from recycled ski wear.
• Indian Pueblo StorePueblo pottery mugs from a store owned by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico.
• Jaxon HowellHandmade custom hats with close attention to detail.
• O&H BakerySmall family bakery in the Midwest making traditional Danish kringle that ships and freezes well.
• Victory Custom AthleticMade-in-USA baseball uniforms and pants.
• Honeybadger HomesteadHandcrafted tallow balms, soaps and honey from local ingredients.
• Farm to PeopleFood from local farmers, like a farmers market delivered.
• NamaHigh-quality juicers and nut milk makers.
• Assumption AbbeyFruitcake from Trappist monks, with one email a year.
• Heath CeramicsDurable tableware in beautiful shapes and colors, from a small factory.
• Dorinda's ChocolatesFamily-run Nevada chocolatier that gives back to its community.
• Yoseka StationeryStationery store with fountain pens, inks, planners and helpful videos.
• Agenda TradingFunny, outdoorsy T-shirts designed and printed in-house, from a business that started in a Mississippi garage.
• Spinnaker ChocolateChocolate known for its inclusion bars.
• SKT CeramicsPorcelain tableware with the maker's personality in every piece.US only
• Rain Clothing CoSwimwear and activewear from honest, hardworking, fun people.US only
• Banned Books BoxCurated sets of banned books, monthly or on demand.
• Maine GrainsOutstanding flour and whole grains from Maine, with friendly service.US only
• Satchel and PageHeirloom leather bags, jackets and wallets, sold only direct.
• Dinner with BarkleySmall-batch ceramic spoon rests, kitchenware and aprons.
• RaygunFunny, progressive T-shirts and gifts designed and printed in Des Moines.
• Dandelion ChocolateSustainable bean-to-bar chocolate from San Francisco.
• House of MarblesFamily-owned maker of marbles, toys and traditional games.Ships worldwide
• Hummingbird ChocolateCraft chocolate and confections made with great ingredients.Canada only
• bhnSmall-batch, minimal-intervention Oregon wines unlike others in the region.US only
• Bee BellaFair-trade beeswax lip balm and hand lotion, with recyclable tubes.US only
• Nickel & SuedeWoman-founded maker of distinctive jewelry, handbags and accessories.
• Magnetic PoetryThe original magnetic word kits, still creative fun.
• Masri SweetsMiddle Eastern sweets from a three-generation family business.