When it comes to promotional products, one of the top priorities is usefulness. Many of our clients seek items that are not only widely used but also durable and sustainable. A truly useful promotional item should have universal appeal, making it suitable for any audience.
According to a study by the BPMA, usefulness ranks just behind price as a key factor in choosing promotional merchandise. While cost is a primary concern, a product’s practical value and utility are nearly as important to buyers.
The top 10 most useful promotional items listed below are true crowd-pleasers. They are designed to be reached for frequently, kept in sight, and carried around throughout the day. These items appeal to any demographic and are perfect for events, staff giveaways, or onboarding packs—any occasion where practicality is key.
Here we have our top 10 most useful promotional items:
1. 100% Recycled 10oz Cotton Tote Bag
In a world where a tote bag is essential wherever you go, custom tote bags are incredibly useful. The 10oz size of this tote means they can carry your shopping, laptop, work items, or just your daily essentials. With a large print area, your brand will always be at the forefront of the owner’s mind, while advertising to everyone around them. This tote is eco-friendly and made from 100% recycled cotton. It’s a universal product that works perfectly at events for filling with other promotional items and company information.
2. Savanna Bamboo Lunch Box Set
If you’re looking for something unique but still useful, this lunch box is a fantastic choice. Perfect for companies in the fitness, outdoor, eco, food, and drink sectors, this branded lunch box combines stainless steel and bamboo for greater longevity compared to typical plastic ones. It also includes a knife and fork, making it a convenient all-in-one solution for meals on the go.
These days, no one leaves their house without a bottle of water. The Sienna Pantone Bottle can be branded with your logo and Pantone-matched to your company colours, making it truly stand out. What makes this bottle even more useful is its double-walled design, ensuring drinks stay cold all day long. It’s a practical and stylish promotional item that keeps your brand visible.
4. Organic Essentials Unisex Zip Hoodie
Zip hoodies are incredibly useful because they’re always at hand when you need them. People use these to stay warm on chilly days, whether working from home or sitting in the office. A comfy zip hoodie is a wardrobe staple for most people and can be used for many years. Made from 85% organic cotton and 15% recycled polyester, it’s eco-friendly as well as practical.
Almost everyone has a notebook on their desk. There’s no substitute for jotting down a quick idea or scribbling notes in a meeting. These notebooks, made from recycled materials, will be used until all the pages are filled. They are particularly useful when given out at trade show events for attendees to jot down notes while listening to speakers.
In 2023, there were 171.5 days in which 1 mm or more of rain fell. That’s a whopping 47% of the year! Umbrellas are a must-have if you are living in the UK, especially for London commuters who often get caught short. This umbrella is made from recycled bottles with a large print area that can showcase your logo every time the heavens open.
7. Nordia Recycled Thermal Cup
A good thermal cup to keep your drink warm is a very useful promotional item for people who like hot drinks on the go. This cup can be used for coffee, tea, or even a chai latte. Thermal cups are handy and always ready when you need them. This eco-friendly cup is made from recyclable plastic and stainless steel, making it a practical and sustainable choice.
8. Nova RPET Roll-Top Backpack
If you’re looking for a high-end item that offers daily use and great brand exposure, this rPET backpack is an excellent choice. It features a large inner compartment with a separate section for a laptop, side pockets, and a front zip pocket for maximum usefulness. This backpack is ideal for commuters, hybrid workers, day trips, or everyday use. It would be a fantastic addition to an onboarding pack for hybrid workers and can be filled with other goodies.
Beeswax wraps combine usefulness and uniqueness, making them a standout promotional item. Since their release, they have been one of our top sellers due to their practicality and eco-friendly design. With a large print area and made from eco-friendly materials, these wraps help eradicate the use of plastic, a hugely wasteful product. They can be used time and time again, making them a sustainable and popular choice.
10. Paolo Metal Pantone Matched Pen
You can’t get more useful than the humble pen. While pens have a smaller print area, Pantone colouring the entire pen in your company colours makes it stand out more. This sleek metal pen is a pleasure to write with and will take pride of place on any desk.
Finding good promotional items that provide maximum exposure can be challenging. Promotional products that clients will use daily provide the best value. These most useful promotional items are designed to be used frequently and appeal to any demographic.
Contact us to discover the perfect, useful promotional items for your needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most useful promotional item?
The most useful promotional item is undoubtedly the pen. It's an essential tool that people reach for constantly, whether they are in an office or at home. A pen is always needed and appreciated, making it a practical and effective choice for promoting your brand.
What makes a promotional item useful?
A promotional item is considered useful if it serves a practical purpose in the daily lives of recipients. This includes items like tote bags, water bottles, notebooks, and pens, which are used frequently and provide constant brand exposure.
How do I select the right promotional item for my brand?
Consider your target audience's needs and preferences. Choose items that align with your brand values and are likely to be used regularly by your recipients. Practicality, durability, and relevance to your industry are key factors.
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Chris Love
Founder and Managing Director of Brandelity, a UK based eco centric promotional product supplier. Loves creating content that beats the drum about sustainable and environmentally focused promotional merchandise. Uses 20 years industry experience to offer tips and advice on how to get the maximum engagement from branded promotional products.