General
What Is Dropshipping & How Do You Get Started?
Understanding dropshipping and steps to launch your own online business
May 2, 2024
16 min read
Plunging into the world of dropshipping for the first time can be intimidating. From identifying the right products to sell to calculating profit margins correctly, there are many strategic moves you have to make to be able to “make it” in this industry. It’s not as simple as choosing random items to sell. You have to consider market saturation, demand, seasonal interest, supplier reliability, ease of marketing, price point, niche, product quality, among other factors.
While there’s a definite learning curve when it comes to dropshipping, this doesn’t mean your online store can’t gain traction shortly after launching. Taking advice from well-versed dropshippers can help propel you forward and push you past many of the frustrations new dropshippers often encounter.
In this article, we’ll fill you in on some of the top recommended items for new dropshippers to sell for the year 2026. We’ll explain what makes these successful for dropshipping beginners and how they can potentially lead to e-store success. This article can also give you clues on how to wisely select your own products to dropship.
Want your dropshipping business to get off to a promising start? Scroll on for popular product recommendations!
Just about any product with the word “smart” it in these days captivates the attention of consumers. Smart devices appeal to buyers for many reasons. Even before scoping their full specs, consumers assume these products will help automate time-consuming tasks, solve common problems, and generally simplify their lives – and well, they do. Smart phones, smart TVs, and now smart glasses are on buyers’ radars. Thanks to technological advancements and the costs of components dropping, these Xiaomi HD Smart Glasses are affordable for the average consumer. Combining affordability, buzz potential, and low market saturation, this product is ideal for new dropshippers to consider.
If you take a peek at the Google Trends chart below, you’ll notice that the search term for smart glasses has dramatically risen from late summer to early fall of 2025. While the hype briefly cooled down, it appears to be picking back up. You can expect another seasonal spike around Christmas through early 2026. While interest normally settles thereafter, consumer demand for smart glasses is anticipated to keep rising, especially since products like these have recently become more economical while becoming more advanced. From recent smart glasses product launches to Super Bowl 2025 ads pushing smart glasses, the average consumer is starting to value this wearable tech device for its function combined with great style. If consumers can get their hands on smart glasses like these without spending a fortune, then all the merrier.
Cords have proven themselves to be inconvenient time and time again. Corded chargers have physical constraints, are deemed unsightly, can be tripping hazards, and are more susceptible to damage. So, it’s no wonder consumers are leaning towards wireless chargers that take away the latter disadvantages, all while still getting the job done. While wireless charging pads are not new, consumers are still making the switch from traditional cord chargers. They’re also eager to find better, more stylish wireless charger options, like this multi-functional 5-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.
This product catches eyes, even from those who already own a wireless charger. This product stands out since it features a customizable night light, Bluetooth surround speaker, and also serves as a phone stand for comfortable TV streaming or video watching.
According to the graph below, wireless charging stations gained traction from late summer through early November 2025. This was the largest and longest spike in popularity this item has gained within the past five years. The second highest interest in wireless chargers was around Christmas of 2020, presumably for gifts. As Christmas 2025 inches closer, we’re expected to see another peak again. Based on the sudden traction of late 2025, we anticipate seeing even more momentum throughout 2026. Being within the trending tech and home décor niches, all while being a high demand product, multi-purpose wireless chargers are a great item for new dropshippers to consider selling.
Regardless of the current state of the economy at any given time, consumers are consistently drawn towards products that can be used to decorate their homes. Products like this Levitating Flower Pot give consumers the opportunity to add a fresh, modern touch to their interior space while cultivating mindfulness. This product also makes for a great conversation starter when entertaining guests as it leaves people curious as to how the flower pot is able to float and spin in midair. Consumers also consider novelty items like this to be highly giftable due to their uniqueness and memorability.
So, how easy would it be to sell floating décor like a Levitating Flower Pot, especially for a new dropshipper? Based on the chart below, the interest in floating décor items has suddenly been on the rise since late July 2025. While interest in these products is still emerging, there’s clear market growth potential. The recent interest gives new dropshippers the chance to take part in this trend before the market gets overcrowded. What’s more, this item fits with many promising niches, from home décor to tech gadgets. With more niches, you have better potential to target multiple audiences, including office workers, plant lovers, and tech enthusiasts. Adding this to your online store soon can help give you the best odds of success going into the new year.
Problem-solving gadgets and tools are always going to drive consumers. People are always looking for ways to make their lives easier, faster, and more convenient. Take this Shoe Washing Machine Bag for example. It serves the purpose of allowing consumers to keep their shoes clean while protecting both their shoes and their washing machine. It’s also something consumers like to tell their family and friends about, especially since this item tends to appeal to a wide range of consumers: shoe enthusiasts, athletes, or even the average individual. Apart from having a wide target audience, this shoe bag is also a great choice for new dropshippers due to its low shipping weight, lack of fragility, and high potential profit margin.
Interest in hoodie backpacks has been strong, especially for the past year. As indicated by the following Google Trends chart, it tends to gain most popularity around back to school, heavy travel months, and the holiday season. With very low saturation on the market right now – plus one of its peak seasons coming up soon – this is a prime time to get this product added to your online store before your rivals have to chance to.
Any experienced online store owner would know the importance of selling products within their niche. Tech gadget, gift, hobby, and toy dropshippers should look into selling this RC Foam Fighter Drone, even if their e-store is relatively new. This entertaining remote-controlled foam drone toy is ideal for rookie dropshippers since it’s a low cost, lightweight item that’s easy to market and demo. With little skill needed to sell this item and few risks involved in terms of cost and shipment, it’s clear why this product is suitable for starter e-store owners. With the drone market expanding to hobbyists, children, and teens, this alone makes this foam drone a great product to consider selling. Compared to most drones, this item is safer, easier to fly, more affordable, less likely to become damaged upon crashing, and doesn’t require a pilot’s license, which expands your audience potential to its fullest.
How do the prospects of this item look for beginning dropshippers? The broad search term for drones has been trending upward since December of 2024. While interest flatlined from late January to early April, attention quickly picked back up and is expected to increase again closer to Christmas. If you plan to sell this item, we recommend adding it to your shop soon. Market saturation is increasing as we speak. Entering while interest is still high can ensure you expand reach as much as possible while optimizing your sales performance for this item – not just during the holiday season but through 2026.
Both functional and aesthetic car accessories have been around for almost as long as cars have. As long as vehicles continue to exist, these products won’t be going away. Consumers, especially in a world where the mass production of products is common, tend to gravitate towards personalization, even when it comes to the car they drive. They love the idea of getting to express themselves, distinguish their vehicle from others’, and give their car added comfort or function. These waterproof LED Starlight Car Mats do just that. With this item, buyers can achieve a cleaner floorboard, create comfort, and add more illumination inside their vehicle during nighttime drives. Buyers can also make car rides more entertaining thanks to these mats’ music-synching LED lights.
Aren’t car mats saturated in the market, you might ask? While car mats can be found via many successful online retailers and individual sellers, there’s enough consistent interest among consumers to go around. For this item in particular, the market is still fresh. Not to mention, when you add unique items like these Starlight Car Mats to your e-store, they tap into different audiences – not just car enthusiasts but also teens, tech geeks, music lovers, content creators, or those looking for a fun gift for a friend. The customization and immersive aspects of these particular mats specifically help you stand out from competitors. Also keep in mind that car mats can easily be upsold or bundled with other items like steering wheel covers, LED strips, and more.
Our busy, work-driven lifestyles make it hard to stay physically active. Just motivating ourselves to get to the gym can be grueling at times. Because our time is limited and our energy and motivation are already stretched thin, it’s understandable why consumers are excited by products offering fitness solutions. Anything to make going to the gym more convenient, less stressful, and more fun. This Magnetic Water Bottle Bag for Gym allows consumers to conveniently carry their water bottle in style. It also features a magnet so buyers can attach their water bottle onto metal equipment to keep their beverage within hand’s reach at all times during their workouts. It’s an excellent item for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, or anyone trying to up their hydration game. Hikers will also love this lightweight, hands-free way to transport their water.
Curious to learn how water bottle bags are performing marketwise? The Google Trends graph below shows a strong surge in interest through the month of August 2025. While a dip appears shortly after, which is common for these items during the fall, it’s currently on the rise again. With the current fitness boom and the lean towards functional yet fashionable accessories, it’s no wonder these bags are gaining traction. The increasing interest in reusable water bottles as a fun and sustainable hydration option, especially in Stanley and Owala products, has also triggered the demand for water bottle bags. This makes it a “safe” item for new dropshippers to consider.
Beauty trends and preferences may come and go, but right now, face freckles are in. Women especially are showing affinity for this unique facial feature to elevate their appearance and provide a more youthful vibe. Fake freckles also align with young consumers’ gravitation toward a natural, authentic makeup look. From a dropshipper’s perspective, this Waterproof Freckle Pen has great potential, not only due to heavy consumer demand, but also in other ways. It offers a favorable profit margin, very low shipping costs, and it bundles well with a wide variety of other beauty tools and accessories. Even non-makeup wearers can easily demonstrate and describe this tool to prospective buyers.
If you take a look at the graph below, you’ll see a major spike in interest in freckle pens around mid-July 2025. The demand continues to be present, and it’s looking pretty promising going into 2026. But why the sudden uptick? The current trend with fake face freckles is heavily driven by TikTok stars, beauty influencers, and celebrities. Think, Kayla Malec, Mikayla Nougueira, and Hailey Bieber. Simple, travel-friendly, yet powerful beauty tools are also sought after.
There are two things consumers love most when it comes to decorating their space: expressing themselves and keeping things functional. This Brake Disc Light kills two birds with one stone. It gives car enthusiasts a way to show their love for all things cars, while also providing a way to illuminate their space. Due to the unique appeal of this item, it acts as a high impulse-buy item. It can also be marketed to a variety of groups such as car lovers, auto mechanics, gamers, and collectors.
The potential of this Brake Disc Light through 2026 looks encouraging for sellers, with late 2025 showing a surge in interest according to the chart below. With the demand for this item still emerging, this is a great opportunity for less experienced dropshippers to get ahead of the game. The quick attention grab of this item can also give new e-store owners an advantage over their competitors who may focus on selling less unique items.
Items that serve more than one purpose are essential in the eyes of consumers. This especially holds true for those with limited budgets. This Iron Chain Floating Wine Holder is a great example of a product that satisfies in more than one way, functioning as both a wine holder and as a stunning interior décor piece. With a broad target audience ranging from wine lovers to those who love to frequently entertain guests – along with ease of marketing and the ability to mesh into a variety of niches – this product has great potential for newcoming dropshippers to sell.
Wondering how well it might sell? Scope the chart below to see the interest in wine holders throughout the year. Year after year, items like these generate the most traction around the winter holidays, serving as either a gift item or a way to beautifully display a bottle of wine during a holiday gathering. Ultimately, the good profit potential and several upselling opportunities this Iron Chain Floating Wine Holder offers makes it a strong consideration, even for those lacking knowledge regarding wine. However, saturation is heating up, so unless you add this to your store quickly, your profit performance may be limited going into 2026.
Small, lightweight products make for excellent items to dropship as a newbie. They’re easy to package and don’t cost as much to ship out compared to larger, heavier items. They’re also typically affordable and offer great profit margin potential. Items like this Punching Bag with Suction Cup meet the latter criteria. Unlike standard, full-sized punching bags, this product also appeals to a wide range of consumers, from children to fitness lovers or even for those looking for quick stress relief. The small size and affordability of this product also makes it highly gift-worthy.
As shown by the chart below, punching bags are a pretty predictable item interest-wise. However, what makes this particular punching bag stand out is its low retail price, travel-friendly size and ease of storage, and ability to double up as both a functional item and a funny gift. This punching bag can seamlessly be added to a variety of broad-market and niche online stores. This item would make sense for e-stores selling fitness gear, stress-relief products, kids’ toys, gits, or even office accessories.
One thing about humans is that they tend to form inseparable bonds with their pets. So, it’s no surprise that keepsake items for pets who have passed are becoming more popular. What better way to honor a deceased pet than with this adorable Pet Hair Keychain? This keychain is available in different styles to best match your cat or dog’s appearance and allows you to add your pet’s fur or other small item side to remember your furry friend and keep them close to you on the go. With customers yearning for customizable small accessories – especially ones that hold special meaning – this product is unmistakably a great item to dropship, even for novice sellers.
In reference to the following chart, pet keychains have taken off as of early August of 2025, more than at any point over the past five years. It also consistently gains seasonal interest in December. With thousands of pet owners out there and a high demand right now, your target audience can be quite substantial. Better yet, not only is this item relevant for those whose pets have passed, but it can also pique the interest of pet lovers in general and make for a suitable gift.
Dropshipping beginners should focus on products that have consistent demand, are small and lightweight, are affordable, and have low competition.
New dropshippers often make the mistake of selling products with high market saturation. Other common mistakes include selling items across too many niches, setting unrealistic profit margins, and neglecting the power of marketing.
You can measure the demand of a product by using Google Trends or other keyword tools. Tradelle also makes it easy to see which items are trending, where they’re popular, and what times of year they sell best.
Want to see which items are currently in high demand? Search on Tradelle for quick insight.
Home improvement items, tech gadgets, health and wellness accessories, and beauty products will be popular niches to dropship in 2026.
You can gather product inspiration from TikTok viral videos or the Amazon Best Sellers page. Product research tools like Tradelle can also help you quickly identify a wide range of hot-selling products, saving you hours of manual research.
Starting an online dropshipping business is far from simple. Just selecting the right products alone can be a challenge. On one hand, you want to sell the items a strong competitor is already successfully selling. On the other hand, you don’t want to dropship products in an overly saturated market. Yet, you still want to sell products that are in high demand and either sell consistently throughout the year or have predictable seasonal patterns. There’s a lot to consider, but if you can get over the hurdle, you can eventually lead a successful online store.
So, where do you go from here? Digital seller tools like Tradelle give dropshippers important insights into products they’re interested in selling, such as market saturation, average shipping cost, and ideal target audience. This tool can also help beginners find trending items to sell, which can help them curate their e-store with an engaging line of products within their niche.
Sign up with Tradelle today to fire up your online store and take off in 2026.
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