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
Dropshipping evergreen products and dropshipping seasonal products are two distinct approaches. Year-round products are considered “safer,” easier to scale, and more stable in terms of cash flow. Seasonal products, like summer items, can present challenges pertaining to competition, short sales windows, and above-average ad costs. However, nothing worth having comes easy.
Those who succeed in surmounting the hurdles of dropshipping seasonal items, versus those who only stick to selling year-round products, have the most opportunity to make a pretty profit. Think, revenue surges during certain times of the year, exciting seasonal marketing prospects, and the ability to quickly convert customers during a prime selling point.
If you don’t want to just partake in dropshipping seasonal items this summer but actually want to perform well with such, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will cover hot-weather fan favorites worth dropshipping and what makes them smart to retail before the peak summer months.
Need ideas on marketable products to sell this summer? Don’t miss our carefully curated product list below!
There are two things that are undeniably crucial in the summertime: cold drinks and spacious carryalls to transport all your summer essentials. This insulated tote bag kills two birds with one stone, offering a solution for consumers to quench their thirst while also providing ample storage room, from bottles of alcohol and refreshing snacks to beach toys for the kids. By offering a combination of warm-weather convenience while still functioning as an item with everyday use, this drink dispenser-embedded tote bag is both the perfect travel-ready summer staple and useful everyday wearable accessory, offering the potential for sales (and consumer use) even during off-seasons.
According to the product’s Google Trends chart below, you’ll notice a sudden spike in searches for insulated tote bags as of early 2026. This is a sign of a few things: that items like these are currently trending worldwide and that people are already searching for summer products. With this particular product’s dual function as a drink dispenser/cooler while also providing a way to carry your belongings, dropshippers shouldn’t wait to add this product to their e-stores. Consumers love an item with both seasonal appeal and everyday use. Normally with the first seasonal surge around May to June, with a second wave in July, sellers can expect interest in this item to gain even more traction soon.
When it comes to camping or generally spending time in the great outdoors, especially in hot weather, you can never be too prepared. During the warmer months, consumers consistently look for products that help keep them cool, hydrated, safe from the harsh sunrays, and even bug bite-free. Not only can bug bites be painful and unsightly, but they can also be dangerous, depending on what bites you. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, even common pests, from bees to mosquitoes, can trigger life-threatening allergies. That’s where this Insect Bite Venom Extractor comes in. With a strong suction, this extractor can help quickly remove venom left after a bug or snake bite, potentially preventing a visit to the hospital.
The following chart shows consistent interest in insect bite-related products each summer, with its peak around late June to late July. This is no surprise, as this is in line with when many people camp, hike, and spend more time outside, while also the time when many venomous pests are rampant. While it’s safe to say consumers are less likely to search for insect bite products during off-season months, this venom extractor product has great potential when it is in-season, offering a plan B solution if and when an insect repellent fails. That said, adding insect repellents, along with this venom extractor, to your e-store can make for an ideal upsell opportunity among consumers looking for bug bite solutions this summer.
There’s one thing that’s true among all pet owners: they’re willing to spend money on their furry friends to give them the best life possible, even if their pockets are relatively bare. For that reason, selling pet accessories – as long as they aren’t overly saturated on the market – typically offers stable revenue for dropshippers. With this Summer Dog Cooling Vest, canine owners can not only dress up their pooch but also keep them cool in the process, making it an item capable of triggering hot-weather impulse buys. Designed with cool-to-the-touch fabric and breathable mesh, this lightweight vest gives pups the ability to resist the summer heat as much as possible while drawing moisture away from their coats.
As you can see by the chart below, interest in dog cooling vests has been relatively consistent over the past five years, usually peaking between late May and late June. While seasonal interest has yet to peak for 2026, late January 2026 already shown about double the interest among consumers from Januarys of previous years – and it’s still on the rise. That could signify record attention in dog cooling vests once the peak season does arrive. Though time will tell. One thing is for certain: this particular cooling vest is becoming more saturated on the market, so if you want to add it to your e-store, now is the time to do so. Waiting even a little longer could result in losing your chance to gain traction from this product.
Whether camping, hiking or hunting for the day, or taking a day trip to the beach, having access to a shower is a must. Yet, actually having access to one is a whole different story. With this Portable Camping Shower, you no longer have to search for an outdoor or indoor shower station; you can conveniently bathe yourself anytime, anywhere with this device. Apart from convenience, having this on-the-go shower also gives users the ability to address privacy and hygiene concerns that come with standard public shower systems. Plus, no more waiting in line, having to pay per shower, or being restricted to short time-limited showers. Frequent travelers, outdoor fitness enthusiasts, bus or van lifers, digital nomads, and families with kids would especially be drawn to a product like this.
While interest in portable showers has been pretty stable worldwide since 2021, with a slight seasonal peak around June to July, interest in such products has particularly gained traction in the summer of 2025. From there up until February, engagement among internet surfers remained above average. As people look for a more economical way to travel, shift to van life or off-the-grid living, or seek hygienic solutions during natural disasters, it’s no surprise to see a sudden elevation on the following graph. With interest increasing yet saturation still low for this Portable Camping Shower, it would be wise to start selling this product now.
Mosquitoes are a common complaint during the warmer months, in some states and countries more than others. Nonetheless, one mosquito bite can leave more than just discomfort and an ugly bump; it also has the potential to lead to bacterial infections, allergic reactions, or even diseases, according to the Mayo Clinic. This Mosquito Repeller Fan offers a solution for outdoor-goers in the summer when mosquitoes are most rampant. With consistent spinning, this visually appealing fan helps quietly deter not only mosquitoes but several other warm-weather-dwelling, flying pests like flies – allowing guests to lounge or dine bug-free. The space-friendly, lightweight, mobile design of this repeller allows for convenience when traveling, moving the device inside or outdoors, or even storing it after use.
Why sell this as a seasonal product online? Mosquito repeller is a consistently searched-for keyword in early summer. While interest tends to take a hit during the winter months, seasonal attention gains traction again around springtime. In the summer of 2025, seasonal interest peaked at its highest in five years. Even as of late January to mid-February 2026, the product has already started to gain ground, conveying there may be even stronger momentum as summer approaches compared to previous years. Your best bet? Add this product to your store ASAP to capitalize on the recent demand. Pairing this Mosquito Repeller Fan with the Insect Bite Venom Extractor from earlier on in this list can make for two ideal low-saturated, high-interest items to add to your Shopify store before summer.
While convenient tools and hot-weather “hack” items are popular in the summer months, consumers still want to have fun. This Crocodile Head RC Boat stands out from typical summer entertainment items like pool floats, frisbees, and beach volleyballs – providing fun while also giving pranksters a moment to trick. This product features a realistic crocodile face with a built-in motor, capable of remote operation up to 150 feet. From children and teen jokesters to adult hobbyists and recent lake-goers and frequent swimmers, the audience for this niche item is quite plentiful.
So, what might the interest actually look like in a product like this Crocodile Head RC Boat, you might ask? As expected, most of the interest in RC boats in general occurs around June and July. While interest tends to flatline from December to March – sometimes even through May – this year’s interest looks a bit more promising, with February interest being on the higher end and 2025’s summer having more traction than previous summers over the past five years. With market saturation for this product still low, we recommend beginning to dropship this item as soon as possible to get an early mover advantage.
Privacy and convenience are two things people love, and this Pop-Up Privacy Tent offers both. This easy-to-set-up and instantly collapsible tent allows users to essentially create their own private “changing room” or outdoor bathroom in a pinch – whether one is camping, on the beach, hiking in the wilderness, or even making a quick pitstop on a road trip. The target audience for this Pop-Up Privacy Tent typically includes families with kids, travelers, fitness enthusiasts, outdoorsy folks, and frequent event-goers who may need to change clothes/swimwear or use the restroom in outdoor areas at any given time.
Interest in privacy tents like this one didn’t truly start showing signs of traction until late spring to July of 2025, with cooler season dips expected each year as people travel less and stay indoors more. As interest begins to typically heat up starting in February or March, based on the Google Trends chart below, the time to add this product to your online store is now. Adding this item as engagement slowly rises for the search term can help you lock in sales early before the summer spike eventually hits. With last summer having more than 50% increase in searches compared to the summer of 2024, the summer of 2026 is looking promising.
Fake freckles are still in, and what better time to flaunt them than in the summertime, when natural freckles normally become more prominent due to the increase in sunshine and stronger UV rays? The fake freckle trend is not new by any means, but it has been recently revived in the 2020s – thanks to social media amplification and an increased direction towards natural, authentic beauty. With endorsements among celebrities and influencers – ranging from Kylie Jenner to Charli D’Amelio – the draw towards faux freckles became even hotter as time went on. With a freckle pen like this, both women and men can add the sun-kissed-like marks to their faces with ease. Being waterproof, this is a great summer-ready beauty product, making it ideal to wear while swimming, at the beach, or dealing with hot, sweaty days.
The Google Trends insights below indicate a massive spike in interest in July of 2025. Although you see attention flatlined from about September to mid-February, engagement for the search term is still significantly higher than in previous years for the same period. For being a trendy, highly sought-after item, this freckle pen is still not yet saturated among sellers – but it will penetrate the market more as interest continues to climb. With huge profit potential plus a clear demand for the item – along with low shipping costs for this small, lightweight item – sellers in the beauty niche shouldn’t wait to jump on the bandwagon. Even newer dropshippers should consider integrating this item into their online store.
During the hot summer months, you don’t have to compromise between staying cool and getting cozy. This Cooling Blanket allows you to do both with one convenient product. This special, summer-friendly blanket – available in both twin and queen – is composed of a breathable, cool-to-the-touch, lightweight silk that provides consistent cooling “technology” while still having the comfort of a traditional blanket. Hot sleepers, campers, and those who generally prefer sleeping at a cooler temperature – especially during the hot months of summer – will enjoy a good night’s rest with this refreshing Cooling Blanket.
Over the past five years, July has consistently been a popular month in which users search for cooling blankets online. Interestingly, there’s typically another small uptick for the search term around the holidays – likely for gift-giving. While interest slumps for a bit, it starts to show traction again around April as the air starts heating up. Considering July 2025 exhibited a big spike from previous years, we anticipate a similar spike this upcoming summer. Now that the market saturation is gradually rising, yet still favorable from a dropshipper’s perspective, and with potential for an over 50% markup, sellers should strongly consider adding this item to their collection soon.
Bright sun, sunburns, and heat are three things that are no bueno during the summertime. This Portable Umbrella with Fan & Misting makes braving the summer elements much more tolerable for everyone: children, event-goers, travelers, hikers, elderly individuals, pregnant women, people with disabilities, or simply anyone wanting to stay cool and out of the sun as much as possible during the hot weather. As the title implies, this summer umbrella features shading technology paired with a battery-operated fan and manual misting. With the ability to turn off the fan and misting settings at the user’s discretion, this umbrella can even be enjoyed on rainy days or on sunny days when cooling technology isn’t needed.
With convenient, on-the-go solutions always enticing consumers, especially in a wellness and self-care era, it’s no surprise to see a sudden surge in interest in the umbrella fan search term this last holiday season. Before, interest in products like this primarily peaked around May and June only. With engagement with the search term on the rise since the summer of 2024, we expect to see another favorable upturn in the summer of 2026. After all, for an off-season, February interest this year already looks pretty favorable compared to Februarys of previous years.
Summer is for enjoying the great outdoors and engaging in a variety of hobbies. A product like this Garden Kneeler Folding Chair allows users to not only engage in gardening at ease but participate in other activities requiring bending, kneeling, or sitting – like participating in yoga, fishing, attending outdoor events, or even resting while hiking. A comfortable, lightweight, easy to set up and take down, and portable product like this convenient folding chair is suitable for a wide variety of folks: people with disabilities, frequent event attendees, elderly folks, those who love the outdoors, athletes, and people who travel a lot.
The most popular time worldwide users search for garden kneelers like this product is around May as gardening begins to pick up for the year. However, there is also a small surge around the holidays, with 2025 having a longer winter surge than the three years prior. February is typically around the time when Google shows a gradual uptick in searches for garden kneelers, slowly increasing until the peak month hits. Knowing this, dropshippers should look at adding this folding chair to their online store now, especially if they’re in the gardening, traveling, sports, or outdoor niche. Don’t wait until it’s already summer – or even spring.
These days, ice-cold showers are more than just a hot-weather convenience or a personal preference. The cold plunge movement, which picked up again most recently in the early to mid-2020s, is centered around intentional cold exposure as a means of stress reduction, nervous system training, post-workout recovery, and general wellness. The trendy movement helped popularize cryotherapy, DIY ice baths, ice water face dips, facial ice globes, cold showers, and even products like this Ice Cold Shower Attachment. This product offers a simple mechanism with a special “pocket” the user can fill with ice that attaches seamlessly to virtually any showerhead, thus allowing a chilled shower effect once the water from the shower pours over the cold ice. Not only does selling this shower attachment have potential in the hotter months, but you also have the chance to sell it to wellness-focused consumers and those who generally love taking cold showers throughout the year.
Curious to see the popularity surrounding cold shower solutions like this product? For the keyword “cold shower,” interest has been relatively stable year-round over the past five years, with mild waxes and wanes. While May through July tend to be popular months for this search, interest also rises from around December to February, likely in line with wellness-related New Year’s resolutions. Adding this Ice Cold Shower Attachment to your online store soon can help you capitalize on resolutions while amping up your visibility for the next upcoming seasonal spike.
Popular products in the summer include those that provide solutions to seasonal challenges, like heat, dehydration, and insects. Products that make warmer-weather activities and traveling more convenient also trend among consumers around the summer.
Yes, even beginner dropshippers can find success with dropshipping summer products! While selling seasonal items require special strategy and are riskier for novice dropshippers, the key is to focus on selling lightweight items, carefully evaluating demand before jumping on the bandwagon, and keeping an eye on competitors.
Yes and no. Some summer products, like pool inflatables and swimwear, are competitive in the dropshipping market. Low to moderate competition summer products, on the other hand, include niche summer hobby items, travel accessories, and special cooling gadgets. The goal is to go for items that have interest without saturation.
Don’t wait until the summer months peak to begin dropshipping summer items. You should begin two or three months beforehand. This allows you time to validate product demand, run small campaigns, and boost web traffic before competitors crowd the market.
Never “guess” which products will be successful; always research and validate. To make the process of selecting dropshipping products easier, Tradelle has a convenient trending product tool to help dropshippers evaluate which products have interest and good profit potential, minus the market saturation.
Keeping up with seasonal demands can be tricky. Just when you think consumers are eyeing certain seasonal products, they’ve already mentally moved on to the next season. So, not only are you stuck trying to assess which individual products are hot on the market at present, but you’re also scrambling to keep up with season-dependent demands. While easier said than done, strong market analysis and data-driven decision-making are the backbone of every strong dropshipping game.
You don’t have to be alone in figuring out which items to dropship. Tradelle helps dropshippers, both new and experienced, effortlessly analyze products that are currently trending via their product research tool. Come across a list of thousands of worthwhile products to dropship this summer, backed up with data pertaining to regional interest, product demand, recent customer reviews, and various key metrics.
Visit Tradelle today to stumble upon the best summer-ready products to dropship in 2026.
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