Promotional Products That Actually Get Kept (And the Ones That Get Tossed)
Not all promo items are created equal. Some get used daily for years. Others end up in the trash before the event is over. Here's what the data says about which promo products are worth your money.
Promotional Products That Actually Get Kept (And the Ones That Get Tossed)
Every year, companies spend billions of dollars on promotional products. Pens, stress balls, lanyards, keychains. And every year, a huge chunk of that money ends up in the trash. Literally.
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) tracks this stuff closely, and their data tells a clear story: some promo items generate thousands of impressions over their lifetime, while others barely make it through the day.
If you're going to spend money on branded products, you should know which ones actually work.
The Winners: Products People Keep for Years
Drinkware (Tumblers, Water Bottles, Mugs)
Drinkware is the king of promotional products. Studies show that branded drinkware is kept for an average of 12 months and generates over 1,400 impressions during its lifetime. A quality tumbler or water bottle becomes part of someone's daily routine. It sits on their desk at work, goes to the gym, rides in the car cupholder. Your logo is in front of people constantly.
Our top picks: The 40oz Travel Tumbler and the Owala Style Water Bottle are both items people get genuinely excited about.
Bags (Backpacks, Totes, Gym Bags)
Bags have the highest impression rate of any promo category at over 3,300 impressions per item. Think about it. A branded backpack goes to work, the gym, the airport, grocery stores. It's a walking billboard. Canvas tote bags are also huge right now, especially with the shift away from plastic bags.
Outerwear and Apparel
A branded hoodie or jacket gets worn repeatedly over months or even years. Unlike a trade show tchotchke, quality apparel becomes part of someone's wardrobe. The key word is quality. A cheap, scratchy t-shirt gets donated. A soft, well-fitting hoodie becomes a go-to layer.
Tech Accessories
Wireless chargers, portable power banks, and phone stands have high perceived value. People keep tech items because they're useful. A branded wireless charger sits on someone's desk and gets used every single day.
Blankets and Outdoor Gear
Branded blankets, camp chairs, and coolers have incredibly long lifespans. A puffy camping blanket or a quality cooler with your logo on it gets used at picnics, tailgates, and camping trips for years. These are premium items with a higher price point, but the longevity makes them worth it for high-value clients or employee appreciation.
The Losers: Products That End Up in the Trash
Cheap Pens
We know. Everybody orders pens. And yes, they're dirt cheap. But most promotional pens end up lost, broken, or tossed within a week. If you're going to do pens, at least invest in a quality pen that writes well. A metal barrel pen with a smooth ink flow will stick around much longer than a flimsy plastic one.
Stress Balls and Fidget Items
They're fun for about 30 seconds at a trade show booth. Then they end up in a junk drawer or a trash can. The impression count is abysmal compared to the cost.
Generic Lanyards
Unless someone actually needs a lanyard for their badge, it's going straight into the "stuff I got at a conference" pile. And even if they do use it, lanyards have low visibility and low impression counts.
Paper Products (Notepads, Calendars)
In 2026, most people use digital tools for notes and scheduling. Branded notepads feel outdated and rarely get used. The exception is a high-quality hardcover notebook, which still has perceived value.
How to Choose the Right Promo Item
Ask yourself three questions before ordering any promotional product:
- Would I actually use this? If the answer is no, your audience probably won't either.
- Does it solve a problem or fill a need? Useful items get kept. Novelty items get tossed.
- Will it last? The longer something lasts, the more impressions it generates. A $20 tumbler that lasts a year is a better investment than 20 pens at $1 each.
The Bottom Line
The goal of promotional products isn't just to hand something out. It's to give someone something they'll use, keep, and associate with your brand. Spend a little more on fewer, better items and you'll get a dramatically better return on your investment.
Need help picking the right promo products for your next event or campaign? Send us a message at orders@gocustommerch.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
The items most likely to be kept are drinkware (tumblers, water bottles, coffee mugs), premium bags and totes, tech accessories like chargers and speakers, and quality apparel. PPAI research consistently shows these items have the longest lifespan and highest daily-use rates, which means more brand impressions per dollar spent.
Cheap plastic pens, stress balls, keychains, single-use bags, flimsy lanyards, and low-quality magnets almost always end up in the trash within weeks. Any item that feels disposable or breaks quickly damages brand perception. The few dollars saved on cheap items usually costs more in brand reputation.
According to PPAI data, a branded tumbler generates around 1,400 brand impressions over its lifespan. Tote bags deliver about 3,300 impressions due to high use in public. A quality pen generates about 3,000 impressions. Compare that to a digital ad impression that lasts seconds and the ROI on good promo products is exceptional.
Think in terms of cost per impression, not cost per unit. A $15 branded tumbler used for 2 years generates thousands of brand views, costing less than a penny per impression. A $0.50 pen that gets tossed in a week costs more per impression. Spend more on fewer, better items and your ROI improves.
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