15 dropshipping niches to try and 5 to avoid

Social media

Your phone is the most convenient place to start market research. Social media platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok are hubs for current trends, and they’re great for researching almost all age groups. 

Browse the Discover sections and hashtags to see what’s trending and what products people are eager to get their hands on. Filter them by location and topic to get more precise results.

You’ll likely find competitors who target the same or similar customer segments. Check what they’re offering, learn about their wins and failures, and find ways to sell products with more added value for your target customer.

Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs

Online tools like Google Keywords Planner and Ahrefs are great for search engine optimization and traffic improvement. They can also help you identify popular trends, their longevity, and understand if there’s a high demand for a product niche.

These tools show how many people search for particular words and phrases and how their interest has changed over a month. 

For example, once you’ve brainstormed a few promising dropshipping niches, a simple keyword analysis can help clarify if people are interested in buying these products. Plus, these tools can check for market saturation.

Marketplaces

It’s good practice to investigate what your competitors are up to. Since online marketplaces like Amazon can rank more than 242 million visitors in a month, they’re an excellent indicator of consumer trends.

Browse categories to see which products attract the most interest. Determine whether they’re suitable for your dropshipping business and whether you can add value to the market. 

You can also explore customer reviews to find out what satisfies them, what they would like improved, and gauge their pricing expectations.

Google Trends

This easy-to-use tool quickly identifies trends and shows how their popularity changes, making it an excellent way to evaluate the potential of a dropshipping niche.

Google Trends’ reports are free for everyone. Find search volumes for specific words and phrases and filter them by the timeframe and location relevant to you. See what people are excited about and pinpoint a gap in the market that your dropshipping business can fill.

If you’re out of ideas, click the Trending Searches section for daily and real-time trends and continue exploring this blog for the 15 most profitable dropshipping niches.

1. Pet supplies

In 2024, 86.9 million households in the United States have a pet – and pet owners love to spoil their furry friends, so there’s a huge market for it. Some popular products include custom pet portraits, collars, food bowls, and pet clothing. 

Remember – there are feathery, furry, and scaly pets, and their owners deal with different daily adventures. So, targeting all pet owners could be too broad of a niche. To succeed in dropshipping within this market, consider finding a niche that targets breed-specific communities.

2. Eco-friendly products

Sustainable products are a top-performing dropshipping niche, with 78% of US consumers prioritizing eco-friendliness. They mostly seek products with sustainable packaging, traceable origin, and biodegradable materials. 

To stay ahead in dropshipping, consider offering eco-friendly goods to appeal to this large audience of eco-conscious buyers.

3. Baby products

Parents always want the best for their little ones, and when they find a product that works, they’ll come back for more and recommend it to others. 

Baby products like toys, baby clothes, and accessories maintain steady demand, peaking around the winter holidays. The global baby care and food markets are booming and projected for further growth, potentially reaching $100 billion by 2027.

4. Fitness and sports products

The pandemic led to a surge in people adopting healthier lifestyles, with four in five Americans now owning home exercise equipment. So, if you’re looking to get into dropshipping, you can’t go wrong with fitness gear. 

Custom yoga mats, sportswear, resistance bands, and gym bags are all popular items. Don’t forget about traditional sporting goods – basketball, hockey, and golf fans are always looking to upgrade their equipment.

5. Beauty products

Did you know the beauty industry is projected to reach a massive $558.12 billion by 2026? With an annual growth rate of 4.82%, it’s an exciting opportunity for dropshippers. 

The most popular products include hot air brushes, razors, makeup remover wipes, blending sponges, and magnetic lashes. Also, keep in mind the growing demand for eco-friendly goods. 

Stay on top of the latest affiliate marketing trends, and consider partnering with influencers to boost your sales and brand recognition.

6. Home decor

The home decor market hit $128.70 billion worldwide in 2024, making it a prime dropshipping niche. 

Choose a theme, such as minimalist, art deco, or industrial – and focus on specific products like canvases, curtains, ceramics, candles, or bedding to add to your online store. 

Stay on-trend by following top lifestyle and interior design pages and influencers on Pinterest and Instagram.

7. Clothing and apparel

The home decor market hit $128.70 billion worldwide in 2024, making it a prime dropshipping niche. 

Choose a theme, such as minimalist, art deco, or industrial – and focus on specific products like canvases, curtains, ceramics, candles, or bedding to add to your online store. 

Stay on-trend by following top lifestyle and interior design pages and influencers on Pinterest and Instagram.

8. Health and personal care

Health and personal care products like hair care, dental care, nutrition, and medical supplies are popular dropshipping items. 

Massive growth is expected in the global consumer healthcare market, reaching $781.5 billion by 2030. 

For inspiration, check out top-selling products on Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify dropshipping stores.

9. Gaming accessories

Gaming is a highly profitable niche, with a forecast of around 3.32 billion gamers worldwide by the end of 2024.

Sell gamer merchandise with your designs, from high-resolution headsets and headset straps to mice, custom keyboards, microphones, and streaming packs.

10. Jewelry

The global jewelry market is set for a big surge, with revenue expected to jump $46.3 billion from 2024 to 2028.

Jewelry packaging is often smaller and lighter than clothing boxes, which can reduce shipping damage and returns due to compromised items. 

It’s often a sentimental purchase, especially around holidays – so promote special offers for occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Popular items include custom necklaces, earring sets, and personalized jewelry boxes.

11. Mobile phone accessories

Customers consistently seek out phone accessories, making this one of the most profitable dropshipping niches to try. Charging cables break, screens need protection, and connection ports often change. Phone cases, charging cables, power banks, ring lights, and screen protectors are forever in high demand. 

To succeed, offer high-quality, durable accessories with accurate descriptions to avoid bad reviews and returns.

12. Home office accessories

Hybrid work is here to stay, and with it, home office accessories will remain popular. Cater to the office supplies niche and generate a sustainable income. 

People crave comfortable setups, utilizing items like mouse pads and organizers. Other popular items include notepads, footrests, and laptop stands.

13. Kitchen tools

Food is love, and cooking with high-quality tools makes it even better. Your dropshipping business can provide home chefs worldwide with unique and enjoyable cooking experiences. 

Popular items include electronic scales, can openers, and dish towels. Explore niches like baking, grilling, and confectionery. 

Stay on top of trends with search analytics tools and dominate the best-selling kitchen utensils and gadgets category on Amazon or other marketplaces.

14. Car accessories

The car accessories market is a powerhouse, with a forecast to grow by 5.5% annually from 2023 to 2032, reaching a value of $335.5 billion. 

Get your motor running and start your dropshipping engine in the car accessories niche. Focus on selling popular products like car seat gap fillers, pet seat covers, and holders for cups or phones. 

15. Hobby items

Engage with your or your target audience’s interests and passions. People will spend time and money on whatever brings them happiness. Dig deep into the top five hobbies and interests in the US, including music, food, reading, pets, and video games, to find a profitable dropshipping niche.

1. Furniture

Large furniture items may seem profitable for dropshipping, but their size results in higher shipping rates, packaging costs, and potential returns. Consider import taxes and offer an acceptable price to avoid hurting profits. Stick to versatile home decor and office improvement categories to minimize risk.

2. Fragile items

Shipping delicate items like glass decor, watches, wine glasses, and electronics can be a nightmare for dropshippers. They’re fragile and expensive, and longer shipping times can increase the risk of damage. Consider sturdier, less expensive locally manufactured goods and eco-friendly packaging to protect delicate items.

3. Basic clothing and apparel

The basic apparel industry is highly competitive, with top players running the market. Before you start dropshipping products, construct a carefully thought-out strategy with a unique selling proposition. 

Consider the subcategories mentioned earlier. People love being a part of a movement and are looking for like-minded brands they can support. Think about values you can share with your ideal customers and build your brand around them.

4. Electronics

Electronics fall under the high return and refund category, coming in fifth in the US. Test your products before selling and check for manufacturing errors to avoid bad reviews. Read other eCommerce company reviews of the manufacturer to make a more informed decision.

5. Seasonal products

Seasonal products might seem hot – think holiday sweaters or summer pool floats. But for dropshipping, they can be a recipe for trouble if you focus exclusively on them. Here’s why:

• Short sales window. You’ll face intense competition during peak season, followed by a sales drought.
• Inventory issues. Predicting demand for fleeting trends is tricky. You risk getting stuck with dead stock after the hype fades.
• Shipping delays. Seasonal rushes can overwhelm suppliers, leading to delayed deliveries and unhappy customers.

Consider niches with year-round appeal, allowing you to build a stable business and avoid the seasonal sales roller coaster.

Research potential traffic sources

Check the keywords related to your dropshipping niche and analyze their search volume, competition, and type – such as transactional, informational, or navigational. 

By categorizing keywords and analyzing their potential to drive traffic and sales, you’ll better understand the market demand for your products and how to position them effectively. This research can also help you identify gaps in the market and potential sub-niches to target.

Study the search engine results page

Use SERP analysis tools like SemRush and Moz to get an in-depth look at your competitor’s backlink profiles, keyword rankings, and visibility in search engines. This information can help you optimize your content and online business strategy to outperform the competition and attract more potential customers to your dropshipping store.

Analyze the competition

Competitor analysis is a crucial step for a successful dropshipping business. By visiting your competitors’ websites, you can gain valuable insights into their product offerings, pricing structures, shipping policies, and customer reviews. 

Analyzing this data can help you identify gaps in their selection and opportunities to differentiate your product range, ultimately providing greater value to your customers. 

Additionally, examining competitor marketing efforts can reveal strategies for optimizing your own marketing approach, ensuring your dropshipping business operates more effectively.

Check what sells well

Analyze the most profitable dropshipping products and categories in your dropshipping niche on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. 

Look for opportunities to offer unique products or differentiate yourself from competitors by offering complementary products, customized packaging, or exceptional customer service.

Identify your unique selling proposition

Determine the USPs that set you apart from your competitors. It could be your product quality, pricing, shipping speed, customer service, or brand identity. Use your USP as a key selling point in marketing campaigns.

1. Define your target audience

Knowing your ideal customer is crucial for dropshipping success as it lays the foundation for product selection and marketing.  

Conduct market research to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points. This will help you tailor your product offerings, branding, and customer service to their specific needs.

2. Order product samples

Don’t blindly trust your manufacturer’s product descriptions and images. Order a few product samples to test their quality, durability, and packaging. This will help you avoid negative customer reviews and returns.

3. Price products correctly

Pricing is a delicate balance in dropshipping. You want to offer competitive prices that attract customers, but you must also factor in costs, shipping fees, and profit margins. 

Find a pricing formula that considers all these variables, and price products accordingly as your business grows.

4. Utilize marketing and search engine optimization

Dropshipping is crowded, so you must stand out from the competition. Invest in a strong marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, paid ads, and SEO. 

Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and backlinks to improve your website’s visibility and increase organic traffic.

5. Provide great customer service

Customer service can make or break your dropshipping business. Ensure you have responsive and knowledgeable customer support that can promptly and professionally handle inquiries, complaints, and returns. 

Offer free shipping, easy returns, and other incentives that show customers that you value their business.