DHgate’s own 2021 editorial highlighted ten “profit‑making” product trends, based on Google Trends data and COVID‑era shopping changes: hair wigs, yoga pants, electric inflator pumps, backpacks, bedding, Bluetooth headphones, smart home devices, scooters, phone cases, and vacuum cleaners. Those picks reflected how lockdowns, work‑from‑home and more online shopping reshaped demand, not a permanent best‑seller list.
DHgate is one cross‑border multi‑seller marketplace you can use to source these categories; you still need to evaluate each listing, seller and order term carefully before committing or scaling.
Here’s how those ten trends break down and what they mean for you now.
DHgate’s Top 10 Product Trends in 2021: What Actually Sold
According to DHgate’s 2021 blog article, consumers spent more time at home, bought more online, and shifted priorities toward comfort, practicality and remote work. That piece, supported by Google Trends data, named these ten product types:
- Hair wigs – Search interest and demand grew over the previous two years, as wigs and extensions became a common way to get longer or fuller hair without waiting for natural growth. DHgate’s editorial expected wig sales to surge as people emerged from lockdown and refreshed their appearance.
- Yoga pants – Online searches doubled in 2019 and spiked around Christmas. In 2020, purchases during Black Friday rose again as home workouts replaced gym visits and athleisure became everyday wear.
- Electric inflator pumps – Digital tire inflators with sensors and displays were framed as road‑safety essentials and popular Christmas gifts that sell out by late November, with search interest continuing to grow through 2020.
- Backpacks – Affordable, practical backpacks for students and casual use saw steady growth. Sales peaks around August–September (back‑to‑school) and late spring (outdoor activities) became stronger year by year.
- Bedding – With more time at home, beautiful bedding turned into a must‑have. Searches and sales hit all‑time highs across seasons, even in summer when bedding is usually slower, and were expected to stay strong into 2021.
- Bluetooth headphones – As phone makers removed headphone jacks, wireless earphones became one of the more popular products to sell online. Searches peaked around 2018 but the article argued that newer noise‑canceling models could be hot‑selling items in 2021.
- Smart home devices – Google Trends showed steadily rising search volume since 2017, with peaks in winter. The 2020 surge in time spent at home made smart plugs, lights and similar devices even more appealing.
- Scooters – Presented as an alternative commuting solution that had become an essential way to get around for younger people, with worldwide demand gaining momentum.
- Phone cases – Flexible, rubber‑like cases in many colors and designs, adaptable to almost any niche. Search demand rose steadily from March 2018 and was particularly high in 2020, with abundant inventory.
- Vacuum cleaners – Lockdowns made a clean home more important, driving steady growth in vacuum sales through 2020 and into 2021.
The common theme: products that improve home comfort, support remote work and fitness, and make everyday devices more usable or protected.
2021 Trends at a Glance
| Product type | Key 2021 demand driver | Main buyer risk to manage today |
|---|---|---|
| Hair wigs | Post‑lockdown grooming and style refresh | Hair fiber quality, cap construction, color accuracy |
| Yoga pants | Home fitness and everyday athleisure | Sizing, fabric opacity, stretch retention |
| Electric inflator pumps | Road safety and practical gifting | Pressure accuracy, build quality, plug/voltage fit |
| Backpacks | Back‑to‑school and casual outdoor use | Stitching strength, zippers, strap and back padding |
| Bedding | Work‑from‑home comfort and aesthetics | Fiber content, weave density, bed size measurements |
| Bluetooth headphones | Removal of phone jacks, wireless convenience | Audio quality, battery life, wireless stability |
How to Evaluate These 10 Product Types on DHgate Today
Because DHgate connects you to many independent sellers, prices and quality can vary a lot. For these 10 categories, focus on product‑specific details instead of generic advice.
Wigs and Hair Extensions: Fiber, Construction, Fit
For hair wigs:
- Fiber type – Look for clear wording like “100% human hair” or “Remy” versus “synthetic.” If the description is vague or inconsistent, assume synthetic.
- Cap construction – Check close‑up photos of the lace/front, parting, and hairline. Listings should show the inside of the cap and how it adjusts.
- Sizing and fit – Many cross‑border wig caps run small. Prefer listings with circumference and ear‑to‑ear measurements in centimeters or inches so you can compare to your own head size.
- Color accuracy – Filters can make shades look different. If available, rely on customer photos and reviews to judge whether the color matches the listing.
Apparel: Yoga Pants and Cross‑Border Sizing
For yoga pants:
- Fabric blend – Good listings name fabric content and stretch percentage (for example, polyester/spandex with a ratio). This helps you predict comfort, opacity and shape retention.
- Opacity and performance – Mentions of “squat‑proof” or non‑see‑through fabric, plus photos of models in bright light, can reduce surprises.
- Size charts – You need waist and hip measurements, not just S/M/L. Compare chart numbers to a pair of leggings you already own; many cross‑border sizes run tighter than US standard sizing.
- Waist style and length – Specify whether you want high‑waist or mid‑rise, full length or capri; these details affect fit and resale appeal.
Small Electronics: Inflator Pumps, Bluetooth Headphones, Smart Devices
For electric inflator pumps:
- Pressure range and units – Listings should state maximum PSI/bar and intended use (car tires, bike tires, balls). Missing specs usually signal a very basic pump.
- Power source – Confirm whether it uses a 12V car outlet, wall plug or built‑in battery. When a wall plug is involved, check voltage (for example, 110-240V vs. 220V‑only).
- Controls and display – Look for auto shut‑off, digital display and preset modes. If you can’t see the interface in photos, you won’t know how easy it is to use.
For Bluetooth headphones:
- Connection details – Listings should state Bluetooth version and whether they’re true wireless earbuds or on‑ear/over‑ear.
- Battery life – Check stated playback and standby times and whether there’s a charging case.
- Brand safety – Avoid listings that copy famous brand designs or naming closely; those carry higher legal and quality risks.
For smart home devices:
- Ecosystem fit – The product page should name which voice assistant or app it works with and whether it uses Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth or other protocols.
- Region and voltage – Smart plugs and powered devices must match your outlet type and voltage. If this isn’t stated, ask the seller before ordering.
Home and Mobility: Bedding, Backpacks, Scooters, Vacuums
For bedding:
- Materials and feel – Fiber content (100% cotton, microfiber, blends) and any mention of thread count or GSM help you judge comfort. Extremely high thread counts at very low prices are often marketing rather than reality.
- Size specifics – Compare the listed dimensions to your mattress measurements instead of relying on labels like “queen” or “king,” which can vary by region.
For backpacks:
- Construction – Zoom in on shoulder straps, seams and zippers. These are the first areas to fail, especially under load.
- Use case fit – If you need to carry a laptop, check the compartment dimensions and padding. For school use, look at internal organization (pockets, dividers).
For scooters:
- Basic specs – Confirm maximum load, wheel size, brake type and whether it’s manual or electric.
- Electric details – If electric, the listing should state battery capacity, claimed range and charger type. Be cautious when these details are missing or vague.
For vacuum cleaners:
- Type and power – Decide whether you want stick, robot or canister, and check stated power ratings.
- Filtration and capacity – Look for information on filters and dust bin size. Lack of detail suggests a very basic model.
Accessories: Phone Cases as a Low‑Risk Test Category
Phone cases are relatively low risk to try from a new seller:
- Precise model fit – The title and description should list the exact phone model and year (for example, “iPhone 13”), not just “for iPhone.” That matters for camera cutouts and button placement.
- Material and finish – Check whether the case is soft TPU, hard plastic, silicone or a hybrid; this affects grip and protection.
- Design quality – For printed designs, zoom in on photos to check for blur or misalignment.
For small resellers, phone cases, basic yoga pants, fashion wigs and simple bedding are the kinds of 2021 trend products that let you test DHgate suppliers before moving into higher‑stakes electronics or scooters.
Finding These Trend Products on DHgate and Alternatives If They Don’t Fit
Even though the original trend article looked ahead to 2021, these categories remain easy to explore on DHgate today using focused search terms and category filters.
Practical Search Paths on DHgate
You can usually reach each product type with direct keywords and category browsing:
- Hair wigs – Search “human hair wig” or “lace front wig” and narrow by length, color and cap size.
- Yoga pants – Look for “high waist yoga pants” or “workout leggings” in sportswear; apply size and fabric filters.
- Electric inflator pumps – Try “digital tire inflator” or “car air pump” in automotive accessories, then filter by power source.
- Backpacks – Browse bags and luggage, then refine to “school backpack” or “laptop backpack” depending on your needs.
- Bedding – Use terms like “duvet cover set” or “comforter queen” and read measurement details closely.
- Bluetooth headphones – Search “wireless earbuds” or “Bluetooth headset” and be wary of brand‑imitating listings.
- Smart home devices – Look for “smart plug” or “WiFi LED strip” and cross‑check app names and supported systems.
- Scooters – Use “kick scooter” or “electric scooter” and check specs for weight, speed and battery.
- Phone cases – Search by exact phone model (for example, “Galaxy S21 case”) to avoid fit problems.
- Vacuum cleaners – Try “robot vacuum” or “cordless stick vacuum” and compare power ratings and dust bin capacity.
DHgate also tends to surface popular categories during major sales events. External coverage of a 2021 anniversary sale, for example, shows phone accessories, masks and seasonal items among the highlighted deals, reinforcing that DHgate spotlights whatever is trending at the time rather than maintaining a fixed “top 10” list for all years. You can see one such sale overview in this Gizmochina article.
When DHgate Isn’t the Only Option
For US buyers and small resellers, DHgate is most useful when you want variety and low per‑unit pricing and you’re willing to invest effort in vetting sellers. From the 2021 list, that fits especially well for phone cases, entry‑level yoga pants, fashion wigs and decorative bedding.
For products where safety, certifications or warranty support are more critical—electric scooters, inflator pumps, certain smart home devices and more advanced vacuum cleaners—you might choose to:
- Use DHgate mainly for accessories (phone cases, decorative bedding, simple bags) while buying core devices from local channels.
- Order a single sample unit via DHgate to assess build quality and usability before deciding whether to place larger orders or switch to another sourcing approach.
Starting from DHgate’s 2021 trends but layering in these product‑specific checks lets you tap into proven demand while reducing the risks that come with cross‑border marketplace buying.