Welcome to my review of Temu, a new website that’s been popping up all over the internet. It’s similar to Wish or AliExpress, offering a wide range of cheap products. I decided to put Temu to the test by ordering the first nine products they recommended. I placed my order on December 17 and received my package ten days later. Shipping was free on all orders at the time, though I’m not sure if that’s a temporary or permanent offer. In total, the nine products I ordered cost only $48.58 with sales tax, which is quite cheap. But of course, the real question is whether or not these products are any good. That’s what I’ll be exploring in this review.
What I Ordered
Note: I have no affiliation with Temu of any kind. My review is not sponsored or paid for in any way, nor are the links below.
Below are the nine products I ordered, along with direct links to their product pages on the website where I placed my order.
- Digital thermometer: $1.98 (Listing)
- Solar Light: $2.98 (Listing)
- Sunglasses: $2.98 (Listing)
- Flashlight: $3.98 (Listing)
- Headlamp: $3.98 (Listing)
- Bottle Opener: $3.98 (Listing)
- Writing Tablet: $4.98 (Listing)
- Shoes: $9.98 (Listing)
- Handheld Game System: $9.98 (Listing)
Other Items of Interest:
- Pop-the-Top Opener: Video Review | Purchase
- ChefsTemp FinalTouch X10: Video Review | Purchase
- Ray-Ban Stories: Video Review | Purchase
Temu Review
If you haven’t heard of Temu yet, you probably will. It is a discount website that offers a wide variety of inexpensive products from China, much like Wish or AliExpress. I decided to try it for myself by ordering the first 9 products that were recommended to me, and today I offer my review. Which of these 9 products is a deal and which is a dud? Let’s find out.
Thermometer – $1.98
I tested this $1.98 thermometer from Temu against my trusty $70 ChefsTemp FinalTouch X10. The results were clear: the ChefsTemp came out on top. It was able to accurately measure the temperature of hot or cold liquids in just a few seconds, while the cheap thermometer from Temu struggled to get a reading in under a minute. It’s clear that in this case, you get what you pay for. The ChefsTemp may have a higher price tag, but it delivers reliable and speedy performance.
Result: DUD
Sunglasses – $2.98
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of these sunglasses from Temu. The first thing I noticed was the sturdy, metallic frames, which felt much more durable than those on many of the other sunglasses in my extensive collection. The lenses had a pleasant green tint, similar to my Ray-Ban Stories glasses, and were also polarized. While the size of the glasses may have been a bit smaller than I would have liked, I have to say that they’re still better than many of the $20 pairs of glasses I’ve reviewed in the past. All things considered, I’d say these sunglasses represent a great deal based on their price and the quality of their materials.
Results: DEAL
Solar Light – $2.98
When I saw the photos of this solar light, I was excited at the prospect, however I was disappointed with what I actually received from Temu. The one shown on the website looked much larger and brighter, but the actual product was a letdown. Not only is it not light sensitive, meaning you have to manually turn it on and off, but the solar panel is also not angled, so it doesn’t charge in the most optimal position. Additionally, the light must be mounted in direct sunlight and hangs flat, so there are limitations on where it can be placed. The light only lasted for about 4 hours. While it has a pleasant appearance, I have to call this one a dud.
Result: DUD
Flashlight – $3.98
I wasn’t able to find much information about the $4 flashlight I ordered from Temu before I made my purchase, but I was pleasantly surprised by its performance. This model features a button that cycles through high, low, strobe, and lantern functions, and I found its brightness to be on par with my $56 XTorch flashlight, which is 400 lumens. While the Temu flashlight only runs for about 2-3 hours on a full charge, I think its brightness is sufficient for most everyday uses. It’s made of cheap plastic, but considering the price, I’d say it’s a decent deal.
Result: DEAL
Headlight – $3.98
This $4 headlamp reminded me a lot of the Atomic Beam Headlight I reviewed a few years ago. It offers three different brightness levels and a strobe mode. The strap was easy to install and the headlamp itself was simple to adjust. In terms of brightness, I found it to be similar to the Temu flashlight I also tested for this review. While the materials used in this headlamp may not be the highest quality, I still think it’s a good deal considering its price and functionality.
Result: DEAL
Bottle Opener – $3.98
The Temu bottle opener reminded me of a similar model called Pop-the-Top that I reviewed a couple years ago. These types of bottle openers function differently than traditional ones – you simply place the top of the bottle into the chamber and press down. When you release the bottle opener, the cap will be removed. I compared the Temu bottle opener to Pop-the-Top and found that they were pretty evenly matched. Pop-the-Top was slightly faster, but the Temu version had the added bonus of a magnet that holds onto the caps after opening, rather than letting them fly off. Overall, I’d say the results were a tie, making the Temu bottle opener a great deal.
Results: DEAL
Writing Tablet – $4.98
Temu suggested this writing tablet, but didn’t offer much information about it. Upon receiving and testing it out, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it actually works as shown in the photos. One thing to note is that the tablet itself is very thin and flimsy, so it may not be the most durable option out there. That being said, it does come with a pen (although you can also use a fingernail or other sharp object to write on the surface). There is also an erase button that clears the entire drawing surface, which can be locked on or off with a switch on the back. While I found it to be functional, I’m not sure how many practical uses it has beyond possibly being a tool for children to practice writing or drawing. It does work, so I’ll call this one a deal.
Results: DEAL
Shoes – $9.98
Out of the two $10 items I ordered, one of them was a pair of shoes. Upon receiving them, I found the size and appearance to be exactly as advertised. These shoes are incredibly lightweight, almost feeling like slippers when I wear them. I’ve been using them exclusively for about a week now and have been pleasantly surprised by how well they’ve held up. They are comfortable, although I will say that they don’t offer a lot of arch support. Even with the addition of an insert for extra support, I still think these shoes are a great value at just $10. I’ll continue to wear them and update this space once they eventually wear out.
Results: DEAL
Game System – $9.98
The other $10 item I ordered was a game system that looks almost identical to an old school Game Boy. It comes loaded with 400 games, mostly featuring classic arcade and Nintendo titles. I had my son and his friend test it out and they both said that the games seemed to be accurate representations of the original versions. However, they did point out one major flaw: there doesn’t appear to be any saved data on this system. That means no high scores or saved games, which could be a major drawback for some players. Despite this flaw, the sheer number of games included (some of which may or may not be pirated) make this a decent value for the price.
Results: DEAL
Final Results: 7 DEALS, 2 DUDS (Although a few of those deals are probably borderline!)
In conclusion, I found that shopping on Temu was similar to shopping on sites like Wish and AliExpress, with the added bonus of faster shipping. However, I did notice that many of the product listings had an excessive number of reviews, so I wouldn’t necessarily rely on them when making a purchase decision. Out of the items I ordered, I had 7 “deals” and 2 “duds,” but I would still recommend exercising caution when shopping on this site and keeping your expectations in check. If you’ve had experience shopping on Temu, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Feb 2023 Update
I’ve had a few more shopping experiences with Temu since originally posting this article. Below is a short from one of those experiences, or you can watch the full video here.
Updated February 2023
How timely… I have been hit by web-site-clutter-ads for Temu since before Christmas. I’ve even thought about asking you to review items from the site. Lo and behold… Normally I don’t look at clutter ads. However, a few inexpensive (cheap?) kitchen gadgets caught my eye. I added to my cart, but stopped (chickened out) at the checkout point because I wasn’t familiar with the company. (My brother got burned purchasing off a site blasted over social media.) I searched and found similar items — albeit more expensive — on Amazon, but wound up not purchasing any (at least for now).… Read more »
Thank you for the extensive comment! I think Temu is legit, although I still wonder about the quality of items there as a whole. I got a decent batch, but even the things that worked felt cheaply made. I wouldn’t order anything of importance, but it is a fun site.
I believe the drawing tablet was Magic Pad, and that was an As Seen on TV product, not from Wish. The last time I pulled it out, it still worked. That one was far better made than what I received from Temu.
Since it is made in China, and very cheap, are we funding their communist dictator when buying, or are products attributing to child labor and sweat shops that are banned elsewhere? Cost cutting is coming somewhere.
It’s an American Company based in Boston 🙄
No it’s not American. It’s as Chinese as it gets. Owned by PDD.
They are a Chinese company which holds business space in Boston. The items they sell are made in China
It’s not an American company. Do your research .. it’s a Chinese company with location in Boston. And all the goids are made from forced labor. Buy from this and you’re helping the Chinese and allowing their abusive labor to continue. I look for bargains, but not at this terrible cost
The corporate office is in Boston. However, they are owned by another company that also is over a china e-commerce site. The goods you buy from temu come from china, even though they have an office in Boston.
Tell Temu to sell their junk in China!
Where do you think Nike shoes/clothes and other rich multinational companies ‘ products are made??? CHINA!!! Here’s the difference, Temu connects smaller.Chinese companies directly to consumers so there are no intermediaries or “middle men” who take most of the profit. Temu’s parent co i PDD is literally taking millions of people out of poverty while providing extremely affordable products for many US citizens!!!!
Actually, since items are sold direct to the consumer, the US government isn’t able to regulate the goods and where they are produced as they are with large shipments to vendors. There are certain laws that US businesses have to abide by and certain shipments would be refused entry from regions in China that are known for forced labor and inhumane labor practices. Due to the fact that shipments from Temu and other similar sites are direct to consumer and in small batches, the government can not refuse these goods that are produced in regions known for forced labor, as… Read more »
I am like this person…filling up a cart and chickening out…decided tp see if reviews were out there and found you.
I always buy from Temu. I look at the actual photos that buyers submit. Everything that I have ever bought from looking at the photos has been great. I don’t buy anything that doesn’t look like the photo. You will get lots of coupons also. I got one that if you buy $10.00 worth of items I got a $10.00 coupon. That order didn’t cost me one cent. Hope this helps 🙂
How did you do that kindly
Thanks for posting! I wanted To see some unpaid reviews before I tried it. I’m used to navigating aliexpress and wish and have gotten good at weeding out the bad products from the good deals based on shop reviews and only buying items with photo reviews so I can really see the product first, but I was hesitant to try this new site at first. Thanks again for your time and money spent on this!
Is aliexpress any good? I’ve heard wish mostly crap
But I’ve always been Curtiss about the aliexpress
Aliexpress is good if you’re careful and know exactly what you’re looking for, and have good judgement. I have used aliexpress over the years and had good experiences 95% of the time.
I am discerning however, and only buy items I cannot obtain elsewhere. Such as blanks for seal stones or other specialty asian calligraphy or gong fu tea service items.
I like DH Gate it’s the same concept but their quality is usually good.
I’ve had reasonably good experiences with Ali over 2+ yrs.you need to check the ratings on the store some are better than others.but I’ve received refunds for non delivery also.
Thanks for your reviews! I am expecting a package today from Temu! I bought some false nails and make up we’ll see how this goes!
Let me know how it goes!
I would be extremely careful about using any cheap facial/makeup products from china. They can contain very toxic n harmful ingredients that often will result with an allergic reaction. Not something to gamble with especially when using around your eyes. They are not required to list all ingredients used to manufacture the products so you’ll never know what your putting on your skin. Good luck.
That is a good point.
Google makeup companies that manufacture in China…. Nyx, Urban Decay, Maybelline, just to name a few 😉
Yeah but those don’t compare at all to Temu. There is much more regulation with the large makeup companies.
You may be correct but they have their own QC to ensure product quality to protect their vulnerable brand.
i would think American and European brands are likely made in China anyway
Be very careful, Chinese run nail salons in Australia using their unbranded products on customers have caused serious damage to the customers true nails leaving them scarred.
I ordered a few things from them . Was satisfied considering the price. The women’s tops do run really large. But, I will take that into consideration next time. Overall I thought what I got was a a deal!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I ordered a few other things from there and the process overall has been more positive than I had with Wish.
U are very handsome ,and your daughter can draw the light that goes on the wall I was thinking about them to go down a wall in the hall way but I don’t know now but thanks for the reviews awesome
Thank you Mishell!
Thank you first for your post! I’ve been buying from TEMU now for several weeks and couldn’t be happier! I’ve purchased several charging cords for my iPads and phones to keep all over the house. You know how they break or you need one in the car or upstairs, etc. They have ALL been perfect and so inexpensive! I have purchased clothes and shoes and crocs for my grandchildren. All very good quality. All in all I am exceptionally impressed and happy with TEMU. I did read somewhere today that TEMU, SHEIN, ALIEXPRESS, items are filled with toxins. Can you… Read more »
Hey Nancy, thank you for the comment! I’ve used Temu a few times now and have been happy overall. I don’t have any info on the claims of toxins, however.
yet another website full of cheap useless items coming from China. I bet the same
people who buy from it are the same
ones who claim that we must save the planet. Also, they publish ads in Chinese as if they owned our country, what’s wrong with English??? Stop funding this dictatorship. Just stop buying their crap.
Almost EVERYTHING Americans wear or use is made in China—how obtuse are you? Do some homework, PDD'(owner of Temu) is eradicating poverty in China and indirectly in the US by providing everyday,useful items at 1/10 the cost of Walmart or Amazon. But go ahead and keep making more Walton family members multibillionaires or Jeff Bezos a half trillionaire by paying 10x more for the same exact product from the same country, CHINA.
Temu has almost no regulation. But Amazon isn’t much better.
you’re a hypocrite yeah it might be funding the dictatorship but that same money is paying those workers and helping them provide for their families you talk about the way China is cruel to their people, yet here you are shaming the Chinese language and trying to pull another Columbus eradicating people’s Identity. If their Chinese they will speak their language. Do you honestly think English is a supreme language? please take your time to learn a new language instead of whining and acting like a child stop being ignorant you spoiled grown-arse adult. Why would multiple people buy things… Read more »
I have bought several items from TEMU and I have had no duds. I have liked everything and the prices couldn’t be better.only warning is it’s additive. Lol and all my shipping as been free and there always giving coupons and and 25. off a 100. Order . They have everything…..
Ordered a few items..They are your typical Chinese low end quality items, but really not bad stuff and some of it actually very good…I’ll continue to buy small items.
I recently purchased a cordueroy jacket and a men’s purse. I was skeptical about what I would receive but I was really pleased with both products. Paid around $17 total. Excellent for the money.
Cheap, disposable, sweatshop crap. Only scum would profit off of this, or support them.
…as opposed to expensive name-brand over-priced items made in China?? Pick up any item you consider legitimate in any store in the USA and look at where it was made.
TEMU still owes me 62.00 or my pre Christmas order. UNIMPRESSIVE.
I had three orders w a temu of about 60 items – one order was many socks to give to a local homeless shelter. other orders were for misc items for house, car, clothing, kitchen etc. every aspect of doing business via their app was totally satisfactory. no problems, no glitches. great technology to track items and return as well. I had one of three sweatshirts I ordered that I just didn’t like the style so I requested to return it. I instantly got an email telling me that I would get a credit on my PayPal (which I did… Read more »
I ordered clothing and toys from TEMU, expecting something similar to SHEIN. Not at all. I was incredibly disappointed. So I’m putting this out there to help people who are considering using the site. At least for the kind of garments I bought – and compared with my experience to date – SHEIN has offered far better value across the board in terms of quality, design, fit, garment smell and perhaps most important of all … photo accuracy. The one bright spot was the Harry Potter LEGO knock-off set, which is functional and cute at a fraction of the original’s… Read more »
Look, it’s like anything else – buyer beware. If you are sensible, do your research and pay attention to the manner of reviews available, (‘obvious’ review stooges vs honest reviews), you will get a few good bargains.
The reason we can’t avoid Chinese made goods is because the so-called captains of industry in the free world decided chasing $$$ was more important than self reliance and skills based populace – to everyone’s detriment.
Sometimes you have to buy a Chinese made gadget because nobody else makes it, pure and simple.
They don’t say what it is in the package. Have to remember what I ordered !
What about returns?
I would like to know this too. They do gorgeous shoes but am wary of the sizing so wouldn’t order unless I can return, preferably not for a fortune!
This is a fraudulent website. Beware! I know some people have had positive experiences but the real test is whether you can trust this company. After taking my money and not delivering the item for over 2 weeks they directed me to their shipping company, Lasership which again has no customer service number. After one week of run around, the shipper indicates they have destroyed the item and to go back to the seller, Temu. Temu keep pointing me back to them. Constant back and forth with no service or resolution whatsoever. My advice do not get tempted by the… Read more »
Don’t shop Temu !!!! Screwed up my orders not once but twice today. Haven’t given my temu credit that’s 270 dollars and then refused to credit my account for all the hassle!!!! Save yourself the trouble. Shop elsewhere!
I HAVE TRIED EVERY WAY POSSIBLE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. I HAVE BROKEN ITEMS, SENT YOU A EMAIL, NO REPLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT ME, YOU OWE ME REFUNDS, I HAVE ORDERED A LOT OF STUFF FROM YOU .
Where did you order items from?
I’ve tried temu recently and been surprised. Items have been decent, shipping is free and fast! I haven’t gotten these discounts that everyone is talking about though. The most is 2 cents off!! Is it because I’m ordering off their website and not on their app??!! The only negative is that I’ve been getting a lot of unsolicited text messages and some phone calls which I block.
Yeah they also hound me daily with emails but thankfully no texts or phone calls!
I bought $$150-Aud from Temu and although trustpilot chooses not to believe me PayPal did refunding 14 automatic debits after the initial sale totalling over $429-
I ordered the mobility scooter that I really need but I haven’t received it and it has been over a month. Also this transaction went through but when I try to order other items they say it’s declined due to you andnI need to clear itbupnsomI can order again. However, I paid for the scooter and it was accepted and paid by my credit card.
I have been buying from TEMU for about a yr. I started out buying jewelry. 90 percent was very good. A few not so much. I bought quite a bit of outdoor crystal beaded art. I live near a very nice gift shop/nursery. The exact pieces I paid between 2 to 5 dollars the gift shop sells for 3 to 4 times as much. I know for a fact because my daughter worked there and told me they only pay a few dollars for the stuff. I went to Hong Kong when I was young. I bought beautiful tablecloths, doilies,… Read more »
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
I was wary, so I ran a low $ test order. One of five items did not work, an el cheapo flashlight. The kind that are $2 at dollar stores, so no loss. BUT, with NO hassle, Temu gave me a credit. The other items were fine. It was goofy stuff like post-a-notes, a phone holder, writing pads, pencils, etc. Hey, things I use but the price was low. I did take a chance and ordered a pair of men slippers, under $10 bucks. They are better than I hoped. I am starting my 4th order. I find the key… Read more »