The Top 10 Best Selling Items on Mercari and How to Find Them
Mercari is a fast-growing online marketplace where users can buy and sell a wide variety of items. Understanding which items generate the highest sales and how to find them can give you a competitive edge on this dynamic platform.
In this guide, we’ll answer the question, “What are the top selling categories?” We also provide tips for choosing the best products, and determine which items to avoid to ensure success. Let’s explore the hottest trends and find out what makes Mercari a resale powerhouse.
Table of contents
What Sells Best on Mercari
Mercari is a vast marketplace where a wide array of products are sold, but certain categories consistently see higher demand and faster sales. This list mostly focuses on used items, as those are what Mercari customers are usually after. If you want to sell on Mercari, you can consider reselling vintage items, listing your own items that are no longer needed, or even selling brand-new products, as Mercari supports all of these. Based on current trends, here are 10 popular categories that attract the majority of buyers and generate strong interest. Focusing on these categories will increase your chances of successful sales and quick turnarounds:
1. Clothing and Accessories
Clothing and accessories remain a cornerstone of the resale market. Their universal appeal and wide variety make them one of the best categories for shopping on Mercari.
Vintage T-Shirts: Highly popular, especially rare band or sports tees. Vintage tees can sell for 2–5x their original price depending on rarity and condition. Their unique designs and nostalgic value drive consistent demand.
Designer Handbags: Buyers love quality, high-end bags from brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Pre-owned designer handbags often retain 40–70% of their retail value, making them highly sought after.
Athleisure: Items like leggings and hoodies from brands like Lululemon are top sellers due to their practicality and comfort. This segment sees steady sales as activewear continues to dominate casual fashion trends.
Whether you offer trendy athleisure or timeless vintage pieces, clothing and accessories consistently rank among the top-selling categories on Mercari because they appeal to a wide demographic and allow for profitable resale margins.
2. Electronics
Electronics are a fast-moving category, appealing to tech enthusiasts and everyday consumers alike.
Wireless Earbuds: Popular items like AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds sell for $50–$120, often within 3–7 days due to strong brand demand.
Gaming Consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles often resell 10–30% above retail, especially during supply shortages or new game releases.
Smart Home Devices: Alexa, Google Home, and smart plugs are in demand. Used devices often retain 60–80% of retail value, with sales peaking during holidays and promotions.
With high demand, rapid turnover, and relatively low depreciation, electronics remain a lucrative choice for sellers on Mercari.
3. Home Décor and Furniture
Functional and stylish home décor items and furniture attract buyers looking to enhance their living spaces.
Vintage Lamps: Sell for $40–$150, with mid-century or designer pieces exceeding $300. Unique designs and collectible appeal drive demand.
Throw Pillows: Seasonal and trendy patterns sell for $15–$50, with limited editions often selling 30–50% faster than standard designs.
Compact Furniture: Small desks, shelves, and multi-purpose furniture resell $50–$200. Urban buyers favor space-saving designs, increasing demand by roughly 25% in recent years.
Selling home décor and furniture can yield great returns, especially if products are stylish, functional, and cater to trending aesthetics like minimalism or retro vibes.
4. Beauty and Personal Care
Beauty and personal care items offer consistent demand across diverse demographics.
Skincare Sets: Trending products from popular brands like The Ordinary are fast sellers. Items in sealed sets often sell 20–50% faster than single products.
Makeup Palettes: High-demand items, particularly from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Limited-edition palettes can appreciate in value after they sell out.
Hair Tools: Resale-friendly items like curling wands and straighteners are hot items. High-quality tools maintain demand due to their durability and brand reputation.
Beauty products sell consistently because they combine impulse buying with long-term usability. Packaging, brand, and current trends heavily influence sales velocity.
5. Toys and Collectibles
Nostalgia and fandom drive the popularity of toys and collectibles.
Action Figures: Limited-edition and vintage pieces are top sellers. Rare figures can sell for 3–10x their original price.
Board Games: Classics like Monopoly and trending games sell quickly. Collectors often seek mint-condition or first-edition sets.
Plush Toys: Brands like Squishmallows resell fast. Limited releases often create short-term spikes in demand.
Sellers who understand fandom trends, limited releases, and nostalgia-driven demand can generate impressive profits in this category.
6. Sports and Outdoor Gear
From fitness enthusiasts to adventurers, this category caters to a wide range of active lifestyles.
Fitness Trackers: Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Watch devices resell $40–$120, retaining 50–70% of retail value within a year.
Camping Gear: Compact tents and gear are top sellers for outdoor enthusiasts. Seasonal spikes occur in spring and summer, aligning with the camping season.
Sports Apparel: Jerseys and shoes from top brands are popular. Limited-edition sneakers can resell for 2–5x retail prices.
Sports and outdoor gear appeals to active and health-conscious audiences and performs well during seasonal peaks and product launches.
7. Books and Media
Books and media attract hobbyists, collectors, and casual readers.
Box Sets: TV series box sets and collector’s editions of books are highly sought after. Collector editions can appreciate 20–50% in resale value over time.
Cookbooks: Niche topics like vegan or keto recipes sell well. Trending diets and cooking trends drive quick sales.
Graphic Novels: Popular among younger audiences. First editions or rare prints can become valuable collectibles. First editions and popular series resell $10–$60, with rare editions reaching $150–$300.
Books and media appeal to dedicated communities. Limited editions, trending topics, and cult classics drive fast turnover and profitable listings.
8. Kids’ Items
Parents are always on the hunt for affordable and practical kids’ items.
Baby Monitors: Affordable, secondhand monitors sell well. Safety features and brand trust influence buyers significantly.
Highchairs: Compact and foldable designs are trending. Ease of storage and multifunctionality increase desirability.
Clothing Bundles: Packs of gently used baby clothes sell quickly. Bundles save parents money, making them a high-velocity item.
Focus on practical, high-demand items that solve everyday parenting challenges to increase sales potential and customer satisfaction.
9. Hobbies and Crafts
Catering to creative spirits, hobbies and crafts are a vibrant and growing category.
Art Supplies: Paint sets, canvases, and premium tools are trending. Branded kits often sell faster due to quality assurance.
Scrapbooking Materials: Stickers, embellishments, and specialty papers are fast-moving. Seasonal or themed items generate spikes in demand. The items in this category usually sell for $5–$30; themed items can spike 30–50% faster during holidays.
DIY Kits: Buyers love easy-to-use craft kits. DIY popularity has surged during stay-at-home trends and gifting seasons.
Offering tools for creativity taps into a passionate buyer base, making this a promising resale category.
10. Shoes
Shoes mix fashion and functionality, appealing to a broad audience.
Sneakers: Brands like Nike and Adidas are top-selling. Limited releases or collaborations often sell out immediately and can resell for 2–4x retail.
Designer Shoes: Gently used luxury brands command high prices. Resale value remains strong for seasonal and classic designs.
Boots: Seasonal items are popular in colder months. Weather-appropriate footwear sees predictable spikes in sales.
With endless styles, trends, and steady demand, shoes are a dependable choice for resellers on Mercari.
The 10 above-mentioned categories offer the best selling items on Mercari. Start selling products from any of those, and you’ll have a good chance of achieving success and making money on this marketplace.
How to Choose the Best Products to Sell on Mercari
If you’re wondering how to find the best things to sell, start by exploring popular platforms like Pinterest, Reddit, Etsy, and other marketplaces for inspiration. These sites are great for spotting trending, hot items and identifying what kinds of things users are actively searching for. Additionally, analyzing market trends can help you pinpoint the most frequently sold items and best sellers to focus on for your online store.
For this purpose, Amazon is the perfect platform. As the largest marketplace in the world, Amazon reflects general trends and buyer behavior. It’s a great resource for understanding resale opportunities. So if an item sells well on Amazon, it's likely to be a good choice for Mercari too.
To help you get deeper insights into what sells best on Amazon, utilize special tools like the AMZScout’s PRO AI Extension. This tool is invaluable for identifying best sellers and top-selling items with high demand. Here’s how to use it:
Install the AMZScout PRO AI Extension. Sign up for a free trial (no credit card information required) and activate the tool in your browser.
![Install AMZScout PRO AI]( "Install AMZScout PRO AI")
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Search for your product on Amazon. Enter keywords like "vintage dresses" or "wireless earbuds" to see trending items.
Check the product’s popularity. Open the extension to view:
Sales Trends: Identify which items sell well over time.
Reviews: Assess quality and quantity to gauge popularity and demand.
Pricing: Use data to determine competitive yet profitable pricing.
![AMZScout PRO AI Dashboard sales and revenue]( "AMZScout PRO AI Dashboard sales and revenue")
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Assess the niche’s potential. Use the Niche Score tool to evaluate demand and competition. A score above 7 is considered strong. Review the Niche History to spot seasonal or long-term trends.
![AMZScout PRO AI Niche Score]( "AMZScout PRO AI Niche Score")
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By leveraging this data, you can choose the right products to sell online, ensuring success in the resale marketplace.
Beyond researching Amazon and other major marketplaces, there are several additional strategies to discover profitable items for Mercari:
Check Similar Marketplaces: Browse eBay, Poshmark, Depop, or Facebook Marketplace to spot trending items, popular categories, and fast-selling products. Pay attention to recurring brands or styles that seem to sell quickly, as these can point to steady demand.
Study Successful Sellers: Look at accounts selling products you’re interested in. Pay attention to their top-selling listings, pricing, and photography. Notice if they specialize in certain niches, which can help you identify gaps in the market.
Browse Online Communities and Social Media: Facebook Marketplace groups, Instagram resale pages, and TikTok trend videos are excellent sources for spotting current popular products. Monitoring hashtags like #resalefinds or #thrifthaul can reveal items buyers are actively seeking.
Analyze Bestseller Lists: Review trending or top-selling items on Amazon, Etsy, and other major platforms for inspiration. Bestseller rankings can reveal what’s in demand right now, and you can adapt these ideas for Mercari’s audience.
What to Avoid Selling on Mercari
Understanding what you cannot sell on Mercari is just as important as knowing what you can. Some items are restricted or outright prohibited, and listing them can lead to account suspension or wasted effort.
Prohibited items include:
Weapons and firearms
Alcohol and tobacco
Perishable goods
Counterfeit or fake branded products
Tip: Stick to legitimate, allowed items to ensure a smooth selling experience and maintain your account in good standing.
Conclusion
Selling on Mercari can be a profitable and enjoyable experience if you know what kinds of items attract the most sales. By focusing on top-selling items, leveraging market insights, and avoiding prohibited products, you can boost your sales and gain an edge on this popular marketplace. Whether you’re reselling clothing, electronics, or other trending hot items, a well-planned strategy is key to success.
FAQs
How many items can I list on Mercari?
You can list an unlimited number of items, but it’s best to focus on the quality rather than the quantity of your listings for better sales performance.
How do you sell on Mercari?
The steps include creating an account, posting clear photos of your items, writing detailed descriptions, setting a competitive price, and choosing the right appropriate shipping options. For more information, check out this article: How to Start Selling on Mercari: What You Need to Know.
Can you sell handmade items on Mercari?
Yes, handmade items are allowed and tend to be popular among buyers seeking unique or personalized products.
What is the three-day rule on Mercari?
The buyer must confirm receipt within three days of delivery to ensure a smooth transaction process.
