Public Goods reviews and discussion

3.8

66% of reviewers would recommend to a friend

Reviews mention

  • Minimalist aesthetic packaging
  • Lightly scented personal-care essentials
  • Reliable cleaning product performance
  • Comfortable, ergonomic wooden utensils
  • Controversial mandatory membership model
  • Inconsistent product quality control
  • Watery shampoo and thin formulas
  • Weak candle scent longevity

Public Goods earns mixed reviews: many praise the clean, minimalist design and effective basics—from ramen and dish soap to shampoo and stoneware—while recurring complaints target the mandatory $79 membership model and inconsistent quality (leaky refills, watery shampoos, weak candles). Reviews indicate the brand works for aesthetically cohesive, lightly scented, non-toxic essentials, but buyers wary of subscriptions, plastic in refills, occasional stockouts, and hit‑or‑miss formulas should proceed selectively.

AI summary based on Thingtesting reviews

148 reviews and posts

  • This brand is something I got the chance to try out from Martie, the discount website. I have no experience with the website's subscription model and cannot speak on that. The only product I've tried from the brand is their wool balls for doing laundry. They've made doing laundry much better because now I'm not using wasteful dryer sheets, and these are saving money due to the product's reusability.

  • Public Goods no longer sells their square food containers with bamboo lids, but I had trouble with one of the lids splitting early in me owning the product and now the lid for the other container no longer works. The glass dish itself seems like it will last is apparently oven-safe so maybe it’ll prove useful eventually.

  • Great for our guest bathroom to have an array of products for visitors that looks sleek and modern. Have purchased the refill products since my OG purpose and guests love that we have "thought of everything" in case they forget items. Love that the deodorant is a spray so can be used mulitple times. Dryer balls are another big hit! Items have purchased and would recommend: hand soap + refill lotion dryer balls basic household cooking items (vanilla extract and oils)

  • Comprei os utensílios de madeira para servir salada e simplesmente amei. O material é resistente, leve e tem um acabamento muito bonito. Eles encaixam perfeitamente na mão e deixam a mesa muito mais elegante. Além de práticos, são fáceis de limpar e não mancham. A qualidade surpreendeu e já virou item indispensável na minha cozinha. Recomendo demais!

    Friends with Public Goods
  • I ordered from Public Goods mainly for the clean, cohesive look — and they did not disappoint. Everything is simple, minimal, and looks so good together, especially in our guest bathroom. The products feel high-quality, the scents are light and fresh, and they make the space look instantly more put-together. Exactly what I was hoping for.

  • very great personal, home, and pet care products made from sustainable materials and healthy ingredients tested and reviewed for best results overall. very likely to buy again depending on if they have them in stock

    Received a free product from Public Goods
  • Their products are pretty good overall but I don't really feel like the savings are that substantial. Also, the packaging is a little boring to put on display. Some of their items are much better than others so it can be a bit hit or miss.

  • I first tried public goods at an AirBnB in Palm Springs & have been a customer since :) I enjoy how light weight and soft the body wash is on my skin. It's so beautiful & simple

  • Love love love public goods. I’ve been a member since their kickstarter campaign and I will be a member forever. Such great products at awesome prices.

  • Been buying from this brand for a number of years and love the sustainable approach with great prices. Overall good quality stuff, can't go wrong.

  • My boyfriend was one of the first Public Goods members and managed to snag a lifetime membership at a low rate. As a result, our home has quickly been filled with Public Goods items -- cleaning products, dishware, towels, and more. All of their products are gorgeous and housed in minimalist, aesthetically-pleasing packaging. Some things are huge hits -- the dishes, in particular. Gorgeous, sleek, well-made, and compliment magnets (Note: many of these are pictured in the bottom row of my appended photo). Other products -- albeit fewer -- are misses. The face sunscreen stands out in particular. Because it relies on zinc, it made our faces ghastly white and scaly. (Disclaimer: We tested that product years ago, and it's possible PG has since improved its formula). I haven't yet tried any of the consumable products, but I'm sure the situation is similar -- many hits, some misses. I look forward to continuing to test PG products as they expand their selections and hone their formulae. However, I'm not sure I would be so high on their products (value:quality) if I were a regular subscriber, rather than an early adopter. In other words, the annual subscription is a bit high to justify the prices (good, but not exceedingly cheap) and quality (good, but not incredible, overall).

    Feedback

    Personal care products, in particular, could use improved formulas.

  • We are extremely pleased with our first order. The large wood cutting board is high quality, easy to clean and beautiful to look at. I have placed our second order. Looking forward to receiving those items and seeing if the quality is there as well.

    NA
  • We stayed in a Portland, Maine Airbnb last year and used your products there. I couldn't stop thinking about them....I loved them so much I just ordered them for us at home, and our 2 Airbnbs here in Nashville. The packaging is simple and trendy, matches all decor, are effective and have non fragrance options which I especially love. Plus competitive pricing. I'm sure some of my guests will become customers too! Yay Public Goods!

    New member
  • I had recently ordered from Public Goods. The products arrived wi try a couple items damaged. Contacted them via email, and they took care of the issue pretty quickly. I love this brand and I know sometimes it is out of their hands on how shipping gets handled.

    Refund
  • I started using Public Goods a few months ago and am really loving most of the products that I get from them. I've tried a bunch of their personal care products which are basic but smell nice and work well. Most things have clean ingredients and are thoughtfully packaged to minimize plastic, such as their paper tube deodorant, paper packaging, and refill options. I especially love how they make my apartment look... very stylish and minimal. I've also tried a bunch of the home goods like the silverware, glasses, and bowls and love all of them. And the price is really good for the high-end quality of the products.

  • Ordered two shipments of their refill products. Both times the bags had leaked. Would not recommend even though they refunded my money. Too much of a hassle to clean bags off and try and figure out what’s leaking. Great idea if they could perfect the packaging.

  • BEWARE, THIS COMPANY COMMITS FRAUD!!!!!!!!!!! When you go to check out under your order summary it shows a "two weeks free membership for $79" that is listed with your first order. When you click to check out, that future "charge" disappears so you think you are just buying the items you want. NOT TRUE, you are giving them permission to charge you the $79 after the free two week membership. YOU MUST HAVE A MEMBERSHIP IIN ORDER TO BUY FROM THIS COMPANY. THEY TRICK YOU INTO BUYING THE MEMBERSHIP in hopes you don't check your credit card or bank statement. This is so WRONG! They should be required to show this charge on the final order page when you enter your address and credit card information BUT IT DOES NOT!

    Feedback

    BE HONEST and state that they are a membership only company.

  • this is such a great toothpaste! it leaves my teeth, gums and tongue feeling amazing! no nasty taste, weird residue or overly minty taste! it doesn’t burn as bad as normal toothpaste does, i love it i’ll continue to buy this!

    Invested in Public Goods
  • Honestly, I did a trial order and got some food items and household goods. I found the pricing reasonable and the quality great! However, I don't like the membership and subscription model so I did not decide to continue.

    Feedback

    Remove the membership/subscription model.

  • I liked how they offered a trial period where I was able to order products and try a variety. My favorites were the oatmeal, bug spray, and bamboo straws.

    Feedback

    I wish they offered student memberships to help subsidize some of the cost.