Companies With Lifetime Warranties (And What They Actually Cover)

A Gibson electric guitar, a skier wearing a Patagoina backpack, and a commemorative Zippo lighter are pictured in a photo montage, representing three brands with lifetime warranties.
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Saving money isn’t just about finding the cheapest items. In some cases, it’s worth splurging on higher-quality products that will last longer and save you more long-term.

An added bonus? Many of these products come with lifetime warranties. Yep — they’ll repair or replace the item if it breaks or gets lost.

Below is a list of companies with lifetime warranties on their products. To compile this list, we reviewed warranty policies from major consumer brands and verified coverage details using information published on official manufacturer websites.

Of course, the terms for each product are different, so make sure you read the fine print and keep your receipts handy. 

A person uses a lighter.
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Quick Comparison Table: Companies With Lifetime Warranties

The companies below are known for their impressive lifetime warranty coverage.


Full vs. Limited Warranty Comparison

Company Category Warranty Type Covers Defects Covers Wear

Patagonia

Outdoor apparel

Limited lifetime guarantee



Osprey

Backpacks

Limited lifetime guarantee


✓ (Often repair)

Darn Tough

Socks

Lifetime guarantee



Columbia

Outdoor apparel

Limited lifetime warranty



CamelBak

Hydration gear

Lifetime guarantee



Tupperware

Kitchen storage

Limited lifetime guarantee



Zippo

Windproof lighters

Lifetime guarantee



Le Creuset

Cookware

Limited lifetime warranty



Cutco

Kitchen knives

Forever guarantee


✓ (Often repair)

Big Green Egg

Ceramic grills

Limited lifetime warranty



Craftsman

Hand tools

Lifetime guarantee



Buck Knives

Knives

Forever guarantee



Benchmade

Knives

Limited lifetime warranty


✓ Service available

JanSport

Backpacks

Limited lifetime guarantee



Briggs & Riley

Luggage

Lifetime repair guarantee


✓ (Often repair)

Of course, coverage is subject to change and may vary by product line. Make sure you verify that the product you’re buying is covered before swiping your card.

Outdoor & Apparel Brands With Lifetime Warranties

For many outdoor brands, durability is central to their reputation. Lifetime warranties tell you that a company stands behind the quality and durability of its products.

A person zips up a Patagonia jacket.
Patagonia’s lifetime warranty guarantees if their product doesn’t perform as expected, the company will replace it. Photo courtesy of Patagonia

Patagonia

Patagonia‘s lifetime warranty is called the Ironclad Guarantee. The terms are simple: if you aren’t satisfied with a Patagonia product or it doesn’t perform to your satisfaction, you can return it for a repair, replacement or refund.

If the item was damaged by normal wear and tear, Patagonia will repair it — but at an additional cost. Alternatively, the company may offer you a merchandise credit or a discount code you can apply toward a replacement item.

Osprey

Osprey stands behind its products with the All Mighty Guarantee. The warranty aims to expand the useful life of all Osprey packs so you get the most out of your investment.

The best part? Osprey’s guarantee applies to packs regardless of reason, product or era — so you can get yours replaced even after multiple years of use.

Before you buy, check whether the pack you want has a limit on its All Mighty Guarantee. Certain products are limited to a five- to seven-year warranty after purchase.

Darn Tough

Darn Tough wants its socks to live up to their name. The company’s lifetime sock guarantee applies to both manufacturer defects and normal wear and tear.

Wore a hole in your Darn Tough socks? You can file a warranty claim and get a new pair for free. Socks don’t quite fit right? Darn Tough will replace them with a pair that does. You name it, this lifetime guarantee covers it.

Columbia 

Columbia Sportswear offers a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship on many of its products.

If a covered item fails due to a manufacturing defect, Columbia may repair or replace it at its discretion. The warranty typically doesn’t apply to damage caused by normal wear, improper care, accidents or unauthorized repairs.

CamelBak

CamelBak offers a lifetime warranty through its Got Your Bak Guarantee, which covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.

If a CamelBak product fails due to a defect, the company may repair or replace it. The warranty typically excludes damage caused by normal wear, accidents, misuse or improper care.

Home & Kitchen Brands With Lifetime Warranties

Home and kitchen items often have lifetime warranties — but make sure you check the exclusions.

A person uses a lighter.
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Tupperware

Tupperware has been a staple in American homes for decades — and for good reason. The company stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty that protects against chipping, cracking, breaking, peeling and warping.

Some product lines have limited warranties that may last only 30 days or a year, so make sure you check your product.

Tupperware’s warranty doesn’t cover food stains, cuts made by sharp objects or damage caused by misuse.

Zippo

Zippo’s lifetime warranty for its classic windproof lighters promises, “It works or we fix it free.” 

Other Zippo products have a one-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset cookware is known for its durability and long lifespan. The company offers a limited lifetime warranty on many of its products, including its signature enameled cast iron cookware.

The warranty generally covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use. It typically doesn’t cover damage from misuse, overheating, drops or normal wear.

Cutco

Cutco is well known for its Forever Guarantee, which covers its knives and kitchen tools for the life of the product.

If a Cutco item ever becomes dull or damaged, the company will repair or replace it. The guarantee applies regardless of when the product was purchased and is often transferable to future owners.

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg ceramic grills are backed by a limited lifetime warranty on the ceramic components of the grill.

The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product for the original purchaser. Other components, such as metal parts and accessories, may have shorter warranty periods.

Tools & Hardware Companies With Lifetime Warranties

It’s easy to be hard on hand tools, so knowing they’re covered by lifetime warranties can ease your mind.

A photograph shows wrenches that have a lifetime warranty
Craftsman tools, including wrenches, hand tools, gardening and pruning tools, are eligible for replacement, free of charge, over the lifetime of the product. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder

Craftsman

Craftsman promises to replace certain items if they fail to perform for any reason. The company’s warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear.

Covered hand tools include hammers, hex keys, knives, ratchets, pliers, screwdrivers and wrenches. The warranty also covers lasers, stud finders, levels, staplers and more.

You can return the tool to the store where you bought it and exchange it for a replacement, making the warranty process fast and easy.

Buck Knives

Buck Knives backs its products with Buck’s Forever Warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the knife.

If a knife fails due to a manufacturing issue, Buck will repair or replace it under its stated terms. The company may also offer sharpening services for certain knives. Damage caused by misuse, modifications or normal wear generally isn’t covered under the warranty.

Benchmade

Benchmade knives come with a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.

The company also provides a LifeSharp service, which allows customers to send their knives to Benchmade for cleaning, sharpening and adjustments. While the warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by misuse or improper maintenance, Benchmade’s service program helps extend the lifespan of its knives.

Travel & Bag Brands With Lifetime Warranties

Bags and luggage cost more than you’d think. Luckily, some of the top brands have lifetime warranties to help ease the pain of that large purchase.

A photograph shows a backpack and some notebooks.
Jansport guarantees a lifetime warranty on nearly all of its backpacks, messenger bags, fanny packs and hiking bags. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder

JanSport

JanSport backpacks are known for their durability — not to mention their cool designs. And to sweeten the deal, the company offers a limited lifetime warranty on its packs, bags, pouches, totes and cases.

The warranty applies to defects in materials and workmanship, but not to normal wear and tear, negligence, improper care or accident.

Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley makes high-quality luggage designed to last for decades. And its lifetime guarantee (called “Simple as that”) will repair functional damage for life — even if an airline damages your bag in transit.

The Simple as that guarantee doesn’t cover cosmetic wear or cleaning due to odors or stains. 

Are Lifetime Warranties Worth It?

A lifetime warranty can be valuable — especially if you’re splurging on a high-quality product. Warranties can vary greatly between companies (and even between product lines in the same company), so check the fine print to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Still not sure whether a lifetime warranty is worth it, or whether it’s just a gimmick to encourage more sales? Check out the pros and cons of lifetime warranties below.


Pros
  • Reduced long-term replacement costs
  • Emphasis on repair instead of disposal
  • Increased buyer confidence

Cons
  • Coverage exclusions may apply
  • Potential shipping or processing costs
  • Policies can change over time

Choosing a durable product with a lifetime warranty can help you avoid impulse purchases.

How to Calculate Cost Per Use

Sure, a lifetime warranty sounds great, but how do you actually know if it’s worth it?

Luckily, there’s an easy way to calculate the cost of a lifetime warranty to determine if it’s worth it — even if math isn’t your thing.

Simply divide the product’s cost by the number of years you expect to use it.

  • For example, you spend $120 on a hiking backpack and expect it to last 12 years. That comes out to $10 per year.
  • Now, compare that to buying a cheaper $40 hiking backpack that only lasts three years. Over 12 years, you’d spend a total of $160, or $13 per year.

Using this calculation can help you make smarter decisions when budgeting for large purchases or comparing quality versus price.

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Red Flags to Watch For in Lifetime Warranties

Lifetime warranties from reputable products are usually legit — but even the best-sounding warranty can have exclusions that significantly limit their use.

Check the fine print on the warranty. If you notice any of the following, consider it a red flag.

  • The phrase “Limited lifetime” without a clear definition of what that means
  • Exclusions for common manufacturing failures, like zipper damage
  • Requirements that you keep the original packaging for any warranty claims
  • High return shipping costs — or costs for warranty-covered repairs
  • Frequent changes to warranty language

When you know how to comparison shop like a pro, you can evaluate products’ warranties and know exactly what you’re getting.

How to Use a Lifetime Warranty

Different companies may have different methods for filing a warranty claim. But generally, they’ll want you to provide certain documentation and submit a claim. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Locate proof of purchase. Keep your receipt from the original purchase in a safe place so you can access it to file a warranty claim. Some companies might accept an order confirmation email in place of a receipt.
  2. Review the warranty’s language. Double-check that the warranty covers your issue.
  3. Submit your claim. You can generally do this online. You may need to include photos of the damage, a written explanation of the issue, and proof of purchase.
  4. Ship the item, if required. If you can’t return the item to a physical store, you’ll need to ship it. Confirm whether you need to pay for shipping or whether the brand will cover it.

Once the company receives your item, it will determine what, if any, action to take. Your item might be repaired or replaced, or you might receive a store credit or coupon for a replacement item.

FAQs About Lifetime Warranties

What qualifies as a lifetime warranty?

A lifetime warranty is a guarantee that covers manufacturing defects for a set period. The “lifetime” might refer to the product’s expected lifetime or to the owner’s lifetime, depending on the product.

Lifetime warranties typically exclude damage caused by regular wear and tear, misuse and cosmetic damage.

Do lifetime warranties really last a lifetime?

A lifetime warranty usually lasts for the product’s usable life or the purchaser’s life — the exact length will be detailed on the company’s website or with the product when you purchase it.

Note that lifetime warranties typically only apply to the original purchaser. So, if you leave your beloved hiking backpack to a friend in your will, they won’t be able to claim on the warranty.

What’s excluded from a lifetime warranty?

The fine print differs from company to company, but most lifetime warranties exclude:

  • Regular wear and tear
  • Accidental damage
  • Misuse
  • Alterations
  • Cosmetic issues

Are lifetime warranties transferable?

Some lifetime warranties may be transferable, but most only apply to the original purchaser. Check the warranty details on your specific product to be sure.

How do I file a lifetime warranty claim?

You’ll typically need to complete a warranty claim form and include proof of purchase and a photo and description of the problem. Check the company’s website to find out the exact process.

Final Verdict

Companies that offer lifetime warranties stand by their products’ quality and durability. If you’re considering buying a high-ticket item, that lifetime warranty could be the push you need to make the purchase.

A lifetime warranty doesn’t mean you can replace the item on a whim — most warranties have exclusions, like normal wear and tear, that the policy won’t cover. But the assurance that you can get your product replaced if it breaks can be a major factor when you’re considering a splurge.

Catherine Hiles is a writer, mother, runner and avid reader. She enjoys cooking (and eating), good beer and spending time with her husband and two young children.


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