The Best Branded Merchandise Products

Are you on the look out for an outstanding promotional gift? An item that stands out for quality, usefulness and is relevant? Well look no further. In this blog we will present you with the best branded merchandise products of 2026. All of which were selected as Platinum award winning promotional gifts in the 2025-26 BPMA industry awards.

BPMA Product Awards

Each year, the BPMA (British Promotional Merchandise Association) organise an award ceremony whereby the very best branded merchandise in our industry is nominated and voted for. Selecting products worthy of an award is always a hard decision and this year’s BPMA Product Awards are no exception. Suppliers were requested to put forward their best products across a range of refreshed categories. Nominated products then go through three rounds with a panel of expert judges of senior industry distributors, catalogue heads and guest judges. All entrants had to answer questions and provide supporting evidence around price, product and sustainable credentials. The following product categories were awarded:

• Apparel Product of the Year
• Award & Exhibition Product of the Year
• Bag & Folder Product of the Year
• Drinkware Product of the Year / UK Made Product of the Year
• Food & Drink Product of the Year
• Health, Travel & Leisure Product of the Year / Sustainable Product of the Year
• Stationery Product of the Year
• Technology / Innovative Product of the Year
• Writing Instrument of the Year

For each category, three products were chosen with a silver, gold and platinum award presented. The final winners were announced in December 2025. As a lot of these items are brand new, if you would like any further details, prices or visuals, please Get in touch with our expert team here.

See below the Platinum winning promotional products:

1. Apparel Platinum Product of the Year: Vertex Stormshell

The Vertex Stormshell features 3-Layer H2XTREME® waterproof/ breathable technology and an advanced articulation and ergonomic fit with mechanical stretch fabric, allowing for a full range of unrestricted movement. It also features:

• Extreme weather protection with full coverage storm hood and YKK® AquaGuard® waterproof zipper.
• Pit zippers to help regulate your core temperature
• An articulated adjustable hood with a welded brim provides a comfortable fit and sheds water away from your face.
• Made with 55% regular and 45% GRS-Certified Polyester.
• Available in men’s and women’s sizes.

See more jackets here.

2. Award & Exhibition Platinum Product of the Year: Faceted Real Wood Awards

These Faceted Real Wood Awards are crafted exclusively in the UK, combining clean lines, precision-cut facets, and the natural warmth of solid European beech.

With its fine texture, straight grain and rich pink-red tones, beech not only looks beautiful but feels exceptional to hold, making recognition a truly tactile experience.

Each piece is responsibly sourced and manufactured in an ISO-certified UK factory, where expert craftsmanship transforms a new silhouette into a sculptural, elegant alternative to standard block awards.

• Available in 10 exclusive shapes and up to 2 sizes offering flexibility to suit any award theme.
• Customisation is possible with high-definition digital print or precision laser engraving.
• Beech’s smooth surface ensures crisp contrast and clarity.
• Every award is hand-finished with satin oil and wax to enhance tone and protect intricate edges.

Click here to see all our Branded Awards.

3. Bag & Folder Platinum Product of the Year: Wye Recycled Backpack

Part of a range of six bags made for everyday, work, travel and leisure. This stylish and large backpack is made from recycled water resistant PU with RPET lining. The bag features:

• Two main compartments, one designed to protect a 17 inch laptop.
• A front pocket, two side pockets for drinks bottles and a trolley sleeve on the back.
• The adjustable straps and back of the bag are extra padded for comfort.
• It can be screen printed (UV print available like image above) or embroidered to the front pocket.

View prices and more here. or Click here to see all our Promotional Backpacks.

4. Drinkware Platinum Product of the Year / UK Made Product of the Year: The FOAMO Reusable Cup

Meet FOAMO, the ultra-light, dishwashable, reusable single walled coffee cup created with patented foaming technology for the smallest possible carbon footprint.

FOAMO is designed for maximum impact with minimal footprint:

• Its innovative foaming technology reduces plastic use by 50%, giving it a carbon footprint up to 20x smaller than standard reusable cups.
• Made from 70% plant-based materials, including cooking oil saved from landfill and using a zero-waste process.
• Proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, using energy-efficient, renewable-powered machinery.
• Fully recyclable at the end of its life, in household recycling!

View prices and more information here. Or click here to see Branded Eco Drinkware.

5. Food & Drink Product of The Year: Eco Vegan Treat Pack

Experience the vibrant flavours of this Eco Share Box – Vegan Treat Pack, featuring a delightful mix of Millions®, Fizzy Cola Bottles, Skittles®, and Vegan Bears.

Each treat is packed with plant-powered goodness, perfect for any candy enthusiast.

Presented in eco-friendly Kraft or White Eco Card, this zero-plastic packaging makes sustainable snacking both stylish and satisfying.

See all our Sweet Treats here.

6. Health, Travel & Leisure Platinum Product of the Year / Sustainable Product of the Year: WalletMate Collection

The WalletMate Collection is made up of four innovative products:

1. Mini Cutlery Kit
2. Protractor
3. Phone Stand
4. Golf Kit

Each product in the range is ingeniously designed to fit the standard credit card format, making them perfect wallet companions that keep your customers’ brand visible and accessible. These cleverly engineered tools pop out or fold to reveal their functionality when needed, and the frame can be recycled.

All products are UK-manufactured from 100% recycled plastic, and are also available in a premium R+ biodegradable recycled material for environmentally conscious campaigns.

Each tool features high-quality CMYK digital printing on one side, ensuring your customers’ branding stands out with crisp, vibrant colours. This versatile range offers the perfect blend of practicality and sustainability, delivering memorable promotional products that people will genuinely use and appreciate whilst keeping your brands front of mind in wallets and purses.

See more Eco Friendly Product Ideas here.

7. Stationery Platinum Product of the Year: Maxton Sugarcane Notebook

This A5 Eco sugar cane notebook features:

• RPET elasticated pen loop and a page marker.
• 80pp (160 internal sheets) and are equivalent to 80gsm.
• The pages and top layer of the cover are made from sugarcane bagasse.

Bagasse is waste from sugar production and is used to make sugarcane paper.

Sugarcane paper is an environmentally friendly choice, free of chlorine and acid, food-grade safe, fast regeneration, and sustainable recycling, while helping reduce de-forestation and protect the ecological environment.

View prices here or Click here to view all our Notebooks.

8. Technology / Innovative Platinum Product of the Year: Xoopar Aura White Noise Speaker

Experience calm and relaxation with this White Noise Speaker. Choose from 6 soothing sounds to help improve your sleep or focus. Made with 68% recycled materials, this eco-friendly speaker offers up to 6 hours of playtime. Featuring two light modes: a breathing light and a fixed light to set the perfect ambiance.

You can have your brand digitally printed or laser engraved onto the Aura.

See all our Gadgets here.

9. Writing Instrument Product of the Year: Baron Extra Recycled ‘Tour of Italy’ Collection

The Baron recycled range features 24 vibrant colours, crafted from 100% recycled ABS plastic sourced from Europe. Inspired by the beauty of nature and the diverse wonders of our planet, these eco-friendly pens have a matte finish that accentuates their sustainable design. With extensive printing options on both the barrel and clip, they’re perfect for making a stylish, environmentally conscious statement.

View prices and more information here. Or Click here to see our Branded Pens.

So there it is, the best branded merchandise, platinum BPMA award winning products of 2025/26. If it has whetted your appetite and you would like to see more ideas, please do not hesitate to contact the team. We would be happy to share with you the other award winning promotional products and look at which items could suit your brand and marketing message.

Please note this blog has been updated (2025).