Reddit Comments Predicted These 5 Product Trends Before They Went Mainstream
When people say, "the internet knew before anyone else," they’re usually talking about Reddit.
Unlike traditional social platforms that rely heavily on influencers and polished PR, Reddit is powered by everyday users with strong opinions, niche interests, and zero filter. It’s not uncommon for a random comment in a thread with just a few upvotes to end up predicting the next big thing in tech, wellness, or lifestyle.
At Reddit Insights Pro, we’ve been tracking the pulse of these communities long enough to know: if Reddit users are obsessed with something today, the rest of the world will probably catch up in six months.
Let’s look at 5 real (or representative) examples where Reddit was the first to spot a rising product trend—long before it made headlines.
1. Stanley Cups & the Rise of “Emotional Hydration”
Before TikTok turned Stanley tumblers into a hydration cult, Reddit’s hydration-focused subreddits like r/HydroHomies and r/BuyItForLife were already buzzing about them. Users praised their durability, spill-proof design, and aesthetic appeal. But more interestingly, early discussions focused on emotional hydration—the idea that the right bottle can actually encourage you to drink more water.
Reddit was framing water bottles not just as a utility but as a lifestyle choice. Months later, brands jumped on the same language, and we saw an explosion in pastel colors, custom lids, and bottle accessories.
Reddit called it before it hit Target shelves.
2. Oura Rings and Sleep Biohacking
Back in 2019, sleep-tracking devices like the Oura Ring were mostly a geeky niche. But in subreddits like r/Biohackers and r/SleepHacks, people were having deep conversations about HRV (Heart Rate Variability), REM cycles, and circadian rhythm syncing.
Redditors weren’t just reviewing the product—they were mapping out how sleep data could impact decision-making, stress management, and productivity. By the time Oura landed partnerships with athletes and influencers, the Reddit crowd had already moved on to debating second-generation firmware updates.
The trend didn’t start with a Super Bowl ad—it started in a Reddit comment thread.
3. Mushroom Coffee and Functional Fungi
Chaga. Lion’s Mane. Cordyceps. These were once ingredients you'd only hear about in fringe wellness blogs. But Reddit’s r/Nootropics, r/Supplements, and r/CoffeeSnobs started connecting the dots early—talking about how mushroom-based coffee could offer cognitive boosts without the caffeine crash.
By the time brands like Four Sigmatic started appearing in Whole Foods and on morning talk shows, Reddit had already gone deep—comparing dosages, stack combinations, and even brewing hacks.
At Reddit Insights Pro, we were tracking the mushroom wave months before the mainstream caught a whiff of it.
4. Mini Projectors for “Couch Cinema” Vibes
r/HomeTheater and r/BuyItForLife were quietly raving about budget-friendly portable projectors back in 2020. Redditors loved the idea of turning any blank wall into a theater—perfect for small apartments, backyard movie nights, or van life.
This wasn’t about tech specs—it was about vibes.
Soon after, #ProjectorNight started trending on TikTok. Instagram exploded with reels of fairy-lit bedrooms and cozy couch setups featuring $60 Amazon projectors. But make no mistake: Reddit was the first to romanticize the idea of DIY movie magic.
5. Desk Treadmills and the “Walking Workday”
The first waves of WFH fitness chatter appeared in r/Productivity and r/WorkFromHome during the early pandemic. Reddit users began discussing cheap under-desk treadmills as a way to combat the Zoom fatigue slump.
At first, the idea seemed odd. Walk while you work? But soon, personal anecdotes and time-lapse videos filled comment sections—and the benefits were hard to ignore. Increased energy, better focus, and a surprising amount of steps logged.
Cut to 2024: every major office supply brand is pushing desk treadmills. Influencers are doing “hot girl walks” during sales calls. And Reddit? They were walking the walk years ago.
Why This Matters — and How Reddit Insights Pro Helps You Stay Ahead
These aren't just fun stories. They highlight a crucial shift in how trends emerge: bottom-up instead of top-down.
Reddit is where people go before they’ve made a purchase, before they’ve polished their opinion, and before the marketing hype takes over. It’s raw, honest, and often way ahead of the curve.
At Reddit Insights Pro, we specialize in decoding these early signals. Using AI and natural language processing, we analyze millions of Reddit conversations to surface actionable insights for brands, product teams, and strategists.
Want to know what’s about to blow up six months from now?
Start where the internet starts: Reddit.
And let Reddit Insights Pro help you translate that chaos into clarity.
P.S. If you want to explore how Reddit is already talking about your industry or product category, we’d love to show you. Drop us a message. Your next big idea might already be waiting in a comment thread.