The 12 most profitable products to sell online in Canada

If you're starting an online business in Canada, choosing what to sell is one of your most important early decisions. The right product can mean the difference between a store that gains traction and one that stalls out.

This guide covers 12 of the most profitable products to sell online in Canada, based on demand, margin potential, and how well they fit common eCommerce models like Print on Demand and dropshipping. Whether you're building a brand from scratch or adding to an existing lineup, these categories are worth a closer look.

12 High-demand products to sell online

1. Tech and phone accessories

Tech accessories are a reliable moneymaker. Products like phone cases, laptop sleeves, and wireless charging pads are lightweight, inexpensive to produce, and easy to ship – all of which translate to strong profit margins.

The market also has natural repeat-purchase potential. New phone models come out every year, cases wear out, and customers tend to buy more than one. If you offer custom or niche designs, you can differentiate quickly in a crowded category.

Source: Pinterest

2. T-shirts

T-shirts remain one of the most accessible and profitable products for online sellers. They're a year-round staple in Canada, demand is consistent, and production costs are low – especially if you use the print-on-demand model, which eliminates the need for upfront inventory.

The real advantage is customisation. You can design for specific audiences, tap into trends, or create products tied to local events and culture. That flexibility, combined with low cost-per-unit, makes t-shirts a strong starting point for most new stores.

3. Hoodies

Hoodies follow the same logic as t-shirts, but with higher price points and perceived value. In Canada, especially, they're a wardrobe essential for a good chunk of the year.

The larger print area gives you more room for creative designs – embroidered logos, all-over prints, or bold graphics. Because customers see hoodies as a premium item compared to a tee, you can charge more per unit while keeping production costs manageable. Quality matters here, so working with a reliable supplier is important.

4. Athleisure wear

Athleisure has moved from trend to mainstream. Canadians increasingly want clothing that works for the gym, the office, and everything in between – and they're willing to pay a premium for it.

Items like leggings, sports bras, and tracksuits sit in a higher price bracket than basic apparel, which means better margins if you keep production costs in check. Finding your angle is key. You might focus on sustainable materials, a specific activity like running or yoga, or a particular aesthetic.

Source: Bo & Tee

5. Eco-friendly products

Sustainability continues to influence purchasing decisions in Canada. A 2024 survey found that over half of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, making this a category with real pricing power.

Popular items include organic cotton apparel, reusable tote bags, and stainless steel water bottles. If you go this route, your supply chain matters – customers in this space care about the details. Working with a supplier that has transparent sustainability practices – like Printful's eco-friendly product line – strengthens your brand credibility.

6. Pet products

Most households have at least one furry, feathered, or scaly friend, and pet owners tend to spend freely on their animals. That makes pet products a consistently profitable niche.

Personalised pet accessories – custom bowls, bandanas, matching leash-and-collar sets – perform particularly well because pet owners enjoy products that feel unique. Shipping from a Canadian fulfilment centre also helps, since it avoids unexpected duty charges for your customers.

7. Health and wellness products

Health and wellness is a massive global market with plenty of room for niche players. Canadians are spending more on products that support physical and mental well-being, from fitness gear to self-care items.

For a print-on-demand or eCommerce store, this could mean custom yoga mats, branded water bottles, or athletic wear with motivational designs. Many products in this space are lightweight and easy to ship, and categories like supplements or skincare can generate strong repeat-purchase behaviour.

8. Jewellery

Jewellery works well online because of its high perceived value relative to production and shipping costs. Pieces are small, lightweight, and inexpensive to fulfil, which supports healthy margins.

The sweet spot for most online sellers is affordable, customisable jewellery – engraved necklaces, charm bracelets, custom earrings. These items tap into gifting occasions and personal expression, allowing you to target specific niches rather than compete with luxury brands.

9. Baby and kids' products

Baby and kids' products benefit from steady, predictable demand. New parents are always entering the market, and children outgrow clothing quickly, creating natural repeat-purchase cycles.

There's also a growing preference for premium and personalised items in this category. If a customer buys a baby bodysuit they love, they're likely to return for a toddler-sized version of the same design. Personalised items like blankets or nursery wall art are strong sellers, especially around gifting seasons.

10. Digital products

Digital products – eBooks, online courses, templates, digital art – offer some of the highest profit margins available because there are no production or shipping costs after the initial creation.

If you have expertise in a field like design, photography, fitness, or any teachable skill, you can package it into a product that sells indefinitely. You can also bridge digital and physical. For example, selling digital art downloads while also offering the same designs on apparel or home decor through Print on Demand.

11. Home and living products

Home decor is a broad category with strong demand and high perceived value. Products like custom throw pillows, canvas prints, mugs, and blankets give you a wide creative canvas and the ability to cater to seasonal trends or evergreen niches like minimalist design.

Print on Demand works particularly well here because you can offer a large catalogue without holding inventory. Shipping from a Canadian fulfilment centre keeps delivery times short, which matters for a category where customers often want items for a specific occasion or room update.

12. Drinkware

Mugs, tumblers, and water bottles are everyday items with gift-giving appeal, which makes them a reliable revenue stream. Personalised mugs are popular for holidays, birthdays, and corporate orders, while branded water bottles attract the fitness and eco-conscious market.

Drinkware is relatively cheap to source and carries a high perceived value when customised, resulting in solid profit margins on a product your customers will actually use daily.

What makes a product profitable?

Knowing what's popular is useful, but understanding the factors behind profitability helps you evaluate any product – not just the ones on this list.

High profit margin

Profit margin is what you keep after covering your costs. If a t-shirt costs you C$12 to produce and ship, and you sell it for C$30, your gross profit is C$18. The wider the gap, the more room you have to reinvest in growth.

You can improve margins by sourcing low-cost products, minimising shipping expenses, or using a model like Print on Demand that eliminates inventory costs. When setting prices, remember to account for applicable taxes (GST/PST/HST).

High demand

Products people are actively searching for give you a bigger potential customer base. Use tools like Google Trends to gauge interest, and keep an eye on what's gaining traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Demand can shift quickly based on cultural moments, seasons, and broader trends like remote work or sustainability – so staying informed matters.

Low competition (or a unique angle)

High demand often comes with high competition. The way around this is to niche down. Instead of selling generic pet accessories, for example, you could focus on eco-friendly hiking gear for dogs. A specific audience means less competition and a clearer brand identity.

Offering custom-designed products is another effective differentiator. When you design your own products, you're selling something competitors can't replicate.

Scalability

Can your business handle growing demand without a proportional increase in cost or complexity? This is where models like Print on Demand in Canada have a clear advantage. Your fulfilment partner handles production and shipping, whether you sell 10 items or 10,000.

How to start selling profitable products

1. Define your niche

Pick a specific audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Think about your own interests and expertise – the more you understand your target customer, the better your products and marketing will be.

2. Find a supplier

Unless you're producing everything yourself, you need a reliable supply chain. For custom apparel, accessories, and home goods, a print-on-demand partner like Printful gives you access to a large product catalogue, customisation tools, and a Canadian fulfilment centre for faster, duty-free domestic shipping.

3. Create an online store

Set up shop on an eCommerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce, or sell through a marketplace like Etsy or Amazon. Printful integrates with all major platforms, so connecting your store and syncing products is straightforward.

4. Start selling

Once your store is live, focus on getting it in front of the right people. Build a social media presence, experiment with paid ads, create content that resonates with your niche, and pay attention to what your competitors are doing. 

Final thoughts

Building a profitable online store takes time – don't expect overnight results. Focus on learning, adapting, and listening to your customers. Their feedback will shape your product line and help you improve over time.

For more guidance, check out the Printful blog or YouTube channel for tips on product design, marketing, and growing your eCommerce business.