The items Brits lose the most aren’t just their keys, glasses or phone – it’s also receipts and vouchers. A poll of 2,000 adults found 52% admitted they’ve reached a checkout or returns desk without the receipt they needed. The average person misplaces at least three physical items a month and 27% spend between 20 minutes to an hour looking for them.
Other frequently misplaced items include the TV remote (24%), house keys (19%) and earbuds or headphones (15%). But 83% now also struggle to find documents or files they need on their tech devices. With a third spending between one and six hours a month searching for documents.
The research was commissioned by Samsung, which is launching its new Galaxy Book6 series at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, designed to help users rediscover documents, photos and contacts, even when they can’t remember specific details.
Annika Bizon, spokesperson for Samsung UK & Ireland, said: “Searching for something you can’t find on a device can be even more infuriating than losing your house keys, you know it’s there, you just can’t find it.
“Now you can ask for what you’re looking for in a natural, human way, just as you would ask a friend.
“You don’t need to remember file names or folders, because it’s designed around how people remember, not how computers store information, helping give valuable time back.”
The study also found 30% have lost track of important passwords, emails (both 24%) or photos (18%) and struggled to locate them. With 32% saying they find it harder to organise items on their phone, tablet or laptop compared to real life.
A further 52% said changes in routine make them more forgetful, while 34% admitted they’ve lost more items as they’ve got older.
Almost a fifth (19%) can ‘never’ find the document they’re looking for to send to their friends or family.
On average, people have more than 3,000 documents, photos or videos stored on their devices. More than a third spend time scrolling through their camera roll trying to find something on their phone, tablet or laptop.
Meanwhile, 31% struggle to remember the folder or chat where the item they’re looking for lives on their devices. Of those who took part in the study by OnePoll.com, 35% said the thing they’re looking for is often saved in the wrong place by mistake.
Annika Bizon for Samsung Galaxy Book6, added: “Losing things isn’t just inconvenient, it can really disrupt your day.
“Whether it’s a receipt or a file, those small moments of frustration add up. Staying on top of both physical and digital clutter is becoming an essential skill for modern life.”
TOP ITEMS BRITS COMMONLY MISPLACE:
1. TV remote
2. Glasses/sunglasses
3. Receipts/vouchers
4. House keys
5. Mobile phone
6. Earbuds/headphones
7. Paperwork
8. Car keys
9. Chargers
10. Bank cards
