Looking at the stock market right now, I keep coming back to three names that seem worth serious consideration if you've got around $1,000 to deploy. These aren't flashy growth plays - they're the kind of best stocks that actually let you sleep at night while collecting steady income.

First up is Realty Income. What caught my attention here is their dividend track record - we're talking 30 straight years of annual increases. That's not luck. A grand gets you roughly 15 shares, and you're looking at a 4.9% yield. The company owns over 15,500 single-tenant properties, mostly retail assets. What I like is the payout ratio sits at 75% of adjusted funds from operations, which means there's real cushion if things get rough. It's slow-growth for sure, but if income is your priority, this REIT delivers.

Then there's Enterprise Products Partners. This one yields 6%, and here's what matters - 27 consecutive years of distribution increases. They operate massive midstream infrastructure moving oil and gas, essentially charging tolls rather than betting on commodity prices. That's a smart way to get energy exposure without the volatility headaches. Distributable cash flow covers the distribution 1.7 times over, so there's plenty of room for downturns. The stock market loves these steady-eddy businesses, and for good reason.

Last is Texas Instruments. Lower yield at 2.6%, but here's the thing - they've hiked dividends for 22 years straight. They make analog chips that go into basically everything digital, and with data centers becoming a separate revenue line that's growing 70% year-over-year, there's actual growth happening alongside the dividend. They're in a capital investment cycle right now, which has some people nervous, but I see it as capacity building for future demand.

The real question for me when looking at best stocks like these is whether you want pure income or income plus growth potential. Realty Income and Enterprise give you that 'set it and forget it' vibe - slow growth, solid yields. Texas Instruments lets you have some tech exposure while still getting paid. Honestly, if I'm being real about the stock market, these three show you don't need to chase every hot trend to build wealth. Sometimes boring is beautiful.