8 Products on Deep Discount in February

If your current smartphone is anything but current and you’re finally ready to get your hands on something newer, February may be a great time to find a recent model at a discount. While Black Friday in November is when you’ll find the widest variety of phones on sale, the final full month of winter has its own opportunities to save, especially on previous-year models.

You should never pay full price for a mattress. Why? Manufacturers of all the top brands tend to observe major and minor holidays with discounts and special offers, so you rarely have to wait too long for a price drop.

In February, Presidents Day weekend is your best opportunity to find a deal on a new mattress because it’s one of the best holidays to shop for one; it’s when we typically see the deepest discounts from major brands. If you miss your chance to shop for a deal this month, there may be sporadic deals in the coming months. But the next major mattress sale event comes around Memorial Day.

You can find out more about mattress options by reading CR’s buying guide and reviewing our mattress ratings. A good mattress should last you eight to 10 years, so do the research and invest in one that will suit your sleeping style for years to come.

Check out the following mattress deals.

Bear Original Mattress (Queen)
The deal: $749 at Bear Mattress
You can save 25 percent on a Bear mattress and get a free sheet set and two free Cloud pillows with the code PD25, a discount that beats the best we’ve seen in the past year by 5 percent. The original mattress from Bear performed well in our tests, and it’s a good choice for back and side sleepers who are petite or average height. (Tall folks may want to look elsewhere.) CR’s tests found that this mattress tends to retain heat, so it may be best for those who sleep cooler.

Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress (Queen)
The deal: $716 at Amazon, Mattress Firm, and Tuft & Needle
CR’s tests show that Tuft & Needle makes decent mattresses all-around. For Presidents Day, the company is offering 20 percent off all its mattresses, and you can find these same prices at other retailers, too. The Original got above-average scores in our tests for all side sleepers and middling scores for back sleepers. It also performed well in our breathability tests, so it might be a good option if you sleep hot. But our testers found that this model may be softer than advertised, so be sure to read up on each model before you buy.

For more great discounts: Best Presidents Day Mattress Deals

As with smartphones, tablet sales are also prominent this month. Retailers may still be clearing out their leftover holiday inventories, creating plenty of opportunities to get a new tablet for less.

When choosing a tablet, consider what you plan to use it for. If you want to watch Netflix or edit photos, look for something with a larger higher-quality screen. If you just want to do simpler tasks, such as playing games and browsing the web, you don’t need to spend a ton. Other factors to consider are battery life, storage size (and expansion options), size, weight, and processor power.

To learn more about what will work for you, check out CR’s buying guide and recommended tablets.

Check out the following tablet deals:

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (128GB - 2021)
The deal: $1,000 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart
New to our ratings, this incredibly powerful 12.9-inch tablet represents the pinnacle of what a tablet can be. Dwelling on the bleeding edge of performance and design, it isn’t cheap, however. Prices typically start at $1,100, and you can add $200 to that if you want the model with built-in 5G wireless networking. But right now you can get a substantial—and rare—discount at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. With this tablet, performance is very strong, as you might expect from a tablet aimed at professional users and powered by Apple’s M1 processor. Editing video or playing demanding games are easily possible here.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
The deal: $128 at Best Buy
This is a good deal on a tablet that performs quite well in our labs. Think of it as the Android equivalent of the Apple iPad Mini, one with an 8-inch display, 32 gigabytes of storage, and a battery that lasted about 14 hours in our tests.

If you’re always cold, live in a drafty house, or want to curb your heating bill without sacrificing comfort, a space heater is just the ticket. They often go on sale in February as retailers prepare to bring out their wares for spring. If you work in an office that never seems to be warm enough or you’re simply sick of arguing about the thermostat at home, a good space heater can make everyone happy and comfortable. And getting one on sale only sweetens the deal.

Perhaps the most exciting news is that the models with the strongest performance in temperature control, safety, and noise typically cost less than $100, so sales will make them a great investment for any budget.

It might be good to check out the options with our buying guide to find out which is best for you before you start shopping.

The end of the season is a great time to stock up on winter weather gear, and snow blowers are among the most deeply discounted products in February. You can pick one up now and be ready for any late-winter blizzards that might strike. And if none come, you’ll be well prepared for next winter.

There are many types of snow blowers, and Consumer Reports’ testing has found that size doesn’t always matter. You don’t necessarily need the most powerful model to get the job done, and you can choose among many models to find what will work best in your climate and for your property. You can spend as little as $200 for one that will handle light dustings or well over $3,000 for a model that removes heavier snow.

When choosing a snow blower, look for one that blends competent clearing ability with a smooth, single-lever chute control that sends snow in any direction you want it to go.

For more details, check out our snow blower buying guide and recommendations.

February can be a great time to snag a deal on last year’s digital cameras as new models start hitting the shelves. Once you’ve settled on your budget (cameras can range from a hundred to thousands of dollars), you’ll need to decide on the type of camera you want. A simple point-and-shoot is great if your phone camera isn’t up to snuff. But you may want something more powerful, like a DSLR, if you’re looking to capture top-notch photos.

Because choosing the right digital camera can be overwhelming, spend some time doing research before you shop. Determine which type will best suit your needs and how much you’re willing to spend, taking into account accessories such as lenses, SD cards, card readers, spare batteries, and more. Our digital camera buying guide and ratings give you the details on different models as well as information on features and brands.

Check out the following camera deal.

Nikon Z6 Camera
The deal: $1,355 at Walmart; $1,597 at Amazon
The Nikon Z6 features a full-frame sensor and takes great video, and our testers liked the way it felt in the hand, even if it’s a bit heavier than similar models. This body-only deal represents a serious value on a serious camera.

If you’re in the market for a new printer, you may be able to find a deal on a top model this month, whether you need one that can scan and fax or just want something basic to print occasionally. But with more people than ever working from home, demand has been high since the pandemic began, so expect discounts to be fewer and farther between than in years past. If you do spot a sale, you’ll want to act fast before the product is sold out.

There are two main types of printers: laser and inkjet. Some may be able to make copies or offer wireless printing over WiFi. CR’s buying guide can give you a more in-depth look at the different options and the best models so that you’ll be ready to jump on it when the printer you want goes on sale.

A dishwasher can make quick work of cleaning up the kitchen, but only if it cleans and dries well. February tends to be a good time to find discounts thanks to Presidents Day sales. Depending on what features you need and want, these appliances can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000. Some keep things simple with just the essential washing and drying functions, and others have advanced features like WiFi control, third racks, and even zone control.

And for those in the market to replace any appliance, keep in mind that the entire process is still being affected by the pandemic. This means there might not be quite as many opportunities to save on a new dishwasher this month, and if you do buy one, you can expect extended shipping times. Start your search by reviewing CR’s buying guide to determine the best dishwasher for your home.