11 Products on Deep Discount in August
You'll find great deals on computers, vacuums, appliances, and more
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August is typically a great month to save on computers, tablets, printers, and other tech devices. As kids start heading back to class, the month tends to be filled with back-to-school shopping sales. And with Labor Day weekend coming just after the end of the month, sales tend to start a week or two early, so it’s also a good time to shop for seasonal items like grills as well as mattresses and appliances such as freezers, vacuum cleaners, and dehumidifiers. While those sales generally start a week or two before the holiday weekend, they often get better closer to Labor Day, so I do recommend researching early but waiting until the weekend itself (Labor Day falls on Sept. 7 this year) to buy anything.
In addition to these sales, a handful of product categories typically drop in price this month. I track the prices of every product we test at Consumer Reports all year to help you know when you can expect to find the biggest discounts. To find out which ones are bargains during other months of the year, see our calendar of deals.
Vacuums and Robotic Vacuums
Vacuums, including robotic vacuum cleaners and combo vacuum-mops, tend to fall in price in August in part because of early Labor Day sales, as well as back-to-school sales that target the dorm crowd. This is an ideal time to finally replace your old one with an upgrade to something better.
There are many different kinds of vacuums. Some are better for hardwood floors while others are more suited for carpets and sucking up pet hair. And robotic vacuums can be a great way to keep things tidy without having to do any work, perfect for college students living on their own for the first time.
To make the choice easier, review our vacuum cleaner buying guide as well as our ratings to select the best brand and model for your budget.
The Mova P10 Pro Ultra Gen2 is excellent at vacuuming, impressing us with its ability to clean carpets, an area that other robot vacuum and mop combos might struggle with. While its mopping function isn’t as strong, it’s still fairly decent. The model comes with a base that automatically empties the vacuum dustbin, cleans and dries the mopping pads, and refills the mop reservoir with cleaning solution. The lowest we’ve seen it go was $420, so this still is a pretty decent discount.
The Shark PowerDetect AZ4002 tackles cleaning jobs with ease. It’s also fairly quiet and comes packed with handy features, among them a dirt sensor that automatically boosts power to pull up more debris. It can detect floor types and adjust the speed of its brush rolls accordingly. For those who hate having to extricate hair from a vacuum’s brush rolls, the PowerDetect’s rolls are designed with a self-cleaning feature to guard against entanglements. This is just $50 more than the lowest price.
The Tineco Floor One S3 Smart Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner Mop can pick up dry debris such as rice, cereal, and sand with aplomb. It’s also very good at cleaning wet spills and removing stains. Another plus: it boasts one of the longest run times among the models we’ve seen, so you won’t have to stop and recharge the combo vacuum-mop in the middle of your cleaning. It’s now $20 more than the lowest price we’ve seen in months.
For more discounts: Best Vacuum Deals Right Now
Grills
August may be the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop barbecuing. As we approach Labor Day, you’ll typically find end-of-summer discounts on grills. So whether you want a new charcoal, gas, pellet, flat-top, or kamado grill, keep an eye out for sales this month. This year, discounts have been sparse, meaning if you see one on a model you like, you may want to act fast or you’ll risk missing it.
Prices can range from as little as $100 to more than $3,000, depending on what you want. CR tests grills to fit every cooking style and budget, from portable models you can take camping to larger grills designed to feed an extended family. We produce ratings of nearly 250 grills to suit first-time buyers and seasoned grill masters searching for a replacement or an upgrade.
There are three main types of grills to choose from, and each has pros and cons when it comes to cost, ease of use, cleanup, and, most important, how it cooks food. So you’ll want to review our grill buying guide if you’re not sure whether you’d be happiest with a charcoal grill, gas grill, pellet grill, kamado grill, or flat-top grill.
This high-end midsized Fuego F27S grill hits almost every mark, and the price has dropped $125 since earlier this summer. It rates very good at producing even heat, preheating quickly, offering a wide range of high and low temperatures, and creating indirect heat. It’s less likely than many other models to flare up. Notable features include recessed folding shelves and burners with a long warranty. (They’re the parts that are replaced the most.) An unimpressive rating for convenience is one of its few blemishes.
Laptops and Computers
Laptops and computers always tend to be on sale throughout August for the back-to-school season. And this year is no different. Because this is a popular time to buy these devices, it may take a bit longer than usual to receive your order, so be sure to look at expected shipping times when buying online. Shopping at retailers with in-store pickup can be a good option if you need your laptop in a hurry. You can also compare prices and look for similar devices if the exact model you want isn’t available, on sale, or in your budget. Start your search with CR’s buying guide and recommended models.
The Asus Vivobook 16 isn’t flashy, but it covers the basics really well, especially for this price. It gets top marks for portability and ergonomics, making it a great pick for students or remote workers who value comfort and a lightweight build. Performance and display are average, but with a roomy 16-inch screen and solid all-around versatility, it’s a strong value at this discount.
The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 was $80 more at the start of July. This is a premium 2-in-1 with a 360-degree hinge that lets you rotate the screen for use as a traditional laptop or a tablet, knocking out a report at your desk or sketching notes on the couch. The bundled stylus is handy for handwriting and drawing. Thin, light, and built to last a full workday away from an outlet, this is the sort of machine that earns its keep if you’re frequently on the move or travel for work. It sits at the higher end of our laptop ratings, so you’re paying for the flexibility and the display quality.
For more discounts: Best Back-to-School Deals on Laptops, Tablets, Printers, and Routers
Tablets
As with laptops and computers, tablet sales also tend to be prominent this month. When choosing the best one, consider how you plan to use it. If you want to watch Netflix or edit photos, look for something with a larger, higher-quality screen. If you just want to do simple tasks, such as playing games and browsing the web, you don’t necessarily need to spend a ton. Other factors to consider are battery life, storage size (and expansion options), size, weight, and processor power. Take a look at our buying guide to learn a little more if you’re not sure what you need.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is impressive when it comes to everything from speed to camera quality. The 11-inch screen is bright and sharp. The battery lasts a convenient 11.1 hours when browsing the web and 15.7 hours when playing video, making it a great choice for studying and unwinding alike. Overall, it’s a top-notch tablet, though with a premium price to match. So this discount is certainly an advantage.
Wireless Routers
A good wireless router can help boost your WiFi signal, eliminate any dead spots in your home, and ensure that everyone in the family can work, stream, play, and otherwise spend time online uninterrupted. August is a great month to find a new router for less.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a new router, including the size of your home and cybersecurity protections. Start with CR’s buying guide, which walks you through all the factors to consider.
Sold as a three-piece mesh system, this TP-Link Deco model offers outstanding value, balancing wide coverage with a lower price. It scores very well in our tests, as it’s simple to install and provides a strong, secure signal that can cover a large, multistory home. The system includes six Ethernet ports across the three units—handy for hardwiring key devices—but doesn’t include any USB ports. This model supports WiFi 6, making it a smart and highly effective upgrade for most households.
This is a good deal on a wireless router that does quite well in our ratings. It’s not a mesh router, but if a single-unit router is sufficient to envelop your home in WiFi, this one should do a good job. Our testers note high speeds (technically referred to as “throughput”) across near, medium, and far distances, as well as useful features like automatic firmware updating (which helps keep you and your data safe) and the ability to manage everything from a smartphone app.
Printers
If a printer is on your back-to-school shopping list, you may be able to find a deal on a new model this month, whether you need one that can scan and fax or just want something basic to print occasionally. But demand is high and sales are not always available for long, so if you do spot a sale, you’ll want to act fast before it’s sold out.
There are two main types of printers: laser and inkjet (also called tank printers). Some may be able to make copies or offer wireless printing over WiFi or Bluetooth. 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.
Our testers often sing the praises of black-and-white laser printers, especially for anyone who prints a lot of text documents and not much else. The models are more reliable and far cheaper to use than a standard color inkjet. This model from Canon produces crisp, clear text and does it fast. It has auto-duplexing for easy two-sided printing and wireless printing, so you don’t have to plug your laptop into the unit. Plus, it’s compact enough to fit nicely in a small space.
If you’re looking to invest in an all-in-one printer capable of serving a small office, this Canon laser is a smart choice. It prints top-notch text, and quickly. It has an integrated scanner, copier, and fax machine, plus automatic two-sided printing. It doesn’t excel at printing graphics, but that’s to be expected with a black-and-white laser. The good news is, along with these upfront savings, you’ll also spend relatively little over time on toner as laser printers have significantly lower operational costs than traditional inkjets.
If you want a reasonably low-cost home printer that can produce clear and crisp text documents at a clip, this black-and-white Canon imageCLASS LBP122dw laser printer earns our stamp of approval. Canon laser printers are also particularly reliable, according to survey data of CR members, which means they’re less likely to give you grief later on. This model doesn’t scan or copy, though.
Freezers
The average price of a stand-alone freezer tends to fall in late August as Labor Day sales begin. There are chest freezers and upright freezers, giving you options depending on what will fit best in your space. Having a spare freezer can be especially useful if you like to buy in bulk, meal prep, or simply want to start taking advantage of bargains at the store to save money in the long run.
There are plenty of factors to consider, from floor space and energy consumption to how you’ll organize the contents of your freezer. Some of the newer models now have smart storage features like adjustable shelving and tiered bins, so you’re not just filling an empty box. Before you start shopping, you can read our buying guide to learn more about your options.
The GE FCM16DLWW is a whopping 66 inches long, a bit longer than a loveseat, so there’s plenty of room to stock up on lower-priced groceries when you find them. And you’ll love its performance. It aces our thermostat control and uniformity tests, and runs pretty efficiently. It’ll carry you through a moderately long power outage, too. It’s a little noisy, but at this size, you probably won’t place it anywhere near your living space.
Microwave Ovens
You can find a budget microwave oven for $50 or you can spend upward of $1,000 on a high-end model that can be built into your kitchen cabinetry. But most important is the microwave’s ability to reheat and defrost food, and not all models are created equal in that regard. So it’s a good idea to check out CR’s test results and ratings before you buy a new model.
The type of microwave is important to consider as well. Countertop models are the most versatile, and there are over-the-range options as well. That may be something to consider if and when you remodel your kitchen.
There are features to look for, too. Do you want the more common turntable or a sliding tray that may be better for reheating larger dishes? Do you need a rack? How much wattage is best? Our buying guide can help you determine the best options for your budget.
The KitchenAid KMMS330SPS is one of the top over-the-range microwaves in our ratings, thanks to strong heating evenness and speed of heating scores. It also offers top-notch defrosting evenness and is incredibly easy to use. It’s quieter than most recommended LG models, but it’s not as reliable: KitchenAid over-the-range microwaves earn middling reliability and owner satisfaction ratings in CR member surveys.
The 950-watt LG MHEC1737F features convection cooking, sensor cooking, auto-defrost, and speed-cook settings. It nabbed our highest score for defrosting evenness and microwaving noise, and very good scores for heating evenness and vent noise (although we found its airflow just middling). Its score for heating speed was also just middling. LG over-the-range microwaves receive a top score for reliability in our member surveys, but are rated just okay for owner satisfaction.
Dehumidifiers
As summer weather peaks, dehumidifiers tend to drop in price. They’re great for drying out the air in your home on muggy days, which can help you feel less sticky, and those muggy days don’t end the second the calendar rolls over into September. Dehumidifiers can also take that damp feeling out of a basement or laundry room, and prevent a few other sticky situations. Humidity levels above 50 percent can breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, triggering allergies or other health problems, so having a good one in your home is never a bad idea.
When choosing a dehumidifier, you’ll want to determine what capacity you need for your space. Large-capacity machines can work in smaller spaces, but small- or medium-capacity dehumidifiers may be more efficient. Read CR’s dehumidifier buying guide to learn more about what to look for.
Blood Pressure Monitors
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, doesn’t have any obvious symptoms, but it can increase the risk of a heart attack, a stroke, kidney disease, and a number of other serious health problems. And though your doctor checks your blood pressure at every checkup, a single reading might not give you the full picture.
If you want to keep a closer eye on your blood pressure, you can get an at-home blood pressure monitor. Consumer Reports has tested 24 models, comparing their readouts with those of a mercury sphygmomanometer (the device that’s considered the gold standard in blood pressure testing), as well as testing ease of use, comfort, and convenience.
Most models usually cost between $40 and $100, and they often fall in price this time of year. You can choose between upper-arm and wrist monitors, both of which can have a number of different features, though keep in mind that our tests have found that upper-arm monitors tend to be more accurate than wrist models. Our in-depth blood pressure monitor buying guide is a great place to start your research.
Steam Irons
Even if you don’t have a ton of clothes that need pressing after they come out of the dryer, it’s good to have an iron at the ready. Steam irons tend to drop in price this month, so if you need a new one, this is the perfect time to look.
Steam irons can cost $15 to $150. Though cheaper models we’ve tested in the past haven’t performed all that well, you can find decent options for closer to $50 that can compete with more expensive models.
We don’t currently test steam irons, but we have a buying guide you can read to learn more about your options and what to look for when you shop.
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