11 Products on Deep Discount in June
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Hoping to save on any purchases during the month of June? If you’re in the market for any of these 11 products, it should be easy to find what you want at a discount.
Some of the sale prices earlier in the month, such as the ones on blenders and dishwashers, can be attributed to continuing Memorial Day deals. Father’s Day, which lands on June 20 this year, also spurs sales on tech, tools, and other stereotypical “dad” items, such as smartwatches, string trimmers, and cordless drills.
Toward the end of June, you’ll also start to see early July Fourth sales on some of the products listed here, as well as big-ticket items like mattresses and large appliances.
Consumer Reports tracks prices of every product we test all year to help you know when you can expect to find the biggest discounts. We expect to see major price drops on 11 types of items in June. You may find deals on other products as well, but the categories in this article tend to have the biggest discounts this month.
If you plan to shop in stores, consult our coronavirus guide.
Want to know what’s on deep discount during the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.
Blenders
In the market for a new blender? CR has found that many tend to cost less in May and June, which means you might be able to get a better blender without paying full price. Blenders can cost anywhere from $30 to well over $500, and how much you should spend will depend on how often you plan to use it and what you want to do with it.
Paying more generally means better results and more versatility; lower-end models might not be well-suited for tough jobs, such as crushing ice. But there are exceptions, including high-priced models that cracked under the pressure of our tough tests and bargain blenders that exceeded expectations.
Before you start looking at what’s currently on sale, get a better idea of what you can expect to spend for what you want. Start your search for your ideal blender with CR’s buying guide and recommended models.
Smartwatches
June is often a good time to pick up a smartwatch, even after Father’s Day, when tech gadgets tend to be more heavily promoted and discounted. Look for sales that are likely to crop up at popular online retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, and you can finally take the plunge on some high-tech products without overspending.
You’ll want to make sure the smartwatch you choose is going to fit your lifestyle. First and foremost, it should be compatible with your smartphone. But do you want one that has its own network connectivity? How about a heart-rate monitor? Or the ability to pay for purchases? You should also take into account things like size, battery life, and replacement bands.
Read CR’s buying guide to learn more, then check out our ratings to find the best smartwatch for you.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is absolutely essential when it comes to protecting your skin all year, but it’s especially important in the summer months, when the days are longer and clothing is lighter. The good news is that you may be able to stock up for less in June.
When choosing the best sunscreen, it’s important to consider more than just the sun protection factor (SPF), which measures how well a product will protect you from sunburn and ultraviolet B rays that can increase the risk of skin cancer. You also want to guard against ultraviolet A rays, which tan and age skin as well as contribute to skin cancer.
Consumer Reports’ rigorous testing has found several options that effectively do well against both UVA and UVB rays, have an SPF of at least 30, and are water-resistant for 40 to 80 minutes. Take a look at which sunscreens we recommend before you start shopping.
Blood Pressure Monitors
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, doesn’t have any obvious symptoms, but it can increase the risk of heart attack, 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 be giving 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 28 models, comparing their readouts with those of a mercury sphygmomanometer (the device that’s considered the gold standard of 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.
Strollers
There are a lot of price reductions on strollers in June, so whether you’re shopping for a baby shower gift or you want to upgrade your own kid’s ride, it’s a good time to start looking around. Strollers can cost $100 to more than $1,000. Styling, lightweight materials, and added features can increase the price, but our tests have found that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good, safe model.
Buying a stroller requires some research first to ensure that you’re choosing a safe one that’s worth the price. The best place to start is CR’s buying guide, which can help you determine which features are important to help you make a smart decision. Then take a look at the strollers we recommend to find the one that best suits your needs.
Cordless Drills
June is particularly noteworthy in terms of sales and price reductions for cordless drills, according to CR’s data. This may be a result of Father’s Day promotions aimed toward the DIY dads.
A good drill is useful to have, even if you don’t consider yourself particularly handy. It makes quick work of putting together furniture, hanging decorations, fixing things around the home, and taking on bigger projects.
There are plenty of options, giving you a lot to consider when shopping for the best drill for your needs. The first factor to look at is voltage. Most casual users can get away with a 12-volt model, but if you’re a heavy-duty DIYer, you may prefer something with 18 or 20 volts.
CR’s buying guide can help you learn more about the different cordless drills and their pros and cons so that you can find the best model for your needs and budget.
Insect Repellent
As with sunscreen, insect repellent is a must to get through the warmer months. And the good news is retailers often offer discounts and other seasonally promotional deals around bug spray. CR’s data analysts have found that prices tend to remain low in July as well, so you don’t need to buy a season’s supply all in one go. Though if you find a great deal this month, there’s no harm in buying extra so you don’t worry about running out.
With so many brands and types to choose from, buying the right products can feel a little intimidating. Check out our buying guide for insect repellent to get a better idea of what to look for when you shop.
String Trimmers
If you missed the chance to snag a discount on a string trimmer in early spring, when they typically start to fall in price, don’t worry. June is another great month to find a good one at a discount. Because we’re already well into the season of lawn care, retailers may be looking to move more of this inventory as lawn care sales slow down, resulting in savings for consumers.
The ideal string trimmer will be able to trim, edge, and cut tall grass with ease, and you can find many top-rated gas, electric, and battery-powered models that handle these tasks. Gas-powered trimmers can handle bigger jobs; electric models tend to be better for smaller properties, and they’re quieter. Corded trimmers are the most affordable of the bunch but may require an extension cord. Battery-powered models tend to give you about 30 minutes on a single charge, which should be good if you have a small property. Otherwise, you may need additional batteries.
Not sure what’s right for you? Read CR’s string trimmer buying guide and browse our product ratings to get a better idea of what’s available.
Pressure Washers
The start of summer may be the perfect time to deep-clean the outside of your house as well as the inside. Invest in a good pressure washer now while they’re on sale and you can make your mildewy deck and oil-stained driveway look like new with minimal effort.
If you have a larger property with more surface area to clean, a gas-powered pressure washer may be ideal. But if you’re cleaning a small deck and patio furniture, you probably only need an electric model, which is typically lighter, quieter, and easier to maintain than a gas-powered version.
This isn’t necessarily something everyone needs to own, so if you have limited storage space or don’t think you’ll use it often enough for it to be worth the upkeep, you may be better off looking into rental options or even taking on the task of cleaning things with soap, water, and elbow grease.
Take some time to read our buying guide and learn more about the recommended pressure washers to determine whether this is a smart purchase for you.
Dishwashers
A dishwasher can make quick work of cleaning up the kitchen, but only if it cleans and dries well. June tends to be a good time to find deals. Depending on what features you need and want, these appliances can cost anywhere from a few hundred 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.
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. Our data has shown that steam irons tend to drop in price this month, so if you need a new iron, this is the perfect time to start looking.
Steam irons can cost anywhere from $15 to $150. While 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 thorough buying guide you can read to learn more about your options and what to look for when you shop.
