20 Products on Deep Discount in September
This month brings big savings on large appliances and outdoor tools, as well as grills and home goods
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There are a few main reasons you’ll find a few ways to save in September: Labor Day, back-to-school shopping, and the seasonal shift from summer to fall. It’s not the biggest month for savings, especially with the holiday shopping season just around the corner.
Retailers often drop their prices on these 20 products, among others, throughout the month. There are opportunities to save on outdoor items like grills, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers, as well as discounts on tech, including laptops and smart speakers. Add to that price drops on freezers, air purifiers, and large appliances, and you can make upgrades across your whole home for less. Plus, you’ll often see sales on mattresses, and even apparel and home goods, this month.
Keep in mind that bigger sales are coming soon, so if you don’t need something right away, holding off a little longer can lead to bigger savings. Amazon typically has a big sale in mid-October called Prime Big Deal Days to kick off the holiday shopping season. And after that, we’ve got Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too, which tend to feature the best prices of the year.
Consumer Reports tracks the prices of the products we test to determine the times of year when they are most likely to be at their best discounts. See our calendar of deals to learn more about what goes on sale and when.
Grills
Labor Day is the last major chance of the year to find grills on sale, though you may still find sale prices for a couple of weeks after the holiday. Retailers are looking to make room in their warehouses as the outdoor cooking season draws to a close. And with a few months left until it’s too cold to barbecue that often (at least in some parts of the country), you might as well make the most of the fall grilling season. So whether you want a new charcoal, gas, pellet, or kamado grill, keep an eye out for sales this month.
Grill 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 or tailgating to larger grills designed to feed an extended family. We produce ratings of more than 150 grills to suit both 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 importantly, 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, or pellet grill.
This high-end midsized Fuego F27S grill hits almost every mark, and the price has dropped $125 since the start of the month. 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 go on sale in August and September for the back-to-school season. This can be a great time to get a new device without paying full price, even if you’re not heading to the classroom. There is a lot to consider when buying a new laptop or desktop, from the processor power to the amount of onboard memory to screen size and more. If you’re in the market for a desktop, you can choose between all-in-one machines or those that require you to purchase a monitor and keyboard separately. When it comes to laptops, the size and weight may make all the difference, or battery life might be paramount. It all depends on what you need out of your machine.
Start your search with CR’s buying guide and recommended models to find a few options that fit your needs and budget.
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 Laptop Deals
Air Purifiers
As the weather changes from summer to fall, seasonal allergies can hit hard. An air purifier may be a smart investment if you’re sensitive to that shift, because they typically go on sale around this month. They’re great if you or someone in your household has asthma or is allergic to airborne allergens like dust or pet dander.
In addition to looking at the purchase price of a room air purifier, you’ll want to factor in its operating costs. You could spend $150 to $200 per year on filter replacements and electricity.
To reduce those costs, seek out energy-efficient models (look for Energy Star certification) and washable filters. Choosing a large unit and running it at a lower speed will keep the noise down. Use a higher speed to clean a large room quickly.
To understand more about what to look for and how much to pay, see our air purifier buying guide and ratings.
The portable Blue Pure 211i Max does a terrific job removing dust, pollen, and smoke on its higher setting, but expect a bit of noise. Try it on low, and you’ll have more quiet while still experiencing top-notch results. This model is designed for use in a large space of 350 to 650 square feet and costs about $109 a year to maintain. It also weighs just 17 pounds, making it easy to move around. While we’ve seen this model selling for less in recent months, it’s still a nice discount.
If you’re looking for an air purifier for a small room, the Blueair Mini Restful might fit the bill. It’s on sale for the general public, and CR members can save even more. The Mini Restful earns the CR Recommended designation because it performed very well in our tests. Running at high speeds, it aced the dust, pollen, and smoke removal tests, and did nearly as well operating at low speeds. It gets a middling score for noise output at high speed, which is common across every model, but it’s actually pretty quiet at low speed, making it a great option for all-day use in, say, a home office.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners often go on sale in September because they’re no longer in demand as summer winds down. Get one for less this month to beat the last of the summer heat or just be ready for next year.
You can choose a window unit or a portable AC, and some models may have features such as WiFi connectivity and a companion app. CR has tested and rated 50 models, so be sure to see our buying guide and recommendations to find the best fit for your home.
The Frigidaire Gallery GHWW085TE1 matches the best in our midsized tests, delivering excellent cooling comfort and holding the temperature right where you set it. Noise is not an issue: The model is very quiet on low and only slightly louder on high, so it won’t dominate a room. It passed our brownout test without a hitch, and the controls are easy to navigate. Like many newer models, this one is an inverter unit with WiFi, a remote, and features such as a dirty-filter indicator and an energy-saving mode. Frigidaire earns good marks for predicted reliability in our member survey, though owner satisfaction scores land in the middle of the pack. It’s also worth noting that the unit comes with a one-year warranty, which is shorter than those of competitors in this category.
Refrigerators
If you need to replace your refrigerator, you might be able to find a good price. Thanks to Labor Day sales on appliances, the first half of the month will be the best time to shop for a new fridge.
There are so many types and styles to choose from, whether you want a French-door fridge or a more traditional top-freezer model. You’ll also want to consider the style and features of the ideal refrigerator. Do you want a water dispenser? Is freezer capacity important? Are you short on space? Take a look at CR’s buying guide to get a better sense of which type of fridge is most ideal for you.
The 33-inch GE GNE25JYKFS is $150 more than the best price we’ve seen in the last 12 months, matching its July Fourth price. It’s a strong performer with a ton of useful features. In our tests, it receives excellent scores for thermostat performance and temperature uniformity, great scores for energy efficiency and ease of use, and satisfactory scores for its noise output (it’s not the quietest fridge but also not the loudest), icemaker performance, and crisper drawer performance. Its many features include an internal water dispenser, a built-in water filter, spillproof shelves, uniquely adjustable shelves that you can raise and lower without removing food, split shelves for better organization, and digital temperature controls.
The 28-inch Samsung RT16A6195SR is $75 more than it was for July Fourth, but we did see a price drop right before that holiday, so odds are good it will do the same for Labor Day weekend. It turns in solid, above-average performance among top-freezers, notching our highest possible scores for thermostat control, temperature uniformity, and energy efficiency, while earning a middling rating for noise. (Ease of use gets a less-than-satisfactory rating, but that’s typical for top-freezers.) Features are scarce here, per the norm, but it does come with gallon storage on the door and spillproof shelves. In our member surveys, Samsung top-freezers received an exemplary score for predicted reliability but just a passable one for owner satisfaction. This model has an optional icemaker.
The LG LHSXS2706S is just about the same price we saw during the last big holiday, dropping more than $200 since last week. It is a sleek, 36-inch-wide side-by-side with plenty of convenient features, including a through-the-door water/ice dispenser, a built-in water filter, a second icemaker that creates round ice cubes for cocktails (LG calls it Craft Ice), spillproof shelves, and WiFi connectivity to adjust fridge settings from your phone. In our lab tests, it receives excellent scores for thermostat performance and noise output, and very good scores for temperature uniformity, energy efficiency, and ease of use. However, the refrigerator receives a subpar score for icemaker performance and a poor score for crisper drawer performance. LG side-by-sides also receive decent scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member surveys.
For more discounts: Best Labor Day Large Appliance Deals
Washers and Dryers
Labor Day weekend is typically an excellent time to find a great deal on a new washer and dryer, and prices are available in the surrounding weeks. In general, washing machines and dryers are designed and sold as sets, which means that when one goes on sale, the other typically does as well. But you can also mix and match to get exactly what you want. And they tend to have the same, or very similar, prices. But not all pairs are created equal; in some cases, you may want to avoid buying a matching set.
Washers range in price from $500 to $2,500, and there are many types to choose from. You’ll see multitasking machines that allow you to wash two loads at once, all-in-one front-loaders that go straight into dryer mode, pod-dispensing front-loaders, built-in pretreat features, washers with a steam option, and more.
When it comes to choosing the best dryer, you want one that will get your clothing dry efficiently and safely. Dryers that perform well but don’t hold up over time aren’t winners. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the most and least reliable brands.
The LG WM3400CW is already quite inexpensive even when it’s not discounted. Especially given the quality of its performance, it’s a smart buy as well as an environmentally friendly choice. You still get exceptional washing performance along with water and energy efficiency. But this model isn’t particularly gentle on fabric, so you might want to try the delicate cycle for your best threads. This washer’s claimed capacity is 4.5 cubic feet, and its cycle time is 105 minutes.
The top-rated LG DLE3400W is at the best price we’ve seen this year. We expect it to perform similarly to the CR-tested LG DLEX3700W (now discontinued). The tested model delivers solid performance across the board, nabbing an ace rating for noise and ratings near the top in our drying and convenience tests. This stackable Energy Star certified machine, with a claimed capacity of 7.4 cubic feet, is equipped with a moisture sensor, an extended tumble, custom programs, and an end-of-cycle signal—offering all those features at a fairly low price.
Ranges
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your appliances for a kitchen renovation or suddenly find yourself in need of a new oven, September is an excellent time to be on the lookout for sales. There are often decent sales on ranges this month, again thanks to Labor Day promotions. If you’re replacing your existing range, you may want to stick with a similar make and model because it will mean less hassle. Switching from electric to gas or vice versa requires more prep work and a more intensive installation and removal process. However, if you want to make the switch or even upgrade to an induction cooktop or range, this is a great time to find a new model at a discounted price.
To learn more about the different kinds of ranges, read CR’s buying guide, which will help you determine which options will work in your kitchen.
The LG LREL6321S single oven is an exceptionally strong performer at a great price. It heats fast and simmers steadily on top of the stove, earning an excellent performance rating in our cooktop high and low tests. It also bakes and broils evenly. There’s no convection mode, but you’ll find a warming element, along with two high-powered burners on the cooktop. LG earned high reliability ratings for its electric ovens based on our member surveys.
The top-of-the-line LG LSDL6336F, whose price has dropped $100 since last week, delivers stellar performance all around, making it our top pick for a single-oven gas range. Technically, it’s a dual-fuel model, which means it has a gas cooktop and an electric oven, which probably explains why the oven outperforms many others in this product category. The cooktop excels, heating water in a flash and deftly maintaining a steady simmer. The oven bakes and broils evenly. This range is packed with features, including an integrated griddle burner, convection, an air-fry setting in the oven, and even a built-in temperature probe for cooking roasts and poultry to the perfect internal temperature. LG gas ranges receive above-average marks for reliability and a decent owner satisfaction rating in our member surveys.
Dishwashers
A dishwasher can make quick work of cleaning, but only if it cleans and dries well. As in June and July, September tends to be a good time to find deals. Depending on which 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.
Start your search by reviewing CR’s buying guide to determine the best dishwasher for your home.
The budget-friendly LG LDFC2423V got dinged in our member surveys for its middling reliability and satisfaction scores, but it has a lot going for it, starting with its stellar washing performance. It’s also considerably less expensive than the Bosch models that dominate this category. This model is also fairly quiet when running and has some of the design perks that make life a lot easier, like a soil sensor, an adjustable upper rack, adjustable tines, and a time-remaining display. That said, its drying performance is just okay.
The Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ dishwasher is already one of the best options under $1,000. It’s a strong performer, with a third rack and an upscale look for the price, including integrated controls. Whirlpool also earned a very good rating for predicted reliability and a midlevel score for owner satisfaction based on data from our reader surveys. It’s similar to lower-end models from KitchenAid, which is also owned by Whirlpool.
Freezers
Stand-alone freezers tend to dip in price a few times a year, including September. If you’re in the market to add a freezer to your home, you can choose between a chest freezer or an upright freezer, depending on your space and needs. After that, you’ll want to think about size, capacity, and energy use, because there are a variety of options to choose from. And while most stand-alone freezers tend to be big, empty boxes, some models now come equipped with smart storage features like adjustable drawers and tiered bins.
Take a look at our buying guide and ratings to find the best freezer for your needs.
The self-defrosting GE FUF14DLRWW offers top performance at a good value. This small upright freezer aces both the thermostat control and temperature uniformity tests, and it’s very good (though not the best) at keeping food frozen during a power outage. It earns a middling score for noise. It’s impressive in energy efficiency and has a bonus quick-freeze feature, which is a welcome addition at this price.
Wall Ovens
If you’re considering upgrading to a wall oven, which offers lots of flexibility that you won’t find in a range, the model you want may be available at a significant discount this month. Because most wall ovens are electric, they can be installed on just about any wall in your kitchen and at any height, so you won’t have to bend over when pulling out hot, heavy dishes.
If you spend a lot of time cooking, you may want to look into getting a double oven. Or perhaps you’re in the market for one with a convection mode to reduce cook times or variable broil to cook with even more precision. All of those options are out there, making it paramount to research before you buy. Purchasing any major appliance, especially an oven, is a big decision, and we recommend reading our buying guide and exploring our ratings and recommendations before you choose a model. Doing the research is essential to ensuring you’re satisfied with your new wall oven.
The stainless steel LG WSEP4727F receives excellent ratings from our baking and broiling tests. It also has adequate capacity and self-cleans well. The model comes with a temperature probe, as well as convection and air-fry modes. You can control the oven from the glass touch panel or from your smartphone. In our member surveys, LG electric wall ovens received solid scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
We haven’t tested the Café CTD70DP2NS1 yet, but we expect it to perform as well as the previously tested Café CTD70DM2NS5. The top-performer earns stellar marks for baking and broiling. It has two large oven cavities and effective self-clean cycles in each. It comes with many features, including convection and air-fry modes, along with touch controls, a built-in temperature probe, and WiFi connectivity. It’s the model to get if you need two ovens and want top-of-the-line performance with all the key features.
Cooktops
If you’re remodeling, a new cooktop can be perfect for your kitchen island, especially if you plan to install an in-wall oven. Cooktops tend to drop in price around Labor Day and into mid-September at least, making this month a great time to buy.
You’ll find gas, electric, and induction cooktops ranging from 21 to 48 inches. Many have five or six burners, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have room to use them all at once. In general, most 30-inch cooktops have four or five burners, and most 36-inch cooktops have five or six.
Learn more about the advantages of each cooktop in our buying guide to determine which is the best fit for your home before you start shopping around. Then start your search with CR’s recommended models, which passed our rigorous tests with flying colors.
The Samsung NA30N6555TS is a five-burner gas cooktop with stellar performance, earning our top rating for low-heat simmering, so you can slow-cook tomato sauce or melt chocolate without scorching. It heats water a little slower than its Samsung sibling above, but it still earns solid marks in our cooktop high-heat test. In addition to a stainless steel surface, it comes with continuous cooking grates, a griddle pan, and built-in WiFi. Samsung gas cooktops receive above-average ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in CR’s member surveys.
The Whirlpool WCE55US6HB is already the least expensive 36-inch cooktop in our ratings, coming in at well under $1,000, and now it’s on sale for even less. The high-heat performance is very good, and the low-heat rating is even better, though our testers note that the model failed to simmer tomato sauce on its highest-powered burner at its lowest setting. The predicted reliability of Whirlpool’s cooktops is above average, but the owner satisfaction scores are very low.
Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers are a great time-saver in the fall if you have trees on or near your property. They will make quick work of corralling fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and other debris all year long. So you may want to invest in one this month while you can score a good deal.
Consumer Reports has put more than 50 models, including gas-powered, battery-powered, and corded electric, through rigorous tests to help you find the one that suits your needs. CR’s buying guide will help you learn more so that you can shop with confidence.
The Ego LB7654 delivers all-star performance across the board, adept at loosening and sweeping, all in an easy-to-handle package despite weighing 9.9 pounds. In addition, this electric blower comes with a generous five-year warranty. As a brand, Ego battery handheld leaf blowers are very reliable and earn a top mark for owner satisfaction in our latest member surveys.
Lawn Mowers and Tractors
Having the right tools makes it easier to get any job done, and that’s especially true when it comes to yardwork. A good mower can make quick, easy work of unruly turf, and you may be able to find a good deal on a new machine in early fall.
Prices for lawn mowers range from a hundred bucks to several thousand, but they all often see discounts at the end of the summer season. Though it’s not necessary to spring for the priciest model on the market, spending just a bit more than the lower end of the price spectrum will get you a higher-quality machine.
You’ll want to research the options to find the best model for your property, whether gas- or battery-powered, push or ride-on mowers. In addition to that, consider factors like size, power, and upkeep. See CR’s lawn mower and tractor buying guide to learn more about your options and find a suitable mower for your home.
Chainsaws
Need to tackle some tree work? Look for sales on chainsaws in September. A top-rated model can help you clear out brush too thick for electric loppers, fell a tree that’s threatening a roof, slice off dangerous, broken tree limbs, or cut a tree into logs for your fireplace.
Chainsaws come in a range of sizes, from small electric models (some with cords, some without) to hefty gas-powered models intended for heavier work. Prices often correlate with engine size for gas saws and voltage for electric saws, along with the length of the cutting bar, the arm of flat metal that guides the chain.
Finding the right model depends on how—and how often—you plan to use your chainsaw. See CR’s chainsaw buying guide and ratings to learn more about the various models.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers enable a lot of entertainment and smart home options, and if you’ve wanted one, September can be a good time to get one on sale. They originally were best used as virtual assistants, but now there’s a wide world of options that offer impressive sound quality for music playback.
There are three virtual assistants: Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant. Siri is available only in the Apple HomePod, which rarely goes on sale, but you can find a variety of brands offering smart speakers that rely on Alexa or Google. These assistants can set reminders and timers, call an Uber, order pizza, answer trivia questions, share news and weather updates, and so much more.
Smart speakers can be especially useful if you have any smart devices in your home, providing voice control for things like lights, thermostats, and even TVs. Just make sure to check compatibility, because not every device works with every smart speaker.
CR has tested 28 different smart speakers for sound quality, versatility, and ease of use, among other factors, to help you choose the best option for your home.
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 give you the full picture.
If you want to monitor your blood pressure more closely, you can get an at-home 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) and testing ease of use, comfort, and convenience.
Most models usually cost between $40 and $100. You can choose an upper-arm or a wrist monitor, both of which can have a number of different features. But 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.
Paints and Wood Stains
If you’re finally tackling that painting or staining project you’ve been talking about for ages, both wood stains and interior and exterior paints tend to dip in price this month. If you’re planning to refinish your deck, breathe new life into an old dresser, or give your walls a fresh coat of paint, you may be able to find your supplies for less this month.
CR has tested several wood stains and paints for durability, weathering, fading, and cracking, as well as the number of coats needed to cover dark colors. Read our buying guides for wood stains and paints to learn more about which products are worth buying and why.
Replacement Windows
September is a good time to invest in replacement windows. This home improvement project can help insulate your home better before the temperatures start to fall. Plus, CR has been tracking window prices for years, and our data shows that prices tend to dip this month.
Upgrading your windows isn’t going to be a cheap undertaking, so you may as well take advantage of any opportunity to save on materials. Opting for just replacement windows, as long as your sills and frames are in good condition, is a good start. But if you have to replace everything, the cost will go up. Getting Energy Star certified windows offers another potential way to save on your energy bills. And there may even be local or state rebates or incentives you can take advantage of as well.
But before you buy new windows, you’ll want to do your research. Consult CR’s buying guide, which covers everything from choosing the right windows and materials to finding the right installer. CR has rated 14 different double-hung replacement windows for wind and rain resistance.
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