12 Products on Deep Discount in June
Look for sales on blenders, sunscreen, blood pressure monitors, and more this month
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June isn’t a major month for big discounts, but you can still find some great savings on a number of items. Some of the sale prices you may see earlier in the month, such as the ones for blenders and dishwashers, can be attributed to continuing Memorial Day deals. Father’s Day, which lands on June 16 this year, will also spur sales on tech, tools, and other stereotypical “dad” items, such as smartwatches, string trimmers, and cordless drills. And at the end of the month, you’ll 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.
That said, no matter what you’re thinking of buying, if you don’t need something right away, you may be better off waiting for July. Amazon Prime Day usually takes place then, and most other major retailers have big sales as well. During these sales, we tend to see prices that rival Black Friday on almost everything, so waiting a few more weeks could result in bigger savings.
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 one without paying full price. They can cost $30 to well over $600, 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.
This 1,000-watt stainless-steel GE blender brings the power, and you’ll hear it. (It’s a little noisy.) But it offers five speeds that handle most functions well, including blending drinks, smoothies, and sauces, and puréeing veggies. But it’s not the best for crushing ice. This blender includes a large 64-ounce jar for blending large servings, as well as two 16-ounce blending cups, one with a smaller blending attachment and the other an on-the-go cup.
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 retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, 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 the recipient’s lifestyle. First and foremost, it should be compatible with their 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 about smartwatches, then check out our ratings to find the best ones.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 has a bright, round AMOLED display with a sapphire crystal that performed excellently in our scratch-resistance test, as well as a mic and speaker for handling phone calls and a slightly bigger and more pixel-dense screen than the previous-gen Watch5. As far as features, our testers admire the wide range of health and fitness capabilities, including a blood oxygen sensor and ECG monitoring, which could detect irregularities in heart rhythm.
The Venu 2 Plus is more stylish for everyday wear than Garmin’s previous offerings, which looked and felt like fitness trackers, and it’s compatible with both Android phones and iPhones. The Plus’s biggest upgrade over the previous Gen Venu 2 is a new mic, which allows you to make phone calls; summon voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and Samsung’s Bixby; and even play music.
The Venu 2 Plus is also packed with a variety of activity profiles, ranging from basic workouts like running to more esoteric ones like indoor rowing and bouldering. It even includes workout animations that show you how to do exercises and which muscles are targeted. The Venu 2 Plus also features a long claimed battery life of up to nine days, but it does lack wireless charging.
Think of the elegant Pixel Watch as the Apple Watch of the Android world. It’s designed to integrate smoothly with Google’s devices, like the Pixel phone and earbuds, as well as those Google-owned services that dominate the internet. The watch sits near the top of our ratings, with strong scores for ease of use, readability in bright and low light, and heart rate accuracy. Battery life is a bit of a disappointment at only 24 hours.
While we’ve seen these smartwatches selling for about $60 less during recent holidays, this is still a good deal.
Compatible with both Android and iPhone models, the GTR 3 has two big things going for it: The price is very low and the battery life is really good, at a claimed 21 days. (The newer GTR 4 model also performed well in our tests but got a significant price bump.) The GTR 3’s case design is sleek, channeling some higher-end analog watches, and the touchscreen display is bright and easy to read. The model also features stand-alone GPS, which is useful when you’re out running without your smartphone. Our testers give the watch solid marks across the board, except for its heart rate monitoring, where the Amazfit’s performance is just average.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers enable a lot of entertainment and smart home options, and if you’ve wanted one, June may be a great time to get one on sale.
There are three virtual assistants: Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant. Siri is available only in the Apple HomePod, 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 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.
If you’re interested in an Amazon Echo smart speaker, you may be better off waiting until July because that’s when Amazon is holding its annual Prime Day sale, which usually brings the best discounts of the year on Alexa-powered devices.
CR has tested 42 different smart speakers for sound quality, versatility, and ease of use, among other factors, to help you choose the best option for your home.
The Sonos Era 300 delivers impeccable sound, upholding the solid reputation of the Sonos brand. It offers multiple options for digital assistants, including Amazon’s Alexa, the Sonos Voice Control, and Apple capability through AirPlay. And of course the speaker can be incorporated into a versatile multiroom system with other Sonos speakers, working compatibly with the company’s recent nonsmart wireless speakers. Unlike earlier Sonos home speakers, the Era 300 has Bluetooth capability, which can be handy for accessing a podcast or a friend’s playlist.
Really good-sounding but a little large, the Sonos Move II features a rechargeable battery and a recessed handle for easier carrying. But its size and 6.6-pound weight make it better suited to a quick trip from the family room to the patio than a ride to the shore in your beach bag. And because it’s only modestly water-resistant, keep the Move away from the splash zone. The Move II has a larger battery that Sonos claims will more than double battery life from 11 hours to 24.
If you prefer Google Assistant to Alexa, the Google Nest Audio may be a good choice. Alexa smart speakers have a wider variety of features and can be great for shopping on Amazon, but some users like Google’s powerful search function and find Google’s interface to be more natural and easier to use.
While Google brags about the Nest Audio’s sonic performance, our testers found that the gains were more modest. The speaker generates enough volume for a midsized room, but the midrange is a little hazy and there’s some sizzle on the high frequencies. While it’s better than the old Google Home, the Nest Audio still can’t compete with the best-sounding smart speakers. It also doesn’t sound quite as good as the similarly priced fourth-gen Amazon Echo.
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 DIYer 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, and fixing things around the home.
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.
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 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.
For those in the market to replace an appliance, keep in mind that the pandemic is still having an impact on the entire process. That 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.
The Thermador DWHD760CFP, which has dropped $100 since last week, is an all-around powerhouse. It scores very well in all our tests for washing, drying, and noise, and it’s energy-efficient. It has the design features you’d expect in a high-end dishwasher: an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, a stainless steel interior, and adjustable tines. It also has WiFi, hidden controls, a built-in water softener, and a built-in leak protection system that will shut off the water supply if it detects a leak and drain the excess water. This model comes in stainless steel (along with two handle styles to choose from) or is ready for you to apply your choice of cabinetry to the front.
This model is part of Bosch’s Benchmark series, which has the brand’s most expensive and feature-packed dishwashers. It does a very good job of both washing and drying, and it’s especially quiet. It also has many of the things you’ll find in higher-end dishwashers, like an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, a stainless steel interior, and adjustable tines. Because the dishwasher is WiFi-connected, you can use an app on your phone to customize where the wash arm goes and how heavily it washes different sections of the dishwasher. One downside, though, is that some cycles—like the delayed-start option—can be initiated only through the app rather than by using buttons on the machine itself.
Those looking for a budget-friendly dishwasher that offers solid performance may find it in this GE model. At under $700, it’s the most affordable dishwasher in our roundup and consistently delivers clean dishes with each wash, according to CR’s tests. Drawbacks include a less-than-stellar drying performance and a somewhat noisy operation. But with a cycle time of 125 minutes, you may be able to brush aside the inconveniences. GE receives a decent rating for predicted reliability but a less than satisfactory one for owner satisfaction in our member surveys.
The Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ dishwasher is a strong performer with a third rack and an upscale look for the price, including integrated controls. Whirlpool also earns a strong rating for predicted reliability and a middling score for owner satisfaction based on data from our member surveys. It’s similar to lower-end models from the KitchenAid brand, which is also owned by Whirlpool.
Strollers
There may be 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.
This Graco double stroller is a sturdy and safe choice, and it’s particularly flexible. It offers eight different seating configurations, and it can accommodate two car seats (without adapters in some configurations). The stroller’s bulkiness did mean that our testers found it heavy and hard to maneuver, especially on and off curbs, and it lacks features like storage trays for parents and children. But it’s not an overly complicated stroller overall, and its adaptability is a significant perk.
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.
It’s that time of year: Your lawn needs a little love now that we’re in the warmer months. Paul Hope, a CR lawn tool expert, says this Ego string trimmer is highly rated.
“It’s rare to get a deal on a string trimmer at the start of the season, and rarer still to get a deal on such a stellar model,” he says. “I actually own this tool myself and paid $80 more in the summer of 2023. It essentially ties its lowest price over the last year. It offers stellar performance and boasts one of the easiest-to-load trimmer heads I’ve ever seen. For me, that alone is worth the price of admission.”
The Ego ST1502SA battery string trimmer edges and trims as well as the best gas models, and it does a solid job of clearing through tall grass and weeds. At 10 pounds, it’s extremely light. It will go anywhere a gas model can, but its run time was limited to about a half-hour in our tests. If you splurge on the top-rated Ego LM2135 battery push mower, you can use the batteries interchangeably and always have one charging. The Ego is your best bet if you want to buy into a brand of high-scoring outdoor lawn tools that use interchangeable batteries.
Sunscreens
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.
Insect Repellents
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 seasonal 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 seem a little intimidating. Check out our buying guide for insect repellent to get a better idea of what to look for when you shop.
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.
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 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.
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 found that steam irons tend to drop in price this month, so if you need a new one, 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.
