12 Products on Deep Discount in June
Look for sales on blenders, sunscreen, smartwatches, and more this month
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June usually isn’t a major month for big discounts, but this year, Amazon Prime Day is coming early, which means you’ll find some great savings on virtually everything when the big sale comes, with prices that often rival Black Friday. Prime Day has become one of the biggest sales of the year, and it’s not just Amazon bringing the deals. While other major retailers haven’t announced competing sales, we’ve seen year after year that all the major players tend to drop their prices to match the bulk of Amazon’s offerings. That means you can shop where you want and still save.
Ahead of Prime Day, some of the sale prices you may see earlier in the month, such as the ones for blenders and smart speakers, can make great gifts for high school and college grads. Father’s Day, which lands on June 21 this year, often features 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, such as lawn care equipment and big-ticket items like mattresses and large appliances.
Want to know what’s on deep discount during the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers enable many entertainment and smart-home options, and if you’ve wanted one, June will be a great time to get it on sale. Amazon pretty much always discounts its own smart speaker lineup for Prime Day, and you’re sure to see other offers this month, whether during the big sale or for Father’s Day.
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 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 do 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 virtual assistant.
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.
The Sonos Era 100 doesn’t go on sale that often, and hasn’t been discounted since the beginning of the year. This is an updated version of the classic Sonos One, with one big upgrade. The newer speaker delivers very solid stereo sound from a single speaker so you don’t need to buy a pair of speakers.
Smartwatches
June is often a good time to pick up a smartwatch, thanks to Father’s Day, when tech gadgets tend to be more heavily promoted and discounted. And with Prime Day coming, expect even more opportunities to save on a wider variety of brands and models. 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 Pixel Watch 3 has many of the same pros as its predecessor, also on sale below—an elegant design, as well as seamless compatibility with the Pixel phone and full Google ecosystem. In our testing, the model barely beats out the original, thanks to a slightly more robust suite of health features, like automatic workout detection and heart rate variability tracking. It can also give you a more holistic look at your health, with daily Readiness and Sleep scores. The Pixel Watch is even catching up to other high-end smartwatches with strong scores for ease of use, readability in bright and low light, and heart rate accuracy.
Google Pixel Watch 2
The Pixel Watch 2 is a sleek, high-performing smartwatch that pairs with Android phones. It has a suite of handy health and fitness features—including sleep, step, and heart rate tracking—and sensors that can detect irregular heart rhythms and skin temperature variations, according to the manufacturer. The model can also receive and respond to calls and texts if connected to WiFi, and allow you to be hands-free at checkout with tap-to-pay technology. It’s also nice to look at, with a round 1.2-inch display that our testers found to be durable and easy to read in low and bright light. It originally cost $350, but now that it’s a bit older, the base price is now $250, so this sale price is the lowest we’ve seen.
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 and may lead to skin cancer.
Consumer Reports’ rigorous testing has found several options that are effective 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.
If you prefer spray sunscreens, this one from Neutrogena is a great option, and it’s at a great price right now, so you can stock up before summer. Of all the spray sunscreens we’ve tested, this rates among the best. It’s very good in overall performance across the board, with excellent UVA protection and very good protection from sunburn-producing rays. And it ranks highly for people with darker skin tones, too. Testers said they were extremely satisfied because the sunscreen enhanced their skin tone without leaving a white cast.
This Eucerin Advanced Hydration SPF 50 spray is a solid performer with broad-spectrum protection. Its tested SPF comes close to its labeled SPF 50. Like the sunscreen above, it also has that plastic fragrance-free aroma, and it left a slight draggy film on testers’ skin.
This CR Recommended sunscreen is more than 30 percent off right now. It’s above average for UVA protection and SPF, and it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Just note that with spray sunscreens, it can be harder to know if you’re getting even coverage, so CR suggests spraying the sunscreen into your hands and then applying it to your body to help ensure better coverage.
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—and Prime Day makes it even more likely you’ll find a great deal. 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 make 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.
The Ninja BL770 plays two roles: as a full-sized blender, and as a personal blender with an internal spinner and cup that’s meant for small batches. It’s a very good performer either way, handily crushing ice and capably preparing smoothies and other icy beverages. It’s also very convenient—though more so when using the full-sized blending jar. In puréeing, the personal-blender version is the star, though the full-sized version still purées very well. The Ninja BL770 is noisy, however—especially when using the full-sized jar. Predicted reliability and owner satisfaction are impressive for both versions.
The Professional Plus Kitchen System BN801 Personal Blender is especially handy if you plan on using a new blender to make smoothies and soups, considering its excellent performance in our tests for icy drinks and purees. It also has very good performance in our ice crush tests. It’s $8 more than the best price we’ve seen in a long time
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 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, 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.
This DeWalt DCD701F2 drill is $40 less than it was a few weeks ago. It has excellent power and above-average speed—plus, its handling is very good, too. It won’t take long to charge, and it won’t be especially noisy while working. This drill weighs 2.4 pounds, making it lighter than average. That said, it has a plastic chuck and doesn’t come with any bit storage.
Bosch Chameleon Drill
This 12-volt Bosch Chameleon cordless drill has enough power to tackle jobs around the house efficiently. It has two speed settings and comes with four nifty attachments that allow you to work easily in all kinds of tight corners and hard-to-reach spots.
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, often toward the end of the month as July Fourth savings start to crop up. 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 budget-friendly LG LDFC2423V is down to the lowest price we’ve seen this year. It 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 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.
The Chicco Bravo Trio earns top marks for both its stroller and infant car seat in CR’s tests. “It shines in both car seat and stroller performance, receiving top-level ratings in our tests,” says Joan Muratore, the engineer who oversees CR’s stroller testing.
The Chicco Bravo stroller itself (no longer available for purchase on its own) weighs 23 pounds, is easy to use and maneuver, and aces our safety tests. (For reference, strollers in our lightweight category must weigh 17 pounds or less, so the Bravo is still fairly light.) The stroller offers three different modes: Remove the regular stroller seat and replace it with the infant car seat to transport a newborn; once your baby is able to sit unassisted (usually around 6 months), replace the stroller seat or use the car seat, depending on your preference; and once your toddler outgrows the car seat, you can continue using the stroller seat alone.
The Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat is highly rated across the board. It features push-on LATCH connectors and a built-in tensioner, making it easy to achieve a secure fit. And it weighs just 9 pounds, “making it a breeze to transport,” according to Muratore. The car seat offers very good balance of crash protection, ease of use, and vehicle fit, according to our tests. Just note that you’ll need to rethread the harness to adjust the height as your child grows.
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 typically 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.
The Makita XUX02SM1X1 has a 13-inch cutting swath and gets excellent marks for trimming, edging, and tackling tall grass and weeds. It gets a very good score for handling, but only a midrange score for battery run time. It’s a bit heavier, weighing just over 10 pounds. The Makita XUX02SM1X1 is also part of Makita’s 18-volt battery platform. For most users, the model above is the better bet, but it’s not always in stock—plus the prices for each model can fluctuate.
The Milwaukee 3016-21ST gets top marks for trimming and edging, and it handles tall grass and weeds impressively. It’s also versatile because it can handle different attachments, meaning you can swap out the string trimmer head for other tools, like a pole saw or hedge trimmer. This model gets midrange scores for ease of use (typical of most battery trimmers in our tests), and our testers found the handle difficult to adjust. At more than 12 pounds, it’s also one of the heaviest battery-operated models in our ratings. But the Milwaukee 3016-21ST gets excellent scores for reliability and owner satisfaction. It’s part of Milwaukee’s M18 battery platform of power tools.
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 for 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 that 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.
The GPW2301 pressure washer from Greenworks is very effective at removing stains, it’s relatively quiet, and it comes with replaceable nozzle tips. It’s easy to move and transport, and easy to use (you just plug it in), and it even comes with convenient hose storage. But it’s not a very powerful machine, and its hose is shorter than in most pressure washers we’ve tested.
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 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 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.
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