11 Products on Deep Discount in October

Smart speakers enable a lot of entertainment and smart home options, and if you’ve wanted one, October is a great time to get it on sale. Amazon just announced its latest Alexa devices, including new versions of four of its Echo smart speakers, so look for discounts on the company’s older smart speakers and possibly promotional offers for the new ones. Plus, Amazon typically discounts all its products and brands whenever it has a big sale, so the Prime Early Access Sale is likely to bring about deals on most if not all its Echo speakers.

October is one of the best months to shop if you’re in the market for a new mattress. The holiday in the middle of the month, whether you know it as Indigenous Peoples Day or Columbus Day, typically brings deals from popular mattress brands like Casper, Avocado, and Sleep Number, as well as from retailers like Mattress Firm and US-Mattress.

There’s a lot to consider when buying a new mattress, and your decision will depend mostly on your body type and sleeping habits. Some mattresses are made with organic materials, some incorporate coils and memory foam, and some have special materials like cooling gels. And they range from a few hundred dollars to well over $1,000, so your budget will affect your choices as well.

You can find out more about mattress options by reading CR’s buying guide and reviewing our mattress ratings. A good mattress should last you eight to 10 years, so do the research and invest in one that will suit your sleeping style for years to come.

Check out the following mattress deals.

Avocado Green Mattress
The deal: $1,800 at Avocado Green
Avocado makes some top-notch mattresses, and this 10 percent sitewide sale is a great chance to save on one. (The Green usually goes for $1,999, and the Green Pillowtop is priced at $2,499.) Both Avocado mattresses support a wide range of side- and back-sleeper body types. On our firmness scale, the Avocado Green is very firm and the pillow top is medium firm. To get the savings, use the code GREEN at checkout. This is the standard discount Avocado offers for every holiday weekend. And CR members can save even more with an exclusive discount through Dec. 31. Just log in and head to this page to learn more.

Bear Original Mattress
The deal: $749 at Bear Mattress
The Bear Original foam mattress performs well in our tests, and it’s a good choice for back and side sleepers who are petite or of average height. (Tall folks may want to look elsewhere.) CR’s tests find that this mattress tends to retain heat, so it may be best for those who sleep cooler. Right now, you can save 25 percent sitewide. A mattress purchase will also get you a free sheet set, two free Cloud pillows, and a free mattress protector. Just use the code FALL25 at checkout.

For the latest offers: Best Mattress Deals Right Now

A new thermostat can give you better control over your home’s heating and cooling. Consumer Reports tests both programmable and smart thermostats, both of which can help you save on your utility bills, and our data show they tend to go on sale in October.

Smart thermostats allow users to control the devices from their smartphones or via voice commands to virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Many even use technology called geofencing that can automatically lower temperatures when the house is empty. Programmable models might not be as feature-heavy, but they still allow you to set schedules right on the device, so Consumer Reports tests how easy it is to do so.

If you’re not sure which would be the better option, check out CR’s buying guide to learn more about the advantages of each.

Check out the following thermostat deals.

Ecobee Smart With Voice Control EB-STATe5-01
The deal: $189.99 at Amazon
The Ecobee Smart With Voice Control EB-STATe5-01 blends a simple interface with plenty of bells and whistles for precise programming. The thermostat learns your heating and cooling habits, and adjusts its programming accordingly. It also comes with a wireless remote temperature sensor to place in an area or room that runs hotter or cooler than the area around the thermostat (and adjust accordingly). Other features include vacation scheduling, a touch screen, built-in Amazon Alexa for voice control, and compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for app and/or voice control. Ecobee sells additional remote temperature sensors in a two-pack for $100 at Best Buy, Ecobee, and Lowe’s.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat
The deal: $197 at Walmart, $216.99 at Amazon
This is one of the best smart thermostats in our ratings, and it’s on sale from its usual $250 in select finishes right now. The Nest thermostat aces CR’s test for automating heating and cooling, and offers a wealth of smart features to enhance its functionality, including an occupancy sensor (it can adjust the temperature based on whether people are present in a room) and geofencing to turn the temperature up or down when you leave and return home. One caveat: Our testers found that the manual controls aren’t the easiest to use. Google also makes wireless, remote Nest Temperature Sensors for the thermostat, which are sold separately for $39 each at Amazon, Best Buy, Google, and Home Depot.

For more offers: Best Home and Kitchen Deals Right Now

If your current smartphone isn’t that current anymore and you’re finally ready to get your hands on something newer, October may be your chance to find a recent model at a discount. While you’ll find the widest variety of phones on sale next month, especially as Black Friday draws nearer, you may be able to score early discounts as carriers and retailers prepare for new phones.

You’re especially in luck if you’re an Apple fan, because the brand unveiled its new devices in September. As a result, you may be able to find deals on both new and older models.

Not sure which phone is right for you? Our smartphone buying guide can help you find the perfect option to suit your lifestyle.

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 the holiday weekend, making this month an ideal shopping opportunity.

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.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your appliances for a kitchen renovation or suddenly find yourself in need of a new oven, October is often an excellent time be on the lookout for sales. You may also find decent sales on ranges this month, thanks to holiday weekend 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. Even if you find a good deal this month, a new range may be a purchase to consider putting off unless absolutely necessary.

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.

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 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.

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 these options make 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.

Wall ovens typically range from $850 to upward of $6,000, but keep an eye out for sales at major retailers like AJ Madison, Appliances Connection, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, and Walmart.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are simple to install and inexpensive—plus they can save your life. So make sure yours are installed and working.

If you want or need to upgrade your devices, you may find new ones on sale this month. Basic smoke detectors typically start at $10, with carbon monoxide alarms costing $20 and up. Newer models offer more features that may be beneficial, such as WiFi connectivity.

Smoke detectors are a must in all homes, and carbon monoxide detectors are needed for any home with fuel-burning appliances, such as a furnace, water heater, range, cooktop, or grill.

Before you shop, check regulations in your region because what you need, including types of detectors and their placement, can vary. Also, some insurance companies offer a discount for homes with smoke detectors. For more details, you can read our buying guide.

In general, avoid combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and purchase them separately. One exception in our tests is this model by Universal Security Instruments, which earned strong scores for detecting both smoke and carbon monoxide.

Need to tackle some tree work? Look for sales on chainsaws in October. 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 this winter.

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. Check out CR’s chainsaw buying guide and ratings to learn more about the various models.

Even though winter is still a few months away, this month is perfect to start preparing for the next season, and snow blowers are among the most deeply discounted products in October. You can pick one up now and be ready for the first big winter storm.

There are many types of snow blowers, and Consumer Reports’ testing has found that size doesn’t always matter. You don’t necessarily need the most powerful model to get the job done; choose the model that will work best in your climate and for your property. You can spend as little as $200 for one that will handle light dustings or well over $1,000 for a model that removes heavier snow.

When choosing a snow blower, look for one that blends competent clearing ability with a smooth, single-lever chute control that sends snow in any direction you want it to go.

For more details, check out our snow blower buying guide and recommendations.

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. So you may want to invest in one this month while you can score a good deal.

Consumer Reports has put more than 60 models, including gas-powered, battery-powered, and corded electrics, through rigorous tests to help you find one that suits your needs. CR’s buying guide will help you learn more so that you can shop with confidence.