12 Products on Deep Discount in June

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.

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 it 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 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.

Last year, with Prime Day in June, all the Amazon models were discounted, but with Prime Day in July this year, you may want to hold off to find a deal on those models. But Walmart’s Walmart+ Weekend sale may bring deals on other brands, like Apple, Google, and third-party speakers.

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.

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.

Check out the following smartwatch deals.

Citizen CZ Smart Smartwatch
The deal: $295 at Amazon and JCPenney
CR’s test results: Citizen CZ Smart Smartwatch
This retro-looking Citizen CZ Smart comes from a company best known for analog watches. The watch’s price is fairly high compared with other options, but the traditional styling will appeal to users who want smartwatch functionality in a model with the look of something made of chunky stainless steel. The watch performs very well in our labs, with solid scores in ease of interaction as well as heart-rate and step-count accuracy. Compatible with both Android phones and iPhones, the watch offers GPS. It lacks the blood oxygen sensor found on some smartwatches, which limits its sleep-tracking functionality.

Fitbit Versa 3
The deal: $163 at Amazon
CR’s test results: Fitbit Versa 3
If you’re looking for a versatile smartwatch under $200, Fitbit’s Versa 3 may be a good option. It has built-in GPS, which allows you to go for a run or ride without taking your smartphone along, plus a blood oxygen sensor, which enhances its sleep-tracking capabilities. It also has a mic and a speaker that allow you to take calls via a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. Our testers found the Versa 3 to be a solid performer when it comes to counting steps and tracking heart rate, and it’s easy to pair with a smartphone. The older Versa 2 is also on sale if you’d prefer to spend a little less.

Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch
The deal: $219.63 at Walmart
CR’s test results: Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch
The Fossil Gen 6 may be a great choice if you’re looking for a smartwatch that looks more like a sports watch. It will be able to run the Wear OS3 operating system, which is expected to be a significant upgrade over Wear OS2, when that operating system becomes available later this year. The Gen 6 features stand-alone GPS, which helps runners and cyclists track their workouts, and a blood oxygen sensor that enhances sleep tracking.

But keep in mind that the Fossil Gen 6’s claimed battery life is only a day, which is short compared with what you can find with other models. It also depends on the rather basic Google Fit suite of health and fitness apps. And while it has a blood oxygen sensor, it lacks ECG functionality that can measure heart-rhythm irregularities.

Garmin Venu 2 Smartwatch
The deal: $343.99-$347.99 at Amazon and Walmart
CR’s test results: Garmin Venu 2 Smartwatch
The Garmin Venu 2 is more stylish for everyday wear than the company’s previous offerings. It’s compatible with both Android phones and iPhones, and is packed with 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 a variety of exercises and indicate which muscles are targeted.

The device features a very long claimed battery life of up to five days. However, unlike many smartwatches, it doesn’t have a mic, so you can’t use it for calls, making it best suited for someone more focused on fitness than all-day use.

Samsung Galaxy Watch4
The deal: $249 at Walmart
CR’s test results: Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (44mm)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 has a bright, round, 1.3-inch AMOLED display that can showcase a variety of interesting watch faces. The model has a mic and speaker for handling phone calls. It offers a robust suite of health and fitness options, including a blood oxygen sensor, ECG monitoring (that could detect irregularities in heart rhythm), and even a sensor that is claimed to measure body fat. It works best if you have a Samsung Android phone because that gives you access to all the Samsung Health features.

June is particularly noteworthy in terms of sales and price reductions for cordless drills as well, according to CR’s data. This may be a result of Father’s Day promotions aimed toward the 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, 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.

Check out the following drill deals.

DeWalt Cordless Drill
The deal: $279.99 at Amazon
CR’s test results: DeWalt DCD991P2
This 20-volt heavy-duty brushless DeWalt DCD991P2 is one of the best cordless drills CR has tested, snagging top ratings for power, speed, and run time. But the hefty 5-amp-hour battery that produces all that power makes this drill heavy, unbalanced, and a bit awkward to handle. At 4.7 pounds, it’s at least 1 pound heavier than most other heavy-duty drills and more than double the weight of some 12-volt models we’ve tested. Unlike most drills in our ratings, this DeWalt drill is equipped with three speed settings, providing a handy middle option for drilling into soft metals, such as aluminum, when the slow speed required for steel isn’t enough and the fast speed for wood is too much.

Skil Cordless Drill
The deal: $80.44 at Amazon and Walmart
CR’s test results: Skil DL529303 Cordless Drill
This 20-volt Skil has been on sale for a few weeks, and before this week the lowest price we saw was $95. In CR’s tests, it makes fast work of drilling holes and driving fasteners. It’s also light and comfortable to hold, and weighs a little over 3 pounds. It comes with only one lithium-ion battery but charges very quickly, and it has an LED work light and a belt hook. This model comes with a generous 5-year warranty.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.