8 Best Things to Buy in July for Huge Summer Savings

Want to know the secret to snagging the best deals? It’s not just what you buy—it’s when. If you’re looking to make your dollars stretch further, knowing the best things to buy in July can make all the difference. This month is sizzling with deep discounts on everything from grills to gadgets. Whether you’re stocking up on summer fruit or finally upgrading your washer and dryer, now’s the time to strike. Here’s what’s worth buying this month (and why you’ll be glad you did).

Scoring authentic, deep discounts on the things you need (and want) often has less to do with where you shop and everything to do with when. And right now? July is the sweet spot.

Retailers know that midsummer can be a bit of a retail slump. Americans are out living their best lives—traveling, barbecuing, and soaking up the sun—not exactly prowling store aisles. To keep sales strong, stores crank up the incentives. That means steep markdowns, clearance blowouts, and sitewide sales designed to grab your attention (and your wallet) before back-to-school season kicks in.

According to a recent report from IndexBox, retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are now leveraging July sales to drive early back-to-school shopping. These events don’t just clear out summer inventory. They also help shoppers avoid price hikes later in the season, especially on school supplies, dorm essentials, and tech gear.

In short, if you’ve been holding out for the right time to buy, July just might reward your patience with a little extra cash in your pocket and some room in the budget for ice cream.

1. Outdoor Grills: Fire Up the Deals

July is smack dab in the middle of summer, and grill retailers are starting to sweat—literally and financially. Early-season grill sales have cooled, inventory is still stacked high, and back-to-school season is inching closer. What’s a retailer to do? Put grills on sale, of course, and I mean really on sale!

As soon as the fireworks fizzle out, you’ll find major markdowns on all kinds of outdoor grills. Whether you shop in person or online, July is prime time to score a sizzling deal, especially on gas models.

If you’ve had your eye on a grill from Weber, Blackstone, Char-Broil, Traeger, or Pit Boss, this is your moment. Since Spring 2024, Blackstone is surging in popularity thanks to their trendy griddles, and Weber still leads in both brand recognition and dollar share, even though it’s lost a bit of steam.

And where should you shop? Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are the top three grill retailers by both volume and value. Walmart leads in units sold (with a much lower average price), while Home Depot claims the highest dollar share with a strong lineup and slightly higher price point. For online shopping? Amazon remains a smart option, especially if you’re looking for fast shipping and competitive pricing.

Pro tip: Don’t wait too long. While 70% of grills are still bought in-store, nearly 55% of shoppers are researching online first, which means deals move fast. And with the average grill now costing around $316, a well-timed purchase in July can leave you with money left over for burgers, buns, and maybe even a new spatula.

• MORE: How Do I Clean a BBQ Grill: Expert Tips for a Spotless BBQ

2. Kayaks: Paddle Into Clearance Prices

This is the month when kayak retailers start sweating more than we do. And it’s not because of the heat, it’s the size of those boats taking up precious showroom space. Kayaks are bulky, and storage is expensive. So what do stores do when space gets tight? They slash prices to move that inventory out and make room for skis and snowboards.

That’s great news for you.

If you’ve been dreaming of gliding across a peaceful lake, July is a fantastic time to buy. Stores like Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, REI, and online marketplaces like Outdoorplay and Amazon are rolling out clearance pricing, especially on recreational and inflatable models.

July is the time to snag a kayak at a discount and still have months of warm-weather paddling ahead. Just make sure you’re buying the right style for your goals, your waters, and yes, your garage space.

Entry-level kayaks (think recreational or inflatable types) can start as low as $250 to $400, but if you’re eyeing something more specialized, like a fishing, whitewater, or touring kayak, expect prices to climb. Premium sea kayaks can reach up to $5,000, while folding and fishing kayaks usually run between $900 and $3,500.

3. Furniture: Deep Discounts on Last Season’s Styles

Looking for a steal on a new sofa, dining set, or bedroom upgrade? July is your golden window. Retailers are prepping for the new season’s arrivals in August, which means this month is all about moving out the old to make space for the new. Translation? You’ll find some seriously deep discounts, especially if you don’t mind last year’s color palette or a floor model or two.

Here’s why these markdowns matter: Furnishing just one living room can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $25,000, depending on your taste. A full 3-bedroom home? You’re looking at $10,000 to $40,000 with moderately priced items and that’s before you add curtains, lighting, or decorative accents.

The good news? Big-box retailers, warehouse clubs, and local showrooms often run July clearance sales. Many offer free delivery or bulk pricing if you’re outfitting multiple rooms.

Tips for scoring smart:

• Focus on high-cost items first, like beds, sofas, and dining tables, where your savings percentage can really add up.
• Consider neutral or timeless pieces that won’t go out of style next season.
• Don’t forget accessories. Things like rugs, lamps, and wall art are often marked way down to help stores clear every last inch of shelf space.

If you’ve been waiting to refresh a room without blowing your budget, July is your month to pounce.

4. Home Appliances: July’s Coolest Deals

There’s a long-standing tradition in retail, and it’s alive and well: deep discounts on home appliances during July 4th sales. Think ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers freezers, even over-the-range microwaves, many of which stay marked down through the end of the month.

While prices have fluctuated a bit since the pandemic, 30% to 40% off is still pretty common during July appliance sales. And with the average price of a single appliance running around $2,175, those markdowns can put hundreds back in your pocket.

Not sure what counts as a “good” deal? Here’s a quick glance at average price ranges:

• Dishwashers: $330 – $1,900
• Ranges and ovens: $410 – $7,500
• Refrigerators: $430 – $10,600 (yep, that’s quite a spread!)
• Freezers: $190 – $1,700

What to look for:

• Energy Star ratings can save you money in the long run. Higher-efficiency models might cost $30 to $200 more up front, but they pay for themselves in utility savings.
• Bundling appliances often earns extra discounts, especially if you’re outfitting a kitchen from scratch.
• Open-box and clearance items can offer big savings sometimes just because a box was dented or returned.
• Bigger doesn’t always mean better. A massive 29-cubic-foot fridge might sound luxurious, but you’re likely overpaying for space you won’t use and extra power you don’t need.

Hot tip! Best Buy’s Fourth of July sale (up to 50% off appliances) is happening now through July 9.

• MORE: Your Guide to Know When to Repair or Replace Appliances

5. Fresh Produce: Sweet Deals You Can Freeze

I just couldn’t round up July bargains without swinging through the produce aisle. This is peak season for summer’s juiciest offerings (think peaches, plums, pears, melons, grapes, and cherries) and when supply is up, prices come down. It’s the perfect time to stock up.

If your eyes are bigger than your fruit bowl, no worries. What doesn’t get eaten fresh can easily be frozen or canned to stretch the sweetness well into fall. (Frozen blueberries in November pancakes? Yes, please.)

Cherries are an especially hot buy right now. Prices have dropped a juicy 20% thanks to peak harvests in the Pacific Northwest. If strawberries have lost their sparkle, consider subbing cherries into your summer desserts.

Here’s a quick peek at what’s in peak season this July:

• Peaches
• Plums
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Melons
• Avocados
• Cucumbers
• Corn
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Summer squash
• Berries (blue, black, rasp, straw)
• Eggplant
• Green beans

The USDA recommends adults aim for 2 cups of fruit a day, but the average American is only getting about 0.9 cups. July deals make it easier (and cheaper) to close that gap.

• MORE: The Best Blueberry Muffin Recipe (So Amazing, They’re Insane!)

6. Personal Electronics: Mid-Month Markdown Madness

If you’ve been eyeing a Kindle, Echo, or Fire TV Stick, now’s the time to pounce. Amazon Prime Day (July 8–11 this year) is the second-best time of year to buy personal electronics, just behind Black Friday, but way better if you’re not into freezing temps and standing in lines.

Amazon-branded electronics are already hitting record-low prices:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 tablets are starting to dip below $70
• Fire TV Sticks are down as low as $18
• Echo Auto just hit a jaw-dropping $15 (cheaper than a pizza!)

Don’t have a Prime membership? No problem. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial, use it during the sale, and cancel anytime before day 30. No strings, no guilt. Totally above-board. If you’re a student or between 18–24, there’s an even better deal: a 6-month Prime trial, free, plus 5% cash back on eligible items.

Not to be outdone, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are rolling out competing sales on everything from earbuds to tablets. It pays to comparison shop. And if you’re tracking a specific item, tools like camelcamelcamel.com make it easy to see if you’re really getting a deal or just a flashy price tag.

• MORE: How to Shop Amazon Prime Day and Beat Rising Costs

7. Frozen Treats: Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

Thanks to President Reagan, we officially celebrate National Ice Cream Month every July. National Ice Cream Day falls on the third Sunday of the month. Mark your calendar for July 20 this year. That means you can expect your local supermarkets to be in a festive mood, offering plenty of ice cream sales and BOGO (buy one, get one free) deals all month long.

And don’t forget 7-Eleven’s Slurpee Day on, you guessed it, 7/11! Walk in and cool down with a FREE small Slurpee.

• MORE: The Scoop on Free Ice Cream: Top Deals and Birthday Offers You Don’t Want to Miss

8. Home Décor: Summer Savings and Wedding Season Sales

With wedding season in full swing, retailers are rolling out beautiful bargains on all things homey—think dishes, linens, lamps, and decorative touches that make a house feel like, well… yours. Whether you’re shopping for a registry gift or finally grabbing that throw pillow you’ve been eyeing for months, July is the time to pounce.

And here’s a little nudge for the early birds among us: July is sneaky-good for getting a jump on Christmas shopping. Home décor markdowns now could mean less holiday chaos and overspending later. Just do your future self a favor. Jot down what you bought, who it’s for, and maybe where you hid it. 

 

Question: What’s the best deal you’ve ever snagged during a July sale? Share in the comments below.

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