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July may be sizzling hot, but prices on some items cool off this time of year. In July, you’ll find markdowns on a number of products, including appliances, humidifiers, and sunscreen. It could also be a great time to join a gym.
Consumer Reports tracks the prices of the products we test, so we can tell you, month by month, what to buy on deep discount. If you’re in the market for these items, we have shopping tips and advice to help you find the best deals.
To see more items on sale in July—and the rest of the year—check out our Calendar of Deals.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators go on sale in July, so if you need a new one, this is a good time to go shopping. You’ll find that they come in many styles, brands, and features, and yes, they can be expensive. Even a basic model can cost more than $1,000, and fancy fridges can come with a much higher price. If you decide to look for a refrigerator this month, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Pay attention to Energy Star ratings. President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts could do away with the Energy Star program. For now, though, this rating can help you to consider not only the price tag of the refrigerator but also the cost of all that cooling.
Consider cutting back on extra features. Refrigerators come with all sorts of features these days, including hidden cameras that snap photos of your groceries that you can access on your phone while grocery shopping.
But the most requested feature buyers look for is an in-door ice and water dispenser. Opting for this, however, may not be such a good idea. We found that models with dispensers typically require the most repairs, use the most energy, and sacrifice storage space.
To find the refrigerator that best suits your needs, check out our ratings and buying guide.
This month, be sure to also look for deals on other major appliances, including washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, cooktops and wall ovens, freezers, and built-in microwaves.
Dehumidifiers
Humidity can be bad for everything from a piano that you may have in your living room to the sheets on your bed, which can feel damp if you don’t have air conditioning. In addition to being uncomfortable, levels of humidity above 50 percent can also breed dust mites, mildew, and mold, which may worsen allergies and asthma. Our dehumidifier buying guide and ratings show that the best dehumidifiers aren't necessarily the highest priced models.
Consider where you will place it. Of course, you’ll want the dehumidifier to be located where humidity can do the most damage. But there are other concerns to think about, such as noise. Our noise measurements from 4 feet away usually range from about 55 to 67 decibels for the models we test. That's about the difference between the sound of a loud conversation and the din of street traffic.