AARP Hearing Center
Best Things to Buy in August 2026
Back-to-school and end-of-summer sales offer opportunities to save on warm-weather clothing, patio furniture and more
AARP (Getty Images, 3; Shutterstock, 3)
Key takeaways
- Deep discounts are available on seasonal items such as patio furniture, grills and summer clothing.
- Shoppers can find savings on office supplies and sporting goods during back-to-school sales.
- Computers and other electronics see some of their lowest prices of the year in August.
As you soak up the last full month of summer, consider carving out a little time to score savings on a range of items that might be on your shopping list. “August is a strong month for deals because back-to-school promotions overlap with end-of-summer clearance,” says Stephanie Carls, a retail analyst at the cash-back offers website and app RetailMeNot.
The discounts extend well beyond school supplies, so if you don’t have kids or grandkids heading back to the classroom, you can still find bargains on a variety of items.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
Here are six products on sale in August.
Clothes and footwear
As retailers transition to fall, many slash prices on shorts, tank tops, swimsuits, sandals and other warm-weather apparel, with the deepest discounts appearing at the end of the month, says Courtney Omell, an editor at the coupon and deal website The Krazy Coupon Lady.
Retailers also mark down fall apparel and shoes during back-to-school sales, Carls says. In particular, you’ll find deals on jeans, sneakers and activewear.
Where to look for deals: Kohl’s, Old Navy, Target
Potential savings: 25 to 80 percent
Computers and electronics
August is one of the best times outside of the holiday season to find sales on laptops, tablets, headphones and other electronics, Carls says. But laptop shoppers shouldn’t just look at price tags, she says — the steepest markdowns often are on models with limited storage or older processors.
Timing is key: Tech deals typically appear in the first half of the month during back-to-school sales, says Alexander Ketter, a consumer savings specialist for Coupons.com. Plus, many states designate certain days during which computers, clothing and other school supplies are exempt from sales taxes. You can find a list of sales tax holidays at the Federation of Tax Administrators’ website.
Where to look for deals: Best Buy, Dell, Walmart
Potential savings: 15 to 40 percent off
Grills
Although Labor Day falls on Sept. 7 this year, many retailers will roll out grill sales for the holiday at the end of August — just in time to host a cookout over the long weekend. Omell says shoppers can expect to see discounts on gas, charcoal and pellet grills, as retailers aim to clear out summer inventory before fall.
“You can often save hundreds of dollars on premium models before inventory begins to sell out,” Omell says.
Where to look for deals: Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart
Potential savings: 25 to 50 percent off
Office supplies
Back-to-school sales in August offer a great time to stock up on supplies for your home office and get gear that any students in your family might need.
“The best prices are on high-demand basics: notebooks, folders, writing supplies, printer paper and organizational products,” Carls says. Retailers deeply discount those items to get shoppers in the door, hoping that they buy other items too, she says.
Where to look for deals: Staples, Target, Walmart
Potential savings: 30 to 60 percent off
Patio furniture
End-of-summer deals and early Labor Day sales create an opportune time to upgrade your outdoor space with new patio furniture. Look for deep discounts on outdoor sofas, chairs, dining sets, fire pits and patio umbrellas, Omell says.
Where to look for deals: Lowe’s, Walmart, Wayfair
Potential savings: 50 to 70 percent off
Sporting goods
Whether you’ve recently committed to a new workout routine or are a long-time exercise enthusiast, August is a good time to purchase exercise equipment for less. Carls says that retailers often promote deals on gear, sportswear and footwear for fall youth sports. But shoppers of all ages can take advantage of the discounts on running shoes, walking shoes, socks and base layers.
Look for clearance sales on summer sporting goods and outdoor recreational gear, with discounts of up to 50 percent, Carls says. Kayaks and golf, tennis and pickleball equipment see major markdowns this month.
Where to look for deals: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, Walmart
Potential savings: 20 to 50 percent off
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
How to Skip Quarterly Taxes in Retirement
Adjusting your income withholding may help you avoid IRS penalties
6 Easy Budget-Friendly Food Swaps
Try these simple switches to cut grocery costs while keeping meals balanced
Finding the Right Internet Plan After You Retire
Balance speed, cost and reliability when shopping around