Best Things to Buy in May 2025

Memorial Day will drive sales on big-ticket items, and shoppers will see discounts on bedding, grills, patio furniture and more

Beth Braverman,

AARP

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En español

Published April 29, 2025

a shed, a patio chair, a washer and dryer, a stack of mattresses, an apple watch and a propane grill in a colorful grid layout

AARP (Getty Images, 6)

When it comes to deals, the biggest event in May is Memorial Day weekend, which serves as the unofficial start of the summer for retailers.

Over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) many retailers offer storewide discounts, with a focus on big-ticket items. Some of these sales roll out well before the holiday weekend, says Sarah Jankowski, director of user growth and integrated marketing at Shopkick.

“Memorial Day sales used to start maybe the week of [the holiday], and now I would start looking around mid-May,” Jankowski says, “especially for things like discounted grills and patio furniture that retailers want to clear out before summer.”

Savvy shoppers will also find discounts this month related to home improvement, a sign of the change in seasons and the appeal of spring cleaning.

Looking to score some great discounts in May? Read on for a list of products that will likely be on sale.

Major appliances

Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and other major appliances go on sale over Memorial Day weekend. You might nab even bigger discounts if you’re able to purchase multiple appliances, especially if they’re from the same manufacturer.

“Bundled discounts are a big thing if you’re buying multiple items from the brand,” says Vipin Porwal, founder and CEO of the coupons and cashback app Smarty. “So, if you’re doing a kitchen upgrade or something, just buy all your appliances together.”

Where to find deals: Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s

Potential savings: 30 percent to 60 percent off

Mattresses

Getting a good night’s sleep becomes even more important as you get older. If it’s been a while since you replaced your mattress, May is a good time to buy a bed. You’ll find sales at a variety of retailers, including brick-and-mortar mattress and department stores, as well as direct-to-consumer brands such as Casper, Purple and Saatva.

Where to find deals: Mattress Firm, Ashley Furniture, Mattress Warehouse

Potential savings: 30 percent to 50 percent off

Grills

The best grill deals can be found on Labor Day weekend as stores clear out their inventory as the summer winds down, but waiting that long means giving up a full season of backyard barbecues. Fortunately, many retailers drop grill prices in May in recognition of National Barbecue Month. Some also discount grilling equipment, such as instant-read thermometers, basting brushes and tongs.

Where to find deals: Weber, Macy’s, JCPenney

Potential savings: 40 percent to 50 percent off

Furniture

This is another product category that retailers love to discount in the second half of May, with the best deals coming Memorial Day weekend. Keep an eye out for sales on tables, chairs, bedroom sets and outdoor furniture.

Where to find deals: West Elm, Rooms to Go, La-Z-Boy

Potential savings: Up to 30 percent off

Bedding

Sleeping on decades-old sheets? You’ll find bedding deals at many home good stores during Memorial Day sales. Typically, the deepest discounts in May are on winter bedding, such as flannel sheets and heavy duvets. Inventory may be limited, so shop early.

“If you’re flexible on color and style, then you might find a great deal,” says Kimberly Palmer, a consumer expert with Nerdwallet.

Where to find deals: Wayfair, Pottery Barn, Brooklinen

Potential savings: 30 percent to 40 percent off

Outdoor storage solutions

Many homeowners carry over spring cleaning to their outdoor spaces, decluttering yards and organizing garages. That means deals on things like deck boxes, patio storage benches and garage storage units, Palmer says. You’ll also find sales on sheds this month — perfect for storing yard equipment, gardening supplies and the grandchildren’s toys.

Where to find deals: Walmart, Costco, The Container Store

Potential savings: 20 percent to 30 percent off

Fitness trackers

In 2022, researchers found that using wearable fitness trackers significant increased physical activity among older adults. If you’re ready to try one out, you’ll find May deals on wearable gadgets to monitor progress and measure workouts, such as smartwatches and rings, pedometers, and heart-rate monitors.

Where to find deals: 20 percent to 50 percent off

Potential savings: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Amazon, Fitbit

Home improvement supplies

Home improvement stores and big-box retailers often have storewide sales events in May — great timing if you’re thinking about making some renovations. “The weather offers the best time of year to tackle these projects before the summer heat,” Porwal says.

Where to find deals: Ace Hardware, Sam’s Club, Target

Potential savings: 10 percent to 20 percent off

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Beth Braverman is a contributing writer who has covered shopping and personal finance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in Consumer Reports, CNNMoney.com, CNBC.com, and dozens of other outlets.