Best Things to Buy in May 2026

Look for sales on big-ticket items such as appliances, mattresses and outdoor furniture

Cameron Huddleston,

AARP

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Published May 01, 2026

A collage of items on sale in may, including patio furniture, tools, mattresses and more.

AARP (Getty Images, 3; Shutterstock, 3)

Key takeaways

Memorial Day competition drives deep discounts on major appliances, and bundles are often cheaper than buying items separately.
Many mattress companies roll out Memorial Day deals in early May.
Buying outdoor furniture in May offers strong discounts and better selection before inventory thins out.

May is like the early-bird special of deal-hunting months — it doesn’t generate the level of buzz that big holiday sales events in November and December do, but it quietly delivers significant savings on a variety of products.

“May is one of the best months on the shopping calendar, and it doesn’t get enough credit,” says Stephanie Carls, a retail analyst at cash-back offers website and app RetailMeNot. The markdowns start with Mother’s Day promotions and continue through Memorial Day sales. “That’s a full month of real pricing pressure across multiple categories,” she says.

You’ll find significant savings in May on six product categories, including items you might need to enjoy the warmer days ahead.

Appliances

Appliance prices have risen over the past two years, and sales on these big-ticket items have become less frequent, Carls says. That’s why you don’t want to miss the opportunity in May to score deep discounts on them. “Memorial Day is one of the remaining moments where retailers are competing hard enough to offer genuine savings on refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers,” Carls says.

In addition to major appliances, you’ll find markdowns on small kitchen appliances such as blenders, air fryers and coffee makers, says Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at coupon code website CouponFollow. Look for deals on bundled sets of both small and large appliances, he says.

Where to look for deals: Best Buy, Lowe’s, The Home Depot

Potential savings: 20 to 35 percent off

Beach gear

In many parts of the country, it might not be warm enough yet to hit the beach, lake or pool. But it’s not too soon to stock up on the gear you’ll need for sunny days at the shore.

“This is the time to get ready for summer swimming before prices get as hot as the weather,” says Melanie Lowe, chief savings strategist at coupon and cash-back site CouponCabin. Look for deals on beach gear like chairs, coolers, towels, umbrellas and beach bags, as well as markdowns on swimwear and cover-ups.

Where to look for deals: Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target

Potential savings: 15 to 40 percent off

Grills

If you’re planning a Memorial Day cookout, it might be time to update your grill. Fortunately, you’ll find a variety of options on sale in May.

Also, take an inventory of your grilling tools. If your brushes, tongs or spatulas have seen better days, consider upgrading. “Accessories offer even better chances to save, with discounts between 15 and 50 percent,” Lowe says.

Where to look for deals: Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Weber

Potential savings: 10 to 30 percent off

Mattresses

Memorial Day sales offer some of the best mattress deals of the year, with savings of up to $600 off premium models, Carls says. And you don’t have to wait until Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) to find deals — many retailers kick off mattress sales in early May, Carls says.

Look for sales from brands such as Casper, Saatva and Tempur-Pedic.

Where to look for deals: Amazon, Mattress Firm, Mattress Warehouse

Potential savings: 20 to 50 percent off

Outdoor furniture

If you’re looking to buy outdoor furniture to spruce up your patio or deck, May is a solid time to shop. “Retailers need to sell [outdoor furniture] while people are thinking about their outdoor spaces,” Carls says. That translates into savings for deal hunters.

Plus, there’s a wider selection of outdoor furniture in May than in June. “The closer you get to summer, the more both inventory and discounts thin out,” Carls says.

Where to look for deals: Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair

Potential savings: 40 to 50 percent off

Tools

If you need to tackle home maintenance tasks this spring, you’ll find solid markdowns this month on tools that can help you get the job done. “Retailers know homeowners are preparing for outdoor projects, renovations and maintenance, so they roll out promotions on everything from lawn care equipment to power tools,” Cary says.

Where to look for deals: Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, The Home Depot

Potential savings: 20 to 40 percent off

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Cameron Huddleston is an award-winning personal finance journalist and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances. Her work has appeared in Kiplinger.com, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Forbes Advisor, Chicago Tribune, Business Insider and many more online and print publications.