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Best Things to Buy in October 2025
Between pre-holiday sales and big markdowns on seasonal items, there’s no shortage of deals
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Don’t let all things pumpkin spice distract you from the big event this month: pre-holiday sales. It might seem a little soon to start your holiday shopping, but nearly half of consumers surveyed by Bankrate have begun checking items off their lists or plan to by Halloween.
“In October, you’re kind of hitting the shopping sweet spot,” says Mackenzie Shand, executive editor at BlackFriday.com, a website dedicated to Black Friday deals. “You have several major retailers hosting sales — and even if they aren’t calling them pre–Black Friday sales, they typically feature savings that are similar to what you’ll see during the Black Friday season.”
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Here is a list of products you’ll find on sale in October.
Computers and electronics
Pre-holiday sales events at Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart will offer significant discounts on a range of tech products. “Whether you’ve been eyeing a new laptop, a smart home device, high-quality headphones or a large-screen TV, the upcoming sales provide a prime window to upgrade your gear or acquire new gadgets,” Shand says.
Amazon Prime Big Deals Days Oct. 7–8 will offer deals exclusively for Prime members. (You can sign up for a free 30-day trial.) Best Buy’s sale Sept. 28–Oct. 5 will offer discounted products only for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. Walmart will offer all customers markdowns during its Walmart Deals event Oct. 7–11.
Where to look for deals: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart
Potential savings: up to 50 percent off
Cookware and small appliances
October is a great time to replace any pots, pans, blenders or food processors that have seen better days after years of use. “Retailers start their pre-holiday cooking push, and brands offer great promotions to help get kitchens ready for Thanksgiving,” says Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping, a frugal-living website.
Target will offer discounts of up to 50 percent on small kitchen appliances during its Target Circle Week sales event, Oct. 5–11. These deals are available only to members of the retailer’s Target Circle loyalty program, which is free to join.
Where to look for deals: Amazon, Costco, Target, Walmart
Potential savings: 25 to 50 percent off
Fall apparel
Around mid- to late October, you’ll start seeing lower prices on sweaters, lightweight jackets and other fall apparel, as retailers make space for winter collections. “That means all that stylish fall stuff we kept telling you to wait on is now the smartest buy you can make,” Shand says.
Bonus: You’ll still have time to get wear out of your new fall apparel before the colder weather hits.
Where to look for deals: Gap, J. Crew, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Target
Potential savings: 25 to 40 percent off
Grills and patio furniture
Even if you’re not a snowbird who flocks to a sunnier locale in the winter, buying items in October for your outdoor space can make sense, as many retailers offer deep discounts on remaining grills and patio furniture. But act quickly to increase your chances of finding the items you want before they sell out.
“The early bird gets the worm,” says Melissa Cid, a consumer savings specialist for MySavings.com, a coupon and deal website. “If you’re flexible on brand, model or style, you can score a great deal, but if you’re waiting on a specific model, you may be too late to the game.”
Where to look for deals: BJ’s Wholesale, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Walmart
Potential savings: Up to 60 percent off
Luggage and travel gear
If you’re planning to take a fall foliage trip or to travel during the holidays, now is the time to buy new luggage. “Post-summer travel season means overstocks,” James says. “Throw in some early holiday promos, and you can find some great deals in October.” Look for coupons on select luggage sets and carry-on bags to save even more.
Where to look for deals: Kohl’s, Macy’s, Samsonite
Potential savings: 30 to 50 percent off
Summer apparel
Retailers are eager to clear out summer clothing in October to make room for fall and winter apparel, Cid says. Look for clearance racks with deeply discounted shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits and sandals. “It’s one of my favorite times to buy summer clothes for next year,” she says.
Where to look for deals: Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target, TJ Maxx
Potential savings: Up to 75 percent off
Tires
Whether you need tires for winter weather or simply need to replace a worn-out set, buying new wheels in October can save you money. “Good deals abound, as fall safety campaigns kick off right before winter travel,” James says. In addition, look for manufacturer rebates and deals on installation.
Where to look for deals: Costco, Discount Tire, Walmart
Potential savings: up to 12 percent off, plus $70 to $200 in manufacturer rebates
Toys
Tariff-induced supply shortages could make popular toys for your grandkids harder to find if you wait closer to the holidays to shop for them. Hitting stores in October can also help you score deals. For example, Target is marking down select LEGO items by 30 percent during its Target Circle Week sales event.
Where to look for deals: Amazon, Target, Walmart
Potential savings: 25 to 30 percent
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