AARP Hearing Center
Best Things to Buy in September 2026
Labor Day and end-of-summer clearance sales bring big savings on appliances, grills, mattresses and more
AARP (Getty Images, 2; Shutterstock, 3)
Key takeaways
- Labor Day sales offer some of the year’s best prices on appliances, mattresses, grills and outdoor furniture.
- September clearance events allow retailers to make room for new inventory, spurring discounts on bicycles, lawn mowers and other warm-weather products.
- Shoppers can also find savings on beauty products, computers and older smartphone models this month.
Labor Day is a great time for cookouts, family gatherings, fun in the sun … and major sales. Retailers mark down a wide range of products to capitalize on the long holiday weekend. Plus, back-to-school and end-of-season clearance events spill into September, offering a month full of savings opportunities.
“The key is to shop categories that are actually seasonal,” says Kyle James, founder of Rather-Be-Shopping.com, a frugal-living website. “I wouldn’t necessarily rush to buy something like a TV or other electronics just because it’s advertised as a Labor Day deal, since Black Friday and mid-January will often bring better prices.”
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
Knowing what’s really a deal and what isn’t will help you get the most for your money this month. Here are eight products, including appliances, grills and mattresses, that will be at or near their lowest prices of the year in September.
Appliances
You’ll find some of the best deals of the year on washers, dryers, ranges, dishwashers and refrigerators during Labor Day sales. “Home improvement and electronics retailers typically run competing holiday promotions, which gives consumers some leverage,” James says.
He recommends identifying any major appliances you want to buy before Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 7, and taking a screenshot of the prices. “Then you’ll know whether the holiday ‘sale’ is actually saving you money,” James says.
Where to look for deals: Best Buy, Lowe’s, The Home Depot
Potential savings: 15 to 35 percent off
Beauty and skin care products
September is a good month to try new products at a lower price if you want to make changes to your skin care routine to address signs of aging. Or you could simply stock up on tried-and-true favorites while retailers offer attractive sales on a variety of beauty products.
Ulta’s 21+ Days of Beauty event, which runs through Sept. 17, offers deals that rotate daily — making it a good time to stock up on a range of products, says Elisabella Ricca, personal finance and consumer analyst at TopCashback.com, a cash-back and coupons website.
In addition, you’ll find luxury cosmetics, skin care products and fragrances on sale during Nordstrom’s fall savings event. The dates for this year’s sale haven’t been announced yet, but the 2025 event ran from Sept. 17 to 24. Plus, other department stores and retailers get in on the action with their own sales.
Where to look for deals: Macy’s, Sephora, Target
Potential savings: 20 to 50 percent off
Bicycles
If you’re thinking about trying cycling as a low-impact way to stay in shape as you age, look for deals on bikes in early September.
“As summer ends and demand for riding tapers off, new models begin hitting the market,” says Clay Cary, senior trends analyst at coupon code website CouponFollow. “Retailers need to clear space for this incoming inventory, which often triggers clearance sales on last year’s road, mountain and hybrid bikes.”
Where to look for deals: Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, local bike shops
Potential savings: 15 to 25 percent off
Desktop computers and laptops
Back-to-school promotions have a lot more to offer than just discounts on notebooks and backpacks. Retailers also slash prices on computers during these sales.
“September can be a great time to buy a new laptop or desktop, regardless of your age or whether you’re heading back to school,” Ricca says.
Where to look for deals: Best Buy, Dell, Walmart
Potential savings: 15 to 30 percent off
Grills and outdoor furniture
There’s still time to level up your grilling game before Labor Day weekend. In fact, early September is one of the best months to buy a grill. “As summer winds down, retailers slash prices on grills to make room for fall and winter inventory,” Ricca says.
You’ll also see clearance prices on outdoor furniture this month. “The deepest September discounts are often on leftover inventory, so shoppers willing to be flexible can save significantly more,” James says.
Where to look for deals: Costco, Lowe’s, The Home Depot
Potential savings: 30 to 60 percent off
Lawn mowers
Don’t wait until next spring to shop for a lawn mower if you need a new one. With mowing season winding down, many retailers offer deals on lawn care equipment, particularly push and riding mowers, Cary says.
“Just keep in mind that inventory thins out quickly as the month progresses, so it’s wise to shop early, before selection becomes too limited,” he says.
Where to look for deals: Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart
Potential savings: 20 to 40 percent off
Mattresses
Labor Day mattress sales offer some of the best opportunities of the year to save on this big-ticket item. “Depending on the brand, shoppers can find percentage discounts, several hundred dollars off or free bedding bundled with a mattress,” James says.
To maximize savings, check if a mattress retailer allows you to combine additional discounts with Labor Day deals. For example, many offer coupon codes for adults age 65 and older, first responders, health care workers, military members, veterans or teachers.
Where to look for deals: Mattress Firm, Nectar, Saatva
Potential savings: 20 to 40 percent off
Smartphones
If you don’t need one of the latest models, you’ll find deals on previous-generation smartphones this month. Retailers and wireless carriers are eager to unload them, as Apple launches its newest iPhone generation every September, Cary says.
Caveat: “Some promotions require new service lines, trade-ins or installment plans that add costs,” he says.
Where to look for deals: Apple, Best Buy, wireless carriers
Potential savings: up to $100 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
Challenge Yourself to a No-Spend Month
Give yourself a financial wake-up call by pressing pause on nonessential purchases
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Dupe
Learn how to spot scams, judge quality and find reputable retailers
Simple Ways to Manage Retirement Spending
Many feel uneasy shifting from saving — answering a few questions can help ease fears