Best Things to Buy in August 2025 — and 5 Things to Skip

Although there aren't any major holidays in August, you can still save on daily essentials as retailers move out old summer stock to welcome new products for the fall. Here's what to buy as autumn approaches — and a few things to save for later.

Top Things to Buy in August

Lawn and Garden Products

From gardening tools to lawnmowers, August is the prime time for home and garden deals. As with air conditioners, stores are looking to clean out old inventory in preparation for the cooler seasons. Browse lawn and garden aisles at Sam's Club and Home Depot to see what you can grab for super cheap, including outdoor power equipment, garden decor, weed eaters, and pest control products.

Air Conditioners

In some parts of the country, August is the hottest month. Still, retailers know that most people already shopped for new air conditioning units as soon as the first bead of sweat hit their brow this past summer. Now that the rush to buy a new air conditioning unit is over, retailers start marking down their prices on this past summer's models to clear out inventory for next year. Check Walmart and Best Buy in August for wallet-friendly deals on window air conditioning units and fans.

Storage Solutions

College students are gearing up to head back to school for the fall, making August the perfect month for markdowns on dorm room storage solutions. Shop online or in-store at Office Depot and Kirkland's for savings on storage bins, carts, baskets, shelving, and hidden storage furniture to keep your newly-minted adult organized away from home. Have a home office that needs some organization? Take the opportunity to stock up on decorative bins, baskets, and filing systems!

Back-to-School Clothing and Supplies

Be on the lookout for huge back-to-school sales from major retailers like Office Depot, Target, Macy’s, and more. Several states have tax-free shopping weekends in August — generally, these holidays let you shop for back-to-school supplies like clothing, footwear, and school supplies without having to pay sales tax. Check your state’s government website to see if you can look forward to a tax-free school supply shopping spree - just be sure to check the fine print, as some states have stipulations that only items under $100 are tax-free.

Wedding Supplies and Decor

The Knot has noted that the most popular months for weddings are June, September, and October. This means that entire season (including August) is a great time to pick up wedding supplies for your upcoming celebration (pro tip: shop in August the year before your June wedding to get everything you need for better prices!).

A New Home

According to Zillow, August is the best month to buy a house because it sits right between the bustling real estate rush of the spring and summer seasons and the slower periods in fall and winter. You'll still have plenty of homes available to consider, but sellers may start cutting their prices to get rid of their homes before the end of the year. If you haven't already, find a lender to get pre-approved and start keeping track of all your finances with QuickBooks to make it easier to prove your income and assets when it's time to buy.

5 Things to Skip in August

1. Exercise and Fitness Equipment

Many of us want to get our summer bodies looking great well before summer hits, so it's common to see fitness gear and exercise equipment flying off the shelves in the spring. August isn't prime time for people to buy more equipment, so great deals during this time are pretty rare. You're better off waiting until Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year’s sales in January, when the real sales kick in for those looking for a healthier start to the new year.

2. Gaming Consoles and Games

New gaming consoles usually arrive in time for the holidays at the end of the year, so you might find some good deals on older consoles and games in August. But if you're looking for the latest releases, wait until Black Friday. Most retailers offer bundles with consoles and games, as well as discounted games for the shopping season. Be quick — new gaming consoles sell out fast and may even need to be preordered. Follow the social media channels and email newsletters of the stores you plan to shop at to stay updated on the hottest new deals.

3. Swing Sets and Outdoor Toys

August isn’t quite the time for home goods stores to start dropping prices on outdoor toys, swing sets, and play areas. Wait until closer to November and December to get the best savings on outdoor play products, including pools, water toys, and beach gear.

4. Mattresses

Big-ticket items like mattresses are definitely the types of products that are worth waiting to score the best deal on. It's not uncommon to save hundreds of dollars on a quality mattress during a mattress sale. The two biggest mattress sales of the year fall on Memorial Day and Labor Day for most retailers, and the latter is just around the corner! Head to retailers like Macy's, Home Depot, and Walmart to cash in.

5. Small Appliances

Another type of item you might want to wait to purchase is small appliances, like air fryers, slow cookers, stand mixers, or coffee makers. Count on just about any retailer that sells home goods to discount small appliances for Black Friday, with as much as 50% savings or more — perfect for gift-giving or buying a few gifts for yourself.