8 products on deep discount in December
This time of year you'll see plenty of discount signs in stores. You might think just about everything is on sale for the holidays.
But Consumer Reports product research experts, who track prices all year long, have uncovered the items that are typically discounted most deeply in December.
So if you've got small or large appliances (from blenders and juicers to ranges and refrigerators), electronics (including camcorders, MP3 players, and home theaters), bikes and other toys (including tablets for kids), we've got the shopping tips that will help you find the right models for you and your loved ones.
If you're a subscriber, you can check our Ratings to find out which models did best in our lab tests.
Want more tips on great holiday gifts? Check out our behind-the-scenes interactive guide below from our electronics, food and fitness, outdoor products, and auto labs, plus recipes for some items you'd never think of cooking on a grill.
Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our calendar of deals.
––Mandy Walker (@MandyWalker on Twitter)
Both large and small appliances will be on sale this month. Manufacturers unveil their latest models in the fall. This means that the previous year’s models must be discounted in order to make room for the new models that will hit stores in the winter. So many stores will slash prices on last year's inventory. Plus many appliances go on sale around most holidays.
Shopping tips
Become an expert. No matter what appliances you're in the market for, our buying guides will steer you to the right model for your needs and tell you what to look for in stores, whether you're looking for blenders, coffeemakers, dishwashers, food processors, juicers, ranges, microwaves, mixers, refrigerators, toasters, washing machines and dryers, and more.
To see which models performed the best in our tough lab tests, subscribers can review our Ratings on blenders, coffeemakers, dishwashers, food processors, juicers, ranges, microwaves, mixers, refrigerators, toasters, washing machines and dryers–and more.
Postpone your purchase. If you're not in a rush, prices should drop even more after December 25, but inventories are likely to be thin.
The weather this time of year can make it tough to jump on your bike and go for a spin. Stir-crazy cyclists who find it's time to update or replace their old bike will find great deals in stores in December.
Shopping tips
Zero in on the right type of bike. Start by reading our bike buying guide. And don't forget important accessories when you shop. Cycling shoes with cleats can increase your efficiency while pedaling, or example.
Find the right helmet. It can provide lifesaving head protection in an accident. For more on that important piece of equipment, see our bike helmet buying guide; subscribers can learn which model is best in our helmet ratings. Want to know how we test helmets? Check out the video below.
Want some great video of your holiday celebration? Although many of us take videos with our phones, in most cases you'll get better quality (due to better lenses) if you spring for a camcorder.
Shopping tips
Check the type, size, weight, controls and features. Decide on the type of HD camcorder you want to buy. If you want better quality and more options, consider a full-size model. If you need a smaller, more portable model or if you're an athlete or adventurer who loves to capture footage of yourself, then consider an action cam.
Drill down to the right model. Check out our camcorder buying guide. If you're a subscriber you can access our Ratings of camcorders to see which ones were tops in our lab tests, including each model's picture quality, audio quality, and battery life.
It's the end of the grilling season in most areas of the country, so you can find great grill deals. Shopping online will likely be your best bet; you'll find more selection, and many free shipping offers.
Shopping tips
Check out the burners. Burners are the most-replaced part. So look for high-quality stainless steel, cast iron, or cast brass burners, and a 10-year or longer warranty. Those with a long warranty should last longer than the plain steel burners in most grills.
See what its grates are made of. Stainless-steel and coated cast-iron grates are best; such grates are sturdy and resist rust. Wide, closely spaced bars sear better than thin round rods.
For more shopping tips, read our grill buying guide. And, if you're a subscriber, you'll find the top performing grills in our Ratings.
GPS prices have come down to the point where even budget units include features previously available only on more expensive models, such as the ability to speak street names, issue speed warnings, and provide reality view, graphically representing major intersections.
Shopping tips
Where will you use it? If you often fly to new places and rent vehicles, or if you own more than one car, a portable GPS system might be the way to go, especially with prices for entry-level systems starting at less than $100. To help you decide, read our GPS buying guide, as well as our GPS Ratings, available to subscribers.
Check the local laws States have been known to place restrictions on windshield mounts. Most manufacturers include a plastic disk that sticks to the dashboard to provide an alternative mounting location.
December is a good time to buy many small consumer electronics such as MP3 players, DVD players, and Blu-ray players. As with many items you buy, deciding which ones are right for you depends on which type fit your needs and come with features that are important to you. Our buying guides can help; for example, we have one for MP3s, DVD players, and Blu-ray players, and a list of other electronics guides. Subscribers can also access our Ratings of MP3s and Blu-ray players.
Shopping tips
Give them a try. For example, whichever type of MP3 player you choose, make sure you'll be comfortable using the device. Look for a display that is easy to read and controls that can be worked with one hand, useful features iPods lack. When it comes to home theaters, audition systems in the store and ask about a return or exchange if the one you buy doesn't suit you.
Consider online retailers, too. In recent years, the Consumer Reports readers we've surveyed who shopped online were more satisfied overall than those who shopped at a walk-in store. In fact, websites as a whole outdid walk-in stores for quality, selection, and price.
Visit our 2014 holiday guide for tips on making the most of your celebrations.
Early holiday shoppers will find great sales on toys this month, although you may not find discounts on the hottest playthings (such as a singing Elsa from "Frozen" doll). The right toy can make key developmental stages more fun—for your child and for you. Our toy buying guide can help you to find age-appropriate toys for your baby—and to learn what you can do to play up their important lessons.
Shopping tips
Consider the classics. Don't overlook toys such as stackable plastic "doughnuts," shape sorters, building blocks, and interlocking plastic oversized beads for very young children. There's a reason that they've been around so long. For more clues about what toys your child might like, take note of what toys he or she gravitates to on play dates and/or at day care.
Tablets are likely on the list for older kids. Since the advent of the game-changing Apple iPad early in 2010, tablet computers have been one of the hottest electronics products on the market. Much as adults love them, though, children may just love them even more, as tablet-owning parents can verify.
Last year, 54 percent of parents planned to buy or give a tech item to their children—and tablets topped the list, even beating out video-game consoles. That number may even grow in 2014. So how do you choose the best tablet for your child? Here's what to look for. If you're a subscriber, see our Ratings of kids tablets.
It's possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, brand, and more affect the price. Our TV buying guide will help you get the most bang for your buck, no matter how much or how little you want to spend. The video below outlines even more ways to save.
Shopping tips
It's hard to judge TVs well in stores. That's because TVs are usually set to a Retail or Store mode, which pumps up brightness and color to a level that looks great under fluorescent lights. Subscribers should consult our TV Ratings before hitting the stores to make sure you get a set that performed well in our lab tests.
Shop where you'll get a price guarantee. Many retailers will match or beat a lower price from a local competitor, so go to the store with those prices in hand. Even after the sale, some stores promise a refund within a specified period of time, often 30 to 60 days, if they reduce the price of your TV within it or if you find the set selling elsewhere for less. There are usually restrictions, so check the details. Save your receipt and keep checking the ads even after you buy.
More from Consumer Reports:
Best cookware from Consumer Reports’ tests
You can remodel your kitchen for as little as $5,000
Most and least reliable refrigerator brands
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