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8 popular tech and home products you should never pay full price for

Discover Amazon Echo smart speakers, Kindle ebook readers, TVs and vacuum cleaners that regularly go on sale throughout the year
Tom MorganSenior content writer
Shopping in-store

Sales season has arrived, with tempting Black Friday deals and Christmas discounts popping up in-store and online. Thanks to our pricing research, we're able to pick out products that regularly go on sale. In other words, you can save money by timing your purchase just right.

Some savings are reasonably easy to predict. For example, we know that Amazon regularly discounts older, own-brand products including Echo speakers and smart displays. In the world of TVs, we've seen that models commonly go on sale at a certain time of year.

Keep scrolling for money-saving tips from our experts. We've also included some buying links that you can keep an eye on, just in case the price drops.

Read our round up of the best Black Friday deals for our top sales picks, or go to Black Friday 2023 to see all our deals pages.

1. Amazon Fire TV Sticks

Plugging a Fire Stick into your TV's HDMI port makes it brainier by adding access to streaming apps and support for screen mirroring – that means you can see your PC screen through your TV. Most Fire Sticks also offer voice control, so you can interact with Amazon's Alexa assistant to load up apps or search for a specific show.

How much can you save on a Fire Stick?

There are different Fire Stick models to choose from and they're guaranteed to go on sale for Amazon Prime Day and Amazon Black Friday. 

Discounted Fire TV Stick models that we've tested include:

With guaranteed price drops on Fire Sticks multiple times throughout the year, you don't need to be paying full price. Take the entry-level Fire Stick, for example. Although the typical price is around £45, we've seen considerable price drops this year in February (£29.99), April (£34.99), August (£32.99) and October (£29.99). 

Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) with Alexa Voice Remote

  • Price it usually sells for: £44.99
  • Wait until it's: £29.99 or less
Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) with Alexa Voice Remote

We like: Good picture, easy to use, plenty of apps to try

We don’t like: Some of the features could be better explained

A compact full HD streamer that gives you access to popular catch-up apps. You can use the bundled remote to navigate and type, or try Alexa voice control.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) with Alexa Voice Remote review.

2. Amazon Echo smart speakers

Amazon's Echo range is made up of internet-enabled speakers that can play music and deal with voice commands. You can pair them with another device via Bluetooth, or use the Alexa assistant to set alarms, answer search queries or control other wi-fi devices such as smart light bulbs. Based on the results of our audio tests, smaller Echo devices typically function better as dedicated smart assistants than music speakers.

How much can you save on an Echo speaker?

Prices for Echo devices rise and fall abruptly through the year, particularly during the summer and lead-up to Christmas. As Amazon is constantly refreshing the range, you might be able to save a tidy sum on a previous-generation device. You don't necessarily have to shop via Amazon, either, as other retailers including Argos, Currys and John Lewis stock the range.

Amazon Echo models that we've tested include:

As you can see, prices on Echo speakers can drop by as much as 60%. In other words, you might want to add an Echo speaker to your basket and then wait for a reduction. This year, the same device has been available directly from Amazon at £79.99, £69.99 and £49.99 (early October).

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

  • Price it usually sells for: £109.99
  • Wait until it's: £50-70
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

We like: Built-in Zigbee smart hub for efficient control of smart home devices

We don’t like: Can’t play your own music collection over wi-fi

This newest generation of Amazon’s Echo speakers swaps the classic cylindrical shape for a sleek spherical look, and includes upgrades such as a more powerful maximum volume and a built-in smart home hub.

Read our Echo (4th gen.) review.

3. Televisions

If you're shopping for a new TV, our experts can help.

Martin Pratt, Which? television expert, says: 'Based on our pricing research, we've seen that the best time to buy is around a year after a model gets released. If you're looking to buy a 2023 TV, it's likely to be cheapest in Spring 2024.'

How much can you save on a TV?

TVs drop steadily in price from release, so it's rare to see one major discount at a specific time. There can sometimes be bigger drops in the hundreds of pounds around Black Friday and January sales, but these are usually on expensive sets, so proportionately they aren't as big.

Try to avoid the temptation of buying a model that has just been released. The LG OLED42C34LA, for example, is currently on offer for around £899. In April, Amazon had it listed for £1,499, which is a 66% increase on its current price.

Discounted TVs that we've tested include:

  • Samsung QE55QN85C – price has previously been as high as £1,899 (May 203). Now available for around £900.
  • LG OLED48C26LB – price has previously been as high as £1,399 (May 2023). Now available for around £900.
  • Samsung QE50QN90C – price has previously been as high as £1,699 (April-May 2023). Now available for around £935.

LG OLED42C34LA

  • Price it usually sells for: £1,000-1,300
  • Wait until it's: £900 or less
LG OLED42C34LA

We like: Great remote

We don't like: Smart menu is heavily focused around ads and recommendations

This 42-inch OLED LG is a breeze to set up as most of it can be done on your phone. Some of the menu design choices are somewhat fiddly, but the remote is excellent and the quick-access options work well.

To see how we rate the picture quality on this big-screen TV, see our LG OLED42C34LA review.

4. Kindle ebook readers

The Kindle range is aimed at bookworms who want a lightweight device to save their titles to.

Amazon's ebook readers use e-ink displays for improved battery life and many include a built-in light that aims to reduce eye strain while reading in low light. Prices vary depending on whether you're willing to put up with ads that appear as sponsored screensavers.

How much can you save on a Kindle?

Kindles are always discounted towards the end of the year, presumably as they make their way onto lots of Christmas wish-lists. When shopping for a deal on an ebook reader, between October and December is an ideal time to buy. You can expect savings of at least 20% or more if you shop around.

Discounted Kindle models that we've tested include:

The Kindle Oasis and its 7-inch screen will appeal if you're after an ebook reader with a large display. But don't pay full price – we've already seen the Oasis (8GB + wi-fi) drop multiple times this year to £199.99. In October, it dropped again to £179.99. 

Amazon Kindle Oasis 2019 (8GB, wi-fi)

  • Price it usually sells for: £230
  • Wait until it's: £180 or less
Kindle Oasis

We like: Comfortable to hold, waterproof

We don't like: Web browser can be sluggish at times

The Kindle Oasis has a frontlight comprised of 25 separate LEDs, making for smooth and consistent brightness all the way around the screen. It's waterproof and comes with wi-fi support, but you can choose the mobile variant if needed so you can download new titles on the move.

Read our Amazon Kindle Oasis review.

5. Shark & Dyson vacuum cleaners

Vacuum cleaners are a Black Friday staple, with many models up for grabs at a discount.

Manca Virant, Which? vacuum cleaners expert, says: 'Shark offers tempting deals throughout the year, but especially during Black Friday. Dyson also lowers its prices at times, but not as often as Shark.'

How much can you save on a vacuum cleaner?

Based on previous years, you can expect to save a significant amount on a vacuum cleaner if you shop towards the end of the year – we've spotted discounts up to 40% off.

Discounted Shark and Dyson vacuum cleaners that we've tested include:

Shark Anti Hair Wrap Lift-Away Pet NZ801UKT

  • Price it usually sells for: £300
  • Wait until it's: £200 or less
Shark Anti Hair Wrap Lift-Away Pet NZ801UKT

We like: Anti-hair wrap feature

We don't like: Grip height on handle isn't adjustable

This bagless upright Shark model features the brand's DuoClean floor head, which has a turbo brush bar and a soft roller brush for both larger crumbs and fine dust. The 2.2-litre dust container can be fully removed while the vacuum is in use, which means it can be easier to use when vacuuming in hard-to-reach places or when using the telescopic tube to clean high up.

To see how well this vacuum deals with grime, read our Shark Anti Hair Wrap Lift-Away Pet NZ801UKT review.

6. Ring video doorbells

Investing in a Ring doorbell means you'll be notified when packages are left on your doorstep, plus you can interact with visitors via two-way audio. Prices for an entry-level Ring can drop as low as £40, but you'll end up spending more if you want to buy a Ring Protect plan to go with it. Ring Protect lets you store videos for up to 180 days and the Basic package costs £3.49 a month.

How much can you save on a Ring doorbell?

Ring doorbells go on sale multiple times a year and are guaranteed to be included in Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday celebrations. Other major retailers also offer regular savings on the range and we've seen discounts of up to 50%. Bundle deals often pop up towards the end of the year and usually feature a Ring Chime or a Ring Outdoor Camera.

Discounted Ring doorbell models that we've tested include:

Ring Video Doorbell Gen2

  • Price it usually sells for: £99.99
  • Wait until it's: £59.99 or less
Ring Video Doorbell Gen2

We like: Simple to install 

We don't like: Subscription required for video storage

Like all Ring doorbells, this model has infrared night vision, plus motion detection and notification alerts. The 1080p HD doorbell is battery powered and so can be installed yourself, with all the kit that you need included. It also works with Alexa. Note that you can connect the doorbell to the mains to ‘trickle charge’ the battery, but that will probably require a professional to set up.

Read our Ring Video Doorbell Gen2 review.

7. Air fryers

Based on visits to our expert product reviews, we know that air fryers are extremely popular in the sales. Ninja, Tower and Cosori are among the key brands that regularly lower their prices.

Manca Virant, Which? air fryers expert, notes that the best deals usually launch between Black Friday and January.

How much can you save on an air fryer?

You can expect to see discounts of around 25% off throughout the year. Ninja and Instant Pot in particular tend to jump up and down in price.

Discounted air fryers that we've tested include:

Ninja Foodi MAX AG551UK

  • Price it usually sells for: £220-270
  • Wait until it's: £200 or less
Ninja Foodi MAX AG551UK

We like: Easy to use

We don’t like: Heavy

This 3.8 litre air fryer comes with a digital probe so you don't have to rely solely on the built-in cooking programs. You can use it to air fry, roast, bake, reheat, grill and even dehydrate food. Most of the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.

Read our Ninja Foodi Max AG551UK review.

8. Electric toothbrushes

A smart toothbrush uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with your phone, meaning you can closely track how well you're brushing. Most models have a selection of cleaning modes to choose from and some are equipped with pressure sensors that let you know if you're brushing too hard.

There are plenty of Oral B and Philips smart brushes to choose from, but we've seen prices fluctuate wildly over the years. We suggest waiting for a discount before parting with your money.

How much can you save on a smart toothbrush?

Take note, Amazon shoppers – we've seen prices for some smart brushes spike wildly for a couple of days, before dropping down again by hundreds of pounds. This means that, if you time your purchase correctly, you could save as much as 55%.

Discounted smart toothbrushes that we've tested include:

Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300

  • Price it usually sells for: £100-140
  • Wait until it's: £70 or less
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300

We like: Quick to recharge

We don’t like: Removing and reattaching brush head can be fiddly

This electric toothbrush uses Philips’ smart brush heads. These illuminate a light on the handle when the brush head is no longer working at its best and needs replacing. The brush vibrates after 30 seconds to indicate that it's time to move on to a different section of your mouth. A built-in pressure sensor vibrates and a reminder light flashes if you brush too hard.

Read our Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4300 review.

Even more money-saving tips from our experts

Get the best price on popular home and tech products

Laptops – Michael Passingham, Which? laptops expert, says: 'Big manufacturers launch new ranges annually, even before the previous year’s stock has sold out. This, along with heavy competition between brands and retailers, means there are usually good deals around. If nothing catches your eye during Black Friday 2023, there are always new laptop deals around the corner.' 

Phones – Amy Axworthy, Which? mobile phones expert, says: 'Avoid buying a phone that will soon lose its security support. Sometimes phone deals can look great, but if its a much older model, it might be at risk of losing important security updates fairly soon after you buy it.'  

Headphones – Callum Pears, Which? headphones expert, says: 'Quality noise cancelling is not found solely on premium headphones. Over the last year, we’ve found more affordable models. Check out our Great Value in-ear headphones for more high-performing models, then keep an eye out for deals on these.' 

Tablets – Martin Pratt, Which? tablets expert, says: 'Apple iPads are rarely on offer, so any discount you spot on one is likely a good one. Look out for 'deals' that are actually adding a load of extra stuff you may not need, such as app subscriptions, styluses and cases. Odds are, if they've got a starter pack offer to try and keep the price as close to the RRP as possible, another retailer will have it for a true discount without all those unnecessary extras.' 

Mattresses – Lisa Galliers, Which? mattress expert, says: 'Don't panic about buying a mattress purely because it's on sale during Black Friday, there are plenty of discounts on offer throughout the year. We've also tested a range of good-value mattresses from brands that don't usually offer discounts, so even if you want to keep costs down you can still pick up a decent mattress for a fraction of the price of some.' 

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