Memorial Day is many things: above all, a holiday to honor US military personnel fallen in the line of duty, but unofficially also the start of summer, and for savvy shoppers, a sales bonanza. That is why, while the three-day weekend is best spent poolside or by the grill at a backyard barbecue, it’s also one of the prime opportunities to get a generous discount on some of the summer upgrades you’ve been holding off on.
From rugged Bluetooth speakers for beach trips to a slushie drink maker that will floor your guests, we’ve pinned down the very best Memorial Day deals on items Filter staff have personally tested and recommend.
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Levoit Tower Fan
If you’re dreading the combination of night sweats and rising temps outside, the Filter is a big fan of this ultra-quiet bedroom fan that sends a precise beam of air in your direction. “It’s good-looking, and I liked the space in the back to stow the remote control. There’s a 12-hour timer and a sleep mode too,” says contributor Caramel Quin. Get it now for 27% off – its lowest price of the year.
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Beats Powerbeats Fit Earbuds
A run or outdoor workout under sunny skies just hits different – especially when you’re not worried about your headphones popping out. “Once twisted into place, the earbuds stayed firmly in my ears regardless of how vigorously I shook my head or how wet I got running in the rain.” said Guardian consumer technology editor Samuel Gibbs in his four-star review of the Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds. They “sound far better than your average workout buds and are good enough to be general listening earphones”. At 15% off, they’re close to the price you’d normally pay for a refurbished pair.
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Ninja Slushi Drink Maker
The viral and often sold-out Ninja Slushi turns just about anything into a frozen drink: coffee, cocktails, even wine. Filter contributor Tobey Grumet Segal found that it took the hassle out of whipping up crowd-pleasing frozen drinks, which she had never quite mastered. “I was blown away by the ease and quality of the drinks it could create,” she says. “I just pour in my liquid of choice, hit one of the five presets (slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, frozen juice), set a freezer level, and it chills inside the machine until I dispense it.” It’s now 26% off, just in time for summer sipping.
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FlipBelt Classic Running Belt
This Filter-recommended running belt fits like a lightweight waistband with four slots, allowing you to stash your essentials like keys and cards without the bounce. “I cannot recommend the FlipBelt highly enough,” says Kate Carter, a contributor for the Guardian’s dedicated running blog. “It’s essentially a pocket disguised as an extra waistband. You can opt for a smaller size, to sit more at waist level, or bigger for hips. The great thing about it is that, unlike every other waist-belt type thing I’ve tried, it actually stays put.” From 18-25 May, FlipBelt offers discounts on its entire line, including running shorts, water bottles and lights.
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Eucos Phone Tripod
If you’re planning to make lots of memories this summer, and maybe even gloat about them on the ‘gram, this phone tripod meets selfie stick is an easy way to get out from behind the camera. The handle converts to legs so it can stand on its own, and an included wireless remote means you don’t need to race the countdown timer anymore. It’s a mom-requested favorite, but any photographer who’s tired of being left out of the shot will appreciate it, especially at 33% off.
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Foreo Peach 2 Go Bundle
If you’ll be showing more skin as the mercury rises, skip the pricey trip to the waxing salon and invest in an at-home solution that works. The Filter-approved and travel-friendly Foreo Peach 2 laser hair removal treatment tool is a “a user-friendly product for anyone nervous about trying IPL”, says contributor Lise Smith. She notes its compact casing is easy to grip as it glides over the skin and its large treatment window allows you to cover wider areas in less time. The Peach 2 Go bundle now includes a free cooling prep gel for an even more comfortable glide.
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JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Let this waterproof and drop-proof speaker pump out the soundtrack to your summer. “The JBL Flip 7 sounds better than portable Bluetooth speakers that cost twice as much,” Filter writer Christine Persaud wrote in her tech gift guide. “I used this speaker both at home and on vacation in Mexico to listen to tunes on the beach, and it was a hit with the teenagers especially.” At 33% off, it’s selling for the lowest price we’ve seen in a year.
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BrüMate Togosa Bottle Chiller and Pitcher
For yet another hack to satisfying your guests or cooling off under the heat, Grumet Segal recommends this two-in-one bottle chiller and pitcher available in festive hues including Lilac Dusk and Dark Aura. One of its two lids holds wine bottles in place, while the other transforms the unit into a pitcher for large-batch mixed drinks. For BrüMate’s Memorial Day sale, score 20% off all drinkware and coolers from 21-25 May.
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elf Skin Pure Skin Cleanser
In our guide to the best facial cleaners, a dermatologist recommended elf Pure Skin Face Cleanser for people with beards or moustaches. It contains both niacinamide and allantoin to help reduce inflammation, “along with soothing oat milk and hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid”.
Marissa Miller is a writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience specializing in all things shopping, lifestyle and wellness
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
From phone chargers to podcasts, the best road trip accessories make the miles fly by
Cloth napkins, a classy cutting board and more: 15 hosting essentials you can use every day
Three affordable ways to keep your house running during a power outage
