
Anyone short on space but still wanting airflow that reaches across a whole room should take a look at this one, since the globe design oscillates both vertically and horizontally instead of just side to side. It's currently priced at Best Buy's $60 list price, so there's no discount right now if you're waiting for a better deal. Buy Now at Best Buy
- Remote controlled multi-directional oscillation
- Five speed settings with natural breeze mode
- Virtually silent low noise operation
- 1, 2, and 4 hour auto-off timer
- 353 square foot room air circulation

Handy for households that want to stock up on filters ahead of time, since this odd-sized 3-pack covers a full quarter or more of regular changes without needing a mid-season reorder. The MERV 11 rating traps more dust and allergens than basic filters while still keeping decent airflow for most residential systems. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone dealing with allergies or pets in the house will notice the difference a MERV 11 filter makes over a standard 4-6 rated one, and having five on hand means you're set for a year without another trip to Home Depot. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone repairing a furnace, HVAC unit, or shop blower will want the exact fit here, and the 1" bore makes swapping it onto your existing motor shaft straightforward. Buy Now at Home Depot

Update: The price has dropped to $16.99 since this was originally published.
This pitcher suits anyone tired of buying bottled water, filtering down chlorine and other contaminants with a filter that lasts about twice as long as standard Brita cartridges. At $17, that's $3 (15%) off the $20 list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- NSF 42 and 372 certified contaminant reduction
- Three-month or 200-gallon filter lifespan
- Hands-free automatic lid for hygienic dispensing
- Compact design fits most refrigerators
- LED filter replacement indicator

Handy for anyone repairing an inverter-based AC unit rather than replacing the whole system, since a faulty external motherboard is a common reason units stop responding to the compressor or fan signals. Newegg carries it as a direct component swap, so you can fix your existing unit without calling in a technician. Buy Now at Newegg
- Model: A010377

Anyone dealing with allergies or pet dander in a larger room will get the most use out of the H13 HEPA filter, which captures 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns; Home Depot has it for $102, exactly half the $204 list price. Buy Now at Home Depot

This 120mm USB fan runs off any standard 5V USB port, making it a straightforward option for cooling small electronics setups, media consoles, or PC cases without needing a separate power connection. Newegg has it for $35.99, about $13 off the $49 list price. Buy Now at Newegg
- 120x120x25mm dimensions
- 5V DC brushless cooling
- USB connection
- PC case compatible
- Model: JIMTAB

Sizing this specific 21.25" x 21.25" x 2" filter isn't common, so this six-pack is worth grabbing if your system takes it since replacements can be tough to find on short notice. MERV 8 handles everyday dust and pollen without restricting airflow, making it a solid fit for regular household use rather than heavy allergy filtration. Buy Now at Home Depot

Homeowners dealing with allergies or pets will notice the difference with MERV 11 filters, since they trap smaller particles than standard MERV 8 options without straining most residential HVAC systems. The 4-pack means you've got a year's worth of changes ready to go without another trip to Home Depot. Buy Now at Home Depot

Bathrooms in restaurants, gyms, or offices that go through paper towels fast will cut down on waste and restocking with this, since the high-speed motor dries hands in seconds instead of minutes. It's built for heavy daily use, so it suits commercial spaces more than a single-bathroom home. Buy Now at Home Depot

Rural and dry-climate homeowners looking to cool a larger house without the electric bill that comes with central AC will get the most out of this, since evaporative cooling works best where humidity stays low. The 3,800 CFM output is built for whole-house coverage, so it suits bigger floor plans rather than single rooms. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handling pet stains or ground-in carpet dirt gets easier with 17kPa of suction, useful for anyone who doesn't want to rent a machine every time there's a mess. Walmart has it for $58.98, which is $231 off the $289.99 list price. Buy Now at Walmart
- 450W power output
- 17k suction performance

Anyone who leaves an outdoor heater exposed to rain, snow, or falling leaves between uses will get the most out of this cover, since it keeps moisture and debris out year-round instead of just during one season. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handy for garage workshops or patio setups where you want cooling without running an extension cord, since it runs on a 20V battery. It's currently priced at its $130 list price, so there's no discount at the moment. Buy Now at Best Buy
- 3 speed and 3 mist settings
- 23 FPS max airflow for rapid cooling
- Powers 140+ tools with universal Power Share battery
- Continuous operation using included AC adapter
- Attaches to most 5-gallon bucket tops

Dry winter air in bedrooms or nurseries is where a top-fill humidifier earns its keep, since you can refill it without lifting or flipping the tank, and having 10 replacement filters on hand means you won't be scrambling to reorder for a while. Amazon has this bundle for $41, about $14 off the $55 list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- 25-hour run time on single fill
- Large 2.5L capacity for all-night operation
- Convenient spill-free top-fill design
- Filters impurities for cleaner humidification
- Compatible with multiple Levoit humidifier models

Handy for anyone dealing with mosquitoes or flies on a patio or porch, since the 4,000-volt mesh kills on contact without chemicals, and having two rackets means you can hand one off instead of sharing. The pair is $4 off the $30 list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Auto-zap mode with mosquito attracting light
- Powerful 4000V electric grid
- Dual-mode handheld and stationary operation
- 1500mAh rechargeable battery with status indicator
- Long 59-inch power cord for flexible placement

Skips the fumbling with wet, soapy hands since the sensor dispenses soap automatically as you reach under it, which is handy for kitchens and bathrooms where germ spread is a concern. Buy Now at Home Depot

Kitchens that generate a lot of daily waste will get the most out of this one, since the 50L capacity means fewer trips to take out the trash, and the step-open lid keeps your hands free when they're full or messy. Buy Now at Target
- 50-liter total capacity
- Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish
- Soft-close lid mechanism
- Removable inner plastic bucket
- Stay-open lid feature for easy waste disposal

This fan pushes air across a whole room rather than just cooling one spot, which suits anyone trying to even out temperature between rooms or work a window AC unit harder. Best Buy has it for $60, which is $20 off the $80 list price. Buy Now at Best Buy
- Compact design for desk or personal use
- Ultra-quiet operation on whisper settings
- Smart airflow control for year-round comfort
- High-power air circulation for warm or cool air
- Versatile fan speeds from whisper to boost
Household Appliances: The Basics
If you’re looking for your next vacuum cleaner, heater, air conditioner, humidifier, or dehumidifier, look no further! DealNews posts great deals so you can find cheap household appliances.
A Quick Guide to Vacuum Cleaner Buying
Purchasing a vacuum should be simple, but now that there are so many options, you might find yourself second-guessing your choices. Check out some of these tips and details from this buying guide from Kohl’s , or check out this guide from the DealNews Blog .
Vacuum Cleaner Types
- Canister vacuum cleaner
- Works best on hardwood or small carpeted surfaces
- Consists of a suction hose and separate unit with motor and receptacle
- Upright Vacuum
- Great for large carpeted surfaces
- Uses motorized beater brush to loosen and remove dirt
- Bagless and bagged models available
- Many include attachments for various uses like dusting
- Best for multi-surface (i.e., hardwood and carpeted) homes
- Handheld Vacuum
- Great for small areas
- Small and typically battery-powered
- Stick Vacuum
- Lightweight and battery-powered
- Includes motorized brush
- Better for hard flooring than carpets
- Most are bagless
- Also known as “sweeper vacuums”
- Robotic Vacuum
- Autonomous vacuum that uses sensors to clean
- User selects settings like cleaning time and floor type
- Typically not as powerful as other vacuums
- Pet Vacuum
- Specialized upright vacuum cleaner
- Detachable beater brush
Bagged vs. Bagless
When purchasing a vacuum cleaner, a common question is whether you should purchase a bagged or bagless model. A couple of details to help with your purchase include:
- Allergy Concerns: Bagged vacuum cleaners release less dust into the air, making it more allergy friendly.
- Cost: Although bagless vacuum cleaners have filters that will eventually require cleaning or replacement, the cost impact of not having to replace the bag each time the dust compartment is full makes bagless vacuum cleaners a bit more cost-effective.
Common Vacuum Terms
Agitator: Brush at base of the vacuum that moves debris up to be suctioned into a bag or canister.
Belt: The belt causes the brushes to rotate and process debris.
Cleaning path: The cleaning path is determined by the width of the base of the vacuum cleaner — the wider the base the larger the cleaning path.
Filtration: Filtration systems help remove dust mites from floors and furniture. This is ideal for reducing household allergens.
HEPA air filter: High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are extended-surface filters that capture up to 99% of all dust particles.
Motor: Measured in amps, watts, and volts, the motor power determines the suction of the vacuum. Greater suction power means you spend less time cleaning your floors.
Motor protection system: A safeguard that protects a vacuum motor from overheating.
Retractable cord: An feature that automatically winds the cord for storage in the machine.
Self-propelled motor: A feature that propels the vacuum on its own for easier maneuvering.
Blog Articles About Household Appliances
What to Look for When Buying a Fan
Find a Vac That Doesn't Suck: The Ultimate Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
Don't Sweat It! 9 Tips for Getting Air Conditioning on a Budget
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ceiling fans save money?
Running a fan is significantly cheaper than running an A/C unit because you can target rooms you're utilizing instead of your entire home.
However, a more important question is whether a fan meets your cooling needs. A fan alone may or may not keep you cool, so the trick is to use the fan in conjunction with your air conditioning. Fans do not actually cool the air, so if you’re stuck in an 85-degree room you’re just having 85-degree air blowing on your skin.
This trick can save you hundreds of dollars each year, so in short, yes, fans definitely save money! Check out this blog post for more info!
Do air purifiers work?
A machine that quietly hums in the background while cleaning your air may sound too good to be true. But if you’re an allergy or asthma sufferer, a quality air purifier may be worth the investment.
This study concludes that air filtration through HEPA purifiers are useful for allergy sufferers, but notes the effectiveness is limited to one room instead of a whole house. While air purifiers are limited in what they can clean from the air (dust, smoke, pollen), the added relief can aid those who have tried many other solutions.
It’s important to note that air purifiers are not very effective, if at all, in cleaning out mold or VOCs that accumulate in the air from adhesives, paints, or cleaning products.
Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier: Which do I need and why?
Humidity regulation, whether by a humidifier or dehumidifier, helps with comfort levels in your home. According to Richmond’s Air Heating & Air Conditioning , a good humidity level for the home is between 35% and 45%. You can measure this with a hygrometer or you can try a few tricks like the one found here for low humidity measurements, or here for high humidity measurements.
High and low humidity can each create different issues in your home and body. Low humidity can damage your furniture, floors, and doors, causing them to crack. It can even cause caulk or glue to shrink, creating gaps that allow air to leak out. Worse, high humidity affects sleep , and exacerbates breathing problems like asthma by creating a breeding ground for mold and other allergens .
Low humidity is also problematic, causing dry skin, nasal irritation, and even spreading the flu .
A Georgia girl with three years of experience in IP Law and grounded in understanding marketing and consumer motives. When she's not working with the fabulous staff of DealNews, you can find her whining at rowing practice and browsing the Hot Deals on the site.