
Works well for larger spaces where a small tabletop unit just won't cut it, since the 5.4-gallon tank means fewer refills if you're trying to keep humidity steady through a dry winter. Buy Now at Home Depot

Small bedrooms or offices benefit most from this one, since the 0.66-gallon tank is meant for compact spaces rather than whole-room coverage, and the built-in diffuser lets you add essential oils without a separate device. Home Depot carries this size for people who want quiet, low-maintenance humidity control at a desk or bedside table. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handy for anyone dealing with mosquitoes or flies on a patio or in a garage, since the 4,000V mesh kills on contact without chemicals, and the 2-pack means you and someone else can both swing at once. At $26, that's $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

Handy for the garage or job site if you want cordless airflow without running an extension cord, and it runs on the same 20V Power Share battery system as other Worx tools. Best Buy has it for $64, which is $26 off the $90 list price. Buy Now at Best Buy
- Cordless operation with 6-hour battery life
- Charge battery while fan is in use
- High-volume 450 CFM airflow
- Lightweight 5 lb portable design
- 360-degree rotating head with mounting options

Kitchens tight on floor space tend to work well with this one, since the slim profile tucks into narrow spots without sacrificing the 40L capacity most households need. Buy Now at Target
- 40 liter total capacity
- Slim rectangular shape for space-saving placement
- Strong steel pedal designed for long-term use
- Lid shox technology for smooth silent closing
- Slide lock secures lid shut to prevent pets opening

This unit suits homeowners tackling their own install across three rooms, since the DIY setup skips the cost of hiring an HVAC contractor for the mini split installation. With 23 SEER2 efficiency and 36,000 BTU output, it's built to handle both heating and cooling for a larger home without straining your electric bill. Buy Now at Home Depot

Stocking three separate candy compartments makes this a practical pick for playrooms, offices, or small business setups where you want variety without buying multiple machines, and it's currently $23 off the list price at Home Depot. Buy Now at Home Depot

This compact oscillating fan works well for anyone who wants adjustable airflow at a desk or in a small room, with a remote so you don't have to reach over to change settings. It's priced at $50, matching its regular list price with no current discount. Buy Now at Best Buy
- 360-degree oscillation for total room cooling
- Remote control for convenient operation
- Programmable timer for energy-efficient cooling
- Three cooling modes for versatile airflow
- Compact design with powerful, rapid airflow

Cold mornings out of the shower get a lot easier when you've got a warm towel waiting, and this bucket-style warmer also doubles for heating baby items or drying damp gloves and boots. It's a practical add for bathrooms without built-in heating, especially in colder climates. Buy Now at Home Depot

Swapping filters five at a time cuts down on how often you need to remember the task, and MERV 11 catches a solid amount of dust and pollen without straining most standard HVAC systems. Buy Now at Home Depot

For quick touch-ups on curtains, upholstery, or wrinkled shirts, this compact steamer heats up fast and skips the bulk of a full-size unit, making it a good fit if you're short on storage space. Target carries the CS-100 for anyone who wants steam cleaning without committing to a larger appliance. Buy Now at Target
- 1000 watts of power for efficient steam production
- 12 ounce water tank capacity for extended cleaning
- 15 minutes of continuous steam output per tank
- Portable compact design for easy storage and maneuverability
- Model: CS-100

This size and MERV rating suits homes with pets or allergy sufferers who need better particle filtration without straining airflow through the furnace, and the 4" depth means fewer filter changes than a standard 1" filter. Buy Now at Home Depot

Swapping in a fresh filter every couple months helps your HVAC system run efficiently, and having six on hand means you won't have to think about it again until next year. Buy Now at Home Depot

A mini split like this suits anyone heating or cooling a single room or small addition without ductwork, since it handles both jobs through one wall-mounted unit. At $935, that's $165 (15%) off the $1,100 list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Voice-controlled smart temperature adjustment
- Ultra-efficient DC Inverter technology
- Heating/cooling in extreme temperatures down to -22°F
- Whisper-quiet operation for optimized indoor comfort
- Comprehensive system includes indoor unit, outdoor condenser, line set

Swapping this filter regularly is a simple way to keep basic dust and debris out of your HVAC system without paying extra for higher-efficiency filtration you may not need. Buy Now at Home Depot

Handy for anyone still running an old box fan or window unit that only has an on/off switch, since it lets you dial in variable speeds instead of settling for full blast or nothing. Buy Now at Newegg
- Reduces system fan noise
- Extends computer system component lifespan
- Features ECASO automatic cooling control
- Supports 3-pin and 4-pin connectors
- Includes 1-year parts warranty

Anyone on a whole-house or under-sink filtration system will want spares like these on hand, since the 5-micron pleated design handles sediment without needing monthly swaps like cheaper cartridges do. The 3-pack keeps you stocked for the better part of a year without a separate trip. Buy Now at Home Depot

Anyone raising chickens for meat and processing more than a couple birds at a time will appreciate how much hand-plucking labor this saves, with 20 inches of drum space built to handle batch after batch without slowing down. Buy Now at Home Depot

Update: The price has changed to $79.99 since this was originally published.
Anyone sharing a home with pets or dealing with seasonal allergies will notice the difference a true HEPA filter makes in trapping dander and pollen, and it's currently $20 off the list price. Buy Now at Amazon
- Purifies 1190 sq ft spaces
- Filters 99.97% of particles down to 0.01 microns
- Auto-adjusts fan speed based on air quality
- Operates at 23dB in quiet sleep mode
- Monitors and displays real-time PM2.5 levels

Handy for shrinking down bulky bedding and off-season clothes before packing them into closets or luggage, especially useful if you're tight on storage space, and these come with a battery pump so you're not stuck near an outlet to seal them. The 20-pack runs $6 off list price at $30. Buy Now at Amazon
- Ultra-portable 5oz cordless air pump
- Compresses vacuum bags in 10-15 seconds
- Increases storage space by up to 80%
- Durable tear-resistant PA+PE material
- Includes 20 vacuum seal bags in four sizes
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.