The Best Things to Buy in March 2026

March may not seem like a good month for finding deals — in fact, as deal experts, we're accustomed to seeing a kind of "deal drought" this month — but the truth is you may be able to score great savings on several items in March as long as you know what to shop. From food freebies on Pi Day to goods on sale for St. Patrick's Day, there are plenty of products to add to your cart this time of year.

Check out what to buy in March, plus the categories to skip for now.

The 13 Best Things to Buy in March

March is historically known in the retail space as low period for coupons and promo codes, but our pricing data proves you can still score massive discounts if you know exactly what to target. As retailers transition their floor space from winter clearance to spring arrivals, we track the steepest price drops to help you maximize your budget.

This month offers a unique, narrow window to grab deep markdowns on cold-weather apparel, snag travel essentials ahead of summer vacations, and capitalize on quirky promotional holidays like Pi Day. We have analyzed historical sales patterns to pinpoint the ultimate strategic shopping list, ensuring you confidently navigate the seasonal transition without ever paying full price.

1. Garden Tools And Spring Landscaping Supplies

While peak gardening season discounts typically hit in April, March offers a surprisingly strong window to grab essential tools and early-season landscaping materials. In previous years, we tracked a modest volume of garden tool deals this month, but the discounts that do appear are often rock-bottom.

The real March magic happens in the garden center, specifically with massive seasonal mulch promotions. We reliably see major home improvement stores aggressively slash prices to draw in early spring shoppers. For example, the highly anticipated Lowe's mulch sale routinely offers Sta-Green Premium Mulch in black, brown, and red varieties at a 5 for $10 price point, dropping the cost to just $2 per bag. If you shop earlier in the month, you might also catch their initial 4 for $10 promotion, bringing the price to $2.50 per bag.

Beyond mulch, you can maximize your budget by checking for Lowe's promo codes during their Save Early for Spring and SpringFest events. We expect to see up to 55% off outdoor power equipment, including heavy hitters like EGO Power Plus chainsaws and mowers. You can also consistently find up to 40% off hand tools from top-tier brands like Craftsman and Klein Tools, along with up to $100 off Craftsman storage sheds.

Expert Strategies For Maximizing Savings At Lowe's:

• Opt for free in-store pickup: Always choose local pickup for heavy landscaping supplies like mulch and soil to bypass expensive freight delivery fees.
• Leverage welcome discounts: First-time email or text subscribers can instantly score a unique coupon, such as $5 off a $50 purchase or a flat 10% off promotion.
• Stack loyalty rewards: Join the free MyLowe's Rewards program to unlock free shipping on eligible orders of $35 or more and earn points toward future store credit.
• Verify military status: Active-duty military, veterans, and their spouses can link an ID.me account to their MyLowe's profile for an everyday 10% discount on eligible items.

2. TVs And Streaming Subscriptions

While Black Friday traditionally dominates the television market, that does not mean the rest of the year is devoid of hardware and streaming discounts. We likely will not see a flood of flat-screen discounts this month—last March we listed just under 50 hardware deals, with only 19% earning our Staff Pick badge. However, you can still find budget-friendly gems to upgrade your living room. Notable offers from previous years included Roku smart TVs dropping as low as $150, while 50-inch 4K displays from brands like Toshiba and Insignia hit rock-bottom prices between $250 and $270.

Once your hardware is set, March is the ultimate time to audit your home entertainment packages.

We highly recommend capitalizing on a DIRECTV free trial to test their premium channel lineups without the upfront financial commitment. DIRECTV Stream offers comprehensive coverage for regional sports networks across its Choice and Ultimate tiers, making it an essential service for catching every buzzer-beater during the basketball postseason.

If you decide to commit to a long-term package, you can drastically reduce your monthly premium by applying active DIRECTV promo codes at checkout. New subscribers can often lock in a two-year price guarantee, secure premium add-ons like Max and Paramount Plus at no extra cost for the first few months, or even score Visa reward cards valued up to $400.

This month is packed with high-profile viewing events, including the 98th Academy Awards on March 15 and the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament tipping off on March 17. Movie and television fans also have a massive slate of new releases to stream, such as Wicked: For Good on Peacock, the highly anticipated second season of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney Plus, and the streaming debut of the Oscar-nominated film Hamnet.

Expert Strategies For Maximizing TV And Streaming Savings:

• Leverage free trials strategically: Activate a trial right before major events like the Oscars or the NCAA First Four to enjoy premium live broadcasting at absolutely no cost.
• Audit and rotate subscriptions: Pause dormant streaming platforms and activate new ones only when major shows or movies premiere to keep your monthly costs under $30.
• Target open-box electronics: Check local inventory at Best Buy for open-box 4K TVs to instantly shave an extra 10% to 20% off already discounted clearance pricing.
• Negotiate your current rate: If your promotional cable or satellite pricing is expiring, call customer retention to request the latest unadvertised promotional rates.

3. Furniture

While Presidents' Day sales in February are legendary for early-year furniture deals, we actually see a massive variety of offers roll right into March. Last year, our team listed 237 distinct offers on home furniture during the month. Although only about 11% of those earned our elite Staff Pick designation, the sheer volume of markdowns means there is an excellent chance to score exactly what you need for a fraction of the retail price.

Whether you are hunting for a budget-friendly accent piece or completely overhauling your living room, you can maximize your savings by stacking Wayfair promo codes on top of their early spring clearance events.

Right now, our team is tracking massive savings like up to 60% off living room seating, TV stands, and entertainment centers. You can maximize these clearance markdowns by signing up for Wayfair emails to score an extra 10% off your first order, or by applying the code "APP15" to shave 15% off in-app purchases. If you are tackling a larger home refresh, we also verified high-value coupons offering $20 off select bathroom vanities and up to $300 off eligible major appliances.

Expert Strategies For Maximizing Furniture Savings:

• Hunt for open-box deals: Major online retailers often have massive open-box sections where you can score returned, like-new items for an extra 20% to 50% off the clearance price.
• Prep for spring tentpole sales: If you do not see exactly what you want in March, start building your cart for April when Wayfair typically drops their massive Way Day event.
• Sign up for fresh newsletters: Always register a new email address when shopping at home goods retailers to instantly receive a 10% to 15% off welcome coupon.
• Double-check return policies: Furniture returns are notoriously expensive, so verify that the retailer covers return shipping before you lock in a heavy freight delivery.

4. Travel Bookings, Cruises, And Gear

If spring break or early summer travel is on your radar, March is an exceptional window to finalize your itineraries and upgrade your luggage. Since March marks the end of Wave Season in the cruise industry, it is one of your last chances to lock in aggressive booking incentives.

We expect to see promotions mirror previous years, such as 7-night Bermuda cruises from New York City for just $699 per person. You can also expect to see massive promotional credits returning, like the Celebrity Cruise sale at Avoya Travel that featured a buy one fare, get 75% off a second promotion, plus up to $250 in onboard credit and up to $1,600 in total savings.

Beyond the seas, securing flights and hotel accommodations now will help you dodge the inevitable summer price surges. You can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket costs by applying Expedia discount codes to bundle your hotel and flight reservations into one streamlined package.

For spontaneous travelers looking for deep markdowns on accommodations or rental cars, checking for active Priceline promo codes can unlock an extra 10% to 20% off their already discounted Express Deals. Finally, if you are strictly hunting for airfare, leveraging American Airlines promo codes can help you score discounted domestic flights or bonus AAdvantage miles to stretch your travel budget even further.

Before you head to the airport, March is also an excellent month to replace worn-out travel accessories. Retailers routinely discount luggage and outdoor gear to clear out winter inventory. We've seen Lands' End sturdy totes and large duffle bags, Samsonite hardside expandable luggage, and Patagonia luggage at REI all go on sale.

Expert Strategies For Maximizing Travel Savings:

• Book cruise fares directly and via agencies: Always compare the cruise line's direct price against online travel booking agencies, as third parties often throw in exclusive onboard credits or prepaid gratuities to win your business.
• Bundle your bookings: Combine your flight, hotel, and rental car reservations on a single platform to trigger automatic package discounts that are rarely available when booking separately.
• Leverage hidden hotel deals: Use opaque booking tools like Priceline Express Deals where the exact hotel name is hidden until after purchase to score luxury rooms at budget motel prices.
• Maximize airline loyalty programs: Pay for flights with a co-branded airline credit card to earn bonus miles and unlock free checked bags, which can instantly save a family of four over $100 per round trip.

5. Candles

As we transition from winter to spring, home fragrance brands aggressively clear out their heavy, cold-weather scents to make room for fresh florals and citrus profiles. March is a prime time to stock up on large jar candles and seasonal accessories.

By checking for active Yankee Candle promo codes, you can frequently find buy one, get one free promotions or steep percentage discounts on retiring winter fragrances. Stash these cozy scents away in your closet now, and you will be fully prepared when autumn rolls around without ever paying full price.

6. Cold-Weather Apparel And Gear

Since winter officially winds down in March, it is the absolute best time to shop for cold-weather apparel and winter sports equipment. Retailers aggressively mark down winter inventory to clear floor space for incoming spring arrivals. We frequently see up to 70% off snow sports items at REI and Steep and Cheap, while Marmot typically offers a winter slash sale that cuts up to 60% off.

Department stores also join the clearance event, with Macy's and Calvin Klein historically cutting 60% to 70% off outerwear. You can also leverage Amazon promo codes to find hidden discounts on thermal layers, winter boots, and everyday gear. Last year, we listed over 150 deals on coats alone, with 24% earning our Staff Pick badge for their exceptional value. Look for vests from $4, fleece starting at $6, basic jackets from $7, puffer jackets from $28, heavy parkas from $30, and overcoats dropping to just $65.

7. Mobile And Internet Services

March is a surprisingly strategic time to evaluate your digital connectivity. Providers often launch spring promotions to attract new subscribers or incentivize device upgrades before the summer travel season kicks into high gear.

Whether you need a faster home internet connection or want to trade in an older smartphone for the latest flagship release, checking for AT&T promo codes can unlock massive savings. We routinely see generous offers that waive activation fees, provide heavy bill credits for switching carriers, or aggressively discount premium devices when you bundle services.

8. Home Goods And Vacuums

With spring cleaning season rapidly approaching, March is the ideal month to pick up products that help declutter and freshen up your living space. We expect major markdowns on floor care, specifically premium vacuums. Last year, we saw brand-new Dyson models drop as low as $200, and their Outlet Spring Cleaning event reliably offers massive savings on refurbished units. Beyond floor care, you can revitalize your entire space by using Overstock promo codes to score deep discounts on organizational tools, fresh bedding, and general home goods without paying standard retail prices.

Other Expert-Verified March Deals To Watch

If you are looking to maximize your budget on other household items and seasonal events, we consistently track deep discounts across a few additional categories this month.

• Pi Day food freebies: March 14 (3/14) reliably brings $3.14 pizza promotions and themed coupon codes. Check local grocery circulars for $3.14 mini pies, and follow your favorite regional pie chains like Pizza Hut or Papa Johns on social media to catch flash freebies.
• St. Patrick's Day sales: While not a massive retail event, the March deal drought forces retailers to offer mid-month incentives. Expect free green-glazed doughnuts at Krispy Kreme for wearing green, up to $600 off select Saatva mattresses, and St. Patrick's Day apparel at Carhartt dropping to just $10.
• Early-season grills: Peak grill savings hit in September, but March offers a small window of pre-summer discounts. Look for larger charcoal grills dropping to $96, basic gas grills hitting $149, and vertical smoker combos reaching $271.
• Cleaning supplies: Spring cleaning promotions drive down prices on household essentials. We typically track 3-packs of sponges for under $2.50, 2-packs of Windex for $5, 12-packs of microfiber cloths for $11, and complete broom and dustpan sets for $23.
• Hot tubs and pools: Retailers use the end of winter to aggressively clear out large inventory before patio furniture takes over the floor space. Expect to see up to 62% off inflatable Bestway hot tubs at Amazon, plus notable markdowns at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Costco.

4 Things Not To Buy In March

To truly optimize your shopping strategy, you also need to know which categories to actively avoid. Based on our historical pricing data, hold off on purchasing these four items until later in the year.

Maximize Your March Savings Strategy

March is a transitional period in the retail calendar. While it is often considered a deal drought, the savviest shoppers know it is the perfect time to capitalize on winter clearance and early spring promotions. By targeting deep discounts on cold-weather apparel, upgrading your luggage for upcoming summer vacations, and securing landscaping supplies before the peak seasonal rush, you can tackle your spring to-do list without overextending your budget.

As the month progresses, the retail landscape shifts rapidly toward warm-weather inventory. Keep a close watch on streaming subscriptions ahead of major entertainment events, and monitor floor care brands as spring cleaning sales ramp up. Ready to maximize your budget this season?

Consider signing up for the DealNews Select newsletter. It delivers a curated collection of the absolute best, handpicked discounts directly to your inbox every weekday. If you are hunting for a specific item, such as a Dyson vacuum or outdoor furniture from Wayfair, you can set a custom deal alert on our site. We will send you an instant notification the exact moment it goes on sale, ensuring you never miss a rock-bottom price drop.