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 beach-ready Bluetooth speakers to a slushie drink maker to delight 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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Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set
Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set none-selected
I recently deep-dived into Cozy Earth’s best gear, and its viral, cooling bedsheets left me impressed (and less reliant on my air conditioner). If you tend to run hot at night or anticipate you will in the coming summer heat, don’t miss the chance to grab a set of bamboo viscose sheets that are a breeze to affix atop a mattress. As part of the brand’s Memorial Day sale, you can get 20% off site-wide and 25% off bundles until 21 May, and 25% off site-wide and 30% off on bundles from 22 to 24 May, plus a gift with purchase on orders more than $299. On 25 May, get 30% off site-wide.
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Abercrombie Bra-Free Tie-Front Linen-Blend Mini Dress
Abercrombie Bra-Free Tie-Front Linen-Blend Mini Dress none-selected
$80; $52 (with code AFSUMMER) at Abercrombie
It’s summer dress season. Make it count with this sultry yet sweet Filter-endorsed option in a breathable linen fabric and nine colors and patterns. “The built-in bra and adjustable, supportive straps make all the difference when the weather is calling for minimal layers,” says Charlotte Gornall, a Guardian UK fashion assistant. From 20 to 25 May, get 20%-40% off nearly everything site-wide, plus an additional 15% off with code AFSUMMER.
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Bandolier Hailey Crossbody Phone Case
Bandolier Hailey Crossbody Phone Case none-selected
In our UK counterparts’ review of the best phone straps, the Bandolier phone strap stands out, if you’re looking to reduce bulk during summer travel. “The utility-style strap could easily eliminate the need for carrying a separate handbag,” Guardian deputy fashion editor Chloe Mac Donnell writes. Its three compartments could fit essentials such as a charger, bank cards and keys or makeup. From 21 to 25 May, get up to 50% off site-wide.
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Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station none-selected
There are plenty of reasons why a backup generator might buy peace of mind, whether you’re off-grid camping this summer, running tools in the yard or just staying prepared for an emergency. This Jackery backup generator is now part of Filter contributor Alan Truly’s safety net, offering enough fuel to charge up household and portable appliances (and laptops and phones). Grab its predecessor with a 1,500-watt power output for a rare deal of 46% off.
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Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes
Bagsmart Compression Packing Cubes none-selected
Now that Bagsmart’s space-saving compression packing cubes have reached their lowest price ever, they just might be your (plane) ticket to squeezing extra space out of your luggage – especially as your summer vacation plans heat up. “I was surprised by how much I liked the compression cubes from Bagsmart, and it’s a good starter kit for compression newbies,” says Filter contributor Les Shu in his review of the best packing cubes. The exact ones he reviewed aren’t on sale, but this set of six is similar.
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Coleman Pro Heavy-Duty Premium Hard Cooler
Coleman Pro Heavy-Duty Premium Hard Cooler none-selected
If you have camping trips, outdoor picnics or beach hangs on the itinerary this summer, be sure to bring the Filter’s favorite cooler along for the ride. Chief among its star features: it’s “easily strong enough to double as a seat if needed, and it comes with a five-year guarantee”, says contributor Linda Geddes. She also appreciates its well-designed drain, and the inclusion of both side handles and a padded and adjustable shoulder strap. It’s now 25% off, $8 away from its lowest price ever.
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Trtl Snooze Bundle
Ttrl Snooze Bundle none-selected
Skip those tired, bulky travel pillows and opt for a more compact option in the Filter-approved Trtl pillow you can wear and pack like a cozy fleece scarf. “It keeps my head in a comfortable position even in an uncomfortable seat, yet is slim enough to easily slip into my backpack,” says contributor and serial traveler Tim Stevens. This snooze-inducing bundle includes a sleep mask, now for 30% off until 25 May.
DedCool Dedtergent Mochi Milk
DedCool Dedtergent Mochi Milk none-selected
Looking for a subtle laundry scent that actually smells natural? So was I when I grabbed this biodegradable, environmentally friendly detergent from DedCool, a brand that also makes my favorite genderless scent and a Filter-approved gift-worthy perfume. I’m prone to eczema flareups, and haven’t had a single outbreak since implementing this sensitive skin-friendly detergent. From 22 to 26 May, DedCool offers 20% off site-wide, plus a mini Xtra Milk Room + Linen Spray on orders of $85 and above, if you order on 26 May.
Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage
Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage none-selected
If it’s good enough for an over-packing, honeymoon-bound newlywed, it’ll surely stand up to whatever your summer has in store. When we asked newlyweds about the best wedding gifts, one said this hardshell expandable carry-on with 360-degree spinner wheels was “super light, which is perfect for me as I’m a chronic over-packer”. For Memorial Day, Calpak’s entire site will be 20% off from 19 to 29 May.
Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead
Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead none-selected
The chlorine in your tap water keeps it clean and safe for drinking, but it’s not great for your skin and hair, according to the dermatologist we spoke to when we evaluated the best shower filters. All eight models we tested effectively removed chlorine, but Filter contributor Stephen Treffinger found the Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead was one of the few to make his skin feel less dry, and smoother. It also “delivered the best showering experience”, thanks to the spray wand and a flexible hose that doesn’t kink up. Canopy rarely has sales, but it’s currently discounted 20% from 22 to 25 May.
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Levoit Tower Fan
Levoit Tower Fan none-selected
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
Beats Powerbeats Fit Earbuds none-selected
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
Ninja Slushi Drink Maker none-selected
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
FlipBelt Classic Running Belt none-selected
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
Eucos Phone Tripod none-selected
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
Foreo Peach 2 Go Bundle none-selected
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
JBL Flip 7 Portable Bluetooth Speaker none-selected
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
BrüMate Togosa Bottle Chiller and Pitcher none-selected
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
elf Skin Pure Skin Cleanser none-selected
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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