As Memorial Day arrives on Monday, May 25, 2026, retailers across the U.S. are rolling out early summer savings on laptops, tablets, TVs, phones, smart home gear, and more. The catch is timing: this is likely the last window for many of the seasonal offers, fr
Memorial Day is here—and for people hunting for a new laptop, a better TV, or a smarter corner of the house, the shopping window feels tighter than it should.
This year, the holiday lands on Monday, May 25, 2026. It’s a US federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May each year. and it traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer. Retailers including Amazon. Best Buy. Target. Walmart. and others are leaning into that moment with deals spanning home. outdoor gear. apparel. and tech.
The problem is simple: a lot of these seasonal offers don’t stick around. The list of favorites is already described as “likely your last chance” to shop the current discounts before they fade.
Across the deals, the tone is consistent—save now, decide fast. ZDNET deals editor coverage is built around products tested and recommended for real buyers. and the promise is that prices are checked using established price-comparison tools and trackers to confirm the markdown is actually worth your time. The bar for deals is also clear: discounts are expected to be at least 20% off (or hardly ever on sale). with hands-on testing and customer reviews used to separate real value from wishful thinking.
TVs are where the savings start to feel immediate. A 55-inch Hisense U8QG is described as being at its lowest price to date. marked down 40%. bringing it down to under $1. 000. Other TV highlights include the TCL QM8K. pitched as a Mini LED favorite with built-in voice controls. a maximum brightness of 5. 000 nits. 3. 800 dimming zones. and a 144Hz refresh rate. The list also includes LG’s last year’s flagship OLED with virtual surround sound using Dolby Atmos. a dedicated Filmmaker Mode. and a 144Hz refresh rate. along with support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR.
Samsung’s lineup shows up in multiple tiers too. There’s a Samsung flagship QLED TV with virtual surround sound via both Dolby Atmos and object-tracking sound. plus support for cloud gaming via Xbox GamePass and a 165Hz refresh rate for smoother motion in movies and live sports. A generation behind. the Samsung S95F is also included for its OLED picture quality. object-tracking sound. a 120Hz refresh rate. and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR support.
The cameras inside a home are getting a nod as well. Blink mini cams are positioned for adding security—or for keeping an eye on pets and kids indoors—with the latest 2K+ model on sale for 35% off.
There’s also room for the kind of “summer at home” tech that doesn’t feel like electronics at first glance. The Ninja Slushi is aimed squarely at making chilly drinks at home and is discounted 26%.
If you’ve been thinking about a subscription service instead of a gadget upgrade. Audible’s offer is right in the middle of the list. The free trial grants 30 days of access to a catalog of over 1 million titles, including brand new releases. The trial comes with the same benefits as full members. and you can cancel before the 30 days are up to avoid charges. ZDNET Managing Editor Alison DeNisco-Rayome tried it herself to see if it fit her.
Apple is present across categories, but the appeal is practical rather than flashy. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is described as having a rugged design for adventurists. along with GPS. advanced metrics. Offline Maps. and more. plus a 49mm watch face that gets plenty bright for outdoor use. Apple Pencil Pro is highlighted for squeeze. barrel roll. and haptic feedback. and it charges wirelessly while working with the newest iPad Pro and iPad Air models. For people who stay inside Apple’s ecosystem. AirPods Max 2 are included for upgraded sound quality. Apple’s Transparency Mode. and their availability in multiple colors.
Laptops bring the “new year, new machine” angle—especially since the list includes both fresh models and work-focused options. The M5 MacBook Air is framed as an improvement over its predecessor. with more base memory. more base storage (described as faster). and better battery life. It’s said to be $100 off. An affordable alternative shows up in the Vivobook. described as thin and light at 3.09 pounds. powered by an Intel Core 5 CPU and equipped with 8GB of RAM. For workers who need something sturdier. a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (13th-generation) is listed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor. 16GB of RAM. and a full 2TB of storage. It’s currently $500 off the regular price as Lenovo makes room for newer models.
Phone deals lean into both new releases and the reality of sold-out inventory. New units of the iPhone 17 Pro Max are described as widely sold out, but refurbished options are available. Best Buy is singled out with a deal slashing the price by more than $400. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is described as featuring a smooth 120Hz ProMotion OLED display and durable titanium construction. with a larger 6.9-inch screen and better battery life rated for up to 39 hours of video playback on a single charge.
A more budget-minded pick also appears: the iPhone 16e is described as a midrange device delivering much of the core iPhone 16 experience. with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and an A18 chipset. It supports Apple Intelligence features including Writing Tools and a “smarter” version of Siri. and it’s described as getting cheaper.
Samsung’s newest foldable gets its moment too. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is described as premium, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset like the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The outer screen measures 6.5 inches and is described as working well for everyday usage.
In the kitchen and at home, smart convenience meets straightforward savings. A Skylight Calendar smart display is described as having a significant impact on keeping track of a family’s events. meetings. and household tasks. The GE Profile nugget ice maker is described as a favorite of ZDNET contributor Artie Beaty. who says it’s worth the investment if you’re particular about your at-home ice. Ring doorbells show up with the latest Doorbell Plus on sale for 33% off.
Dessert-time tech is there too. The best price seen for the Ninja Creami was $279 around Black Friday, but the $299 offer ahead of the summer season is described as “not too shabby.” Managing Editor Alison DeNisco Rayome is quoted saying she loves making frosty treats for her kids.
All of it ties back to the same urgent shopping message: Memorial Day brings early summer savings. but the deals described here are already moving fast. If you’ve been waiting for a specific TV model. a new laptop. a phone upgrade. or a smart home improvement. Monday. May 25. 2026 arrives with momentum—and with the expectation that prices won’t wait for indecision.
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