Best Things to Buy in May 2026 - and Where to Get Them Cheaper

May doesn't get nearly enough credit as a money-saving month. Sandwiched between the post-Easter retail lull and the summer sales proper, it's actually one of the best times of the year to pick up a bargain - if you know which categories to focus on.

Here's our roundup of what's worth buying right now, what's worth waiting on, and how to make sure you're not paying more than you need to.

Fashion & Clothing - Clear-Out Season Is Here

May sits right in the sweet spot of the fashion retail calendar. Spring/summer ranges have been on shelves for a couple of months, which means retailers are already starting to shift stock to make room for new lines. That's good news for shoppers.

Look out for end-of-range reductions on spring clothing - especially lighter layers, transitional pieces, and footwear. Bigger fashion retailers often run quiet mid-season sales in May that don't get the same fanfare as Black Friday or the summer sale proper, but the savings can be just as real.

If you're shopping for summer holiday clothes, May is arguably the best time to do it. Buy in June or July and you're competing with everyone else doing the same thing. Buy now and you'll often find better stock and better prices.

Before you checkout, grab a discount code from our Fashion & Clothing page - retailers like ASOS, boohoo, and Next frequently have active codes this time of year.

Garden & Outdoor - Peak Season Means Peak Competition

Garden retailers know that May is prime buying season, which means they're competing hard for your attention. That competition works in your favour.

This is the month to invest in outdoor furniture, BBQ equipment, planters, and garden tools. Stock levels are high, retailers are actively promoting, and you'll find a solid number of deals around bank holiday weekends in particular - retailers have historically used these long weekends as an excuse to run promotions.

Don't leave it too late. By June and July, the garden ranges start thinning out and prices on popular items firm up. If you've been eyeing up a particular piece of outdoor furniture or a new BBQ, May is genuinely one of the best months to pull the trigger.

Check our Home & Garden section for current codes on garden retailers.

Technology & Electronics - The Quiet Month That Rewards Patience

There are no major product launches in May - no new iPhone cycles, no big gaming hardware drops, nothing that's going to make last month's tech feel suddenly outdated. That's actually great news if you're in the market for something.

When there's no new product driving urgency, retailers discount existing stock to maintain sales volumes. That means you'll often find better deals on laptops, tablets, audio equipment, and smart home devices in May than you would in, say, September when new models start landing.

It's a particularly good month to shop refurbished or certified pre-owned tech. Major retailers and specialist refurb sites tend to have solid inventory in May, and the savings over brand new can be substantial.

Head to our Electronics & Technology page to see if there are active codes running.

Food & Drink - Bank Holiday Occasions and Meal Kit Deals

May is a month of occasions - bank holidays, outdoor dining, and the general sense that summer is almost here - which means food retailers are in promotional mode. That includes both the big supermarkets and the meal kit delivery services.

Speaking of meal kits: if you've never tried Hello Fresh, Gousto, or a similar service, the first-order discounts available in May are typically very generous. These services use new customer codes as their primary acquisition tool, and it's completely legitimate to take advantage of them. We list the best current offers in our Food & Drink section.

For restaurant and takeaway deals, bank holiday weekends tend to bring out some of the better Deliveroo and Just Eat promotions - worth checking before you order.

Travel - Book Summer Now, Save More Than You Think

We're at the point in the year where summer holiday prices start climbing meaningfully. If you're planning a trip in July or August and haven't booked yet, May is the time to do it - waiting until June or July almost always costs more.

That said, if you're after a last-minute May bank holiday break, there can be genuine bargains on late availability. Hotels and holiday parks that haven't filled their bank holiday weekend inventory will often drop prices in the final few days - it's worth checking.

Our Travel & Holidays page covers codes for airlines, hotel booking sites, car hire, and travel insurance.

What to Hold Off Buying Until Next Month

Not everything is worth buying in May. Here are a few categories where patience will pay off:

Outdoor clothing and specialist sportswear. Summer running gear, swimwear, and sports clothing will be cheaper in the mid-summer sales (typically late June through July) when retailers cut prices to shift seasonal stock.

Large kitchen appliances. There's nothing particularly driving appliance deals in May. July sales and Black Friday are historically stronger for dishwashers, washing machines, and fridge-freezers.

Children's clothing. School uniform season deals don't kick in until July and August. If you're buying ahead for the new school year, hold off.

Christmas gifts. Yes, really - if you're an organised early shopper, November's Black Friday is still the best time to buy most gifts.

How to Make Sure You're Getting the Best Price

Whatever you're buying this month, the habit to build is simple: before you checkout anywhere online, spend 30 seconds checking whether there's a code available.

At Top Voucher Codes, we list discount codes and deals for hundreds of UK retailers across every category. Search for any retailer - from the big names to the smaller independents - and see what's currently available. It takes less time than making a cup of tea and can save you a decent chunk of money.