Whatever it is we’re looking to buy, knowing how to find the cheapest deal could us save a lot of cash
This article has been updated June 2025.
Price comparison sites
These sites sift through selected products from a range of retailers and find you the cheapest deal on offer.
A couple to try include:
- Google Shopping: MSE finds this to be the most consistent at finding the cheapest prices. The only problem is only stores that pay are shown, so keep this in mind.
- Idealo: Offers comprehensive price comparisons across numerous retailers, including Amazon, eBay, and ASOS.
- PriceRunner: Compares prices from over 6,400 UK stores, covering a vast range of products. It offers features like price history tracking and user reviews, helping shoppers make informed decisions.
- PriceSpy: Provides detailed product information and user reviews, particularly useful for electronics and home appliances.
They include all the major shops like Tesco, John Lewis, Amazon and eBay. Simply type in the search box what it is we want to buy, eg, lawn mower. Then we can sort the results using the filters on the left hand side of the page (price, power type, brand, etc). We can also select to view second hand, or ‘used’ items.
For branded products, look out for a link like ‘Compare prices from xx shops.’ Click this to see a full list of retailers, including delivery costs. This helps us decide whether to buy in store or online.
Free delivery
Retailers still have different thresholds to qualify for free delivery, and these vary.
Always check the minimum spend before we buy. If our basket is just below the limit, it might be cheaper to add something small rather than pay for delivery.
This is handy when clothes shopping. ASOS, for example, has a £40 minimum spend now. At John Lewis, Clarks, and Matalan, it’s usually around £50. Delivery typically costs £3.95–£4.50, depending on the store.
Happy returns?
Another tip is to check whether returns are free. If they are, we can cancel out delivery costs by buying multiple items to take us over the minimum spend threshold. Then return the unwanted items. Just be sure to return items within the timeframe to get a full refund.
Some retailers offer free trial periods that include benefits like free delivery. Amazon Prime is still a popular example (with access to their streaming services too). It’s free to sign up for the trial, but once it finishes we get charged, and it can be a lot of money.
Best to set a reminder before the trial ends or cancel right away. The benefits usually last until the end of the trial period anyway.
Money off when you leave your basket
Not a guaranteed trick, but it sometimes works. If we add items to our online basket but don’t complete the order, some retailers may email a discount code to tempt us back.
This only works if we have an account (so they have our email address). Once we’ve filled the basket, just close the tab and wait. Sometimes a code lands in our inbox the next day!
Discount voucher codes
There are plenty of websites out there offering discount codes for a variety of retailers. Money Saving Expert has a page listing the latest money-off vouchers here, but there are others including VoucherCodes and MyVoucherCodes.
We can also set up email alerts so the latest deals come to us automatically.
Sign up to newsletters
Most online retailers still offer newsletter signups, often with a discount for our first order. These pop up on the homepage or during checkout. Signing up can land us 20% off or more. If we get fed up with the emails afterwards, we can always unsubscribe.
Online discount outlets and clearance stores
Many big-brand clearance stores now run online outlets, often through their main site or via eBay. This saves us the trip and still gets us major discounts on past-season or clearance stock.
A few to check out:
- Argos
- Ao.com (good for TVs, fridges, washing machines)
- B&Q
- Sports Direct
Word to the wise
One word of warning: Discounts and the idea of getting money off can tempt us into buying things we don’t really need. Online shopping is especially dangerous because we can do it from our own homes, simply by clicking a button. Before we pay it’s always worth asking: “Do I really need this?” and “Can I buy it cheaper somewhere else?”
Image: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock
