By now, you’ve probably heard more than you ever anticipated about tariffs—taxes levied by the government on other countries for their imports, based on a percentage of a product’s value. The White House’s use of tariffs as a weapon is causing almost constant uncertainty in global trade, in particular that between the US and China.
A stated goal of tariffs is to encourage US consumers to purchase more domestically produced items. The reality is that products made in the US cost a lot, and the overseas supply chains and manufacturers’ prowess (coupled with far less expensive and, many would argue, exploited labor) keep the cost of things low—or, at least, lower than it would be if made in the States.
Since the White House initiated tariff discussions earlier this year, the situation has only become more complex. Trump levied tariffs, scaled some back, doubled down with China, cut deals, killed the de minimis exemption that allowed stores like Temu to flourish, then extended deadlines on reciprocal tariffs via a 90-day pause in April.
Reciprocal tariffs returned to the news in August; today, many are still sky high. According to the ReedSmith Tariff Tracker, countries including China, Laos, and Myanmar are tariffed over 34%. Our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, were hit with tariffs on anything not covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The big suppliers of parts for our favorite technology (like iPhones) got socked: Cambodia and Thailand have a 19% tariff; Japan and South Korea are at 15%. Sony already upped the price of PlayStation 5 consoles and blamed tariffs outright.
The situation remains a confusing mess for manufacturers, shippers, investors, and, of course, consumers like you who just want to save a little money while shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Nevertheless, prices will continue to increase on tech products; they would increase gradually anyway, but tariffs are exacerbating the whole process.
So if you’re worried about higher costs impacting your tech purchases—and 64% of people in a survey say they are—you have good reason to feel that way. Here are several tips to help you save as prices continue to go up.
1. Purchase What You Can Afford Right Now
(Credit: Kevin Nixon/What Laptop magazine via Getty Images)
If you already have your budget and sights set on purchasing a big-ticket, brand-new product like a phone or laptop, don’t hesitate. It is not going to get cheaper in the long run. Even if a product doesn’t increase in price immediately, components will. Things will add up eventually.
Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist for OpenBrand, which tracks price changes, told PCMag’s Michael Kan in April that the “small stuff” would experience the most significant impact given its thin margins. “Items like small notebooks, basic PCs, headphones, and Bluetooth speakers are likely to take a bigger hit, in terms of price increases, than items like powerful laptops, high-end gaming machines, noise-cancelling headphones, and premium sound systems,” he said.
In his story on the viability of cheap laptops going forward, PCMag principal writer Brian Westover notes that budget buyers will be hardest hit. “Some companies may eat part of the rise,” he writes. “But rates in the 100% range, if they stick, are impossible for any company to simply absorb.”
Our camera analyst Jim Fisher offers this analysis: “It’s better to get something now, as retailers and importers will likely pass the bulk of the cost of tariffs onto consumers.” He adds that renting equipment can be a good option for photographers. Plus, there’s an active second-hand market, which brings us to our next tip.
2. Opt for Refurbished Products
(Credit: Elnur/Shutterstock)
Buying refurbished tech, which is fixed, cleaned, or otherwise spiffed up, is always worth considering. Because refurbs are typically already in the country, they are exempt from (further) tariffs. Vendors likely will still jack up prices anyway to keep up with all the other increases, but there isn’t much anyone can do about that. For more, read our 10 Things to Know Before Buying Refurbished Electronics.
Numerous online stores specialize in refurbished electronics that are traded in. Reebelo, BackMarket, and Gazelle sell cell phones and tablets, and some go even further, offering everything from childcare gear to sporting goods. Meanwhile, you can direct some of your own equipment to these sites, as a trade-in or an outright sale, to get money back. Your old goods will, in turn, feed the beast that is the refurbishment market.
3. Consider Products With Limited Tariff Implications
(Design: Lily Yeh | Image Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images)
Not all countries are being treated equally, so do your research. For instance, Samsung was rethinking its investment in Mexico in March, when the US announced the initial tariffs against Mexico and Canada. Knowing where a product originates can be helpful, but determining its origin is not always easy. Try searching online for a company name and country to see if it manufactures there.
What product is made in what factory is always subject to change. For example, Apple moved a lot of iPhone manufacturing from China to India, expressly to avoid higher tariffs. Phone shipments from India have surged enormously already (India currently has a 25% reciprocal tariff with the US).
4. Optimize What You’ve Got
(Image: Shutterstock/Sensvector)
If your tech is getting slower, consider some quick fixes to avoid having to buy new or refurbished items. Factory reset that old phone and start from scratch, or follow our tips to make your old phone faster. Buy tune-up software like Iolo System Mechanic (software, as an “intangible good,” isn’t subject to tariffs). Or change settings on your PC or in Windows to clear out the cruft and get your machine working better.
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Basic computer upgrades can go a long way. Westover writes that a “new SSD or additional memory can do wonders for a system that has started feeling sluggish.” Those purchases, even with the tariff increase trickledown, will be much cheaper than getting a new computer.
5. With Chinese E-tailers, Try to Buy Local
(Credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
The de minimis duty-free option, which exempted packages valued at under $800 from duty, was a key factor in obtaining inexpensive items from overseas. In April, the Trump administration killed it via executive order for items originating from China and Hong Kong. It was eliminated for all countries on commercial goods effective August 29.
This move effectively removes the option to “shop like a billionaire” on sites like Temu and Shein, which have had to raise prices on the stuff they ship in from China. USA Today tracked some of those outlets’ products in April and found that the majority had prices go up even before the repeal. Temu decided to only show US shoppers “local” items—that is, merchandise already in a US warehouse. Then the exorbitant Chinese tariff dropped from 120% to 54% on May 13. Today, the China tariff is at 34% and is no longer automatically applied to Temu buyers from overseas. However, many customers claim that the product selection has been drastically reduced.
Shein already offered a “local warehouse” option for some products in its online store and has partnerships with the 400 physical Forever 21 stores in the US. TikTok warned sellers in the TikTok Shop to brace for tariff-related changes. Meanwhile, TikTok attempted some local service expansions.
The local warehouse option, if available at your preferred shopping location, could save you a little money. In the short term. Eventually, they’ll have to replenish their local warehouse, and that stuff has to come from somewhere. Chances are, it won’t be coming from within our borders.
With the signing of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the de minimis exemption will be completely eliminated in two years, on July 1, 2027, even for personal gifts. There will be exceptions for items purchased during travel; however, breaking the new law will result in a civil penalty of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for every subsequent violation. The goal is to prevent counterfeit products from coming into the US, but really, it will just make you not want to buy anything while traveling.
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6. Don’t Stick With Just One Brand
(Credit: James Martin/Getty Images)
PCMag’s own Alan Henry wrote a piece over a decade ago arguing that brand loyalty is for suckers. “When you trust any one company to meet all of your needs, you shut off the ability to make smart decisions about what you use, when you use it, and why,” he wrote. “Instead, that loyalty forces you to contort your needs into whatever shape that company gives you. They tell you what to buy, instead of the other way around.”
There’s perhaps never been a better time to heed these words. Your favorite brand may have products coming from China only, which means you’ll be punished for sticking with them. Shop around instead.
7. Buy Made in the USA Products—If You Can Find Them
(Credit: Bob Al-Greene)
The stated goal of many tariffs is to increase the amount of products made in the US and keep all the money here. Americans wanted to do that even before Trump’s second term, according to a 2022 Harris Poll conducted with Retail Brew regarding shopping preferences. Of course, these same consumers don’t want products to get too expensive.
As we pointed out in our last look at the tech that’s actually made in the US, “American electronics manufacturing is about making high-value, high-quality products with a focus on customer support. But that means the majority of the affordable gadgets found on Walmart shelves will continue to be made abroad for the foreseeable future.”
It’s almost impossible to find electronics that are entirely made with parts sourced in the US. (Some product categories aren’t even assembled here at all.) For example, the only US-assembled smartphone is the Liberty Phone, but it’s not made entirely with US-sourced parts. It retails for $1,999. Compare that to Purism’s own China-assembled Librem 5, an almost identical handset. It goes for $799.
In other words, you’ll have trouble finding any totally US-built products to buy (or that you can afford).
8. 3D Print the Products You Need at Home
Never buy a whistle or Yoda head again… (Credit: Molly Flores)
Freelancer Eric Ravenscraft recently wrote a story for PCMag on how he’s using his elderly, nearly forgotten 3D printer to offset costs by printing items he’d otherwise buy.
He says a couple of things have changed. One, 3D printing is much better and cheaper than it used to be. And it’s easy to find projects worth printing in giant online libraries like MakerWorld and Thingiverse. Another issue is that tariffs make small items, which can be made at home with inexpensive filament or resin, too expensive to purchase in stores.
It might not be worth buying a brand-new 3D printer to go down this road, but consider it if you have one gathering dust in the garage.
About Our Expert
Eric Griffith
Senior Editor, Features
Experience
I’ve been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally since 1992, more than half of that time with PCMag. I arrived at the end of the print era of PC Magazine as a senior writer. I served for a time as managing editor of business coverage before settling back into the features team for the last decade and a half. I write features on all tech topics, plus I handle several special projects, including the Readers’ Choice and Business Choice surveys and yearly coverage of the Best ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs, Best Products of the Year, and Best Brands (plus the Best Brands for Tech Support, Longevity, and Reliability).
I started in tech publishing right out of college, writing and editing stories about hardware and development tools. I migrated to software and hardware coverage for families, and I spent several years exclusively writing about the then-burgeoning technology called Wi-Fi. I was on the founding staff of several magazines, including Windows Sources, FamilyPC, and Access Internet Magazine. All of which are now defunct, and it’s not my fault. I have freelanced for publications as diverse as Sony Style, Playboy.com, and Flux. I got my degree at Ithaca College in, of all things, television/radio. But I minored in writing so I’d have a future.
In my long-lost free time, I wrote some novels, a couple of which are not just on my hard drive: BETA TEST (“an unusually lighthearted apocalyptic tale,” according to Publishers’ Weekly) and a YA book called KALI: THE GHOSTING OF SEPULCHER BAY. Go get them on Kindle.
I work from my home in Ithaca, NY, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.
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