There’s a good chance that shopping for your essential items is about to get more expensive.
Even amid ongoing questions about their legality, President Donald Trump's long-talked-about tariffs are in effect. Most imports to the U.S. have a baseline 10% tariff rate, with the average tariff rate having increased to over 17% — the highest we've seen since 1935, according to Yale's Budget Lab.
In some parts of the world, tariff rates on imports have risen as high as 50%. Select goods from major trading partners, like Canada, China and more are now subject to tariffs ranging from 25 to 35%.
A federal appeals court recently ruled that Trump exceeded his authority by implementing the tariffs. The Supreme Court has granted the administration's request and agreed to hear the appeal. But in the meantime, the tariffs still remain in place.
With so many of these tariff rates recently implemented after months of uncertainty, and their future still up in the air, we have yet to discover the full impact that they will have. However, in the past few months, brands have already begun to feel the effects, with companies like Walmart, Costco and Best Buy, as well as some Amazon sellers, already raising prices; or worse, being forced to cut jobs like Procter & Gamble.
Below, we spoke with experts to answer all of your questions about the products that are likely to be the most impacted — and what might be worth grabbing now.
What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes that an entity must pay when its goods are imported into a foreign country, says Jason Miller, a professor and interim chairperson of the department of supply chain management at Michigan State University. “Tariffs are paid based on the customs value of the imported goods.”
How will the tariffs affect prices?
According to The Budget Lab at Yale, the tariffs could cost households an average of as much as $2,400 this year. The items that will likely be the most affected are shoes and clothing (the organization estimates that consumers could see up to 40% higher shoe prices and 38% higher apparel prices in the short run), as well as food, electronics, cars and more.
Some goods, like some smartphones, select gas and oil, will be exempt due to pre-existing trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, per NBC News.
The higher tariffs on major trading partners, China in particular, are concerning. The country is responsible for a large share of imports to the U.S., which Miller says includes small electronics like microwaves, mixers, blenders, curling irons, light fixtures, among other tech items, as well as toys and baby strollers and plenty more products.
With the higher price of importing these items, two main scenarios are possible: The companies that are importing the goods will cover the additional costs, completely or to an extent, or it will fall to the consumer.
“Ultimately, people are in business to make money,” says shopping expert Trae Bodge. “And so what we think will happen, in most cases, is that that additional cost will filter down to the customer, which is why everyone is so concerned.”
How much these tariffs might affect the prices of everyday items depends on a number of factors, which Miller explains include the margins made by exporters, importers and final sellers, the availability of alternative sourcing locations, as well as the size of the tariff.
For example, Miller shared with us that the previous 145% China tariffs on small electrical appliances like microwave ovens and hair dryers, or on baby strollers were likely to double (or nearly double) the prices of these items, simply because of their size.
What products are affected by tariffs?
Unfortunately, most products will likely be impacted.
“It’s so broad right now,” Bodge says. “What I’m hearing are the most problematic categories are things like electronics, and that includes everything from laptops to home appliances, and then clothing, shoes, toys, food — and that bleeds into wine, coffee — and also cars.”
While buying from American brands may help you avoid some additional costs, it’s not always so clear-cut. “Things are made with multiple parts and many parts are made in other countries. And those parts, we are not set up to make here,” she shares.
What should you buy now?
Hearing all this might lead you to immediately start filling up your cart with your favorite products and big purchases. But before you do that, take a breath. Bodge says it’s not the time to “panic-buy.”
Instead, think about the things that you might need in the coming months — things that need to be replaced, gifts you may need to give. Bodge says that if you are going to buy anything right now, it should be “bigger ticket” items, but only the ones you really need. For example, she has been thinking about getting a new mattress for her daughter’s room, so it may be a good idea to get it now before prices rise.
Many of the things mentioned before, like small electronics and baby items, which are made in China are expected to increase in price.
So if you’re thinking about buying those birthday gifts now, replacing some of your well-loved items or have had your eye on some new tech, here are the items to consider buying before potential price increases.
Best tech to buy now
With TVs potentially rising in price, it may not be the right time to purchase a new one. However, you can still upgrade your setup for an affordable price with this Fire TV Stick. It has more than 14,000 five-star ratings from shoppers, with people saying that it’s easy to set up and operate.
Apple does not have mass production in the U.S. and most of its products are manufactured in China, India and Vietnam. The brand’s AirPods 4 are an editor favorite, thanks to the noise cancellation features and high-quality sound.
“My absolute favorite setting that these AirPods offer is conversation awareness, which lowers the volume of the media that you’re listening to when it detects that you’re speaking with someone,” shares social associate editor Dani Musacchio. “Gone are the days of having to awkwardly shuffle to remove your AirPods from your ears to hear the person you’re talking to.”
Nintendo’s new Switch 2 officially released on June 5 at a price of $449.99 (a cost the brand previously announced in a statement it would stay when it began pre-orders on April 24). However, there have already been some price changes to the accessories due to market changes. Additionally, Nintendo shared that adjustments “to the price of any Nintendo product” are possible in the future.
That being said, if there are any Nintendo items on your list, you might want to add them to your cart now. This compact, lightweight version of the brand’s popular device currently retails for under $200 and allows you to play all your favorite games, no matter where you are.
If you’ve been using an outdated tablet and have been thinking about upgrading, consider grabbing Apple’s most recent model while it’s on sale. According to the brand, it has a Liquid Retina display, which features True Tone to automatically adjust the display to suit the color temperature of the room, so you can stream movies and TV shows in any light. You can also set it up with Touch ID for additional security.
Senior editor Jess Bender is planning to replace her 10-year-old MacBook before any potential price increases. This new version of the Apple MacBook Air is said to feature a powerful processing chip that allows for speedy streaming, surfing, gaming and more.
According to the brand, the Liquid Retina display supports 1 billion colors, so pictures and videos show up vivid and bright. It fits into the Apple ecosystem, so if you connect your iPhone, you can answer texts and calls, mirror your screen and more.
Best toys to buy now
Executives from Mattel (which manufactures toys in countries like Mexico, Malaysia and China) have previously shared that there may be potential price increases to its toys, which include Barbie and Hot Wheels.
This playset is a bestseller and comes with all the accessories they need to help Barbie nail her gymnastics routine.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Chris Cocks, the chief executive of Hasbro, has shared that the company may need to consider raising prices on certain products if the tariffs hold. (Around 40% of its U.S. sales come from China.) The company’s brands range from popular options like Nerf, Furby, Baby Alive and more.
That means that this cute, classic toy could be getting more expensive in the future. It has plenty of interactive features, including English and Furbish responses, dance moves and lights.
Lego has manufacturing and production facilities in a number of countries, including China, Mexico and Denmark, and the company just opened a new Vietnam factory this year.
Many members of our team are fans of the brand’s sets, particularly its adult-friendly floral options. Bender spent an afternoon putting this set together with her boyfriend and said that the results were “breathtaking.” “Despite the 770+ pieces it came with, it felt pretty easy to tackle over the span of a few hours thanks to the clear directions and separate brick baggies that it came with,” she shared.
Best apparel to buy now
Gap Inc., which includes Gap, along with sister brands Old Navy, Athleta and Banana Republic, has factories in China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia, among other countries.
This shirt is the perfect everyday essential that you can easily style with your favorite jeans or skirt.
The already-expensive sneaker industry is likely to be impacted, as many popular brands manufacture their shoes in other countries. For example, Adidas sources most of its footwear from Vietnam, as well as China and Indonesia.
Its Samba shoes are a popular option, as they fit the slim sneaker trend that’s everywhere right now. Production coordinator Camryn Privette has owned hers for a year and still swears by them. “Since I walk over an average of 8,000 steps a day, I need shoes that not only walk the walk but talk the talk. And after countless wears, these definitely deliver!”
While Brooks does some of its final assembly and material and component manufacturing in the U.S., it also works with factories across Asia and North and Central America, including Vietnam, China, El Salvador, Taiwan and more.
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy has run multiple races, including marathons, 5Ks, 10Ks and even some triathlons in Brooks’ Ghost sneakers. “While these shoes have joined me for thousands of miles on runs and walks, they aren’t only for pacing. They have also made appearances in HIIT and boot camp-style workout classes. Whether I’m toeing the start line of a marathon or strolling through Central Park on a lazy Sunday morning, these are the shoes I always reach for.”
I’ve been a fan of Hoka’s sneakers for a long time — and I recently compared the brand’s popular Clifton sneakers to a bestselling pair from Asics and these shoes were my clear favorite.
They provide shock absorption and cushioning with each step, making them a great choice for walks, runs and even casual errands. They have a MetaRocker, so steps feel smooth and natural and you transition from your heel to your toe.
Best home items to buy now
Both experts emphasized the fact that home appliances would likely be heavily impacted by the tariffs, so if you have a kitchen gadget or a larger machine, like a dishwasher or washing machine that’s on its way out, this would be a good time to replace it.
Air fryers have become a popular choice for those hoping to make their favorite snacks or crispy bites using less oil. This 9-in-1 device is designed to roast, air fry, bake and dehydrate all kinds of foods.
Mattresses might also see a price increase so if you're looking to get a new one, now might be the time. This one is a favorite of commerce writer Danielle Murphy.
“I’ve had this mattress for maybe six years, and it’s still so incredibly comfortable. It’s made with a cozy adaptive foam, which is meant to accommodate back and stomach sleepers (I fall into the latter category),” she says. “I convinced my sister and her husband to order one, and they love it too.”
Will toilet paper be affected by the tariffs?
It’s not just the large items that might be affected by these tariffs; smaller household essentials could be as well. With potential increased costs on wood, bamboo, shea butter and more, things like toilet paper, diapers, lotion and shampoo may go up in price, CNBC previously reported.
However, Bodge stresses that filling your cart in a panic is not a good strategy. “The cost of your toilet paper might go up 30 cents, it’s exponential. I just don’t think it’s worth going to Costco and buying 36 rolls, unless you have a big family and you would normally do that anyway,” she says. “A lot of Americans are on a very tight budget, so these conversations around panic-buying really concern me. Because if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, you can’t rush out and fill your car at Costco, it’s a big hit on your monthly budget.”
Is Walmart affected by tariffs?
Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey told CNBC in May that the retailer would likely start increasing prices later in in the month due to the tariffs, adding that there may be increases in June.
According to a CNBC analysis last month, some prices on household essentials at the retailer have, in fact, increased.
Frequently asked questions
Many of the changes depend on the outcomes of the current negotiations. However, Miller says, "I expect these tariffs will start to affect prices by June or July for many consumer items like small electronic appliances and motor vehicles."
Now is the time to really lean into using smart savings strategies, Bodge says. If you are buying a splurge item, certain retailers have credit cards with introductory offers that include 0% APR for a given period of time, which she says may give you some more "wiggle room" and extra time to pay off the item that you need. Others will give you increased cash back or other rewards that can help cut the cost.
She suggests using a coupon site to ensure you're getting deals wherever possible. (The Shop TODAY Savings extension can help with that.)
How we chose
We spoke with financial and shopping experts about the items that they expect may be impacted by tariffs. We used their guidance to highlight the expert-approved or top-rated items that may be worth buying before any potential price increases.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jason Miller, PhD, is a professor and interim chairperson of the department of supply chain management at the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. His areas of expertise include entrepreneurship, motor carrier safety and supply management and procurement.
- Trae Bodge is a smart shopping expert and founder of True Trae. She is a frequent media contributor and provides tips and insights on how to save money and get more value from your purchases.
