What should I stock up on before winter?

The things that run out on the first cold snap: ice melt, winter washer fluid, antifreeze, furnace filters, hand and toe warmers, wool socks and hot cocoa. Buying before the first storm avoids empty shelves and rush prices.

When is the best time to buy winter supplies?

Before the first freeze, when stores are not yet picked over. Black Friday sales can also cut prices on these items. Compare today's price per unit with the listing's 90-day low to see if a sale is real.

Is the biggest bag of ice melt always the cheapest per pound?

Often, but not always. Price per unit compares bags and jugs of any size fairly, so check it before you pick the biggest one.

Winter Stock-Up List: Cold Weather Essentials Per Unit

Prices as of Nov 13, 11:35 AM UTC

Quick answer

Winter supplies sell out on the first cold snap, and prices tend to climb when everyone needs them at once. This list covers eight cold weather essentials, ranked by live price per unit, so you can buy before the rush. It was last checked on Nov 13, 11:35 AM UTC.

Ice Melt: which are real 90-day lows

Real 90-day low
Premium Ice Melt, Blue (50 lb Bag) – Fast-Acting...
90-day low $0.037 per oz
$0.037 per oz
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Snow Joe 2 Pack Enviro Blend Ice Melt & Deicer, Safer for...
90-day low $0.043 per oz
$0.043 per oz
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Snow Joe Premium Enviro Blend Ice Melt & Deicer, Safer for...
90-day low $0.044 per oz
$0.044 per oz
Price history View on Amazon

See every Ice Melt ranked live

Windshield Washer Fluid: which are real 90-day lows

Real 90-day low
HOANK (6 Gallons
90-day low $0.046 per fl oz
$0.046 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Rain-x 2 in 1 All Season (-25) Washer Fluid Net Wt 128 Fl...
90-day low $0.047 per fl oz
$0.047 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
HOANK Power Blast Windshield Washer Fluid, 0°F Protection...
90-day low $0.055 per fl oz
$0.055 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon

See every Windshield Washer Fluid ranked live

Antifreeze & Coolant: which are real 90-day lows

Real 90-day low
SPLASH RV & Marine Antifreeze -50°F Burst Protection, 1...
90-day low $0.047 per fl oz
$0.047 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon
Above its low by 3%
Prime Guard -50°F RV & Marine Premium Antifreeze
90-day low $0.063 per fl oz
$0.065 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Zerex Asian Vehicle Blue Antifreeze Coolant Concentrate 1...
90-day low $0.072 per fl oz
$0.072 per fl oz
Price history View on Amazon

See every Antifreeze & Coolant ranked live

Furnace & HVAC Air Filters: which are real 90-day lows

Real 90-day low
Amazon Basics MERV 5 AC Furnace Air Filter, 16x25x1 inches...
90-day low $4.50 per filter
$4.50 per filter
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Filtrete 16x25x1 Air Filter, MERV 5, MPR 300, 6 HVAC Filters
90-day low $5.00 per filter
$5.00 per filter
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Amazon Basics 16x25x1 Air Filter 6-Pack, MERV 11 AC Furnace...
90-day low $5.73 per filter
$5.73 per filter
Price history View on Amazon

See every Furnace & HVAC Air Filters ranked live

Hand Warmers: which are real 90-day lows

Above its low by 17%
HotHands Hand Warmers Bulk Pack, 40 Pairs
90-day low $0.57 per pair
$0.67 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Above its low by 20%
HotHands Hand Warmers Value Pack, 10 Pairs
90-day low $0.75 per pair
$0.90 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Above its low by 20%
Hand Warmers Rechargeable 2 Pack, 4-Levels 104°F to 131°F...
90-day low $12.27 per pair
$14.70 per pair
Price history View on Amazon

See every Hand Warmers ranked live

Toe Warmers: which are real 90-day lows

Real 90-day low
Toe Warmers for Feet – 50 Pairs (100 Warmers) 10+ Hour...
90-day low $0.66 per pair
$0.66 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Above its low by 15%
HotHands Toe Warmers Bulk Pack, 72 Pair
90-day low $0.67 per pair
$0.77 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Above its low by 2%
HotHands Toe Warmers Bulk Pack, 40 Pair
90-day low $0.79 per pair
$0.81 per pair
Price history View on Amazon

See every Toe Warmers ranked live

Wool Socks: which are real 90-day lows

Above its low
Wool Socks for Women Winter Warm Cozy Thick Hiking Boot...
90-day low $1.50 per pair
$1.50 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
LKV 5 Pairs Wool Socks for Women
90-day low $2.00 per pair
$2.00 per pair
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Welwoos Merino Wool Socks for Men Thermal Winter Warm...
90-day low $3.40 per pair
$3.40 per pair
Price history View on Amazon

See every Wool Socks ranked live

Hot Cocoa K-Cups: which are real 90-day lows

Above its low by 11%
Amazon Grocery, Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Pods, 12.7 Oz, 24...
90-day low $0.36 per pod
$0.40 per pod
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Victor Allen's Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa, 42 Count, Single...
90-day low $0.63 per pod
$0.63 per pod
Price history View on Amazon
Real 90-day low
Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Keurig Single-Serve K...
90-day low $0.71 per pod
$0.71 per pod
Price history View on Amazon

See every Hot Cocoa K-Cups ranked live

The price to beat

For every listing below, the price to beat is its own lowest price per unit in the last 90 days. When today's price is at or under that number, it is a real deal. When it is higher, wait or pick another listing.

How many are at a real low

Ice melt: 3 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Windshield washer fluid: 3 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Antifreeze: 2 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Furnace filters: 3 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Hand warmers: 0 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Toe warmers: 1 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Wool socks: 2 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.
Hot cocoa K-Cups: 2 of the top 3 listings are at their 90-day low.

What to check before you buy

Ice melt: check the label for the lowest temperature it works at, and pick a pet safe blend if you have dogs.
Washer fluid: buy a winter blend rated for freezing weather. Summer fluid can freeze in the lines.
Antifreeze: match the type your car's manual names. Mixing types can cause problems.
Furnace filters: match the size printed on your old filter exactly. A cheap filter in the wrong size is no deal.
Hand and toe warmers: they keep for years if the packets stay sealed, so a big box can last more than one winter.

How much to buy

Buy enough for one winter, not more. Ice melt and washer fluid keep well if they stay dry and sealed. Furnace filters go by size and how often you change them, so count the months until spring. Hot cocoa pods carry a best-by date, so check it on the listing.

More winter help

Prices change during the day, so confirm the price on Amazon before you order. Check any Amazon link with the deal checker, see the Black Friday page for more checked deals, and read how Dealophant calculates price per unit.

Common questions

What should I stock up on before winter?: The things that run out on the first cold snap: ice melt, winter washer fluid, antifreeze, furnace filters, hand and toe warmers, wool socks and hot cocoa. Buying before the first storm avoids empty shelves and rush prices.
When is the best time to buy winter supplies?: Before the first freeze, when stores are not yet picked over. Black Friday sales can also cut prices on these items. Compare today's price per unit with the listing's 90-day low to see if a sale is real.
Is the biggest bag of ice melt always the cheapest per pound?: Often, but not always. Price per unit compares bags and jugs of any size fairly, so check it before you pick the biggest one.