Tools & DIY • By Sarah Maloney, Deals Director • Updated September 2026
Home Depot Special Buy vs. Lowe's Clearance: Power Tool & Appliance Strategy
Power tools and major appliances represent major household investments. Knowing how Home Depot and Lowe's run their daily clearance promotions can save you hundreds of dollars on Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Ryobi hardware.
The "Special Buy of the Day" Mechanics
The Home Depot rotates online-exclusive Special Buy of the Day promotions daily at 03:00 AM EST. These offers frequently bundle cordless brushless tools with free high-capacity battery kits:
- "Buy a Tool, Get a Battery Free" (BOGO Promotions): The single most cost-effective way to enter a 18V/20V battery platform.
- Holiday Starter Kits: During Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday seasons, combo kits drop up to 50% below individual component costs.
Reading the Price Tags (The Ending Digits Code)
Both retailers use internal price ending digits to communicate discount status to floor associates:
- Prices ending in .00 or .06: Deep final markdown clearance at The Home Depot. Once inventory hits this price, it rarely drops further.
- Yellow Tags ending in .97: Lowe's national clearance marker. Indicates discontinued inventory scheduled for liquidation.
Track Tools & Hardware Clearance
Verified discounts on DeWalt, Milwaukee, Craftsman, and Ryobi.