Tariffs are now in effect — here's what you should buy before brands raises prices

NBC News

09-04-2025

Pretty soon, it will be nearly impossible to avoid tariff-related price hikes while shopping. A universal 10% tariff on all countries is officially in effect, and many U.S. trading partners could face higher reciprocal tariffs after a 90-day pause. We don't know what the exact impacts of these tariffs will be, but one thing is for sure: Almost everything you buy is likely to get more expensive in the coming months, says Dr. Ross Steinman, a professor of consumer psychology at Widener University.
To help you plan your spending, I talked to experts about what they recommend buying before brands and retailers raise prices. Experts also answered frequently asked questions about tariffs and shared tips for saving money.
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What to buy before tariff-related price hikes roll out
Tariffs only apply to imported goods, so prices on products currently in U.S. warehouses probably won't shoot up just yet. Because of this, now is the best time to buy anything on your wishlist or that you've been saving up for — that's especially true for already costly items produced abroad, including tech, appliances, furniture and cars, as well as clothing, shoes and groceries, says Vipin Porwal, the CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty.
Also, remember that even if a product is manufactured in the U.S., many companies will soon face increased production costs. They often import materials like fabric, batteries and microchips from foreign countries, so expect increased prices on domestically made goods, too.
Below, I rounded up examples of products you should consider buying before tariff-related price hikes roll out. They're all NBC Select staff picks and manufactured in countries subject to universal tariffs, some of which could soon face higher reciprocal tariffs. China is already facing higher tariffs.
Apple makes most of its hardware in China and produces devices in India and Vietnam, like iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and AirPods. NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz, who tested Apple's AirPods 4 for two months, says they're a small, comfortable pair you can rely on daily. 'These are the best earbuds for anyone who hates the feeling of rubber eartips clogging their eardrums,' he says. 'They also have new features like dust and water resistance, and adaptive audio, which automatically switches between noise cancellation modes.'
Nintendo is launching the Switch 2 on June 5, and while pre-orders were initially slated to start on Apr. 9, the company pushed them back due to the 'potential impact of tariffs.' The original Nintendo Switch is a beloved handheld gaming console among the NBC Select staff — if it's on your wishlist and in your budget right now, we recommend buying it since it's made in countries like China and Vietnam. The Nintendo Switch has two detachable Joy-Con controllers and three play modes: TV, handheld and tabletop. It's also designed with built-in motion controls that immerse you in games.
Google Pixel Watch 3
This is one of our favorite smartwatches, and it recently won an NBC Select Wellness Award. Like other Google Pixel products, it's made in China and Vietnam. Rabinowitz says the Pixel Watch 3 is Google's best watch yet, although it's only compatible with Android phones (which are also likely to increase in price soon). It has built-in fitness tracking features, including automatically logging workouts and building custom runs. The water-resistant watch has a 24-hour battery life, according to the brand, and collects data about your sleep.
Clothes and shoes
Levi's 501 Original Fit Jeans
'I've been wearing a pair of Levi's 501's for over 6 years now,' says NBC Select editor Jordan Bowman. 'I love the classic, straight fit because it works for almost every outfit, and the cut is honestly timeless. There's a reason these are one of most iconic pairs of denim of all time.' This pair of 501s, available in men's and women's sizes, is made in China.
Gap Organic Cotton VintageSoft T-Shirt
I buy basics from Gap every time they're on sale, including this 100% cotton T-shirt made in India. I plan to add a few more to my closet this spring since you can get three for $45. The shirt has a soft, loose feel, short sleeves and a crewneck. It runs true-to-size, in my experience. I typically wear it tucked into a pair of jeans, and in the colder months, I throw a cardigan over it.
Nike Motiva Walking Shoes
Nike's Motiva walking shoes earned a permanent spot in many of our closets after they won an NBC Select Wellness Award last year. SEO editor Nikki Brown still wears hers — if you want a pair, secure them now since Nike produces footwear, clothing and accessories in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. 'Walking on Motivas is like walking on clouds, in the best way possible,' says Brown. 'My feet are as flat as pancakes, so I love the arch support on these. It's sturdy but not rigid.' Brown wears these sneakers on hikes as well as to run errands, and they've maintained their look and feel after several washes. The shoes are available in men's and women's sizes.
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
We recommend Dyson's vacuums because they have superior suction and make cleaning all floors a breeze. If you have one on your wishlist, now is the time to buy — they're made in China and Malaysia, and are already hundreds of dollars so potential price increases could put them out of your budget. The V8 cordless vacuum runs for about 40 minutes on a single charge, according to the brand, and converts into a handheld vacuum. It comes with a wall dock and charger, as well as accessories like a crevice tool.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Almost every NBC Select staff member has a Ninja appliance in their kitchen, most of which are manufactured in China and Southeast Asia. While we love using the Creami to make frozen treats, we rely most on Ninja's more basic kitchen gadgets, like blenders, air fryers and coffee machines. This air fryer is recommended by Brown, who appreciates that it's easy to use and big enough to feed a few people but compact enough to keep in her tiny kitchen. You can use the appliance to air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate ingredients, and its detachable parts are dishwasher-safe, according to the brand.
Dreo Nomad One Tower Fan
Summer is only a few months away, and by the time temperatures warrant a new fan or air conditioner, some brands will have already increased prices on their foreign-made goods. Prepare for the warm weather by adding cooling appliances to your cart, like this tower fan from Dreo, which is made in China. It has four speeds, 90-degree oscillation and four modes, including sleep and auto.
Furniture and home goods
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
I got an email from Jolie in January about potential price increases if tariffs went into effect. Prices haven't changed on the brand's website yet, so it's best to buy the Jolie Filtered Showerhead (and a few replacement filters) now. I've used the fixture for over a year. It's made my hair and skin noticeably softer since it removes impurities in my shower water, like chlorine, heavy metals and other minerals. The filtered showerhead takes less than five minutes to install and has all the necessary materials.
Ikea Kallax Shelf Unit
Ikea's furniture and home goods are centered around Swedish and Scandinavian designs, but they're manufactured worldwide, like in China, Poland, Italy, Germany and Sweden. If prices increase, buy the dresser, bed frame or lamp you have your eye on now. Rabinowitz's favorite Ikea piece is this shelf, which he has a larger version of. 'This storage shelf has moved with me across three apartments in New York City — it's outlasted couches, mattresses, bed frames and TV stands,' he says. 'It's not going to wow anyone aesthetically, but it is extremely practical.'
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
Many brands, including Casper, assemble their mattresses in the U.S.. Still, they import materials like fabrics, foam and springs from overseas — that could lead to increased production costs for companies, and, in turn, increased prices for shoppers. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio recommends Casper's Original Hybrid Mattress if you need to upgrade soon. 'I bought this mattress in 2021 and it still feels brand new years later,' she says. 'It's semi-firm, which is perfect for my husband and I since we tend to have different preferences. I'm really picky about my mattresses because I'm a very hot sleeper, but this one manages to feel fairly cool and doesn't trap heat, in my experience.'
Making coffee at home rather than buying a cup is a great way to save money, but beans worldwide have already increased in price due to disrupted agricultural production this year — tariffs will only drive prices up more. Bean & Bean, one of our favorite AAPI-owned brands, sent customers a newsletter in March explaining why coffee costs more these days and informed them that it started adjusting pricing in response. Before additional hikes, stock up on your favorite java. I recommend Bean & Bean's Downtown Medium Roast, which is smooth, flavorful and the first thing I think about when I open my eyes every morning.
The price of raw cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, increased 200% year-over-year, according to Adobe Analytics. Like coffee, this is due to disrupted agricultural production, and tariffs increase prices. Chef Jacques Torres told NBC News that he raised prices on his chocolate by 20% in January and anticipates another increase before the end of the year. That said, bakers (and chocolate lovers in general) should buy their favorite cocoa products now.
I reach for extra-virgin olive oil daily while cooking, so before tariffs possibly increase the prices of my favorite European varieties, I'm buying a couple of bottles. Kosterina harvests Koroneiki olives in Greece to make this buttery, peppery EVOO. I use it for sauteing and roasting, as well as to make dressings and marinades.
Frequently asked questions
What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. If a company brings foreign goods into the U.S., it must pay the U.S. government a percentage of those goods. President Donald Trump's tariff plan, which is now in effect, imposes a new 10% universal tariff on all U.S. trade partners. Some countries could face higher reciprocal tariffs after a 90-day pause, and China is currently subject to tariffs over 100%. Learn more about how tariffs work here
Will tariffs raise prices?
Yes, the new tariffs now in effect will likely raise prices for U.S. consumers over time. 'The tariff needs to be absorbed by someone — is it the business or the consumer?,' says Steinman. 'We don't know exactly, but most likely, there will be some absorption occurring at the consumer level.'
Brands may not increase prices right away, however, says Porwal. If they have products in an American warehouse, they could choose to sell off that merchandise at its current price, then import additional goods, which would be impacted by tariffs, and raise prices at that point.
What will tariffs raise prices on?
'In terms of prices and costs going up, it appears that it's going to be almost universal,' says Steinman. 'Right now, it seems like it's not going to be specific to any one category or industry.' That said, price hikes will likely be the most noticeable among categories like groceries, vehicles and auto parts, clothing, shoes, electronics, appliances, furniture and home goods, says Porwal.
Expert tips: How to save right now
Tariffs are causing many people to think about their spending habits and reevaluate their buying. In fact, 49% of U.S. consumers plan to buy less frequently if/when tariffs raise prices, according to Smarty. Here are a few expert tips from Porwal to help you save.
Switch to store brands, which tend to cost less, for everyday essentials like groceries, paper goods and cleaning products
Consider buying secondhand or refurbished items, especially clothing and tech.
Activate cash-back discounts while shopping
Use brands' websites, apps and cash-back extensions to bookmark items you consistently buy or have on your wishlist so you can get alerts about sales
Consider paying for larger purchases with a credit card that lets you earn points toward future rewards
Sign up for loyalty programs at retailers you frequently shop from. Memberships like Amazon Prime, Target Circle and Walmart+ often offer benefits like exclusive deals and free, fast shipping
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm a reporter at NBC Select who's covered sales and deals for 5 years, including topics like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To write this article, I interviewed two experts about what you should buy before brands raise prices due to tariffs, and rounded up a handful of related foreign-made goods the NBC Select staff recommends.