“The best time to buy a TV is Spring time, leading up to the Super Bowl, and Black Friday”
When is the best time to buy a TV? I’m asked that question more than any other.
You can find television sales almost at any time during the year. Before you start shopping and whip out your credit card, there is something you need to know. If you want to find the absolute best deals on new HDTVs in 2021, you need to plan to purchase during the five times a year listed below.
The good news is each opportunity is spread out over the course of the year. So you are never far away from a great bargain on new HDTVs. Read our tv buying guide below to find out the 5 best times the smartest buyers can save some serious money when buying a new TV – and what time of year to avoid shopping!
1. When New Models Are Released
When: Spring – typically March and April
Most television manufacturers unveil their newest HDTV models at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. This puts incredible pressure on retailers to thin out last year’s leftover televisions to make space for this year’s sets.
In order to make room for new models, manufacturers and retailers tend to slash prices on current inventory items. That’s terrific news for you. It is a super time to get last years brand new 4K LED, OLED, or QLED TV at a big discount.
However, if your looking for a deal on the newly released HDTV technology, now is not the time to shop. If you want to be the top dog on the street with the latest and greatest HDTV, go ahead and rush to the store in March and April.
2. Leading Up To The Super Bowl
When: January and early February
The biggest game of the year kicks off some of the biggest TV savings you?ll find all year long. Why does the Super Bowl equal winning deep television discounts?
Three Reasons:
- The Super Bowl is the perfect event to highlight the highest resolutions and the largest screens for massive Super Bowl parties.
- The Super Bowl kicks off just a few weeks after the annual CES in early January.
- Retailers are clearing out last year’s inventory, left over from Black Friday/Cyber Monday and Christmas sales, to make room for the newly announced models that arrive in stores starting in March.
To encourage you to upgrade your old set prior to the big game, both retail and online stores offer substantial discounts on stock HDTVs. Our guide will show you how to score the best Super Bowl TV Deals.
3. Amazon Prime Day
When: mid July
Prime Day, is Amazon’s way of creating it’s very own annual holiday. The company boasts Amazon Prime Day rivals Black Friday deals. It’s a fire sale on many stock items in virtually every Amazon category. TVs can be a huge part of the advertised savings.
This makes it a great time to score a new set. The only downside is the discounts are:
- Exclusive to Amazon Prime members
- Traditionally feature cheaper flat screen models (be sure to read the actual customer reviews)
Historically, the annual event is in mid-July. Check out our Prime Day TV deals to discover some of the best Amazon HDTV prices.
4. The Dog Days of Summer
When: August
Is the summer a good time to purchase a TV on sale? According to a Bloomberg report, based upon data from analytics firm Indix, August is the best month of the year to buy a TV.
Why August? It is the continual cycle of out with the old and in with the new. As mentioned earlier, new television sets are introduced near the end of the first quarter.
The beginning of the year kick starts the first round of sales for last years HDTV models. In February, the Super Bowl is the biggest sales event for new televisions during the first half of the year.
By July, if older models are still setting in inventory, retailers get desperate to clean off the shelves to make room for 2021 models prior to the year-end holiday season. Look for deep discounts leading up to and during Back to School sales.
If you’re content with the best big-screen technology of the previous Holiday season, youll be able to save a bundle of money in August.
5. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (The Holiday Season)
When:Thanksgiving week thru the following Monday
Is Black Friday the best time to buy a new TV? The answer is Yes and No. It depends on where you shop. Based on the aggregated deal data of all HDTV merchants, Black Friday represents the 2nd best time of the year to save big on a new HDTV.
However, an Amazon spokesperson says the holiday season is the best time to purchase a new television at Amazon.com. “Particularly the weeks of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when customers can discover a wide range of TV brands available at great prices.”
“The best times to buy a new TV at Amazon is Black Friday and Cyber Monday”
Amazon spokesperson
Amazon isn’t the only electronics retailer offering deep discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday TV deals. Major stores compete heavily for shoppers dollars.
Some monitor competitors prices continually throughout the day. According to a Consumer Reports pricing analysis of Black Friday promotions, some televisions have sold for as low as 50% of their original retail price.
Some HDTV manufacturers create special models specifically for the Black Friday shopping season. Deirdre Kennedy of Gap Intelligence claims, “Samsung regularly releases a new TV model for the holidays, which comes in a range of sizes and offers the most competitive prices from the brand all year.”
These sets, called derivatives, will be similar to current HDTV series but have fewer features. These stripped-down TVs are sold at bargain prices. If you do a search by model number and can’t find it sold elsewhere, It is probably a derivative specific to the retailer.
If you missed out on all the slashed prices on Black Friday, Cyber Monday (the first Monday after Thanksgiving each year) offers some great opportunities to snag a deal on all types and sizes of HDTVs. Be sure to troll all the major television retailers for the best money savings.
When is the Best Time to Buy a TV in 2022
To summarize, Spring is the best time to buy a TV in 2022. Followed by Black Friday and the days leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.
When is the Worst Time to Buy a TV
The worst time to buy TVs is right after the new modes are launched. Prices on newly released models are not typically discounted more than 10% of their original list price until 5 or 6 months after their launch dates.
You don’t see signification reductions of 20% or more until 12 months after the model’s release.
What About the Best HDTV Sales Other Times of the Year?
You’ll find the deepest price cuts during late summer and the Black Friday holiday season. However, it’s easy to find a TV sale almost any time of the year.
Father’s Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day can be excellent times to find deals on new HDTV models. There are even sales on New Years Day, Mother’s Day, and Halloween. The little industry secret is; there is TV sale almost year round.
Special sporting events, like the World Cup, the Olympics, and March Madness can also be a great time to shop. It’s possible to find deals most times of the year.
Best Place To Buy A TV
Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon are the big 3 when it comes to TV bargains. No other retailers can match their size and scope.
The are also fiercely competitive with one another. Walmart and Best Buy will price match what you find on Amazon. With all that being said, the big 3 do not always have the deepest markdowns.
Here is our short list of trusted TV retailers to shop:
- Amazon
- Best Buy
- Walmart
- NewEgg
- PCRush
- Abe’s of Maine
- PC Mall
- Tech For Less
Best Tips To Save Even More Money
Here are more smart tips to save on your next HDTV purchase.
Research Multiple Outlets
To get the best deal on TVs you should allow yourself a little extra time and check out both in-store and online electronic retailers. It is easier to just visit Amazon or Best Buy, but I recommend you travel to your local retailer and check out more sources to compare prices.
Find Open-Box Models
Open Box sets have been previously purchased and returned to the store. These TVs are generally brand new but sold at a discount. If your on a tight budget, display models can also bring much deeper savings.
Purchase Refurbished
Refurbished TVs didn’t work properly out of the box or had a cosmetic defect. They were returned to the manufacturer to be repaired with original manufacturer parts.
I’ve purchased refurbished models and enjoyed years of uninterrupted viewing. Carefully read the reviews of the seller and model offered. Double check that the television has a full new warranty, and you should be good to go.
Buy A Discounted Gift Card
Once you’ve decided on the best TV you want to purchase and the store you want to get it from, see if you can snag a discounted gift card for the store. You can snag gift cards below face value from websites like CardPool.com, and GiftCardGranny.com. You can typically find gift cards at a 10% to 30% discount. It’s almost like getting free money to finance your next purchase!
Get A 30 Day Price Match Guarantee
After all your research, if you’re still worried about overpaying, check the retailer’s price match or money back policy. Many of the bigger stores offer a price match guarantee for a limited period of time. Read the fine print, some exclude purchases during sales, like Black Friday, are excluded from a price match guarantee.
Follow Social Accounts
Many times retailers notify their followers of promotions and special offers before announcing to the general public. The occasionally provide rewards to those that follow them or like their social posts.
Before you start shopping, honestly assess your entertainment needs and desires. Will you be streaming media services, playing video games, or watching Blu-ray discs. Do you need 4K or will a standard UHD TV meet your needs.
Where will you place the HDTV? How big a TV do you need? Will it be on a table stand or wall mounted?
There are a lot of factors to consider. Once you’ve narrowed down your top TV choices, the final step is to start shopping.
Now Start Shopping!
As with any sizeable purchase, a little patience can go a long way to help you save major money on a new TV. With a little research, you can compare offers and find the best price on the HDTV of your choice and not break your budget.
To good news is, if you just can’t wait, there is rarely a bad time to invest in a new flat screen. Prices drop throughout the year. Now that you know the best time of year to buy a TV, get your credit cards out, and start shopping.
Common Questions
When will tv prices drop in 2022
You will see the deepest drops leading up to the Super Bowl, in the spring right after new models are released, and during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday shopping season. Amazon Prime Day and during August is a good time to find deals on closeout models.
Is Costco a good place to buy a tv
Costco is a good place to buy a new television both in stores and online. Costco represents fewer brands and models than you’ll find at electronics specialty stores such as Best Buy or the online giant Amazon.
When do new TVs come out in 2022?
Most major tv manufacturers unveil their newest model HDTVs at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which usually happens in early January.
