Best time to buy a laptop depends on your timing and patience. Most shoppers overpay simply because they buy when they need one. Smart buyers plan around predictable sale cycles instead. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart follow the same discount calendar every year.
The biggest savings happen during Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, and back-to-school season. You can save 20% to 50% off retail prices during these windows. In 2026, laptop prices have climbed 20% to 40% due to tariffs and memory shortages. That makes timing your purchase even more important this year. This guide breaks down every month so you know exactly when to click “buy.
Best Time to Buy a Laptop: Month-by-Month Calendar
Not every month offers equal savings. Some months deliver deep discounts on last-generation models. Others are full-price traps when new releases hit shelves. Use this calendar to plan your purchase around the best time to buy a laptop in any season.
| Month | Deal Quality | Key Events | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Post-holiday clearance, CES announcements | 20–35% off |
| February | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Presidents’ Day sales | Up to 47% off |
| March | ⭐⭐ | Spring sales (limited) | 10–15% off |
| April | ⭐⭐ | New model launches begin | 10–15% off |
| May | ⭐⭐⭐ | Memorial Day weekend | 15–25% off |
| June | ⭐⭐ | Pre-Prime Day teasers | 10–20% off |
| July | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Amazon Prime Day, back-to-school starts | 20–50% off |
| August | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Back-to-school peak | 15–40% off |
| September | ⭐ | New models at full MSRP | 0–10% off |
| October | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Amazon Prime Big Deal Days | 20–45% off |
| November | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Black Friday, Cyber Monday | 20–50% off |
| December | ⭐⭐⭐ | Last-minute holiday deals | 15–30% off |
July and November are tied for the best time to buy a laptop overall. Both months consistently deliver the deepest discounts across all major retailers. January and February also rank high thanks to post-holiday clearance inventory. September is the worst month to buy. New models launch at full price and retailers pull back on promotions.
Holiday Sales and Events: When the Best Time to Buy a Laptop Lines Up With Big Discounts
Presidents’ Day (February): Best Buy runs aggressive laptop promotions during this weekend. Discounts reach up to 47% off select models. This is a strong time to grab business laptops and ultrabooks. It’s an underrated best time to buy a laptop for professionals.
Memorial Day (May): Savings are moderate at 15% to 25% off. Walmart and Best Buy feature laptops in their weekend circulars. This event works best if you need a laptop soon and cannot wait for summer deals. It’s not the absolute best time to buy a laptop, but it beats paying full price.
Amazon Prime Day (July): Prime Day has become a top-tier laptop sale event. Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, and Samsung models drop 20% to 50% off. Best Buy and Walmart run competing sales the same week. Many deal experts now consider July the best time to buy a laptop for students. Back-to-school demand drives retailers to match Amazon’s prices.
Prime Big Deal Days (October): Amazon added a second Prime event in fall. Discounts range from 20% to 45% off. Walmart counters with its “Deals for Days” event offering up to 75% off select electronics. This October event is a strong best time to buy a laptop before the holiday rush.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November): These remain the deepest discount days of the year. Costco offers up to $550 off Dell, Apple, and Lenovo machines. Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart all compete with doorbuster pricing. Black Friday is still the best time to buy a laptop if maximum savings is your priority. Cyber Monday extends the deals online for another 48 hours.
Pro Tips for Finding the Best Time to Buy a Laptop Outside Peak Sales
Watch new model release cycles. Intel launched Core Ultra 300 processors in spring 2026. AMD’s Ryzen AI 400 series arrived around the same time. Apple released M5 MacBooks in March 2026. When new models hit shelves, last-generation laptops drop 15% to 30% at retailers clearing inventory. That transition window is a hidden best time to buy a laptop.
Use price tracking tools. Set up alerts on CamelCamelCamel for Amazon price history. Check Google Shopping to compare prices across stores instantly. Browser extensions like Honey and Capital One Shopping apply coupons automatically. These tools help you verify whether a “sale” price is actually the lowest. Many Black Friday deals match prices that appeared earlier in the year.
Consider refurbished and open-box options. Best Buy’s open-box inventory saves 10% to 20% year-round. Amazon Renewed offers certified refurbished laptops with warranties. Best Buy Outlet is worth checking any month. This strategy works when the best time to buy a laptop doesn’t align with your schedule. You get near-new quality at sale-level prices without waiting.
Stack discounts when possible. Costco members get extended warranties included in the purchase price. Student discount programs from Apple, Dell, and Lenovo save an extra 5% to 15%. Credit card cashback portals add another 2% to 5% back. Combining these with a sale event turns a good deal into a great one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Friday still the best time to buy a laptop in 2026?
Black Friday remains one of the best times, but it’s no longer the only top option. Amazon Prime Day in July now matches or beats many Black Friday laptop deals. The best time to buy a laptop is whichever event comes first after you start shopping. Both July and November deliver 20% to 50% savings at major retailers.
What is the worst month to buy a laptop?
September is consistently the worst month. New models launch at full retail price. Retailers rarely offer promotions because back-to-school season just ended. If you need a laptop in September, look for open-box deals or last-generation clearance models instead of buying new at full price.
Should I wait for a sale or buy a laptop now?
Check how close you are to the next major sale event. If Prime Day or Black Friday is within six weeks, waiting is worth it. If the next big sale is months away, use price tracking tools and buy when you see a 15% or greater discount. The best time to buy a laptop is when preparation meets a genuine deal.
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Resources
- FTC Shopping Guide: consumer.ftc.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov
- Better Business Bureau: bbb.org
Content last reviewed April 2026. Prices, policies, and programs may change. Always verify current details with the retailer. If you notice outdated info, please contact us.