Best time to buy a TV depends on knowing when retailers slash prices. TV deals follow a predictable yearly cycle. The biggest discounts happen during Black Friday, Super Bowl season, and new model clearance periods. Smart shoppers can save 30% to 60% by timing their purchase right. Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart all compete fiercely during these windows. Even mid-range 4K TVs drop by hundreds of dollars. This guide breaks down every major sale event and the best time to buy a TV each month.
Best Time to Buy a TV: Month-by-Month Deal Calendar
The best time to buy a TV shifts throughout the year. Some months deliver jaw-dropping discounts. Others are better for patient shoppers. Use this calendar to plan your purchase around the deepest price cuts.
| Month | Deal Quality | Key Events | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★☆ | Super Bowl sales begin, CES announcements | 20–35% |
| February | ★★★★☆ | Super Bowl weekend, Presidents Day | 20–40% |
| March | ★★★★★ | New models ship, prior-year clearance starts | 25–40% |
| April | ★★★★☆ | Spring clearance continues | 20–35% |
| May | ★★★☆☆ | Memorial Day sales | 15–25% |
| June | ★★☆☆☆ | Quiet period | 10–15% |
| July | ★★★★☆ | Amazon Prime Day | 25–40% |
| August | ★★☆☆☆ | Back-to-school promotions | 10–20% |
| September | ★★☆☆☆ | Labor Day sales | 15–20% |
| October | ★★★☆☆ | Early Black Friday previews | 15–25% |
| November | ★★★★★ | Black Friday, Cyber Monday | 30–60% |
| December | ★★★★☆ | Holiday deals, year-end clearance | 20–40% |
November and March stand out as the two best months. November brings Black Friday mega-deals on current models. March brings clearance pricing on last year’s lineup. Both deliver steep savings. The best time to buy a TV falls squarely in one of these two windows for most shoppers.
Holiday and Event Sales: Exact Dates and Discount Expectations
The best time to buy a TV often aligns with major holidays. Retailers use these events as anchor points for promotions. Each sale has a different character. Some favor budget models. Others discount premium OLEDs and Mini-LEDs.
Super Bowl (early February): This is the unofficial TV shopping holiday. Best Buy has offered 4K OLED TVs starting at $599. Amazon drops smart TVs as low as $59. Sales start in mid-January and run through game day. The best time to buy a TV for sports fans is right here. Presidents Day (mid-February): Discounts reach 20% to 40% at most major retailers. This overlaps with Super Bowl clearance for double savings.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November): This remains the single biggest sale event for TVs. LG OLED models have sold at 50% to 57% off. Samsung flagships drop 35% or more. Budget 55-inch 4K TVs fall below $200. Walmart and Costco both compete aggressively. The best time to buy a TV at rock-bottom prices is Black Friday week. Amazon Prime Day (July): Expect 25% to 40% off mid-range models. Fire TV and Roku-powered sets see the sharpest cuts. This is the best time to buy a TV during the summer months.
Memorial Day (late May): Savings of 15% to 25% are common. This is a good window for those who cannot wait until November. Labor Day (early September): Similar discounts of 15% to 20%. Neither matches the depth of Black Friday or clearance season. However, both beat buying at full retail price.
Pro Tips: New Model Timing, Price Tracking, and Off-Season Strategy
Understanding the new model cycle gives you an edge. TV manufacturers announce new lineups at CES every January. Those models ship to stores by March. That triggers clearance pricing on the previous year’s TVs. Prices on outgoing models can start at $249. The performance gap between model years is often minimal. Buying a 2025 TV in early 2026 is one of the smartest moves. This clearance window is the best time to buy a TV if you value price over newness.
Price tracking tools help you spot deals year-round. Use CamelCamelCamel for Amazon price history. RTINGS.com tracks pricing across all major retailers. Set alerts for your target model. Prices can dip unexpectedly during flash sales. Best Buy’s 15-day price match guarantee lets you buy during a sale and claim a refund if the price drops further.
If you need a TV outside peak sale windows, you still have options. Check Costco for consistent member pricing. Open-box deals at Best Buy knock 15% to 25% off display units. Refurbished models from Amazon Renewed offer deep savings year-round. Also note that component costs are rising in 2026 due to DRAM and NAND shortages. This may push new TV prices higher. Buying sooner rather than later could be the best time to buy a TV this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single best time to buy a TV all year?
Black Friday week in late November consistently offers the deepest discounts. Savings of 30% to 60% are standard across all brands and sizes. However, March clearance season is nearly as strong for prior-year models. Both are excellent choices depending on whether you want the newest technology or the biggest savings.
Is the best time to buy a TV during Amazon Prime Day worth waiting for?
Yes, especially for mid-range and budget models. Prime Day typically delivers 25% to 40% off popular sizes. It is the strongest summer sale event for electronics. Just make sure to compare prices with Walmart and Best Buy, which often run competing sales the same week.
Should I buy a brand-new 2026 TV or a discounted 2025 model?
For most buyers, the discounted 2025 model is the smarter choice. Year-over-year picture quality improvements are small. A 2025 OLED at 30% off outperforms a 2026 model at full price in value. The best time to buy a TV is when last year’s models hit clearance in March and April.
Browse Today’s Deals
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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.