The Best Time To Buy A TV – 5 Top Times In 2024

“The best time to buy a TV is Spring, leading up to the Super Bowl, and Black Friday.”

Update - 2023.03.10

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, you need to know something. If you want to find the absolute best deals on new HDTVs in 2024, 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 year. So you are never far away from a great bargain on new HDTVs. Read our TV buying guide below to find out the five best times the savviest 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.

Manufacturers and retailers tend to slash prices on current inventory items to make room for new models. That’s terrific news for you. It is a super time to get last year’s brand new 4K LED, OLED, or QLED TV at a significant discount.

However, if you want 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, 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. Why does the Super Bowl equal winning deep television discounts?

Best Super Bowl TV Deals leading up to the big game

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.

Retail and online stores offer substantial discounts on HDTVs to encourage you to upgrade your old set before the big game. Our guide will show you how to score the best Super Bowl TV Deals.

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to buy a new TV

3. Amazon Prime Day

When: mid-July

Prime Day is Amazon’s way of creating its 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 massive 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 the best Amazon HDTV prices.

4. The Dog Days of Summer

When: August

Is the summer an excellent time to purchase a TV on sale? According to a Bloomberg report, based on 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 starts the first round of sales for last year’s HDTV models. In February, the Super Bowl is the biggest sales event for new televisions during the year’s first half.

If older models are still in inventory by July, retailers get desperate to clean off the shelves to make room for 2024 models before 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, you can save a bundle of money in August.

5. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (The Holiday Season)

When: Thanksgiving week thru the following Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday TV Sales

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 unique 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 the current HDTV series but have fewer features. These stripped-down TVs are sold at bargain prices. If you 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 excellent 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 2024

Spring is the best time to buy a TV in 2024. 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 launching new modes. 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 significant 20% or more reductions until 12 months after the model’s release.

When to buy a new tv - wait
Source: Bloomberg.com

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 New Year’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Halloween sales. The little industry secret is that there are TV sales 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

What is the best place to buy a tv

Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon are the big three regarding TV bargains. No other retailers can match their size and scope.

They are also fiercely competitive with one another. Walmart and Best Buy will price match what you find on Amazon. That said, the big three 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 extra time and check out in-store and online electronic retailers. It is easier to 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. Display models can bring much deeper savings if you are on a tight budget.

Purchase Refurbished

Refurbished TVs didn’t work correctly 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 new warranty, and you should be ready.

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

Retailers often notify their followers of promotions and special offers before announcing them to the general public. They occasionally reward those who follow them or like their social posts.

Research different brands and models

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!

When is the best time of the year to buy a new tv

As with any sizeable purchase, a little patience can go a long way to help you save significant money on a new TV. With a bit of research, you can compare offers and find the best price on the HDTV of your choice without breaking your budget.

The good news is, if you can’t wait, there is rarely a wrong 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 2024

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 August are good times to find deals on closeout models.

Is Costco a good place to buy a TV

Costco is an excellent place to buy a new television, both in stores and online. Costco represents fewer brands and models than electronics specialty stores such as Best Buy or the online giant Amazon.

When do new TVs come out in 2024?

Most major TV manufacturers unveil their newest model HDTVs at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which usually happens in early January.

David Clark

David Clark

I am the founder of CurvedView.com and you could say televisions are not only a personal passion but a career. I know the ins and outs of the TV industry. I have been in the electronics industry for more years than I would like to admit. I’ve worked with a couple of the major TV manufacturers and international electronics retailers. I will provide you with the information you need to make a smart decision when buying your next TV and accessories.

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