The Best Time of Year to Buy a TV

Super Bowl Season: January and February

The period from late January through early February represents one of the strongest sales windows for TVs each year. This timing aligns with two major events: the NFL playoffs culminating in the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026, and the lead-up to Presidents’ Day in February.

Retailers heavily promote TVs during this window because it coincides with the biggest televised sporting event of the year. Major stores like Best Buy and Walmart launch significant discounts on large-screen models, particularly QLEDs that excel at displaying sports content with bright, vivid colors. Manufacturers including Samsung and LG also run promotions on their own websites.

The timing works in your favor for another reason: current TV models have typically been on shelves for nearly a year by February, creating natural price decreases. According to reporting, this abundance of available deals makes January and February particularly strong for finding multiple options across different price tiers, not just budget models. You should shop carefully and compare prices across retailers, as they often match or beat each other’s pricing throughout the month.

Spring New Model Releases: March and April

When new TV models arrive in spring, the previous year’s inventory becomes clearance stock. This annual refresh cycle creates a two-tier pricing structure: new models at full price and last year’s versions at substantial discounts.

The timing starts at major tech trade shows like CES in January, where brands unveil their new designs. However, the actual price drops don’t happen immediately. Instead, closeout pricing on prior-year models begins in March and April when the new televisions officially ship to retailers. These discounts can extend into summer.

If you don’t require the absolute latest features or technology, spring shopping offers excellent value. You get a brand-new TV that was flagship-level the previous year, but at a significantly lower price than when it originally launched. The trade-off is accepting a model that’s one year old in the product cycle, though the actual TV itself is still current and unused.

Prime Day Sales: June 2026

Amazon’s Prime Day has grown to rival Black Friday in scope and pricing. In 2026, Prime Day occurs in June. During this event, mid-range TVs and last-year’s models typically receive discounts of several hundred dollars. Fire TVs from Amazon’s own brand and from manufacturers like Hisense and TCL frequently feature among the deepest discounts.

One strategic advantage of Prime Day shopping is spreading your major purchase across the year rather than concentrating spending during the expensive November-December holiday season. If you find the TV you want at a good price in June, buying then can ease your budget pressure later in the year.

Popular models like Samsung’s Frame TV often appear in bundle deals with compatible frames during Prime Day, making this an especially good time for that particular product. Retailers outside Amazon create competing sales during Prime Day as well, so you can shop around and compare prices across Best Buy, Walmart, and other major chains. Be sure to check the Amazon price adjustment policy if you purchase, as it may allow you to capture additional savings if prices drop further.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: October Through November

Black Friday remains the year’s deepest sale event for televisions. Retailers now extend Black Friday pricing from early October through November and into early December, treating it as a month-long affair rather than a single day.

Major chains including Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon compete aggressively on TV pricing during this period. The competition is fierce enough that Best Buy and Samsung typically tag deals as official Black Friday offers if they drop the price early, signaling to buyers that waiting until the week of Thanksgiving won’t yield better pricing. Prices are often reactive, with stores responding to competitors’ moves in real time throughout the day online.

During Black Friday, expect to see hundreds of dollars off most TV categories. Budget-friendly 4K TVs serve as doorbusters and sell quickly. High-end QLEDs, OLEDs, and models 65 inches or larger all receive substantial discounts. However, be aware that some manufacturers create special TV models specifically for Black Friday called derivatives, which may lack features found in standard versions of the same model.

One important note from reporting: post-holiday sales after Christmas typically see prices rise rather than fall further. Most Black Friday pricing remains the best of the year, so if you miss the November window, prices generally don’t improve in early January.

Why New Model Releases Drive Clearance Pricing

Understanding the mechanism behind TV price drops helps you time your purchase strategically. Television manufacturers refresh their entire lineups every year, with major announcements at CES in January and retail availability beginning in March or April.

Once new models reach stores, retailers must discount previous-generation inventory to make room. This creates the clearance pricing that drives savings during spring and again leading into summer. By the time Black Friday arrives, models from multiple years are stacked on shelves, giving retailers reason to aggressively discount across all tiers.

The specific upgrades between model years matter for your decision. For example, if this year’s model’s primary improvement over last year is brightness, and your room has low natural light, you might save $300 or more by choosing the older model without sacrificing your viewing experience. Know which features matter to you and which are marketing hype, as this knowledge lets you take advantage of clearance pricing on last-year’s models without regret.

Additional Strategies to Maximize Savings

Beyond timing your purchase, several policies at major retailers can increase your savings. Check the Walmart price adjustment policy and Return Policies Compared before buying, as some stores allow you to capture price drops within a window after purchase. This protects you if a sale price drops further in the days after you buy.

Watch for gift card incentives and bundled offers that manufacturers sometimes provide during major sales. High-end OLED TVs over 65 inches often cost $1,500 or more, and while large upfront discounts aren’t always available, bundled gift cards or extended warranties can add value when price reductions hit a floor.

If you qualify for special pricing, Best Buy military discount programs and Costco senior discount programs layer additional savings on top of sale prices. These discounts apply on top of promotional pricing, making major sale windows even more valuable for qualifying shoppers.