When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV? Price History

When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV? Price History Analysis

Timing your TV purchase correctly can save you $200–$500 or more. TV prices follow surprisingly predictable seasonal cycles, and knowing these patterns gives you a real advantage.

The TV Price Calendar

Here's what historical price data tells us about the best and worst times to buy:

Best Times to Buy:

• •January (Post-Super Bowl): Retailers clear inventory of last year's models before new lineups arrive. Discounts of 20–40% are common. This is often the single best time to buy.
• •March–April: New models are announced at CES (January) and start shipping. Last year's models get steep discounts to clear shelf space.
• •November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday): The most publicized sale period. Deals are genuine, but some "doorbuster" models are lower-quality versions made specifically for Black Friday.
• •Amazon Prime Day (July): Increasingly competitive TV deals, especially on Fire TV models and TCL/Hisense brands.

Worst Times to Buy:

• •September–October: Prices stabilize as retailers prepare for holiday pricing
• •December (pre-Christmas): Prices creep back up as demand peaks for gift-giving
• •New model launch week: The worst time — you pay full MSRP with zero discounts

Price History: Real Examples

Let's look at how prices moved over the past year for popular models:

Samsung 65" S90C OLED

• •Launch price (March 2025): $1,799
• •Black Friday 2025: $1,299
• •January 2026: $1,199
• •Current (March 2026): $1,099
• •Total drop: $700 (39%)

LG 65" C4 OLED

• •Launch price: $1,799
• •Black Friday: $1,396
• •January 2026: $1,296
• •Current: $1,196
• •Total drop: $603 (34%)

TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED

• •Launch price: $899
• •Black Friday: $599
• •Current: $549
• •Total drop: $350 (39%)

Tips for Getting the Best TV Deal

1. Know the Model Year Cycle

New Samsung and LG models launch in March–April. The best time to buy the outgoing model is January through April, when clearance pricing is deepest.

2. Compare Across Retailers

Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, and manufacturer stores all carry the same TVs at different prices. Use shopsmartai.org to compare them all at once.

3. Don't Buy Black Friday Exclusives

Some Black Friday TV models have different panel types or fewer HDMI ports. Always check the exact model number.

4. Set Price Alerts

Instead of checking prices manually, set up alerts on shopsmartai.org. You'll get notified the moment a TV hits your target price.

5. Consider Last Year's Model

The difference between 2025 and 2026 TV models is minimal for most viewers, but the price difference can be $300–$500.

Right Now: March 2026 Outlook

March is an excellent time to buy a TV. 2025 models are being heavily discounted as 2026 lineups arrive. If you're flexible on having the absolute latest model, you'll find some of the year's best prices right now. Track deals across all major retailers at shopsmartai.org.