What The Tech: When is the best time to buy a new TV?
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Every year as the Super Bowl approaches, millions of people start thinking the same thing: Is now the best time to buy a new TV?
Sales are everywhere. Prices look tempting. And for a long time, Super Bowl season really was the best time to upgrade. But that’s changed.
Why Super Bowl TV deals aren’t what they used to be?
Years ago, TV manufacturers rushed to clear out last year’s models before the Super Bowl.
Retailers needed the space, new models were right around the corner, and prices dropped fast. Shoppers scored big screens at bargain prices. Today, the TV business works differently.
New TV models no longer arrive in January. Most manufacturers now release new sets in the spring or early summer. That means in February, last year’s TVs aren’t really old yet. With less pressure to clear inventory, retailers don’t have to slash prices the way they once did. What Super Bowl TV sales look like now
That doesn’t mean Super Bowl deals are fake. They’re just different.
Leading up to the big game, you’ll still see discounts, especially on entry level and midrange TVs. But the deepest price cuts, particularly on premium OLED and Mini LED sets, usually don’t happen yet.
In other words, these are promotions, not clearance sales.
So when is the best time to buy a TV?
If you want the best TV for the money, timing matters. Late spring into early summer is often the sweet spot. That’s when new models hit store shelves, retailers need floor space, and last year’s TVs finally become last year’s TVs.
That’s when prices on higher quality sets tend to drop the most.
Black Friday is still known for some of the lowest advertised prices of the year. But those deals are often focused on price first, not always picture quality or long term value.
One thing that does go on sale before the Super Bowl: While TV discounts have cooled off, accessories are another story.
In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, retailers often offer better deals on sound bars and home audio equipment, as well as streaming devices like Roku, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
If you’re happy with your current TV, upgrading the sound or replacing an older streaming box can be a smart way to improve your setup without buying a whole new screen.
The bottom line:
The Super Bowl is still a good time to buy a TV. It’s just no longer the best time. If you can wait until new models arrive later in the spring, that’s when you’re more likely to find the biggest savings on higher end TVs.
