TVs aren’t a frivolous purchase — especially if you’re shopping for one the best TVs at the highest end of the market. This is why many people wait for the week of Black Friday to pounce on a new TV.
The sales event — one of the biggest of the year — marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, and big-time TV deals are among the most visible.
But with so many holiday sales events scattered throughout the calendar year, is Black Friday still the primo window for saving money on a TV? And, if not, when is the best time to buy a TV if saving money is a top priority? I’ve been covering TVs and Black Fridays for well over a decade and I’m ready to clear things up.
What are the advantages of shopping for a TV on Black Friday?
There are two reasons why Black Friday is a great TV-buying opportunity. The first reason is rather obvious: Retailers competitively cut prices during the sales event in order to entice shoppers.
The second reason is less obvious but just as relevant: Because Black Friday rolls around towards the end of the calendar year, many new TVs have already seen price cuts by the time the sales event kicks off.
These two elements converge like weather fronts producing a perfect storm of savings. Many of the most popular TVs of the year fall to their lowest price on record as a result of the doubling discounts.
Are there any disadvantages to shopping for a TV on Black Friday?
In all of my years of reviewing TVs and covering major sales events, I’ve yet to hear from someone who outright regrets their decision to buy a TV during Black Friday (or a subsequent Cyber Monday sale, for that matter).
That said, it’s not a guarantee that the TV prices you come across during Black Friday and Cyber Monday represent the least that these sets will ever cost. Many of this year’s newest models will still be available to purchase come Fall of next year, and there’s a good chance that their respective prices will periodically dip even further after Black Friday.
However, by that time, many of next year’s models — potentially better-performing sets with newer features — will be entering the holiday-shopping window themselves.
If you’ve made the decision that it’s time to replace your TV with a newer model, you’ll have to figure out for yourself whether it’s worth waiting beyond Black Friday for the chance at a better deal.
I can’t make that decision for you, but I can tell you about the price-related trends I've observed throughout my career.
Depending on the brand and model, TVs that see significant discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday often come back up in price immediately following those sales events. This doesn't mean that they shoot back up to their original MSRP, but rather, move back up to around where they were before the holiday shopping season began.
What are the best retailers to shop for a TV on Black Friday?
Every year, big-box retailers like Walmart, Costco, Best Buy and Target offer in-store deals on TVs. There are deals on big TVs, small TVs, OLED TVs and more, and most of these sets are from the biggest brands in the industry.
As is the case with just about every type of product, TV-shopping has become more of an ecommerce-driven business in the last few decades, particularly during major sales events like Black Friday. There's a good chance you bought your last TV online and an even greater chance that you won't be shopping in person for your next one.
All of the aforementioned big-box stores dole out a ton of online TV deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and they offer a range of delivery options, too. Of course, if we're talking about online shopping, one retailer looms large.
Amazon is all-in on Black Friday TV deals.
For better or worse, Amazon is one of the most popular spots for people to pick up a TV, in large part due to its wide range of products and highly competitive pricing. Like the rest of the big-name retail names I've already rattled off, Amazon is all-in on Black Friday, and throughout that week, TV deals flow freely. The retailer is also wrapping up its latest Prime Day deals event, which also presents an opportunity to save money on many popular TVs.
That said, some of Amazon's competitors offer a wider range of services relating to the purchase of a TV, like white glove delivery, haul-away services and long-term warranties. Depending on your needs, you may decide that Best Buy, Costco or another major retailer is a better site to shop come Black Friday.
Black Friday TV-shopping: Outlook
So: Is Black Friday the best time of the year to buy a TV? I'd say that it is, but only if you're shopping the newest TVs.
Once Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales end, prices on those sets are likely to go back up until the following year's models are announced. At that point, you've got to decide whether you want to spend more on a flashy, brand-new set.
Here's why you shouldn't believe your eyes when shopping for a TV in person
If your preference is to save money by shopping for a year-old TV, doing so on Black Friday is less critical, as the sets you'd end up choosing from would likely have been discounted close to the lowest they'll ever be made available anyway. In fact, you might have trouble tracking down many of the previous year's models to begin with, especially when it comes to more popular TVs.
For instance, the incredible, five-star LG C5 OLED is currently hovering near its lowest price to date, but last-year's LG C4 OLED is much harder to track down, as we're nearing the two-year anniversary of its release.
Remember: When Black Friday approaches, keep an eye on Tom's Guide's coverage. We spend all year testing and reviewing TVs, and when the holiday shopping season rolls around, we take everything we've learned from months of coverage and help you find the best TV for your home.
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