Best Time of Year to Buy Appliances

Does Timing Really Matter When Buying Appliances?

Yes — significantly. Appliance prices are not static. Retailers run predictable sales cycles tied to holidays, new model releases, and inventory clearance. If you can plan ahead even a few weeks, you can save anywhere from 20% to 40% on major appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.

This guide breaks down the best times of year to buy appliances, what drives the discounts, and how to make the most of each sales window.

The Best Months to Buy Appliances

January — Post-Holiday Clearance

After the holiday rush, retailers are left with excess inventory and floor models they need to move. January is an excellent time to find discounted appliances, particularly open-box and display units. Prices on last year's models drop sharply as stores make room for new stock.

Best for: Floor models, open-box deals, last year's inventory

February — Presidents' Day Weekend

Presidents' Day (third Monday of February) has become one of the most reliable appliance sale events of the year. Major retailers including Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, and Costco all run significant promotions. Expect 15–30% off on refrigerators, ranges, and laundry appliances.

Best for: Refrigerators, ranges, washer/dryer sets

May — Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer appliance sales season. Retailers compete aggressively for buyers, making this one of the top three appliance sale events of the year. Dishwashers, refrigerators, and air conditioners are commonly discounted.

Best for: Refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners

July — Fourth of July Sales

Independence Day sales are smaller than Memorial Day but still worth watching. Many retailers extend their summer promotions through the July 4th weekend, particularly on kitchen appliances and cooling units.

Best for: Kitchen appliances, air conditioners, small appliances

September–October — New Model Season

This is arguably the best time of year to buy appliances if you're flexible on the specific model. Manufacturers release new appliance lines in the fall, which pushes retailers to discount the previous year's models aggressively. You can often get a premium appliance from last year's lineup at a mid-range price.

Best for: Anyone willing to buy last year's model at a steep discount

November — Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday is the single biggest appliance sale event of the year. Discounts of 20–40% are common across all major appliance categories. Cyber Monday extends the deals online. If you can only plan around one sale event, this is the one.

Best for: Everything — the deepest discounts of the year across all appliance types

December — Holiday Sales and Year-End Clearance

Retailers push hard to hit annual sales targets in December, which means additional markdowns on remaining inventory. Year-end clearance events often surface deals on appliances that didn't sell during Black Friday.

Best for: Clearance deals, bundled appliance packages

What Drives Appliance Price Drops?

Understanding why prices drop helps you anticipate deals even outside the major sale windows:

• New model releases — when manufacturers launch updated versions, retailers discount existing stock
• Inventory clearance — stores need to move units to make room for new shipments
• Competitive pressure — during major holidays, retailers match or beat each other's prices
• End of fiscal quarters — retailers push sales to hit revenue targets

How to Track Appliance Prices Year-Round

You don't have to wait passively for a sale. Use these strategies to monitor prices and act when the timing is right:

• Set price alerts on retailer websites (Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe's all offer this)
• Use CamelCamelCamel to track Amazon appliance price history
• Sign up for retailer email lists to get early access to sale announcements
• Check the clearance section of retailer websites regularly

Smart Home Appliances: When to Buy

Smart appliances and smart home accessories follow the same sale cycles, with particularly strong deals during Amazon Prime Day (typically July) and Black Friday. If you're building out a smart home setup, these events are the best time to buy.

Recommended: Amazon Basics Smart Plug 4-Pack — a budget-friendly entry point for smart home control, frequently discounted during Prime Day and Black Friday. Works with Alexa for voice control and scheduling.

For a Google-compatible option with a built-in speaker, the Google Audio Bluetooth Speaker with Assistant Built-in is worth watching during sale events — it doubles as a smart home controller and wireless speaker.

When NOT to Buy Appliances

Avoid buying appliances at full price during these periods:

• March–April — few major sales, prices are typically at their highest
• August — back-to-school focus means fewer appliance promotions
• Immediately after a breakdown — emergency purchases rarely get the best price; if possible, use a temporary solution while you wait for a sale

Final Thoughts

The best time to buy appliances is during Black Friday, Presidents' Day, or Memorial Day — or during the September–October new model season if you're open to last year's lineup. Plan ahead, set price alerts, and avoid impulse purchases during off-peak months. A little patience can save you hundreds of dollars on every major appliance purchase.