Next to cell phones, televisions have become one of the most owned electronics worldwide. Billions of people gather around daily to take in news, their favorite sports team, or the latest sitcoms. More than likely, you’re one of those people!
But as much as they’re embedded into our daily lives, TVs can hurt your wallet when it’s time to buy a new one. A new television can run you upwards of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. That surprise expense can put a dent in your savings.
The good news is, that there are options out there if you’re in the market for a new television. What you buy as well as when you buy can make a difference, and with a bit of knowledge, you can make an informed decision and buy the best TV for you.
Read on to learn more about what TVs are out there now, the best time to buy a TV, and how to save money when buying a TV!
Signs You Need a New TV
Some people buy a television once every 3 years, and others can’t remember when they last bought one. While it’s probably not necessary to purchase an appliance like this after a few years, TVs have come a long way in a short amount of time.
Here are signs you may need a new TV:
- It’s not a flat-screen – If your TV still has a robust shape to it or is a cathode ray TV, it may be time to upgrade. While expensive when they first came out, now the global competition means you can find some affordable prices.
- You use your TV for more than watching shows – Because technology changes so fast, the TVs coming out today have more features than the ones 8 years ago. If you’re a gamer, use it as a second laptop screen, or can’t stream as you want, it’s time to buy.
- Lines or Bars on the Screen – Sometimes loose cables can cause black or discolored bars to appear on the screen, but if you can’t fix it yourself or find a repair technician (not as popular as they used to be), your TV may be on the way out.
If any of these apply to you, no need to panic! Let’s take a look at considerations to keep in mind when buying a TV and how to get a great deal.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV?
Once you’ve figured out which TV is best for you, deciding when to buy is the next step. For such a big item, planning when you will make your purchase can either save you money or cost you more. Make a wise choice to save money on your TV!
There are a few times of the year you’ll want to purchase your television. Look for your next TV around the following dates!
Super Bowl Season
One of the best times of year to buy a TV is during Super Bowl Season! New models are discussed at Expo shows in January, and retailers know how badly customers want to host the big game at their house. Combine these two factors, and you can find major sales!
Start looking for a TV around mid-January through early February to take advantage of deals that pop up just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. To get an extra step up, start following prices a month or two ahead of time to get notified of price drops.
Spring Release
Following the Super Bowl sales, manufacturers start releasing their newer televisions in the spring between March and May. This means last year’s models will be put on sale to make room for the “new and improved” models.
This is the perfect time to buy new televisions that are from previous years. Retailers will be anxious to get them off the shelves in time for tax returns to hit, as well, with the hopes that any money back from the IRS will go into a “just released” TV.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
This almost goes without saying anymore, but big-ticket items like TVs and other electronics can be found marked down dramatically on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. It’s a good idea to check out the sales notices ahead of time since retailers have started implementing these sales earlier each year.
Major Holiday Weekends
Stores often have TV discounts on major holiday weekends, as well. This can be President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Check out the advertisements to see if it’s worth making the purchase, but beware of markups, especially if newer models were just released.
If you can wait until one of the best times of the year to purchase your TV, that may be your best option to save money on a TV. However, if you find you can’t wait, check out these tips on how to save money on your next TV!
Considerations When Buying a New TV
When the time comes that you’re ready to purchase a new television, there are a few things to consider before ordering online or buying in the store. By considering the following points, you ensure that the TV is a great fit for your needs.
Size and Mount
Before buying a TV, you need to make sure it will fit into the space you’ve allotted. Furthermore, is the TV going to be on a stand, or will it be wall mounted? And, do the dimensions make sense for the room?
As flashy as some of the larger units are if they’re too big, they can dominate the space, or be uncomfortable to view. You will also want to make sure if it’s too heavy, that you can get assistance with installing the TV so you don’t injure yourself.
Cord and Outlet Space
Along with the size of the TV, you also want to ensure you have proper space for the cords that will be attached to the monitor. It’s important to consider outlet space, as well as room for a surge protector to ensure it’s protected against lightning strikes or power surges.
Take a look around the planned space for the TV and find out the cord length to make sure it will reach the dedicated outlet. Also, consider if the outlet has enough space for other devices you may want like a gaming system or DVD player.
What TV Resolution do you need?
How clear the image appears, or your resolution, is one of the biggest selling points you’ll hear sales associates pushing, but resolution may not need to be the most important feature of your TV.
While you do want a clear picture, know that this is one of the most frequently changing aspects of television quality, and it may not be a deal-breaker for you. Do your research before you shop to understand the difference so you’re not caught off guard by sales tactics.
Smart TVs vs. Streaming Stick
One of the newer innovations in the past few years is the Smart TV, and many people feel pressured to get one. A Smart TV can connect to your internet, use voice commands, and link to apps seamlessly, but is it worth it?
Streaming sticks like Roku, Amazon Firestick, or Google’s Chromecast can still provide streaming options and may be much cheaper than a Smart TV. Analyze to see if they fit into your budget before searching solely for a Smart TV.
How Will Your TV Be Used?
Another point of consideration before you buy a new TV is how your TV will be used. Not that long ago, TVs were only used for viewing what came on cable or local networks, but now, you can do so much more with your TV.
Will your TV be used primarily for watching shows and movies? Will there be other devices hooked up, such as a DVD player or gaming console? Will you have a streaming stick?
Understanding how your TV will fit in your life is a great step in knowing which features it will need to have and if it has the correct setup.
Sound and Acoustics
It’s easy to forget about how the TV sounds, but it’s a major part of the viewing experience. There are steps you can take to customize the sound on your TV but you’ll want to make sure the sound and TV size are suited for your viewing area.
A 42- inch TV may sound much different in a small bedroom then it would in a large open concept living room and kitchen. Consider the sound capabilities of television before you make your purchase.
There are a lot of considerations that are important to making an informed decision when it comes to purchasing your television. The next section covers the best time of year to buy a TV for the best deal!
How to Save Money on a TV
Because TVs can be so expensive, it’s important to save money if you can. Here are a few tips that may help you save a few hundred dollars on your next TV.
- Buy Last Year’s Model – Just like with most major appliances, purchasing a model that’s a year or two older will save you money. Most retailers will offer sales to get rid of inventory, and these are still great models. Ensure it’s not damaged, but otherwise, check out older TVs first.
- Consider the Brand – Many TVs have major brand markups. It may be worth checking out TVs that are lesser-known brands. Just make sure to consider the warranty and do your homework before purchasing to see if any issues have recently been discovered.
- Purchase from a Warehouse Club like Costco – You may be able to find a great deal on a TV at Costco and get rewards points on top of it. They may not have the range of selection like electronics stores, but this may also allow for an easier decision.
- Price Compare – Just like most big purchases, if you can take the time to price compare, you may save yourself hundreds of dollars. Don’t be afraid to ask for price matching, as well, if you can find it cheaper at a comparable retailer.
- Think of Buying Used – If you can find a used TV for sale on a local marketplace and can attest to the quality, it may be worth considering. While this is probably your cheapest option, make sure it’s not damaged and that it works properly before handing over your money.
FAQs on the Best Time To Buy a TV
When is the best time to buy a new TV?
The best time to buy a new TV is January to February before Super Bowl Sunday arrives. This means the new televisions will roll out soon and stores are trying to empty their inventory.
How can I save money on a new TV?
You can save money on a new TV by purchasing during one of the major sale cycles, like around the Super Bowl, during holiday weekends, on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, or in spring before the old inventory sells out.
Should I buy a new TV or an older model?
Definitely consider older models, especially if they’re only one or two years old. Newer technology often sounds flashy but may be overkill for what you need. Plus, older models are often the ones on sale.
Do I need a Smart TV?
Smart TVs do have their advantages, however, they are not necessary for having a great viewing experience. Consider using a streaming stick to save money, while still getting many of the pros of a Smart TV without the price tag.
The Best Time to Buy a New TV
As you can see, the best time to buy seems to be the January to February time frame in order to save the most money, but if you can’t time your purchase in that window, there are still other ways to save on a TV.
Do your research online regarding models that interest you, price compare, and consider older TVs in order to get the most bang for your buck on your new TV purchase! And, if you’re buying your TV online, check out these 18 Online Shopping Hacks to Save you Money!
