Buying electronics is normally a big investment; and you can’t always trade-in your used devices.
Planning your purchase with thorough research will save you time and money. A part of the plan is to know when to buy what, so you can avoid paying more than you have to. Well, you are in the right place, because I have done the hard work for you.
In this blog, I will share with you the best time to buy electronics, based on seasonal trends, special events, and product cycles. You will learn how to plan ahead and score the best deals on your favorite gadgets and gizmos. So, get ready to save some money and some time, and let’s dive in.
Is There A True Best Time To Shop For Electronics Goods?
Is there a universal best time to buy electronics, regardless of what type of device you are looking for? Well, the truth is, there isn’t.
Electronics is a broad category that includes many different products, each with its own features, specifications, and prices. Depending on what you are looking for, the best time to buy might vary significantly. That’s why we are going to break down this list into 2 parts.
First, we will cover the general best times to buy electronics, based on common sales events and promotions that apply to most devices. Then, we will dive into the specific best times to buy certain types of electronics, such as TVs, laptops, or phones.
By the end of this blog, you will have a clear idea of when to shop for your desired gadget and how to save the most money. To make it even easier for you, we will also provide a handy table that summarizes all the dates and categories in chronological order. So, without further ado, let’s get started with the general best time to buy electronics.
Best Times To Buy Electronics
There are many factors that affect the prices of different products, such as supply and demand, product cycles, and competition.
Sometimes, you can find great discounts on the latest models, but other times, you might have to settle for older or refurbished ones. That’s why it’s important to do your research and compare prices before you buy anything.
That being said, there are some general best times to buy electronics that apply to most devices and categories. These are the times when you can expect to find the most offers and promotions from major brands and retailers, both online and offline. These are also the times when you can take advantage of seasonal trends, such as holiday sales, new releases, and clearance sales.
Amazon Prime Day
One of the best time to buy electronics online is during Amazon Prime Day. This is an annual event that is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, who can enjoy thousands of deals on various products from every category. Prime Day is especially great for buying consumer electronics, as you can find discounts on popular devices such as laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, smartwatches, headphones, speakers, and more.
Prime Day usually lasts for 2 days, and Amazon generally holds Prime Day around June or July every year. However, the exact dates may vary depending on the situation. For example, Prime Day 2020 was postponed to October due to the pandemic. To know the best months to buy electronics on Amazon, you will have to check Amazon’s website, email, or social media regularly. You will also have to be quick and decisive when shopping on Prime Day, as some of the best deals can sell out in minutes.
Prime Day 2023 was on July 11-12, so if you missed it or didn’t find anything that suited your needs, don’t worry. There are still other opportunities to buy electronics at discounted prices.
Black Friday
Black Friday is probably the most famous and anticipated sales event of the year. It is the day after Thanksgiving in the US when most stores and brands offer huge discounts on a wide range of products. Black Friday is not limited to electronics, but it is one of the best categories to shop for during this event. You can find amazing deals on TVs, laptops, phones, consoles, games, cameras, and more.
Black Friday sales are not only the best time to buy electronics in the US but also in many other countries around the world. It has become a global phenomenon that attracts millions of shoppers every year. However, Black Friday also comes with some challenges and risks.
You might have to deal with long lines, crowded stores, limited stock, and sometimes even violence. You might also encounter some fake or misleading deals that are not worth your money. That’s why it’s important to do your homework before Black Friday and compare prices from different sources.
Black Friday 2023 will be on November 24th, so mark your calendar and get ready for some serious shopping.
Cyber Monday
If you prefer to shop online rather than in person, Cyber Monday is the best time for you to buy some electronics. Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Black Friday, and it is dedicated to online shopping. Cyber Monday was created in 2005 by online retailers who wanted to boost their sales after Black Friday by offering more discounts and incentives to online shoppers.
Cyber Monday is similar to Black Friday in terms of the products and categories that are on sale. You can find great deals on electronics of all kinds during Cyber Monday. However, Cyber Monday has some advantages over Black Friday.
For one thing, you don’t have to deal with the hassle and stress of going to physical stores. You can shop from the comfort of your home or office with just a few clicks. For another thing, Cyber Monday has more variety and availability than Black Friday. You can access more products from more sellers without worrying about running out of stock or missing out on a deal.
Cyber Monday is also becoming more popular and profitable than Black Friday in recent years. According to Adobe Analytics data, Cyber Monday 2020 generated $10.8 billion in online sales in the US alone, making it the biggest online shopping day in history.
Cyber Monday 2023 will be on November 27th, so make sure you have a good internet connection and a secure payment method ready for that day.
Best Times To Buy Specific Types of Electronics
Note that these are not the only times to buy these products, but they are the most likely and consistent ones.
This list will only include some of the most famous product categories with a somewhat predictable sales pattern. If you want more deals that get updated every day, we encourage you to visit Tenere to find more deals.
Computers
Computers are one of the most essential and versatile tech items in our lives. We can use them for work, study, and entertainment. And the best time to buy a computer is usually during the back-to-school season. This is when students and parents are looking for new computers for school or college, and retailers and brands are offering discounts and incentives to attract them.
The back-to-school season typically lasts from the end of July to August, and it is a great time to find deals on computers of all kinds. You can also find bundles and packages that include accessories such as mice, keyboards, monitors, printers, or software.
Phones
Phones are one of the most popular and frequently updated tech products in the market. Every year, new models and features are released by different brands, making older ones obsolete or less desirable. That’s why the best time to buy a phone is usually when a new model is released. This is when you can find discounts on older models.
Depending on what brand or model you prefer, the best time to buy a phone might vary. For example, Samsung usually releases its new flagship phones around March or April every year, so the best time to buy a Samsung phone would be between May and June. For Apple, we will cover more about it in the next section.
Tablets
Tablets are like a hybrid between phones and computers. As a result, the best time to buy a tablet is similar to the best time to buy a phone or a computer: during back-to-school sales or new releases.
However, if you want a more specific time to buy a tablet, you should pay attention to consumer trade shows. These are events where brands showcase their latest products and innovations to the public and the media. These events are usually when brands announce new releases of personal electronics including tablets, phones, or other devices, which might make the prices of older models drop significantly.
Some of the most important consumer trade shows for electronics are:
- January: Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
- February: Mobile World Congress (MWC).
- September: Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA).
TVs
Nowadays, people tend to use their phones for entertainment more than their TVs. But there are still some occasions when a TV is a must-have for enjoying a big game or event. And one of the biggest games of the year is none other than the Super Bowl.
Watching the Super Bowl on a phone or tablet would be a crime. That’s why the best time to buy a new TV (besides the other times we mentioned before) is during the Super Bowl season in January. And if you want to surprise your dad with a new TV, another good time is Father’s Day in June.
Consoles and Video Games
The prices of consoles and video games depend largely on how long they have been on the market. The older they are, the more likely they are to go on sale. But if we want to find the best time to buy video games and consoles, we should look at Christmas.
Whether you are a boy or a man, nothing beats the joy of opening a brand-new PS5 console on Christmas morning. And when you have a new console to play with, what else do you need? Of course, new games to try out on your console. That’s why Epic and Steam offer amazing video game deals on Christmas and end-of-year sales. Gaming brands often offer sales on gaming electronics including tablet gaming.
Apple Products
Here’s the part that you have been waiting for. We gave Apple its own category because it’s Apple. Everyone gets excited when there is a new release from this brand.
You don’t have to be a die-hard Apple fan to know that the best time to buy old-gen Apple products is 1-2 months after the release of new ones. That’s because when a new generation comes out, people rush to get the latest upgrade and quickly lose interest in the older version. That’s why retailers often offer steep discounts for older models.
Since Apple usually releases new products in September, October, and November are the prime time to get “new” Apple products at lower prices.
Understanding The Sales Pattern
As you can see from this blog, electronics sales periods depend on several factors, such as new releases, technological advances, seasonal trends, and consumer demand. That’s why it’s important to have a specific brand or product in mind when you want to buy electronics. That way, you can do your research and compare prices from different sources before you make a purchase. You can also follow the news and updates from your favorite brands and retailers to know when they will launch new products or offer promotions.
But don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds. With a bit of time and experience, you can easily pinpoint the sales seasons as you shop around more. To help you with that, here’s the best time to buy electronics cheat sheet arranged in chronological order for your next electronics shopping:
| Month | Event | Category |
| January | CES | Tablets |
| January | Super Bowl | TVs |
| February | MWC | Tablets |
| March/April | Samsung new release | Phones |
| June | Father’s Day | TVs |
| July/August | Back-to-school | Computers/Tablets |
| September | IFA | Tablets |
| September | Apple new release | Apple products |
| October/November | Prime Day | Electronics |
| November | Black Friday | Electronics |
| November/December | Christmas/End of year sales | Consoles/Video games |
| December | Cyber Monday | Electronics |
I hope you enjoyed this blog and learned something useful from it.
P.S. If you want to know more about where to buy electronics, you might be interested in reading my other blog about Best Buy vs Walmart. In that blog, I compare the pros and cons of these two popular retailers and help you decide which one is better for your needs.
