Price insights
When Is the Best Time of Year to Buy Household Products?
Most household products follow a yearly cycle: prices drop when new models arrive, when a season ends and during a handful of big sale events. Here is when US retailers usually discount each kind of product.
Month by month
January
Bedding, sheets and towels in the traditional January "white sales". Fitness equipment and activewear as New Year promotions start.
February
TVs, ahead of the Super Bowl and as stores clear space for the models announced at the January CES show. Mattresses and some appliances around Presidents' Day weekend. Laptops: last year's models drop a little a couple of months into the year.
March
Winter gear at end-of-season prices. Luggage, ahead of spring and summer travel.
April
Vacuums and cleaning gear during spring-cleaning sales. Older computer models as new ones arrive.
May
Refrigerators and cooking appliances, as new models reach stores. Mattresses in Memorial Day sales.
June
Home gym equipment as fitness retailers clear stock. Dishes and tabletop items in wedding season. Tools and grills around Father's Day.
July
Electronics and a wide range of household products during Amazon Prime Day and competing summer sales. Furniture and large appliances in Fourth of July sales.
August
Lawn mowers and garden equipment as stores make room for winter stock. Back-to-school deals on laptops and supplies.
September
Last year's smartphones once new models launch. Dishwashers, and late September into October washers and dryers, as new models arrive. Grills after summer.
October
Outdoor furniture, grills and yard equipment as the season ends. Last year's appliance models. Amazon's autumn sale event (Prime Big Deal Days) starts holiday pricing early.
November
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: TVs, small appliances (air fryers, coffee makers, blenders, stand mixers), kitchen gadgets, cookware, tablets, smart speakers and other small electronics. Large appliances often see their deepest percentage discounts.
December
Toys, as markdowns deepen closer to the holidays. Small appliances such as air purifiers and coffee makers while holiday sales continue. Tools and home-repair products in the off-season.
By product
| Product | Usually cheapest | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TVs | Late January–February, November | New models announced in January; Super Bowl and Black Friday sales. |
| Laptops & computers | February, April, July–August, November | Older models discounted as new ones arrive; back-to-school and holiday sales. |
| Smartphones | September onward | Previous models are discounted when new phones launch. |
| Vacuums | April, November | Spring-cleaning sales and Black Friday. |
| Coffee makers & small kitchen appliances | November–December | Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals continue through the holidays. |
| Refrigerators | May | New models reach stores and last year's are cleared. |
| Washers, dryers & dishwashers | September–October | New models arrive; older ones are discounted. |
| Mattresses | February, May | Presidents' Day and Memorial Day sales. |
| Sheets & towels | January | Traditional January white sales. |
| Cookware & tableware | June, November | Wedding season and Black Friday. |
| Toys | November–December | Holiday markdowns, deepest close to Christmas. |
| Fitness equipment | January, June | New Year promotions and summer clearance. |
| Grills & outdoor furniture | September–October | End of the outdoor season. |
| Lawn & garden equipment | August–October | Stores switch to winter stock. |
| Tools | June, December | Father's Day and the home-improvement off-season. |
| Luggage | March | Ahead of spring and summer travel. |
Tips that work all year
- Know the normal price first: compare with the typical list price range for the category.
- When a new model is announced, last year's version usually gets cheaper while stock lasts.
- For categories whose prices keep rising faster than inflation, timing a purchase for a sale season saves the most. See how prices have changed since 2010.