Investing in a TV is a significant decision, considering it's one of the most frequently used devices in your home. Opting for a budget model with subpar picture quality and a short lifespan isn't worth the savings. Instead, focus on finding the best TV for your gaming and streaming needs at a reduced price. Fortunately, TV deals are available throughout the year, so you can snag a high-quality television without paying full price if you time your purchase correctly.
Everyone knows about the massive discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which often offer the most substantial savings. However, there are other periods when you can find significant discounts on top-tier gaming TVs and quality 4K TVs.
In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, the year's biggest TV-watching event, you can take advantage of numerous sales. This period coincides with manufacturers releasing new models in the spring, making it an excellent time to find deals on last year's models. Keep an eye out for upcoming sales events, such as holiday weekends and Amazon Prime Day, for more opportunities to save.
Best Times to Buy a TV
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Originally a one-day event following Thanksgiving, Black Friday has expanded into weeks of sales in November. TVs see some of the deepest discounts during this time, making it an ideal period to find a deal. You'll encounter numerous budget-friendly options perfect for guest rooms or children's play areas, as well as discounts on higher-end, newer models released earlier in the year.
Historically, Black Friday was all about in-store shopping, with shoppers camping outside stores like Best Buy and Walmart to secure limited stock and low prices. While some incredible deals are still exclusive to in-store purchases, they're often used to lure customers into the store, and stock can run out quickly. If you have a specific TV in mind, act fast during these sales in 2025.
Cyber Monday is the online counterpart to Black Friday, offering the best deals from online retailers. Amazon hosts sales similar to Prime Day, which occurs in the summer and now also in October, featuring a variety of TV deals with limited stock and time. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart also participate in Cyber Monday, offering similar in-store and online sales.
Before the Super Bowl
Following the holiday rush, the Super Bowl stands as one of the year's biggest TV-watching events. Retailers often replenish their stock around mid-January and early February, leading to great savings on TVs, especially large screens, in the weeks before the game. Older models typically see the best discounts, but you can still find deals on newer TVs. Currently, we're seeing Super Bowl deals on Samsung OLED TVs.
Early January also marks the time when many TV manufacturers unveil their latest models at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This means stores will be eager to clear out older models to make room for the new releases in the spring.
Springtime
If you're looking for a specific brand like Samsung, LG, Sony, or TCL, you'll find that many release their latest TVs in the spring, starting around March and extending through Memorial Day weekend. During this time, retailers offer deals on last year's models to clear inventory for the new arrivals. Since the changes between models are often minor, you won't miss out on significant features by opting for last year's version.
Amazon Prime Day
Originally an Amazon Prime exclusive event in mid-July, Prime Day now sees participation from other retailers like Walmart and Best Buy, who offer competitive sales. Prime Day generally lasts a few days and is exclusive to Prime members. TV deals can be as deep as those during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, though they often focus on older models. Keep an eye on the site, as deals are frequently updated throughout the event. Overall, Prime Day isn't as robust as Black Friday in terms of total sales across all retailers.
Holiday Weekends
If you can't wait for major sales events, many retailers offer special deals during long holiday weekends such as President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. While these discounts might not be as substantial, and the selection may be limited, you can still find decent TV deals. Currently, Presidents' Day sales are underway, with the best TV discounts at Best Buy, ending on February 17.
TV Release Cycles Matter
Understanding the TV release cycle is crucial for finding the best discounts, especially if you're eyeing the latest models. At CES in January, manufacturers announce their upcoming releases. New models hit the market in the spring, starting around March, with retailers offering deeper discounts on older models. Releases continue into the summer, but the best deals on the latest TVs typically appear in the fall, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday offering the most significant savings.
TV Brands With New Products
Samsung
Samsung's focus in 2025 is on higher-end TV models, with limited budget-friendly options. The new lineup offers minor upgrades from last year, including better brightness, enhancements in mini-LED and Quantum Dot (QD-OLED) backlighting, and improvements to their gaming features.
LG
LG's OLED evo TVs for 2025 feature AI-driven personalization and the "Brightness Booster Ultimate" technology. The new G5 model for gamers includes a 4K 165Hz variable refresh rate to reduce lag and frame stuttering.
Hisense
Hisense continues to make strides in the TV market with its 2025 lineup. Higher-end ULED models now offer a 144Hz refresh rate for enhanced gaming, and the 136" MicroLED TV uses mini-LED technology to overcome traditional backlight limitations.
Vizio
In 2024, Vizio made small enhancements to its TVs, adding features and improving LED performance. They've discontinued the top-line P-series, leaving the mid-range M-series and budget-friendly V-series. The D-series offers a cost-effective option for those looking for a smaller 1080p screen.
TCL
TCL made significant changes to its lineup in 2024, introducing Q- and S-series models, with the TCL QM8 as the flagship. At CES 2025, they unveiled the entry-level Mini LED TV, the QM6K, available in 65", 75", and 85" sizes, with smaller options coming later in the year.
Roku
Roku, known for its streaming devices, launched its own TV lineup in 2024, ranging from 24 to 75 inches. The Roku Plus models come with the Voice Remote Pro, featuring hands-free voice commands and rechargeable batteries, while the Roku Select models include the basic Roku Voice Remote. You can access the Roku Channel without a Roku streaming device, allowing you to enjoy free streaming without a Roku-integrated TV.
Top Budget TVs You Can Buy Now
If you're ready to buy a TV right now, check out our ongoing list of the latest TV deals. Here are some of our top budget picks for 2025:
Hisense 65U6N
This TV offers accurate colors, solid contrast, and a wealth of features at a surprisingly low price. See it at Amazon.
TCL 55Q750G
A stunning QLED TV that delivers impressive contrast and brightness, capable of hitting 144Hz in 4K with VRR enabled, all while remaining affordable. See it at Amazon.
Hisense 50U6HF
An ultra-affordable TV with Amazon Fire TV OS for easy streaming and smart home capabilities. See it at Amazon.