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The Best Time to Buy a Washer and Dryer

The best deals for washing machines and dryers come on major shopping holidays, but timing your purchase to coincide with seasonal swings and trade shows can get you even steeper discounts.

The best times to buy a washer and dryer are Black Friday, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend, Maytag Month, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial Day, Amazon Prime Day, last week of April, last week of August, and all of March.

Washers and dryers are rarely on sale—about 23% of the year, or an average of 1-in-4.3 days.

rarely on sale
23%
of year on sale
13
sale periods
85
sale days
Check prices at Costco

The best months to buy a washer and dryer are February, March, April, May, July, August, September, November, and December.

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The best holidays to buy a washer and dryer are Labor Day, Presidents' Day, and Memorial Day.

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the best time to buy a washer and dryer
Odin Halvorson's Profile Picture
Odin Halvorson
BTTB Researcher
6 min. read

A brand-new washing machine or dryer is a serious commitment of cash, so you want to make sure that you get the best deal on the market. That’s why knowing when the best time to buy comes in handy.

Washers and dryers cost anywhere between $400 for budget models, to over $1500 for more advanced products. Since machines at the low end tend to create more problems than they solve, getting a discount on middle-of-the-range washers and dryers is key.

Since machines at the low end tend to create more problems than they solve, getting a discount on middle-of-the-range washers and dryers is key.

These days, there are also “smart” washers and dryers. These little technological beauties tend to run at the highest end of the price range, but also feature some of the steeper discounts, especially during sales periods like Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day that traditionally focus on technology.

Best Sales Dates

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is considered the start of the summer shopping season, and may feature discounts on the latest models that have been released that year. Home Depot and Lowes, for instance, historically offer discounts of 20-30% of MSRP at this time[5].

Amazon Prime Day

Obviously, Amazon itself offers numerous discounts during this time. However, other major retailers[6] (as well as local businesses) have started offering larger discounts on, or near, Amazon Prime Day in order to compete.

Black Friday

As the last major sales period for large appliances during the year, all models will likely experience a discount during Black Friday. Larger and older models may experience large discounts to make room for holiday merchandise, especially in smaller stores.

Cyber Monday

Some Black Friday deals will persist, but Cyber Monday comes with its own opportunity: “smart” products are likely to find special discounts during this holiday, especially for online retailers.

The Best Time to Buy Washing Machines and Dryers

The hard and fast rule is: shoot for the holidays, but there are a couple of important trends that can get you even better deals.

Major appliance trade shows and events, such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), often take place in January and February. These trade shows often feature new washing machine models and technologies which will begin to hit stores near March. Our analysis of the data[2] suggests that this is the best time to purchase older models that are being cleared off the floor to make room for new merchandise.

Our analysis of the data suggests that this is the best time to purchase older models that are being cleared off the floor to make room for new merchandise.

The “back-to-school season” during the early fall may see retailers offering light discounts to coincide with the beginning of the shopping season.

What type of washing machine would you like to buy?

Knowing the type of washing machine you want will help you narrow down the best time to buy.

Automatic

Automatic and semi-automatic washing machines come in top or front-load versions, as do dryers. These are the most common types of design, and generally the cheapest.

Stacked

You can also find stacked models called “Laundry Centers” that reduce space requirements (at the expense of the available volume within the machine). These are pricier than buying a single washing machine or dryer, but are often cheaper than buying both a washer and dryer separately.

Note: “Stackable” washers and dryers are different from “stacked” models. “Stackable” models can only be stacked with the inclusion of a special kit, whereas “stacked” Laundry Centers are built as a single, self-contained unit.

Smart Washers and Dryers

New “smart” washing machines and dryers come with features like local network connectivity (which allows them to be controlled by your smart home hub), remote controls, self-diagnostics for problems, advanced energy efficiency, and wash cycle scheduling.

While more advanced appliances like “smart” washers and dryers are more expensive, they also tend to have better available discounts, as well as the potential for certain types of rebates from plans like EnergyStar.

The Hidden Fees for Washers and Dryers

Installation, haul-away of old appliances, venting kits (for dryers), and hoses (for washing machines). While some models will come with hoses and vent kits, not all do. You may also need a special stacking kit if you have a front-load washer and dryer that you want to stack to save room.

Be sure to ask, up front, about haul-away fees for any old washer or dryer that you happen to have. Some major suppliers, as well as local businesses that are trying hard to compete with online retailers, will be willing to provide free delivery, installation, and haul-away.

If You Need the Cheapest Washing Machine:

When you require the cheapest deal on a new washing machine, your best bet is a physical retailer. Most retailers will push the newest models to the most prominent positions in the store.

Avoid “exclusive” models, as these generally feature limited gimmick changes for very little extra gain.

Older models may not have a listed discount, so ask the store directly if they will supply one. Because these appliances take up so much floor space, it is in the store’s best interest to move old supplies as quickly as possible.

If you are low-income, be sure to check the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

However, washing machines at the lowest end of the market tend to function far more poorly than those at the mid-range[3]. This means that the cost of running a product that seems, at first, to be cheaper, could become more expensive after just a year or two of use.

The invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions in the flow of materials needed for the appliance industry[8]. The market is expected to grow, but costs have been passed along to the consumer, resulting in more expensive appliances (and even great importance for finding the best time to buy!).

Due in part to these rising costs, businesses in some countries are implementing circular business strategies. This involves customers entering long-term leases rather than purchasing outright. While hurdles in transitioning to this strategy remain, it seems likely that more companies in the next decade will move to this model. Such a change may raise prices for purchased appliances overall and introduce a greater need for discount-watching for those who do wish to buy.

FAQ

Let's recap by answering some key questions:

When is the best time to buy a washer and dryer?

The best times to buy a washer and dryer are Black Friday, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend, Maytag Month, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Memorial Day, Amazon Prime Day, last week of April, last week of August, and all of March.

Last Week of April

Following big trade shows, prices are lower.

Black Friday

As the last major sales period for large appliances during the year, all models will likely experience a discount during Black Friday.

Black Friday Weekend

As the last major sales period for large appliances during the year, all models will likely experience a discount during Black Friday.

Cyber Monday

“Smart” products are likely to find special discounts during this holiday, especially for online retailers.

Labor Day

Labor Day provides traditional appliance sales. Not as large as Black Friday, but reasonable.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day provides traditional appliance sales. Not as large as Black Friday, but reasonable.

Maytag Month

Maytag Month is a holiday where Maytag runs massive sales on all kinds of appliances, including washing machines and dryers.

Last Week of August

Back to school sales mean that more sales are likely to occur.

Presidents' Day

A holiday where there are traditionally slightly discounts on appliances.

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is considered the start of the summer shopping season, and may feature discounts on the latest models that have been released that year.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is considered the start of the summer shopping season, and may feature discounts on the latest models that have been released that year.

Amazon Prime Day

In addition to Amazon itself, other major retailers have started offering steep discounts on, or near, Amazon Prime Day in order to compete.

All of March

Major appliance trade shows and events such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) normally take place in January and February. These trade shows often feature new washing machine models and technologies which will begin to hit stores near March. Our analysis of the data suggests that this is the best time to purchase older models that are being cleared off the floor to make room for new merchandise.

How often are washers and dryers on sale?

Washers and dryers are rarely on sale, approximately 85 days each year, spanning 13 distinct sale periods—that's 23% of the year.

What are the best months to buy a washer and dryer?

The best months to buy washers and dryers are February, March, April, May, July, August, September, November, and December.

What are the best holidays to buy a washer and dryer?

The best holidays to buy a washer and dryer are Labor Day, Presidents' Day, and Memorial Day.

What's the best place to buy a washer and dryer?

The best place to buy a washer and dryer is at Costco, The Home Depot, and Lowe's.

  1. "Designing a circular business strategy: 7 years of evolution at a large washing machine manufacturer" (Business Strategy and the Environment)
  2. "Monthly Retail Trade Inventories Report" (Census.gov)
  3. "Insider Tips for Buying a Washing Machine" (Consumer Reports)
  4. "Washing Machine Prices Are Starting to Rise" (Consumer Reports)
  5. "Memorial Day appliance sales 2021: Best appliance deals to shop" (NBC News)
  6. "Walmart launches its Amazon Prime Day counterattack with thousands of deals" (Business Insider)
  7. "ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder" (EnergyStar.gov)
  8. "Washing Machines Global Market Report 2023" (The Business Research Company)
  9. "Washing Machine Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis" (Fortune Business Insights)
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