Best Time to Buy

The Best Time to Buy Appliances

You might be tempted to buy one appliance at a time, even during sales, but purchasing in bulk is the best way to increase your discounts.

An artistic illustration of a house filled with products with appliances highlighted

The best times to buy appliances are Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend, Maytag Month, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, Presidents' Day Weekend, Mother's Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Father's Day, 4th of July Weekend, 4th of July, back to school season, and end of year.

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Appliances are rarely on sale—about 22% of the year, or an average of 1-in-4.5 days.

rarely on sale
22%
of year on sale
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The best months to buy appliances are February, May, June, July, August, September, November, and December.

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The best holidays to buy appliances are Labor Day, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and 4th of July.

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the best time to buy appliances
Tayler Riouff's Profile Picture
Tayler Riouff
Managing Editor
17 min. read

Is a new appliance calling your name? Well, timing is everything if you want to purchase without breaking the bank. Capitalizing on sales periods is more than just a thrifty shopper's strategy—it's a smart financial move that significantly impacts your wallet, especially with the average price range running from $190 on the lower end to $10,600 on the higher end, according to Home Advisor[12].

An appliance is a machine that assists in household functions such as cooking, cleaning, and food preservation.

With such high price tags, savvy consumers know that waiting for the best time to buy an appliance can lead to substantial savings. By aligning your purchase with seasonal discounts and promotional events, you can secure the best quality at the best price.

Small Appliances vs Major Appliances

When you think of "appliances", you probably think of a wide variety of household devices, from major appliances like refrigerators to smaller ones like toasters and hand mixers.

Kitchen appliance

According to the Wikipedia Home Appliances[11] page, an "appliance" is a machine that "assists in household functions such as cooking, cleaning, and food preservation," regardless of size. From there, the definition can be split into small appliances, major appliances, and consumer electronics (TVs, computers, and other small personal electronics).

From here, we'll focus on the best times to buy small and major appliances. If you want to learn more about when to buy consumer electronics, check out our best time to buy electronics page. Otherwise, stay tuned as we reveal the best time to buy appliances.

When is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?

Appliances go on sale several times throughout the year, but a few sales periods consistently offer better, lower deals. Of course, each appliance has an individual best time, but we'll start broadly before sharing specific product information. Very broadly, the best time to buy appliances is Black Friday weekend leading through to Cyber Monday.

If you find yourself in the market for a new appliance but Black Friday Weekend is far away — don't worry. You can take advantage of plenty of other sales periods throughout the year (including an entire month full of rebates[10]!), so you won't have to wait too long before your perfect appliance is on sale.

The Perfect Pre-Holiday Weeknd: Black Friday — Cyber Monday

Black Friday Weekend is the best time to buy a home appliance.

Black Friday Weekend is renowned for offering significant discounts on a wide range of products, including appliances. Most retailers stock up on appliances during August and September to capitalize on back-to-school season sales (which is another good time to buy appliances, but more on that below).

Any leftover inventory from this sale is added to the inventory featured during Black Friday Weekend, thus motivating retailers to offer steep discounts to move as many models as possible. Black Friday Weekend is the perfect time to do so, and what's even better, these sales often extend through to the end of Cyber Monday, so there's plenty of time to peruse the models on sale.

Other Great Times to Buy Appliances

Now that you know the absolute best time to buy appliances in general, let's look at some other significant sales periods that occur throughout the year since Black Friday Weekend isn't the only time to find a good deal on a new addition to your home. Most of the following sales will depend on two factors: general holiday sales and the release of new models.

Washer and dryer

While the exact day an appliance is released might differ from year to year, larger appliances generally follow the same schedule:

  • Washers, dryers, and dishwashers: September and October
  • Ovens and ranges: January
  • Refrigerators: January — March

Larger appliances are often seen as a household necessity and use much more energy than smaller appliances. Manufacturers are constantly working to create new energy-efficient models (notably ENERGY STAR®-rated[9] appliances) that are cost-efficient to develop, meaning new models with new innovations are released annually. For these reasons, you can expect sales on large appliances just before the release of new models and during holiday sales.

New, smaller appliances follow a less structured release schedule, so if you're in the market for a new toaster or coffee maker, focus on holiday sales. Let's check out some of these other sales periods.

The ENERGY STAR® Rebate Finder

If you've been shopping for new appliances before, you've probably seen the little bright blue ENERGY STAR logo that dots most new models. ENERGY STAR is a program that provides information on a product's energy consumption. An ENERGY STAR-rated appliance means it consumes less energy than a non-rated appliance, which could save you money in the long run.

Even better, you can usually find rebates and special offers on ENERGY STAR-certified products using the Rebate Finder[8] tool.

Presidents' Day Weekend

Presidents' Day Weekend is a prime time for appliance sales. Retailers use this mid-February holiday to clear old inventory for new spring models, benefitting both sellers and buyers. You can expect to enjoy deep discounts on big-ticket items, with stores offering aggressive promotions and rebates.

This weekend is perfect for major household upgrades at lower costs. Shopping during Presidents' Day sales lets you snag high-quality appliances at a fraction of the price.

May is the Trifecta of Sales — Maytag Month, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day Weekend

May is an exceptional month for finding deals on appliances because three major sales and promotions take place over the month.

May features three major sales: Maytag Month, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day Weekend.

Every May, Maytag, one of the most trusted brands in home appliances, hosts its annual Maytag Month promotional sale. The sales period starts at the end of April and features special promotions and rebates on their latest models. It's a targeted effort to boost brand loyalty and attract customers looking for high-quality, durable appliances.

Mother's Day also occurs in May, and retailers tap into the seasonal spirit by offering discounts on appliances that are perfect for gifting. Featuring lower prices on everything from high-tech kitchen gadgets to luxurious laundry pairs, these sales are offered to make it easier to spoil the maternal figures in your life.

Finally, Memorial Day Weekend caps off the month with one of the most significant sale periods of the year. Second to Black Friday Weekend, retailers cut prices significantly to honor the holiday, clear out existing inventory before the summer, and make way for new models at the end of the summer season.

Each event is crafted to create a perfect storm of savings, driving down prices and making May the ideal time to invest in new appliances.

June — Father's Day Sales

Grill on a patio

Similar to Mother's Day, Father's Day sees retailers offering significant discounts on a wide array of appliances, particularly grills, and BBQs[4], making it an ideal time to secure a great deal on the perfect gift for the dads out there. It's not just about finding a bargain; it's about discovering the right tool that can bring a smile to dad's face while upgrading the household's appliance game.

The Double Sales of July — 4th of July Weekend and Amazon Prime Day

Another month with more than one sale, July emerges as another opportune month for savvy appliance shoppers, marked notably by the 4th of July and Amazon Prime Day.

Kicking off the month, we have the 4th of July Weekend, which stands as a pivotal time for appliance sales, driven by a blend of tradition and strategic retail planning. Retailers seize this mid-summer moment to clear out existing inventory, making room for the upcoming models slated for the fall season. This calculated sales period boosts sales during a typically slower season by tapping into the holiday's festive mood.

Shortly after, Amazon Prime Day[6] kicks in, shifting the sale season into overdrive. This two-day online shopping event, exclusive to Amazon Prime members, is renowned for slashing prices on thousands of items. Small appliance sales are the name of the game for Amazon Prime Day, so save your large appliance shopping for the 4th of July.

Back-to-School Season

Back-to-school season beckons yet another prime opportunity to score deals on appliances, both for students getting up college dorms or apartments and families in the market for a new appliance ahead of the school season. Retailers are keenly aware that parents and students alike are on the lookout for both compact and efficient appliances to start the school year right.

This period sees significant reductions in items like microwaves, mini-fridges, and small cookers — essentials for any dorm room or student living space. It’s about practicality; as families focus on gearing up for the academic year, stores cater to this need by making it financially easier to outfit student accommodations.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend marks a pivotal moment in the retail calendar for appliances, driven by a unique blend of consumer behavior and strategic retail management.

Retailers recognize this weekend as the last major sales event of the summer, seizing the opportunity to clear out summer stock and make room for new washer, dryer, and dishwasher models. But these sales aren't just about clearing inventory — they also offer consumers a chance to purchase high-quality appliances at significantly reduced prices.

End-of-Year Clearance

End-of-year clearance sales offer savvy shoppers a prime opportunity to capitalize on significant discounts for a very practical reason. Retailers are gearing up to introduce ovens, ranges, and refrigerators in the coming year, making it essential to clear out current inventory to make space. They'll also use this sales period to boost revenue and meet quotas.

If you're shopping during this time, you might find that stores have slightly depleted inventories, especially on larger appliances, since storefronts will likely be cleared out after the holidays. However, it's still a great time to find a good deal on a small or large appliance if you want to upgrade your home on a budget for the new year.

The Best Times to Buy Large Appliances

Navigating the appliance market can be akin to mastering a strategic game, where timing is everything. Knowing the precise moment to make your move can mean securing an unbeatable deal or missing out altogether.

Contemporary kitchen

There's a common misconception that specific dates are the prime time for all appliance purchases. However, the reality is that each category of appliance has its own ideal purchasing window. Now that you have a broad idea of the best times to buy appliances, let's take a more granular look at the best times to buy specific appliances. If you have a specific product in mind, the following section will have what you need.

The Best Time to Buy A Refrigerator

As mentioned above, new refrigerators are released between January and March in the spring. To ensure there's enough room in their inventories to receive new models, retailers use Presidents' Day weekend to host sales and move as much inventory as possible, making this the best time to buy a new fridge.

Did you miss Presidents' Day Weekend? Don't sweat it. We've got more sales dates listed on our refrigerator product page.

The Best Time to Buy A Washer and Dryer

When it comes to shopping for a washer and dryer, holiday sales are your best bet, as retailers will use the long weekends to host sales and encourage a revenue boost. However, the holiday that stands out as the best time is Labor Day, but there's more where that came from on our washer and dryer product page.

The Best Time to Buy A Dishwasher

Labor Day is the perfect time to invest in a new dishwasher. Retailers clear out old stock to make way for new models so that you can snag high-quality dishwashers at great prices. Take advantage of end-of-summer sales and new inventory to make smart, budget-friendly purchases.

Don't let a missed Labor Day sale keep you from having the kitchen of your dreams. If you're not near Labor Day, head over to the Best Time to Buy a Dishwasher for a full.

The Best Time to Buy A Freezer: Chest, Drawer, Upright, and Portable

When buying a freezer, Black Friday Weekend through Cyber Monday stands unparalleled in the appliance shopping calendar for its extraordinary savings opportunities. Retailers from major department stores to specialized appliance outlets offer some of the year's deepest discounts on all kinds of freezers, including the four main types[5]:

  • Chest freezers
  • Drawer freezers
  • Upright freezers
  • Portable freezers

No matter what kind of freezer you're in the market for, Black Friday Weekend is the perfect time to make your purchase. However, there are other good times to snag a great deal on a freezer, so stay tuned for individual product pages!

The Best Time to Buy A Range Stove or Oven

Like many major appliances, range stoves and ovens reach their lowest average prices during Black Friday Weekend. New models are released from September through December each year. To ensure there's enough store inventory to receive the new models, retailers use the holiday weekend to offer sales on last year's products.

These prices might not apply to the range stoves and ovens that have just been released (you'll have to wait for the next round of sales!), but you'll be able to find deals on models released during the previous years.

The Best Time to Buy A Grill or BBQ

Grills and BBQs often see their prices slashed at the end of summer when the demand for outdoor cooking equipment wanes and cooler temperatures discourage outdoor dining and entertaining. Responding to this seasonal shift, retailers aim to clear out existing inventory to make room for new models and other seasonal items.

The Best Times to Buy Small Appliances

Small appliances

It's no secret that Black Friday Weekend is one of the hottest sales periods of the year. This is especially true for small appliances — Read on for more!

The Best Time to Buy An Air Fryer

Air fryers are one of the country's most popular small appliances, with sales up 51% from 2019[3]. With the increase in popularity and continued design improvements, you can always expect to find a deal on an excellent model during Black Friday Weekend. It might not help much during Thanksgiving, but you can certainly use it to help you cook during the holidays.

The Best Time to Buy An Air Purifier

Air purifiers are typically on sale during allergy season, when the demand for cleaner air is higher. This makes April and May, the end of springtime, the best time to buy an air purifier because prices will fall when the busy season ends.

The Best Time to Buy A Blender

Blenders, vital tools for culinary enthusiasts and casual cooks, tend to see significant discounts during Black Friday Weekend because retailers are eager to capitalize on the heightened shopping activity. This time of year, consumers are looking for gifts and upgrades to their kitchens in preparation for the holiday season.

The Best Time to Buy A Coffee Maker

Coffee makers, an essential appliance in many households, typically see notable price reductions during Black Friday Weekend. This sales period aligns with retailers' strategies to attract consumers with attractive deals on high-demand items.

Since coffee makers are popular gifts and often on holiday wish lists, discounts are offered to capitalize on the increased consumer buying power and enthusiasm for securing great deals.

The Best Time to Buy An Electric Tea Kettle

Kettle and toaster

Electric tea kettles are a Black Friday must-have. In recent years, electric tea kettle sales have skyrocketed and are expected to continue growing[1], meaning improved technologies and new models being released. Retailers leverage the Black Friday weekend rush for holiday gifts, making it the perfect time to buy an electric tea kettle at a steep discount for a better at-home brewing experience.

The Best Time to Buy A Food Processor

Food processors, like many kitchen appliances such as blenders, mixers, and juicers, often make their way onto the discount shelves during the Black Friday Weekend for several practical reasons. This shopping extravaganza gives retailers a prime opportunity to leverage the holiday season to clear out excess inventory, attract customers with enticing deals, and ultimately increase their revenue stream.

The Best Time to Buy A Juicer

Juicers, along with blenders and food processors, often grace the discounted shelves during the Black Friday Weekend for various practical reasons. This shopping occasion allows retailers to leverage the holiday season, clear surplus inventory, and entice customers with appealing deals.

Lower prices mean more sales and more sales mean you could be enjoying fresh homemade juices before the long weekend is over.

The Best Time to Buy A Microwave

The appeal of Black Friday Weekend for getting a microwave goes way beyond the hype — it's all about being practical and innovative with your money. Retailers slash prices on microwaves and other appliances at this time to draw in holiday shoppers with the best deals of the year.

The Best Time to Buy A Rice Cooker

Rice cookers are another small appliance featured on sale during Black Friday Weekend. Retailers capitalize on holiday season gift shopping by offering discounts on items that are likely to be purchased as gifts—either for a family member, friend, or yourself. These sales clear inventory out and boost stores' revenue.

The Best Time to Buy A Slow Cooker

Are you planning to snag a slow cooker during Black Friday Weekend? Well, it's the perfect time. Retailers offer the steepest discounts of the year to make room for new inventory. With everyone hunting for holiday deals, prices drop significantly, giving you a chance to score a bargain.

The Best Time to Buy A Dehumidifier

Late spring and early summer are ideal for buying a dehumidifier due to rising humidity levels with warm weather. Demand spikes as homeowners combat increased moisture[2], which can lead to mold and allergens. Retailers offer discounts to attract buyers seeking better indoor air quality.

New summer product launches lead to lower prices, especially on models released during the previous year. These offer top-notch dehumidifiers at fantastic prices for a cozy, humidity-controlled home.

The Best Time to Buy A Toaster

Last (but certainly not least) on our list of appliances, toasters are another item that sees significant price drops during Black Friday Weekend. This is a prime time for intelligent shoppers to upgrade their kitchen gear affordably as retailers aim to clear out as much inventory as possible before the year ends.

Whether you want a basic or high-tech model, Black Friday Weekend is the best time to snag a toaster at a fantastic price.

Buying Appliances: The Bottom Line

Air fryer in a dark kitchen

While there are optimal times throughout the year to purchase specific appliances based on seasonality, consumer demand, and inventory cycles, Black Friday Weekend consistently emerges as the best time to buy a new appliance. You can save significantly by strategically timing your purchases while upgrading your home with high-quality appliances.

To ensure you never miss out on the best deals and shopping advice, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and get our expert tips and exclusive offers delivered directly to your inbox.

FAQ

Let's recap by answering some key questions:

When is the best time to buy appliances?

The best times to buy appliances are Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend, Maytag Month, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, Presidents' Day Weekend, Mother's Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Father's Day, 4th of July Weekend, 4th of July, back to school season, and end of year.

Why Amazon Prime Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Amazon Prime Day offers exclusive deals and fast shipping for Prime Members, making it a great opportunity to purchase an affordable appliance — especially smaller ones.

Why Black Friday is a good time to buy appliances:

Black Friday offers massive sales on products, including appliances. Retailers provide steep discounts, making it the ideal time to upgrade your appliances affordably.

Why Labor Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Labor Day offers an ideal opportunity to snag significant discounts on appliances as retailers clear out old inventory and consumers look to upgrade or replace household items. This makes it a perfect time to invest in high-quality appliances at affordable prices while enjoying the convenience of holiday shopping.

Why Labor Day Weekend is a good time to buy appliances:

Labor Day Weekend offers an ideal opportunity to snag significant discounts on appliances as retailers clear out old inventory and consumers look to upgrade or replace household items. This makes it a perfect time to invest in high-quality appliances at affordable prices while enjoying the convenience of holiday shopping.

Why Maytag Month is a good time to buy appliances:

Maytag Month, or May, is a great time to buy new home appliances, with the massive retailer offering sales and rebates on some of their most popular appliances.

Why Memorial Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Memorial Day is a great time to buy appliances because it falls during the start of summer when many people are looking to upgrade their home appliances for outdoor entertaining. Additionally, many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday, making it an opportune time to save money on necessary household items.

Why back to school season is a good time to buy appliances:

Back-to-school season is a great time to buy an appliance because it offers the perfect opportunity to upgrade and prepare for the academic year while taking advantage of sales and deals.

Why Presidents' Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Presidents' Day is a huge day for appliance purchases—particularly large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers that many people like to window-shop in person. Retailers seek to take advantage of the three-day weekend that most workers have off to get them into the store (or online) with great deals.

Why Black Friday Weekend is a good time to buy appliances:

Black Friday Weekend offers massive sales on products, including appliances. Retailers provide steep discounts, making it the ideal time to upgrade your appliances affordably.

Why Cyber Monday is a good time to buy appliances:

Cyber Monday offers a continuation of the massive Black Friday Weekend sales products, which extends to appliances. Retailers provide steep discounts, making it the ideal time to upgrade your appliances affordably.

Why Presidents' Day Weekend is a good time to buy appliances:

Presidents' Day Weekend is a huge day for appliance purchases—particularly large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers that many people like to window-shop in person. Retailers seek to take advantage of the three-day weekend that most workers have off to get them into the store (or online) with great deals.

Why Mother's Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Mother's Day is a wonderful time to purchase appliances because it allows you to show your appreciation for all the hard work and dedication that mothers put into their homes. Plus, with many retailers offering special deals and discounts during this time, it's the perfect opportunity to upgrade and make life easier for the amazing moms in our lives.

Why Memorial Day Weekend is a good time to buy appliances:

Memorial Day Weekend is a great time to buy appliances because it falls during the start of summer when many people are looking to upgrade their home appliances for outdoor entertaining. Additionally, many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday, making it an opportune time to save money on necessary household items.

Why Father's Day is a good time to buy appliances:

Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for dads by purchasing a new appliance that can make their lives easier and more efficient.

Why 4th of July Weekend is a good time to buy appliances:

The 4th of July Weekend is the perfect time to purchase an appliance because many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday.

Why 4th of July is a good time to buy appliances:

The 4th of July is the perfect time to purchase an appliance because many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday.

Why end of year is a good time to buy appliances:

End of year clearance sales are a great time to buy appliances because they offer discounted prices on last year's models, allowing customers to save money while still getting quality products.

How often are appliances on sale?

Appliances are rarely on sale, approximately 82 days each year, spanning 17 distinct sale periods—that's 22% of the year.

What are the best months to buy appliances?

The best months to buy appliances are February, May, June, July, August, September, November, and December.

What are the best holidays to buy appliances?

The best holidays to buy appliances are Labor Day, Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and 4th of July.

Why Labor Day is a good holiday to buy appliances:

Labor Day offers an ideal opportunity to snag significant discounts on appliances as retailers clear out old inventory and consumers look to upgrade or replace household items. This makes it a perfect time to invest in high-quality appliances at affordable prices while enjoying the convenience of holiday shopping.

Why Memorial Day is a good holiday to buy appliances:

Memorial Day is a great time to buy appliances because it falls during the start of summer when many people are looking to upgrade their home appliances for outdoor entertaining. Additionally, many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday, making it an opportune time to save money on necessary household items.

Why Presidents' Day is a good holiday to buy appliances:

Presidents' Day is a huge day for appliance purchases—particularly large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers that many people like to window-shop in person. Retailers seek to take advantage of the three-day weekend that most workers have off to get them into the store (or online) with great deals.

Why Mother's Day is a good holiday to buy appliances:

Mother's Day is a wonderful time to purchase appliances because it allows you to show your appreciation for all the hard work and dedication that mothers put into their homes. Plus, with many retailers offering special deals and discounts during this time, it's the perfect opportunity to upgrade and make life easier for the amazing moms in our lives.

Why Father's Day is a good holiday to buy appliances:

Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to show appreciation for dads by purchasing a new appliance that can make their lives easier and more efficient.

Why 4th of July is a good holiday to buy appliances:

The 4th of July is the perfect time to purchase an appliance because many retailers offer sales and discounts during this holiday.

  1. "Smart Kettle Market Size" (Grand View Research)
  2. "Dehumidifier Market" (Precedence Research)
  3. "Nestle, Tyson and other food giants bet on air fryer boom to grow sales" (CNBC)
  4. "Beyond Father's Day: The Story of the Backyard Barbecue" (Library of Congress Blogs)
  5. "4 Different Types of Freezers (And How to Use Each)" (Compact Appliance)
  6. "The history of Prime Day: Celebrating 9 years of Amazon's biggest deal event" (About Amazon)
  7. "Maytag" (Maytag)
  8. "ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder" (Energy Star)
  9. "About ENERGY STAR" (ENERGY STAR)
  10. "Maytag Rebate Info" (Mrs G)
  11. "Home appliance" (Wikipedia)
  12. "Appliance Pricing Guides" (Home Advisor)
  13. "When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?" (NerdWallet)
  14. "The best time to buy appliances (and the worst time to buy)" (Digital Trends)
  15. "When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?" (Wirecutter)

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