The best time of year to buy home tech

Everybody loves a bargain, especially when it comes to electronics. But how—and when—do you find the best home tech deals?

Should you mark your calendar for tech shopping season events like Black Friday? How long should you wait to buy something after companies release a product? And when should you click “buy now” when you see a discount online?

Don't worry, here at Asurion, we take care of you and your tech. We'll explain everything you need to know about home electronics sales, smart home discounts, and more.

What to think about when buying new tech

No matter what time of year you shop for new tech, there are a few things to consider, says Marvin Maldonado, an Asurion Expert on technology and appliances.

• Do I really want or need this? Avoid hype and pressure. Make sure the device you're considering buying is something you'll use.
• What's the discount? Compare the regular price with the sales price. If the discount isn't big, you may want to wait and shop around.
• Should I upgrade? If you're looking to upgrade tech you already own, are the features and benefits you'll get with the new model worth the cost?
• Is there a warranty? Always check for a manufacturer's warranty and look to add an extended warranty—and look closely at the terms of each before you buy something.
• What do other customers say? Reading honest reviews about a device can help you decide whether to buy it or not.
• Is it compatible with the tech I already own? It's smart to buy devices that connect to the same network and work together, especially when it comes to your smart home.

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When is the best time of year to buy new technology?

Is there really a best time of year to buy home tech? Well, there are several, says Maldonado. “If you're an online shopper like me, Amazon Prime Day and Cyber Monday are the dates to watch out for,” he says. “If you like to shop in person, Black Friday is a great day to find new tech.”

Our advice? Research the price and features of the item you want, then set a calendar reminder to check for specific home-gadget discounts when they're typically expected.

Here's a breakdown of the big sales events and promotions, and what home tech items are best to buy during each.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday occurs on the day after Thanksgiving. It's when stores are officially “in the black” (meaning profitable), and it kicks off the holiday shopping season in the U.S. In recent decades, it's changed from a one-day frenzied trip to the mall into a multiday event, starting online and in-person on Thanksgiving and extending into the following week through the sales of Cyber Monday. A big focus for shoppers during this time is home tech deals.

In 2022, the top selling devices on Cyber Monday were smart TVs, Apple AirPods®, MacBooks®, tablets, and smart watches, according to a recent Adobe® Analytics report on holiday shopping trends. On Cyber Monday that same year, discounts on electronics peaked at 25% off the regular price (vs. 8% in 2021). And experts expect what's known as Cyber Week (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday) to continue to feature the best deals of the year on electronics.

What home tech should you buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Here are some devices you may find on sale:

• TVs
• Laptops, computers, and tablets
• Headphones or earbuds
• Smart home devices, like speakers, security cameras, thermostats, lights, and locks
• Smart watches
• Smart appliances, like refrigerators, microwave ovens, and washing machines
• Wireless speakers

How do you find the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?

Stores like Amazon, Target®, Walmart®, and Best Buy® will often advertise Black Friday or Cyber Week sales ahead of time, so check their websites or sign up for their newsletters in early November. Other sites like wired.com and consumerreports.org track Cyber Week sales and offer timely tech shopping tips.

Amazon Prime Day

In 2015, Amazon introduced its annual Prime Day sale, which has since become a popular two-day, mid-July summer savings event for Amazon Prime® members. There are all sorts of discounts across the site, and tech is among them.

Much like on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, it's worth it to research prices on the technology you're interested in ahead of time, so you can spot a good deal and be ready for flash sales.

What home tech should you buy on Amazon Prime Day?

Here are some devices you may find a deal on:

• Small smart kitchen items like coffee makers and pressure cookers
• Amazon gadgets like Echo™ devices, Kindle® tablets, and Fire TV™ sticks
• Headphones or earbuds
• Gaming consoles

What's the best way to shop on Amazon Prime Day?

To get the most out of Prime Day, make a shopping list and check regular retail prices—or discounted prices—before the sale starts. Wired.com recommends using camelcamelcamel.com, a site that tracks prices on Amazon over time.

Also, consider putting an item you really want into the shopping cart ahead of time, so you'll be ready to buy with less risk of the item selling out if a flash sale comes up.

Back to school season

When summer starts winding down and kids are getting ready to go back to school, tech tops many parents' shopping lists. Some schools even require kids to have certain devices, like laptops and tablets, so it makes sense to shop for deals.

Many stores offer back-to-school promotions for home tech from late July through September, and uBreakiFix® by Asurion and Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™ stores offer great deals on computer, laptop, and tablet repairs and tune-ups during this time.

What home tech should you buy during back-to-school season?

• Laptops and computers
• Computer monitors
• Computer accessories
• Tablets
• Printers
• Wireless routers
• Gaming consoles
• Bluetooth speakers

How can you get other discounts on back-to-school tech?

States like Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri, and others, offer tax-free holidays every year where home tech is included, among other untaxed items, like clothing and backpacks. Check whether there's a tax-free weekend in your state—it's a great time to save some money.

New product launches

When Apple® introduces the latest iPhone® (typically in September), or Samsung® releases the new Galaxy® (usually around February), it's a great time to get a deal on smart phones. The same goes for laptops, gaming consoles, and other tech.

“When new devices are released, whether it's a phone or a piece of home tech, manufacturers will often offer great deals on previous models,” says Maldonado. “They'll discount the older tech to make way for the new.”

And don't forget appliances. When companies introduce the latest model of a dishwasher or dryer, usually in November, the price for last year's model tends to drop.

Holiday sales

Another time of year for great home tech deals is right after the holidays in January and during holiday sales throughout the year. Stores traditionally offer home tech gadget discounts to get shoppers into their stores after Christmas and on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and President's Day. You can track deals on this Best Time to Buy Things chart from consumerreports.org.

Although it's not officially a holiday, look for deals on smart TVs in January around the NFL Championship. Stores offer discounts to boost an after-Christmas lull in sales and latch onto the hype for the big game. Mid-to-late January may be the best time of year to buy just in time to watch the game on a big screen.

Check out this chart to find out more about the best time of year to buy any home tech item.