The best time to buy appliances is around major holiday sales and model changeovers. Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Black Friday bring the deepest discounts, and late summer to early fall is when older models get marked down. January can also bring deals, but it is not the best month for every appliance.
- Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Black Friday are the big sale weekends for major appliances.
- Refrigerators often drop in May. Dishwashers and washers often drop in September and October.
- Air conditioners are often cheaper in winter, when demand is low.
- January helps with leftover holiday stock and prior-year models, but it is not the top month for every item.
- If your appliance has died, do not wait months for a sale. Use price matching and open-box deals instead.
- Best Buy may call 2 to 7 business days after your order to schedule delivery, so plan ahead.
- Best Months to Buy Major Appliances
- The Holiday Sales Calendar
- New Model Timing and Clearance Pricing
- Appliance-by-Appliance Timing
- Is January a Good Time to Buy Appliances?
- Is Now a Good Time? Buy Now, Wait for a Sale, or Wait for a New Model
- Worked Example: Full Price vs. Sale Price
- Best Buy Appliance Delivery Timeline
- How to Compare Sale Prices and Clearance Models
- How to Avoid Overpaying Outside Sale Periods
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Months to Buy Major Appliances
Retailers discount appliances for two reasons. They want to pull in shoppers on holiday weekends, and they need shelf space for new models. Both patterns repeat every year. That is why timing your purchase can cut the price noticeably.
Here is a month-by-month view of when each category tends to be cheapest.
| Time of Year | Best Categories | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Leftover holiday stock, some prior-year models | Stores clear inventory after the holidays |
| March–April | Cleaning appliances (vacuums, washers) | Spring cleaning promotions |
| May | Refrigerators | New models arrive and older stock is marked down. Memorial Day sales add to it. |
| July | Most major appliances | Independence Day sales |
| September–October | Dishwashers, washers, dryers | Stores make room for newer models. Labor Day sales lead into it. |
| November | Most major and small appliances | Black Friday sales |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Air conditioners | Demand is low |
Sources such as Good Housekeeping and NerdWallet describe the same general pattern.
The Holiday Sales Calendar
Four sale periods stand out for major appliances. Each one has a different feel.
- Memorial Day (late May): Strong deals on refrigerators and a good all-round sale.
- Independence Day (early July): Broad discounts across kitchen and laundry.
- Labor Day (early September): Good for dishwashers and laundry as older models start to clear.
- Black Friday (late November): The widest selection of deals, including small appliances.
Sales run on holiday weekends, but prices can start dropping days before. Sometimes they continue a few days after. Check a week ahead.
New Model Timing and Clearance Pricing
Manufacturers release updated models on a yearly cycle. When a new model lands, the older one becomes clearance stock. The old model is often nearly the same machine with a minor change to the controls, finish, or a feature.
The timing differs by category:
- Refrigerators: New models often arrive around May, so older inventory is discounted then.
- Dishwashers and washing machines: Retailers often discount these in September and October to make room for newer models.
Clearance buyers should check three things: the warranty, parts availability, and whether the new model really adds something you want. If the differences are cosmetic, the older model is the better buy.
Appliance-by-Appliance Timing
Many guides list sale holidays and stop there. Different appliances do have different peak months, so match your timing to what you need.
| Appliance | Best Time to Buy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | May | New models arrive and older ones are discounted |
| Dishwasher | September–October | Also look at Labor Day and Black Friday |
| Washer and dryer | September–October | Buy the pair together if the store offers a bundle price |
| Air conditioner | Winter | Low demand means lower prices. Plan ahead for summer. |
| Vacuums and cleaning appliances | March–April | Spring cleaning promotions |
| Small kitchen appliances | Black Friday and holiday sales | Prices are low, but stock can sell out |
Is January a Good Time to Buy Appliances?
Sometimes. January is worth a look, but it works for two different reasons that are easy to mix up.
- Post-holiday clearance: Stores want to clear leftover holiday inventory. This helps most with items that were stocked for gifts.
- Prior-year models: Some retailers mark down last year’s models when new ones are announced.
January is not the cheapest month for every appliance. Refrigerators lean toward May, and dishwashers and washers lean toward fall. Air conditioners, though, can be a good January buy, since winter demand is low.
Is Now a Good Time? Buy Now, Wait for a Sale, or Wait for a New Model
It is early October 2026. Labor Day has passed, but dishwashers and washing machines are in their usual fall clearance window. Black Friday is about seven weeks away. So for a dishwasher or washer, now is a reasonable time to shop. For a refrigerator, you may do better waiting for May unless you need one sooner.
- If your appliance still works and a big sale is within 6 to 8 weeks: wait for the sale.
- If a new model is due soon (for example, refrigerators in spring): wait, then compare the new model with the discounted old one.
- If your appliance has failed and you have no workaround: buy now. Ask about price matching, open-box units, and floor models.
- If a sale is already running: compare the price against the recent price history before you buy.
Waiting has a cost. A broken fridge can spoil food. A dead washer means laundromat trips. Those costs can erase a sale discount fast. When you need it now, a fair price today beats a great price in three months.
Worked Example: Full Price vs. Sale Price
These numbers are illustrations, not real quotes. Say a refrigerator lists at $1,500. A Memorial Day sale takes 20% off.
- Full price: $1,500
- Discount (20%): $300
- Sale price: $1,200
Now say you wait for a clearance of the prior-year model and it drops to $1,100. That is $400 below full price. If the newer model costs $1,500 and adds only a different handle design, the clearance unit is the better value.
Now factor in the cost of waiting. If you have to eat out or replace spoiled food for two weeks, you could lose $200 or more. That cuts into your savings. Always count the cost of waiting.
Best Buy Appliance Delivery Timeline
Delivery timing affects when you should buy. Best Buy says major appliances usually require scheduled delivery. An agent may call 2 to 7 business days after your order to set it up.
- Day 0: You place the order.
- Days 2–7 (business days): An agent may call to schedule your delivery.
- Delivery day: You get an appointment window for the scheduled date.
As for what time Best Buy delivers appliances, the answer is a window, not a fixed hour. Best Buy provides an appointment window for the scheduled date. Check your order confirmation or ask the agent for the exact window.
How far in advance should you plan? Order at least a couple of weeks before you need the appliance. Holiday sale weekends are busy, and delivery slots can fill up. Before delivery day, measure doorways and the install spot, and make sure the old unit is disconnected if the store does not handle that.
How to Compare Sale Prices and Clearance Models
- Compare model numbers. Retailers sometimes sell slightly different versions of the same appliance under different numbers. A direct price comparison only works on the exact model.
- Check the total price. Add delivery, installation, haul-away, and any needed parts like water lines or vent kits.
- Look at the warranty. Clearance models should come with the same manufacturer warranty. Confirm it.
- Ask about price matching. Many stores will match a lower price on the same model.
- Look for bundles. Buying a kitchen or laundry set can bring an extra discount.
For more on timing and savings, Fidelity’s guide covers the basics.
How to Avoid Overpaying Outside Sale Periods
Sometimes the sale calendar does not match your needs. You can still save.
- Ask for the floor model. It often has small cosmetic marks and a lower price.
- Check open-box and scratch-and-dent. Make sure the warranty still applies.
- Stack offers. Combine store promotions, manufacturer rebates, and credit card offers where allowed.
- Set price alerts. A tracked price tells you when a dip happens.
- Skip extras you do not need. Extra features add cost. Buy the ones you will use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of year to buy appliances?
The strongest periods are around Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Refrigerators often drop in May, while dishwashers and washers often drop in September and October. Air conditioners tend to be cheaper in winter.
What’s the best time to buy appliances?
It depends on the appliance. For most major appliances, holiday sale weekends and model changeover periods offer the biggest savings. Match the category to its peak month using the table above.
What time does Best Buy deliver appliances?
Best Buy gives you an appointment window on your scheduled delivery date, not a single exact time. For major appliances, an agent may call 2 to 7 business days after your order to schedule it. Confirm the window in your order details or with the agent.
Is January a good time to buy appliances?
It can be. Stores clear leftover holiday inventory and sometimes discount prior-year models. But refrigerators, dishwashers, and washers often see better deals in other months, so January is not the best choice for everything.
Is now a good time to buy appliances?
In early October, dishwashers and washing machines are in their usual fall clearance window. Black Friday is also coming. If your appliance still works, you can wait for it. If it has failed, buy now and use price matching or open-box deals.
When is best time to buy appliances on sale?
Major sale periods are Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. Late summer and early fall are also good for clearing older models. Check prices a week before each holiday, since deals can start early.
