Best Time to Buy Electronics: Month-by-Month Price Calendar

Summary Table: When to Buy What

Save this table - it replaces dozens of articles. Green means the best time to buy, yellow means normal price, red means the worst time (prices are peaking or about to drop).

Below we break down the logic behind each category - why prices drop in these specific months, so you understand the mechanics rather than just memorizing the table.

TVs: January–February and November

TVs have one of the most predictable price cycles in all of electronics. The reason is the annual CES trade show in Las Vegas (January), where Samsung, LG, Sony and others unveil new lineups.

Here's what happens next:

• January–February - stores aggressively clear last year's models at 20–40% off to make room for new ones. Large screens (65"+) get an extra 15–25% discount ahead of the Super Bowl in the US, which pushes global prices down.
• March - the 'dead zone'. Old models are sold out, new ones are still full price. The worst month to buy.
• July - Amazon Prime Day. The second-biggest event after Black Friday for TVs. TCL and Hisense cut prices the most; Samsung and LG are more moderate (10–15%).
• November - Black Friday: 20–40% off current models.

Laptops: August and November

Laptops are tied to two cycles: the school year (August–September) and the holiday season (November–December).

• January - post-holiday clearance, 14–17% off last year's models (DontPayFull data).
• July–August - Back-to-School. Manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) subsidize promotions. Especially good deals on mid-range and student laptops.
• September–October - the worst time. New models launch at full price, old stock is already gone. Data shows that median laptop discounts peak 17 days before Black Friday, not on the day itself.
• November - Black Friday: 21–35% off (DontPayFull, 2024–2025).

Smartphones: October–November and January

Smartphone price cycles are tied to new model releases:

• February–March - Samsung launches the Galaxy S series. The previous flagship (e.g. S25 after S26 launches) drops 15–25% in price.
• August–September - the worst time. New iPhones are imminent but haven't launched yet. The current model sells at near-full price, but will drop sharply in 2–4 weeks.
• October - new iPhones have been out for a month, the previous generation drops 15–30%. Same with Google Pixel (October release).
• November - Black Friday + carriers offer maximum trade-in bonuses.
• January–February - Post-holiday clearance. Refurbished models appear in bulk, prices on 2–3 month old flagships hit their minimum.

Refrigerators and Major Appliances

Home appliances have their own cycle, driven by model lineup refreshes (September–October) and seasonal events:

• February–March - one of the best periods. Samsung Love Season (up to 30% off), LG with discounts up to 31%. In Ukraine, Epicentr and Foxtrot run major spring sales.
• May - pre-summer sales, especially on refrigerators.
• September–October - new models arrive, old stock is cleared at a discount. The best time for washing machines and dishwashers.
• December - overpay. Before New Year's, demand for gift appliances rises, and stores are in no hurry to cut prices.

Air Conditioners: Winter Is Your Friend

This is the simplest category to understand: when it's hot - expensive, when it's cold - cheap.

• November–March - off-season. Minimum demand = minimum price. Installers are also less busy and charge less for installation.
• May–August - peak prices. Air conditioners go up 15–30%, and installation wait times stretch to weeks.

According to Minfin.com.ua, in spring 2026 air conditioners and water heaters showed the largest seasonal price increase among home appliances.

Headphones and Audio

• January - post-holiday clearance. AirPods, Sony WH-1000XM series, JBL - everything discounted.
• July - Prime Day. Audio gear is one of the most discounted categories.
• November - Black Friday.
• December - overpay. Headphones are one of the most popular gifts, and prices don't drop before the holidays.

Three Rules That Work for Any Electronics

1. New model = discount on the old one

When a brand announces a new lineup, the previous generation drops 15–40% in price within 4–8 weeks. This works for Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony - no exceptions.

2. Compare across stores

The price difference between Rozetka, Foxtrot, Allo and Comfy for the exact same product can reach 10–15%. On Hotline, 5+ stores often sell identical items at different prices. Always compare.

3. Track the price, not the 'discount'

Many stores raise prices 2–3 weeks before a sale, then 'discount' back to normal. The only way to verify this is price history. If you see '-30%' but the tracker shows the price is only 5% off its minimum - it's a fake discount. Paste a product link into the price checker and look at the full chart. More on fake-discount tactics in 5 Black Friday Myths.