Why Right now is the best time to buy a new TV (and not Black Friday)

If you’re searching for the “best time to buy a new TV”, Super Bowl season is the real answer for most people. Late January through early February every year in the US is when stores drop prices hard, and it often beats what you see in late November. Gear Patrol and NerdWallet both point to this window as one of the strongest times to buy a TV, and for many shoppers, it’s the better move than waiting for Black Friday.

This matters for gamers too because the deals right now aren’t just on random cheap 60-inch TVs. A lot of the discounts hit big HIGH QUALITY 4K sets, Mini-LED, and OLED models that are actually good PERIOD

Engadget’s Super Bowl deal roundups show price cuts across OLED and other smart TVs, not just one “doorbuster” model.

Why Super Bowl Season Prices Drop Harder Than Black Friday

Stores are clearing last year’s good TVs

New TV lines get shown off in Early January (usually at CES), but most of those TVs do not fully hit stores right away. Stores still want the older TVs gone before the new ones show up. That’s when you see real price drops on well-known models, not just the cheap TV on the shelf.

Black Friday has sales, but a lot of those deals are built around hype. Super Bowl season is built around clearing inventory. That’s why the discounts can feel more “real” this time of year.

The Super Bowl creates a huge “big screen” rush

Super Bowl sales exist because a lot of people realize their current setup is not good enough. Stores fight for that moment, so discounts spread across more sizes, especially 65-inch and up. NerdWallet even says Super Bowl season is one of the best times of year to buy a TV.

The difference is simple. Black Friday pushes everything. Super Bowl season pushes TVs, and stores go harder because TVs are literally the way to main event.

Super Bowl TV Deals vs Black Friday Deals

Black Friday can be a trap

Black Friday has good deals, but it can also be stressful. Stock sells out fast, and some deals focus on special lower-quality models made to hit a low price. Wirecutter points out that some holiday deals are on models that are not the same as the ones reviewers usually recommend.

So yeah, you might see a huge price tag drop. But you can also end up buying a TV that looks fine in the store and feels “off” at home.

Super Bowl deals are usually better for normal shoppers

Super Bowl sales are usually “wide,” meaning more brands, more screen sizes, and more mid-range to high-end models go on sale at the same time. This is when you see more discounts on TVs people actually want, not just the cheapest one on the wall.

It’s also easier to shop. You don’t have to fight a holiday rush, and you can compare deals online without feeling like everything will vanish in five minutes.

What Kind of Deals Are Worth Watching Right Now

Big 4K screens for less

If you just want a huge screen that looks good for sports and games, this is the sweet spot. CNET highlights that Super Bowl deals often include big 4K TVs at prices that used to be rare outside of Black Friday.

This is where a lot of gamers win. Big 65-inch and 75-inch TVs are finally hitting prices that feel normal, not insane.

OLED and Gaming-ready TV deals

If you care about deep blacks, smooth motion, and that clean look in dark games, OLED is usually the best pick. Forbes has been tracking Super Bowl TV deals that include gaming-ready models, and those discounts can be big.

OLED also tends to feel “next level” for gamers because it handles contrast and motion so well. If you play fast games, it’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make without touching your console or PC.

Budget picks under $500

If you want a second screen for a bedroom setup, dorm, or a gaming corner, Super Bowl sales usually include plenty of options under $500, including 4K TVs. Engadget and CNET both show that this is one of the strongest times of year for cheap 4K deals.

When Super Bowl Season Is the Best Time to Buy a TV in 2026

Super Bowl season is the smarter buy if:

• You want a TV now, not 9 months from now
• You want a better model, not a “sale-only” model
• You want OLED or Mini-LED without paying full price
• You want to shop without Black Friday chaos

Black Friday still makes sense if:

• You only care about the cheapest big screen possible
• You do not mind weaker specs
• You already plan to shop hard during the holidays

How Gamers Should Shop These Deals Without Regret

1) Pick your size first, then shop

Going from 55 to 65 inches can be a smaller jump than you expect during Super Bowl sales. If you decide size after you see prices, you’re more likely to spend too much.

A simple rule: if this is your main room TV, 65 inches is the safest “no regrets” size for most homes in 2026.

2) Look for these gaming specs (even if your not a gamer)

If you want a TV that feels good for gaming, look for:

• HDMI 2.1 (important for modern consoles)
• 120Hz refresh rate (helps in shooters and sports)
• VRR (helps stop screen tearing)
• Low input lag or a good “Game Mode”

If the listing is unclear, search the exact model number before you buy.

3) Compare a few stores and check return rules

Deals can look the same across stores, so shipping, setup, and returns matter. Some sales also keep going into Presidents’ Day, so if you miss one price drop, you may see another soon.

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For most people in early 2026, Super Bowl season is the best time to buy a TV because the discounts hit better models than Black Friday, and you can shop without the holiday mess.

Black Friday is loud. Super Bowl season is where the real price drops usually show up.

What TV are you thinking about getting, a budget 4K, a bright Mini-LED, or an OLED for your main gaming setup?

Resources

• Featured Image Source – Photo by Karolina Grabowska
• Post Sources: Gear Patrol, Engadget, NerdWallet, NYTimes, Tom’s Guide, CNET, Forbes, TechRadar