Timing your appliance purchase correctly can save you 35% to 50% off retail prices. After tracking prices across Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Amazon for three years, we’ve identified exactly when to buy each appliance type in 2026.
When to Buy What
Black Friday (November 28, 2026): Everything, 35% to 50% off
Memorial Day (May 25, 2026): Refrigerators, 30% to 45% off
Labor Day (September 7, 2026): Washers and dryers, 25% to 35% off
January 2026 (NOW!): Ranges and ovens, 20% to 30% off
Critical: Buy ANY appliance before March 31, 2026 to avoid 10% to 25% tariff price increases hitting April 2026.
JANUARY 2026 URGENT UPDATE
If you’re reading this right now, you’re in the optimal January clearance window.
CES 2026 just ended (January 7 to 10). New models were announced. Retailers are clearing old inventory THIS WEEK.
You have 11 days left (through January 31) for:
- Ranges and ovens: 20% to 30% off
- Floor models: 30% to 45% off
- Immediate delivery available
Action: Visit showrooms THIS WEEKEND (January 18 to 20) before clearance ends. Next sale: President’s Day, six weeks away.
Tariff Warning: 71 days until price increases (April 1). Buy now or pay 10% to 25% more later.
2026 Shopping Calendar
| Month | Best For | Discount | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| January (NOW!) | Ranges, Ovens | 20 to 30% | 11 days left! Post CES clearance |
| February | Bundles, Washers | 25 to 30% | President’s Day (Feb 16) |
| March | Any Appliance | 15 to 25% | Last chance before tariffs |
| April | AVOID | None | Tariff price increases hit |
| May | Refrigerators | 30 to 45% | Memorial Day (May 25) |
| July | Small Appliances | 20 to 30% | July 4th sales |
| September | Washers, Dryers | 25 to 35% | Labor Day (Sept 7) |
| October | Everything | 30 to 40% | Pre Black Friday clearance |
| November | EVERYTHING | 35 to 50% | Black Friday (Nov 28) |
| December | Floor Models | 30 to 45% | Year end clearance |
Top 3 Best Buying Periods in 2026
1. Black Friday (November 28, 2026)
Why: Biggest shopping event of the year. Maximum promotional budgets. Deepest discounts across ALL categories.
Expected Savings:
- Refrigerators: 40% to 48%
- Washers and Dryers: 38% to 45%
- Dishwashers: 35% to 42%
- Ranges: 37% to 44%
Verified 2025 Example: Samsung 4 door flex refrigerator dropped from $3,999 to $2,199 at Best Buy (45% off).
Pro Tip: Shop online at midnight when deals go live. Popular models sell out fast.
2. Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
Why: New refrigerator models arrive in May. Stores must clear previous year inventory.
Expected Savings: 30% to 45% on refrigerators specifically.
Verified 2025 Example: LG French door refrigerator dropped from $2,899 to $1,699 at Best Buy Memorial Day (41% off).
Bonus: Maytag offers manufacturer rebates ($200 to $600) during “Maytag Month” in May. Stack with Memorial Day discounts for 45%+ total savings.
3. Labor Day (September 7, 2026)
Why: New washer and dryer models launch September. Old models must go.
Expected Savings: 25% to 35% on washers and dryers.
Verified 2025 Example: Samsung washer dryer pair dropped from $1,899 to $1,299 Labor Day weekend (32% off).
2026 Tariff Warning
Starting April 1, 2026, appliance prices will increase 10% to 25% due to new tariffs on imported steel and electronics.
What This Means:
- $2,000 refrigerator becomes $2,300 to $2,500 in April
- No added features, just higher prices
- GE, Samsung, and LG confirmed price increases
Your Window: 71 days remaining (through March 31, 2026)
Priority Purchases:
- Refrigerators (highest tariff exposure)
- Washers and dryers (steel intensive)
- Any appliance you’ll need in 2026
Skip April completely unless emergency replacement.
Stack Rebates: Save Extra $500 to $3,200
Federal Tax Credits (2026):
- Induction range: $840
- Heat pump dryer: $840
- Heat pump water heater: $2,000
State Rebates (Examples):
- Massachusetts: $500 induction stove
- California: Up to $1,500 heat pump water heater
- New York: Up to $1,000 heat pump appliances
Manufacturer Rebates:
- Samsung BESPOKE bundles: Up to $1,500
- LG kitchen suites: $600 to $1,200
- Maytag Month (May): $200 to $600
Real Stacking Example:
Samsung kitchen package $7,796 MSRP
→ Memorial Day 40% off: $4,678
→ Samsung rebate $1,200: $3,478
→ State rebate $500: $2,978
→ Federal credit $840: $2,138 final cost
Total Savings: $5,658 (73% off)
Check dsireusa.org for your state rebates.
Emergency Replacement?
If your appliance dies and you cannot wait for a sale:
1. Check Scratch and Dent Sections
- Home Depot “Special Buys”
- Lowe’s outlet centers
- 15% to 40% off with full warranty
- Minor cosmetic damage only
2. Ask for Floor Models
- 25% to 45% off display units
- Full manufacturer warranty
- Immediate delivery
3. Use Price Match
- Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s all price match
- Screenshot competitor lower price
- Present before purchase
4. Negotiate Free Delivery
- Saves $99 to $199
- Especially if buying multiple items
- Ask for free installation too ($150 to $300 value)
5. Check Amazon Warehouse
- Open box returns
- 20% to 50% off
- Warranty usually still valid
FAQ’s
Q: What is the cheapest time of year to buy appliances?
A: Black Friday weekend (November 28 to 30, 2026) offers the deepest discounts at 35% to 50% off across all appliance categories.
Q: Are appliances going up in price in 2025?
A: Yes, appliances will increase 10% to 25% starting April 2026 due to new tariffs on imported steel and electronics, so buy before March 31, 2026.
Q: What is the 50/50 rule for appliances?
A: If repair costs exceed 50% of a new appliance’s price, replace it instead of repairing, especially if the appliance is over 50% through its expected lifespan.
Q: When should you buy new appliances?
A: Buy refrigerators Memorial Day (May 25), washers and dryers Labor Day (September 7), and everything else Black Friday (November 28), or buy anything before March 31, 2026 to avoid tariff price increases.
Your Action Plan
If Shopping January 2026 (Now): Visit showrooms THIS WEEKEND
✅ Buy ranges, ovens before January 31
✅ Check floor models for extra savings
If Needing Specific Appliances:
- Refrigerator → Memorial Day (May 25)
- Washer/Dryer → Labor Day (Sept 7)
- Anything else → Black Friday (Nov 28)
Everyone Should:
- Buy before March 31 to avoid tariff increases
- Screenshot the calendar table above
- Check rebate eligibility at dsireusa.org
- Install CamelCamelCamel for Amazon price tracking
Critical: Don’t wait until April or later. Prices increase 10% to 25% starting April 1.
Price Tracking Tools
CamelCamelCamel: Amazon price history and alerts
Honey: Auto apply coupon codes at checkout
Google Shopping: Compare prices across retailers
Slickdeals: Community shared deals
Bottom Line
Best times ranked:
- Black Friday (Nov 28) → Everything, 35% to 50% off
- Memorial Day (May 25) → Refrigerators, 30% to 45% off
- Labor Day (Sept 7) → Washers/Dryers, 25% to 35% off
- January (NOW!) → Ranges/Ovens, 20% to 30% off (11 days left)
Most important: Buy ANY needed appliance before March 31, 2026. Starting April, everything costs 10% to 25% more due to tariffs.
January 2026 shoppers: You have 11 days for ranges, ovens, and floor models. Act THIS WEEKEND.