The Best Time to Buy a Refrigerator: A Buying Guide [2023]

Like any major appliance, buying a refrigerator isn’t a casual purchase. You have to jump on the best deal you can get instead of running out and getting the first fridge you see. But before you can find that deal, it’s best to sit down and plan your purchase. Tons of retailers reduce prices throughout […]

Apr 24, 2023 - 14:34

The Best Time to Buy a Refrigerator: A Buying Guide [2023]

Like any major appliance, buying a refrigerator isn’t a casual purchase. You have to jump on the best deal you can get instead of running out and getting the first fridge you see.

But before you can find that deal, it’s best to sit down and plan your purchase. Tons of retailers reduce prices throughout the year, so settle on a budget and mark your calendar.

We’ll cover the best time to buy a fridge here and how to time your purchase just right to save money.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Refrigerator?

This one’s a no-brainer, but big sales are the best time to buy new appliances like a fridge or an air conditioner since everyone will want to make the most of the lower prices.

Back-to-school sales are a great chance to score a new appliance, but there are also several holiday sale days with incredible deals.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – MLK Day is a great time to buy appliances like refrigerators because you’re likely to find the best deals and steep discounts.
President’s Day – Presidents Day is a day of great celebration and discounts to match.
Labor Day – Labor Day spells a long weekend and a great time to buy refrigerators.
Independence Day – The 4th of July is a good chance to buy large appliances like refrigerators because it’s a major holiday.
Memorial Day – There will be plenty of sales on Memorial Day, from refrigerators to select appliances like air conditioners.
Black Friday – Black Friday sales always have some of the best discounts, so they’re definitely the best time to buy a large appliance like a refrigerator.
Cyber Monday – Cyber Monday caps off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making it another chance to get a good deal on a fridge.

Special Mention: May

May bears mentioning twice because it’s when Maytag appliances also go on sale.

Despite being bought by Whirlpool in 2006, Maytag still manufactures tough, dependable refrigerators and other appliances.

How to Save Money on a New Refrigerator

A refrigerator is one of those few kitchen appliances no modern home can do without, so it’s reasonable to pick up a model that’ll last you longer.

However, don’t even think about paying full price for a new refrigerator! Buying a refrigerator takes a bit of calendar knowledge and a set budget.

Unlike seasonal appliances like gas grills or air conditioners, a refrigerator has no in or off-season. Everyone needs storage for their food, so you can’t rely on seasonal sales.

That said, large appliances like refrigerators go on sale a lot throughout the year, so you can just wait for the right time to buy appliances.

Start Window Shopping

You won’t find deals without looking, so put your wallet away for now and visit the different stores in your area. Refrigerators are big ticket items, but they’re not going anywhere soon.

Before you visit any stores, ensure you have set dimensions for your fridge, like height and counter depth. Better yet, check your current fridge for its model.

Knowing your fridge’s model will help you buy large appliances regardless of store or brand. This also applies if you already know exactly the refrigerator you want.

Waiting for a big sale will help you save money, but your preferred model may not be in stock. If you have the funds for a new refrigerator, call ahead and place your order.

Giving yourself some lead time will ensure that your perfect refrigerator will be in stock and ready for pick-up at your convenience.

Emergency Purchases

We’re discussing a fairly leisurely and prepared approach to shopping, but sometimes your refrigerator breaks down, and you need a replacement ASAP.

If you have a frozen food emergency, here are some of the best places to buy a fridge. Be alert and browse your local stores for refrigerator prices.

Wait for a Restock

We’ll discuss the major sales below, but some of the best savings can be found when stores restock. These are often either barely advertised or unannounced, so you may get lucky!

Retail stores typically restock around the end of the week, so try planning your fridge or other appliance purchases around Thursdays.

Prepare for Supply Pains

Let’s say you live in an area with several nearby home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. You’ve timed it right, and appliance prices are guaranteed to drop ahead of a sale.

Despite your preparations, your chosen refrigerator isn’t guaranteed to be in stock whether you pop into your local Best Buy now or next week.

Supply chain hiccups can put a damper on your plans, so prepare a shortlist of refrigerators instead.

This is more likely if you’re eyeing a high-end model since refrigerators are bulky and take up lots of space. What this means is retailers can’t have too many refrigerators on-hand.

Your needs may change, and you may not need an entirely new fridge. See if you can get by with a mini freezer instead!

Buy One Online

Thanks to online shopping, it’s easier than ever to pick up large appliances like a fridge without leaving the comfort of your home.

Another benefit of online shopping is that you can simulate window shopping, too. Since multiple big box stores have an online presence, you can compare shops with ease.

Plus, when you buy an appliance online, you can look for significant discounts. Sales are no longer limited to brick-and-mortar shops!

Ensure you buy appliances online during sales like Amazon Prime Day, which typically occurs in the 2nd week of July.

Similar to any other appliance, new refrigerators can be found at physical stores and online, but the number of choices can overwhelm you.

Narrow down your fridge choices with a shortlist of the best refrigerators!

Use a Shopping App or Extension

You can simplify your refrigerator shopping with an extension like Capital One Shopping and Rakuten.

These programs will look for applicable coupon codes to help you save cash and can even offer cash back for purchases.

Tip

Have a calculator handy when shopping for refrigerators online. The price may seem attractive, but the final cost will still include shipping.

Models Over Makers

Brand loyalty should go out the window if you’re making a large appliance purchase like a fridge.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re eyeing a new Samsung or LG fridge because many manufacturers sell nearly-identical refrigerators.

Only the brand name changes, so find a refrigerator style you like and stick with it.

Get a Refurbished Fridge

Hear us out first! New models are usually preferable, but what if you buy a new model that turns out to be a lemon? You can skip that issue with a refurbished fridge.

This environmentally-friendly option is ideal if you’re strapped for cash since refurbished fridges are typically only slightly damaged but work perfectly well.

Plus, any issue they may have has been identified and fixed already, so you’re certain to get a working fridge. However, we recommend keeping an eye out for a warranty.

If your refurbished fridge conks out early, you can contact the seller and get a new one as long as the warranty covers it.

Check Out the Floor Models

You can save money on a refrigerator by buying the floor model. Since these units are technically “used” you can ask for a discount on them.

It also pays to be careful! Any damage you spot on floor models can become another discount to help you save even more money.

When New Models Release

Manufacturers unveil new refrigerators at roughly the same time every year, from January to March. This leaves retailers and big box stores with lots of excess inventory that they need to move quickly.

While everyone else may be clamoring for the new inventory, you can scoop up last year’s models at a sizable discount.

Out With the Old, in With The…Old?

When your trusty fridge fails, you shouldn’t scramble for a new appliance immediately! The latest models will still have high markups because of their recency.

Turn to older models for more affordable prices. Since refrigerators don’t significantly improve year-over-year, you won’t lose out on new features.

Wait for the End of the Month

The best time to buy appliances like a fridge may be the end of the month. Some retailers offer large discounts on major appliances like fridges.

Salespeople who need to meet their monthly quotas or stores with sales goals will typically accept a lower price on appliances like refrigerators in order to close a deal.

If you feel like haggling you can also push your luck, but we’d recommend timing over bargaining.

Check Consumer Reports

Before buying appliances, it’s a good idea to check whether other homeowners have anything to say about the model you’re looking at.

Consumer Reports is a trusty user website that reviews everything you’d want to know about large appliances. You just have to sign up for membership to see the reviews.

They try their best to keep up with the latest fridges and are a wealth of data, but remember to check them often to make the most of the subscription fee!

Ideal Time For Buying A Refrigerator Related FAQs

Check out this section to save big on fridges and other appliances!

The best time to buy a new fridge has 2 different answers. If you want the best price possible, wait until Thanksgiving weekend.

Many retailers will prioritize Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, so the end of November is a great time to buy a fridge or any large appliance like a stove.

New refrigerators typically release during springtime, so wait for March until May before getting a new fridge.

Various appliances have different general lifespans.

Refrigerators – Despite running almost non-stop, these large appliances should last about 12-14 years, depending on your fridge’s model and style.
Washing Machines – These workhorses will last you 10 years or more but check the parts regularly.
Air Conditioners – Take care of your air conditioner and it can easily last you 15 – 20 years.
Gas Grills – This tough appliance will last you 5 – 15 years. Keep your grill alive by cleaning it regularly and storing it properly.
Coffee Makers – Depending on how often you brew coffee, these small appliances can last you for 5 – 10 years of service.

Note that you can exceed or shorten these ranges by taking better care of your appliances.

Conclusion

A new refrigerator is a major purchase and shouldn’t be taken lightly, but you can easily get a good deal with these quick tips.

You’re sure to find better prices on refrigerators (and any large appliance, really) if you buy one during a holiday.

Take care of your home appliances, and they’ll last you longer, saving you an emergency trip to a home appliance store.