TV Buyer's Money-Saving Guide: How to Get the Best Deal

Looking for a new TV but don't want to pay full price? You're not alone. With TVs representing a significant investment for most households, knowing when and how to shop can save you hundreds of pounds. This guide walks you through everything from seasonal price drops to retailer price matching policies and lesser-known money-saving strategies that many shoppers overlook.

When is the best time to buy a new TV in the UK?

Timing your purchase right can lead to significant savings on your next TV. The retail calendar provides several windows of opportunity throughout the year when prices consistently drop.

The post-Christmas January sales represent one of the best times to buy a TV in the UK. Retailers are eager to clear inventory after the holiday rush, often slashing prices by 20-40%. This is particularly advantageous for last year's models as manufacturers prepare to release new lines in the spring. If you can delay your purchase until after the festive season, you'll likely find exceptional value.

November's Black Friday and Cyber Monday events have become the biggest shopping phenomenon of the year for electronics. Premium brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony typically offer their deepest discounts during this period, with average savings of 25-30% across most retailers. The key to maximizing Black Friday savings is preparation – research models a few weeks before and track their prices so you can recognize genuine deals when they appear.

While primarily associated with Amazon, Prime Day (usually held in July) has evolved into a mid-year opportunity for TV deals across many retailers. Competitors often match Amazon's discounts to remain competitive, creating a mini sales season with typical savings of 15-25% on select models. This makes Prime Day an excellent option if you need a new TV during summer months and can't wait for Black Friday.

The end of March marks the close of the financial year for many businesses, prompting retailers to boost their yearly sales figures with significant discounts. Though not as widely advertised as seasonal events, this period often yields excellent deals for savvy shoppers who know where to look.

Spring (typically April and May) brings new model releases from major manufacturers. As retailers make space for the latest offerings, previous year's stock receives substantial price cuts of 20-30%. These older models frequently offer tremendous value, featuring technology that's only marginally behind the latest versions at a fraction of the cost. For most viewers, the difference in performance is barely noticeable, making this an opportune time to purchase.

Master the art of price matching

One of the most underutilized money-saving strategies is leveraging retailer price match policies. Many shoppers compare prices across websites but fail to take the crucial next step of asking their preferred retailer to match a competitor's lower price.

Currys offers what is arguably the UK's most accessible price matching service with their Price Promise. What sets their approach apart is that, unlike many competitors, you can complete the entire process online without making a single phone call. They'll match any UK retailer's price for identical products (same model, colour, and size), both online and in-store. The policy extends to prices found up to 7 days after purchase, providing a safety net if you spot a better deal after buying. The only significant requirement is that the competing retailer must have the item in stock.

The online nature of Currys' price matching makes it particularly valuable when combined with discount platforms. For instance, if you have access to Rewards Gateway, Perkbox, or Blue Light Card through your employer, you can stack up to an additional 10% discount via gift cards on top of the matched price – a combination that frequently results in the absolute lowest possible price for your chosen TV.

AO also provides a comprehensive Price Match Guarantee, though their process requires a phone call rather than an online form. They'll match any UK retailer selling the same new product and, notably, their policy includes matching discount codes from competitors. Like Currys, they offer a 7-day post-purchase price match, giving you a week to find a better deal after buying. Despite the slight inconvenience of making a call, AO's customer service team is generally quick and efficient, making it worthwhile if you have AO gift cards or specific AO loyalty offers to use.

John Lewis may have modified their famous Never Knowingly Undersold policy, but they still price match many competitors, focusing on retailers with physical stores. Their process can be done either in-store or through their website. What makes John Lewis particularly attractive for TV purchases is their standard 5-year guarantee, which adds significant value when prices are matched. This extended warranty often represents a better overall value proposition than a marginally lower price elsewhere without such protection.

Leverage cashback and rewards platforms

Beyond direct discounts, several platforms offer additional savings that can be stacked with sales and price matches to compound your savings.

Cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco have transformed how savvy shoppers approach major purchases. These platforms offer rebates when you purchase through their tracked links, with average TV cashback rates ranging from 1-8% depending on the retailer. During special promotions, these rates can increase substantially, particularly during sales events. While there's typically a waiting period of 2-3 months before payouts process, the patience pays off in significant savings. Many retailers also offer higher rates for new customers, making your first purchase through these platforms especially valuable.

If your employer provides access to discount platforms like Rewards Gateway, Perkbox, or Blue Light Card, you're sitting on a gold mine of additional savings. These employee benefit schemes often offer discounted gift cards (typically 5-10% off) for major electronics retailers. The real magic happens when you combine these discounts with price matching policies. For example, let's say you find the lowest price for your chosen TV at Hughes for £800. You could use Currys' price match guarantee to match that price, then pay with discounted Currys gift cards from Rewards Gateway (at 7% off). The result would be a final price of £744 – all while getting Currys' customer service and warranty protection.

Consider open-box and ex-display models

The retail industry has a secret that savvy shoppers have been exploiting for years: significant discounts on TVs that have been opened or used for display purposes.

Richer Sounds has built part of its reputation on excellent deals through their Clearance Corner. Here you'll find ex-display and open-box TVs with discounts typically ranging from 15-30% off retail price. What makes these deals particularly attractive is that the products still carry manufacturer warranties, and Richer Sounds' staff thoroughly test all clearance items before sale. The primary drawback is limited selection – stock changes frequently and popular models disappear quickly, so regular checking is essential.

Similarly, Currys maintains a robust "Clearance Deals" section that's updated daily with returned and ex-display models. Their system is particularly transparent, with products graded by condition and detailed descriptions of any imperfections. Many items still include all original accessories and packaging, and delivery options remain identical to those for new products, making the purchasing experience straightforward.

When considering open-box or ex-display TVs, it's crucial to check the screen carefully for potential issues like burn-in or dead pixels, and ensure all features work correctly. While most reputable retailers thoroughly check these items before resale, the extra diligence is worthwhile given the significant savings these options represent.

Use TV price tracking tools

The volatile nature of TV pricing means that knowledge truly is power when it comes to determining whether a "deal" is genuinely good value.

Top TV Deals includes advanced price tracking of all TV models across all retailers, and most importantly, holds a price history of each product. You can use this service to help make informed decisions on what is actually a good TV deal, and stay away from "fake" deals that retailers are showing on their websites more often than ever.

We also have plans in the very near future to introduce price change alerts, so you can keep updated on price changes as they happen.

Check for the biggest savings compare

One of the simplest ways to bag a bargain is to head to our TVs section, where you'll find a list of TVs sorted by the biggest saving. The savings are calculated based on the price difference between the cheapest and most expensive retailers, and because we track prices across all major and trusted UK retailers, you can quickly find the absolute best priced TVs on offer.

Beyond the basics: advanced money-saving strategies

While seasonal shopping and price matching form the foundation of TV savings, several advanced strategies can further reduce your costs.

Bundle deals frequently provide hidden value that's easy to overlook when focusing solely on the TV's price tag. Many retailers offer packages that include soundbars, wall mounts, or extended warranties. These bundled accessories often represent significantly better value than if purchased separately, sometimes including items worth over £100 during promotional periods. Some retailers also offer discounted professional installation when purchased with the TV, saving both money and the headache of setting up complex modern sets.

When evaluating TV options, consider that a premium model from the previous year often costs the same as a mid-range current model, yet delivers superior performance. Last year's OLED or QLED will typically outperform this year's mid-range LED considerably, despite the similar price point. The reality is that feature differences between consecutive years are usually incremental rather than revolutionary, and picture quality and processing technology advance more gradually than marketing might suggest. Unless you need the absolute latest connectivity options, last year's premium models typically represent exceptional value.

Energy efficiency is the most overlooked long-term saving opportunity. An A-rated 55" TV might save £30-50 per year in electricity costs compared to a G-rated model of similar size. Over the typical 7-10 year lifespan of a modern TV, these savings accumulate to hundreds of pounds – potentially offsetting a significant portion of the initial purchase price. Some energy providers even offer rebates for purchasing energy-efficient appliances, adding immediate savings to the long-term benefits.

In conclusion

By thoughtfully combining these strategies—shopping during optimal sales periods, leveraging price matching policies, utilizing cashback platforms, and considering all available options—you can potentially reduce your TV purchase cost by 30-40%. The key is approaching the process strategically, staying informed about genuine prices, and being willing to negotiate with retailers who are often more flexible than their advertised prices suggest.

Whether you're in the market for an entry-level 43" set or a premium 75" flagship model, these principles apply universally. The rewards for patience and research are substantial – the same budget that might get you a basic model at full price could secure a significantly superior TV when these money-saving techniques are applied effectively.