October is in full swing and and that means Black Friday TV deals will be here before you know it. While it’s true that you can find TV deals all year round, Black Friday deals are known for offering the biggest discounts and lowest price of the year on practically all types of TVs.
This year will be especially interesting because TV prices have already plummeted this past summer. OLED TVs, for instance, can be regularly found for $749 or less. 55-inch OLED TVs are also frequently selling for $949 or less.
Meanwhile, big-screen 4K TVs can be easily found for $299 or less on any day of the week. Whether Black Friday TV deals ring in lower prices has yet to be seen, but we expect to see major discounts from all retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and more. Below you’ll find our predictions for Black Friday 2022 as well as some of today’s top sales.
Prime Early Access vs Black Friday TV deals
The Prime Early Access Sale will begin on October 11. The 48-hour event is exclusive for Prime members only. It’s likely we’ll see plenty of Amazon TV sales in the coming days. However, keep in mind that Black Friday deals offers TV sales from not just Amazon, but all retailers. So if you want a budget Fire TV, Amazon’s event is sure to offer great discounts. However, for all other TV sales, we recommend waiting for Black Friday TV deals to begin.
Black Friday TV deals — what to expect in 2022
As we said earlier, you can find good TV sales any time of the year. However, Black Friday TV deals tend to break all price records and 2022 will be no exception.
55-inch 4K TVs: Hats off to Best Buy for offering some of the best Black Friday TV deals of the season last year. It’s likely the retailer will hold on to that title once again in 2022, but Walmart and Amazon won’t be far behind.
Best Buy offered many epic sales last year. The retailer had a TCL 55-inch 4K TV for just $199. It was groundbreaking then and it’s a price we expect to see again in 2022, likely on a newer model. We may even see a 55-inch 4K TV go for as low as $159, though don’t expect it to be one of the newer models.
For example, Walmart had an Onn 50-inch Roku 4K TV on sale for $128. Onn is an off-brand and Walmart’s own line of TVs. (Similar to how Insignia is Best Buy’s house brand).
OLED TVs: If you’re looking for a premium TV, we’ll see Vizio’s 55-inch 4K OLED for $899 again this year. LG’s 48-inch budget OLEDs may hit $649 as well, but prices won’t drop lower than $899 for a 55-inch OLED TV. That said, Best Buy offered a lot of OLED TV deals last year, so expect them to offer the best discounts again in 2022.
Amazon Fire TVs: When it comes to Black Friday TV deals, Amazon Fire TVs tend to lead the charge. We expect these TVs will get deep price cuts on Black Friday with prices from $199 or less for a 50-inch 4K TV. This bodes well for anyone who wants an inexpensive 4K TV, but doesn’t require premium features.
When will Black Friday TV deals begin in 2022?
Black Friday falls on this Friday, November 25. However, Black Friday TV deals will likely start on November 1. Some of these deals will be very limited and have the potential to sell out fast. So be ready to make a purchase at a moment’s notice. (We’ll bring you the best deals throughout the season).
Who has the best TV deals on Black Friday?
Who has the best Black Friday TV deals depends on the type of set you’re interested in. In general, Best Buy has the best Black Friday TV deals, especially on our favorite brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony. Meanwhile, we’ve seen excellent sales on more affordable brands like Hisense and Onn from Walmart. Amazon typically tries to price-match both Best Buy and Walmart, so be sure to run comparisons if you tend to favor one retailer over another.
Remember, Black Friday TV deals are designed to generate excitement around sales, so don’t let the hype from every retailer confuse you. The basics of buying a great TV on sale are the same as regular priced models: Know what features you should expect, what extras you may want, and read up on reviews to get a feel for what’s good or bad about specific models.
Should I wait till Black Friday to buy a TV?
Black Friday TV deals are unmatched and practically every retailer is offering early sales. However, if you’ve been eyeing a premium QLED TV or an OLED TV, we’d recommend you wait till closer to Thanksgiving. You could save an extra $50 to $200 by waiting a few more days. That said, supply and labor shortages are causing shipping delays, so if you need something asap, we recommend shopping early.
Black Friday cheap TVs: Bargain hunters, beware
Watch the fine print on those deals. You may see some TVs selling for $100 or less, but they all have some pretty severe limitations. Small sizes are common, and 32 inches is pretty small compared to the 65-inch models we usually review. (Check out our guide to choosing the right TV size to find the best size for your home.)
Most are lacking smart features or rely on off-brand software with limited app selection. But the biggest “gotcha” you’ll see on Black Friday is low resolution — some don’t even offer full HD, opting for 720p resolution. While you may see TVs listed for amazingly low prices — some for less than $100 — don’t expect any of the smart functions or 4K panels we see in the best TVs.
The other thing to watch for are refurbished and open box units. These can be a source of enormous savings, but they come with wear and tear before you ever set it up, and warranty coverage may not be as robust as a new model will offer. Refurbs are a good way to save a buck during the rest of the year, but as we get into the holidays, the best deals are on new units.
Just remember the old saying about things that look too good to be true. Not all Black Friday cheap TVs are great deals, even when the prices are enticing.
