When is the best time to buy computer monitors?🖥️

When to Buy a Computer Monitor: The Ultimate Timing Guide for Maximum Savings

Get insider knowledge on the best months, biggest sales events, and brand-specific timing strategies to save up to 36.3% on your next monitor purchase

The Timing Game: Why When You Buy Matters

Looking for a new computer monitor but not sure when to pull the trigger? You've come to the right place. Having analyzed years of pricing data across major retailers, I can tell you with confidence that timing your purchase can mean the difference between paying full price and scoring discounts of up to 36.5% off MSRP.

Computer monitors follow predictable pricing patterns throughout the year, influenced by everything from new model releases to major shopping holidays. The global monitor market is booming—projected to grow from $44.74 billion in 2023 to approximately $80.81 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.77%. With such significant growth, manufacturers and retailers have established regular sales cycles that savvy shoppers can leverage.

Let's dive into exactly when you should buy a computer monitor to maximize your savings, backed by concrete data and insider knowledge.

📊 The Sweet Spots: Best Months to Buy Computer Monitors

Based on comprehensive pricing analysis, the best times to buy computer monitors are clearly defined by seasonal patterns. Here's a detailed breakdown of when prices hit their lowest points:

Month	Average Discount	Sale Frequency	Typical Events	Worth Waiting?
November	19-38.7%	High	Black Friday, Cyber Monday	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January	13-22.1%	Medium	Post-holiday clearance, New Year sales	⭐⭐⭐⭐
February	9.7-14.3%	Low	Presidents' Day sales	⭐⭐⭐
May	13.9-18.5%	High	Memorial Day sales, Spring clearance	⭐⭐⭐⭐
August	12.2-21.8%	High	Back-to-school season, End-of-summer clearance	⭐⭐⭐⭐
December	14.4-28.3%	Medium	Post-Christmas sales, End-of-year clearance	⭐⭐⭐⭐

The data reveals a clear winner: November is the prime month to purchase computer monitors, with discounts regularly reaching 19-38.7% off MSRP during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. This is when retailers compete most aggressively for consumer dollars.

January and February also offer excellent opportunities with post-holiday clearance sales. Retailers are eager to clear out last year's inventory, and you can often find previous-generation models at their lowest prices of the year, with average discounts of 13-22.1%.

🔥 The Big Three Sales Events for Computer Monitors

While there are sales throughout the year, three major events stand out as the absolute best times to purchase a computer monitor:

1. Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Late November)

Average Discount: 23.1-38.6% off MSRP Why It's Great: This shopping event consistently delivers the deepest discounts on computer monitors across all brands. The competition between retailers is fierce, and doorbusters often include high-end gaming monitors and professional displays.

Insider Tip: Many retailers now extend Black Friday sales throughout "Cyber Week," giving you more time to compare and purchase.

2. Back-to-School Sales (Late July to Early September)

Average Discount: 12.8-22.1% off MSRP Why It's Great: Retailers recognize that students (and parents) are setting up home and dorm workspaces, making monitors a key focus. This period is particularly good for mid-range monitors suitable for both productivity and casual gaming.

Insider Tip: August typically has better discounts than July, with peak savings occurring in mid-to-late August.

3. Memorial Day Sales (Last Monday in May)

Average Discount: 14.2-21.1% off MSRP Why It's Great: This holiday weekend marks the beginning of summer sales events and often features surprisingly good deals on computer peripherals, including monitors.

Insider Tip: Many Memorial Day sales start a week before the actual holiday and can extend through the first week of June.

Brand-Specific Timing Strategies

Different monitor brands follow slightly different release and sales cycles. Here's what you need to know about the major players:

Dell Monitors

Market Share: 22% of the global market Release Cycle: Annual, typically in August-September Last Major Release: September 2023 Next Expected Release: September 2024 Best Time to Buy: Black Friday sales and January clearance events

Dell frequently offers their own direct sales that can match or beat major retailer discounts. Their monitors tend to see the deepest discounts during their semi-annual sales in January/February and August/September, with average discounts of 14.7-19.3%.

Popular Model Price Patterns:

• Dell U2723QE (4K USB-C Monitor): Lowest historical price of $639.99, typically drops by 24.5-28.8% during Black Friday

Samsung Monitors

Market Share: 22% of the global market Release Cycle: Annual, typically in August-September Last Major Release: September 2023 Next Expected Release: September 2024 Best Time to Buy: November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday)

Samsung's high-end gaming monitors like the Odyssey series see the most significant discounts during Black Friday, often reaching 21.5-34.3% off MSRP. Their smart monitors and professional displays typically see more modest discounts of 14.5-23.2% during sales events.

Popular Model Price Patterns:

• Samsung Odyssey OLED G8: Historical low of $849.95 during November 2023 (Black Friday), representing a 34.6% discount from MSRP

HP Monitors

Market Share: 22% of the global market Release Cycle: Annual, typically in August-September Last Major Release: September 2023 Next Expected Release: August 2024 Best Time to Buy: Back-to-School season and Black Friday

HP monitors often see their best discounts during Back-to-School promotions in August, with gaming models receiving deeper discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Popular Model Price Patterns:

• HP OMEN 27-inch Gaming Monitor: Historical low of $449.99 during November 2022 (Black Friday)

Acer Monitors

Market Share: 22% of the global market Release Cycle: Annual, typically in August-September Last Major Release: September 2023 Next Expected Release: August 2024 Best Time to Buy: Black Friday and January clearance sales

Acer's gaming monitors consistently see deep discounts during November and December, while their productivity monitors tend to receive better deals during Back-to-School season.

Popular Model Price Patterns:

• Acer Nitro XV272U: Historical low of $154.99 in May 2023, typically discounted 17.6-23.1% during major sales events

Lenovo Monitors

Market Share: 22% of the global market Release Cycle: Annual, typically in September-October Last Major Release: September 2023 Next Expected Release: September 2024 Best Time to Buy: Lenovo's own direct sales events (which often don't align with traditional retail holidays)

Lenovo frequently runs their own sales events that offer deeper discounts than third-party retailers. Their ThinkVision business monitors typically see the best prices during end-of-quarter sales (March, June, September, December).

Popular Model Price Patterns:

• Lenovo Legion R25f: Current price of $149.99 represents an 11.5% discount from its $170 MSRP

The Waiting Game: Is It Worth Holding Off?

If you're debating whether to buy now or wait for a better deal, here's a practical guide to what patience might save you:

If You're Buying In...	Wait Until...	Potential Additional Savings	Worth the Wait?
March-April	May (Memorial Day)	9-13%	Yes, it's only 1-2 months
June-July	August (Back to School)	4.1-11%	Only if not urgently needed
September-October	November (Black Friday)	14-22%	Definitely worth waiting
December	January (New Year Sales)	4-8%	Yes, if you can wait a few weeks
February-April	May (Memorial Day)	9-13%	Only if not urgently needed

The Bottom Line on Timing: If you're shopping between September and October, it's almost always worth waiting for Black Friday sales in late November, where you'll likely save an additional 14-22%. For purchases in other months, weigh the urgency of your need against the potential savings from waiting for the next major sale event.

Technology Cycles and Price Impacts

Understanding monitor technology cycles can help you make even smarter purchasing decisions:

1. New Technology Introduction: When new panel technologies (like OLED or Mini-LED) first appear in monitors, they command premium prices with minimal discounting.

2. Mainstream Adoption (12-18 months later): Once these technologies become more common, manufacturing efficiencies improve and competition increases, leading to better deals.

3. Resolution Shifts: We're currently seeing a transition from 1440p to 4K as the premium standard, with 1440p monitors now regularly seeing deeper discounts.

4. Feature Integration: Monitors with USB-C connectivity, KVM switches, and high refresh rates were premium features 2-3 years ago but are now standard in mid-range models, making them better values.

The ongoing trend of remote work has significantly impacted monitor preferences, with increasing demand for larger screens (27 inches and above) suitable for multitasking. This shift has created competitive pricing in the 27-32 inch segment, while ultrawide monitors are becoming more affordable as they gain popularity.

Smart Shopping Strategies: Beyond Just Timing

While timing is crucial, combine it with these strategies for maximum savings:

1. Set Price Alerts: Use price tracking tools to receive notifications when specific models drop below your target price.

2. Consider Open-Box and Refurbished: Retailer-certified refurbished monitors typically come with warranties and can save you an additional 14.1-19.3% off the sale price.

3. Look for Bundle Deals: During major sales events, retailers often bundle monitors with other peripherals like keyboards or webcams for additional value.

4. Check Manufacturer Direct Stores: Dell, HP, and Lenovo often offer exclusive discounts, extended warranties, or free shipping through their direct stores.

5. Consider Previous Generation Models: When new models are released (typically August-September), previous generation models see significant discounts while still offering excellent performance.

Making the Decision: When to Pull the Trigger

Here's my practical advice for different buying scenarios:

If you need a monitor immediately: Don't wait for a major sale if it's for work or if your current monitor is failing. The productivity loss likely outweighs potential savings.

If you're upgrading: Time your purchase to coincide with major sales events, particularly November's Black Friday/Cyber Monday, when discounts are deepest.

If you're buying a high-end or specialty monitor: These see less frequent discounting, so when you spot a 20%+ discount, it's usually worth acting quickly.

If you're price-sensitive: The January/February post-holiday clearance period offers excellent value on previous-generation models.

The Bottom Line

The data clearly shows that computer monitor prices follow predictable patterns, with the deepest discounts occurring during Black Friday/Cyber Monday (19-38.7% off), January clearance sales (13-22.1% off), and Back-to-School promotions (12-22.1% off).

If your purchase isn't urgent, waiting for one of these three periods will almost always result in significant savings. For the absolute best deals, November's Black Friday sales consistently deliver the deepest discounts across all brands and price points.

Remember that while timing is important, your specific needs matter too. A monitor that perfectly suits your work or gaming requirements at a good (if not the absolute best) price is still a smart purchase. Balance the potential savings from waiting against the value you'll get from having the right monitor for your needs right now.

What's your monitor shopping strategy? Are you waiting for a specific sale, or is there a particular model you've got your eye on? The monitor market continues to evolve with new technologies and features, but with this guide, you're now equipped to time your purchase perfectly.