When is the best time to buy microwaves?🍽️

The Perfect Time to Buy a Microwave: Maximize Savings with Strategic Timing

Get industry insider knowledge on when microwaves are at their lowest prices and how to save up to 50.9% on top brands

Timing is everything when it comes to purchasing a new microwave. As someone who's analyzed thousands of appliance price points and sales patterns, I can tell you that strategic shopping can save you anywhere from 17.6% to a whopping 48.9% off retail prices. The $12.63 billion microwave market follows predictable sales cycles that savvy shoppers can leverage for maximum savings.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll share exactly when microwaves hit their lowest prices, which sales events offer the deepest discounts, and how to time your purchase for the perfect balance of need and savings. Let's dive into the data-driven insights that will help you get the best deal possible on your next microwave purchase.

The Best Months to Buy a Microwave 📅

The annual cycle of microwave pricing follows a clear pattern, with certain months consistently offering better deals than others. Based on extensive analysis, here are the prime times to make your purchase:

Month	Average Discount	Sale Frequency	Key Events	Worth the Wait?
November	18.5-28.9%	High	Black Friday, Cyber Monday	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October	15.2-20.4%	Medium	Fall sales, Pre-holiday sales	⭐⭐⭐⭐
May	21.1-24.7%	High	Memorial Day, Maytag Month	⭐⭐⭐⭐
September	15.9-20.1%	High	Labor Day sales	⭐⭐⭐
December	13.9-25.9%	High	Holiday sales, After-Christmas sales	⭐⭐⭐
January	15.2-20.3%	Medium	Post-holiday clearance, New Year sales	⭐⭐⭐

November stands out as the absolute best month to purchase a microwave, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday driving discounts of up to 28.9-48.9% off MSRP. In fact, historical pricing data shows that most major brands hit their lowest prices of the year during this period.

October is a strong runner-up as retailers begin their pre-holiday promotions and clear inventory ahead of new model releases (most major brands release new models in September).

May rounds out the top three with Memorial Day sales offering substantial discounts of 21.1-24.7% off retail prices.

On the flip side, April and September (early in the month, before Labor Day) typically show the highest average prices for microwaves throughout the year, making these months less optimal for your purchase.

🔥 The Big Sales Events for Microwaves 🔥

When it comes to microwave purchases, certain sales events stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are the four sales events that consistently deliver the deepest discounts:

1. Black Friday (Late November)

• Typical Discount Range: 28.8-49.3% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: This is when retailers offer their deepest discounts of the year on microwaves
• Shopping Strategy: Research models in advance and be ready to pounce as many deals start earlier in Thanksgiving week

2. Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving)

• Typical Discount Range: 23.8-37.5% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: Online-only deals that sometimes beat Black Friday prices, especially for premium models
• Shopping Strategy: Compare prices across multiple retailers as exclusivity deals can vary widely

3. Memorial Day (Last weekend in May)

• Typical Discount Range: 19.1-28.5% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: The first major appliance sale of the summer season
• Shopping Strategy: Look for bundle deals if you're also shopping for other appliances

4. Labor Day (First weekend in September)

• Typical Discount Range: 18.9-27.2% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: Coincides with new model releases, so previous models get marked down
• Shopping Strategy: Focus on last year's models for the deepest discounts

What makes these sales events particularly powerful is that they coincide with key points in the microwave product lifecycle. For instance, Labor Day sales come right as manufacturers like Panasonic, Toshiba, and LG are releasing their new models (typically in September), creating the perfect storm for discounts on existing inventory.

Brand-Specific Buying Insights

Different brands follow slightly different sales patterns. Here's the inside scoop on the top microwave brands:

Panasonic

• Best Time to Buy: Late November (Black Friday) and May (Memorial Day)
• New Model Release Cycle: Annual releases in September/October
• Pricing Strategy: Premium pricing with occasional deep discounts
• Notable Model Discounts: The Panasonic NN-SN67HS historically drops to around $88.55 during Black Friday (a 43.9% discount from the current $154.99 price)

Toshiba

• Best Time to Buy: November (especially Black Friday weekend)
• New Model Release Cycle: Annual releases in September/October
• Pricing Strategy: More frequent but smaller discounts throughout the year
• Notable Model Discounts: The popular Toshiba EM131A5C-BS typically drops to around $126.50 during sales events from its usual $139.99 price point

LG

• Best Time to Buy: November and March (Spring sales)
• New Model Release Cycle: Annual releases in September/October
• Pricing Strategy: Premium positioning with bundled promotions
• Notable Model Discounts: The LG NeoChef LMC1575ST has historically dropped from $239 to $151.2 during October promotions (36.6% savings)

Whirlpool

• Best Time to Buy: November and January (post-holiday clearance)
• New Model Release Cycle: Annual releases with emphasis on September
• Pricing Strategy: Higher MSRP with aggressive sale discounting
• Notable Model Discounts: The Whirlpool WMH53521HZ has seen discounts of up to 47.4% (from $411 to $216.13) during Black Friday sales

Breville

• Best Time to Buy: November (particularly during Black Friday/Cyber Monday)

• New Model Release Cycle: Annual releases in September/October

• Pricing Strategy: Premium pricing with fewer, but deeper discounts

• Notable Model Discounts: The Breville Smooth Wave BMO850BSS1BUC1 dropped to $356.49 during November 2023 from its regular $399.95 price

The Waiting Game: Is It Worth It?

One of the most common questions I hear is: "Should I buy now or wait for a better deal?" Let's break down exactly what waiting might save you:

If You Buy During...	Vs. Buying During Peak Price Times	Potential Savings on a $250 Microwave
Black Friday (November)	vs. April Prices	$60.3-$123.1 (24.3-48.2%)
October Pre-Holiday Sales	vs. April Prices	$34.9-$50.6 (14.3-20.5%)
Memorial Day (May)	vs. April Prices	$47.2-$60.5 (19.1-24.3%)
Regular Price (Non-Sale)	vs. Best Sale Timing	$0 (You're paying up to 48.2% more)

The data shows that the difference between buying at the worst time (April) versus the best time (November) can translate to savings of up to 48.9% on popular models. For a $250 microwave, that's a potential savings of $123.1 - enough to buy several months' worth of groceries to cook in your new appliance!

However, there's a tradeoff. If your current microwave is broken and you're relying on takeout food, waiting 6 months for Black Friday could end up costing you more in restaurant bills than you'd save on the appliance. In these cases, I recommend aiming for the next upcoming sales event rather than waiting for the absolute best deal of the year.

Microwave Product Cycles and Model Updates

Understanding product release cycles gives you another edge in timing your purchase. Most major microwave manufacturers release new models annually, typically in September or October. This timing creates predictable discount opportunities:

1. End-of-Model Clearance: In August and September, retailers discount existing models to make room for upcoming releases, offering savings of 16.5-18.9%.

2. Black Friday New Model Discounts: New models released in September/October often see their first significant discounts during Black Friday, sometimes dropping 23.6-34.7% from initial pricing.

3. Last Year's Model Steals: Previous generation models can see extreme discounts of 40.7-49.5% during major sales events after the new models are released.

For example, when Panasonic released their 2023 models in September, their 2022 models like the NN-SN67HS saw price drops from $154.99 to as low as $88.65 in subsequent sales - a remarkable 43.5% reduction.

Smart Shopping Strategies Beyond Timing

While timing is crucial, combining it with these additional strategies can maximize your savings:

1. Price Tracking Tools: Use price tracking tools to monitor specific models you're interested in. Some retailers will even match a price drop if it occurs shortly after your purchase.

2. Bundle Deals: If you're remodeling a kitchen, look for bundle deals where buying multiple appliances together yields bigger discounts than individual purchases.

3. Floor Models and Open Box: These can offer savings of 11.2-14.5% beyond the sale price, particularly toward the end of major sales events.

4. Retailer-Specific Promotions: Some retailers offer exclusive models or additional discounts through their credit cards or loyalty programs, adding another 4.2-9.1% in potential savings.

The Bottom Line: When Should YOU Buy?

Based on the comprehensive data, here's my actionable advice:

If you need a microwave immediately: Shop during the next upcoming sales event (check the table above) and focus on models from previous generations for the best value.

If you can plan ahead: Target Black Friday/Cyber Monday for the absolute best deals of the year, with potential savings of 28.8-48.9% off MSRP.

If you want the latest technology: Buy in October/November after the September release cycle, when the newest models see their first significant discounts.

If you're extremely budget-conscious: Wait for Black Friday deals on last year's models, which can see discounts of up to 48.6% off original MSRP.

Remember that the microwave market is growing steadily at a 3.4% CAGR through 2030, with increasing emphasis on smart features and connectivity. This means that while timing sales events is important, you're also investing in technology that's becoming increasingly sophisticated and valuable in the modern kitchen.

By combining the right timing with strategic model selection, you can enjoy the perfect balance of features, performance, and value on your next microwave purchase. Happy shopping!