Timing your Brother printer purchase just right can save you up to 40% – here's exactly when to buy and when to wait, based on 5 years of pricing data
As a dedicated analyst of printer pricing trends, I've spent years tracking Brother's unique pricing patterns and release cycles. Brother holds approximately 22% of the global printer market, making them the third-largest printer manufacturer behind HP and Canon. What makes Brother stand out from competitors isn't just their reliable products but also their predictable pricing behavior – if you know where to look.
This guide reveals exactly when Brother printers hit their lowest prices, what sales events offer the deepest discounts, and how to time your purchase around their annual release cycle for maximum savings.
Brother follows a distinct seasonal pricing pattern that differs slightly from other printer manufacturers. Their pricing cycle is heavily influenced by both their September/October release schedule and major retail sales events.
Month | Average Discount | Sale Frequency | Key Events | Buy Now? |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 12.9% | Medium | Post-holiday clearance, New Year sales | Maybe |
February | 9.8% | Low | Presidents' Day sales | No |
March | 8.4% | Medium | Spring sales | No |
April | 17.1% | Low | Tax season deals | No |
May | 23.4% | High | Memorial Day sales | Yes |
June | 14.4% | Medium | Summer sales | No |
July | 18.2% | Medium | 4th of July sales | Maybe |
August | 10.2% | Low | Back to school sales | No |
September | 21.1% | High | Labor Day sales, New model releases | Yes (for older models) |
October | 13.7% | Medium | Halloween sales, New model releases | Maybe |
November | 26.2% | High | Black Friday, Cyber Monday | Best Time |
December | 22.5% | High | Holiday sales, End of Year clearance | Yes |
Unlike HP which often launches products throughout the year, Brother follows a much more predictable annual release pattern:
This consistent timing means that older Brother models typically see their first significant price drops in early November, just after new models hit the shelves and right before Black Friday. For budget-conscious shoppers, this creates a perfect storm of savings.
Brother's deepest discounts align with specific sales events throughout the year. Based on historical data, here are the events that consistently deliver the best savings on Brother printers:
Event | Timing | Typical Discount | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Black Friday/Cyber Monday | Late November | 23.1-37.4% off MSRP | All Brother models, especially current generation |
Memorial Day | Late May | 13.8-17.9% off MSRP | Mid-range Brother printers |
Labor Day + New Releases | Early September | 16.4-27.2% off MSRP | Previous generation models |
Holiday Sales | December | 13.3-22.1% off MSRP | Current generation models |
Tax Season | April | 10.3-15.9% off MSRP | Business-oriented Brother models |
Pro Tip: Brother's direct website occasionally offers exclusive discounts and bundles during these major sales events that aren't available from third-party retailers. I always recommend checking both Brother's official site and major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Office Depot during these sales periods.
Looking at price histories for Brother's top models reveals important patterns that can guide your purchase timing:
Brother MFC-L8905CDW
Brother MFC-J4335DW
Brother MFC-L3780CDW
Brother is expected to introduce several new printer models in 2024, which will significantly impact current model pricing:
New Mono Laser Printers (Expected 2024-2025)
Brother MFC-2710DW successor (Rumored for 2024)
The question I'm most frequently asked is: "Should I buy a Brother printer now or wait?" The answer depends on several factors:
Brother's pricing behavior differs from competitors in several notable ways:
Based on all this data, here are my top tips for getting the best possible deal on a Brother printer:
Target Black Friday: The single best time to buy almost any Brother printer model is during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales when discounts reach 23.1-37.4%.
Shop September Clearance: When new Brother models launch (typically September), retailers clear out older inventory with discounts of 17.9-26.3%.
Watch May Sales: Memorial Day consistently delivers the best Brother printer deals outside of the November-December period.
Consider Previous Generations: Brother printers don't typically see revolutionary upgrades between generations, so previous models often represent excellent value at 24.1-36.3% less than the newest version.
Ink/Toner Bundles: Brother frequently offers printer + supplies bundles during major sales that represent better value than standalone printer discounts.
Brother.com Exclusives: Check Brother's direct website during major sales events for exclusive models and bundles not available elsewhere.
Different Brother printer categories follow slightly different discount patterns:
Looking at all the data, the optimal times to purchase a Brother printer are:
While these three periods consistently deliver the best deals, finding a Brother printer at 19.5%+ off MSRP at any time of year generally represents good value, especially if you need the printer immediately.
By understanding Brother's unique release cycle and pricing patterns, you can time your printer purchase to save significantly while still getting the perfect model for your needs.
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