The Ultimate Guide to Buying Canon Printers: Timing Your Purchase for Maximum Savings ๐Ÿ–จ๏ธ

When to Score the Best Deals on Canon's Award-Winning Printer Lineup

As Canon holds approximately 21.8% of the global printer market, timing your purchase right can save you hundreds of dollars. I've analyzed years of Canon's pricing patterns, sales events, and release schedules to bring you this comprehensive guide on exactly when to buy your next Canon printerโ€”and when to hold off for better deals.

The Canon Calendar: Best Months to Buy Canon Printers ๐Ÿ“…

Canon follows distinct pricing patterns throughout the year. Below, I've mapped out the best months to purchase Canon printers based on sale frequency and discount depth:

MonthDiscount RangeSale FrequencyNotable EventsBuying Recommendation
January14.5-19.2%MediumPost-holiday clearance, New Year salesGood time for last year's models
February8.6-13.9%LowPresidents' Day salesWait unless urgent need
March9.1-19.5%MediumSpring salesAverage savings
April12.4-22.6%MediumEaster salesDecent deals available
May12.3-18.9%HighMemorial Day salesVery good buying opportunity
June9.8-19.1%MediumSummer salesAverage savings
July20.6-28.7%High4th of July salesStrong recommendation to buy
August13.9-18.8%MediumBack-to-school salesGood for student needs
September13.8-23.8%HighLabor Day sales, New model releasesGood for previous models
October9.4-19.6%MediumPre-holiday salesWait for November if possible
November22.7-37.2%Very HighBlack Friday, Cyber MondayBest month to buy Canon printers
December12.6-28.4%HighHoliday sales, Post-ChristmasGood deals, especially late month

As you can see, November stands out as the absolute best time to purchase Canon printers, with discounts reaching up to 37.2% off MSRP during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. However, July and September also offer exceptional opportunities with high sale frequency and substantial discounts.

Canon's Release Cycle: New Models Mean Better Deals ๐Ÿ†•

Canon typically releases new printer models annually, with most new products launching in September and October. This consistent cadence creates predictable pricing patterns:

  • September-October: New Canon printer models are released
  • November-December: Previous models see deeper discounts during holiday sales
  • January-February: Post-holiday clearance on previous generation models
  • March-August: Gradual price reductions leading up to new releases

The last major Canon printer release occurred in September 2023, and the next wave is expected in September 2024. If you're eyeing a current model, the weeks immediately following new releases often yield substantial savings on the previous generation.

Upcoming Canon Printer Releases and Their Impact on Pricing ๐Ÿ”ฎ

Canon has several new printers on the horizon that will affect current model pricing:

Upcoming ModelExpected ReleaseKey ImprovementsImpact on Current Models
imagePROGRAF TZ and TX SeriesLate 2024Enhanced speed, Vivid color reproduction, Sustainability featuresExpect 15.3-23.5% price drops on current imagePROGRAF models starting 1-2 months before release
PIXMA TS3750i SeriesQ4 2023Revamped design, Improved print quality, User-friendly featuresCurrent PIXMA TS models should see 10.9-20.0% discounts
SELPHY QX20October 1, 2024Improved portability and versatility for photo printingExisting SELPHY models likely to be discounted 15.3-28.1%
17-inch Pro Printer2025Larger ink cartridges, Potential inclusion of larger ink tanksLimited impact on 2023-2024 models until closer to release

Strategic Insight: If you're interested in a current PIXMA model, wait until Q4 2023 when the TS3750i Series launches to see significant price reductions on existing inventory.

Canon's Top Sales Events: Mark Your Calendar โญ

Canon's pricing is heavily influenced by major retail events. Here are the most impactful sales events for Canon printer purchases:

  1. Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Late November) โ€“ The champion of Canon printer sales, with discounts of 24.5-40.1% off MSRP. Canon's official store, Best Buy, and Amazon typically offer the deepest discounts during this period.

  2. Back to School Sales (August) โ€“ Canon targets students and parents with 12.9-24.8% discounts on home and small office printers, especially in the PIXMA and MegaTank lines.

  3. 4th of July Sales (Early July) โ€“ Surprisingly good time for Canon printer deals, with discounts between 20.3-26.5% off MSRP.

  4. Canon's "Summer Savings Event" (June-July) โ€“ This brand-specific promotion usually features bundle deals with free paper and ink with purchase.

  5. End of Fiscal Year Sales (March) โ€“ Canon often offers special promotions at Japanese fiscal year-end, which can translate to good deals in Western markets as well.

Pro Tip: Canon frequently offers additional incentives beyond price reductions, including extended warranties, free ink subscriptions, and bundle deals with paper. These value-adds are most common during May (Memorial Day) and September (Labor Day) sales events.

Canon Price History Revealed: What the Data Shows ๐Ÿ“Š

Analyzing the price history of Canon's most popular models reveals interesting patterns:

Canon PIXMA TR8620a

  • Current Price: $179.99 (9.7% off MSRP of $200)
  • Historical Low: $144.00 (November 2023, Black Friday)
  • Price Pattern: Typically hovers around $179-191 most of the year, drops to $161-172 during summer sales, and reaches lowest point in November

Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw

  • Current Price: $429.00 (33.1% off MSRP of $650)
  • Historical Low: $429.00 (November 2023, Black Friday)
  • Price Pattern: Maintains relatively stable pricing through spring and summer, with significant drops in November and post-holiday clearance

Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3270

  • Current Price: $179.00 (20.9% off MSRP of $230)
  • Historical Low: $179.00 (August 2023)
  • Price Pattern: MegaTank models tend to see smaller percentage discounts but more consistent pricing throughout the year

The consistent theme across all Canon printer models is that November offers the best value, with savings averaging 24.5-40.1% off MSRP during Black Friday events. However, not all models follow identical patterns โ€“ Canon's professional-grade imageCLASS and imagePROGRAF lines see more significant seasonal discounts than their consumer-oriented PIXMA and SELPHY lines.

The Canon Waiting Game: Is Patience Worth It? โฑ๏ธ

How much can you save by timing your Canon printer purchase strategically? Let's break it down:

  • Buying in November vs. February: Save approximately 13.6-23.3% ($30-149 depending on model)
  • Buying after new model releases: Save approximately 8.7-18.3% ($20-98 depending on model)
  • Buying during Canon-specific promotions: Save 4.7-12.1% plus receive value-added extras

For most consumers, waiting for November sales is the optimal strategy, unless:

  1. Your current printer is non-functional and you need an immediate replacement
  2. You require specific features only available in the newest models
  3. You're purchasing during another high-discount period (July or September)

My Professional Assessment: If your current printer is functioning and you're eyeing a Canon model that's been on the market for at least 6 months, waiting for November sales will typically yield the best value โ€“ especially for higher-end models where the savings can exceed $100.

Understanding Canon's Different Printer Lines ๐Ÿ”

Canon's various printer series follow slightly different pricing patterns:

  • PIXMA Series (consumer inkjets): Most aggressive discounting during November-December and back-to-school season, with savings of 12.7-28.5%
  • MegaTank Series (refillable ink tanks): Smaller percentage discounts (typically 8.9-18.2%) but include substantial free ink promotions
  • imageCLASS Series (laser printers): Deepest discounts during November (19.5-38.9%) and end of fiscal quarters
  • imagePROGRAF Series (professional photo/graphics): Limited discounting except during professional photography trade shows and Black Friday

Real-World Canon Printer Savings Examples ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Let me share some actual pricing examples from my research:

  • Canon PIXMA TR8620a: Released at $200 in September 2022, dropped to $179.99 by January 2023, hit a low of $144 during Black Friday 2023 โ€“ a 28% total savings for those who waited
  • Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw: Released at $650, maintained pricing above $499 for most of 2023, then dropped dramatically to $429 (33.1% off) during Black Friday
  • Canon MegaTank PIXMA G3270: Maintained remarkably stable pricing throughout the year, with modest discounts but frequent promotions including free ink bottles valued at $60+

Final Recommendations: The Canon Buying Strategy ๐Ÿ“

Based on my comprehensive analysis of Canon's pricing patterns, here are my actionable recommendations:

Best Times to Buy Canon Printers:

  1. Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Late November) โ€“ The absolute best time with 24.5-40.1% discounts
  2. July Sales (4th of July promotions) โ€“ Second-best opportunity with 20.9-28.4% discounts
  3. 1-2 Months After New Model Releases (Typically October-November) โ€“ Great for previous generation models
  4. Back-to-School Season (August) โ€“ Especially good for PIXMA and MegaTank models

Times to Avoid Buying Canon Printers:

  1. February โ€“ Consistently shows the lowest discounts (8.6-13.9%)
  2. Early Spring (March-April) โ€“ Limited promotions before Memorial Day
  3. 1-2 Months Before Anticipated New Releases โ€“ Prices tend to stabilize before dropping

Canon-Specific Shopping Tips:

  • Register for Canon's email newsletter for exclusive promotions and early access to sales
  • Consider Canon's direct store for better warranty terms and bundle deals
  • For MegaTank models, factor in the value of included ink when comparing prices
  • Professional and prosumer models see deeper discounts during photography and design industry events

By following this Canon-specific buying timeline, you'll maximize your savings while getting the ideal printer for your needs. Remember, patience is your most powerful tool when shopping for Canon printers โ€“ strategic timing can save you up to 40.1% off MSRP!

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About "Best Time to Buy" Guides

Our "Best Time to Buy" guides analyze historical price data and deal patterns to help you save money by purchasing at the right time.

Data-driven insights from millions of price points

Monthly buying advice with visual price trends

Brand-specific insights and release schedules

Seasonal discount analysis and event recommendations

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