When is the best time to buy toasters?🍞

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Toasters: When to Score the Best Deals in 2024

Toast for less: How savvy shoppers can save up to 38.1% with perfect timing

Want to upgrade your breakfast routine without burning through your budget? You've come to the right place. I've analyzed years of toaster pricing data to reveal exactly when these kitchen essentials hit their lowest prices—and when you should definitely wait for a better deal.

The toaster market is sizzling hot right now, valued at approximately $4.55 billion in 2024 and growing at a 6.3% annual rate through 2030. With major players like KitchenAid, Breville, and Cuisinart releasing new models annually, timing your purchase can mean the difference between paying full price or scoring discounts of up to 36.9%.

Let's dive into the data and discover the perfect moment to buy that shiny new toaster you've been eyeing.

🔍 The Best Months to Buy a Toaster

My analysis reveals clear seasonal patterns in toaster pricing. If you're looking to maximize savings, these are the months to mark on your calendar:

Sweet Spots in the Calendar

Month	Average Discount	Sale Frequency	Why It's Good	Typical Events
November	20.2-30.3%	High	🏆 Best month overall	Black Friday, Cyber Monday
January	10.7-13.3%	Medium	Post-holiday inventory clearing	New Year sales, Clearance
October	8.4-18.6%	Medium	Pre-holiday sales, older models discounted	Halloween sales
July	15.6-25.8%	High	Mid-year sales push	Independence Day sales
May	17.8-20.1%	Medium	Spring cleaning promotions	Memorial Day sales

November stands out as the clear winner, with discounts routinely hitting 20.2-30.3% off MSRP during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. This isn't surprising, as retailers compete fiercely for holiday shopping dollars.

What might surprise you is that January offers excellent value too. While the discounts aren't quite as deep (typically 10.7-13.3%), retailers are eager to clear holiday inventory, making it a surprisingly good time to find deals on higher-end models.

🔥 The Big Three Sale Events for Toaster Deals

While you can find toaster discounts throughout the year, three major sales events consistently deliver the deepest price cuts:

1. Black Friday & Cyber Monday (Late November)

Average Discount: 24.7-38.9% off MSRP

This is the undisputed champion of toaster sales. Major retailers slash prices on everything from budget models to premium brands. For example, during Black Friday 2022, the Breville A Bit More BTA720XL 2-Slice Toaster dropped to its historical low of $80.98, while the Hamilton Beach 22633 hit just $20.05.

2. Independence Day Sales (Early July)

Average Discount: 15.3-22.3% off MSRP

July brings substantial summer savings, with retailers offering significant discounts during Independence Day promotions. These mid-year sales are perfect if you can't wait until November, offering the second-best discounts of the year.

3. Memorial Day Sales (Late May)

Average Discount: 14.5-18.9% off MSRP

Rounding out the top three, Memorial Day sales kick off the summer shopping season with respectable discounts across major brands. While not as dramatic as Black Friday deals, these sales often include newer models that might not see bigger discounts until later in the year.

Honorable Mention: Labor Day Sales (Early September) can offer discounts of 15.4-23.8%, but these deals tend to focus on older models being cleared out before new releases.

Brand-Specific Timing: When to Buy Your Favorite Toaster Brand

Different brands follow distinct sales patterns throughout the year. Here's when to shop for each major toaster manufacturer:

KitchenAid (24% US Market Share)

• New Model Releases: March and September
• Best Sales Month: November (24.7-38.9% off during Black Friday)
• Notable Models: KitchenAid Pro Line KMT2203 2-Slice ($299.99, historical low: $299.95 in November 2023)
• Insider Tip: KitchenAid often offers deeper discounts on outgoing models in April, shortly after March releases.

Breville (22% Global Market Share)

• New Model Releases: September-October annually
• Best Sales Month: November (Black Friday)
• Notable Models: Breville A Bit More BTA720XL 2-Slice Toaster ($89.95, historical low: $80.98 in November 2022)
• Insider Tip: January clearance sales often feature comparable discounts to Black Friday for Breville products.

Cuisinart (22% Global Market Share)

• New Model Releases: September-October annually
• Best Sales Month: November (Black Friday)
• Notable Models: Cuisinart CPT-122 2-Slice Compact Plastic Toaster (currently $24.95, historical low: $24.50 in January 2023)
• Insider Tip: Cuisinart products see their deepest discounts during Black Friday, with some models dropping by up to 38.1%.

Hamilton Beach (22% Global Market Share)

• New Model Releases: September-October annually
• Best Sales Month: November (Black Friday)
• Notable Models: Hamilton Beach 22910 2-Slice Toaster ($21.99, historical low: $17.99 in November 2023)
• Insider Tip: Hamilton Beach budget models often see substantial percentage discounts during July sales events.

Oster (22% Global Market Share)

• New Model Releases: September-October annually

• Best Sales Month: October-November

• Notable Models: Oster 2-slice Stainless Steel TSSTTRJB2S Toaster ($39.99, historical low: $20.16 in October 2023)

• Insider Tip: Oster frequently offers deeper discounts in October, slightly ahead of Black Friday.

The Timing Game: What Waiting Will Save You

If you're not in a rush to buy a new toaster right now, here's what you could potentially save by timing your purchase strategically:

Current Month	If You Buy Now	If You Wait Until November	Potential Savings
January	10.7-13.3% off	24.7-38.9% off	Additional 14.0-25.6%
February-April	4.9-8.6% off	24.7-38.9% off	Additional 20.4-30.3%
May	14.5-18.9% off	24.7-38.9% off	Additional 10.4-20.0%
June-August	9.5-14.1% off	24.7-38.9% off	Additional 14.0-25.6%
September	Minimal discounts	24.7-38.9% off	Up to 38.0%
October	10.8-18.2% off	24.7-38.9% off	Additional 15.3-21.1%
December	15.5-25.2% off	Wait 11 months for next Nov	Additional 9.7-14.4%

As you can see, waiting until November can save you significant money—up to 38.0% if you're shopping in September when prices tend to be at their highest. However, if you're in immediate need of a toaster, May and July offer respectable savings that might make the wait unnecessary.

Understanding Toaster Product Cycles

Understanding product release cycles is crucial for timing your purchase. Most major toaster brands follow a predictable pattern:

• September-October: Most brands (Breville, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, Oster) release new models
• March: KitchenAid often releases its new lineup

This means that August and February are often the best times to find deals on outgoing models. Retailers make room for new inventory by discounting last year's models—which often have only minor differences from the newest releases.

For example, when KitchenAid released new models in March 2023, the previous year's KitchenAid KMT2109 2-Slice dropped to its historical low price of $139.95.

Market Trends Affecting Toaster Pricing

Several industry trends are currently influencing toaster pricing:

1. Smart Technology Integration: The growing adoption of smart toasters with customization and connectivity features is driving prices up for premium models, but creating more discounts on traditional toasters.

2. Health-Conscious Features: Consumers increasingly seek toasters with variable browning controls and specialized settings, leading to price premiums on models with these features.

3. Commercial Expansion: Growing demand from commercial food outlets is expanding the overall market, but also creating more competition and potential for consumer deals.

These trends suggest that while prices for basic toasters remain relatively stable, premium models with advanced features will see more volatility in pricing—and potentially deeper discounts during major sales events.

Real-World Examples: Patience Pays Off

Let's look at some specific examples of how waiting for the right time saved shoppers significant money:

• Breville A Bit More BTA720XL: Priced at $89.95 for most of 2022, dropped to $80.98 during Black Friday—a modest but worthwhile 10.1% savings.

• Hamilton Beach 22633: Normally priced around $25, dropped to $20.05 during Black Friday 2022—a 19.9% savings.

• Cuisinart CPT-740 Digital: Typically sells for $89.95 but dropped to $50.99 during Black Friday 2022—an impressive 43.6% discount.

• Oster 2-slice Stainless Steel TSSTTRJB2S: Usually priced at $39.99, hit a low of $20.16 in October 2023—a remarkable 49.7% savings.

These examples illustrate that patience can be especially rewarding for mid-range toasters, where percentage discounts tend to be highest.

The Bottom Line: Is Waiting Worth It?

Based on my analysis, here's my straightforward advice on timing your toaster purchase:

Buy in November if:

• You want the absolute best price (24.7-38.9% off MSRP)
• You're shopping for premium brands like Breville or KitchenAid
• You don't need a toaster immediately

Buy in January if:

• You missed Black Friday/Cyber Monday
• You're looking for post-holiday clearance deals
• You need a toaster sooner rather than later

Buy in July if:

• You need a toaster before fall
• Independence Day sales are offering 15.3-22.3% discounts
• You spot a model being discontinued

Buy immediately if:

• Your current toaster is broken
• You find a discount of 18%+ off MSRP (regardless of month)
• You're purchasing a budget model under $30 (discount percentages tend to be smaller)

Remember, while timing is important, the right toaster for your needs matters most. A smart purchase that serves you well for years is worth more than waiting months to save a few dollars on a model that doesn't meet your requirements.

Final Thoughts: Smart Shopping Beyond Timing

While I've focused primarily on timing in this guide, remember that being a smart toaster shopper goes beyond just watching the calendar. Here are some additional tips:

• Compare across retailers: Prices can vary significantly between stores, even during major sales events.
• Consider certified refurbished options: These often come with warranties while offering 30-50% savings year-round.
• Watch for bundle deals: During holiday sales, toasters are often bundled with other small appliances for additional savings.
• Model year matters: Previous year's models typically see the deepest discounts after new releases in September-October.

By combining perfect timing with these strategies, you can ensure you get the best possible deal on your next toaster—and enjoy perfectly toasted bread without burning through your budget.

Happy toaster hunting!