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Why TV Clearance Events Offer the Best Prices of the Year
Every year, major retailers need to clear out existing TV inventory to make room for new models. This creates a window where prices drop well below anything you see during typical sale events. Unlike promotional discounts that shave 10 to 15 percent off the sticker price, clearance markdowns regularly hit 30 to 50 percent off the original retail price. If you can time your purchase to coincide with these events, you will pay significantly less for the same television.
The catch is that clearance inventory is limited. Once a model sells out, it is gone for good. That is why tracking prices ahead of time on PriceMirage deals matters so much. You need to know what a good price looks like before the clearance event begins so you can act quickly when stock appears.
Best Stores for TV Clearance Events in 2026
Best Buy
Best Buy runs the most consistent TV clearance cycles in the industry. Their open-box section is a goldmine year round, but the real savings come during model transition periods in late winter and early spring. Best Buy clearance TVs are tagged with yellow labels in stores and appear in the clearance section online. Samsung, LG, and Sony models from the previous year routinely drop by $300 to $800 during these windows.
Walmart
Walmart takes a different approach to clearance. Instead of scheduled events, they use rolling markdowns that happen store by store. Prices can vary dramatically between locations. The Walmart app shows in-store clearance pricing and lets you check availability by zip code. TCL, Hisense, and Vizio models see the steepest Walmart clearance cuts, sometimes reaching 40 to 60 percent off.
Amazon Warehouse
Amazon Warehouse deals on TVs are essentially clearance pricing on open-box and returned units. Condition ratings range from Acceptable to Like New, and the discounts scale accordingly. A Like New 65-inch OLED that retails for $1,800 can show up on Amazon Warehouse for $1,100 to $1,300. These listings appear and disappear quickly, so setting alerts through PriceMirage electronics tracking gives you an advantage.
Costco
Costco clearance events are less frequent but extremely aggressive on pricing. Their TV selection is narrower than Best Buy, focusing on Samsung, LG, and Hisense, but clearance prices often undercut every other retailer. The added benefit of Costco's extended warranty and return policy makes their clearance TVs especially attractive for risk-averse buyers.
Target
Target runs clearance cycles that are less publicized but worth monitoring. End-of-season markdowns on TVs happen in January through March and again in July through August. Target's clearance pricing is competitive on smaller screen sizes, particularly 50-inch and 55-inch models from TCL and Hisense.
2026 TV Clearance Calendar
January through March is the strongest clearance period because new model year TVs get announced at CES in January and start arriving on shelves by March. Retailers need to move the previous year's inventory, creating deep discounts on models that are functionally identical to the newer versions.
A second clearance wave hits in late August through September. Summer models get marked down as retailers prepare for Black Friday inventory. This window is shorter and less predictable, but discounts of 25 to 35 percent are common on mid-range and budget models.
November clearance overlaps with Black Friday pricing and can be harder to distinguish from promotional sales. The key difference is that clearance items are being permanently removed from inventory, while promotional items return to normal pricing after the sale ends. True clearance prices in November are often the lowest of the entire year.
Open-Box TV Deals: The Secret Clearance Category
Open-box TVs deserve special attention in any clearance discussion. These are units that were purchased, opened, and returned, often in perfect working condition. Best Buy's open-box program is the most transparent, with condition grades that clearly describe any cosmetic issues. An open-box Excellent rated 75-inch Samsung typically runs 15 to 25 percent below the new price, and an open-box Satisfactory rated unit can be 30 to 40 percent less.
Check open-box inventory on our deals page regularly. Stock rotates daily and popular models in good condition sell within hours of being listed.
Tips for Shopping TV Clearance Events
Start tracking prices at least two weeks before a clearance event you are targeting. This gives you a baseline so you can evaluate whether the clearance price represents a genuine discount. Some retailers gradually lower prices before officially tagging items as clearance, meaning the first markdown might still not be the best price.
Do not fixate on a single model. Clearance inventory is unpredictable, and the best deal might be on a TV you were not originally considering. Focus on your must-have features, screen size, and budget range, then buy whichever model within those parameters has the deepest cut.
Finally, check the warranty situation before purchasing. Clearance items from major retailers typically carry the same manufacturer warranty as full-price units. However, some third-party clearance sellers offer limited or no warranty coverage. Stick with authorized retailers to protect your purchase.