Your TV Shopping Guide for Super Bowl Season

Three men watching a football game on a couch together

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If you’re living on a budget, splurging on a new television probably isn’t in the picture.

A TV is a luxury item, and usually an expensive one too. But if you know when to shop you can get a brand new flat screen at a massively discounted price – in some cases for more than 50 percent off. The last few weeks of January – usually the run-up to Super Bowl Sunday – often see massive price cuts that you can take advantage of. The Super Bowl is Feb. 2 this year, so if you’re considering getting a new TV before then here’s what you should know.

Why Are Super Bowl TV Discounts Popular?

While there are a few times a year that TV deals become popular, most retailers seriously slash their prices in the leadup to the Super Bowl. Prices drop for a number of reasons, creating a bit of a perfect storm for shoppers. First, the Super Bowl is one of the most-watched events of the year, garnering about 100 million viewers each year. Party hosts and die-hard fans often search for new televisions before the game to really make the event memorable.

Plus, by late January/early February, retailers are getting ready to roll out new year model televisions. Most new TVs come out in the spring, so stores are more willing to cut prices around the Super Bowl with newer, expensive models coming out in a few weeks. Last year, Consumer Reports found that on average, all this added up to a 22 percent discount on TVs before the big game. Coupled with the fact that TV prices, in general, have been declining for years, and maybe a new smart TV doesn’t sound that far out of reach.

Black Friday is the other best time of year to score discounts on TVs. Conversely, spring and summer usually see the highest prices of the year. Even if you don’t pick up a new TV this month, keep this in mind if you’re in the market for a new one.

General TV Buying Tips

Resolution matters. Getting a 4K TV guarantees that you’ll have the highest quality picture for years to come. While 720p and 1080p TVs are still solid options, they run the risk of getting outdated in the near future, meaning you might want to buy another new TV soon after this one.
Measure your wall/TV stand before buying. If you’re thinking about going big with your next TV, make sure you don’t go overboard on accident. Plan out where you’d set up the screen and measure how much space you have before you go to the store.
HDR (high dynamic range) is the hot item in picture quality. A step ahead of HD TVs, HDR TVs offer improved picture quality, color grading, contrast, and brightness.

The Best TV Deals Before the Super Bowl

With all that in mind, here are the best deals on new TVs we found this year.

1. 55-inch 4K Smart LED Roku TV

List Price: $599.99
Current Price: $279.99

This deal is almost too good to pass up just for the fact that you’re saving more than 50 percent on this TV, but the set itself is high quality too. Roku smart TVs give you easy access to all your favorite streaming services from the menu, so you’re always just a click away from Netflix, Hulu, or HBO on this 55-inch TV. Plus the picture quality is great, so you’ll get stunning views of the Super Bowl and anything you watch for years after. The TV is compatible with Alexa as well, meaning you can have full voice control if you own an Alexa device.

2. Toshiba 32-inch 720p HD Smart LED TV – Fire TV Edition

List Price: $179.99
Current Price: $149.99

This 32-inch Toshiba TV is one of the smartest on the market. First off, Fire TV is built-in so you have easy access to live TV, streaming services, and other connected devices right on your home screen. The remote comes with Alexa voice accessibility, as well as buttons to send you directly to Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, and PlayStation Vue. Set up is simple too, so you won’t need to spend on installation. Just plug in the TV, connect to the internet, and enjoy!

3. Sceptre 65″ Class 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV

List Price: $899.99
Current Price: $349.99

Coming in at $550 less than face value, the discount on this 65-inch Sceptre flat screen is one of the best deals of the year. The bargain is so fantastic that you can splurge for professional mounting and a protection plan while still paying about half of what the TV usually costs. The Sceptre’s 4K resolution provides stunning picture quality at a price that’s hard to beat, making it a great purchase before Super Bowl Sunday.

4. 70″ Class 4K UHD 2160p Roku Smart TV

List Price: $899.99
Current Price: $797.88

While this is the second Roku Smart TV on this list, the price is too good to not include it. You’d be hard-pressed to find a TV of this size for this cheap anywhere else. Even with discounts, most other 70+ inch TVs are going for upwards of $1,000. The 70-inch screen with 4K resolution is sure to produce some of the finest picture quality you’ve ever seen – and at a nearly 40 percent discount. Of course, this TV comes with all the perks and additions of the 55-inch Roku option but gives a little extra bang for your buck if you’re looking for a big TV.

5. Samsung Curved 55-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV

List Price: $699.99
Current Price: $658.99

For a twist on the average television set, you can opt for Samsung’s curved 55-inch smart TV. The immersive curved design, 4K resolution, and PurColor feature make this TV perfect for turning anything into a spectacle, particularly the Super Bowl. Like some of the other TVs on this list, the Samsung 7 Series also supports Alexa voice commands, giving you the ultimate relaxing theatre experience from your couch.