Prime Day doesn’t officially start until Tuesday, but deals on Amazon Fire TVs are happening now, with some of the lowest prices yet on smaller, cheaper models. If you just want to pay as little as possible for a new TV and like Amazon’s system, now is a great time to buy. But if you want a different smart TV system or are shopping for a larger midrange or high-end model, prices might be better — and you’ll have more choices — if you wait until later in the year.
Here are some of the best early deals.
As CNET’s resident TV expert, I’m often asked whether it’s worth getting a cheap TV on Prime Day. If you just want to save money on a smaller screen, the answer is yes. I haven’t reviewed any of the TVs above, for example, but based on my experience with similar models I think most shoppers will be happy with them simply because they’re so inexpensive. And prices like this probably won’t come around again until around Black Friday in the fall of this year.
That’s because TV prices follow a predictable pattern. In spring and summer, the new 2023 models are first introduced, and that’s when prices are at their highest. The first big opportunity of the year for price drops is often Prime Day, but it’s just a few days long and after it’s over TV prices will remain relatively high until late fall, when the Black Friday sales start. Those sales typically last longer and are spread out among more retailers and brands.
If you’re considering a new TV on Prime Day, here’s some trends to watch for, based on my years reviewing TVs and tracking sales. They’re not set in stone, but they can give you some guidelines going in.
Amazon Fire TVs predominate
Prime Day deals often feature Amazon’s own gadgets, from Echo speakers to Ring doorbells, and that group includes smart TVs that run Amazon’s own Fire TV system. Featured on brands including Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer and Hisense, Fire TV is also available on Amazon-branded TVs including the Fire TV Omni and 4-Series. Expect most of them to be available for steep discounts on Prime Day.
Prime Day TV sales often include non-Fire TV screens, too. Samsung, LG, Sony and TCL TVs get discounts, but they’re usually not as steep as those offered on Fire TVs. That’s because Amazon tends to favor its own products, especially those that cater to its own ecosystem. That said, many compatible TVs have Alexa voice built in, including most Samsung and LG TVs, and nearly all smart TVs run the Prime Video app.
And remember: If you don’t like the Amazon Fire TV system, you can always connect a Roku or Google Chromecast to a Fire TV and use that instead.
Expect lots of smaller, less expensive TVs
If you’re in the market for a high-performance models such as an OLED TV, or even a midpriced LCD with a few extra bells and whistles like next-gen console gaming support or full-array local dimming, don’t hold your breath. Those features are largely absent on Fire TV models, and the non-Fire TVs on sale during Prime Day are often relatively entry-level, too. Sure, you might see some exceptions, particularly on 2022 TVs to clear inventory, but smaller, cheaper TVs are the rule.
Check Best Buy, Walmart, Target and other retailers, too
Amazon’s competitors are holding sales as well, just to hitch a ride on the buzz. Many of them offer TV deals too, and since they don’t have a Fire TV axe to grind, they often feature a wider variety of brands, sizes and feature sets.
