Tumble Talk
Best time to buy a TV, laptop or air fryer in the UK
Big purchases deserve a bit of timing. Nobody wants to drop a few hundred quid on a new telly and then watch the same one tumble in price three weeks later. Here's what tends to make prices move for three of the UK's most-searched gadgets, without the hype.
One caveat first: nobody can promise when a specific product will be cheapest, and anyone who says they can is selling something. These are patterns, not predictions.
TVs
What moves the price: the model year.
The big TV brands work on a yearly cycle. New ranges are usually shown off at the CES tech show in Las Vegas each January, then, according to Which?, tend to launch in the UK from the end of May through July. New models tend to launch at their highest price and come down over the following months.
What that means for you:
- Last year's model often gets cheaper when the new one arrives. If you don't need the very latest features, the outgoing range can be a sweet spot, especially while stock lasts.
- Black Friday is a regular for TV deals. By late November, that year's models have been on sale for months, and retailers compete hard.
- Prime Day and the October Prime event can have TV deals too, particularly on Amazon's own Fire TV range.
Before you buy, check the exact model number. Sometimes very similar-looking TVs have different specs, and the model number is the only way to be sure you're comparing like with like.
Laptops
What moves the price: new chips, new models and back-to-school.
Laptop ranges refresh when new processors come out, and makers launch updated models at various points through the year. As with TVs, older configurations often come down when replacements land.
Times worth keeping an eye on:
- Back to school (late summer). Retailers target students with laptop and tablet deals. If there's a student in your house, it's worth watching.
- Black Friday. Usually a big one for laptops across lots of retailers.
- When a replacement launches. The outgoing version may be discounted to clear stock.
A word of warning: the specs matter more than the badge. Two laptops with the same name can have very different processors, memory or storage. Compare the spec sheet, not just the price.
Air fryers
What moves the price: competition, and the fact that everyone wants one.
Air fryers have become a staple of UK kitchens, and there are loads of brands competing for your worktop. That competition tends to mean regular deals throughout the year, not just at the big events.
- Black Friday and Prime Day both regularly feature air fryers, including the well-known brands.
- New versions (dual drawers, bigger baskets, extra functions) can push the older ones down in price.
- January can sometimes be good too, with post-Christmas sales and "new year, new kitchen" promotions.
Check the capacity (in litres) and the number of drawers before you buy. A cheap small one isn't a bargain if it can't fit dinner for your household.
The general rules
- If it's broken and you need it, buy it. Don't go without a working laptop for months to save a few quid.
- If you can wait, look at the calendar. Within a few weeks of Black Friday or a big launch, waiting might pay off.
- Compare the model, not the marketing. Model numbers and specs, every time.
- Look at what it's actually been selling for. A crossed-out RRP doesn't tell you what most people paid.
- Think about the warranty and returns. A slightly higher price from a retailer with better aftercare can be worth it on a big purchase.
We post TV, laptop and kitchen deals as they come up, each with the time we last checked the price. Follow Price Tumble on X, on Facebook (facebook.com/pricetumble) or on Telegram to see them when they drop. No sign-up, no fuss.
General guidance only. Product launch timings and retailer sales vary from year to year.
