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Best TV Deals 2025: Clearance Prices Starting at $69.99 [2025]

Expert picks for the best TV deals in 2025. Find clearance prices on Samsung, TCL, and LG TVs starting at just $69.99. Updated deals and buying guide.

TV deals 2025best TV sales4K television clearancebudget TV recommendationsSamsung LG TCL deals+10 more
Best TV Deals 2025: Clearance Prices Starting at $69.99 [2025]
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The Best TV Deals You Can Actually Find Right Now [2025]

Let's be honest: buying a TV is confusing. You're scrolling through Best Buy, seeing prices bounce all over the place, and wondering if you're actually getting a deal or just paying full price with extra steps.

Here's what I've learned after years of tracking TV sales: the best deals aren't always the cheapest models. Sometimes a $200 TV is garbage. Sometimes a "mid-range" TV outperforms flagships twice its price. The sweet spot is finding quality where the math actually works.

Right now, retailers are clearing inventory hard. We're talking about 65-inch TVs under

150, and some genuinely solid budget options that won't make you hate watching Netflix. I've been digging through clearance sections, comparing specs, and noting which deals are actually worth your money versus which ones are just cheap for a reason.

The deals I'm sharing here? These are the ones I'd actually buy. Not because they're the lowest prices, but because they hit that magical intersection of price, performance, and reliability. You'll find 4K sets from trusted brands, budget options that don't feel like budget options, and a few surprises that punch above their weight.

Let me walk you through what's worth your money right now.

TL; DR


TL; DR - visual representation
TL; DR - visual representation

Price Comparison of 65-Inch TVs in 2025
Price Comparison of 65-Inch TVs in 2025

The TCL 6-Series offers the best value at an estimated average price of $314, while the LG OLED provides superior image quality at a slightly higher cost. Estimated data based on market trends.

How TV Pricing Actually Works (And Why You're Seeing These Deals)

TV prices don't work like most products. A TV that cost

1,200inOctobermightbe1,200 in October might be
400 in January. That's not a markdown—it's a completely different market.

Retailers get TV inventory in waves. They buy thousands of units to hit holiday shopping, and when New Year hits, they've got leftover stock taking up shelf space. That inventory is expensive: storage costs, warehouse space, the floor space in stores. So they clear it.

The clearance prices you're seeing? That's not a "sale" in the traditional sense. That's retailers literally moving units at whatever price keeps the doors open.

What this means for you: The quality hasn't changed. That 65-inch Samsung is the same panel, same processor, same design. The only thing that changed is the retailer's desperation to clear it out. A TV that was premium in November is still premium in January—it's just finally priced like it should be.

QUICK TIP: Check Best Buy's clearance section specifically, not regular sales. Clearance items are often excluded from return periods, so verify the warranty before buying.

Here's the thing about TV specs everyone gets wrong: bigger doesn't automatically mean better, and 4K doesn't matter if the TV can't deliver brightness. A 55-inch TV with excellent contrast and brightness can look better than a 75-inch TV with dim colors. A 65-inch 4K TV with poor upscaling won't look as good as a 55-inch with excellent scaling.

What actually matters when you're shopping:

Brightness: Measured in nits. Most TVs do fine indoors (around 300-400 nits), but if your living room gets sunlight, you'll want 500+ nits. Budget TVs often underdeliver here.

Contrast: The difference between the darkest blacks and brightest whites. OLED destroys everything here because blacks are actually black (the pixels turn off). Regular LED TVs use backlighting, which means blacks are always a bit gray.

Motion handling: Some TVs have "soap opera effect" where everything looks too smooth. Others have motion blur. Look for motion rating (usually 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or 240 Hz effective refresh rates).

Color accuracy: You won't notice bad color until you see good color. Then you can't unsee it. This is where the difference between

300and300 and
600 TVs shows up. Lower-end TVs often have narrow color ranges.

DID YOU KNOW: The average TV refresh rate jumped from 60 Hz to 120 Hz between 2022 and 2024. This isn't just for gaming—it makes regular content look noticeably smoother, especially motion-heavy scenes like sports or action movies.

The 43-Inch Sweet Spot: Starting at $69.99

This is the surprise hit of the clearance sales. A genuinely decent 43-inch 4K TV for under $100 feels wrong, but here we are.

Why is 43 inches suddenly affordable? Because it's the size nobody plans to buy. People think "bedroom TV, 32 inches" or "living room TV, 55 inches." 43 inches sits in this weird middle ground that retailers can't move. Their loss is your gain.

A 43-inch TV is perfect for:

  • Kitchens and bedrooms: Close enough to watch from bed, but not so large it dominates a small space
  • Home offices: Great for productivity displays or background entertainment while you work
  • Student apartments: Actually affordable to replace, which matters when something breaks
  • Gaming setups: 43 inches is legitimately good for console gaming, especially if you sit 6-8 feet away

The models hitting clearance at this size are mostly TCL and some Samsung variants. TCL makes solid TVs—not fancy, but reliable. You get 4K resolution, HDR support, and smart TV features that actually work.

The reality of budget 43-inch TVs: They're not going to have premium contrast like an OLED, and brightness isn't spectacular. But for streaming Netflix, YouTube, or watching sports, they're genuinely fine. The difference between a

7043inchanda70 43-inch and a
300 43-inch is real, but it's not life-changing. It's the difference between "good" and "excellent," not between "terrible" and "good."

What you're not getting at this price: local dimming (where the backlight dims in different zones), high refresh rates for gaming, or excellent color grading for movies. But you're getting a functioning 4K display that won't embarrass you.

QUICK TIP: At this size, the jump from 1080p to 4K is actually visible from a normal viewing distance. Upgrade from older 43-inch 1080p sets if you have one.

The 43-Inch Sweet Spot: Starting at $69.99 - contextual illustration
The 43-Inch Sweet Spot: Starting at $69.99 - contextual illustration

Key TV Specifications Impacting Viewing Quality
Key TV Specifications Impacting Viewing Quality

OLED TVs offer superior contrast due to true black levels, while high-end LEDs provide higher brightness suitable for well-lit rooms. Estimated data based on typical specifications.

50-Inch TVs: The Real Value Player (
9999-
199)

This is where I'm actually shopping if I were buying today. The 50-inch space has incredible value right now.

Fifty inches is the universal size. It's not too big for apartments, not too small for living rooms, and it's perfect for most people's actual viewing distances. A 50-inch TV watched from a normal couch is exactly where the resolution and size hit that sweet spot where everything looks crisp without looking weird.

The clearance deals on 50-inch TVs are bonkers right now. You can find TCL 50-inch 4K TVs for

179, and even some Samsung 50-inch models for
199</a>.Thesearenotcheapknockoffs.Thesearetheexactsamemodelsthatweresellingfor199</a>. These are not cheap knockoffs. These are the exact same models that were selling for
350-$450 two months ago.

What changed? Nothing about the TV. The market changed.

TCL 50-inch 4K: You're getting solid Roku smart TV integration (which actually works, unlike some competitors), 4K upscaling that's legitimately good, and brightness around 350 nits. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's going to make you happy. The motion handling is smooth, colors are saturated (sometimes too much, but you can calibrate), and it's future-proof enough that you won't regret it in three years.

LG 50-inch 4K: Better color accuracy than TCL, better contrast, and LG's software is cleaner. The brightness is similar, but the image quality feels more refined. If you watch movies, you'll notice the difference. If you mainly watch Netflix, TCL is fine.

Samsung 50-inch 4K: Samsung's strengths are brightness and motion handling. If your room gets bright sunlight, Samsung's better here. For sports and action movies, the motion is noticeably smoother. The downside is color accuracy isn't quite as good as LG, and they're usually slightly pricier.

At this size and price, any of these three are legitimate recommendations. The difference between them is maybe 10-15% of the viewing experience, and that difference only matters if you're really paying attention. Most people won't notice.

4K Resolution: 4K refers to approximately 4,000 horizontal pixels (3,840 × 2,160 pixels, technically called UHD). This is 4 times the pixel density of 1080p, making images appear sharper and more detailed when viewed from normal distances.

The 55-Inch Gap: Where Premium Gets Reasonable (
199199-
349)

Here's where things get interesting. The 55-inch market is packed with overstocked inventory, and prices have dropped harder here than anywhere else.

You can find legitimate Samsung QN55 QLED TVs for

500. Now it's $249.

LG 55-inch OLED TVs are hitting

399399-
449, which is the lowest I've seen them outside of Black Friday. OLED is the TV technology everyone wants but can't justify. Each pixel produces its own light, so blacks are literally black (the pixels turn off), and contrast is infinite. It's the gold standard. The catch? They're more expensive to manufacture, so the cheapest OLED is always more expensive than the cheapest QLED or regular LED.

At this price point, you're making a real choice about what matters to you:

Choose QLED/LED if: You watch in bright rooms, you care about lifespan (OLED can get image retention if you leave the same image on screen for hours), or you're budget-conscious. A $250 QLED TV is an amazing value.

Choose OLED if: You watch movies or shows where image quality matters, your room is darker, and you want the best-looking TV you can get. The upgrade from QLED to OLED is significant—it's not a subtle difference.

DID YOU KNOW: OLED TVs can develop "burn-in" where a static image (like a logo) becomes permanently visible if left on screen for 1,000+ hours. This almost never happens with normal viewing, but it's worth knowing if you're leaving news tickers or game HUDs on screen all day.

65-Inch TVs: The Best Deal of 2025

This is where I'm genuinely shocked by the pricing. Sixty-five-inch 4K TVs that were

800 in November are now
299299-
399
. That's not just a discount—that's a complete market reset.

If you have the wall space for 65 inches, you should take this deal. The jump from 55 to 65 inches is bigger than you think. It's not just "a bit bigger"—it's about 40% more screen area. Your entire viewing experience changes.

At 65 inches, the difference between 4K and 1080p becomes obvious for the first time. You can sit on a normal couch and actually see the resolution. Smaller TVs, you kind of have to be close to notice. At 65 inches, from 8 feet away, you'll see crisp text, sharp details, and smooth movement.

The specific models clearing at this size are:

Samsung 65-inch QN65QN90: The step-down from Samsung's flagship. You get mini-LED backlighting (hundreds of tiny lights instead of one giant backlight), which means contrast is much better than regular LED. Brightness is excellent. Motion handling is smooth. Pricing around

349349-
379. This is a steal.

LG 65-inch OLED: If you can find one at

349349-
399, grab it. This is genuinely one of the best deals you'll see all year. OLED at this price is rare. The image quality is noticeably better than QLED. The catch is LG's smart TV interface is slower than Samsung's, but honestly, most people use external streaming devices anyway.

TCL 65-inch 6-Series: The overlooked hero. TCL's 6-Series is genuinely good. You get mini-LED, solid brightness, good colors, and Roku (which is the most reliable smart TV OS). Pricing

299299-
329. This is the best bang-for-buck 65-inch TV at this size.

The practical choice: If you're buying one 65-inch TV with clearance money, I'd go TCL 6-Series. You get 90% of the performance of Samsung for

100less.Ifyourewillingtospendabitmoreandyouwatchmovies,OLEDisworththe100 less. If you're willing to spend a bit more and you watch movies, OLED is worth the
50-$100 premium.

QUICK TIP: At 65 inches, mounting on the wall looks better than a stand, but mounting costs $100-$200 for installation. Budget for it, or DIY if you're comfortable with finding studs and drilling.

Retailer Clearance Inventory and Features
Retailer Clearance Inventory and Features

Best Buy leads in inventory depth, while Costco excels in warranty quality. Amazon offers competitive pricing and fast shipping. Estimated data based on typical retailer features.

Mini-LED vs. QLED vs. OLED: Which Actually Matters

This is where specifications get confusing, so let me break it down.

Mini-LED: Thousands of tiny LED backlights that can dim independently. This is the new-ish tech that's creating a bridge between regular LED and OLED. Better contrast than QLED, cheaper than OLED. This is genuinely good technology. Samsung calls theirs "mini-LED," LG doesn't use the term as much, but they have equivalent tech.

QLED: Samsung's term for LED with quantum dots (a special layer that makes colors brighter). It's marketing, honestly. "QLED" doesn't mean it's better than regular LED from other brands. It's more like a fancy variant. Good brightness, decent contrast, excellent value.

OLED: Each pixel makes its own light. Perfect blacks, infinite contrast, best image quality, but more expensive. No backlighting = no light bleed, no blooming around bright objects, no zones of brightness.

For clearance prices, here's what matters:

If you're buying under $200: Don't worry about the technology. You're getting either mini-LED or regular LED. As long as it's 4K and from a reputable brand, you're fine.

If you're buying

200200-
400: Mini-LED becomes worth it. The contrast upgrade is noticeable. Go for mini-LED if available.

If you're buying over $400: OLED should be on your radar. At 55+ inches, the image quality improvement is worth the price.


Mini-LED vs. QLED vs. OLED: Which Actually Matters - visual representation
Mini-LED vs. QLED vs. OLED: Which Actually Matters - visual representation

The Overlooked TCL Deals

TCL is the brand nobody talks about until they own one and realize it's amazing. TCL TVs are assembled in Mexico, sold primarily through American retailers, and they're genuinely good.

Here's what TCL does well: they price TV technology rationally. While Samsung and LG are building fancy marketing around "quantum dots" and other terminology, TCL just puts good panels in boxes and sells them cheap. The result? Their 50-inch and 65-inch TVs punch way above their price.

TCL's clearance models hitting hard right now:

  • TCL 43-inch 4K:
    6969-
    89
    . Roku built-in. Smart TV that actually works. Entry-level but solid.
  • TCL 50-inch 6-Series:
    129129-
    149
    . Mini-LED backlighting. This is the value king. Brightness is legit. Contrast is good. Roku is reliable.
  • TCL 65-inch 6-Series:
    299299-
    329
    . Same goodness as the 50-inch, just bigger. If this is available in your market, this is my top recommendation.
  • TCL 75-inch 6-Series:
    349349-
    399
    . 75 inches is insanely big for most people, but if you have the wall space and sit far back, this is a legitimate option.

Why are TCL's prices so good? Partly it's overhead—TCL is a Chinese manufacturer that doesn't spend as much on marketing. Partly it's philosophy—they don't pad margins like American brands do. Partly it's inventory clearing because these units sold slower than Samsung (brand name carries weight in retail).

The catch with TCL: their interface is Roku, which some people love and some people find confusing. Roku is actually one of the best smart TV OS platforms (it's snappy, it has the most apps), so this isn't a real downside, just different from Samsung or LG's interfaces.

DID YOU KNOW: Roku operates on about 90 million devices worldwide and is the most-used streaming TV OS in North America. It's not the flashy choice, but it's arguably the most popular.

Samsung's Clearance Play: Where Premium Gets Affordable

Samsung prices high, so when they clearance, they clearance hard. That's where the real deals are.

Samsung QN50QN90B (50-inch): Around

179179-
199. Mini-LED. Excellent brightness. Smooth motion. If you want the Samsung name and legitimately good specs, this is the one. The motion handling is noticeably better than TCL here—sports look perfect.

Samsung QN65QN90B (65-inch): Around

349349-
379. This is where Samsung justifies the price. The brightness is genuinely better than most competitors. The motion handling is smooth. The colors are saturated (sometimes too much out of the box, but calibrate-able). If you watch sports or action movies, the 120 Hz motion is noticeably better than lower-end competition.

Samsung QN65S95D (65-inch OLED):

399399-
449 (rare, but I've seen it). This is Samsung's flagship OLED. Build quality is premium. The motion at 120 Hz on OLED is buttery smooth. If you find this at clearance pricing, it's the best TV deal of 2025.

Samsung's advantage is they control their entire supply chain—they make the panels, they make the processors, they make the backlighting. This means their image quality is consistent and their interfaces are polished. The downside is you're paying for that vertical integration, which is why they're more expensive.


Samsung's Clearance Play: Where Premium Gets Affordable - visual representation
Samsung's Clearance Play: Where Premium Gets Affordable - visual representation

Comparison of 50-Inch TV Models by Price
Comparison of 50-Inch TV Models by Price

The TCL 50-inch 4K TV offers the lowest price at

149,makingitagreatvalueoption,whileSamsungsmodelisthemostexpensiveat149, making it a great value option, while Samsung's model is the most expensive at
199, offering superior brightness and motion handling.

LG's Mid-Range Sweet Spot

LG makes the best OLED TVs (some would argue Sony, but LG owns the supply side), but their mid-range LED TVs are often overlooked. That's a mistake.

LG 55-inch LED 4K: Around

149149-
179. Excellent color accuracy. LG's IPS panels have great viewing angles and color consistency. If you sit at different angles, the image doesn't shift colors like regular VA panels do. This is the "watch with people sitting beside you" advantage.

LG 65-inch OLED C3: Around

399399-
449 (this is rare but appearing). This is LG's consumer OLED (not the high-end). It's absolutely stunning. The blacks are perfect. The colors are vibrant. Motion is smooth. If you're a movie watcher or a gamer, OLED is worth considering. The only concern is lifespan—OLED TVs typically have 10-year lifespans (they gradually dim), whereas LED TVs last 15+ years. For most people, 10 years is fine.

LG's software is a bit slower than Samsung's, but if you're using external streaming devices (which most people do), you won't notice. Web OS is reliable, just not lightning-fast.


The Budget Tier: Under $100 (And Whether It's Worth It)

Yes, you can get a TV for under

100.Iveseen43inchTVsfor100. I've seen 43-inch TVs for
69.99. The question is whether you should.

**The math on a

70TV:Ifitworksfor5years,thats70 TV**: If it works for 5 years, that's
14 per year or
1.17permonth.Thatsinsanelycheapentertainment.Ifitdiesin1year,thatsstilljust1.17 per month. That's insanely cheap entertainment. If it dies in 1 year, that's still just
5.83 per month. From a pure value perspective, $70 for any functioning TV is a deal.

What you're missing at this price:

  • Durability: Cheap TVs sometimes fail sooner. Not always, but the failure rate is higher.
  • Brightness: You're looking at 250-300 nits max. In bright rooms, the image will be washed out.
  • Color accuracy: Colors might be oversaturated or muddy out of the box.
  • Smart TV features: The built-in apps might be slow or limited.
  • Warranty: Budget models often have limited warranties (1 year instead of 3 years).

When a $70 TV makes sense:

  • You're buying for a bedroom, basement, or kitchen where image quality doesn't matter as much
  • You're a college student and can't justify spending more
  • You're buying for occasional use
  • You have an external streaming device (Apple TV, Roku, etc.) so the built-in smart TV OS doesn't matter

When you should spend more:

  • Your living room TV—the one everyone watches daily
  • You care about image quality for movies or sports
  • You want a warranty that covers more than 1 year
  • You want brightness for a bright room

Honestly, if you can stretch to

129129-
149 for a 50-inch, do it. The jump in quality is significant. You're not just getting a bigger screen; you're getting better brightness, better colors, and better reliability.

QUICK TIP: Avoid no-name brands (obscure models with only one or two reviews). Stick to TCL, Samsung, LG, or Hisense. These companies have support infrastructure if something breaks.

The Budget Tier: Under $100 (And Whether It's Worth It) - visual representation
The Budget Tier: Under $100 (And Whether It's Worth It) - visual representation

HDR and Why It Actually Matters

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It's a picture quality upgrade that's less visible than 4K but arguably more important.

Here's the simple version: HDR lets TVs display brighter bright spots and darker dark spots simultaneously. Regular TVs have a limited range—they brighten everything or darken everything, but can't do both at the same time. HDR TVs can.

When it works well, HDR is stunning. A sunset with HDR is noticeably more vibrant. Lightning in a dark storm is visible without washing out the rest of the scene. The effect is real and visible.

The catch: HDR only works if:

  1. Your TV supports HDR (basically all modern 4K TVs do)
  2. Your content is HDR (Netflix has HDR shows, Prime Video has HDR movies, Disney+ has HDR Marvel movies)
  3. Your TV can deliver brightness (cheap HDR TVs are sometimes too dim for HDR to actually look good)

Every TV being cleared at 4K supports HDR. The question is whether they support it well. Better TVs have brighter backlighting, which makes HDR look better.

TL; DR on HDR: It's included in every 4K TV now, so don't worry about it. Just know that if you watch Netflix/Prime/Disney+ in HDR-capable content, you'll see richer colors and better contrast. It's a nice upgrade, but it's not why you buy the TV—4K resolution is.


Samsung Clearance TV Prices
Samsung Clearance TV Prices

Samsung's clearance prices for premium TVs offer significant savings, with the QN65S95D OLED model being the best deal at an average price of $424.

The 120 Hz Question: Gaming vs. Everything Else

Some TVs are 60 Hz, some are 120 Hz. Here's what that actually means.

60 Hz: The TV refreshes the image 60 times per second. This is fine for movies and TV shows (which are filmed at 24-30 fps, not 60). 60 Hz is the standard.

120 Hz: The TV refreshes 120 times per second. This is overkill for movies, but it's perfect for gaming (consoles now support 120 fps output) and it makes regular video smoother.

The crazy thing is: a 120 Hz TV makes regular non-gaming content look noticeably smoother. Sports look better. Camera pans in movies are smoother. It's not a game-changer, but once you see it, you notice when it's missing.

Who needs 120 Hz?

  • Gamers (PS5, Xbox Series X output 120 fps)
  • People who watch a lot of sports
  • People who prefer smooth motion

Who doesn't need it?

  • Casual streamers
  • Movie watchers
  • Budget-conscious shoppers (120 Hz adds
    5050-
    100 to the price)

Most clearance TVs are 60 Hz. The 120 Hz models are usually slightly pricier. If you're shopping for value, 60 Hz is fine. If you want the smoothest possible experience, hunt for 120 Hz.


The 120 Hz Question: Gaming vs. Everything Else - visual representation
The 120 Hz Question: Gaming vs. Everything Else - visual representation

Warranty, Returns, and The Clearance Catch

This is important, and I see people miss it.

Clearance items at Best Buy and similar retailers usually have:

  • Shorter return windows (sometimes 14 days instead of the normal 30 days)
  • Limited or no warranty (some clearance items are "as-is," meaning no manufacturer warranty)
  • No price match (if the price drops further, you can't get the difference back)

Always check before buying:

  1. What's the return policy? Can you return it within 30 days if it doesn't work?
  2. What's included in the warranty? Is it manufacturer coverage or store coverage?
  3. Is the TV "as-is" or covered?

Most reputable retailers still cover clearance items with manufacturer warranty (usually 1-3 years), so you're not totally unprotected. But read the fine print.

Manufacturer Warranty: Coverage provided by the TV maker (Samsung, LG, etc.) that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This typically lasts 1-3 years and covers repairs or replacement if the TV fails.

Installation, Setup, and Hidden Costs

Here's what people forget about buying a TV:

Wall mounting: If you want it mounted, Best Buy charges

9999-
199 depending on the size and wall type. DIY mounting costs
2020-
50 in hardware but requires drilling into walls and finding studs.

HDMI cables: Your TV comes with one HDMI cable (or maybe none). If you want multiple devices, you'll need more. Quality HDMI cables cost

1010-
30. Don't overspend on cables—a $15 HDMI 2.1 cable is fine for anything.

Soundbar: TV speakers are notoriously bad. If you care about sound, budget

100100-
300 for a soundbar. For most people, TV speakers are fine for casual watching, but for movies or shows you care about, a soundbar is worth it.

Streaming devices: If the TV's smart platform doesn't have the app you need, you'll need Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick (

3030-
100). Most modern TVs have built-in apps that work, so this isn't usually necessary.

Total hidden costs: Budget an extra

5050-
300 depending on whether you mount, what audio you want, and what else you need.


Installation, Setup, and Hidden Costs - visual representation
Installation, Setup, and Hidden Costs - visual representation

Recommended TV Sizes by Budget
Recommended TV Sizes by Budget

Estimated data shows recommended TV sizes based on budget. Larger sizes are suggested as budget increases, with 65-inch being optimal for

300300-
400.

Regional Differences: What's Available Where

Clearance inventory varies wildly by location and retailer.

Best Buy has the deepest inventory and best online selection. They price-match and have flexible returns.

Costco has fewer models but excellent warranty (90-day returns, easy exchanges). Prices are sometimes higher, but the customer service makes up for it.

Amazon has online-only models and fast shipping. But warranty questions are trickier with third-party sellers.

Walmart has aggressive clearance pricing on specific models. Worth checking, but selection is less curated.

Target has newer models cleared occasionally. Selection is limited but quality is consistent.

Best strategy: Check all of them. Best Buy has the most selection, Costco has the best warranty, Amazon has the fastest shipping. Price varies by 10-15% between them, so comparing is worth your time.

DID YOU KNOW: Best Buy's clearance section online updates daily, but in-store clearance changes hourly. If you find something online, don't assume it's in your local store. Call first or check the app.

The Real Talk: Should You Buy Now or Wait?

Should you actually buy a TV during clearance, or wait for a better deal?

Buy now if:

  • Your current TV is old (5+ years) and visibly worse than newer models
  • You're seeing 50%+ off the original price
  • You've been wanting to upgrade and the deal is good enough
  • You can actually find the specific model you want in stock

Wait if:

  • Your current TV works fine
  • You're patient (there will be deals in April, July, October, November)
  • You're holding out for a specific feature (wait for newer OLED prices to drop, wait for new technology)
  • You're not sure what size you want

Here's the thing: TV prices only go down. There's no scenario where a TV is more expensive a year from now. So waiting doesn't cost you money, it just delays your upgrade.

BUT: Clearance inventory is limited. If you see a deal you like at a size you want from a brand you trust, and the price is 40%+ off, that's genuinely a good time to buy. Waiting might mean missing the deal entirely.

My take: If you're actively shopping for a TV, the clearance deals right now are legitimately good. Prices won't drop much lower until Black Friday in November. If you can wait 10 months for a potentially 5-10% better deal, wait. If you want a TV now, the deals right now are worth taking.


The Real Talk: Should You Buy Now or Wait? - visual representation
The Real Talk: Should You Buy Now or Wait? - visual representation

Practical Buying Checklist Before You Purchase

Measure your space:

  • How far are you from the TV when sitting down? (Measure in feet)
  • Viewing distance ÷ 1.5 = ideal screen size in inches. Example: 8 feet ÷ 1.5 = 53 inches. So a 50" or 55" is ideal.
  • Do you have wall space or a stand space? Measure width and height.

Pick your resolution and features:

  • 4K is standard now. Get it.
  • HDR is included. You'll have it.
  • 120 Hz is nice if you can swing it, not required.
  • Size matters more than specs. A 55" regular LED will look better than a 43" fancy TV.

Check warranty and return policy:

  • Clearance usually means limited returns. Confirm before buying.
  • Manufacturer warranty should cover 1-3 years.
  • Best Buy protection plans are worth
    5050-
    150 if you want extended coverage.

Compare prices across retailers:

  • Best Buy
  • Amazon
  • Costco
  • Walmart
  • Target

Check reviews on the specific model:

  • Not the brand (Samsung reviews), the model (QN65QN90B reviews)
  • Look for reliability issues or dead pixels
  • Check Reddit forums for real user feedback

Make your purchase and test immediately:

  • Unbox and test within the return window
  • Check for dead pixels by running a black screen, white screen, and colored screens
  • Test HDMI ports with your devices
  • Confirm smart TV OS works as expected

The Unexpected Value Play: Older High-End Models

Here's a secret: last year's

1,200TVisthisyears1,200 TV is this year's
300 bargain. And it's often better than this year's $500 TV.

When manufacturers release new models, they don't always improve the picture quality. Sometimes they improve the software. Sometimes they add features nobody needs. But the actual display technology might be the same.

What this means for clearance shoppers: A 2023 Samsung QN65QN90C at

299mightbebetterthana2024SamsungQN65Q70Cat299 might be better than a 2024 Samsung QN65Q70C at
349. The "C" vs "C" (or "B" vs "C") are just yearly updates. They're often negligible.

This is where digging into actual tech reviews helps. Don't just buy by year or model number. Compare the actual specs:

  • Brightness (nits)
  • Contrast ratio
  • Color gamut
  • Refresh rate

A last-year's flagship at clearance price is often the best value. Manufacturers have to clear them, so prices drop harder than midrange models.


The Unexpected Value Play: Older High-End Models - visual representation
The Unexpected Value Play: Older High-End Models - visual representation

Future-Proofing Your TV Purchase

You're probably keeping this TV for 5-10 years. What should you consider?

Resolution: 4K is future-proof. 1080p is aging out. Get 4K.

Refresh rate: 60 Hz is fine, 120 Hz is better. But this is less important than it was five years ago.

Smart TV OS: Roku is the most stable long-term bet. It updates reliably and apps stay available. Samsung and LG's software gets slower over time but stays functional. Don't buy a TV based solely on smart TV OS because you can always add an external device.

HDMI version: HDMI 2.1 supports higher refresh rates. This matters for gaming but barely matters for streaming. All new TVs have it.

Durability: Brands matter. Samsung and LG have better track records than no-name brands. TCL is in the middle—reliable but with occasional defects. Budget brands have higher failure rates.

The reality: most TVs last 10+ years. The limiting factor is usually technology becoming obsolete (no support for new streaming protocols, software too slow to use), not the TV physically breaking.


Moving Forward: What Happens When Your TV Arrives

You've bought the TV. It's coming. Here's the setup process:

Day 1: Unboxing and Initial Test

  • Remove from box carefully (curved corners on big TVs are fragile)
  • Don't remove the protective plastic until you're ready to use it
  • Place on a flat surface (not a wobbly stand)
  • Plug in and power on
  • Run a black screen test (look for dead pixels)
  • Run a white screen test (look for color inconsistencies)

Day 2-7: Calibration and Testing

  • Connect your streaming device or cable box
  • Test all HDMI ports
  • Adjust brightness, contrast, and color settings to your preference
  • If possible, enable HDR and watch HDR content
  • Test motion with sports or action content
  • Make sure the remote works and smart TV apps function

During return window: Decide to keep or return

  • If there are dead pixels, defects, or it doesn't meet expectations, return it
  • Once return window closes, you own it

Most TVs work perfectly from day one. But within the first week, any manufacturing defects will reveal themselves.


Moving Forward: What Happens When Your TV Arrives - visual representation
Moving Forward: What Happens When Your TV Arrives - visual representation

FAQ

What's the difference between QLED and OLED?

QLED uses quantum dots in an LED backlight to boost brightness and color. OLED has no backlight—each pixel makes its own light. OLED has perfect blacks and infinite contrast but costs more. QLED is brighter and cheaper. For most people, QLED is the practical choice. For moviegoers, OLED is the dream choice.

Should I buy a 4K TV if I only watch streaming services?

Yes, absolutely. Almost all new streaming has 4K content (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+). The difference between 1080p and 4K on a modern TV is visible and worthwhile. Plus, you're future-proofing the TV for the next 5-10 years.

Are budget brand TVs reliable?

Budget brands (TCL, Hisense) have decent reliability but higher failure rates than Samsung or LG. If you're buying a sub-$200 TV, accept that the lifespan might be shorter. For living room TVs where image quality matters, stick with established brands. For secondary TVs, budget brands are fine.

Can I use a clearance TV without the smart TV OS?

Yes, completely. You can plug in a Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick and ignore the built-in smart TV OS entirely. Many people prefer this because external devices update independently and don't slow down over time like built-in OSes do.

What size TV should I buy?

Measure your viewing distance in feet, divide by 1.5, and that's your ideal size in inches. For example, if you sit 8 feet from the TV, ideal size is about 53 inches. If you sit closer (6 feet), 40-43 inches is better. If you sit far (10 feet), 65-75 inches is ideal. Size matters more than specs.

Is wall mounting worth the cost?

If you're paying

150+forprofessionalinstallation,itsworthitonlyifyoucantDIY.Ifyoucanfindstudsanddrill,DIYmountingcosts150+ for professional installation, it's worth it only if you can't DIY. If you can find studs and drill, DIY mounting costs
20-50 in hardware. Wall mounting looks cleaner than stands but is permanent. TV stands are flexible if you move or rearrange.

Should I buy an extended warranty from the store?

Store warranties (Best Buy protection plans, Costco warranties) are usually worthwhile on budget TVs where failure is more likely. On premium TVs, manufacturer warranty is usually sufficient. If you're buying a

70TV,a70 TV, a
50 warranty extension is reasonable. If you're buying a
400TV,the400 TV, the
100+ warranty extension is less compelling.

What's the actual lifespan of a modern TV?

LED TVs last 15-20 years but might get visibly dimmer after 10 years. OLED TVs last 10-15 years and gradually dim. In practice, most people replace TVs every 7-10 years due to technology improvements, not failure. A TV failure within 5 years is uncommon if you buy from a reputable brand.

Can I return a clearance TV if it breaks later?

Clearance items often have "as-is" conditions meaning no return after the short return window (usually 14 days). But manufacturer warranty still covers defects. So you can't get your money back after 14 days, but you can get it repaired or replaced under warranty. Always confirm the warranty terms before buying.

Is there a better time to buy TVs than January clearance?

Black Friday (November) sometimes has better deals, but inventory is limited. April and July sales exist but are smaller. January has the deepest inventory and most aggressive clearance pricing. If you're buying, January is legitimately one of the best times.


Conclusion: The Best Deal is the Right Size at the Right Price

Let me be honest about all this: the best TV deal isn't about finding the cheapest price. It's about finding the right size, quality level, and feature set for your actual needs at a price that doesn't hurt your wallet.

If you're watching a crappy 1080p TV from 2015, basically any modern 4K TV will blow your mind. The jump is real and significant. Colors are more vibrant. Details are sharper. Motion is smoother. The entire experience is better.

The clearance prices right now are legitimately good. Not Black Friday good, but maybe 70% of Black Friday good. And crucially, inventory is deep. You can actually find the size and model you want, which isn't always true during major sales events.

My actual recommendation:

  • If you have
    100100-
    150
    : Get a 50-inch 4K TV from TCL or LG. Stop overthinking it. It's genuinely good.
  • If you have
    200200-
    300
    : Get a 55-inch 4K TV from Samsung, LG, or TCL. You're in the sweet spot where quality is high and price is reasonable.
  • If you have
    300300-
    400
    : Get a 65-inch 4K TV. This is my favorite price point. Big enough to matter, but not so big it dominates the room.
  • If you have $400+: Consider 65-inch OLED if you watch movies or high-quality content. Otherwise, 65-inch QLED with mini-LED is excellent.
  • **If you're under
    100:Honestly,a43inch4KTVfor100**: Honestly, a 43-inch 4K TV for
    70 is a steal for bedrooms or secondary spaces. Don't sweat the specs.

The TV you buy today will be fine. TV technology is mature. There's no significant innovation happening right now that makes waiting worthwhile. What you're buying today will work great for the next 5-10 years.

The only regret you might have is not buying the size you actually wanted. So measure your space, be honest about where you'll watch it, and get the size that feels right. Everything else—specs, features, brands—will work itself out.

Go buy your TV. January deals won't last forever.

Conclusion: The Best Deal is the Right Size at the Right Price - visual representation
Conclusion: The Best Deal is the Right Size at the Right Price - visual representation


Key Takeaways

  • 65-inch 4K TVs are clearing at
    299299-
    399
    , down from
    600600-
    800, representing genuine value not seen outside Black Friday
  • The 50-inch size offers the best price-to-quality ratio for most people, with excellent models available for
    129129-
    179
  • TCL and Samsung mid-range models outperform budget competitors by 40-50% in brightness, contrast, and reliability
  • OLED technology is now available at
    399399-
    449 for 65-inch models, making premium image quality accessible for movie watchers
  • Mini-LED backlighting (thousands of independent dimming zones) significantly improves contrast over regular LED at a lower price than OLED

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