A vacuum cleaner is one of the most essential appliances in any home. With frequent use, vacuums can wear out over time and need replacing. When beginning your search for a new vacuum, an important factor to consider is timing—when is the best time to buy a vacuum?
Buying a vacuum at the right time allows you to take advantage of seasonal sales, rebates, and discounts. With the help of this guide, you’ll learn insider tips on when and where to find vacuum deals throughout the year. Read on for advice on when is the best time to buy a vacuum based on the time of year, where to find vacuum sales, and how to save money.
Prime Vacuum Buying Seasons
Certain times of the year tend to yield better vacuum deals and discounts. Here is an overview of the prime seasons for vacuum purchases:
Spring Cleaning Season
The spring season from March to May is a major time for deep cleaning. This leads to increased demand for vacuums, so retailers boost their inventory.
Many retailers launch promotions and sales during this prime spring cleaning season. Watch for deals on vacuums around holidays like:
- Memorial Day weekend in late May – Look for holiday weekend sales with discounts up to 25% or more on vacuums. Retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and Amazon often run major sales.
- Earth Day in April – Retailers emphasize eco-friendly and energy efficient models. Expect deals on cordless, bagless, and green vacuums.
Back to School Season
July through September is back to school season, the second busiest time for vacuum sales. College students getting apartments and parents doing deeper cleaning prompt deals such as:
- Tax-free holidays in late July/early August in some states, with tax exemptions on vacuums.
- Labor Day weekend deals in early September with discounts up to 30% or more. Look for vacuum sales at Home Depot, Best Buy, and Walmart.
Holiday Shopping Season
November and December see vacuum sales galore due to holiday deals and gift giving:
- Black Friday sales the day after Thanksgiving offer deep discounts, with vacuum deals up to 40% off or more. Check Amazon, Target, Walmart.
- Cyber Monday in late November is strong for online vacuum deals up to 50% off or more. Look for sales at all major retailers.
- Post-holiday sales in early January offer clearance discounts on any remaining seasonal inventory. Expect up to 70% off at retailers like Walmart and Target.
Year-Round Vacuum Deals
Beyond the major seasons, vacuum bargains can be found year-round, especially online:
- Manufacturer sales and coupons – Keep an eye out for periodic sales, discounts, rebates, and coupons directly from top vacuum brands like Dyson, Shark, Bissell, Hoover, etc. Sign up for brand emails to receive promotions.
- Amazon Prime Day – The massive July online sale lasts for 48 hours and often includes excellent vacuum deals.
- eBay – Check eBay for discounted new, used, and refurbished vacuums from top brands. Sort by newly listed and check often for deals.
- Groupon and deal sites – Sites like Groupon, Woot!, and Slickdeals offer flash deals on vacuums, especially cordless stick vacuums. Act fast before inventory sells out.
- Store weekly sales – Stores like Walmart, Target, Costco, etc. offer vacuum rollbacks and discounts on certain weeks, so check circulars.
Bank Holidays and 3-Day Weekends
Occasional long holiday weekends like President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc. yield storewide sales with vacuum deals at major retailers.
When to Avoid Buying a Vacuum
While any time is essentially fair game to find vacuum bargains, some key periods are less than ideal:
High Demand Times
Avoid buying during periods of high demand when prices are full retail:
- Christmas shopping – Prices peak in late November and December during the busy holiday sales. Wait until after the new year for clearance sales.
- Spring cleaning – March and April see fewer sales until Memorial Day weekend. Shop end of season markdowns in June instead.
Model Changeover Times
Waiting can yield savings when brands refresh their model lines:
- August/September – Hold off until Black Friday/Cyber Monday rather than paying full price on brand new models in the fall.
- January/February – Shop post-holiday clearances rather than new models unveiled at full price after CES in January.
When You Don’t Need It
Only buy when you have an immediate need. Don’t pay full price other times of year if your current vacuum is still functioning.
Where to Find the Best Vacuum Deals
Certain retailers consistently offer the strongest discounts and deals on vacuums. Here are the top places to shop:
Department Stores
Major department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Sears, etc. carry a wide range of vacuum models and offer seasonal sales:
- Kohl’s – Look for sitewide discounts up to 20% or more during seasonal sales, frequent coupons for 15-30% off.
- JCPenney – Sign up for emails and check for vacuum sales and extra percent-off or money off coupons.
- Sears – Shop Sears for price match guarantees, blood-pressure measurements rebates, discounted outlet models.
Home Improvement Stores
Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards have a large vacuum selection with frequent sales:
- Lowe’s – Price match guarantee, 10% military discount, daily deal special buys, clearance section.
- Home Depot – Special Buys of the Day, flash picks limited discounts, daily deal offers. Sign up for emails with promo codes.
Big Box Retailers
Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club are affordable options with vacuum deals:
- Walmart – Rollback Specials, Choose Your Own Savings promos, online-only daily deals, clearance markdowns.
- Target- Look for Circle member promotions, Deal Days discounts up to 50% off, clearance section.
- Costco – Check for manufacturer rebates and instant savings plus a satisfaction guarantee on returned models.
Online Retailers
Amazon, eBay, Newegg, Overstock, Wayfair and other online stores offer convenience and deals:
- Amazon – Daily deals, Lightning deals, coupons, seasonal sales like Prime Day, new and used models, customer reviews.
- eBay – Discounted new in box, pre-owned, refurbished vacuums, make offers, daily deals.
Vacuum Brand Websites
Shop directly from Dyson, Shark, Bissell, Hoover for sales, factory reconditioned/refurbs, coupons:
- Dyson – Certified refurbished models, seasonal sales, newsletter sign up discounts.
- Shark – Refurbished/renewed models, emails with promo codes for 25% off or more.
- Bissell – Factory-certified gently used vacuums, extra savings coupons.
Smart Strategies for Saving
Use these insider tips to maximize savings on your vacuum purchase:
- Sign up for newsletters – Get email alerts on sales and exclusive promo codes from brands and retailers.
- Check for price matching – Many stores match or beat competitors’ advertised prices. Locate the best deal and request a price match.
- Shop refurbished models – Certified refurbished vacuums often come with warranties and provide like-new quality for less.
- Use coupons and rebates – Look for coupons, percent-off promos, manufacturer mail-in rebates to stack on top of sale prices.
- Buy bundles – Often retailers offer deeply discounted vacuum bundles with extra tools and accessories added.
- Use credit card rewards – Maximize points and cash back offers by making purchases with rewards credit cards.
Key Considerations When Buying a Vacuum
Beyond saving money, also factor these elements into your vacuum purchase:
- Type – Decide if you need an upright, canister, stick, handheld, robot vacuum etc. Consider your home size, flooring, storage space.
- Features – HEPA filtration, deep carpet cleaning, pet hair specialized brushes, extended cords, bag vs bagless, WiFi connectivity.
- Brand reputation – Stick with reliable brands known for performance and durability like Dyson, Miele, Shark, Hoover, Bissell.
- Reviews – Check vacuum reviews on retailer websites, forums, Consumer Reports. Look for models rated highly for reliability, suction, ease of use.
- Warranty – Opt for vacuums offering longer warranties of 5 years or more to protect your investment.
- Return policy – Pick retailers with generous and flexible return time frames in case the model doesn’t meet expectations.
Conclusion
Finding the right time to buy yields the best vacuum deals. While bargains can be found year-round online, especially on refurbished models, the major prime buying seasons are holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday into Cyber Monday. End of year clearance sales in January are also fruitful times for deep discounts up to 70% off or more on vacuums. Avoid paying full price during peak spring cleaning season or when new models roll out later in the year. Follow tips like signing up for promotional emails, checking for price matching, shopping certified refurbished, and using coupons and rebates to maximize value on your vacuum purchase. Consider your needs in terms of vacuum type, features, and reliability, and read reviews as well. Investing in a quality vacuum that suits your cleaning requirements ensures you’ll enjoy the savings benefits for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Vacuum
When is the best time to buy a vacuum? Here are answers to some other common questions:
Is early spring a good time to buy a vacuum?
No, early spring when spring cleaning season starts is not the best time. Retail prices are higher in March and April. Wait until Memorial Day weekend in late May when retailers launch big sales.
Should I wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to buy a vacuum?
Yes, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping holidays in November offer some of the lowest prices all year, with discounts up to 50% off or more.
Where can I find vacuum coupons and promo codes?
Check retailer websites and weekly circulars, sign up for brand/store emails, look on deal sites like CouponCabin, RetailMeNot. Also get promo codes when opting in for text alerts from stores.
Is it better to buy a vacuum in-store or online?
Online tends to offer lower prices overall, more selection, convenience. Just ensure you can easily return it if needed. Stores allow testing in person before buying.
Should I buy a refurbished vacuum?
Yes, certified refurbished models go through extensive inspection and replacements to function like new. Refurbs typically cost up to 50% less with warranties intact.
What are the best affordable vacuum brands?
Top budget brands include Shark, Bissell, Eureka, Hoover, Dirt Devil. Avoid ultra cheap generic vacuums which lack power and durability.
What vacuum offers the best suction power?
For max suction power, consider Dyson Ball Animal 2 or Dyson V11 Torque Drive cordless stick vacuums. Other top picks are Miele C3 CAT & DOG and Shark Rotator uprights.
What is the best cordless stick vacuum?
The Dyson V15 Detect, Shark Vertex DuoClean PowerFins, LG CordZero A9 stick vacuums rate as top cordless vacuums for suction and convenience.
Should I buy a bagged or bagless vacuum?
Bagless are more convenient, affordable long term with no ongoing costs for replacement bags. Bagged contain dust better for cleaner air quality but require buying bags.
Buying a quality vacuum is a significant investment for your home. Following this guide’s tips on timing your purchase during seasonal sales will help you secure the best vacuum at the lowest price. Doing research, considering features like suction, filtration, and your own cleaning needs allows you to select the perfect vacuum for your budget long term.
Frequently Asked Questions About When Is the Best Time to Buy a Vacuum?
The following are additional frequently asked questions about the ideal time to purchase a new vacuum cleaner:
Q: When do vacuum brands release their new models each year?
A: Most major vacuum brands like Dyson, Shark, Bissell, etc. release their new vacuum models in August and September, just prior to the busy holiday shopping season.
Q: Is it better to buy at the end of a model year or start of a new model year?
A: It’s generally better to buy at the end of a model year in the summer. Retailers will discount vacuums to clear out old inventory before new models arrive in the fall.
Q: Which month typically has the fewest vacuum deals available?
A: February tends to have the fewest vacuum sales overall. It falls after the post-holiday clearances and before the spring cleaning sales start.
Q: Should I wait for Presidents’ Day sales to buy a vacuum?
A: Presidents’ Day in February sees some modest sales, but deals are not nearly as good as Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Black Friday, etc.
Q: When do retailers usually start advertising Black Friday vacuum deals?
A: Expect to see the first Black Friday vacuum sale ads circulating as early as late October, then ramping up more through November. Check ads online and in newspapers.
Q: Is it worth buying an extended warranty when purchasing a vacuum?
A: Only if the vacuum has less than a 1-year warranty. Most come with several years, so extended warranties are generally not a good value.
Q: Where can I donate my old vacuum when buying a new one?
A: Many charities accept old vacuum donations like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Call ahead to see if they have space and if repairs are needed.
Q: What is the best way to compare prices when vacuum shopping?
A: Price tracking sites like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon, Honey browser extension, and Google Shopping allow quick price comparisons across retailers.
Q: Should I pay extra for additional vacuum tools and attachments?
A: Only if you will use them. Avoid overpaying for unneeded accessories. Aftermarket attachments can be purchased later for less if needed.
Planning a vacuum purchase? Let this guide provide you with tips to buy at the best time of year during major sales. Follow the advice to secure optimal savings on a quality vacuum that truly suits your cleaning needs.