When is the best time to buy printers?🖨️

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Printer? Strategic Timing for Maximum Savings

Get the inside scoop on printer sales cycles and save up to 50% with our data-driven buying guide

Timing is everything when shopping for a printer. Whether you're equipping a home office, replacing an aging device, or setting up for a small business, strategic timing can save you hundreds of dollars on your purchase. We've analyzed years of pricing data, sales patterns, and product release cycles to bring you this comprehensive guide on exactly when to buy a printer for maximum savings.

The global printer market, valued at $66.82 billion in 2025, follows predictable seasonal patterns that savvy shoppers can leverage. From jaw-dropping Black Friday discounts to subtle mid-year price drops, understanding these cycles gives you a significant advantage. Meanwhile, the industry is undergoing a major shift toward refillable ink tank printers from every major brand, which changes the calculus on both upfront cost and long-term value. Let's dive into the data and uncover the perfect time to upgrade your printing setup.

🗓️ The Best Months to Buy a Printer

Our analysis reveals clear patterns in printer pricing throughout the year. Some months consistently offer better deals than others:

Month	Average Discount	Sale Frequency	Key Sales Events	Should You Buy?
November	27.2% - 46%	Very High	Black Friday, Cyber Monday	Absolutely! Best month of the year
December	20.9% - 28.4%	High	Holiday sales, End of Year clearance	Yes - Great alternatives to November
July	20.4% - 28.9%	High	Amazon Prime Day, Early Back-to-School	Yes - Mid-year sweet spot
September	15.9% - 23.6%	High	Labor Day, Fall sales kick-off	Yes - Good deals as new models arrive
January	22.1% - 30.9%	Medium	Post-holiday clearance, New Year sales	Worth considering for inventory clearing
February	8.5% - 13.9%	Low	Presidents' Day sales	Only if you need one immediately
April	12.1% - 20.3%	Medium	Easter sales	Better to wait if possible
October	13.3% - 18.9%	Medium	Early holiday sales, October Prime Day	Wait for November if possible

The data clearly shows November as the champion month, with discounts reaching an impressive 27.2% - 46% off MSRP during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. December, July, and September form the second tier of opportunities, each offering compelling reasons to purchase.

Here's how printer deals fluctuate throughout the year:

🔥 The Big Three Sale Events for Printers

While there are several sales events throughout the year, three stand out as the absolute best times to purchase a printer:

1. Black Friday & Cyber Monday (Late November)

Average Discount Range: 27.2% - 46% off MSRP

Black Friday remains the undisputed champion for printer deals. All major retailers and manufacturers participate, offering the year's deepest discounts. During Black Friday 2024, we saw the HP LaserJet MFP M234dw drop from $239 to $119 (50% off), the Canon PIXMA TS6420a fall from $130 to $54 (58% off), and the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 go from $280 to $180 (36% off). Even premium models from top brands receive substantial markdowns.

Insider tip: While doorbusters get the headlines, many of the best printer deals actually appear online 2-3 days before Black Friday and continue through Cyber Monday.

2. Amazon Prime Day & July Sales (Mid-July)

Average Discount Range: 22.2% - 28.9% off MSRP

Prime Day has evolved from an Amazon-exclusive event to an industry-wide sales period, with competitors matching prices. Amazon's 2025 Prime Day ran July 8-11, with deals on HP, Epson, Brother, and Canon printers across the board. This is an excellent time to find deals on mid-range and budget printers, particularly ink tank models.

Insider tip: Watch for bundle deals during this period. Many retailers include extra ink bottles or paper, significantly increasing the value, especially on tank printers where extra ink can last an additional year.

3. Back-to-School Sales (August)

Average Discount Range: 16.6% - 23.9% off MSRP

As students prepare to return to school, retailers offer competitive pricing on printers. These sales typically start in late July and peak in August. This is an especially good time to find deals on all-in-one models popular with students and home offices.

Insider tip: Look for student discounts from manufacturers during this period that may not be widely advertised. HP and Epson both offer education pricing.

📉 Printer Price History Trends

Printer prices follow reasonably predictable patterns throughout the year. Here's a visual representation of how prices typically fluctuate:

Notice the significant dips in November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), July (Prime Day), and the gradual price decreases in September. The chart also reveals that April and October tend to have higher relative prices. If possible, avoid buying during those months.

🔄 The Tank Printer Revolution: A Market Shift Worth Understanding

Before diving into brand-specific insights, it's worth understanding the biggest change in the printer market over the past few years: the shift from disposable ink cartridges to refillable ink tank systems.

Every major printer brand now offers a tank-based lineup. Epson has EcoTank, Brother has INKvestment Tank, HP has Smart Tank, and Canon has MegaTank. These printers use refillable ink reservoirs instead of disposable cartridges, and the economics are dramatic. Tank printer ink costs roughly $5-10 per year, compared to $100+ annually for traditional cartridges.

This matters for deal timing because tank printers typically see smaller percentage discounts during sales (12% - 20% vs. 25% - 46% for cartridge models), but the total cost of ownership is far lower. A tank printer bought at full price will often cost less over three years than a cartridge printer bought on deep discount once you factor in ink.

👨‍💼 Brand-Specific Insights: When to Buy Each Major Brand

Each printer manufacturer follows slightly different pricing and release cycles. Here's what you need to know about the top brands:

HP

• Market Share: Largest global market share
• Release Cycle: Annual releases typically in September/October
• Best Time to Buy: November (Black Friday) for deepest discounts, with July (Prime Day) as the second-best option
• Typical Discount Range: 15.2% - 50% off MSRP
• Current Flagship Models: HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e, HP Smart Tank 5000

Key Insight: HP's printer landscape is shifting. The company has discontinued its e-Series LaserJet printers and the free-tier Instant Ink plan, while raising subscription prices. HP's new "All-In Plan" ($6.99/month and up) bundles a printer with ink delivery. If you prefer to own your printer outright without subscriptions, the HP Smart Tank 5000 series (around $200) ships with up to 2 years of ink and avoids subscription lock-in. HP also often clears inventory in March with "Spring Sales" featuring 20% - 24% discounts, making this a sleeper opportunity.

Canon

• Market Share: Second-largest globally (tied with Epson)
• Release Cycle: Annual releases typically in September/October
• Best Time to Buy: November (Black Friday), with January post-holiday sales offering surprisingly good value
• Typical Discount Range: 11.6% - 58% off MSRP
• Current Flagship Models: Canon PIXMA TR7120, Canon PIXMA TS6520, Canon MAXIFY GX7150 MegaTank, Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw

Key Insight: Canon expanded aggressively in 2025, launching three new PIXMA desktop printers (TR7120, TS6520, TS4320) in September and new MAXIFY MegaTank business printers (GX7150, GX6150) with refillable ink tanks. During Black Friday 2024, the Canon PIXMA TS6420a dropped to $54 from $130. Look for similar deep discounts on the previous-generation PIXMA models once the 2025 lineup is established.

Brother

• Market Share: Strong presence in laser and business inkjet segments
• Release Cycle: Annual releases typically in September/October
• Best Time to Buy: Black Friday and September offer the best deals
• Typical Discount Range: 12.1% - 33.7% off MSRP
• Current Flagship Models: Brother INKvestment Tank 580/780/980, Brother MFC-L8930CDW, Brother HL-L2460DW

Key Insight: Brother made a major move in September 2025 with eight new inkjet models, including their first refillable ink tank printers under the INKvestment Tank brand. The INKvestment Tank 580 ($300), 780 ($380), and 980 ($470) ship with up to 3 years of ink via spill-free refill bottles. For laser fans, the HL-L2460DW remains the go-to budget monochrome laser. Wirecutter and Consumer Reports both recommend it as the best affordable printer, period.

Epson

• Market Share: Second-largest globally (tied with Canon)
• Release Cycle: Annual releases; seventh-generation EcoTank launched July 2025
• Best Time to Buy: November (Black Friday) and January (post-holiday)
• Typical Discount Range: 16.0% - 36% off MSRP
• Current Flagship Models: Epson EcoTank ET-2950, Epson EcoTank ET-3950, Epson EcoTank ET-4950

Key Insight: Epson launched its seventh-generation EcoTank lineup in mid-2025, with the ET-2950 replacing the ET-2850, the ET-3950 ($420) replacing the ET-3850, and the ET-4950 ($500) replacing the ET-4850. All ship with enough ink to last up to 3 years. A major industry development: Epson has exited the laser printer market entirely as of 2026, citing sustainability. Their Heat-Free inkjet technology uses up to 85% less CO2 than laser printing. For EcoTank deals, Black Friday and March tax-season promotions remain the best windows.

Xerox

• Market Share: Strong in business and enterprise segments
• Release Cycle: Biannual releases typically in September and March
• Best Time to Buy: November (Black Friday) and March (spring releases)
• Typical Discount Range: 10.6% - 30.1% off MSRP
• Current Flagship Models: Xerox C325, Xerox C410, Xerox VersaLink series

Key Insight: Xerox has refreshed its consumer-to-SMB color printer lineup with the C325 multifunction and C410 single-function models replacing the older C310/C315 series. Unlike other brands, Xerox has a biannual release schedule, making March an excellent buying opportunity as older models get discounted.

⏰ The Waiting Game: Is It Worth Delaying Your Purchase?

Sometimes the question isn't just "When should I buy?" but "Should I wait to buy?" Here's our analysis of what you might save by waiting, depending on when you're reading this:

Current Month	Wait Until...	Potential Savings	Worth the Wait?
January	July (Prime Day)	~4.4% - 8.8% more	Yes, if you can wait 6 months
February	July (Prime Day)	~9.1% - 14.3% more	Yes, if you can wait 5 months
March	July (Prime Day)	~4.2% - 9.6% more	Only if not urgent
April	July (Prime Day)	~9.5% - 14.4% more	Yes - prices are high in April
May	July (Prime Day)	~5.4% - 9.0% more	Yes, if you can wait 2 months
June	July (Prime Day)	~4.9% more	Not really - buy during June sales
July	Now!	Best mid-year prices	Buy now during Prime Day
August	November (Black Friday)	~16.4% - 18.9% more	Yes, if you can wait 3 months
September	November (Black Friday)	~10.3% - 14.1% more	Moderately worth waiting
October	November (Black Friday)	~14.8% - 18.7% more	Yes - avoid October purchases
November	Now!	Best prices of the year	Absolutely buy now
December	Now or January	Similar savings	Buy now or wait for January clearance

As the table shows, if you need a printer in October, you'll typically save 14.8% - 18.7% by waiting just one month for Black Friday sales. Conversely, if you're shopping in July during Prime Day, you're already hitting a sweet spot in the pricing cycle.

🏭 Product Lifecycles and New Releases

Understanding product lifecycles is crucial when timing your printer purchase. Most major brands release new models annually, typically in September or October. This creates a predictable pattern:

1. September-October: New models are released at full MSRP
2. November: Both new and older models receive Black Friday discounts
3. January-February: Older models see deeper discounts as retailers clear inventory
4. July: Mid-year sales provide good discounts on models that are now 9-10 months old
5. August-September: Steeper discounts on year-old models as replacement cycle begins

For the value-conscious buyer, the sweet spot is often buying the previous year's model during November Black Friday sales or July Prime Day events. These models are still modern but benefit from significantly reduced pricing.

In 2025, major releases to watch included Epson's seventh-generation EcoTank lineup (July), Brother's first refillable INKvestment Tank printers (September), Canon's new PIXMA TR7120/TS6520 (September), and HP's Smart Tank 5000 series. Buying the outgoing models they replaced is a smart way to save.

💼 Specific Models and Historical Pricing Examples

Looking at specific model pricing histories reveals the substantial savings available through strategic timing:

• Canon PIXMA TS6420a

  • Regular Price: $129.99
  • Black Friday 2024 Low: $54.00
  • Savings: $75.99 (58.5%)

• HP LaserJet MFP M234dw

  • Regular Price: $239.00
  • Black Friday 2024 Low: $119.00
  • Savings: $120.00 (50.2%)

• Epson EcoTank ET-2800

  • Regular Price: $279.99
  • Black Friday 2024 Low: $179.99
  • Savings: $100.00 (35.7%)

• Canon imageCLASS MF753Cdw

  • Regular Price: $649.99
  • Black Friday 2024 Low: $379.00
  • Savings: $270.99 (41.7%)

• Epson EcoTank ET-4800

  • Regular Price: $299.99
  • Black Friday 2024/Prime Day Low: $199.99 - $219.99
  • Savings: $80.00 - $100.00 (27% - 33%)

🌿 Eco-Friendly Printers and Pricing Trends

Sustainability has become a driving force in the printer industry, and it's reshaping buying patterns. The biggest development: Epson has fully exited the laser printer market as of 2026, betting entirely on its Heat-Free inkjet technology, which uses up to 85% less energy than laser printing and produces up to 59% fewer replaceable parts.

Tank printers from all major brands (Epson EcoTank, Brother INKvestment Tank, HP Smart Tank, Canon MegaTank) are now the clear recommendation for eco-conscious buyers. They dramatically reduce plastic waste from disposable cartridges and cost a fraction to operate long-term.

These eco-friendly tank printers typically:

• Have higher initial purchase prices ($200 - $500) but far lower lifetime costs
• Ship with 2-3 years of ink included in the box
• Cost roughly $5-10 per year in ink, compared to $100+ for cartridge models
• Receive smaller percentage discounts during sales (12% - 20% vs. 25% - 46% for cartridge models)
• See their best prices during Earth Day promotions (April) and Black Friday

HP's Smart Tank 5000 is made with 45% post-consumer recycled content and carries EPEAT Silver and Energy Star certifications. If you're considering an eco-friendly printer, April offers a unique buying opportunity not seen with traditional models, as manufacturers often promote their green credentials with special Earth Day pricing.

🔍 The Bottom Line: When Should You Buy a Printer?

Based on our comprehensive analysis of pricing trends, sales events, and product cycles, here are our definitive recommendations:

Best Time to Buy:

1. Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday) - The absolute best time with discounts of 27.2% - 46%
2. Mid-July (Prime Day and competing sales) - The second-best opportunity with 22.2% - 28.9% discounts
3. September (Labor Day and back-to-school tail end) - Good for 16.6% - 23.9% discounts as new models prepare to launch

Times to Avoid:

1. April - Consistently higher prices with few meaningful sales events (unless buying eco-friendly)
2. October - Prices tend to rise in anticipation of holiday shopping season
3. February - Post-holiday sales have ended, and spring promotions haven't begun

Special Considerations:

• If you're deciding between a cartridge printer on sale and a tank printer at full price, do the math on 3-year cost. Tank printers almost always win on total cost of ownership.
• If you need a business-class printer, March often features tax-season promotions targeting small businesses.
• If you want the latest model, buy during November Black Friday events, about 1-2 months after release.
• If you primarily care about value, target previous-generation models during January clearance sales.
• If you're considering HP, be aware of subscription requirements on some models. The Smart Tank and OfficeJet Pro lines can be used without subscriptions. Avoid models that require HP+ enrollment if you prefer full ownership flexibility.

Remember that while these recommendations apply to most situations, your specific needs might dictate a different approach. A small business preparing for tax season might benefit from buying in January regardless of slightly higher prices. A student might prioritize August back-to-school sales that include valuable bundles.

The printer market follows predictable cycles, and with the insights provided in this guide, you're now equipped to make a perfectly timed purchase that balances your needs with the best possible price. Happy printer hunting!