The 7 Best Times To Buy A Dishwasher On Sale

Are you trying to determine the best time to buy a dishwasher?

You’ve come to the right place for answers!

In this article, you’ll learn how to wait for seasonal sales and different buying tips to help you make an informed decision.

When it comes to finding the best time to buy a dishwasher, be on the lookout for spring, autumn, long weekends, Christmas, Black Friday, end-of-month, and the new year.

Read on to find the right moment for your dishwasher purchase!

Why trust us? This article was written in collaboration with two appliance repair experts: James Blackford & Andy Fulencheck. We have over 25 years of combined appliance repair experience – please see our profiles to learn more about our backgrounds.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Dishwasher?

Whether you’re browsing online or visiting a mall, it’s common to see half-price sales for dishwashers, fridges, or washing machines. The problem is, they’re usually advertised when you don’t need them. And when your appliance finally breaks down – there isn’t a sale in sight!

But don’t worry; sales occur at specific times of the year and happen more frequently than you think. All you have to do is keep a product clearance calendar. You’ll know when a sale is just around the corner – and you’ll never pay full price again.

Below are key sales periods that should be slotted into your calendar today. They’ll help you plan your purchase and secure the best price for your dishwasher. You may need to wait a few weeks to take advantage of the discount, but the savings are worth it!

After You Abandon the Cart!

Many online retailers will monitor for “Abandoned Carts”. So, if you will add the model to your shopping cart & leave the site…you may find a 10%+ discount coupon being sent to your email in the coming days.

Long weekends

Retailers love long-weekend holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, or the Fourth of July. There’s more foot traffic in malls and an uptick in online activity.

It’s the perfect opportunity to promote products like dishwashers and move last season’s stock. But don’t leave it too late. Half-price dishwashers sell pretty quickly!

Spring (May) sales

May is when large appliance retailers clear out the old to make way for the new. This means that last season’s dishwashers will be heavily discounted.

You can get up to 50% off the retail price during a spring sale and more if you buy a floor model.

I recommend shopping around to see who has the best deal on your favorite brand. A price comparison website can help you find the best option without leaving your home or driving to half a dozen stores!

Autumn (September) sales

Remember those new dishwasher models that came out in spring? You guessed it! They get reduced in September to make space for Christmas stock, which is released in October. Inventory clearance makes September one of the best times to buy a dishwasher on sale.

If you were coveting a new dishwasher in July, it could be yours in September at 30 or 40 percent off.

Black Friday sales

Black Friday is also one of the best times to buy a dishwasher on sale, as retailers slash prices and offer incredible discounts.

Black Friday Sale
Black Friday has the biggest discounts

Some even offer free shipping and bonus loyalty points – making the deal even sweeter.

Make sure you join a few mailing lists so you find out about presales and reserve the dishwasher of your choice. You’d be surprised how quickly they get snapped!  

End-of-month sales

Dishwasher vendors and other salespeople work on monthly commissions.

If they sell a certain product, they get a cut of that sale. Others have monthly quotas that need to be met. And when they exceed their quotas, they earn a bonus. All these financial incentives are why appliance retailers run end-of-month sales.

Look out for price reductions one or two weeks before the end of the month. If there’s no sale advertised, try bargaining with a salesperson. In my experience, they’re less likely to push back if they want to smash their quota! 

Christmas sales

Large appliance retailers know that Christmas is a difficult time for them. Fridges and stoves are too big to put under a Christmas tree! So what do they do? They drive discretionary buying with heavy discounting, making Santa’s favorite holiday one of the best times to buy a dishwasher on sale.

During and around Christmastime, you’ll find a lot of discounts, and while a dishwasher may be the last thing on your mind at Christmas, hear me out.

If your dishwasher is old or struggling, there’s a good chance it will die soon – possibly during a holiday dinner. And let’s face it; you don’t want to be stuck washing dishes while everyone else is pulling Christmas crackers!

New Year

Most companies have the end of their tax year on December 31st. Many states charge sales tax based on excess inventory carried forward after a tax year, which is a BIG incentive for stock clearances right before the new year!

Quick Dishwasher Buyer’s Guide

It’s great to score a discount on a dishwasher, but if it’s too small or too big or doesn’t meet your family’s needs, you might as well throw your money away.

When browsing for dishwashers online or in-store, make sure to keep these factors in mind:

Be sure to check out our complete dishwasher buyer’s guide to choose the unit that best fit your needs!

#1 Capacity

Get the right size for your kitchen and family. If only two people are in the house and the dishwasher is rarely used, an 18-inch dishwasher should be more than sufficient. Large families that entertain often should opt for a 24-inch dishwasher.

Open dishwasher
Your dishwasher should be fitted to your needs

If space is at a premium, consider a portable model. These usually have butcher block tops and finished sides. Use them as an additional countertop space and wheel them wherever you like. You can store them out of sight when not in use.

Keep in mind these units will utilize the water and drain of the kitchen sink, but they are not permanently hooked up.

#2 Features

Unlike other appliances where certain features may be useless, rest assured that every feature on a dishwasher serves a purpose.

When shopping for a new dishwasher, we recommend looking for an “Auto-Wash” setting, also known as “Smart Wash” or “Auto Sense.” Auto-Wash monitors soil levels and adjusts the wash time accordingly, reducing cycle times and lowering energy bills.

Please bear in mind that in areas with hard water, the accuracy of Auto-Wash may be compromised due to the accumulation of mineral deposits on the sensor lens.

If you live alone or have a small family, looking for a dishwasher that offers the convenience of cleaning a single rack is also important. Focusing on a few dishes at a time will help you save water and energy.

We also recommend prioritizing hotter temperature settings, such as the “Sanitize” or “High Temp Wash.” They are ideal for removing stubborn food residues and bacteria from your dishes. Higher temperatures also contribute to better drying results.

Consider the features that align with your lifestyle and family needs. This way, you can relax knowing you’re making the right choice.   

#3 Energy Efficiency

Check out your dishwasher’s energy star rating, as it can save you a lot of money on energy and water consumption over time.

Energy-saving models also have low-water features or quick-wash options – perfect for small or lightly soiled loads.

Also, if energy saving is a priority, buy a dishwasher with a delayed start button, as it will let you run the dishwasher at night when energy costs are lower.

#4 Smart Connectivity

Dishwashers are getting smarter. If you’re a tech geek, you’ll be keen to get your hands on a smart dishwasher.

Smart dishwashers have Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to start wash cycles at any time and gauge the washer’s performance using your smartphone. That’s right; you don’t need to open the dishwasher to check!

Smart dishwashers also detect the size of the load. Sensing how many dishes are placed inside them helps them adjust the water consumption and length of the cycle. Properly adjusting cycle length can save you time and energy and eliminate the hassle of finding the right setting.

Dishwasher smart features
Smart Dishwashers will give you a ton of convenience

Some dishwashers even have voice control systems that use Amazon Alexa or Google Home to lock, unlock, and start wash cycles. Smart connectivity is ideal for busy families who have their hands full – literally. And while they can be a little tricky to set up (depending on the brand), they’re a cinch to use once they’re up and running.

It’s important to keep in mind that the more components and sensors your dishwasher has, the higher the chance of potential malfunctions and a shorter lifespan.

#5 Reviews

It always pays to check online reviews before you buy a dishwasher. If you plan to get an end-of-season model at a clearance sale, you’ll find many people who’ve already used it and left reviews.

Ensure the review sites are reputable and weigh the positives and negatives. No product will get five stars every time.

Also, check recalls.gov in case a product was faulty or recalled. There could be shoddy retailers trying to offload dud appliances!

Is It Better to Buy Appliances in a Bundle?

There’s no doubt that you can reap bigger savings by buying several appliances at once. Retailers are prepared to offer additional discounts for larger purchases. So, buying several appliances at once can provide great value if you’re remodeling or moving out for the first time.

However, one thing to remember is that bundle deals include appliances of the same brand. And while owning a dishwasher and another appliance from the same manufacturer can give you a seamless look in your kitchen, you might not get the dishwasher you want.

For example, if you’ve researched and found that the best dishwasher in each category is by a different manufacturer, you won’t want a bundle deal. You’ll prefer a different combo. Retailers will still give you a discount, but it will be lower than the manufacturer’s bundle sale.

Final Thoughts

Getting a great deal on your next dishwasher is easier than you think.

All you have to do is add our product clearance dates to your calendar and wait. You may have to handwash your plates for a few weeks, but the savings will be worth it. 

When sales day comes around, make sure you don’t buy the first dishwasher you see. Not all appliances are created equal. Consult our buyer’s guide to make an informed choice and get the best dishwasher for your family’s needs.

If you’re remodeling or building a new house, take advantage of those bundle deals – you’ll save hundreds on appliance costs.

See below for more household tips and tricks if you enjoyed this article. Have a great day!

-Craig.

James Blackford
James Blackford
Appliance Repair Expert
James Blackford is an Appliance Repair Expert with over 16 years of experience. After spending over 15 years working as an Electronic and Appliance Technician for Sears, James is now a Master Technician for SquareTrade and runs his own appliance repair business in New Mexico. Read more
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