Memorial Day weekend has quietly earned a reputation among savvy shoppers as the second-best time of year to buy a television. Black Friday gets all the hype, and Cyber Monday keeps the momentum going. But there is something about late May that pushes retailers to clear out inventory. The logic is simple: last year’s models need to go before the next generation arrives in late summer. Big-box stores like Best Buy use this window to drop prices significantly. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your home setup, this sale period delivers some of the most attractive pricing of the year.
Why Memorial Day Is Prime Time for TV Savings
The calendar creates a perfect storm for discounts. Manufacturers typically refresh their lineups between March and June. By late May, warehouses are full of TVs from the previous model year. Retailers want those boxes off the shelves to make room for incoming stock. That urgency translates into real price cuts.
Best Buy, in particular, leans hard into this sell-off window. The store knows that shoppers are thinking about backyard barbecues and long weekends, not necessarily about home electronics. So the deals need to be compelling enough to grab attention. Many of the TVs that were released as flagship models just nine months earlier now carry tags that are hundreds of dollars lower.
The timing also matters for another reason. Families are preparing for summer movie nights, kids are out of school, and the demand for streaming and gaming content rises. A new television fits naturally into that seasonal shift. Memorial Day gives buyers an excuse to invest in something that will pay off all summer long.
5 Top TV Deals at Best Buy’s Memorial Day Sale
After scanning the available inventory and comparing features across price points, five deals stand out as genuinely worth your attention. Each one serves a different kind of viewer. Some prioritize gaming performance. Others focus on picture quality in dim rooms. A couple offer enormous screen sizes for the price. Here is a closer look at each deal and why it deserves a spot on your shortlist.
1. LG B5 OLED 55-Inch for $799
This is the deal that makes the most sense for anyone who has been curious about OLED technology but hesitated because of the cost. The 55-inch LG B5 was already a well-regarded entry-level OLED before the price dropped. At $799, it becomes a genuine value proposition.
OLED televisions work differently than standard LED sets. Instead of relying on a backlight that illuminates the entire screen, each pixel produces its own light. That distinction matters more than most people realize. When a scene calls for complete darkness, those pixels simply turn off. The result is perfect black levels that LED-based TVs can only approximate. There is no hazy bluish glow around bright objects on a dark background. Shadows remain deep and convincing.
The B5 does not have the highest peak brightness on the market. Pricier OLED models from LG and Sony can get significantly brighter. But because the contrast ratio is essentially infinite, the picture still feels punchy. Highlights pop against dark surroundings. Shadow detail is better than what you would see on an LED set with similar brightness numbers. In a dimly lit living room or a dedicated media space, this television shines.
Gamers should pay close attention. The B5 supports 4K gaming at 120Hz, which is the top spec for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync, and G-Sync compatibility are all included. LG’s Game Optimizer mode puts key settings in one menu. You get almost the same gaming feature set that LG reserves for its more expensive C-series models.
LG’s webOS platform handles streaming apps well. The interface is clean and responsive. Major services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Max all work smoothly. If you prefer an external streaming device, the TV accommodates that too. But for most households, the built-in software is perfectly adequate.
The $799 price point signals that this model is nearing the end of its retail life. Once the remaining stock sells out, it will be replaced by a newer generation. That creates a genuine sense of urgency. If you have been waiting for a low-risk entry point into OLED, this is it. I cannot think of a better 55-inch television at this price right now.
One potential concern worth addressing: if your room gets a lot of direct sunlight or has large windows, the B5’s moderate brightness might feel insufficient during daytime viewing. OLED panels can also show some reflection in bright environments. For darker rooms or evening use, though, the trade-off is more than worth it.
2. Samsung QN90C 65-Inch Neo QLED for $1,297
Samsung’s Neo QLED technology uses a combination of quantum dots and mini-LED backlighting. The QN90C represents the sweet spot in the lineup: it delivers excellent brightness and color volume without reaching the stratospheric pricing of the company’s 8K models.
The 65-inch size is popular for a reason. It fits comfortably in most living rooms without overwhelming the space. At this size and price, you get a substantial visual upgrade compared to a standard 55-inch set. The QN90C handles bright rooms exceptionally well. If your television sits opposite a large window or you watch a lot of daytime sports, this model outperforms the LG B5 in those conditions.
Mini-LED technology allows for precise local dimming. The QN90C has dozens of dimming zones that can adjust brightness independently. This reduces the halo effect that plagues older LED TVs. While it does not match the pixel-level control of OLED, the gap has narrowed significantly in recent years. For most viewers, the difference is subtle rather than dramatic.
Samsung’s Tizen platform has improved over the years. The app selection is comprehensive, and the interface responds quickly. One notable omission is Dolby Vision support. Samsung refuses to license the format, so the QN90C relies on HDR10+ instead. In practice, the TV handles both standard and high-dynamic-range content well, but HDR purists may notice the absence of Dolby Vision on certain streaming titles.
Gaming performance is strong. The QN90C supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and low input lag. Samsung’s Game Bar interface gives you quick access to settings. The panel’s high brightness also helps HDR games look vibrant. If you split your time between movies and gaming, this set offers a balanced experience.
The Memorial Day discount typically brings this model down by about $300 from its original launch price. That makes it one of the stronger mid-range options available right now.
3. Sony X90L 75-Inch Full Array LED for $1,998
Sony has a reputation for exceptional image processing, and the X90L demonstrates why. This 75-inch television uses a full-array LED backlight with local dimming. The specs on paper do not sound revolutionary, but Sony’s cognitive processor XR does a remarkable job of optimizing picture quality in real time.
Upscaling is where Sony separates itself from the competition. If you still watch cable TV, older DVDs, or streaming content that is not in native 4K, the X90L makes those sources look noticeably better than they would on most other sets. Colors appear natural. Motion handling is smooth without the soap-opera effect that some viewers dislike.
The 75-inch size is a significant step up from 65 inches. The difference feels substantial in a medium-to-large living room. At just under $2,000, this deal offers a lot of screen real estate for the money. Sony typically prices its larger sets at a premium, so seeing a 75-inch model drop below the $2,000 threshold is noteworthy.
Brightness is solid but not class-leading. The X90L handles well-lit rooms adequately, but it does not reach the peak luminance of the Samsung QN90C. Where Sony wins is consistency. The image stays accurate across different lighting conditions and content types.
Android TV powers the smart platform. Google TV is the current interface, and it provides deep integration with Google services. Chromecast built-in, Google Assistant, and a wide app library are all included. Some users find the interface slightly less intuitive than webOS or Tizen, but the customization options are excellent.
Gaming performance is good but not as feature-rich as the LG B5 or Samsung QN90C. The X90L supports 4K at 120Hz and VRR, but it lacks the dedicated gaming menus that LG and Samsung offer. For casual gamers, this is not a dealbreaker. Competitive players may prefer one of the other options on this list.
If you watch a mix of modern streaming content, live sports, and older media, the X90L’s processing capabilities make it a compelling choice. The 75-inch size at this price point is difficult to beat.
4. TCL QM8 65-Inch Mini-LED for $998
TCL has been quietly building a reputation for delivering high-end features at mid-range prices. The QM8 is the company’s flagship mini-LED model, and it competes directly with televisions that cost several hundred dollars more.
Mini-LED technology gives the QM8 excellent local dimming performance. The number of dimming zones is unusually high for a TV in this price bracket. That translates into good black levels and limited blooming around bright objects. While it does not achieve the perfect blacks of OLED, the QM8 comes closer than most LED sets at this price.
Brightness is a strong suit. The QM8 can get very bright, which makes it suitable for rooms with ambient light. HDR content looks punchy. Colors are vibrant without appearing oversaturated. TCL’s quantum dot layer ensures wide color coverage.
You may also enjoy reading: iOS 27 Design Leak: 5 Features I Sounded Off For.
The 65-inch size at just under $1,000 represents excellent value. If you want a large screen without spending a fortune, this deal deserves serious consideration. Many buyers compare the QM8 favorably to sets that cost 50 percent more.
Google TV is the operating system here as well. The interface is clean, and app support is comprehensive. TCL’s remote includes handy shortcut buttons for popular streaming services. Setup is straightforward, and the TV remembers your settings across inputs.
Gaming support includes 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and THX Certified Game Mode. Input lag is low. The QM8 handles both current-gen consoles well. HDMI 2.1 ports are present, so you can connect multiple devices without sacrificing bandwidth.
One area where the QM8 cuts corners is build quality. The plastic chassis feels less premium than the LG or Sony options. The stand is functional but not elegant. If you plan to mount the TV on a wall anyway, this matters less. For tabletop placement, you may want to factor in the aesthetics.
TCL’s quality control has improved, but panel uniformity can vary between individual units. This is true of many budget-friendly brands. If you notice issues soon after purchase, Best Buy’s return policy provides a safety net.
5. Hisense U8K 55-Inch Mini-LED for $698
Hisense has emerged as a strong contender in the budget-to-mid-range segment. The U8K is the company’s mini-LED offering for this year, and it packs a surprising amount of technology into a reasonably priced package.
The 55-inch model at $698 is the most affordable entry point on this list. For viewers who want OLED-like black levels and high brightness but cannot justify spending $800 or more, the U8K offers a compelling alternative. Mini-LED backlighting allows for fine-grained local dimming. The result is better contrast than traditional LED TVs at similar prices.
Brightness is genuinely impressive for the price. The U8K can produce over 1,000 nits of peak luminance in HDR mode. That places it ahead of many televisions that cost twice as much. Highlights in movies and games look vivid. The panel handles well-lit rooms without washing out.
Color accuracy is good out of the box, with options to calibrate further if you want more precision. Hisense includes a quantum dot layer, so the color volume is wide. Skin tones look natural. Saturated colors like reds and greens retain their depth without becoming artificial.
Google TV runs the smart platform here too. Hisense has adopted the system across its lineup, which means a consistent experience. The remote is functional and includes direct buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and other services. App load times are reasonable.
Gaming performance is solid. The U8K supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and Auto Low Latency Mode. It also includes FreeSync Premium Pro for smoother gameplay. Input lag is low enough for competitive titles. The TV recognizes game consoles and switches to an appropriate picture mode automatically.
The sound quality is better than average for this price bracket. The built-in speakers include a subwoofer, so you get decent bass response. For casual viewing, the audio is acceptable. For movies and gaming, a separate soundbar or speaker system will still improve the experience significantly.
Hisense has worked to improve its reliability reputation, but the brand still trails LG and Sony in long-term consistency. If you want a television that you can set up and forget for five years, you may prefer one of the pricier options. If you are comfortable with a slightly higher risk tolerance and want maximum features for your dollar, the U8K delivers.
At $698, this 55-inch mini-LED set is a strong candidate for a bedroom, a smaller living room, or as a secondary gaming display. It offers many of the benefits that make modern TVs exciting without requiring a large investment.
What Happens After Memorial Day
The prices you see during this sale window will not last indefinitely. Memorial Day deals typically run from the Thursday before the holiday through the Monday itself. Some retailers extend the sale for a few extra days, but the deepest discounts often disappear once the weekend ends.
After these models sell out, they are gone. The LG B5, in particular, is a previous-year model that will not be restocked once inventory runs dry. That sense of scarcity is part of why the deal is worth acting on. Waiting until July or August may leave you with fewer options at higher prices.
If you miss this window, the next major opportunity will be around Labor Day in early September. Between now and then, prices tend to stabilize or rise slightly as retailers shift focus to newer inventory. The best buy tv deals you see right now represent a strategic clearance event, not a recurring promotion.
For anyone who has been researching televisions and waiting for the right moment, this weekend is that moment. The combination of model-year clearance, seasonal timing, and retailer competition has produced a set of offers that are genuinely difficult to match any other time of year.
