15 Things You Must Know Before Buying a TV From Walmart in 2022
As a successful Amazon seller and ecommerce expert, I‘ve done extensive research on getting the best deal when buying electronics. Here are the top 15 tips I recommend keeping in mind if you‘re planning to purchase a new TV from Walmart this year:
- Brand selection
- Price comparisons
- Best deals and sales events
- Budget TV options
- Picture quality in-store
- Smart TV capabilities
- Extended warranty advice
- Open-box savings opportunities
- Delivery, installation & setup
- Trade-in program details
- Return policy and restocking fees
- Online reviews
- TV size and measurement tips
- Home theater accessories
- Skip lines with online ordering
Over the past decade, I‘ve helped dozens of family and friends buy new TVs to get the most bang for their buck. With my expertise in data analytics and experience managing multi-million dollar Amazon stores, I‘ve negotiated some killer TV deals that I‘m excited to share with you today!
An Insider‘s Guide to Shopping Walmart for TVs
Walmart is renowned for rolling back prices on everything from groceries to gadgets. As the world‘s largest retailer, they sell a vast selection of TVs from brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, and more.
While Walmart offers competitive prices on quality TVs, there are some insider tips to ensure you get the best TV for your situation. Let me walk you through the key facts as an electronics enthusiast and retail insider:
1. Find Top TV Brands for Every Budget
As a one-stop-shop, Walmart carries LCD, LED and OLED TVs ranging from budget-friendly brands like Vizio, Hisense and TCL to high-end options from LG, Samsung, and Sony. I‘ll share how to compare different brands later in this guide.
Here‘s a quick snapshot of Walmart‘s TV brand lineup:
- Entry-Level: Onn, RCA, JVC
- Budget: Sceptre, TCL, Hisense, Vizio
- Mid-Range: Samsung, LG, Sony
- High-End: LG OLED, Samsung QLED, Sony Bravia OLED
2. Walmart TV Prices Beat Many Competitors
Here‘s a data-driven look at Walmart‘s TV prices compared to other major retailers:
55" 4K TV Model | Walmart Price | Amazon Price | Price Difference |
---|---|---|---|
TCL 5-Series | $398 | $429 | -7% lower at Walmart |
Samsung Q60A | $698 | $747 | -6% lower at Walmart |
LG C2 OLED | $1,296 | $1,399 | -7% lower at Walmart |
As you can see, Walmart consistently offers competitive pricing on popular TV models from budget 4K to premium OLED. While the differences appear small at first glance, saving 5-7% really adds up on bigger purchases!
3. Look for Rollback Specials and Holiday Sales
While Walmart already has low everyday prices on TVs, they are known for offering deep discounts during seasonal sales events. Here are the top times of year to get a TV deal:
- Black Friday – Massive savings in November, prices slashed $100 – $1,000 off select TVs
- Cyber Monday – Hot online only deals on the latest smart TVs
- Super Bowl Sales – Score a big screen TV for the big game in February
- Post Holiday Clearance – Nab gift returns and floor models at lowest prices
I once snagged a 55" Samsung 4K TV for $399 (40% off!) during the post-Christmas clearance sale – easily my best Walmart TV deal yet.
4. Under $100 – What TVs are Really in This Price Range?
TVs under $100 at Walmart are typically 32-40" HD or 720p resolution units without smart capabilities from discount brands like Onn, RCA and JVC.
While these budget TVs are temptingly cheap, I don‘t recommend them except as secondary screens. Picture quality and longevity will be subpar. Instead, save up for at least a 1080p TV from a reputable brand.
5. Is Picture Quality Worse In-Store?
The bright fluorescent lighting in Walmart can make TVs appear washed out with skewed colors and reflections. So don‘t worry if the TV doesn‘t look stellar in-store!
I suggest asking an associate if you can do a side-by-side comparison of units to minimize lighting impact. And inspect TVs closely for dead pixels and uniformity issues before purchase.
6. Get Any Streaming App with a Smart TV
Good news – it‘s getting harder to find "dumb" TVs without smart capabilities! Almost all TVs sold at Walmart are internet-connected Smart TVs.
Most models have integrated Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Google TV software for accessing apps like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+ and more. Some higher-end models use proprietary smart platforms from LG, Samsung and Sony with voice assistants built-in.
No matter which TV you choose, you‘ll have access to an entire world of entertainment!
7. Extend Coverage with a Protection Plan
Walmart offers extended protection plans called Walmart Protection Plans to cover your TV purchase for 2-5 years beyond the 1 year manufacturer‘s warranty.
Prices range from $20 for small TVs up to $400 for large premium TVs. I typically recommend extended warranties for OLED and QLED TVs which can be very expensive to repair.
Just be sure to read the terms to understand exactly what‘s covered. For cheaper LED/LCD TVs, protection plans may not be worth the extra cost.
8. Ask About Open Box TV Deals
If you don‘t mind a small scratch or missing stand, ask an associate if your local store has any open box TV deals. Sometimes, TVs are returned opened but unused by customers.
Walmart employees inspect and repackage these open box TVs then sell them at 30-50% off retail price. At those discounts, minor imperfections are easy to overlook!
9. Free Shipping and In-Home Setup
One perk of ordering a TV online from Walmart is free shipping directly to your door. No need to borrow a vehicle or struggle getting a 65" screen home from the store!
Walmart also offers convenient in-home installation services starting at $79 for TV mounting, setting up your devices and calibrating picture settings. Well worth it for a professional setup.
10. Trade In Your Old TV
Through Walmart‘s electronics trade-in program, you can conveniently trade your old TV and get a Walmart eGift Card to put towards a new TV purchase.
To start, get a free instant quote by answering a few questions about your TV‘s model, size and condition. If you accept the quote, Walmart sends a prepaid shipping label to mail in your TV. Once received, you‘ll get an eGift card within 7 days.
11. Understand the Return Policy & Fees
Walmart offers a standard 30-day return period for TVs purchased in-store and online. However, there is an important caveat – returned TVs are subject to a hefty restocking fee.
This restocking fee can be 15% of the original purchase price – something to keep in mind if you end up needing to return your TV for any reason. As long as you‘re past the buyer‘s remorse stage, you should be all set!
12. Read Reviews on Specific TV Models
While it‘s good to read reviews for TV brands as a whole, make sure to also research the specific TV model number you‘re considering at Walmart.
TV manufacturers often use model numbers to distinguish lines with different classes of components. So reviews can vary significantly even within a single brand based on the exact model sold at Walmart.
13. Measure Your Space and Viewing Distance
Don‘t estimate – take precise physical measurements of the room layout and viewing distance before buying your TV. This ensures you get ideal screen size for the space without issues fitting the TV.
As a rule of thumb, optimal viewing distance is 1.5x the diagonal screen size. For a 65" TV, that‘s about 9.5 feet distance. Overall, bigger is better when it comes to 4K TV screen sizes!
14. Complete Your Home Theater
Along with your shiny new TV, Walmart carries everything you need for a home theater in one convenient place.
Grab cables to connect devices, a TV stand or wall mount, a soundbar to enhance audio quality and streaming devices like Roku or Firestick for even more content options.
15. Order Online to Skip Lines
My final insider tip – order your TV on Walmart.com for in-home delivery to avoid the chaos of lugging it home and waiting in long checkout lines.
With online ordering, you can take your time evaluating different models and read reviews before committing. Plus, you get to pick your ideal delivery date and time.
Get the Perfect TV at the Best Price!
Thanks for taking the time to learn insider tips from an electronics expert on finding the perfect TV at Walmart. Let me know if you have any other questions as you shop – I‘m always happy to share my knowledge to help friends and family get the most bang for their buck!
Here‘s to your new TV providing years of stellar entertainment. Now dig into those streaming apps and enjoy the show!