When Do Car Seats Typically Go On Sale?
Find out the optimal times and smart strategies to purchase car seats at a discount. Make an informed decision.
Car seats are a fundamental purchase for families, providing secure child transport. These essential safety devices often represent a notable financial outlay. Finding car seats at a reduced price can significantly help manage family budgets, making necessary safety equipment more accessible. Sales events and retail strategies frequently offer these items at a discount throughout the year.
Annual Sales Cycles
Car seats are available at reduced prices during annual sales cycles, often aligning with broader baby gear promotions. Retailers commonly host “baby event” sales in the spring (February to April) and fall (August to October). These periods often coincide with expectant parents preparing for new arrivals, leading to comprehensive discounts across baby product categories, including car seats. For example, Amazon has a February Baby Sale, and Target holds a September Baby Sale.
End-of-year clearance events and inventory reduction sales also offer car seat discounts. As retailers prepare for new product lines, they clear out existing stock to make space. This leads to significant price reductions on car seats and other baby items, providing savings as the year concludes.
Key Shopping Events
Specific shopping holidays and major retail events are reliable times to find substantial car seat discounts. Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November offer deep, time-limited promotions across product categories, often including car seats. These events can offer discounts ranging from 20% to 35% on mid-range car seat brands.
Other significant shopping events that feature car seat sales include Amazon Prime Day (mid-July, sometimes a second event in October). Major US holidays like Labor Day (early September), Memorial Day (late May), and Presidents’ Day (mid-February) also bring notable sales on baby gear, including car seats. During Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event (April and September), consumers can trade in old car seats for a 20% off coupon applicable to a new car seat or other baby gear.
Manufacturer and Retailer Specific Discounts
Beyond seasonal and holiday sales, car seat discounts are available directly from manufacturers and retailers. When manufacturers release new car seat models, older versions are moved to clearance or sale sections by retailers to make room for incoming stock. This allows consumers to purchase perfectly functional car seats at a reduced price.
Subscribing to retailer email lists or joining loyalty programs provides exclusive access to discounts and early sale notifications. Many retailers offer sign-up bonuses or member-specific promotions applicable to car seat purchases. Manufacturers offer direct promotions, rebates, or sales through their websites, sometimes independently of broader retail events.
Open-box or display model discounts are available at certain stores or online marketplaces, where products with damaged packaging or that served as floor samples are sold at a reduced price after inspection.