Home Depot vs Lowes Clearance: Which Store Has Better Deals?
Understanding Each Store’s Clearance System
Home Depot’s Markdown Schedule
Home Depot follows a systematic approach to clearance pricing that savvy shoppers can learn to predict. Items typically receive their first markdown after 30-60 days on the shelf, with subsequent reductions happening approximately every two weeks. The markdown percentages usually follow this pattern:
- First markdown: 25-30% off
- Second markdown: 50-70% off
- Final clearance: 75-90% off
Home Depot’s clearance items are identified by orange price tags or shelf labels with “SPEC” (Special Buy) or “CLEARANCE” designations. The retailer also uses a color-coded system where different colored tags indicate different markdown periods.
Lowes’ Clearance Approach
Lowes operates with a slightly different strategy for their clearance markdowns. Their system tends to be less predictable than Home Depot’s, with markdowns happening on a more flexible schedule based on inventory turnover needs. Lowes clearance items are marked with yellow tags or shelf labels indicating “Special Value” or “Clearance.”
Lowes typically offers fewer markdown levels but often starts with deeper initial discounts:
- Initial clearance: 30-50% off
- Secondary markdown: 50-75% off
- Final clearance: Up to 80% off
| Markdown Stage | Home Depot | Lowes |
|---|---|---|
| First Markdown | 25-30% off | 30-50% off |
| Second Markdown | 50-70% off | 50-75% off |
| Final Clearance | 75-90% off | Up to 80% off |
Which Hardware Store Has Better Deals?
Home Depot
- Predictable markdown schedule
- Excellent tool clearances
- Legendary garden center deals
- More frequent clearance opportunities
Lowes
- Deeper appliance discounts
- Better home decor clearances
- Superior flooring deals
- Aggressive end-of-quarter pricing
Home Depot Advantages
Home Depot generally offers more frequent clearance opportunities due to their faster inventory turnover. The retailer’s predictable markdown schedule makes it easier for deal hunters to time their purchases strategically. Additionally, Home Depot tends to have larger clearance sections in most locations, providing more selection.
The store’s seasonal clearance events are particularly impressive, with garden centers clearing out plants at 75% off and holiday items reaching similar discount levels. Tools and appliances at Home Depot often see substantial markdowns, especially when new models arrive.
Lowes Clearance Benefits
While Lowes may have fewer clearance items overall, they often feature deeper initial discounts on big-ticket items like appliances and major tools. Lowes’ clearance strategy focuses on moving inventory quickly with aggressive pricing rather than gradual markdowns.
Lowes also excels in certain categories like flooring and lighting fixtures, where clearance deals can reach 70-80% off original prices. Their appliance clearance events, typically held quarterly, offer some of the best deals in the industry.
Timing Your Shopping for Maximum Savings
Best Times for Home Depot Clearance
- End of seasons (late summer for garden items, post-holiday for decorations)
- Thursday mornings when new markdowns typically appear
- First week of each month for appliance clearances
- After major holidays when seasonal items get marked down
Optimal Lowes Shopping Schedule
- Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings for new markdowns
- End-of-quarter months (March, June, September, December) for appliance deals
- Post-season clearances, particularly for outdoor furniture and grills
- Back-to-school season for organization and storage items
Clearance Categories: Store-by-Store Breakdown
Where Home Depot Excels
Tools and Hardware: Home Depot’s tool clearance often features professional-grade items at significant discounts. Power tools from major brands regularly see 40-60% markdowns.
Garden Center: Seasonal plant clearances at Home Depot are legendary, with perennials, trees, and garden supplies reaching 75% off by late summer.
Building Materials: Lumber, concrete, and construction supplies see regular clearances, especially on overstock items.
Where Lowes Dominates
Appliances: Lowes consistently offers better clearance deals on major appliances, with scratch-and-dent sections providing additional savings.
Home Décor: Lighting, ceiling fans, and decorative items see deeper initial markdowns at Lowes compared to Home Depot.
Flooring: Carpet, tile, and hardwood clearances at Lowes often beat Home Depot’s pricing by 10-20%.
Strategies for Finding the Best Deals
Technology and Tools
Modern clearance hunting benefits greatly from technology. Platforms like Endless help Home Depot shoppers track clearance inventory across multiple locations, making it easier to find the best deals without visiting every store. While similar comprehensive tracking isn’t widely available for Lowes, their mobile app does highlight current promotions and clearance items.
In-Store Tactics
- Check end caps and dedicated clearance sections first
- Ask associates about upcoming markdowns or hidden clearance areas
- Look for items with damaged packaging that might qualify for additional discounts
- Consider seasonal timing – buy grills in fall, heaters in spring
Online vs. In-Store Clearance
Both retailers offer online clearance sections, but the deepest discounts typically appear in-store only. Home Depot’s online clearance tends to be more extensive, while Lowes focuses their best online deals on appliances and larger items that benefit from delivery.
Regional and Store-Specific Variations
Clearance availability can vary significantly between individual stores and regions. Urban locations often have faster turnover and more frequent markdowns, while suburban stores might have better selection but slower markdown schedules. Stores in competitive markets typically offer more aggressive clearance pricing.
Good to Know: Neither Home Depot nor Lowes will price match the other store’s clearance items. Clearance pricing is considered promotional and is explicitly excluded from both retailers’ price matching policies. You’ll need to shop at each store individually to get their best clearance deals.
Key Takeaways
When comparing Lowes clearance vs Home Depot, both retailers offer excellent savings opportunities with distinct advantages:
Choose Home Depot for: Predictable markdown schedules, extensive tool clearances, garden center deals, and more frequent clearance opportunities.
Choose Lowes for: Deeper initial appliance discounts, better home décor clearances, superior flooring deals, and aggressive end-of-quarter pricing.
The best strategy involves shopping both stores regularly and understanding each retailer’s clearance patterns. Home Depot’s systematic approach makes it easier to predict deals, while Lowes’ aggressive pricing can yield unexpected bargains. Successful clearance shoppers often develop routes that include both stores and time their visits around each retailer’s markdown schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Home Depot mark down clearance items compared to Lowes?
Home Depot typically marks down clearance items every two weeks following a predictable schedule, while Lowes uses a more flexible approach with markdowns happening as needed based on inventory levels.
Which store offers better clearance deals on appliances?
Lowes generally offers better appliance clearance deals with deeper initial discounts and more frequent scratch-and-dent sales, often beating Home Depot’s appliance clearance pricing by 15-25%.
What day of the week should I shop for new clearance markdowns?
Home Depot typically processes new markdowns on Wednesday nights for Thursday morning shopping, while Lowes varies by location but often follows a similar Wednesday evening/Thursday morning schedule.
Do Home Depot and Lowes price match each other’s clearance items?
Neither store will price match clearance items from competitors, as clearance pricing is considered promotional and excluded from price matching policies at both retailers.
Which hardware store has better seasonal clearance sales?
Home Depot excels at garden and outdoor seasonal clearances with markdowns up to 75% off, while Lowes offers superior indoor seasonal items like holiday decorations and lighting with comparable discount levels.