Most TV and laptop extended warranties offer poor value for consumers
Extended warranties on televisions and laptops are largely unnecessary upsells that can be safely skipped for most consumers. Retailers aggressively push these extended protection plans to boost profits, but evidence suggests they rarely offer genuine value, particularly given the manufacturer warranties already included with most electronics.
A durability study by RTINGS tested 102 televisions continuously from November 2022 to September 2025, with only two failing before 3,000 operating hours — a point requiring over two years of typical daily viewing. For laptops, devices become outdated within two to three years regardless of failure. A $1,300 television with Best Buy's two-year protection costs approximately $160, yet typical repairs average $255–$395, and many warranties exclude accidental damage or liquid exposure. Most failures occur within the manufacturer's standard warranty period, making extended coverage redundant.
- Extended warranties are rarely worth buying for TVs and laptops
- Most products fail during manufacturer coverage, not extended warranty period
- Better to save the warranty cost towards a future replacement
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Extended warranties are optional protection plans that retailers sell alongside televisions and laptops, promising to cover repairs for a set number of years after you buy the device. Manufacturers include their own basic warranty with electronics, but retailers actively encourage customers to purchase these additional plans, which can significantly increase the total cost.
Research shows that modern televisions rarely fail, with studies finding that breakdowns are exceptionally uncommon within the first few years of ownership. For laptops, devices typically become outdated within two to three years regardless of whether they work properly, so hardware failures are less of a concern than the natural progression of technology.
Extended warranties often cost more than actual repairs typically do, and many have significant exclusions that leave customers unprotected against common types of damage like accidental spills. Since most equipment problems occur within the manufacturer's standard warranty period anyway, paying extra for extended protection is frequently unnecessary and represents poor value for money.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The strongest case for extended warranties acknowledges that whilst statistical averages show poor value, individual circumstances vary significantly. Consumers with limited disposable income may find genuine value in predictable, budgeted costs rather than facing an unexpected £250–£400 repair bill that could strain their finances. Many people retain devices beyond typical lifespans, and for those unable to self-insure or working in environments prone to accidental damage, extended protection addresses real risks. The psychological benefit of warranty coverage—eliminating anxiety around device failure—carries legitimate value that pure financial analysis may underestimate.
The case against
The empirical evidence strongly suggests extended warranties represent poor value for most consumers. The RTINGS study demonstrates that television failures before 3,000 operating hours are exceptionally rare, with manufacturers' standard warranties already covering this period. The financial analysis is straightforward: a £160 two-year warranty costs more than the average repair (£255–£395), meaning consumers statistically lose money. Laptop obsolescence compounds this—devices typically become outdated within two to three years regardless of mechanical failure. Crucially, many extended plans exclude common failure modes like accidental damage or liquid exposure, whilst retailers' aggressive marketing reveals these plans serve corporate profits rather than consumer interests.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Are extended warranties on TVs and laptops ever really worth it?”.