The biggest shopping weekend of the year is just a few days away, and smart bargain hunters are already making lists of the tech products they hope to snag on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can expect serious discounts on must-have items from every major retailer across the board. But what’s the difference between the two, aside from…being on different days? You’d be surprised.
Here’s a quick guide to the differences between the two days and some of the best early deals we’ve spotted on top products.
What Day Is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday lands on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. Most major online retailers kick off their sales at the stroke of midnight, and physical stores will be opening super early to greet the rush of shoppers looking for a great deal. That said, as you’ll soon realize, “Black Friday” has come to encompass almost the entire month of November and early December, with deals dropping as early as November 1. Hey, what do you know, here’s a bunch of the best early Black Friday deals you can get right now!
What Comes First, Cyber Monday or Black Friday?
The post-Thanksgiving shopping season officially starts on Black Friday, so that’s first. But honestly, the lines are blurring together more than ever this year, with Thanksgiving being so much later and sales starting earlier than ever. Amazon is officially starting its Black Friday sale on Thursday, November 21 along with Walmart on Monday, November 25.
After the weekend, it’s Cyber Monday, which launched in 2005 during the early online shopping boom. That falls on Monday, December 2 of this year. Discounts extend throughout “Cyber Week” at many retailers. And wouldn’t you know it, according to a study from NielsenIQ, electronics are the most commonly purchased product category on Cyber Monday, just barely edging out clothing and accessories. How about that?
Is It Better to Shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Deals and discounts don’t stay static during the Black Friday shopping weekend. Prices change, and offers vanish as products go out of stock. If you’re looking to get a deal on something that you predict will be in high demand, like newly-released electronics or trendy goods, it’s smarter to snatch them up as soon as the Black Friday deals begin to make sure you get one. For less urgent needs, it’s not a bad idea to wait until Cyber Monday, as many retailers offer additional price cuts to move the last of their inventory. Smart shoppers set aside a little time each day to get the best deals.
Different product categories also seem to be better on one day or the other. TVs typically have better deals on Friday, while laptops are discounted deeper on Monday. It’s uncertain exactly why this is the case, but historical data bears it out. Now, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, so if you see an item you want at a good price, grab it when you can and don’t worry about what the future might bring.
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Are Prices Really Much Lower on Black Friday?
Prices and discounts are inarguably lower on Black Friday than almost any other shopping day of the year. The average in-store discount on goods on Black Friday is 37%, which is significant. In the week beforehand, average discounts hover around 20%, so you’re getting an additional 17% off if you wait. On big-ticket items like laptops, appliances, and TVs, that can be a ton of money. We have a rundown on price comparison apps you can use to make sure you’re getting the biggest possible discount.
Wow, So Many More Early Black Friday / Cyber Monday Deals
Is It Better to Buy Before Black Friday?
Early Black Friday sales are just part of the holiday now, but they can be a little confusing. We’re already experiencing several early events at stores like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. So how do you know whether to snap up a deal now or wait for a bigger price cut? The sad truth is, you don’t. We published an explainer on five reasons to shop before Black Friday and three reasons to wait if you want to dive deep, but in short, shopping early helps you avoid inventory shortages, is less stressful, and lets you have the day after Thanksgiving to spend with family. That said, if you value savings above all else, waiting until Friday is the way to go.
OK, Last One About More Early Black Friday Deals
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
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About K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
