Black Friday is real for some things and a costume for others. Retailers mark down certain categories more that week than at any other time of year. Other “deals” are the same price they were in October, or higher than they’ll be in January.
Here’s how it breaks down, based on how prices move year after year. Our when-to-buy calendar has the full grid.
Worth buying on Black Friday
- TVs, especially mainstream sizes and last year’s models. This is one of the two best weeks of the year for TVs; the other is just before the Super Bowl.
- Headphones and earbuds. Often the deepest discount of the year.
- Smart speakers, streaming sticks and smart-home gear. Store-brand devices hit their lowest prices this week.
- Laptops, mostly entry-level and mid-range models. Back-to-school in August is the other good window.
- Small kitchen appliances: stand mixers, air fryers, blenders, coffee makers.
- Toys, especially the popular ones, before they sell out in December.
- Robot vacuums. Prime Day in July is the only real competitor.
Better to wait
- Winter coats and boots. Cheapest in January and February, once the season turns.
- Furniture. New collections arrive in February and August, so January and July bring the clearance.
- Mattresses. Black Friday sales are decent, but Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day are usually just as good.
- Holiday decor, wrapping paper and lights. Half off or more after December 25.
- TVs at the very top of the range. New models arrive in spring; last year’s flagships drop then.
- Fitness gear. January, when every store pushes New Year’s resolutions.
How to tell a real deal
- Check the price history with a price-tracking tool before you buy. A “40% off” tag means little if the price was raised in October.
- Watch for Black Friday-only models. Some TVs and laptops are made for the sale, with cheaper parts and a model number you won’t find elsewhere. Compare the exact model number.
- Decide before the sale starts. Make your list in early November, with a price you’d be happy to pay for each item. Buy when it hits that number, not because a timer is counting down.
Dates this year
Black Friday falls on Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on November 30. Many sales start the Monday before Thanksgiving, and Amazon usually runs its deals from Thanksgiving week through Cyber Monday.