Are Deals Better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Every holiday season, shoppers ask the same big question: Are deals better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Both events are known for huge discounts and unbeatable offers, but they serve slightly different purposes. By comparing Black Friday vs Cyber Monday deals, you’ll get a clearer idea of when to shop, what to buy, and how to maximize your savings this holiday season.

The Origins of Black Friday and Cyber Monday

To understand their differences, it helps to know where these shopping holidays came from. Black Friday started decades ago as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas shopping season, falling on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. Traditionally, it was dominated by in-store sales and “doorbusters,” where shoppers would line up outside retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target to grab limited stock items.

Cyber Monday is much newer. Coined in the mid-2000s, it was designed to encourage online shopping at a time when e-commerce was still growing. Retailers like Amazon and Argos leaned heavily into the idea, offering discounts available exclusively online. Over time, the distinction blurred, but the shopping experience between the two remains different: Black Friday tends to be more about physical retail and large-scale markdowns, while Cyber Monday is focused on convenience and online shopping deals.

How Black Friday Deals Compare to Cyber Monday

Shoppers who want the very best deals on big-ticket items often find that Black Friday comes out on top. Televisions, large appliances, and gaming consoles are the headline categories, with retailers slashing hundreds of dollars off popular models. For example, in past years, Samsung’s 85-inch QLED TVs, KitchenAid mixers, and PlayStation consoles have all been heavily discounted on Black Friday.

Cyber Monday, however, shines differently. It tends to dominate in categories like laptops, headphones, smart home gadgets, and subscription services. Discounts on streaming devices, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, or wireless earbuds are usually deeper on Cyber Monday than on Black Friday. Since these are lighter, easier-to-ship products, they align perfectly with the digital-first nature of Cyber Monday.

In short, if you’re planning to upgrade your living room or kitchen, Black Friday is usually your best bet. If your focus is on tech accessories, personal electronics, or software, Cyber Monday is where the bargains often live.

Types of Products Typically on Sale

One way to decide between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is by considering what you want to buy.

Black Friday

• Electronics: TVs, gaming consoles, smart home devices, and laptops.

• Home essentials: Furniture, appliances, cookware, and bedding.

• Fashion: Clothing, shoes, and accessories are often discounted in-store and online.

• Toys and gifts: Perfect for early holiday shopping for kids and family.

Cyber Monday

• Tech gadgets: Smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and software.

• Online-exclusive fashion and beauty products: Many brands release limited digital offers.

• Small electronics and accessories: Chargers, cases, home office gadgets, and subscriptions.

• Digital services: Streaming services, online courses, and apps often feature steep discounts.

Essentially, if you’re after larger household items or want the thrill of in-store deals, Black Friday is likely the better option. For tech and online-exclusive items, Cyber Monday is usually stronger.

Comparing Discounts: Which Day Offers Bigger Savings?

When evaluating Black Friday vs Cyber Monday deals, it’s helpful to look at historical trends:

• Black Friday discounts: Average reductions range from 20% to 50% on electronics, up to 60% on fashion and home goods. Doorbusters often include deeper one-day savings on high-demand items.

• Cyber Monday discounts: Electronics and tech-focused products can drop 15% to 40%, with coupon codes sometimes stacking to create bigger savings. Fashion and smaller gadgets often see 20% to 50% reductions.

While Black Friday sometimes has higher discounts on major appliances or TVs, Cyber Monday often has the best online deals on laptops, tablets, and other tech devices. Many shoppers use both events strategically to maximize savings: Black Friday for big-ticket purchases and Cyber Monday for online deals and accessories.

Shopping Experience: In-Store Rush vs Online Convenience

One of the most obvious differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is how people shop. Black Friday has long been associated with crowded stores, early morning lines, and highly competitive “doorbuster” promotions. While more retailers now offer the same discounts online, many shoppers still associate the day with physical stores and the thrill of racing to grab limited stock.

Cyber Monday offers the exact opposite vibe. It’s a calmer, purely online event where deals can be accessed from the comfort of your couch. You don’t need to queue in the cold or fight for parking spots; instead, you can open multiple tabs and compare offers across Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Argos in minutes.

That doesn’t mean Black Friday can’t be shopped online, in fact, more people do each year, but the overall shopping culture is still distinct.

Timing and Deal Availability

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are technically only one day each, in practice, both have expanded into weeklong or even monthlong events. Retailers now promote “Black Friday Preview” sales in early November, which roll directly into “Cyber Week” promotions.

That said, the deepest discounts still tend to appear on the official days. High-demand products such as gaming consoles or large-screen TVs are often released in limited quantities on Black Friday and can sell out quickly. On Cyber Monday, deals on laptops, software bundles, and smaller gadgets can also vanish in hours.

If you’ve got your eye on something specific, it’s worth knowing which day is most likely to bring the bigger price drop.

Real Examples of Discounts

To better understand the difference, consider these past deal patterns:

• A Samsung 85-inch TV that normally retailed at $3,499 dropped to $2,499 on Black Friday, saving shoppers $1,000.

• A Dyson V15 cordless vacuum saw its biggest markdown on Black Friday at Walmart and Best Buy, with discounts of over $200.

• On Cyber Monday, Apple AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort headphones were heavily discounted online, often selling for $50–$70 less than their Black Friday prices.

• Software subscriptions like Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud typically saw exclusive Cyber Monday bundles, sometimes offering up to 40% off.

These examples highlight why many shoppers choose to participate in both events, the categories of savings differ too much to ignore either one.

Holiday Discounts: Which Retailers Lead the Way?

Both shopping holidays involve the biggest names in retail, but their approaches differ slightly.

• Amazon dominates both days, with lightning deals on everything from TVs to ebooks. Black Friday tends to feature larger household items, while Cyber Monday leans toward tech gadgets, Echo devices, and subscription bundles.

• Walmart usually focuses its Black Friday promotions on TVs, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances, while Cyber Monday brings deep online-only discounts on laptops and smaller tech.

• Best Buy is the go-to for electronics during Black Friday, offering some of the best savings on Samsung TVs, laptops, and gaming bundles. On Cyber Monday, it doubles down on headphones, accessories, and online-only perks.

• Argos in the UK follows a similar pattern, with household items and toys dominating Black Friday, while Cyber Monday sees a heavier focus on personal tech and digital offers.

This retailer variation is important, since where you shop can determine whether you score the very best deal.

Strategies for Making the Most of Both Events

If you’re wondering whether to focus on Black Friday vs Cyber Monday deals, the smartest strategy may be not to choose at all. Instead, plan for both and prioritize according to product categories.

For high-demand, limited stock items like large TVs or consoles, it’s better to shop on Black Friday to avoid waiting risks and sell-outs. For tech gadgets, headphones, laptops, and software, Cyber Monday often provides lower prices.

Preparation is key. Setting alerts, subscribing to retailer newsletters, and using price-tracking tools will help you separate genuine bargains from inflated discounts. It also helps to set a budget in advance so you don’t get caught up in the shopping frenzy.

You can further maximize your savings by applying discount codes, promo codes, or coupons on top of existing deals. Many retailers allow stacking of these offers. Discount Codez provides exclusive codes that can shave even more off your total. By combining headline discounts with valid promo codes, shoppers can often save significantly more than the listed Black Friday or Cyber Monday prices.

The Blurring Line Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday

One trend to keep in mind is how the line between the two events has blurred. Many retailers now roll their deals together into week-long promotions. Amazon, for instance, runs “Black Friday Week” followed directly by “Cyber Monday Week,” meaning shoppers have continuous access to promotions throughout late November.

While this makes things easier, it also means that the urgency of scoring one-day deals has slightly decreased. Still, the biggest, most dramatic discounts, particularly for TVs, laptops, and headphones, remain tied to the official days.

Tips for Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday

• Sign up for newsletters from your favorite retailers to get early notifications.

• Check for digital leaks of Black Friday ads and Cyber Monday previews to plan purchases.

• Use cashback and reward programs to increase savings.

• Make a shopping list to avoid impulse purchases and stick to your budget.

• Monitor deals throughout the weekend; many retailers extend promotions into the following week.

These tips help shoppers take advantage of all opportunities, whether in-store or online, and ensure they don’t miss key discounts.

Conclusion: Black Friday vs Cyber Monday Deals

So, are deals better on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? The answer depends on what you’re shopping for. If your wish list includes big-ticket items like televisions, appliances, or consoles, Black Friday is where you’ll find the steepest markdowns. If your focus is on tech gadgets, laptops, software, or accessories, Cyber Monday often delivers the strongest online shopping deals.

The real trick is not choosing between the two but using them together. Start your holiday shopping on Black Friday by scoring larger items, then take advantage of Cyber Monday’s tech-heavy discounts to round out your list.

In the end, both days are essential parts of the holiday shopping season, and by approaching them strategically, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Massive holiday discounts, smart savings, and a stress-free start to the festive season.

FAQ's

Q. What is the main difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?

Black Friday deals often focus on big-ticket items and in-store discounts, while Cyber Monday primarily features online deals for tech gadgets, laptops, and digital services.

Q. Which day offers better discounts on electronics?

High-demand electronics like TVs and gaming consoles usually see the steepest discounts on Black Friday, whereas laptops, headphones, and smaller tech devices often have better deals on Cyber Monday.

Q. Can I use discount codes or promo codes on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Yes! Many retailers allow you to stack discount codes, promo codes, or coupons on top of advertised deals, helping you maximize your savings. Discount Codez often provides exclusive codes.

Q. Should I shop in-store or online for the best deals?

Both have advantages. Black Friday in-store offers early-bird doorbusters and large-item discounts, while Cyber Monday provides convenience, online-only promotions, and easy price comparisons across multiple retailers.

Q. Are deals available before Black Friday or after Cyber Monday?

Yes. Many retailers now run extended sales like “Black Friday Preview” or “Cyber Week,” giving shoppers access to deals before and after the official days. However, the deepest discounts usually appear on the official Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates.