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used black friday fall on a single day of the year. Shoppers camped outside stores, eagerly awaiting the chance to knock down a few doors and save a ton of cash. Over time, the sales event has grown. Now, the entire month of November is a hydra where heads are “cut prices” and the sword-wielding hero is an overwhelmed customer.
Stores are offering more deals than ever online, meaning you don’t have to get off the couch to participate. But it can all be confusing. How can you tell if a deal is worth your time and money? When do sales start and end? You need that gadget? We are here to help.
When is Black Friday?
In 2024, Black Friday falls on November 29. Cyber Monday follows on December 2, 2024. Most official sales start late on Thanksgiving Day, although some of the best deals start on Friday, sometime in the early morning hours. (Some stores provide exact start times.)
I’ve been shopping on Black Friday for more than two decades. My advice, if you’re looking for amazing deals, is to stay up late the day before Thanksgiving to check out the online sales that will begin around midnight Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 27. WIRED will also cover major sales later in the day. Thanksgiving. Early Black Friday deals will begin during the first weeks of November, and retailers like Best Buy typically have a price match guarantee if an item becomes cheaper on Black Friday.
Can you get Black Friday deals online?
You can and you must. We exclusively cover online deals here at WIRED because most Black Friday deals are available on the web. The best deals don’t last long, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to your favorite store’s deals pages (and our coverage).
Make a list of what you want to buy in advance; This can help you keep a clear head when it’s time to start shopping. You shouldn’t buy things just to buy them. Nowadays everyone has a tighter budget; Sales will happen again. Take a deep breath and don’t get caught up in the frenzy.
Which retailers will have Black Friday deals?
Almost all of them. There are obvious stores, like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, but every retailer and brand is likely to have some type of sale, spanning deals on clothing, shoes, books, electric scooters, technology, health and beauty items, or specialized fitness products, to name just a few categories. There may even be promotions at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant. When in doubt, visit a retailer’s website. Black Friday sales are usually proudly featured on the home page.
Here are some Black Friday sales pages from major retailers:
Is Black Friday worth it?
TL; DR: Normally. Long answer: More often than not, Black Friday deals are the best we see all year and set the precedent for what dictates a good price in the following months.
However, some Black Friday deals are not that good or are repeated from year to year. For example, as you might expect, you’ll see low prices on some smart home technologies, like the Amazon Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini. In previous years, those speakers sold for around $20 or so each November. This year they will probably drop to the same price. Even if a price is technically an all-time low, consider whether you really need another cheap little speaker before placing your order, especially considering these deals tend to pop up repeatedly throughout the year.
Some discounts aren’t surprising because products tend to go on sale every few months, and the fact that stores repeat deals so frequently says a lot about the nature of discounts these days. Still, the deals are worth it if you’re looking for a specific item and want to save some money. Just keep in mind that price research is important, and if you miss out on a deal, don’t worry; there is a strong possibility that it will happen again at some point in the future.
How much money can I save on Black Friday?
That depends on what you are buying. There are so many deals up for grabs in so many categories that it’s impossible to list them all here.
For example, TVs are often a great Black Friday buy, if you can find the right model. They are cheaper this time of year and during the holidays. Likewise, you’ll be able to save on clothing, toys, and household items, but those deals may not be as attractive when looking at specific dollar amounts. However, they are certainly less expensive than usual.