Used Black Friday falls on just one day a year. Shoppers will camp outside stores, eagerly waiting for their chance to bust open the doors and save lots of cash. Over time, sales events have evolved. Now, the whole month of November is a hydra where heads are “offered” and the sword-wielding hero is an overwhelming customer.
Stores are offering more online deals than ever before, meaning you don’t have to leave your chair to take part. But it can all get confusing. How can you know whether a deal is worth your time and money? When do sales start and end? You have demand That utility? We are here to help.
When is Black Friday?
In 2024, Black Friday falls on November 29. It is followed by Cyber Monday on December 2, 2024. Most official sales start late on Thanksgiving, although some deals Best starts on Friday, sometimes in the early hours. (Some stores provide exact start times.)
I’ve been shopping Black Friday for more than two decades. My advice, if you’re on the hunt for great deals, is to stay up late the day before Thanksgiving to check out online sales that start around midnight Eastern time on Wednesday, November 27. WIRED will also cover major sales later that day. Thanksgiving. Early Black Friday deals will start in the first few weeks of November, and retailers like Best Buy often have price-match guarantees if an item is cheaper on Black Friday.
Can you get Black Friday deals online?
You can—and should. We exclusively cover online deals at WIRED because the majority of Black Friday deals are available on the web. The best deals don’t last too long, so you should keep an eye on your favorite store’s sales pages (and Our coverage).
Make a list ahead of time of what you want to buy—this can help you keep your mind clear when it’s time to start shopping. You shouldn’t buy things just to buy them. Everyone has a tighter budget these days; Sales will happen again. Take a deep breath and don’t get caught up in the madness.
Which retailers will have Black Friday deals?
Almost all of them. There are the obvious stores, like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, but chances are every retailer and brand will have some form of discount, including deals on clothes, shoes, books , electric scooters, technology items, health and beauty, or fitness specialty goods just to name a few categories. There may even be promotions going on at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant. When in doubt, visit the retailer’s website. Usually, Black Friday sales are highlighted proudly on the homepage.
Here are some Black Friday sales pages from major retailers:
Is Black Friday worth it?
TL;DR: usual. Long answer: Most Black Friday deals are the best we’ve seen all year, and they set a precedent for what determines good prices in the following months.
However, some Black Friday deals aren’t that great or repeat themselves from year to year. For example, you might anticipate that some smart home technology will have a low price, e.g Amazon Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini. In previous years, these speakers sold for around $20 or so each November. This year, they’ll likely drop to similar prices. Even if the price is technically a historic low, consider whether you really need another cheap little speaker before ordering — especially considering that these deals tends to appear continuously throughout the year.
Some of the sales aren’t surprising since products tend to go on sale every few months, and the fact that stores repeat sales so often says a lot about the nature of the programs. Discount today. However, these deals are still worth it if you’re looking for a specific item and want to save some cash. Just remember that price research is important and if you miss a deal, don’t worry; there is a good chance it will reappear at some point in the future.
How much money can I save on Black Friday?
That depends on what you’re shopping for. There are so many deals across so many categories that it’s impossible to list them all here.
For example, TVs are often a great purchase on Black Friday, if you can find them correct model. They are cheapest this time of year and during the holidays. Likewise, you’ll be able to save on clothes, toys and household items, but those deals may not be as appealing when you look at specific dollar amounts. However, they are definitely cheaper than usual.
