Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday: Which Day Has the Better Deals?

Last year, Americans that went shopping on Black Friday spent more than ever and even broke records online. If racing out to your favorite stores and waiting in line for the best deals doesn’t sound appealing to you, there’s always the option of shopping on Cyber Monday. Both days are packed with amazing deals on everything from electronics to makeup and more, but is one better than the other? For instance, if you want to buy your teen a new laptop for school, which day has the better deals?

Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday Which Day Has the Better Deals

In the battle between Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday, who comes out on top? If you plan on spending big, you’ll want to look for the best deals and save as much as you can by knowing what to look for when you’re shopping. After all, some deals are only around for a limited time or in limited stock.

In this guide, we’ll give you all the tips you’ll need to navigate the sales. We’ll compare common deals you might see, so you can save big and check off everyone on your holiday gift list.

1. A Brief History of Black Friday

Chances are that you’ve heard the term Black Friday before, perhaps in the news or on an online advertisement or from a friend or family member.

Black Friday happens the day after Thanksgiving, although some sales start Thanksgiving Day or that week. Companies like Costco, Walmart, and Best Buy all offer incredible deals. You can find TVs, smartphones, laptops, designer goods, and much more at deeply discounted prices.

Black Friday is usually the busiest shopping day of the year, with many retailers preparing for huge crowds of shoppers. The sales and deals you’ll see for Black Friday are usually, but not always, for brick-and-mortar stores.

The name might be older than you think. The term “Black Friday” first appeared in Philadelphia in the 1950s. It was used to describe the large mass of shoppers that would come into the city to take advantage of the holiday sales.

The name refers to the accidents, chaos, and sometimes violence that seemed inevitable, with so many people clamoring over the discounts and deals. Over time, we’ve embraced the name, and it’s become an interesting tradition.

Recommend Articles:

2. What Is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is a newer event, first coined in 2005. It’s a marketing term that refers to the myriad of online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Cyber Monday is a 24-hour event in which companies promote their goods and services through their website, offering online-only deals. Companies like Amazon, Best Buy, Apple, and more offer deals on their electronics that you might not be able to find any other time of the year.

And Cyber Monday isn’t just for electronics, either. You’ll find most stores will offer discounts on this day or even extend the sales through the week.

3. Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday: A Breakdown on the Deals

Now that you know more about shopping on Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday, you’re probably wondering which day is worth your time. Is one better than the other?

Let’s cover some of the most popular items people go shopping for on each of these days, and what the most common sales are.

4. Electronics

One of the biggest draws of both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the discounts on electronics. Since big-ticket items like televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles tend to cost a pretty penny, many shoppers rely on sales.

You’ll see a lot of sales on electronics on Black Friday, including the following:

  • TVs
  • Computers and laptops
  • Kitchen appliances
  • Electronics
  • Headphones and speakers
  • Gaming consoles
  • Home appliances

If there’s an expensive appliance or device you need or that someone has on their wishlist, Black Friday is an excellent day to get a deal on it.

What about Cyber Monday? You can still find good deals on technology. For instance, you can find great deals on Lenovo laptops on Cyber Monday for that person on your list in need of a new computer.

Cyber Monday is also a great time to look for deals on smart home gadgets and fitness trackers.

However, many of the best sales on this day include clothes, toys, games, and small appliances. Both Cyber Monday and Black Friday can offer good deals on items like power tools, too.

5. Fashion

So someone on your shopping list has a few designer items, or maybe some jewelry. Which day has better deals on clothing, accessories, and designer goods?

Again, you can probably find great deals on both days, but Cyber Monday is a great time to pick up clothing, shoes, or other apparel. You can find amazing discounts on luxury goods like cashmere sweaters and designer bags, for instance.

When it comes to fine jewelry or even an engagement ring, many people choose to wait for either Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals. You can find great prices on both days, making it worth your while to check your favorite stores both in-person and online both days.

6. Home Goods

Home goods make excellent holiday gifts, and you can find some fantastic deals on them around this time of year. Maybe you’re looking for a new set of luxury towels or some high-end sheets. You can usually find great deals on these items during Cyber Monday.

More expensive items like mattresses even go on sale during these “holidays.” It’s worth it to check in advance for deals on mattresses, to see how much you could save and which company has the best prices. Check on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and have an idea of which company you want to buy through.

7. Tools

Black Friday is an excellent time of the year to look for deals on expensive power tools. You can also find great discounts on home improvement items and hardware, such as toolboxes, ladders, and more.

Companies like Lowe’s and The Home Depot often have sales on big items and usually have free shipping.

You can even get deals on tires on Black Friday, depending on where you shop. While it may not seem like a traditional gift, Black Friday is a good time to get the more expensive items you need, like a full tire replacement.

Keep in mind that certain brands will go on sale, while others remain regular price. If you don’t care about the brand, this time of year is a great time to buy big-ticket items.

8. Subscriptions

Have you ever thought about giving someone a subscription for a gift? Whether it’s binging your favorite show on Netflix or a Disney movie marathon with the kids, streaming services make great gifts.

Services like Disney+, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple TV sometimes have great deals on a yearly subscription plan on Cyber Monday.

If you’ve been putting off signing up for one of these services, this is the best time of year to try it. You can also gift a subscription to someone on your list.

You also might be able to get some magazine subscriptions at this time of year, and online websites that have a subscription model often offer discounts for a plan on Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday is also a great time to stack up on gift cards, which make perfect last-minute gifts.

9. Tips for Getting the Best Deals

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday continue to have great deals on a variety of different products. While Black Friday deals used to be mostly restricted to brick-and-mortar stores, plenty of websites and businesses offer Black Friday prices online, too.

Cyber Monday is also catching up with the best deals on electronics like tablets, smart home accessories, and laptops.

It’s true that most deals on Black Friday exist in the stores, and you can get some great doorbusters by shopping in-person. Cyber Monday is online only. So, it depends on how you like to shop, and whether you like the thrill of holiday shopping or you prefer to buy everything with a click.

If you want to get the best deals, you should shop on both days. Do your research before Thanksgiving rolls around because some deals appear days or even weeks before Black Friday.

Also, make sure to check the prices of the items you plan on buying. Sometimes these items get marked up before the sale to make it look like you’re getting a better deal than you are.

Make a list of everything you need, do your research, and plan on hitting various stores to get the best deals, both in-person and online.

10. Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which Is the Best Day to Shop?

So, Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday—which has better deals? In general, Black Friday is best if you plan on buying a big-ticket item like a new appliance or a 4k TV. Cyber Monday has some great deals overall, though.

You should plan on shopping both days for the best deals. And most businesses have generous return policies, so if you buy something on Black Friday and find it cheaper on Monday, you can return it or contact them for the difference.

We hope this guide helped you plan for your holiday shopping this year. Be sure to check out the rest of our website for more shopping tips, technology news, reviews, and more!