Is It Cheaper To Buy On Black Friday?

With Black Friday on the horizon (and pre-sales already on), you’re likely starting to think about holiday shopping—or treating yourself to items on your own wishlist. Discounts are everywhere these days, but are they actually worthwhile?

Below we’ll be investigating whether the sales event is actually worth the hype, and answering the question on everyone’s mind: is it cheaper to buy on Black Friday? Before you hit the shops, be sure to have a thorough read.

What Makes Black Friday Such A Big Deal?

Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year, and its popularity has only grown over the decades. But what makes it so special compared to all the other sales of the year?

For one, the timing. Black Friday takes place on the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which always falls at the end of November—exactly at the start of the festive season. It’s the perfect opportunity to save on holiday shopping, or to treat yourself after the end of a long year.

Another big reason? Black Friday promises big savings, and we all love a bargain. Scoring a great deal stimulates the brain’s inner reward system, AKA the structures that are responsible for producing feelings of joy and pleasure. After all, why wouldn’t you want to save money on an item you’ve been coveting?

So if you’re looking to save this season, a Black Friday shopping spree will likely be worth it. But will you really be getting the best deals?

Are Things Cheaper On Black Friday?

Certain items will absolutely be cheaper on Black Friday; it just depends on the individual brand or retailer, so you’ll have to do your research.

Black Friday might be the only sale of the year for some brands. When this is the case, you know you’ll be able to seriously save. For others, it might be the biggest sale of the year, meaning you’ll find the best discounts on Black Friday. Take the Laifen Black Friday sale: several products are being sold at the best price of the year, like the Wave electric toothbrush at just €47.99, or the T1 Pro electric shaver for 25% off.

To figure out whether a brand’s Black Friday sale is worth it, you’ll need to compare markdowns to other sales they have throughout the year and to other retailers.

Average Black Friday 2025 Discounts You Can Expect

• Electronics: 20-40%
• Appliances: 15-35%
• Beauty & personal care: 20-40%
• Fashion: 25-50%
• Home & furniture: 20-45%

Categories That Are Cheaper on Black Friday

Some items are definitely worth shopping on Black Friday, including:

• Big-Ticket Electronics: TVs, phones, laptops, tablets, headphones
• Home Appliances: Vacuums, air fryers, microwaves, smart home systems
• Beauty & Personal Care Tools: Hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers
• Fashion & Accessories: Outerwear, knitwear, denim, boots, bags, seasonal trend markdowns
• Subscription Services & Digital Goods: Software, streaming bundles, fitness apps

When Black Friday Isn’t the Cheapest Time to Buy

For certain categories and products, you’ll be better off waiting for other times of the year to score bargains. Hold off on:

• Out of season clothing: You’ll be able to find the deepest discounts on clothing during end-of-season sales, when retailers need to clear inventory ahead of the new season. Summer sales usually start in June and end in August, while winter sales start in December and last through February. The one issue you may encounter is limited sizing, in which case it might be worth paying slightly more on Black Friday to ensure you get what you need.
• Furniture: Just like the fashion industry, furniture and home decor are highly seasonal products. You’ll be able to score great deals on furniture in January and August, when retailers need to make room for their new spring/summer and fall/winter collections.
• Travel Deals: Since many travel companies operate digitally, you’ll likely find better prices for flights and holiday packages on Cyber Monday or Travel Tuesday (a travel-industry specific sales event that follows Cyber Monday).

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: Which Is Cheaper?

Cyber Monday is the online shopping version of Black Friday, taking place on the Monday after American Thanksgiving. You might be wondering if it’s better to wait until then to do your shopping, but the truth is that neither sale is necessarily better than the other. Once again, it all comes down to the individual retailer. Some brands might offer better prices on Cyber Monday, while others will keep steady discounts across the entire sale period.

Keep an eye out for exclusive deals on both days; you might be able to enjoy in-store exclusives on Black Friday, or online exclusives on Cyber Monday.

Tips to Maximize Black Friday Savings

• Shop early. Some of the best Black Friday deals can be found during pre-sales earlier in November.
• Sign up for brand newsletters. You’ll be the first to receive early access to sales and you may also be treated to exclusive discount codes.
• Use wishlist & cart features. This allows you to shop smart and quickly be notified of price drops.
• Track price history. Ensure you’re actually getting a great deal by learning what the regular full price is, and what discounts look like during other sales.
• Cross-compare with other retailers. Don’t just buy the first thing you see. Another retailer might offer a better price.
• Make a shopping list. It’s not a bargain if it’s something you won’t actually use. Shop smart, and only buy the things you need.

Final Verdict: Is It Cheaper To Buy On Black Friday?

In general, absolutely! You’ll be able to find incredible bargains on a wide variety of products and categories on Black Friday. The sales event is especially beneficial for saving on big-ticket items like electronics, appliances, beauty and personal care tools, and subscription services. To find out if you’re getting the best deal possible, you’ll need to do your research ahead of time and follow your favorite brands to get a general idea of their regular prices and sale patterns. But if you want to enjoy great savings between 20 and 40% off, Black Friday is a day you won’t want to miss.

FREYA ROSS

"Freya" specializuojasi rašydama išsamius pirkėjų vadovus ir praktines pamokas apie aukštos kokybės plaukų įrankius ir asmeninės priežiūros prietaisus. Aiškiai ir praktiškai kalbėdama ji padeda skaitytojams drąsiai rinktis, taupyti laiką, mažinti spėliones ir pasiekti realių rezultatų.