Are Black Friday deals really worth the budgeting? The holiday is famous for steep discounts limited to a single day, but not all the sales you’re bound to see are truly worth the rush. With tips from The Real Deal, we’re providing a guide to what you should snag this Black Friday for the best savings and what you’re better off buying at other times in the year.
What To Buy On Black Friday
1. Small Kitchen Appliances
Best time to buy: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
From the seasoned chef to the humble home cook, holiday sales are a great opportunity to expand the wares in your kitchen. Appliances like air fryers, blenders, and coffee makers tend to be steeply discounted on Black Friday. Look to big brands like Walmart, Kohls, Macy’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond who often offer up to 50% off on these items. Rather than wait until later in the year to upgrade your cooking gear, Black Friday deals on kitchen appliances may save you money in the long run.
2. Smart Home Gadgets
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day (July)
Looking to upgrade your home security? Black Friday is prime time for deals on smart home devices like smart speakers, thermostats, and security cameras. This is a great time to set up a smarter, safer home while still saving big. Check Amazon and Google for the best price drops. If you miss these sales, watch for similar discounts on Amazon Prime Day later in the summer.
3. Video Games & Consoles
Best time to buy: Black Friday and Cyber Monday
While popular gaming systems like the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch tend to stay the same price on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, stores like Walmart, Target, Best Buy and GameStop often offer discounted bundles that include games and freebies. Video games themselves frequently see the biggest discounts during this time of year and are the perfect gift for your resident gamer.
4. Laptops & Tablets
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Back-to-School Season (August)
Black Friday offers some of the year’s best prices on laptops, tablets, and other tech gadgets. Great deals can be found at Best Buy on quality computers without paying full price, as well as on Apple and Dell’s home websites. If a tablet is more your speed, Target, Amazon and Best Buy are the best places for deals on Samsung, Apple and Amazon models. However, you can also find great deals during the back-to-school season, especially for students and teachers looking to upgrade before the new school year.
5. Wireless Earbuds and Headphones
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Super Bowl Season (January-February)
Brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple frequently offer significant discounts on headphones and earbuds during this time. This Black Friday, visit Walmart, Target or Amazon to upgrade your audio gear without breaking the bank. If you miss the sales during the end of the year, some brands also offer great markdowns in January, particularly on models designed for sports and fitness.
6. Children’s Toys
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and After-Holidays Sales (Late December to Early January)
Toy stores and online retailers know parents are going to be holiday shopping, so look out for substantial markdowns on popular toys during this time. Black Friday deals often offer up to 30-50% off on trending toys specifically. You can also find clearance sales on toys right after the holidays. So if you’re buying gifts, it’s worth grabbing them now, but for general purchases, it’s best to wait until January.
7. Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year’s Sales (January)
Fitness trackers and smartwatches get heavily discounted on Black Friday, so expect to see markdowns on brands like Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit. But if you miss these, watch for New Year’s promotions in January, as brands cater to those starting fresh health goals at the beginning of the new year.
8. Home Goods (Sheets, Blankets, and Towels)
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and White Sales (January)
If you’re looking for linens and home essentials like towels and bedding, expect to see excellent discounts on Black Friday. You can often find quality sets at half price or less as well. White Sales in January also offer similar deals, so you can wait if you’re not in a hurry.
9. Major Appliance Bundles
Best time to buy: Black Friday, Presidents’ Day (February), and Memorial Day (May)
Many retailers offer bundles or package deals during Black Friday, especially for kitchen and household items. Bundling these items can result in significant overall savings, especially if you’re looking to replace multiple items at once. If you’re looking to bundle appliances, Black Friday has some of the best deals. However, Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day also offer significant discounts if you miss out.
10. Gift cards
Best time to buy: Black Friday and Holiday Season (December)
Keep an eye out for brands that offer gift cards at a discount or as bonuses with purchases on Black Friday. This is a great time to snag extras for holiday gifts or future savings alongside your seasonal purchases!
What to Skip on Black Friday
1. Clothing
Best time to buy: Cyber Weekend and Winter Sales (January)
You’ll often find quite the deal on clothes during Black Friday, but they typically only apply to specific articles of clothing rather than a large array. Hold off until Cyber Weekend to take advantage of promo codes for up to 60% off of your whole cart, and the end of January for winter clothes as stores start to clear out for spring designs.
2. Furniture
Best time to buy: Presidents Day Sales
If new furniture is on your holiday wish list, skip the sales ads during Black Friday and wait until Presidents Day when most furniture and retail stores offer their largest discounts of the year.
3. Flat Screen TVs
Best time to buy: Super Bowl Season (Late January to Early February)
Black Friday has a reputation for “doorbuster” TV deals, but these often feature lower-quality models. If you’re after a high-end TV, wait until late January when Super Bowl deals bring similar savings on better models.
Shopping Smart All Year Long
Knowing when to buy items throughout the year is a budgeting tip that can save you more in the long run rather than impulsively overspending on Black Friday deals. Keep an eye on seasonal sales and discounts, and you’ll get the best value for your money without splurging on everything at once. Incorporating these tips will have your savings account thanking you all year long!
