Two Events, Two Different Strengths
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are both massive shopping events, but they've developed distinct identities over the years. Understanding where each sale excels — and where discounts tend to be shallow or misleading — can save you real money and a lot of wasted time.
The short answer: Black Friday is better for big-ticket physical items, while Cyber Monday tends to favor tech, software, and online-only categories. But the reality is more nuanced.
What Sells Best on Black Friday
Black Friday originated as a brick-and-mortar event, and while it has expanded online, certain categories still see their best discounts during Black Friday weekend:
- TVs – Retailers heavily discount televisions as doorbusters. These are often real discounts, though sometimes on lesser-known brands.
- Appliances – Washers, dryers, refrigerators, and kitchen appliances frequently see genuine markdowns.
- Toys & Games – Toy retailers compete aggressively during Black Friday, making it the best time to buy gifts for children.
- Clothing & Footwear – Both in-store and online fashion retailers offer significant discounts, especially on full-price items.
- Mattresses – Mattress brands run some of their steepest annual discounts during Black Friday.
What Sells Best on Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday, which falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving, was designed for online shopping. It tends to outperform Black Friday in:
- Laptops & computers – Deeper discounts often appear Monday as retailers try to move remaining inventory.
- Software & subscriptions – SaaS tools, productivity apps, and streaming services frequently offer Cyber Monday-only deals.
- Smart home devices – Smart speakers, hubs, and connected devices often reach their lowest prices.
- Online courses & digital products – E-learning platforms typically save their biggest sales for Cyber Monday.
- Small electronics & accessories – Headphones, cables, chargers, and similar accessories often see better deals Monday than Friday.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
| Category | Better Sale Day | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TVs (large) | Black Friday | Brick-and-mortar doorbuster tradition |
| Laptops | Cyber Monday | Online retailers compete to clear stock |
| Appliances | Black Friday | In-store deals dominate this category |
| Clothing | Black Friday | Fashion brands lead with BF promotions |
| Software/SaaS | Cyber Monday | Digital products suit online-only events |
| Toys | Black Friday | Retail competition peaks on BF weekend |
| Smart Home | Cyber Monday | Tech brands extend deals online |
| Books & Media | Cyber Monday | Online retailers dominate this space |
The "Deal Week" Reality
In recent years, both events have blurred into a full week of sales. Most major retailers now start Black Friday deals as early as the Monday before Thanksgiving and extend Cyber Monday deals through the following week. This means:
- You rarely need to rush to buy anything the moment a sale starts.
- Prices on the same item can fluctuate multiple times across the week.
- Using a price-tracking tool (like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon) before the event helps you recognize genuine discounts versus inflated "original prices."
How to Prepare for Both Events
- Make a list in advance — know what you want before the hype hits.
- Check historical prices — verify the pre-sale price using a tracker so you know if the deal is real.
- Create accounts early — shipping delays and login congestion are common during peak sales.
- Set price alerts — many retailers and tracking tools let you set a target price so you get notified automatically.