Two Sales Events, Different Strengths
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two biggest shopping events of the year, but they don't offer the same deals on the same categories. Understanding the difference helps you plan where to spend your time and money — and avoid missing out on the deals that actually matter to you.
A Brief History
Black Friday originated as the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, when brick-and-mortar retailers offered massive doorbusters to kick off the holiday shopping season. Over time, it migrated online and now spans an entire week or more.
Cyber Monday was introduced in the early 2000s specifically to promote online shopping. It falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving and has grown to rival — and sometimes surpass — Black Friday in total sales volume.
What's Better on Black Friday?
- Large appliances — Washing machines, refrigerators, and dryers see deep discounts from home improvement and department stores.
- TVs — Retailers aggressively discount televisions as Black Friday doorbusters, both in-store and online.
- Toys and games — Physical retail stores push hard on popular toys ahead of the holiday gift-buying rush.
- Clothing and fashion — Department stores and clothing brands offer some of their biggest annual discounts.
- In-store exclusives — Some doorbusters exist only in physical stores and are not available online.
What's Better on Cyber Monday?
- Laptops and computers — Electronics retailers often hold their best tech deals for Cyber Monday.
- Software and digital subscriptions — Expect steep discounts on SaaS tools, streaming services, and online courses.
- Headphones and audio gear — Premium audio products frequently hit their lowest prices of the year.
- Smaller electronics and accessories — Tablets, smart home devices, and phone accessories.
- Online-exclusive brands — Direct-to-consumer brands that don't sell in stores focus their efforts here.
Comparison at a Glance
| Category | Best on Black Friday | Best on Cyber Monday |
|---|---|---|
| TVs | ✅ | Good too |
| Laptops | Good | ✅ |
| Appliances | ✅ | Limited |
| Clothing | ✅ | Some |
| Software/Apps | Rare | ✅ |
| Toys | ✅ | Some |
| Smart Home | Good | ✅ |
Smart Strategies for Both Events
- Build your list early — Decide what you want before the sales begin so you're not making decisions under pressure.
- Check prices now — Note current prices so you can recognize whether a sale price is genuinely good.
- Don't assume everything is discounted — Retailers raise base prices before sales events on some items.
- Check return policies — Some holiday purchases have extended return windows; confirm before buying.
- Shop early in the event — Popular items sell out. Don't wait for deeper discounts that may not come.
The Bottom Line
If you're buying a TV or appliance, Black Friday is your moment. If you need a laptop, software, or tech accessories, wait for Cyber Monday. For everything else, compare prices across both days and buy when the deal is right — not because a countdown timer says so.