black friday experiment Actually only lasting one day. Shopkeepers would camp outside shops with paper circulars in hand, anxiously waiting for a chance to break down a few doors and save lots of cash. Over time, the sales phenomenon has increased. Now, the entire month of November is like a hydra where the heads are “cutting prices” and the sword-wielding hero is an overwhelmed customer.
Almost every deal is available online, meaning you don’t have to leave the sofa to take part. But all the marketing and chaos can be confusing. How can you tell if a deal is worth your time and money? When does the sale start and end? do you really need That gadget? I’m a Black Friday veteran who’s been shopping sales since I was a kid and writing about them since 2013, and I’m here to help.
When is Black Friday?
In 2025, Black Friday falls on November 28. After this comes Cyber Monday on December 1, 2025. Most official sales start on Wednesday or Thanksgiving, although some of the best deals start on Friday, sometimes into the early hours.
I have been shopping on Black Friday for over 20 years. My advice, if you’re looking for great deals, is to stay up late the day before Thanksgiving to check out the online sales that start around midnight Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 26. WIRED will also be covering major sales later on Thanksgiving. Early Black Friday deals are now availableAs they usually occur during the weeks leading up to the event.
Can You Get Black Friday Deals Online?
You can—and should. We exclusively cover online deals at WIRED because most of the Black Friday deals are available across the web. The best deals often sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to the sales pages (and our coverage) of your favorite stores.
Make a list of what you want to buy ahead of time—this can help you be clear about when it’s time to start shopping. You shouldn’t buy things just for the sake of buying them. Everyone’s on a budget these days; The sale will happen again. Take deep breaths and don’t get caught up in the frenzy.
Which retailers will have Black Friday deals?
Almost all of them. There are the obvious stores like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, but chances are every retailer and brand will have some type of sale, including clothing, shoes, books, electric scooters, tech, health and beauty items, or fitness specialty goods, just to name a few categories. There may also be a promotion at your favorite coffee shop or restaurant. When in doubt, visit the retailer’s website. Typically, Black Friday sales are proudly highlighted on the homepage.
Here are some Black Friday sales pages from major retailers:
Is Black Friday worth it?
In a word: usually. Most of the time, Black Friday deals are the best we see all year, and they set a precedent for good pricing in the months to come.
However, some Black Friday deals aren’t as good or are repeated year after year. For example, you’ll see predictably lower prices on some smart-home technology like the Amazon Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini. In years past, these speakers sold for around $20 or so each November. This year, they will likely fall to the same price. Even if a price is technically historically low, consider before ordering whether you really need another cheap small speaker — especially considering that these deals pop up frequently throughout the year.
Discounts aren’t surprising if products go on sale every few months, and unfortunately, we’ve seen more and more frequent sales as the shopping holidays start to blur into one big ball of madness. But the deals are still worthwhile if you’re in the market for a specific item and want to save some cash. Just keep in mind that price research is important, and if you miss a deal, don’t fret; There is a strong possibility that this will resurface at some point in the future.
How much money can I save on Black Friday?
It depends on what you are purchasing. There are so many deals available in so many categories that it’s impossible to list them all here.
For example, buying a TV around Black Friday is usually a good buy if you find the right model. They are the cheapest this time of year, especially if you don’t want to wait until Super Bowl season. Similarly, you’ll be able to save on clothing, toys, and home goods, but these deals may not be as attractive when you look at specific dollar amounts. However, it’s safe to assume that everything is less expensive than usual.