Every year, the holiday shopping season kicks off with two legendary events – Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While both promise deep discounts, doorbusters, and limited-time offers, shoppers often ask the same big question: Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday – Which day actually has better deals?
At GetTopDiscounts, we help shoppers stretch their budgets by finding verified coupon codes and highlighting the strongest savings across major brands. With years of analyzing retailer patterns and tracking price drops, there’s a clear picture of how the two events differ, what each one does best, and how shoppers can make smart decisions.
If you’re gearing up for holiday savings and want a confident answer to which has better deals – Black Friday or Cyber Monday, this is the cheat sheet you’ve been looking for.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday at a Glance
Before comparing deal quality, here’s a quick summary of what each event is known for:
| Category | Black Friday | Cyber Monday |
| Best For | Big-ticket items: TVs, appliances, furniture | Tech: laptops, smart home devices, small electronics |
| Deal Type | In-store + online | Online only |
| Discount Style | Doorbusters, bundles, limited stock | Promo codes, sitewide discounts |
| Shoppers Who Benefit Most | Those buying once-a-year essentials | Those wanting gadgets and software |
| Typical Price Drops | 20-40% on major items | 30-60% on tech and accessories |
Understanding this foundation makes it easier to map out a Black Friday shopping strategy that complements Cyber Monday instead of competing with it.
Which Day Has Better Deals? The Real Answer
Many shoppers want a simple, one-word answer – but truthfully, it depends on what you’re buying.
Black Friday usually wins for:
- Televisions
- Major home appliances
- Kitchen appliances
- Mattresses
- Holiday décor
- Smart purchases like vacuum cleaners, tools, and home goods
As another blog in our cluster discusses, we’ve found that Black Friday is often better for those ‘boring’ but smart purchases.
Cyber Monday usually wins for:
- Laptops and PCs
- Smart home gadgets
- Headphones and wearables
- Gaming accessories
- Software + subscription deals
- Clothing and beauty bundles
For tech items specifically, another comparison-focused blog goes deeper: Our TV price tracking experiment revealed which day was better for big-ticket electronics.
Why Black Friday Still Dominates for Big Items
Black Friday has a decades-long history of offering massive markdowns on major products. Retailers use it to clear inventory before new models arrive in January or early spring. That’s why you’ll see steep drops on:
- Older model TVs
- Previous-generation appliances
- Last-year laptops
- Tools and equipment
- Home and kitchen essentials
Because these items are expensive to warehouse, stores prefer moving them out before peak holiday traffic. That’s why Black Friday’s “big” items tend to be highly limited, tightly discounted, and often available both online and in-store.
Many brands also stack extra coupons during the event, and shoppers can often combine these with the best Black Friday deals featured on GetTopDiscounts’ store page.
What to Buy on Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday has evolved from a small online sale day to a full-scale digital event where brands compete aggressively for clicks – and shoppers benefit from it.
If you’re wondering what to buy on Cyber Monday, these categories historically see the biggest price drops:
1. Laptops and Computers
- High-performance laptops
- Chromebooks
- 2-in-1 convertibles
- Gaming desktops and monitors
You’ll see 30-50% off across major tech brands, which often beats Black Friday prices.
2. Smart Home Devices
Cyber Monday is ideal for:
- Smart speakers
- Video doorbells
- Home security systems
- Smart bulbs and thermostats
Because these items appeal to digital-savvy shoppers, retailers push deeper online-only deals.
3. Mobile + Wearable Tech
Expect strong savings on:
- Smartwatches
- Fitness trackers
- Wireless earbuds
- Phone accessories
4. Software & Subscriptions
Cyber Monday leads the industry with:
- Antivirus suites
- Productivity software
- Cloud storage
- Website builders
- Creative tools
These deals can run 50-90% off – discounts rarely seen on Black Friday.
5. Clothing, Beauty & Lifestyle
Online brands love Cyber Monday because it’s easier to run:
- Buy one, get one deals
- Bundle discounts
- Auto-applied promo codes
- Free shipping offers
If your holiday list includes personal care or apparel, Cyber Monday often delivers the best value.
Holiday Shopping Comparison: Price Trends That Truly Matter
To figure out deal quality, it’s important to understand why prices differ.
✔ Black Friday is driven by limited-stock doorbusters
Stores promote eye-catching discounts on a few big products to get shoppers to browse more.
✔ Cyber Monday is driven by online competition
Brands drop prices aggressively because:
- Competing is easier online
- Inventory is more flexible
- Promo codes can be stacked
- Ads target shoppers in real time
✔ Shipping deadlines matter
Retailers want to secure as many early-season purchases as possible. This typically leads to:
- Earlier Black Friday rollouts
- Longer Cyber Monday deal windows
- Price matching between retailers
And as one of our linked blogs emphasizes: Use this info to create the perfect Black Friday and Cyber Monday game plan.
Best Deals on Tech: The Category Shoppers Care About Most
“Tech” is the category most people ask about when comparing Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday.
Let’s break down the real trends:
TVs
- Black Friday almost always wins
- Doorbusters can go 40-60% off
- Older models see the steepest cuts
Laptops
- Cyber Monday usually has the lowest prices
- Newer models often go on sale
- More variety and larger inventory
Smartphones
- Tied – depends on brand
- Black Friday: older models
- Cyber Monday: carrier + online bundles
Gaming
- Cyber Monday often wins for accessories
- Black Friday for consoles (limited stock bundles)
Audio (headphones, earbuds, speakers)
- Cyber Monday sees better discounts on premium brands
Smart home devices
- Cyber Monday wins almost every year
- Huge discounts on smart speakers and home tech
Black Friday Shopping Strategy: How to Maximize Your Savings
To make the most of both events, shoppers benefit from a simple but effective plan. Here’s a streamlined strategy to help organize purchases:
1. Make Two Shopping Lists
Split items into:
- High priority (big-ticket items)
- Flexible buys (tech gadgets, accessories, gifts)
This helps decide which day to target.
2. Buy Big Items on Black Friday
Since large products have limited doorbuster stock, buy early if you’re targeting:
- TVs
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Tools
- Vacuum cleaners
Avoid waiting until Cyber Monday for these – prices rarely improve.
3. Wait for Cyber Monday for Tech Accessories
Hold off for:
- Headphones
- Smartwatches
- Gaming accessories
- Smart home gear
- Laptops
Prices are consistently better on the digital-only sale day.
4. Compare Prices with Trusted Deal Sources
A reliable strategy includes checking:
- Price history
- Coupon stacking
- Flash sale timing
- Brand-specific promotions
GetTopDiscounts maintains refreshed coupon codes throughout the season to help shoppers find verified savings that work.
5. Stay Flexible – Some Deals Shift
Many retailers now blur the line between events. That’s why modern shoppers need adaptable strategies.
Flash deals often appear:
- The week before Black Friday
- On the weekend between events
- Late Monday night during Cyber Monday
- On “Cyber Week” extensions
6. Use Coupon Codes – Especially on Cyber Monday
On this day, brands frequently offer:
- Auto-applied coupons
- Tiered spending deals
- Stacking codes for bigger discounts
- Sitewide promotions uncommon on Black Friday
Shoppers looking for Cyber Monday coupons will find that many stores release them exclusively through affiliate platforms like GetTopDiscounts.
Do You Really Need to Choose One Day? Not Anymore.
The biggest misconception about holiday shopping is that you must pick a side. In reality, the smart approach is to combine both events strategically.
Here’s how:
Black Friday = Buy the big things
TVs, appliances, tools, and home goods rarely get cheaper on Cyber Monday.
Cyber Monday = Buy the smart things
Tech, accessories, software, and clothing get better digital discounts.
When shoppers use a combined approach, they often save 20-40% more than choosing just one day.
Real-World Examples of Savings Difference
Below is an example based on average retail patterns from the previous three holiday seasons:
| Item | Black Friday Avg. Price | Cyber Monday Avg. Price | Best Day |
| 65” 4K TV | $399 | $429 | Black Friday |
| Laptop (mid-range) | $549 | $489 | Cyber Monday |
| Smartwatch | $179 | $149 | Cyber Monday |
| Air fryer | $59 | $69 | Black Friday |
| Gaming headset | $49 | $39 | Cyber Monday |
| Large appliance (washer) | $749 | $799 | Black Friday |
These averages reveal the overall trend: Cyber Monday takes the crown for tech and accessories, while Black Friday holds its ground for big household buys.
The Final Verdict: Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday – Who Wins?
Choosing a winner isn’t as simple as naming one superior day. Instead, the smarter approach is understanding how each event serves different shopping needs.
Here’s the bottom line:
⭐ Black Friday is best for essential, big-ticket purchases.
TVs, appliances, furniture, kitchen essentials, home goods.
⭐ Cyber Monday is best for tech, accessories, fashion, beauty, and digital products.
Laptops, wearables, headphones, smart home gadgets, software.
⭐ Your total savings increase when you use both days strategically.
Knowing this gives shoppers complete control – and helps stretch holiday budgets further than ever.
When shoppers are ready to explore early markdowns and see the strongest promotions of the season, they can always check our curated event hub.
To get a head start, you can see all the best Black Friday deals we’ve already found.
In conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have now merged rather than compete. The best advantages go to consumers who know which day delivers the biggest savings for certain product groups. The two-day savings combination turns into the best approach for maximizing holiday budgets if the appropriate plan is in place.
GetTopDiscounts makes it simple to get ready, compare Cyber Monday vs Black Friday, or design a customized shopping strategy whether you’re looking for best Black Friday deals. This helps you save more effectively.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Your Frequently asked shopping questions answered
Neither is clearly “better”; they just have different areas of expertise!
Usually, Black Friday offers the best opportunity to find big, expensive doorbusters such as televisions, huge appliances, or furniture.
Particularly in electronics, tech accessories, apparel, and digital subscriptions, Cyber Monday is ruling online.
Black Friday often comes out on top in terms of total sales volume since it combines store foot traffic and massive online sales, but the whole weekend is rather large.
Cyber Monday, sometimes achieving a new high for e-commerce income, is the constant winner when considering only single-day internet sales.
It’s a gamble! On absolutely the deepest discounts of flagship electronics, Black Friday tends to edge out.
But, if an item did not sell out over the weekend, many retailers give a final price drop or flash sale on Monday to clear inventory. So, sometimes, yes; sometimes you risk missing out!
They absolutely do. Most major retailers just treat it as one extended, massive shopping period – the “Black Friday Cyber Monday Weekend.”
Just be aware that the most limited items are usually those doorbusters that disappear quickly on Friday morning and won’t be back for Monday.
For convenience, that’s your best chance! Cyber Monday will bring you the best array of internet-only packages, sitewide clothing savings, and niche-tech bargains.
While Black Friday surely offers excellent online discounts, Cyber Monday is really designed for easy digital purchasing.
You want a trusted resource to cut through the noise, and that’s what you get with GetTopDiscounts.
From all your favorite retailers, we carefully check and arrange the hottest price reductions as well as authentic coupon codes.
Register for our newsletter right away for unique early access to sales and avoid the uncertainty.
Consider digital and simple shipping! Smart gadgets, gaming equipment, laptops, software, subscription boxes, and beauty gift sets all have enormous discounts. Surprisingly, it’s also a perfect day to look for discounts on hotel bookings, travel, and flights from major travel sites.
Sure thing! Cyber Monday usually has some great options available for unlocked phones, which gives more flexibility than carrier-locked deals. You might also see carriers offering better trade-in bonuses or accessory bundles-including free earbuds-on that Monday.
Blieeve it or not, Cyber Monday is usually the winner in terms of the biggest single day of online revenue in the United States. It beats Black Friday’s digital sales every year!
Yep, that’s the rule! It’s always the fourth day of the Thanksgiving weekend. Black Friday starts it off, and Cyber Monday is the big online finale.
