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The latest retail stats are estimating a record $253 billion dollars to be spent online this holiday season, as shoppers scramble to fill their carts with must-have products and gifting items before Christmas.
Black Friday 2025 is expected to bring in almost $12 billion in revenue, according to Adobe, which is up more than 8% over Black Friday 2024. Cyber Monday spending, meantime, is also expected to be up year over year, and Adobe predicts it will actually bring in more money than Black Friday, with an estimated $14 billion in sales. In total, the so-called “Cyber Week” — I.e. the period between Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday — is projected to draw north of $43 billion in sales, a massive number for just four days of shopping.
But what are people buying this year? Are the sales even worth it? And what products are best snatched up on Black Friday versus waiting for an additional discount on Cyber Monday?
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday 2025
Black Friday has long reigned as the biggest shopping event on the yearly calendar, with retailers using the day after Thanksgiving as a chance to clear out unsold merchandise, offload excess goods and prep seasonal products for sale before the end of the year. And with the days of lining up at the mall for doorbuster deals or fighting over the last discounted TV set (hopefully) behind us, Black Friday deals are now doing big business online, with many sites launching their offers even before you’ve had a bite of your turkey.
Cyber Monday, meantime, is a relatively newer “shopping holiday,” that started right around the time people began shopping online. Once used to promote “web-only” deals, from stores that didn’t have a physical location, Cyber Monday now offers deals from websites and big box merchants alike, who are using the Monday after Thanksgiving to offer additional discounts.
What Is Worth Buying on Black Friday Over Cyber Monday?
Black Friday is the best time to buy big ticket items, like electronics, kitchen appliances, home appliances and furniture. Shopping experts say Black Friday is the best day to shop for big-screen TVs, home theater systems, home audio systems, smart home devices, security cameras and other tech products, in addition to appliances like vacuums, air purifiers, dishwashers and washing machines. According to RetailMeNot, Black Friday also offers the biggest discounts of the year on gaming consoles and toys.
While Amazon offered discounts during its recent Prime Day event, most of its top electronics deals were reserved for its Alexa-enabled devices or the brand’s in-house Fire TVs. Black Friday will have deals across almost all TV and electronics brands (think: Sony, LG, Samsung, TCL, Bose and more).
Adobe says the electronics category is projected to generate more than $57.5 billion in sales this holiday period, which is a 4% growth over last year. Toys, meantime, are expected to gross $8.8 billion — a 7.3% year over year uptick.
BEST FOR ELECTRONICS
Amazon Black Friday Deals
Start your Black Friday shopping at sites like Amazon, which is offering up to 67% off headphones, TVs and tablets, and up to 50% off toys.
BEST FOR TOYS
Walmart Black Friday Deals
Walmart’s Black Friday deals include savings on furniture, vacuum cleaners, espresso machines, 4K TVs and of course, its collection of Walmart-exclusive toys and collectibles. Other big-ticket items on sale for Black Friday at Walmart include pool tables, foosball tables, arcade games and home fitness equipment.
BEST FOR APPLIANCES
Best Buy Black Friday Deals
And Best Buy has Black Friday deals on TVs (starting from just $59), plus projectors, laptops, smartwatches and gaming accessories. You can also save up to $400 on Samsung smartphones. And Best Buy has both major appliances (I.e. a fridge or stove) and small appliances (I.e. a blender or coffee maker) on sale for Black Friday.
What Is Worth Buying on Cyber Monday Over Black Friday?
Cyber Monday is the best time to shop for clothing, shoes, beauty, grooming and everyday household essentials. Traditionally, stores have offered cheaper prices on laptops on Cyber Monday. As its name suggests, Cyber Monday is also where you can also expect the steepest discounts on online-only products and services, like 50% off MasterClass‘ online learning site and 60% off Rosetta Stone’s language program. Cyber Monday also offers the best deals on digital subscriptions to entertainment streaming services or delivery boxes (I.e. BeanBox coffee subscriptions).
Many retailers offer additional discounts from Black Friday on Cyber Monday, dropping the sale prices even lower, if you wait just two days later. Keep in mind, brands and stores want you to shop early, so their Cyber Monday deals typically aren’t revealed until Monday. If you see something on sale for Black Friday and it’s in high-demand, we recommend picking it up while it’s still in stock rather than waiting for a potential discount on Cyber Monday.
BEST FOR PHONES
T-Mobile Cyber Monday Deals
T-Mobile has a number of Cyber week offers on phones, including a deal on a free iPhone or Samsung Galaxy when you sign up for one of their Essentials plans. If you’re shopping for an in-demand item like the new iPhone 17 or a Samsung Galaxy S25, we recommend taking advantage of the deal while it’s live, whether that’s on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Exclusive T-Mobile online offers for Cyber Week, meantime, get you a Google Pixel 10 or Motorola Razr Ultra for free, with a free pair of Google or Motorola earbuds thrown in to sweeten the deal. See all the deals here.
BEST FOR CLOTHING
GAP Cyber Monday Deals
GAP is currently offering 40% off sitewide for Black Friday but the retailer has been known to offer up to 60% off its clothing during Cyber Monday so we recommend waiting if you can.
BEST FOR BEAUTY
Sephora Cyber Monday Sales
Sephora’s “Cyber Week” sales are now live, with up to 50% off makeup, skincare, haircare products, beauty devices and accessories. Brands on sale include Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty, Shark Beauty, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, the BTS-approved Laneige and more. Sephora Beauty Insider members often get additional discounts or free samples, so make sure you’re signed up before you start your shopping.
BEST FOR OUTDOOR GOODS
Huckberry Cyber Monday Deals
Huckberry is currently offering up to 40% off selected products for Black Friday, but the retailer is dropping new deals each day. We’re expecting additional savings and products on sale for Cyber Monday, making it a great time pick up Huckberry’s selection of outdoor gear and apparel, footwear, sporting goods, hiking accessories and gifts.
Adobe says apparel sales is expected to drive more than $47 billion to stores this season, while cosmetics will net $8.4 billion — almost 10% growth over last year. See more Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.
