Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025: Which Day Has the Best Deals?

Every year, shoppers ask the same question: Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday—which one is better for deals?

In 2025, that question matters even more. Prices are still under pressure from inflation and tariffs. Retailers are fighting hard for every sale. Shoppers are more careful and expect real value before they spend.

What is the positive outlook? Both Black Friday 2025 and Cyber Monday 2025 are set to break online sales records. Adobe Analytics expects U.S. online holiday spending to hit about $253.4 billion between November and December, with Cyber Week (Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) driving a big share of that spend.

So, if you want the lowest prices, which day should you shop—Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Find out whether Black Friday or Cyber Monday 2025 really has better deals for your money.

Key Dates: When Are Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025?

Please familiarize yourself with the exact dates for Black Friday 2025 and Cyber Monday 2025 to effectively plan your shopping list and budget. Knowing when the biggest sales hit helps you prepare for the best deals on tech, fashion, and holiday gifts.

• Black Friday 2025: Friday, November 28, 2025
• Cyber Monday 2025: Monday, December 1, 2025

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It started as an in-store shopping event, with people lining up for doorbusters early in the morning. Today, it is both an in-store and online event, but it still has a strong brick-and-mortar flavor.

Cyber Monday is the first Monday after Black Friday. It began as an online-only day to encourage people to shop on the web when they went back to work. Most big online retailers still push their strongest online-only promotions on this day.

In 2025, the lines are blurry. Promotions run for days or even weeks, but those two dates still act as the peaks of the season.

How Black Friday and Cyber Monday Became Today’s Biggest Deal Days

Before you decide which day has better deals, it helps to understand how these two shopping holidays came about and why they look so similar now. The story of Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday deals is really a story of how retail shifted from crowded aisles to online carts.

How the two shopping holidays began

Black Friday started life as an in-store event. For years, it meant long queues outside big-box retailers, racing for limited “doorbuster” televisions, appliances, and gaming consoles. The focus was physical traffic and spectacle: crowded aisles, midnight openings, and loss-leader pricing to pull people through the doors.

Cyber Monday came later, as did its online counterpart. It gave e-commerce sites a chance to steal back attention once the in-store rush eased. Early Cyber Monday campaigns leaned heavily on computers, accessories, and consumer tech, with shoppers browsing from home or from their desks on the first workday after Thanksgiving.

During that earlier era, the general rule was to use Black Friday for in-store hardware deals and Cyber Monday for online tech deals.

What has changed in the era of online-first retail

Today, that clean divide has blurred. A growing share of Black Friday spending now happens online, supported by flexible fulfillment options like home delivery, curbside pickup, and “buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS). At the same time, many Cyber Monday offers no longer differ much from the weekend’s earlier discounts.

Several trends sit behind that shift:

• Mirror pricing across days. Major retailers increasingly keep key offers live from Friday through Monday. Often, the same TV, laptop, or kitchen appliance shows up at the same price on both days.
• “Cyber Week” promotions have been extended. Analysts now track a multi-day period in which online spending peaks and average discounts deepen, not just two isolated 24-hour events.
• The season now begins earlier. A significant share of shoppers now buy during early-November sales that pre-empt the main weekend, shifting some of the pressure off the two marquee days.

That does not mean the choice between Black Friday vs Cyber Monday deals is irrelevant. It means the choice is more nuanced and depends far more on categories than on simple calendar dates.

What Happened in 2024—and What 2025 Will Look Like

See how Black Friday and Cyber Monday performed in 2024 and what that means for discounts in 2025. You can learn about past trends and forecasts to plan how much you can realistically save during Cyber Week 2025.

2024: Record online spending

Adobe Analytics reports that:

• Cyber Monday 2024 hit a record $13.3 billion in online spending, up 7.3% year over year.
• Cyber Week 2024 (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday) reached about $41.1 billion in U.S. online sales.
• Online holiday sales for 2024 (Nov 1–Dec 31) reached around $241–241.4 billion, up about 8.4–8.7% compared with the previous year.

Cyber Monday was the single biggest online shopping day of the year, while Black Friday remained a huge mix of both online and in-store shopping.

Average discounts during Cyber Week reached around 25–30% off in many categories, with electronics, TVs, toys, and apparel seeing some of the deepest markdowns.

2025 Forecast: Even more spending, slightly weaker discounts

For 2025, Adobe’s holiday forecast shows:

• Online holiday sales: about $253.4 billion in the U.S., up 5.3% from 2024.
• Cyber Monday 2025: expected to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, with about $14.2 billion in online sales.
• Black Friday 2025: Forecast online sales of around $11.7 billion, growing faster (around 8.3% YoY) but from a smaller base.
• Cyber Week 2025: expected to drive about $43.7 billion in online spending and roughly 17% of total holiday spending.

At the same time, analysts warn that average discounts may be “a little weaker” this season, around 28% on average, because of tariffs and inflation. Shoppers are therefore more demanding and more price-sensitive.

So the big picture is clear:

• Cyber Monday 2025 will probably win in total online dollars.
• Black Friday 2025 is still huge, especially when you include in-store traffic.
• Discounts will be strong, but not every “sale” will be a real bargain.

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025: Quick Comparison

See a clear, side-by-side comparison of Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025 in one place. From online sales forecasts to discount styles and best product categories, this section helps you quickly spot which day fits your shopping goals.

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025 Overview

Category Breakdown: Which Day Has Better Deals in 2025?

Dive deeper into which day wins for TVs, laptops, consoles, fashion, software, and more. This category-by-category breakdown shows where Black Friday shines and where Cyber Monday delivers stronger online deals.

TVs and Home Theater

• Adobe expects record discounts on TVs, with peak markdowns around 24% off in recent years, and similar depth likely in 2025.
• Big 65″, 75″, and even 85″ 4K sets usually headline Black Friday ads.

2025 example:

Wayfair’s Black Friday 2025 sale runs from Nov 20 – Dec 2 and shows up to 80% off across home categories, including living room furniture and entertainment units. While they focus more on furniture than TVs, this illustrates how home and media spaces are being targeted around Black Friday.

Verdict:

Black Friday 2025 is better for TVs and home theaters, especially for large sizes and doorbuster bundles.

Laptops, PCs, and PC Components

• Tech sites and retail trackers show strong laptop and PC deals across the whole Cyber Week, but doorbuster configurations (cheapest entry-level gaming or mid-range laptops) often launch on Black Friday and stay available while stock lasts.
• SSDs, RAM, keyboards, mice, and routers often receive equal or better discounts on Cyber Monday, helped by online-only promo codes.

Verdict:

• For premium or big laptops / prebuilt gaming PCs, Black Friday has a slight edge.
• For smaller PC accessories and components, Cyber Monday can match or beat Black Friday.

Gaming Consoles and Video Games

• Recently, consoles like PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch have been key Black Friday traffic drivers, often bundled with games or gift cards.
• Cyber Monday usually repeats many of the same offers, sometimes with digital game discounts added on platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam.

Verdict:

For hardware, Black Friday tends to be slightly better or at least earlier. For digital game sales, both days are strong, with a small edge to Cyber Monday for online marketplaces.

Home, Furniture, and Décor

2025 shows strong home deals before and through Black Friday:

• Wayfair Black Friday 2025: up to 80% off furniture, décor, kitchenware, and holiday items from Nov 20 to Dec 2.
• Highlights include beds, modular sofas, chairs, storage units, mattresses, cookware (Le Creuset, Cuisinart), and holiday décor.

Adobe’s 2025 forecast also notes that consumers will boost spending on home categories, including furniture and home goods, as they invest more in living spaces.

Verdict:

Black Friday wins for furniture and home goods, but many of these deals extend through Cyber Monday, so readers have some flexibility.

Fashion, Shoes, and Beauty

Fashion retailers now treat the whole weekend as one event, but many of them lean heavily on site-wide Cyber Monday codes.

Example 2025:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Black Friday 2025 sale: 25–50% off much of the range through Dec 1, including coats, jeans, dresses, and boots.

Many other apparel and beauty brands are following this pattern:

• Strong offers on Black Friday (e.g., “up to 30% off selected lines”)
• Simpler, clearer Cyber Monday offers are like “30% off everything” or stackable promo codes.

Verdict:

If your readers want simple, site-wide savings on fashion and beauty, Cyber Monday 2025 is usually better or at least easier to shop.

Software, Subscriptions, and Digital Products

This is where Cyber Monday really shines.

Adobe Creative Cloud and digital tools:

• Adobe’s 2025 holiday promos already offer up to 50% off on Creative Cloud All Apps, with student and teacher plans dropping even more. These deals are marketed as Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers and typically run through Dec 1.

Other software, VPNs, password managers, and website tools follow a similar pattern:

• Big percent-off subscription discounts (40–70% off the first year).
• There are also extra Cyber Monday codes and messaging indicating that offers are “extended through tonight.”

Streaming and digital gift cards also join in with bonus months and extra credit, often highlighted on Cyber Monday roundups.

Verdict:

For software, cloud tools, and digital services, Cyber Monday 2025 is clearly better than Black Friday.

Travel and Experiences

Travel deals now appear across the whole season, but some brands push Black Friday flash sales, while others hold back special Cyber Monday promo codes. MarketWatch and other outlets note that travelers can often find excellent value when they focus on bundled offers and extra perks, not just the headline price.

There is no strong data that one day is consistently better, but many travel brands use “Cyber Week” marketing and let deals run from Friday through Monday.

Verdict:

Consider both days. For travel, what matters more is flexible dates, cancellation rules, and total value, not just which day you click “book.”

Which Day Wins by Category in 2025?

Check the best day to shop by product type in seconds. It’s a fast, visual guide to choosing between Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 for everything from tech and toys to travel and home décor.

Best Day to Shop by Category

2025 Deal Examples: What Shoppers Are Actually Seeing

Here are real 2025 examples shoppers can relate to. See real-world Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025 deals from Amazon, Wayfair, fashion brands, and more. It turns data into practical examples so you can understand what actual discounts might look like for your favorite stores.

Big-box and online retailers

• Amazon Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2025: Amazon confirms Cyber Monday is on Dec 1, 2025, and promotes early “Holiday Shop” deals on tech, home, toys, and beauty well before that date. The company advises shoppers to use wish lists and “Save for later” to grab offers as soon as prices drop.
• Wayfair Black Friday 2025: Up to 80% off furniture, décor, kitchenware, and holiday décor from Nov 20 – Dec 2.

Fashion and lifestyle

• Abercrombie & Fitch Black Friday 2025: Offers 25–50% off much of its catalog with deals running through Dec 1, including winter coats, jeans, tall boots, and even wedding guest dresses under $100.

This signals a wider trend: extended sales that span both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, making the whole weekend very important.

Online spending, mobile, and AI

Adobe’s 2025 forecast highlights:

• Online holiday spending: about $253.4 billion, up 5.3% from last year.
• Cyber Monday 2025: expected to reach $14.2 billion in online sales, the largest online day of the year.
• Black Friday 2025: around $11 billion online, growing at a faster rate than Cyber Monday.
• Mobile shopping will dominate, with more than half of online sales coming from phones and tablets.
• AI tools and generative AI chat services are increasingly used to research products and find deals.

How to Actually Get the Best Deal (Black Friday or Cyber Monday)

Numbers and forecasts are useful, but as a shopper, you need practical steps. Follow a simple, step-by-step strategy to maximize savings across both days. From making a smart list to tracking real prices and using Cyber Week timing, this section turns Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025 into a winning plan.

Step 1: Make a clear list

Encourage readers to write down:

• “Must buy” items (e.g., specific TV model, laptop, console)
• “Nice to have” items (e.g., extra storage, headphones, clothes)
• A maximum budget, not just per item but for the whole weekend

This simple step prevents impulse purchases and helps people choose which day is more important for them.

Step 2: Track real prices, not just discounts

Because average discounts in 2025 may be a bit weaker and inflation has pushed prices up, a “30% off” tag does not always mean it is a true low price.

Advise your readers to:

• Use price history tools and browser extensions to see past prices.
• Compare across at least two or three retailers before buying big items.
• Be careful with “was $X, now $Y” labels – sometimes the “was” price is inflated.

Step 3: Use the right day for the right product

Here is a simple rule you can follow:

• Shop Black Friday (Nov 28) for:
  • TVs, soundbars, and home theater
  • Large appliances (fridges, washers, dishwashers)
  • Gaming consoles and high-end laptops
  • Big home items like sofas, beds, and furniture (especially where BF sales start early)
• Shop Cyber Monday (Dec 1) for:
  • Software, VPNs, Adobe Creative Cloud, cloud storage
  • Streaming deals, digital gift cards
  • Headphones, accessories, smaller gadgets, and online-only tech deals
  • Fashion, shoes, and beauty, when you see clear site-wide offers

Step 4: Watch for Cyber Week overlap

Many 2025 deals already run from around Nov 20 to Dec 2, such as Amazon’s Black Friday window and Wayfair’s home sale.

That means:

• If you miss a Black Friday offer, you may see it repeat on Cyber Monday.
• Some retailers improve deals on Cyber Monday if items did not sell out.
• Others use Cyber Monday as the “last chance” at Black Friday pricing.

Don’t panic if you cannot shop on the exact day. For many categories, the whole Cyber Week is the real window.

Step 5: Use BNPL and credit carefully

Adobe expects Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to play a bigger role, accounting for tens of billions of dollars during the 2025 holiday season.

BNPL can help spread costs, but it also makes it easy to overspend. Encourage readers to:

• Only finance what they can comfortably repay.
• Avoid stacking multiple BNPL plans across different apps.
• Treat BNPL as a tool, not “free money.”

Bottom Line: Which Day Has Better Deals in 2025?

If we sum up all the data, the answer is:

• Cyber Monday 2025 will likely be bigger online in total dollars and especially strong for software, subscriptions, fashion, and accessories.
• Black Friday 2025 is still the king of big physical purchases, especially TVs, consoles, premium laptops, and large appliances, and it drives huge in-store and online traffic together.

For shoppers who just want a simple rule:

• Use Black Friday for big hardware and home items. Use Cyber Monday for digital deals, fashion, and accessories.

But the smartest move is to treat Black Friday vs Cyber Monday 2025 as one connected Cyber Week:

1. Make a clear list and budget.
2. Track real prices, not just discount labels.
3. Hit Black Friday first for big-ticket deals.
4. Use Cyber Monday to pick up digital products and anything that did not sell out.

That way, no matter which day “wins,” shoppers will win in real savings.