What's worth waiting for on Black Friday (and what isn't)
The categories that usually get the biggest Black Friday discounts, and the ones you can buy any time.
Usually worth waiting for
Adobe Analytics' 2026 US holiday forecast points to the deepest advertised discounts on electronics and computers around Cyber Monday, and to Black Friday as a stronger day for TVs, toys, apparel, appliances and furniture. Historically, shoppers looking for big ticket tech and home kit have often found the deepest cuts in these areas:
- 4K and OLED TVs
- Laptops and tablets, including gaming laptops
- Games consoles and bundles
- Cordless vacuums
- Large appliances such as washing machines
- Smartphones (compare unlocked phones with carrier or contract deals)
- Smart-home devices: speakers, streaming sticks and doorbells are often heavily discounted by their own brands
Often no better than usual
- Very new launches, which rarely get real discounts in their first few months
- Everyday essentials that are on rotating offers all year
Our approach
We'll publish head-to-head comparisons in each category in the run-up to Black Friday on 27 November, with spec tables and price history so you know your target price before the sales start.
Example products to shortlist now
Start with a target price and track these popular lines:
- Streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
- Headphones: Apple AirPods 4
- E-reader: Kindle Paperwhite