Shopping 4 Categories to Shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday for the Biggest Discounts It seems like everything's on sale on Black Friday and Cyber Monday—but are you actually saving? Learn what's heavily discounted to grab the best deals. By Hiranmayi Srinivasan Hiranmayi Srinivasan Hiranmayi has been a finance associate editor at Earned Media (part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family) supporting Investopedia and The Balance since February 2022. She joined Dotdash Meredith in March 2021 as a staff writer for the centralized finance desk, and wrote daily personal finance articles across several Meredith lifestyle brands including Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Health. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 7, 2023 05:47PM EST Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. These days, many major retailers—such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon—start rolling out early Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals before you've turned your calendar to November. If you're shopping for holiday gifts (or for yourself), consider jumping on these deals well before Black Friday or Cyber Monday. "For any trending or popular toys, electronics, and beauty items, don't wait and buy now," says Kristen Gall, retail and shopping expert with Rakuten. "[You could] run the risk of these items going out of stock before you get the chance to purchase them." If you're sticking to a budget during the holidays, avoid overspending by starting early and scoping out deals ahead of time for items on your list, so you can get them as soon as Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals start. You don't want to blow your budget by buying something just because you see it's on sale. Those prices can be tempting, but you might not always be getting a good deal. If you're planning on shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are the categories likely to have the best discounts, so you can save money on your holiday shopping and get the most value for your dollars. 5 Ways to Tell If a Deal Is Saving You Money Electronics If you're in the market for a new tablet, phone, laptop, headphones, or other electronic gadgets, shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to save. "So many different kinds of electronics will be on sale, and usually we see some of the best prices ever on items around this time of year," says Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with comparison shopping site, DealNews. Ramhold suggests having a backup or being open to shopping around if the device you want is not on sale. "Remember that the particular item you're looking at might not be discounted, or it might not go as low as you want," she says. "Don't be afraid to look for refurbs, open-box, and previous-generation items either!" Laptops and tablets make up the biggest share of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on electronics, with discounts up to 40 percent off, according to Liam Mills, product expert and CEO of ValueHunta. "Most retailers and warehouse stores put up the biggest sales for electronics," he says. "Although the items on sale are usually of low specifications, you can get deals on individual parts and upgrade your system then." If you're looking to buy electronics online as a holiday gift, take advantage of those early Black Friday deals and order early so it arrives on time, urges Jay Klauminzer, CEO of online gift card and cash-back company, Raise. How to Earn Cash-Back Rewards by Recycling Your Old Clothing and Electronics Small kitchen appliances Looking for new additions to your kitchen? Black Friday is the right time shop for some steals. "These items are super popular for Black Friday doorbusters (which can be found online, despite the name)," says Ramhold, "and often include things like blenders, toasters, single-cup coffee makers, waffle irons, hand mixers, and more for under $20 each." Be sure to keep an eye out for rebates, too. "Sometimes [rebates] will drop the prices on these products to less than $10 if they're not outright discounted that low to begin with," Ramhold adds. 8 Cordless Appliances for Small Spaces That Make Everyday Tasks Simpler Fall clothing Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales on fall fashion staples like sweaters, scarves, and boots are likely to save you big. "Average savings will be around 50 percent off," says Ramhold, "but in many cases we'll see discounts go much deeper, between up to 70 percent and even 80 percent off, if not more." But if you're looking for winter clothes, such as coats, gloves, or gear for your favorite winter sports, you're better off waiting for after-Christmas sales. "After Christmas, retailers are looking to free up inventory space as they look at incoming stock for next season," says Gall, "leading to heavily discounted items including coats, boots, ski equipment and snowboards." So hold off on buying winter clothes until after the holidays to get the best prices. Beauty products If you're shopping for a beauty enthusiast in your life (maybe that's you), check out Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for reduced prices to save on your favorite beauty items and brands. "Many high-end cosmetics brands slash the prices of their makeup both in stores and online for Black Friday and Cyber Monday," says Olivia Tan, a personal finance coach. "If you normally reach for the less expensive items in the beauty aisle, this is the time to treat yourself," Tan continues, adding that while some stores limit their deals to a few products, others have store- or site-wide inventory sales. 6 Secrets to Buying Beauty Products With Zero Regrets Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit More Must-Shop Products This Clever, Shopper-Loved Hair Care Line Helps Protect Hair From Metal Particles in Hard Water I’m Officially a Shorts Convert Thanks to This Ultra-Comfortable Pair, and They’re 50% Off for Memorial Day Wayfair’s Memorial Day Sale Will Save You Up to 70% on Home Goods, Rugs, Patio Decor, and More