Get ready for the biggest shopping event of the year! Black Friday 2025 is fast approaching, promising fantastic discounts on almost everything you can imagine. If saving money on gifts and everyday essentials is on your mind, this is definitely the prime time to shop.
Black Friday has grown far beyond just a single day of deals. While many shoppers still focus their spree around Thanksgiving weekend, you can expect to find amazing offers starting much earlier. Retailers are known to kick off their ‘early’ Black Friday discounts as soon as the beginning of November, or even on Halloween, with deals continuing right up until Thanksgiving week. Then, the ‘official’ Black Friday sales begin in full force.
When Do Black Friday Sales Actually Start?
This year, Black Friday falls on November 28. However, major sales are predicted to launch well before that date. Based on previous years’ trends, online retailers will likely start their early Black Friday promotions in early November, leading into the week before Thanksgiving when the most significant ‘official’ sales will go live.
Best Buy has already indicated that its Black Friday sales will commence on Thursday, November 20. Amazon, a key player in early deals, is expected to match or even start around the same time, continuing its tradition of launching sales the Thursday before Thanksgiving weekend. Costco has also announced that some of its holiday sales will begin on November 17, with additional online deals rolling out on Thanksgiving Day.
You’ll be able to do most of your online Black Friday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving.
While Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart have not all revealed their full Black Friday announcements yet, it’s a safe bet that much of your online shopping can be completed the weekend before Thanksgiving. For physical stores, some full discounts may even appear earlier. Although a few retailers, like the LEGO Store, might save their best offers for actual Black Friday, the majority of sales will begin well in advance.
What Deals to Expect From Major Retailers
Predicting exact discounts for the 2025 Black Friday season can be tricky, especially with ongoing tariffs and recent price increases in the U.S. However, the IGN Deals team, with extensive experience covering shopping events, has a solid idea of what to anticipate. While some prices might be slightly higher than last year, there will still be plenty of opportunities for significant savings.
Amazon Black Friday
Amazon consistently hosts one of the largest Black Friday sales, offering discounts across virtually every product category. Drawing from earlier sales like Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days, expect similar savings on Amazon devices, including Kindles, Fire TV sticks, and Echo speaker bundles, likely at their lowest prices of the year. Amazon has also been aggressively discounting its Luna controller and bundles, a trend expected to continue. Many of these device-specific deals are often exclusive to Prime members.
Beyond its own devices, Amazon is known for price-matching popular products from other retailers. This means you can look forward to discounts on Apple devices, LEGO sets, laptops, TVs, and various other brands not exclusively sold elsewhere. Amazon’s Black Friday sale typically aims to offer the same or better prices than its competitors on these items.
For a sneak peek, consider reviewing last year’s Amazon Black Friday circular to get a sense of potential deals.
Walmart Black Friday
Following Amazon, Walmart’s Black Friday sale is another massive event, with discounts available both in-store and online. Online savings usually kick off earlier. Walmart often features some of the best deals on Apple products, such as iPads and AirPods. You’ll also likely find some of the year’s lowest prices on Walmart-exclusive electronics like Onn devices, select Vizio TVs, specific gaming PC configurations, and various home appliances.
Historically, Walmart has also offered standout Nintendo Switch deals that Amazon couldn’t match. We anticipate similar offers this year, potentially on newer Switch 2 games or Pokémon cards. Expect some of these early discounts to be accessible to Walmart+ members, a common practice in recent major sales.
Beyond electronics and games, Walmart’s sale typically includes groceries, clothing, and toys. Walmart is particularly known for excellent LEGO discounts, though stock can be limited due to high demand.
You can check last year’s Walmart Black Friday ad for more insights. Walmart has also released an early deals preview, with discounts starting as early as November 14.
Best Buy Black Friday
Best Buy’s Black Friday sale is generally the go-to event for tech enthusiasts. While many of its deals are often price-matched by Amazon and Walmart, Best Buy remains a strong contender for savings on Apple devices, TVs, and video games. Expect various video game console deals for PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X. Given recent price increases, these might manifest as free Best Buy gift cards with purchase, still providing better value than paying full price.
In addition to consoles, games, and accessories, Best Buy is a top destination for handheld gaming PCs and laptops. With the recent release of the ROG Xbox Ally X, Best Buy has maintained exclusive stock, so anticipate price cuts on previous-generation ROG Ally devices and other popular handhelds. Competitive pricing on newer laptops equipped with the latest 50-series GPUs is also expected.
To prepare, review last year’s Best Buy Black Friday ad. Best Buy has also announced new ‘doorbuster’ deals every Friday starting on Halloween, so expect early and continuous promotions.
Target Black Friday
Target’s Black Friday sale typically mirrors Walmart’s, offering similar discounts on video games, toys, Apple products, and home appliances. Target distinguishes itself through exclusive partnerships with various home brands, often being the only place to find these items at a discount during the holiday season. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their home decor.
Target has also consistently provided unique discounts on specific toys that Amazon couldn’t price match. A recent example is a LEGO sale on new 2025 sets, where Amazon only matched a few of the deals. Expect similar scenarios on Black Friday, requiring shoppers to compare prices across retailers for popular toy items.
Consult last year’s Target Black Friday ad for further details on what to expect.
Costco Black Friday
Costco tends to be a bit of a wild card during Black Friday, offering deals on a vast array of products. The full Costco Black Friday schedule for 2025 has already been revealed, providing a glimpse of upcoming discounts. Their holiday booklet features significant savings on furniture, jewelry, and electronics. Expect similar discounts on select TVs and video games as found on Amazon, even if not explicitly advertised. Additionally, look out for steeper in-warehouse discounts on items like Kirkland Signature jewelry and various furniture pieces, available for a limited time.
Beyond gifts and household goods, Costco usually presents attractive grocery deals during the holiday season. These often appear before Thanksgiving on essentials like turkey, snacks, and other festive items. While bulk purchasing is usually required, the combined savings often make it worthwhile.
For a comprehensive overview, explore the extensive Costco Black Friday ad for 2025.
What to Buy on Black Friday This Year
Black Friday remains the best time to purchase most items, but certain product categories see particularly impressive discounts. If your goal is to maximize savings during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are a few product types expected to have massive price drops:
TVs and Monitors
The Black Friday season is, without a doubt, the absolute best time to buy a new TV or gaming monitor. This trend has held true for years and is expected to continue. While affordable TVs and monitors are available year-round, this period brings the steepest discounts on newer models. For instance, popular LG C-Series TVs have already begun to see price reductions ahead of November. Many of these brands are also less affected by U.S. tariffs, so price markups seen on other products may not apply here.
Video Game Consoles
While significant discounts on the new Nintendo Switch 2 are unlikely, both PS5 and Xbox consoles are expected to see price reductions this year. Costco has already confirmed a price cut on the PlayStation Slim, making November the prime time for a PS5 purchase. Although these price drops might not be as dramatic as in previous years, they are notable given that consoles have seen price increases this year. PS5 models experienced a price hike in August, and Xbox has raised its prices twice this year. Even the original Nintendo Switch became more expensive with the Switch 2’s launch. If you plan to buy a console in 2025, Black Friday is your best opportunity.
Toys and LEGO Sets
Given its proximity to Christmas, Black Friday is undeniably the best time to purchase LEGO sets and other toys. Previews from retailers like Walmart and Costco heavily feature toys in their discount announcements. While not every single toy or LEGO set will be discounted, you can expect to see price cuts on items that haven’t been on sale throughout the year.
Apple Products
Although Apple typically offers its own Black Friday promotions, other major retailers often provide the best discounts on Apple products. Black Friday is consistently the best time to buy a new iPad, AirPods, Apple Watches, and almost all other iOS accessories. Retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy will fiercely compete for the lowest prices on the latest Apple devices. This season is also generally a good time to consider buying a new iPhone, as many carriers will launch their holiday promotions for the new iPhone 17 models in November.
What Won’t Go on Sale This Year
While Black Friday is a prime shopping event, it’s important to remember that not everything will be discounted. Some products, particularly new releases or items with extremely high demand, are unlikely to see any price drops. For example, Nintendo just launched the Switch 2 this year, and there’s a very slim chance of seeing Black Friday deals on the new console beyond existing bundles. The same applies to the recently released Xbox Ally X, which is unlikely to receive a discount so soon after its debut.
When it comes to toys, don’t expect discounts on anything launched within the last few months. This is especially true for new LEGO releases, as price cuts typically don’t appear until six months or more after their initial release date.
Tips for Black Friday Shopping Online
Planning your Black Friday shopping now might seem premature, but it can lead to significant savings. Here are some essential tips to consider before the event:
- Set a Budget – It’s crucial to know how much you can comfortably spend to prevent overspending. When everything is on sale, it’s easy to get carried away and buy more than you need, simply because prices are at their lowest.
- Create a Shopping List – A clear shopping list helps you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases. It also makes comparing prices across retailers much easier and allows you to set up price drop alerts in advance.
- Compare Prices – While major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart offer convenience, they don’t always have the absolute best prices. Always compare prices across different websites before finalizing a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
- Research Before You Buy – For any significant purchase, thorough research is key. Look for independent reviews and testimonials from trusted sources. Be cautious of reviews on retailer websites, as they may not always be unbiased.
- Be Wary of Search Results and AI Summaries – Search engines often feature sponsored links and potentially biased AI summaries. Exercise caution and avoid clicking on sponsored ads if you’re seeking objective reviews or precise product prices.