Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026: a shopper's planning guide

Black Friday started as the day after American Thanksgiving, when US stores opened early with big discounts. It is now a global event that stretches across most of November, with Cyber Monday originally the online follow-up. For shoppers it's a genuine chance to save on things you already planned to buy, and an equally good chance to overspend on "deals" that aren't. A little preparation makes the difference.

The 2026 dates

Exact start times differ by store and by country. International stores sometimes follow US time zones, which can mean a sale starts on Thursday evening or Friday morning where you live.

Two weeks before: make a list and a budget

The best protection against impulse buys is a written list. Note what you need, the most you are willing to pay for each item and your total budget for the week. If you're also buying gifts, our holiday shopping budget guide has a simple method that works with sales instead of against them.

For each item on the list, write down today's price at two or three stores. This is the single most useful thing you can do, because it lets you see through inflated "was" prices later.

Learn the real price before the sale

Some stores raise prices in the weeks before Black Friday so the "discount" looks bigger. To protect yourself:

• Use price history. For Amazon, free tools such as CamelCamelCamel and Keepa show how an item's price has moved over months. Google Shopping shows price insights for many products.
• Compare model numbers. Some TVs and laptops sold during Black Friday are special versions with slightly lower specs. Compare the exact model number, not just the name.
• Be wary of percentages alone. "70% off" means nothing if the starting price was never charged.

Our guide on how to tell if a sale price is a real deal goes into more detail.

Prepare your accounts

• Sign in to the stores you plan to use and check your delivery address and payment details are up to date. Popular items can sell out while you type an address.
• Add items to your cart or wishlist in advance. Many stores show price changes on saved items.
• If you use a card with foreign transaction fees or limits, check them before buying from international stores. Our guide to buying from US stores when you live abroad covers shipping and payment issues.
• Download the apps of stores you use most. Some run app-only offers during the sales.

What is usually worth buying

Historically, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are strongest for:

• TVs, headphones, smart speakers and other consumer electronics
• Laptops and tablets (check the model carefully)
• Small kitchen appliances and vacuum cleaners
• Toys and video games
• Store-brand gadgets and accessories from big marketplaces

Some things are often cheaper at other times: new phone models are rarely discounted heavily soon after launch, and winter clothing tends to drop further in January clearance sales. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to buy has the full calendar.

Using codes during Black Friday

Codes still matter during the sales, but they behave differently:

• Many codes exclude sale items. During Black Friday, almost everything is a sale item, so a regular "20% off" code may not apply. Look for codes made specifically for the event.
• Sitewide codes are rarer, threshold codes are common. Expect "$20 off $100" style offers. Plan your cart to reach the threshold with things on your list.
• Codes can sell out. Some event codes are limited to a number of uses. Buy early if an item is a priority.

Couponova's store pages update as stores publish their event offers, and offers disappear automatically when they end. If a code fails, see why promo codes don't work.

On the day

1. Start with your highest-priority items. Popular deals can sell out within hours.
2. Check the seller. On marketplaces, the lowest price may come from a third-party seller with different return terms.
3. Read the return policy. Many stores extend holiday return windows, but not all do, and some exclude opened electronics.
4. Pay with a method that offers buyer protection, such as a credit card or a payment service with dispute options.
5. Screenshot the price and the offer page. If the price drops further, some stores will refund the difference within a set period.

Avoid Black Friday scams

Scammers love the urgency of Black Friday. Be suspicious of ads and messages offering famous brands at impossible prices, links that lead to slightly misspelt store addresses, and "you've won a voucher" texts asking for personal details. Type store addresses yourself or use a trusted source. Our guide to spotting fake coupons and discount scams lists the warning signs.

After the sales

Track your orders and check deliveries promptly; return windows start when the item arrives, and disputes have deadlines. If you bought something on impulse and regret it, return it while you still can. And if you bought on "buy now, pay later", put the payment dates in your calendar today. Our guide to buy now, pay later explains what to watch for.

Common questions

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday 2026 is on Friday 27 November, the day after US Thanksgiving (Thursday 26 November). Many stores start Black Friday offers in early November.

When is Cyber Monday 2026?

Cyber Monday 2026 is on Monday 30 November, the Monday after Black Friday.

What is the best thing to buy on Black Friday?

Black Friday is usually strongest for TVs, headphones, smart speakers, laptops, small kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, toys and video games. Brand-new phones and winter clothing are often cheaper at other times of year.

Do coupon codes work on Black Friday?

Some do. Many regular codes exclude sale items, so they may not apply when most products are reduced. Look for codes made for the event, which are often threshold offers such as "$20 off $100".