Will Black Friday 2025 Have Secret Last‑Minute Deals? What Shoppers Need to Know
Online deals shopping is more complicated than ever. Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and Costco launched “Black Friday” prices well before Thanksgiving weekend in 2025, mirroring trends highlighted by outlets such as IGN, which has been tracking early gaming and tech deals across the web. Instead of one frenzied day, shoppers now face a month of rolling promotions, lightning deals, and confusing “was/now” price tags.
Will There Be Better Black Friday Deals on Actual Black Friday?
The short answer for 2025: it depends on what you are buying. For many mainstream categories—4K TVs, headphones, video games, smart home devices, and small appliances—data from recent years shows that the lowest prices often appear before or on Black Friday, then match or slightly improve on Cyber Monday. Actual “day‑of” surprises still exist, but they tend to be:
- Limited‑quantity “doorbusters” meant to drive traffic.
- Short‑lived online lightning deals with strict time limits.
- Category‑specific promotions (for example, an extra 10% off select TVs at night).
That means the best strategy is less about chasing a mythical single lowest price and more about timing your purchase by product type.
How Black Friday Became a Month‑Long Marathon
Retailers have steadily reshaped Black Friday since at least 2018. Supply‑chain disruptions during the pandemic, a surge in online shopping, and intense competition from Amazon forced companies to spread out promotions to manage demand and inventory. By 2023–2025, “Black Friday” became a brand for a whole season rather than a single day.
Why Stores Launch “Black Friday” Weeks Early
- Inventory risk: Spreading sales reduces the chance of stockouts and website crashes.
- Price anchoring: Early “sale” prices make later offers look more dramatic.
- Customer data: Longer events give retailers more time to test prices and promotions.
- Competition: If a rival launches an early event, others feel pressure to match.
“Retailers no longer think in terms of a single Black Friday. They think in terms of a Black November.”
— Retail analysts repeatedly emphasize this in briefings and on platforms like LinkedIn and CNBC.
What Usually Gets the Best Early Black Friday Deals?
Analysis of recent deal seasons—including coverage from IGN, Wirecutter, and other tracking sites—suggests that some categories peak before actual Black Friday.
1. Video Games and Consoles
Bundles for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch tend to go live early and stay fairly stable through the weekend. IGN’s deal roundups often highlight:
- Console bundles packed with recent exclusives or subscription months.
- 40–67% off first‑party titles and major AAA releases.
- Deep discounts on back‑catalog games and indie hits.
2. Mid‑Range 4K TVs
Big‑box retailers and Amazon compete aggressively on 55–65 inch 4K TVs. The first “Black Friday Preview” flyers now regularly feature:
- Major price drops on last year’s models.
- Additional gift card incentives for in‑store pickup.
- Online‑only variants with aggressive pricing.
3. Smart Home and Streaming Devices
Amazon Echo devices, Fire TV sticks, Google Nest products, and Roku streamers often reach their lowest prices of the year early so people can set them up ahead of the holidays.
What Could Actually Be Cheaper on Black Friday Itself?
While many prices are locked in across the week, some categories are more likely to see dramatic one‑day (or even one‑hour) drops.
1. Doorbuster TVs and Laptops
Doorbusters—especially from Walmart, Best Buy, and brick‑and‑mortar warehouse clubs—still play a role:
- Off‑brand or store‑brand TVs at extremely low price points.
- Entry‑level Windows laptops and Chromebooks with basic specs.
- In‑store‑only “while supplies last” promotions.
These products often trade build quality, ports, or long‑term performance for sheer upfront savings. They can be great if you know exactly what you’re compromising on.
2. Flash Sales on Popular Tech
Retailers sometimes line up timed deals—for example, an extra $50 off a highly rated 65‑inch TV for two hours on Thanksgiving night, or a short‑window discount on a flagship phone. These can undercut previous prices, but:
- Stock can sell out in minutes.
- Time zones and login delays can make them hard to catch.
- Return policies may be more restrictive for limited‑time deals.
3. Category‑Wide Extra Savings
A pattern emerging in 2024–2025: “extra” discounts stacked on top of early deals, such as:
- “Take an extra 10% off select electronics today only.”
- “Additional $20 off when you spend $150 or more.”
- “Black Friday bonus rewards points on eligible items.”
These promos can make Black Friday itself the best day for large carts, even if individual item prices don’t change dramatically.
How Amazon and Gaming Deals Fit Into 2025’s Black Friday Pattern
IGN’s coverage of Black Friday routinely focuses on Amazon’s role in gaming and tech deals, and 2025 is no exception. Amazon increasingly treats the event like Prime Day 2.0, running:
- Invite‑only deals on consoles and GPUs.
- Rolling lightning deals across accessories, SSDs, and monitors.
- Price‑matching wars with Walmart and Best Buy on big‑ticket items.
Popular Amazon Products Likely to See Strong Discounts
While exact 2025 pricing will vary, these historically popular US items are often highlighted by deal trackers:
- Sony WH‑1000XM5 Noise‑Canceling Headphones – frequently one of the most‑discounted premium ANC headphones during Black Friday.
- Samsung Odyssey 32" Gaming Monitor (G5 or similar) – a common target for aggressive gaming‑monitor discounts.
- WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD – ideal for PC builds or expanding PS5 storage, often at or near all‑time‑low prices during Black Friday.
Shoppers following IGN’s deal coverage will see these and related products repeatedly flagged as headline bargains once the deepest discounts go live.
What Recent Data Says About Waiting vs. Buying Now
Price‑tracking from major comparison tools and research groups over the last several years shows a few consistent patterns:
- Average prices dip gradually, not all at once.
Many items hit small discounts early, then see:- A bigger drop just before Black Friday, and
- Either a match or slight improvement on Cyber Monday.
- “Historical low” often equals “tied for lowest.”
Stores frequently match each other’s best prices rather than undercutting by large margins. - Stock, not price, is the main risk of waiting.
Highly desired colors, capacities, and limited editions may sell out before Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
“The worst feeling is not paying $10 more than someone else—it’s missing the product entirely because it sold out.”
That sentiment is common among deal editors at sites like IGN, who monitor stock and pricing minute by minute.
A Smart 2025 Strategy: Decide What to Buy Early vs. What to Wait For
Instead of hoping for a miracle markdown, the most effective approach is to divide your wish list into “buy now” and “wait and watch”.
Buy Early If:
- The item is already at or near its all‑time‑low price.
- It’s a gift you absolutely need delivered by a certain date.
- It’s a limited edition, special color, or high‑demand product.
Consider Waiting Until Black Friday (or Cyber Monday) If:
- The current discount is small (for example, 10–15%) and historically the product has dipped lower.
- It’s a mass‑market item such as mainstream TVs, headphones, or routers.
- You’re comfortable with the risk of stock fluctuating.
Use Price Alerts and Wish Lists
To manage the complexity:
- Set alerts on price‑tracking tools or browser extensions.
- Add products to wish lists at Amazon, Best Buy, etc., to get quick visibility on price drops.
- Follow curated deal feeds from reputable sources like IGN, which often highlight genuine, historical low prices rather than shallow discounts.
How to Avoid Black Friday Traps (While Still Grabbing Real Deals)
With sales expanding across weeks, it’s easier to overspend or chase fake discounts. A few guardrails can protect your wallet without killing the fun.
1. Watch Out for Fake “Was” Prices
Some retailers compare today’s sale price to a price that existed briefly—or never meaningfully existed. Focus on:
- Price history charts where available.
- Independent deal editors calling out “true lows.”
- Honest comparisons between multiple retailers.
2. Remember That Specs Matter More Than the Sticker
This is especially true for laptops, TVs, and gaming gear. A $199 laptop might be a bad buy if:
- It has too little RAM for modern apps.
- The storage is tiny or very slow.
- The display is low‑resolution or dim.
3. Protect Your Time and Attention
Constantly refreshing deal pages can lead to decision fatigue. Consider:
- Checking deal roundups 1–2 times a day instead of constantly.
- Subscribing to a few respected newsletters or feeds rather than every possible alert.
- Setting a firm spend limit before scrolling through “impulse buy” sections.
Why Return Policies Matter More in a Longer Black Friday Season
Buying earlier in November gives you more time with your purchase—but only if the return window is generous. Fortunately, many retailers extend holiday return dates through January.
- Check the return deadline for electronics, as some have stricter windows.
- Keep original packaging for items you might send back.
- Save digital and paper receipts, especially for warranty claims.
Consumer advocates and tech journalists regularly stress that a great price on the wrong product—or one you cannot easily return—is not a true deal.
Shopping Safely and Accessibly During Black Friday 2025
As online traffic spikes, so do phishing attempts, fake storefronts, and accessibility issues on overloaded sites. Protect yourself and ensure a smoother experience:
Security Basics
- Shop only on HTTPS sites with well‑known payment processors.
- Avoid links from suspicious emails or direct messages.
- Use strong, unique passwords and, where possible, multi‑factor authentication.
Accessibility Tips
Many major retailers have improved their compliance with standards like WCAG 2.2, but busy sale pages can still be challenging. If you use assistive technologies:
- Look for accessible filters and “skip to content” options on retailer sites.
- Use browser zoom and high‑contrast modes to reduce eye strain.
- Shop earlier in the day to minimize slowdowns and timeouts that can disrupt screen readers.
Where to Follow Verified Deal Coverage and Analysis
If you want to go deeper and track specific categories, a few types of sources are especially useful:
- Professional tech and gaming outlets: Sites like IGN publish curated lists of Black Friday game, console, and tech deals with context and price history references.
- Research‑driven product reviewers: Publications such as Wirecutter and other lab‑testing sites often mark when deals hit “best price we’ve seen.”
- Social media deal experts: Reputable personalities on platforms like X (Twitter) and YouTube regularly share real‑time alerts and explain why a specific discount is or isn’t worth acting on.
- Video breakdowns: YouTube channels focused on consumer tech and budgeting publish in‑depth “Buy Now vs Wait for Black Friday” guides that walk through sample carts and real price histories.
Following a mix of these resources can help you separate the signal from the noise and avoid falling for misleading promotions.
Additional Ways to Stretch Every Black Friday Dollar
Beyond timing your purchase, a few extra habits can significantly boost the value you get from Black Friday 2025:
- Stack rewards: Use store loyalty points, cash‑back portals, and credit‑card rewards when possible—without overspending just to chase points.
- Compare total cost, not just headline price: Include taxes, shipping, extended warranties, and any necessary accessories.
- Think long‑term: Spending slightly more on a durable, well‑reviewed product often saves money versus replacing a cheaper item in a year or two.
- Plan for Cyber Monday: Software, digital games, streaming services, VPNs, and cloud storage often see their best prices on Cyber Monday rather than Black Friday itself.
With a clear list, realistic expectations, and a focus on genuine value, you can navigate the increasingly complex Black Friday landscape—whether you check out today, on the big day itself, or wait for Cyber Monday—without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
