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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two biggest shopping days of the year in the United States. They are also the days when people are most likely to overpay, buy something they did not need or land on a fake store. This guide gives you the dates, a simple plan and a short safety checklist. Every pick below is one we checked ourselves.
Key Sale Dates for 2026
- Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: October 6 and 7 (now ended). Most of the deals were for Prime members.
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26.
- Black Friday: Friday, November 27.
- Cyber Monday: Monday, November 30.
- Christmas Day: Friday, December 25.
Store schedules can change, so check each store’s own page for its final dates. Many stores also start their sales days or weeks before Black Friday, so you may see early deals in late October and early November.
6 Black Friday Picks We’re Tracking
These six come from our full Black Friday watch list. We do not print prices here because they change every day. Tap any pick to see today’s price on Amazon, then use a free price tracker to compare it with the usual price before you buy.
Lenovo V15 Laptop (Ryzen 5, 16GB, 512GB)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm)
Tikom G8000 Max Robot Vacuum and Mop
Keurig K-Mini Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Amazon Basics 21" Hardside Carry-On Spinner
What Black Friday and Cyber Monday Really Are
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. It started as a day for in-store sales, and today most stores run it online too. Cyber Monday is the Monday after, and it started as an online-only sales day. In practice the two now blur together, and a lot of stores run sales for the whole weekend or the whole week.
A Simple Plan for Shopping the Sales
- Make a list first. Write down what you want and who it is for. A list keeps you from buying something just because it is on sale.
- Set a budget. Decide the most you will spend before you start looking.
- Check the normal price. A big “percent off” tag means little if the old price was made up. Use a price tracker to see what the item usually costs. Our guide on free price trackers shows how.
- Learn the tricks. Read how to tell a real holiday deal from a fake one before the weekend starts.
- Know what is worth waiting for. Some items are often cheaper in October and some wait for Black Friday. See what to buy in October and what to wait for.
- Compare stores. The same item can cost different amounts at different stores. Look at two or three before you buy.
- Check the total. Add shipping and tax, and look at the return rules and the delivery date.
How to Stay Safe From Shopping Scams
- Type the store’s address yourself. Do not trust a link in a text message, an email or a social media ad, even if it looks like a real store.
- Be careful with prices that look too good. A brand-new console or laptop for a tiny fraction of the normal price is a warning sign.
- Look at the web address. Fake sites often use a slightly different spelling of a real store’s name.
- Pay with a credit card or a trusted payment service when you can. They usually make it easier to dispute a charge than a debit card or a bank transfer does.
- Never share passwords or codes. A real store will not ask you to read out a code that was texted to you.
- Watch for package messages you did not expect. During the holidays, scammers send fake delivery texts. Check the order in your own account instead of tapping the link.
For more on staying safe, our sister site Secure4Peace has guides on keeping your home and family safe.
Where to Look on ShopBuyZones
Our Holiday Shopping Center collects all of our sale guides and gift lists in one place. You can also browse our gift lists: Under $25, Under $50 and Under $100, or the Best Christmas Gifts 2026 list. If you are working on your desk, see our home office upgrades under $50.
⚖️ New: Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: What to Buy on Each Day.
↩️ New: Holiday Return Policies 2026: What to Expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black Friday in 2026?
Black Friday is on Friday, November 27, 2026. Cyber Monday is on Monday, November 30.
Do I need Amazon Prime for these sales?
Prime Big Deal Days on October 6 and 7 was mostly for Prime members. Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at other stores are usually open to everyone, but some stores keep certain deals for members, so read the deal terms.
Are Black Friday prices really the lowest of the year?
Sometimes, but not always. Some items are cheaper on other days. That is why it helps to check the normal price with a price tracker before you buy.
Should I buy in October or wait?
It depends on the item. Our guide on October versus Black Friday goes through it.
Are the links on this site affiliate links?
Some are. If you buy through a link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read our affiliate disclosure for the details.
The Bottom Line
You do not need to buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. If you do shop, go in with a list and a budget, check the normal price, and only use stores you know. A calm plan beats a fast click.