The original Black Friday was known for its crazy long lines outside of department store, fears of being trampled, and deals so good they only lasted 24 hours. 

This version of Black Friday has become a thing of the past. Black Friday is no longer a one-day event but a season. 

Retailers like Amazon and Walmart had already released their “black friday deals” in October, some that we could already shop and others that will take place throughout the month of November.

So where does that leave November 26th? Does shopping on Black Friday itself in stores secure you any better deals than those online throughout the month? Does the day itself still hold any special merit? 

Here, we’re going to break it all down for you so you know whether to head out the door at midnight on Thanksgiving, or sleep in after all that stuffing.

Is Shopping on Black Friday Worth It?

As retailers began opening up earlier and earlier on Black Friday – even into Thanksgiving – to compete with each other, the holiDAY slowly became a holiWEEK and then a holiMONTH as retailers realized that they could intice us to spend even more money by spreading deals over several weeks as opposed to one day.

In 2020, online shopping on Black Friday actually rose above online shopping on Cyber Monday.

Despite these trends, we do still want to shop in person. A survey with over 1,000 people found that 44% will for sure shop in person while 33% said they will if there are deals available in store and not online. There’s the catch – are there deals in store that you can’t get online?

For retailers that have an online presence, not anymore. Back in 2018 before the pandemic, experts did acknowledge that the best deals would be found ON Black Friday itself and would be limited supply, in-store-only promotions (like the classic Black Friday doorbusters). 

After the strategies that big retailers used last year to spread out their sales and offer most everything online, it’s expected that although we may shop in person for the experience, there aren’t many – or even any important – sales in person that you absolutely can’t get online. Especially as retailers continue to limit in store shoppers.

Stick to Online Shopping

Online shopping throughout the month will ensure you snag better holiday deals. It allows you to compare prices and really shop around for the best deal, the inventory and variety of items is greater, 

The only in-store Black Friday that you should consider are for smaller businesses that are local or do not have an online presence. For big box retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, we have a few recommendations

• Hone in on sales throughout the entire month (see some of the BEST upcoming and current deals below)
• Shop online OR choose pick up in store to avoid out of stock items
• Compare prices online to make sure you’re getting the best deal
• Make a list and stay organized so you don’t overbuy (we get it – some deals are just too good to pass up!)
• Use camelcamelcamel for Amazon to view price history and see if you’re actually getting a good deal

Ready, set, and start shopping NOW with the best Black Friday deals so far below:

The Best Black Friday Deals of 2021

Walmart: valid November 3 – 7

1. Save $112 on Samsung Chromebook 4 
2. Save $40 on Samsung Galaxy earbuds + 

Special Buys valid November 3 – 7

1. $39 Emeril Lagasse Air Fryer Elite Home, 5 Quarts
2. $10 Mainstays food storage containers, pack of 9  
3. $29 Onn. 32” Bluetooth Soundbar 

Valid November 10 – 14

1. Save $30 on Apple Airpods
2. Save $40 on onn. 8″ Kids Tablet 
3. Save $15 on Crosley Electronics Cruiser Plus Turntable
4. $10 Yankee Candle large jar candle 

Special Buys: valid November 10 – 14:

1. $279 HP laptop 11th generation (originally $400)
2. $249 GoPro Hero 8

Amazon:

1. Up to 45% off select Echo Show devices
2. 50% off Fire TV stick 
3. 30% off Echo Dot (4th Generation)
4. 50% off Fire HD 8 Tablet 
5. Up to 30% off select Samsung TVs  
6. Up to 25% off Samsung smart watches
7. 34% off TCL 40” smart LED roku TV 
8. Up to 35% off Instant Brands Kitchen products 
9. 38% off Ultrean air fryer 
10. 30% off iOttie dash & windshield car mount phone holder

Target: Every Sunday starting Oct. 31, Target will unveil new week-long Holiday Best deals, available in stores and online. Here are their deals for this first week:

1. $99.99 Beats Solo³ Wireless Headphones (reg. $199.99)
2. $339.99 HP 15.6-inch laptop with Windows Home in S. Mode (reg. $539.99)
3. TVs at Black Friday pricing from LG, Samsung, TCL and more

Next week’s deals include:

1. $299.99 Element 65-inch, 4K UHD Frameless Roku Smart TV (reg. $649.99) 
2. $49.99 Keurig K-Mini (reg. $89.99)
3. $179.99 Bose QuietComfort 35 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones II (reg. $299.99) 
4. $99.99 Ninja Kitchen System with Auto IQ Boost and 7-Speed Blender (reg. $199.99) 
5. Up to 60% off select video games for Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation

Check out our roundup of the best products to buy in November so you can save even more this month.

For more tips and marketplace updates: