Want to Score Black Friday Deals in 2021? Here's Everything You Need to Know!
From the top stores to shopping strategies, there's a lot to learn before Black Friday rolls around. Our guides will help you prepare to win the day.
Updated
We've put together everything you'll need to know to get the best Black Friday deals in 2021. Check out all our guides about where and when to shop, what kinds of Black Friday sales to expect, and what to avoid.
What to Know to Score Black Friday Deals in 2021
Your Guide to the Best Black Friday Stores in 2021
With so many stores participating in Black Friday, it can be difficult to know where to shop. Fortunately, we've highlighted what you can expect from the biggest retailers during the biggest shopping season.Check out our Black Friday guides on Amazon, Best Buy, HP, Target, and Walmart. We've covered when the sales should start, when's the best time to shop, and what kinds of deals you can get.
MAKE YOUR PLAN: Check out the best Black Friday deals in 2021!
Black Friday Predictions for 2021
Almost every type of item will be on sale for Black Friday, so how will you know what makes a good deal? We took a deep dive into our archives to discover what kinds of deals we listed for Black Friday last year, as well as the best offers we've seen in 2021.Check out all our deal previews to see what the hottest buys will be, such as TVs, laptops, phones, and clothing.
Many retailers don't open at all on Thanksgiving, and offer their sales online-only that day.
Thanksgiving & Black Friday Store Hours 2021
Some retailers have Thanksgiving hours, while others don't open at all on Thanksgiving, offering their sales online-only that day. And more retailers are going with the latter option this year.If you're planning to shop in-store for Thanksgiving or Black Friday, it's important to know when doors will open, so you can prepare. Whether you want to line up early or wait for crowds to disperse, being aware of holiday hours can help you shop smarter. It's also important this year to be aware of other kinds of restrictions that may be in place due to the pandemic. Check out all the confirmed Black Friday store hours here.
Should You Shop in Stores on Black Friday?
Online and mobile Black Friday sales have really come into their own in the past few years. These days, Black Friday shoppers are relying on smartphones to supplement their in-store experiences. That means they can take advantage of conveniences like price comparison, mobile coupons, and in-store pickup.
When Do Black Friday Ads Come Out?
Checking the ads is one of the most important things you can do when planning your Black Friday shopping. While some ads roll out as early as October, others don't show up until mid-November. And this year we're seeing ads released in stages again because of changes to the traditional Black Friday sale model.See when we expect the biggest ads to come out, and which ads have arrived already.
Thanksgiving will likely have the most Black Friday deals, but your best day to shop will depend on what you're looking for.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday vs. Thanksgiving
While we expect to see the most deals overall on Thanksgiving, that doesn't mean every item you want will be available that day. Additionally, we expect Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday to all have a similar amount of Staff Pick deals — those we consider to be the "best of the best."We've broken down the best shopping days for the major categories. But remember that these aren't hard-and-fast rules — you could see a winning deal in any product category across the long weekend.
When Is the Best Day to Shop for Black Friday Deals in 2021?
The short answer is that Thanksgiving will likely have the most deals. However, the best day to shop will depend on the items you're looking for. If you're looking for Android phones, TVs, or shoes, then Cyber Monday is actually your best bet.
12 Things NOT to Buy on Black Friday
One misleading Black Friday theory is that everything you see on sale will be a good deal. But that's not true — some items are just better buys at other times of the year. One example: You'll see gift-wrapping supplies on sale around Black Friday, but if you wait just a few more weeks, you'll likely see better deals.For more information on why to wait, and what else to avoid on Black Friday, check out our guide on what not to buy that day.
MAKE YOUR PLAN: Check out the best Black Friday deals in 2021!
The Top 6 Stores for Black Friday Online Shopping in 2021
Those that prefer to shop online on Black Friday get almost unlimited choices. However, with every retailer hosting their own event, how do you know which ones to devote your time to?We combed through our archives to discover just that. If you're set on not leaving the house on Black Friday, consider these six stores to be your strongest bets for snagging the best Black Friday deals online.
How to Craft a Black Friday Game Plan
There's a ton of areas to consider when crafting your plan for Black Friday shopping. Not only do you need to think about store ads, but also bonus perks, quantities of deals, and your budget.
How to Get the Best Deals on Black Friday: 18 Ways to Prepare Like a Pro
With 2021 being not quite normal, it's especially important to lock down your Black Friday strategy early. Plenty of parameters must be considered, including budgets, pre-Black Friday prices, and whether in-store shopping is necessary. (Spoiler: It's not, especially in 2021.)We have 18 strategies to help you shop like a pro, with some tips you might not have considered. For instance, opt for curbside pickup if you can to save time.
Price matching policies are popular, though they're often suspended during Black Friday.
Is Black Friday Worth It? 10 Ways You're Doing Black Friday Wrong
If you think Black Friday is overrated, you should reconsider. From skipping Black Friday entirely to not planning your shopping excursions properly, you should make sure you're not guilty of doing these 10 things.MAKE YOUR PLAN: Check out the best Black Friday deals in 2021!
How to Get Black Friday Doorbusters in 2021
Doorbusters will be in high demand this year, just like any other. However, odds are we won't see the same level of in-store-only doorbusters we're used to seeing. Still, it's best to make a plan to ensure you're able to grab what you want. It'll vary from store to store, which is just another reason to check out the Black Friday ads ahead of time.Remember that many retailers won't restrict their doorbusters to in-store only. So even if the doors won't open until Friday morning, you might be able to grab that doorbuster online much earlier.
Even if a store doesn't open until Black Friday morning, you might be able to grab their doorbusters online much earlier.
Your Black Friday Price Match Guide for 2021
Price matching and adjustments are a handy way to score a lower price without having to go to another store. Unfortunately, while these policies are popular, they're often suspended during Black Friday.Not all stores will pause their price matching during this time, though. Some retailers don't say one way or another whether they'll price match during Black Friday. When in doubt, ask. But first, check out our price match guide in case we've already covered the stores you're curious about.
Black Friday Price Match Policies for 2021
| Store | Will It Price Match Black Friday Ads? | Does It Match Online Prices? | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | No | No, Amazon doesn't officially match prices at all | Not applicable |
| Bass Pro Shops | Yes (Terms don't indicate Black Friday is exempt) | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase |
| Bed Bath & Beyond | No | Yes, though some conditions apply | At the time of purchase, or within 14 days of purchase |
| Best Buy | No | Yes, for local and other certain retailers (like Amazon, Crutchfield, Dell, HP, and TigerDirect) | At the time of purchase, or get a price adjustment within the return and exchange period |
| Cabela's | Yes (Terms don't indicate Black Friday is exempt) | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase |
| Dick's Sporting Goods | Yes (Terms don't indicate Black Friday is exempt) | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase, or within 14 days of purchase |
| eBay | No | Yes, for certain retailers | Within 48 hours of purchase |
| Home Depot | No | Yes | At the time of purchase |
| JCPenney | Yes | Yes | Within 14 days of purchase |
| Kohl's | No | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase, or get a price adjustment within 14 days of purchase |
| Lowe's | No | Yes, for select competitors | At the time of purchase |
| Michaels | Yes (Terms don't indicate Black Friday is exempt) | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase, or within seven days of purchase |
| Newegg | No | Yes, on items with the Price Match Guarantee badge | Within 14 calendar days of purchase |
| PetSmart | Possibly (Terms indicate "special events," which could include Black Friday) | Yes, for certain retailers | At the time of purchase |
| Staples | No | Yes, for select retailers, though the purchase must be made in a Staples store | At the time of purchase, or get a price adjustment within 14 days of purchase |
| Target | Yes (Restrictions apply) | Yes, for select competitors | At the time of purchase or within 14 days after purchase, or get a price adjustment before December 24 |
| Walmart | No | Yes, for Walmart.com | At the time of purchase |
The 60 Best Black Friday Gift Card Deals in 2021
This is the time of year when gift cards with extra perks start becoming available. You'll usually find these gift cards coupled with bonus cards, which provide a great opportunity to "gift one, get one" — and ensure your dollar goes even further.Browse through our big list of the best Black Friday gift card deals in 2021, and see which bonus cards you might want to snag. For example, you could get a $10 bonus from lots of different restaurants by purchasing $50 in gift cards. Some bonus cards even go as high as $100!
Senior Staff Writer/Consumer Analyst
Julie's work has been featured on CNBC, GoBankingRates, Kiplinger, Marketwatch, Money, The New York Times, Real Simple, US News, WaPo, WSJ, Yahoo!, and more. She's extolled the virtues of DealNews in interviews with Cheddar TV, GMA, various podcasts, and affiliates across the United States, plus one in Canada.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article.
Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire
unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were
available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of
publication (unless otherwise specified).
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