Chaotic customers, long lines, and cold temperatures can define Black Friday shopping. The reality, however, is that the official start of the holiday shopping season is more than just a gimmick. You can save real money if you're willing to brave the madness — just make sure the stuff you're buying is worth the adventure.
Big-ticket appliances are set to be a good buy this year, according to Kendal Perez of Coupon Sherpa, "Look for savings of $150 to over $500 on refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and more from such retailers as Sears, Home Depot, Best Buy and Lowe's," Perez says.
Big-ticket items aren't the only way to save on Black Friday if you're considering a kitchen upgrade. Look for small kitchen appliances, too. "Black Friday is the time to purchase such kitchen appliances as mixers, blenders, slow cookers and coffee makers," Perez says. "Many doorbusters offered by Kohl's, JCPenney, Kmart and Macy's feature kitchen appliances for $10 or less, though a mail-in rebate is often required to get the lowest advertised deal."
According to Perez, kitchen-related savings go beyond the things you plug in. She suggests taking advantage of the many expected deals on food storage container sets. For example, durable Pyrex glassware, which is still made in America and is coveted by home chefs everywhere, should be marked down. "Look for Pyrex-brand kitchenware for as little as $2 each and up to 70 percent savings on cookware sets," Perez says.
Black Friday is the perfect time to add some brand power to your wardrobe. "Luxury clothing brands don't usually go on sale, which gives them their elite credibility," says Sara Skirboll, a shopping and trends expert at RetailMeNot. "Shoppers will find discounts on these items for Black Friday, and shopping in-store will allow consumers to actually see and feel the clothing before purchasing. Always a good idea since some retailers' return policies can be tricky around the holidays."
Black Friday might also be the right time to upgrade your outdated pots and pans. "Just because Thanksgiving will be over, there is still plenty of holiday cooking and celebrating to be done," Skirboll says. "Several retailers will be marking down cookware items to help hosts prepare their kitchens for friends and family. It also can make a great, affordable gift."
Beauty products are pricey, but you can save in November. "Cosmetic stores will be making room for new holiday sets and seasonal product launches, and wanting to clear out their shelves," Skirboll says. She added that you should look for particular savings on high-end products.
Skirboll says to look for "deep discounts" on price tags attached to "wellness products for dental hygiene, shaving, and more. This can be a personal purchase, or if you are looking for some affordable stocking stuffers."
According to Perez, high-end vacuums are also ripe for the picking come Black Friday, and not just at one retailer. "Shoppers will find discounts of up to $200 on Dyson vacuums from Target, Kohl's and Macy's," Perez says. Several good vacuums by other brands may also be worth considering, too.
Thinking of upgrading to the visual awesomeness that is 4K? Black Friday might just be the moment to pick up a good cheap TV. "Now that 4K technology is more mainstream, expect to find deep discounts on 4K TV sets," Perez says. "Best Buy is a top destination for 4K Black Friday deals," Perez says. "Target and Walmart will also advertise deep discounts on 4K TVs, though many of the lowest-priced doorbusters will be on lower-tier brands like Hisense and Element."
"Like most electronics, the price of video game consoles drop come Black Friday and big competition from Dell, Walmart, and Target will push the cost of popular bundles down to budget-friendly prices," Lindsay Sakraida, director of content marketing at DealNews, says. The site predicts that the Xbox One X could drop to $375 after coupons, and the Xbox One S could be $180 and bundled with at least one game.
DealNews anticipates plenty of deals for those who've been eyeing a PlayStation 4 Pro, which was released in 2016. Since the PS4 Pro has dropped to $320 earlier this year, it's likely to fall to $320 for Black Friday, lopping $80 off the retail price. The PS4 Slim Console is likely to drop to $200.
The savings are expected to extend beyond consoles to the games themselves. "Not only are we expecting big deals on consoles and gaming laptops, but this Black Friday promises some exciting price lows on video games across all platforms," Sakraida says. Select games for both the Xbox and PlayStation systems are expected to drop to $15 at Target and Walmart.
According to DealNews, there are more clothing deals than anything else on Black Friday. For women stores like Nordstrom Rack will be taking up to 75 percent off designer handbags. Kohl's and Macy's will be selling women's boots for around $20, while kid's retailers like Carter's and Crazy 8 will mark some items down by 75 percent. Men can expect sales on suits by labels like Kenneth Cole Reaction for $100 or less, too.
Mainstream laptops, which strike a bargain between being all-inclusive but also lightweight, are targets for Black Friday price cuts, too. DealNews says those eager to grab a laptop don't even have to camp outside a store, as many deals are starting before Black Friday with sales running long after. Chromebooks are expected to start at $99 with the best deals at Best Buy and Amazon. Just want a laptop that runs Windows? Doorbuster laptops with the basics will start at $100 with most bargains being priced from $229.
According to DealNews, travelers, especially last-minute travelers, can expect to find Black Friday deals. If you're planning to stay in Vegas off the Strip, you can score a room for less than $20, and rooms in New York City near Times Square can be snapped up for $97 per night.
If you're planning to fly abroad, take note that Black Friday will likely see large discounts on airfare, according to DealNews. Flights to Europe could be as low as $100 each way. Even domestic airfare is expected to be reduced to as low as $20 each way.
When it comes to iPhones and all Apple products, DealNews suggests avoiding the Apple Store, where at best you'll find full-priced phones with a $25 to $100 gift card included, and instead suggests seeking deals through re-sellers. While all of the carriers are likely to offer a deal on the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, T-Mobile may repeat last year's buy one, get one deal.
If you're looking for an Apple Watch Series 4, you can expect it to be full price, but bundled with gift cards, according to DealNews. The Series 3 version should be on sale for $250.
DealNews expects there to be many deals on the iPad Pro 10.5", which could drop to $500 or less. Since the 64GB model has already dropped to $450 earlier this year, it could go even lower on Black Friday. The iPad mini could go as low as $275, while the iPad 9.7" with pencil support could be marked down to $280.
DealNews predicts MacBook Air laptops will start at $745, while MacBook Pro will start at $1,149. But don't look to Apple for the best deals. Last year B&H Photo Video was the low-price leader.
Amazon is starting Black Friday early this year, so on November 16 you'll be able to pick up the Fire 7 Kids tablet for $70, the Fire HD 8 Kids edition for $90, and the 10 for kids for $150 according to Android Central. Just want a regular Fire HD 10? That will set you back $100. The discounts range from $30 to $50 off original prices.
Considering cutting the cord? DealNews predicts all devices from all brands will be on sale for less than $100 with the basics coming in much cheaper. Get a basic Roku Express for $20, a Fire TV stick for $20, and the newest Chromecast for $20. Just don't expect deals on Apple TVs.
Just as in years past, DealNews does not expect there to be many, if any, deals on the season's hottest toys. If there are markdowns, look for lower prices on the Creator or Classic lines and the Lego Friends Heartlake collection. Some NASA products could be priced at $25, and sometimes fan favorites can be found for less.
Forbes predicts Walmart will offer some of the best discounts on the Samsung mobile line, including Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note9. A free $350 Walmart gift card might come with activation of a new installment plan, too. Also look for major deals at Sam's Club.
DealNews believes that Black Friday is the only exception to the rule that apparel is most expensive when it's in season. With the exception of winter coats, some of the best deals of the entire year are for in-season apparel, with sweaters dropping to the $20 range. Cashmere, though more expensive, will likely come in between $40 and $50. Land's End and Express are expected to drop their prices on cashmere blend sweaters by 50 percent.
If you're considering setting up a smart home, or you just want the benefit of an in-home assistant, Black Friday is the perfect time to buy an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, according to DealNews. You'll be able to pick up an Echo Dot for $30 and current-generation Echo speakers starting at $70, while a Google Home Mini will likely be $30.
Although DealNews expects the new Fitbit Charge 3 to sell at full price, it's very likely that they'll be bundled with gift cards or store credit. Just want a good fitness tracker but don't want to pay much? Budget brands will be available for as little as $5 and as much as $25.
Know someone who just bought a new house, or have a handyman on your shopping list this holiday season? Tool kits are often included in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales alongside flashier items.
RetailMeNot suggests that Black Friday may be the best time to pick up a pair of sneakers due to slow sales in September and October. Price drops can be up to 30 percent off.
Want to upgrade your home theater system? There will be Black Friday discounts in the speaker space, according to DealNews. Klipsch will take 60 percent off its speakers and headphones, while the Logitech UE Boom 2 will drop to $60 and the JBL Flip 4 could go as low as $40. Deals on bookshelf speakers will also be available.
