Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: wondering which one has the better deals?
With Cyber Monday tomorrow – and Christmas not far behind – many shoppers are already gearing up to make the most of the final hours of the big pre-Christmas sale. And with the cost of living still high, Cyber Weekend discounts can go a long way in helping budgets stretch a little further.
If you’re planning your shopping strategy, it’s helpful to know when Black Friday ends – since that timing shapes how retailers roll out their biggest offers in the run-up to Cyber Monday. Or head straight to our best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals live hub for real-time updates on the latest deals on products our editors actually use and love.
Black Friday typically delivers competitive discounts across a huge range of products, both in-store and online, while Cyber Monday has become the go-to day for tech deals and online-exclusive brands. That naturally raises the question many shoppers ask every year: are Cyber Monday discounts as good as Black Friday, and whether Cyber Monday sales are even worth shopping.
Traditionally, Black Friday sales began in late November, but in recent years, retailers have pushed promotions earlier and earlier. This year was no exception, with many big brands launching Black Friday deals well ahead of schedule. In the US, Black Friday officially falls on the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), but in the UK the sales often start one to two weeks before the actual date, creating a longer – and sometimes confusing – discount period.
Some retailers embraced a full month of offers last year, while others focused their deepest savings around Black Friday week. In 2025, Black Friday fell on Friday, 28 November, with the biggest deals peaking on the day itself and continuing through to Cyber Monday on 1 December 2025.
According to Adobe Digital Insights, UK shoppers spent £1.12 billion online on Black Friday 2024, up 7.2% (£75 million) from 2023 – a sign that interest in Black Friday is growing again, likely fuelled by stabilising inflation and the appeal of meaningful discounts amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
All of this helps paint a clearer picture when wondering whether Cyber Monday is worth it: both shopping days now offer strong savings, but Cyber Monday continues to shine for tech and online-exclusive deals, making it a valuable opportunity for anyone shopping digitally.
Best Cyber Monday sales
- Amazon: Record low Kindle deals
- Argos: Up to 50% off appliances and fitness
- Boden: Extra 20% off women's sale
- Boots: Up to 60% off beauty and gifts
- Dyson: Deals on Airwraps and vacuums
- Face the Future: Up to 60% off skincare
- Healf: Up to 60% on health picks
- Le Creuset: Half-price heritage casserole dishes
- Look Fantastic: 30% off + extra 5%
- Lululemon: Cyber Monday activewear sale
- Ninja: Up to 30% on air fryers
- Nobody's Child: 25% off everything
- RIXO: 25% of all styles
- Sweaty Betty: 50% off leggings
- UGG: Cyber Monday footwear deals
What's the difference between Cyber Monday and Black Friday?
The traditional differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday have largely faded. In the past, Black Friday focused on big-ticket items like TVs and major tech, mostly through in-store events, while Cyber Monday centred on smaller electronics, appliances and clothing, with deals available exclusively online. Today, that distinction has all but disappeared. Retailers now offer broad discounts across every category on both days — and both online and in-store — making it harder than ever to separate the two. With sales launching earlier each year, shoppers can now find meaningful discounts throughout November.
A study from Credit Karmashows that 70% of Brits prefer shopping online or via mobile since the pandemic, a shift that has pushed retailers to prioritise online discounts, where they’re not limited by opening hours or stock on shelves. This also benefits online-only brands such as Amazon, Asos, Cult Beauty, and Ao.com, all of which play a major role in Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.
For shoppers wondering is Cyber Monday worth it, this move toward online-first retail definitely helps. With more competition and fewer physical constraints, online deals – particularly those saved for Cyber Monday – often remain some of the strongest of the season.
Whichever day you choose to shop, make sure you’re familiar with your consumer rights, including returns policies and refund options, so you can buy with confidence.
Cyber Monday vs Black Friday – which day has better deals?
The level of discount you can expect on Cyber Monday is usually similar to what we saw on Black Friday – though it really depends on the retailer. Many brands rotate their offers throughout the weekend, and you won’t always know in advance what’s coming next. Some may even drop extra reductions tomorrow as the sale winds down, especially on seasonal stock they’re keen to clear – but that’s never guaranteed.
Last Cyber Monday, we saw a real mix: dehumidifier deals that dipped lower than Black Friday prices (and sold out quickly), an unmissable saving on the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, and an extra one-day-only 25% off everything at Anthropologie. In other categories, prices stayed largely the same as the week before, with lower stock levels and those slightly stressful countdown timers reminding you the sale was about to end.
Money.co.uk found that shoppers generally only view a deal as a true bargain when the reduction hits 25% or more – showing just how much people are looking for meaningful savings at a time when budgets are tight.
The best approach to Black Friday and Cyber Monday is preparation. Make a list of the items you want, note which retailers stock them, and record their pre-sale prices. Tools like Camel Camel Camel and Kelkoo can help you track discounts, and in CamelCamelCamel’s case, check Amazon price histories – which often reveal that the lowest prices don’t necessarily fall on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
If you spot something on your list at a price you’re genuinely happy to pay, deciding whether to buy now or wait for a deeper discount is always a gamble. It helps to decide whether the item is a need or a want: needs are worth buying when the price is right, while wants may be worth holding out on.
And if the price drops significantly later, you can often buy it again at the lower price – and return the original once it arrives.
Cyber Monday deals – how to find them
When comparing Cyber Monday vs Black Friday, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are some tips to make the most of the deals:
- Check previous prices to ensure you’re actually getting a discount and not just a marketing trick.
- Compare prices across different retailers before you buy to secure the best deal
- Sign up for newsletters from your favourite stores so you’re notified as soon as deals go live. Following them on social media can also give you early access or extra discount codes.
- Avoid mindless browsing — trawling through endless pages of deals online is a surefire way to spend on items you don’t really need.
- Use cashback sites to earn rewards while you spend, making your savings stretch even further.
Cyber Monday tricks to look out for
While Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals can save you some serious money, the main purpose of these events is, of course, for retailers to make money. Watch out for these tactics that retailers may use to get you to spend more:
- Using cookies to show higher prices on an item based on spending behaviour
- 'Last chance to buy' labels making shoppers feel pressure to buy
- Putting prices up in advance so discounts seem bigger during sales
- Changing prices depending on the time of day and day of the week
- Making popular items hard to find in store so you'll browse and spend more
Commenting as part of Capital One UK's One Good Thing campaign, which aims to improve consumer trust, retail analyst Natalie Berg says:
“It’s easy to get swept up in the Cyber Monday frenzy, but it’s only a bargain if you actually need it. Retailers often inflate prices just before the sale to make discounts look bigger, so it’s important for consumers to do their homework.”
While many major retailers are cutting prices for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s a tough time for smaller, independent businesses that can’t offer the same discounts. To help, Not On The High Street is encouraging shoppers to avoid buying from big brands during the sales and instead support small businesses.
Cyber Monday scammers
With Cyber Monday growing in popularity, more people than ever are hunting for online deals, which unfortunately also means a higher risk of scams.
To protect your money and personal information, stick to reputable websites you know and trust. Check reviews on platforms like Trustpilot before buying, and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true – they usually are.
Also, watch out for unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank about suspicious activity. Scammers often use fear tactics to make you act quickly without thinking. If you get such a call, hang up, and contact your bank directly using the number on their official website or by visiting a local branch.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday falls on Monday, 1st December 2025. It comes immediately after Black Friday and marks one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, with retailers offering discounts across electronics, fashion, homeware, and more. While the main event is just one day, many UK retailers start rolling out Cyber Monday deals in the days leading up to it.
