Which Products See The Biggest Deals on Black Friday?

As November rolls around, shoppers and stores prepare for the annual sale extravaganza: Black Friday. 

However, not all sales are created equal, and some products and categories see higher sales percentages each year, but there are so many sales advertised that it is easy to lose track. Below, we provide a rough guide of what categories and items usually get the best deals.

Electronics

Electronics and tech undoubtedly get the best deals during Black Friday. Shoppers can expect huge discounts on electronic items such as TVs, smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles and smart home devices. Retailers use these eye-catching deals to draw crowds, knowing that the allure of high-tech gadgets at low prices is hard to resist. Amazon also has huge deals each Black Friday on their tech brands such as Kindle, Alexa, Fire Tablets, Ring doorbells and Amazon Basics; they also have lightning deals for many of these gadgets, which can go as high as 70% off.

However, as we discuss in our How to be sure you're saving on Black Friday guide, companies create cheaper versions of products, such as televisions that look like their premium line, to sell them en masse on Black Friday for super low prices.

In 2022, an LG OLED A2 48-inch Smart 4K TV was marked down from £1299 to £652. There was also a deal for a Samsung OLED 55-inch S95B Smart TV lowered from £1499 to £1099. There were also great deals on smaller tech purchases, such as over 50% off a Roku Express smart streaming stick and 60% off a Lenovo smart clock with Google Assistant.

eBay also offers discount codes that stack with Black Friday sales on new and refurbished tech during Black Friday. Last year, in 2023, I bought a 50" 4K HiSense TV, complete with HDR (high definition range) and a gaming mode for my living room, from Hughes Electrical via eBay for £238.92 (£298.53 on sale without a discount code)

Because of the rapid pace of technology, previous models, which are still relatively new, can now be sold at a steep discount to make way for the latest versions, generally released not long after Christmas. So, Black Friday is a great time to pick up bargains on TVs, headphones, soundbars, and other tech goods.

Home Appliances

Major home appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and tumble dryers also see significant price reductions. These items typically come with a higher price tag, and Black Friday provides the perfect opportunity for shoppers to upgrade essentials at a fraction of the cost. Retailers know that saving hundreds of pounds on big-ticket items such as fridges, ovens, and vacuums is a strong incentive for people to open their wallets. But you'll see bigger discounts on the smaller appliances such as microwaves, air fryers (especially Ninja) and vacuum cleaners. I bought the Ninja Speedi 10-1 air fryer last Black Friday in 2023, which was usually priced at £229, but I paid £149 through Amazon. However, Ninja products go on sale during Amazon Prime Day in June/July. During Amazon Big Deal Days and various other seasonal sales, if you cannot afford it in November, it is guaranteed to be on sale again within the year.

Some great deal examples from the 2022 Black Friday include a Kenwood K20MW21 Solo microwave, which was reduced from £160 to £79.99, and a Bissell SpotClean 36981 Carpet Cleaner discounted from £149 to £94. Hotpoint also has significant discounts on ovens, such as the HOTPOINT HD5V92KCW Electric Ceramic Cooker, which was reduced from £459 to £319. 

For incredible deals on home appliances, visit Appliances Direct, eBay and AO. They generally have great deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. 

Clothing and Footwear

Fashion retailers jump on the Black Friday bandwagon by offering big discounts on clothing, footwear and accessories. However, don’t get too sucked in, as clothing isn’t a leader in Black Friday discounts, mostly because clothing goes on sale at similar prices several times throughout the year. Seasonal changes play a crucial role here, as brands aim to clear out their Autumn stock during Black Friday ready for winter, but they’ll also do the same when Spring comes with their Winter stock and so on. 

In 2022, River Island offered up to 25% off its whole range using a discount code, and GymShark offered up to 60% off its famous sports apparel styles. If you’re looking for great deals on clothing during the Black Friday sales this year, visit River Island, Under Armour, and SHEIN. 

Toys and Games

In the run-up to the holiday season, toys and games are popular discounted items. Parents and gift-givers are looking for deals on the latest toys to delight their little ones. Stores capitalise on this demand by slashing prices on a range of items for children, from classic board games to the hottest electronic toys. However, these deals often continue until Christmas (and sometimes after), so don't worry if you didn't complete your whole Christmas gift shop on and around Black Friday.

Here are some of the best Black Friday deals for toys and games from 2022: A Barbie dress-up and go closet and convertible car with two dolls was reduced from £79.99 to £49.99, 50% off a Peppa Pig Mega Kitchen and a LEGO Marvel Infinity Gauntlet Thanos Set lowered from £80 to £45. 

If you want to find fantastic deals on kids' toys and games in 2023, be sure to check Amazon, Zavvi, and the Disney Shop. 

Why These Big Discounts?

Black Friday is an international day of sales, but there are other reasons stores offer sales and discounts on products, and some deals look too good.

Although there is the possibility of shenanigans by companies that make lower-quality tech products, such as TVs and monitors, specifically for Black Friday, generally, it is a win-win situation for shoppers and businesses. While shoppers get to bag their favourites at a fraction of the cost, retailers get higher footfall and sales volume and use several tried-and-tested business methods to maximise their profits. 

The biggest issue on Black Friday and why 'fake' Black Friday sales exist is FOMO (fear of missing out). Shoppers feel the deal is too good to pass up and buy it before researching, while in reality, the items were either inflated beforehand to make the discount look bigger, or the item is likely on sale multiple times a year.

Savvy shoppers would do well to keep an eye on electronics and clothing because they offer the most significant discounts and the most chance of a ‘fake’ Black Friday deal. The best way to avoid falling for an inflated deal is by double-checking the prices through sites such as camelcamelcamel and PriceRunner, which are online tools that track the price changes in products to see if you're getting a real deal or if the store inflated the prices to make it look better.