Black Friday 2022

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If you love (or even just like) shopping, Black Friday is more than a sale — it’s the biggest event of the year. That’s why Elite Daily is scouring Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and more to get you the very best Black Friday deals on favorites like the Apple AirPods and Amazon Echo. During Black Friday 2022, we’ll be highlighting seriously deep discounts on gadgets like phones, laptops, tablets, and phones ⁠— Apple products included — as well as beauty, fashion, and all the best self-care items. Whether you’re getting a jump start on holiday shopping or simply treating yourself, there’s no better time of year to click “Add to Cart” — especially when you can do it from the comfort of home.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday 2022 is on November 25, but more generally, it’s the Friday after Thanksgiving (which is now typically celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November). However, Black Friday has become much more than just a one-day event. Look for sales starting in early November and ramping up over Thanksgiving week. And keep in mind that Black Friday sales often extend through the weekend and beyond — including Cyber Monday, which is the next major shopping holiday to mark on your calendar (it happens the Monday after Turkey Day). Elite Daily will be updating you on the best deals this November, so be sure to check back often since there’s sure to be incredible last-minute deals you won’t want to miss.

What time does Black Friday start?

Sales start online and in stores far before the actual day of November 25, and continue through the end of the year. Walmart is getting their Black Friday party started especially early with its Deals For Days Event which starts online Nov. 7, a little more than two weeks before Black Friday itself, with deals on brands like Samsung, Apple, and Ninja. You’ll want to keep an eye on Target as well, since the store’s pre-Black Friday Holiday Best Deals kick off on Oct. 31, with new deals on items like Beats headphones, HP laptops, and Keurig coffeemakers launching every week. Amazon has also launched pre-Black Friday sales on tons of items, which will continue through the holidays. Amazon’s (often Prime-specific) deals are a great opportunity to score great prices on gaming consoles, phones, tablets, TVs, and other tech products (especially if you’re looking to shop Alexa products like Echoes or smart TVs), as well as clothing, beauty, and more. You should expect more deals to pop up over the month of November, including a surge of amazing Black Friday discounts beginning the evening of Thanksgiving, perfect for some online shopping as you savor that last slice of pie.

As always, many retailers will be hosting in-store shopping events on Nov. 25 (usually in the early evening) if you prefer to venture out into the cold, but you’ll have to check with your local stores for specific hours. But since sales are happening all November long, it would be a shame to limit your shopping to a single day. That’s why Elite Daily will be rounding up the deals throughout the month of November, so you don’t miss a single must-buy.

When do Black Friday ads come out?

Black Friday ads typically begin coming out the first week of November. This year, to accompany early sales, stores like Walmart, Best Buy, and Lowe’s have already begun launching ads for Black Friday offerings, and will continue to run them throughout November.

However, while the ads can be a great way to work out your shopping plan to get the best Black Friday sales, there are also plenty of last-minute drops to keep an eye out for that are not announced the month or week before. This is particularly true for anyone who likes to shop on Amazon. We’ll be rounding up all the best ones on Elite Daily the week before Black Friday, as well as starting early on the big day.

What are the best things to buy on Black Friday?

The best things to buy on Black Friday are items you actually want and need, or products that you know will make stellar gifts for your family and friends. After all, a deal is only good if you actually like what you’ve purchased! Luckily, this year’s Black Friday sales include major discounts in every category, including home, tech, and fashion, so it should be easy to zero in on the types of things you want. While supply chain shortages might not be as big of a concern as last holiday season, it’s probably still a good idea to get an early start on your holiday shopping this year. Black Friday has traditionally been the best time to shop for big-ticket items like TVs, appliances, laptops, and more, so if you think you might want to buy something of the sort, Black Friday is the best time to do it.

That’s good news for anyone who’s shopping for gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch or upgrading their home with a KitchenAid mixer, Roomba robot vacuum, or even the cult-favorite Instant Pot. It’s also great if you’re looking for a new TV, smart home product, headphones, tablets, laptops, phones, and other tech, even Apple products like a MacBook or Apple Watch. These gadgets tend to be pretty pricey, so waiting for a Black Friday price drop is the move if you’re struggling to pull the trigger on a big purchase. But if you are interested in more than just gadgets, there will be exciting deals for you too. Black Friday is also a great time to shop for beauty, fashion, and workout gear, including on rarely discounted goods. Last year saw major sales at Glossier, ColourPop, Madewell, and many more, and you can expect much the same this year, too.

One word of caution — not all deals are good deals. There are plenty of so-called special promotions that have been on sale for months or small discounts that don’t amount to much in the way of savings. For deals that are actually good, keep checking this page while we scour Amazon and other retailers for the best bargains.

Where are the best places to shop on Black Friday?

The best places for you to shop on Black Friday all depends on what you’re looking for. Best Buy is legendary for its television deals and last year, featured an impressive array of deals on Samsung phones and laptops as well, so expect much the same from Black Friday 2022. For beauty on the other hand, Ulta and Sephora always pull out all the stops with limited-edition sets from fan-favorite brands – but shop early, the best deals sell out quickly.

If you’re looking for a little bit of everything, zero in on Amazon, Target, and Walmart’s deals, which will run the gamut from tech to toys to home to fashion. And since the big retailers don’t like to be outdone by each other, the same deal can often be found at multiple places. If you’re looking to get your basket with two-day Prime shipping, consider checking for the deal on Amazon before buying.

Is it better to shop online or in-store on Black Friday?

While previous years have offered plenty of both “in-store only” and “online only” deals, 2020 and 2021 saw retailers leaning into online sales due to COVID-19. You can expect plenty of online deals in 2022, though it’s worth noting that shopping brick-and-mortar is more popular this year with shoppers returning to some pre-pandemic consumer habits. In the end, deciding how and where to shop will largely come down to personal preference. If you'd prefer to avoid the crowds and shop from the comfort of your own home, online is the way to go. But, no doubt there will still be in-store sales to find (and even in-store exclusives at certain stores), so if that's your preference, check with your local branches and plan to arrive early.

In the past, Black Friday was the day to shop in stores with online shoppers snagging deals on Cyber Monday. However, the retail landscape looks very different these days. Online-first marketplaces like Amazon have been joining in on the fun with deep discounts that can only be found online, and many big retailers have broadened their in-store festivities to include shoppers who prefer to shop from the comfort of their phone or laptop. This means that Black Friday has become just as great a time to shop for deals online as it is in-store. However, if you do want to shop in a physical store, you’ll want to do that on Black Friday, since brick-and-mortars rarely have special Cyber Monday deals dropping.

Plus, if you’re looking for deals the weekend (or even week) after Black Friday itself, online pulls ahead with deals that last longer and stock levels that are easier to figure out. And beyond getting to stay cozy while you’re shopping, there’s also the added benefit of getting to shop many more stores at one time. Elite Daily will be rounding up all the must-see deals all month long, including bright and early on Black Friday morning — so keep an eye on this space.