Black Friday Electronics: Why Waiting Until December Saves More

Last year, I almost bought a 65-inch Samsung TV for $499 on Black Friday. Thank goodness I didn't. Three weeks later, I snagged the same model for $329 at Best Buy's post-Christmas clearance. That $170 difference taught me something retailers don't want you to know: the real electronics deals happen after Black Friday.

I've been tracking electronics prices for five years now, and I've discovered a pattern that could save you hundreds on your next tech purchase. While everyone's fighting crowds and refreshing websites on Black Friday, the savvy shoppers are waiting for what I call the "December Drop" – and it's absolutely worth it.

Why Black Friday Electronics "Deals" Aren't Actually Deals

Here's the thing about Black Friday electronics deals: they're mostly marketing theater. I learned this the hard way when I bought a $399 laptop on Black Friday 2022, only to find it selling for $289 two weeks later at the same store.

The truth is, retailers jack up prices in September and October, then "slash" them back to normal levels for Black Friday. I started using price tracking tools like Honey and CamelCamelCamel, and the data shocked me:

• 73% of "Black Friday deals" were the same price or cheaper earlier in the year
• Only 12% of electronics showed genuine savings compared to September prices
• The average "discount" was actually just 8% off the artificially inflated pre-sale price

When I dug deeper into my local Best Buy's pricing history, I found their "doorbuster" 55-inch TV was actually $50 more expensive than it had been in August. The $200 savings they advertised was complete fiction.

Pro tip: Start tracking prices in August for items you want. Screenshot the prices so you can spot fake discounts during Black Friday hype.

The December Drop: When Real Savings Begin

December is when the magic happens, and I've got the receipts to prove it. After Black Friday ends, retailers face a harsh reality: they're sitting on massive inventory they need to clear before year-end. That's when the real discounts start.

Here's what I've saved by waiting until December instead of buying on Black Friday:

• iPad Air (2023): Black Friday price $499, December 18th price $389 (22% more savings)
• Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones: Black Friday $249, December 20th $179 (28% more savings)
• Dell XPS 13 laptop: Black Friday $899, December 27th $649 (28% more savings)
• Nintendo Switch OLED: Black Friday $299, December 30th $249 (17% more savings)

The pattern is clear: patience pays. But you need to know exactly when and where to look for these post-Black Friday goldmines.

My December Electronics Shopping Calendar

Through years of deal hunting, I've mapped out the optimal timing for different electronics categories. Here's my proven schedule:

December 1-10: Gaming Gear Gets Serious

This is when gaming accessories and older console models see their steepest drops. Last December, I scored a PlayStation 5 controller for $39 (normally $70) during this window. Gaming headsets, keyboards, and mice all hit rock bottom during this period.

December 11-20: TV and Audio Equipment Plummet

TVs see their best prices of the entire year during this stretch. I've watched 65-inch 4K TVs drop from $599 on Black Friday to $429 by December 15th. Sound bars, speakers, and home theater equipment follow the same pattern.

December 21-31: Laptops and Smartphones Crash

The final weeks of December are laptop and phone paradise. Retailers are desperate to clear inventory before new models launch in January. I bought my current MacBook Pro for $1,199 on December 28th – it was $1,499 on Black Friday at the same store.

Where to Find These Hidden December Deals

Not all stores participate in the December drop equally. Here are my go-to sources and the specific sections to monitor:

Best Buy's Open-Box Clearance: This is my secret weapon. Returns from Black Friday purchases flood their open-box inventory in early December. I've found "like new" items with full warranties at 30-40% off retail. Check the open-box section daily starting December 5th.

Amazon Warehouse Deals: Similar to Best Buy, but harder to find. Search for "Amazon Warehouse" under the condition filter. I found a "Very Good" condition iPad Pro for $423 that looked brand new – it retailed for $649.

Costco's Post-Holiday Clearance: Costco doesn't participate in Black Friday madness, but their January clearance starts early. Members get access to incredible electronics deals starting December 26th. Plus, you get Costco's legendary return policy.

Target's Weekly Clearance Cycles: Target marks down electronics every Thursday morning. December Thursdays are goldmines. I set phone alarms for 6 AM every Thursday in December to check their clearance endcaps.

My 5-Step December Electronics Strategy

Here's the exact system I use to maximize December electronics savings:

Step 1: Create a Wishlist in November
I add everything I want to my cart at multiple retailers but don't buy. This lets me track prices and get notified of drops.

Step 2: Set Up Price Alerts
I use Honey for browser notifications and Slickdeals for community-spotted deals. The key is setting alerts 20% below Black Friday prices.

Step 3: Monitor Return Policies
Different stores have different return windows. I time my December purchases to align with 30-45 day return policies, giving me flexibility if prices drop further.

Step 4: Check Clearance Sections Daily
Starting December 1st, I spend 10 minutes each morning checking clearance sections at Best Buy, Target, and Amazon. Consistency is everything.

Step 5: Be Ready to Buy Immediately
When I find a deal that beats my target price, I buy instantly. December deals often sell out within hours because there's limited clearance inventory.

Set a specific savings goal before you start shopping. I won't buy anything unless it's at least 25% cheaper than the Black Friday price. This keeps me from justifying mediocre deals.

What to Avoid During December Shopping

December isn't perfect for every electronics purchase. Here's what I've learned to avoid:

Brand New Releases: Anything that launched in October or November won't see significant December discounts. Wait until February or March for meaningful savings on new products.

Apple Products: Apple rarely participates in deep discounting. Your best bet for Apple gear is certified refurbished directly from Apple, which offers the same warranty as new products.

Smart Home Devices: These tend to be loss leaders during Black Friday and rarely get cheaper in December. If you see a good smart speaker or security camera deal on Black Friday, grab it.

Real Success Stories from Last December

Let me share some actual wins from my December 2023 shopping to prove this strategy works:

My neighbor Sarah wanted a new laptop for her daughter's college graduation. Instead of paying $799 for a Dell Inspiron on Black Friday, she waited. On December 22nd, the same laptop hit $549 at Best Buy's open-box section. It looked perfect and came with the full manufacturer warranty.

My brother needed a 4K TV for his new apartment. The 55-inch LG he wanted was $449 on Black Friday. By waiting until December 28th, he found it for $349 at Target's clearance endcap – and got an additional 5% off with his RedCard.

I personally scored the biggest win with wireless earbuds. The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds I'd been tracking were $199 on Black Friday. On December 19th, Amazon Warehouse had a pair in "Like New" condition for $119. They arrived looking absolutely perfect.

Marcus C.

Electronics Editor

Marcus has been reviewing consumer tech for over 8 years. He tracks prices obsessively and has saved readers an estimated $2M+ through his buying guides and deal alerts.