Deal
I used to be one of those people who thought Black Friday was the holy grail of electronics deals. You know the type – camping out at Best Buy, fighting crowds for a "doorbuster" TV that was supposedly 70% off. Then I learned something that completely changed my shopping strategy: some of the best electronics deals actually happen after the holidays.
Last year, I saved myself $400 by waiting to buy a 65-inch Samsung TV until January 15th instead of buying it on Black Friday. The kicker? It was the exact same model, just $200 cheaper than the "incredible" Black Friday price. That's when I realized I needed to get smarter about electronics timing.
The Truth About Black Friday Electronics Pricing
Here's what retailers don't want you to know: many Black Friday electronics deals aren't actually the rock-bottom prices of the year. They're designed to clear out older inventory and create massive foot traffic. The real clearance happens when stores need to make room for new models in January and February.
I've been tracking electronics prices for three years now, and here's what I've discovered:
- TVs: January prices beat Black Friday by an average of 15-25%
- Laptops: Black Friday wins by 10-20%, but only on specific models
- Smartphones: Black Friday for current models, January for last year's flagships
- Gaming consoles: Black Friday for bundles, January for individual units
- Headphones: Nearly identical pricing, but better selection in January
What to Actually Buy on Black Friday
Don't get me wrong – Black Friday isn't a complete waste of time. There are specific electronics categories where you genuinely can't beat the deals:
Gaming Laptops and High-End Laptops
This is where Black Friday truly shines. Last November, I helped my nephew snag an ASUS ROG gaming laptop that was normally $1,299 for just $799. We checked prices through February, and that Black Friday price was never matched.
Apple Products
Apple rarely discounts their products significantly, so when retailers offer $100-200 off iPads or MacBooks during Black Friday, it's genuinely a good deal. I bought my MacBook Air for $899 (down from $1,099) and didn't see that price again for eight months.
Small Kitchen Appliances
Air fryers, coffee makers, and blenders hit their yearly lows on Black Friday. I got a Ninja Foodi that normally costs $179 for $89, and it's still going strong two years later.
Pro tip: Use price tracking tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel to verify if a "Black Friday deal" is actually a good price. I've seen "50% off" items that were only $20 cheaper than they were in September.
The January Goldmine: What to Wait For
January is when the magic happens for certain electronics. Retailers are desperate to clear out inventory before new models arrive, and they're not trying to drive foot traffic anymore – they just want stuff gone.
TVs and Home Theater Equipment
This is the big one. TV manufacturers announce new models at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in early January, which means retailers need to dump last year's inventory fast. I've seen 55-inch 4K TVs drop from $499 on Black Friday to $379 by January 20th.
The sweet spot for TV buying? January 15th through February 15th. That's when I bought my 65-inch Samsung for $799 – the same TV was $999 on Black Friday and $1,199 in October.
Smartphones (Previous Generation)
When new flagship phones are announced in the spring, retailers slash prices on last year's models. The iPhone 13 was $699 during Black Friday last year, but by January 30th, I found it for $549 at multiple retailers.
Fitness Equipment
Everyone's buying gym equipment in January for their New Year's resolutions, right? Wrong. Retailers stock up expecting demand, but most people give up on their fitness goals by February. That's when prices plummet. I got a Fitbit Sense for $149 in late January that was $199 during Black Friday.
My Personal Black Friday vs January Strategy
Here's exactly how I approach electronics shopping now:
October Research Phase:
I make a list of everything I want to buy and start tracking prices. I use a simple spreadsheet with the item name, current price, and target price. This takes about 10 minutes per week but saves me hundreds.
Black Friday Buying:
I only buy items that meet these criteria:
- Price is at least 30% below the October baseline
- It's something I need before January (like a laptop for work)
- It's a category that historically doesn't get better deals in January
January Shopping:
This is when I circle back to everything I didn't buy in November. I check prices every few days from January 10th through February 28th. The deals often get better throughout this period, not worse.
Specific Timing Strategies That Work
The "New Model" Calendar
I keep track of when companies typically announce new products:
- TVs: CES in January
- iPhones: September
- Samsung phones: February and August
- Gaming consoles: E3 timeframe (though this varies)
- Laptops: Back-to-school season (July-August)
The old models get cheapest 2-4 weeks after new ones are announced.
The "End of Quarter" Hack
Retailers have sales quotas, and their quarters end in March, June, September, and December. The last week of each quarter often brings unexpected deals as stores try to hit their numbers.
Red Flags to Avoid
After years of deal hunting, I've learned to spot fake deals from a mile away:
"Limited Time" Pressure
If a deal is truly good, similar pricing will appear again. Don't let artificial urgency make you overspend.
Bundle Manipulation
That "$500 off" TV deal might include a $400 sound bar you don't want. Always calculate the per-item value.
Older Model Tricks
Sometimes "new" Black Friday inventory is actually discontinued models from 2+ years ago. Always check the model number against current offerings.
Tools That Make This Strategy Easy
You don't need to become a deal-hunting obsessive to use this strategy. Here are the tools that do most of the work:
- Honey: Free browser extension that tracks price history
- CamelCamelCamel: Amazon price tracking (also free)
- Rakuten: Cashback on top of sale prices
- Google Shopping: Compare prices across retailers instantly
I spend maybe 15 minutes a week checking prices, and it saves me $1,000+ annually on electronics.
The Bottom Line
Black Friday isn't dead, but it's not the electronics paradise retailers want you to believe. Buy laptops, Apple products, and small appliances on Black Friday. Wait until January for TVs, previous-generation smartphones, and fitness equipment. Most importantly, track prices beforehand so you know a real deal when you see one. The biggest savings come from being patient and strategic, not from fighting crowds at 5 AM.
