The best Black Friday deals to wait for are electronics, toys, apparel and computers, because Adobe’s 2025 Cyber Monday data showed the deepest peak discounts there: 31 percent on electronics, 28 percent on toys, 25 percent on apparel and 23 percent on computers. Furniture, appliances and sporting goods sat lower, at 17 to 19 percent.
That does not mean everything else is a bad buy, and it does not guarantee 2026 will look the same. It means the biggest swings are in a handful of categories, so those are where patience pays most. Use this guide with our tech deals worth waiting for and the full list of categories that usually drop to build your list.
The Verdict Table: Wait, Compare or Buy When Needed
| Category | Adobe peak discount (Cyber Monday 2025) | Our verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 31% | Wait | Deepest discount in the data |
| Toys | 28% | Wait, but watch stock | Deep cuts but popular items sell out |
| Apparel | 25% | Wait for the items you want | Large cuts, easy to compare |
| Computers | 23% | Wait | Strong cuts; check model numbers |
| Televisions | 22% | Wait | Large, comparable products |
| Furniture | 19% | Compare | Moderate cuts; delivery cost matters |
| Appliances | 19% | Compare, buy if broken | Moderate cuts; urgency can outweigh savings |
| Sporting goods | 17% | Buy when needed | Smallest cut in the data |
The discount column is Adobe’s reported peak by category, published on 2 December 2025. The verdict column is our judgment, not a sourced finding. A peak discount is the best cut seen, not the typical one.
Should You Wait for Electronics Deals?
Usually yes, if the item is not urgent. Electronics had the highest peak discount in Adobe’s data at 31 percent. Amazon’s 2025 event listed examples such as select JBL products at half price, Bose audio gear up to 45 percent off and select Amazon devices up to 50 percent off, according to PhoneArena, but those were that year’s offers and not a promise for 2026. Check each item’s history using our price history tracker guide, because Which? found most UK deals matched prices available at other times.
If you are thinking about a phone, see our smartphone upgrade guide, and if it is for study, our best budget laptops for students list narrows the field.
Are Toys and Gifts Worth Waiting For?
The discounts are deep at 28 percent in Adobe’s peak data, but toys carry stock risk. Our suggestion is to buy the one must-have gift once it meets your ceiling and wait on everything else. For other gifts, our guide to early holiday gift ideas shows what tends to climb as December nears.
Should You Wait for Clothing and Shoes?
Often, since apparel reached a 25 percent peak discount in Adobe’s data and it is easy to compare sizes and styles across stores. Waiting works best when you can name the exact item. If you only want ‘a winter jacket’, set a price limit and a brand shortlist first.
What About Computers and TVs?
Both are strong candidates: computers at 23 percent and televisions at 22 percent in Adobe’s peak data. The risk is model numbers. A sale model can differ from the one reviewed online, so match the model number before paying.
Is It Worth Waiting for Furniture and Appliances?
Less so. Furniture and appliances had peak discounts of 19 percent in Adobe’s data, and delivery or installation costs can erase the gap. If your washing machine breaks in November, buy it. If you are upgrading by choice, compare tool and appliance offers in our Home Depot Black Friday tools and appliance guide, and see what usually discounts at a big-box store in what Target puts on sale.
When Is It Better Not to Wait?
| Situation | Better move |
|---|---|
| The item is broken or unsafe | Buy now |
| The discount is under about 10 percent | Skip the wait unless you need it |
| The item is a rumoured new model next month | Check the release news first |
| Stock is low and the price meets your ceiling | Buy |
| You cannot find a price history | Compare at least two sellers |
The ten percent line is our rule of thumb and not a sourced threshold.
For how to run the full process, follow the steps in our Black Friday shopping guide for beginners, and read what we know about Amazon Black Friday deals in 2026.
How Do You Set Alerts for the Items You Are Waiting On?
Pick the three to five items in the wait group and set a target for each. Use a tracker for Amazon items, and for other stores use wish lists or your own sheet, as described in our price history tracker guide. Record the date and price whenever you check.
If the price rises before the sale, do not chase it. Prices can move both ways, and the point of the alert is to buy at your number or not at all. If an item you wanted sells out, look at the next best model rather than paying a marketplace seller far above the usual price.
