Black Friday 2022

It’s never too early to start checking people off your holiday shopping list, especially when the days fill up so quickly with parties, cookie exchanges, family get-togethers, and other festivities. Thankfully, the shopping season has already kicked off with some great early holiday sales and fantastic Black Friday deals from retailers like Amazon, Sephora, and Best Buy. Whether you’re shopping for the season's most coveted electronics, kitchen appliances, or home goods, it’s the time to hit “Add to Cart” — especially when you can do it from the comfort of home — and we’ll be tracking all the best sales so you don’t miss a thing.

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When is Black Friday?

Black Friday always falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so the actual date changes each year. This year’s Black Friday falls on November 25, 2022, which means there’s exactly a month before Christmas to squeeze in all of your holiday shopping — and while supply chain issues may not be as troublesome as last year, it’s still a good idea to start checking things off your shopping list just in case. While there will be fresh Black Friday deals on November 25, Amazon has already rolled out early holiday deals, and retailers like Walmart have started offering preview sales, too.

What time does Black Friday begin?

While many Black Friday sales are likely to begin on Thanksgiving Day or early Friday morning, some retailers start the Black Friday festivities earlier and roll out early deals throughout the month of November. In fact, Amazon has already launched many early holiday deals, with deep discounts on tech, kitchen appliances, home goods, and more, giving you enough time to receive and wrap your gifts before the holidays. Traditionally, brick-and-mortar stores such as Target, Walmart, and Best Buy have offered in-store sales starting on Thanksgiving Day in the early evening. However, because COVID-19 made in-store shopping difficult during the 2020 and 2021 holiday seasons, many brick-and-mortar retailers shifted focus to their online marketplaces and made it easier than ever to score major deals from the comfort of your couch this year as well. The best Black Friday sales in 2022 will pop up at different stores, so keep checking this page for updates, as everyone here at Bustle will be doing our best to help you track down the top deals and get your holiday shopping done in time.

When do Black Friday ads come out?

Retailers release ads at different times, and many stores have already published ads to accompany their pre-Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. It's likely that stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Macy’s will continue to release their ads throughout November. Amazon doesn’t publish ads, but the retailer has already released some pre-Black Friday deals, and will likely continue releasing sales updates as we get closer to the biggest shopping days. eBay tends to release its ads at the last minute, just before Black Friday begins.

What are the best things to buy on Black Friday?

As always, Black Friday is prime time to buy big-ticket electronics, like TVs and laptops. If you’re in the market for electronics, make sure you do your research to avoid landing an awesome deal on a not-so-awesome product. You might also be able to find great deals on video games and gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, especially in bundle form. Small kitchen appliances often go on sale as well, with everything from blenders to Instant Pots likely to be available at a heavy discount. If you want to purchase any Amazon devices, such as a Kindle, Echo smart speaker, or Fire tablet, Black Friday is a great time to do it. If you’re interested in Apple products, you should know that Apple doesn’t often offer significant deals on its products, but other retailers are likely to offer discounts on iPhones, iPads, Macbooks, and Apple watches. And finally, while makeup and clothing aren’t quite as traditional to purchase on the big day, they’ll almost definitely be discounted at a variety of retailers including Sephora, Amazon, L.L. Bean, and Zappos.

Where are the best places to shop on Black Friday?

Like last year, many retailers are offering Black Friday sales online in 2022. Make sure to check out Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Kohl’s for some of the season’s best deals.

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

Black Friday is traditionally an in-store shopping day with online sales being secondary. In recent years (and in part due to COVID-19 shaking things up), many retailers have been shifting their focus to online sales, making online Black Friday deals better than ever. Like last year, you can expect many retailers to offer some of their best deals and deepest discounts on their websites and on online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. And, while shopping in-store traditionally has some benefits, you may still prefer to approach Black Friday 2022 from the comfort of your own home. Ultimately, every shopper needs to decide what matters the most to them and plot their shopping accordingly.

How can you get the best deals on Black Friday?

The best way to get a great deal on Black Friday is to prepare in advance. Look for coupons and news about sales in your Thanksgiving Week ads and on retailer websites. Follow your favorite retailers on social media, sign up for their newsletters, and join loyalty programs so that you can stay informed about all the best deals. Come up with a game plan so that on Black Friday morning you already know what you want, how much you’re willing to spend, and where to shop at what time. Research and track the prices of the products you want so that you know what’s a good deal and what’s nothing to write home about.

Finally, look into the return policies for your favorite stores so it’s easier to make a snap judgment if you’re not sure about a purchase. If you’re planning to shop online, you may also want to make yourself aware of shipping policies and be sure to check the estimated shipping times. So long as you’re an informed and discerning customer, you should be able to get the best deals.