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Cyber Monday is the online-focused sibling to Black Friday, and the event brings equally great discounts and sales straight to you. It's coming November 29, but tons of deals are already available now.
Historically, the event has always been a great time to shop for tech, smart home, and gift cards — though stock is typically very limited. Acting fast is key to getting a good deal, so it's important to know what you're shopping for ahead of time.
Below, we rounded up some of the best early Cyber Monday deals available now, plus answers to any questions you might have before the event.
The best deals available now
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Black Friday every year. In 2021, the shopping event will land on November 29.
As a continuation of sorts to Black Friday, Cyber Monday gives shoppers another opportunity to save on tech, home goods, clothing, and more that you might've missed while digesting Thanksgiving dinner. Unlike Black Friday, though, Cyber Monday is entirely online.
What time does Cyber Monday start?
Cyber Monday officially begins at 12 a.m. ET on November 29. That said, the event is expected to carry over many deals from Black Friday, so some discounts will likely already be available before that time.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday began as the online version of Black Friday, where online retailers offered big discounts to match their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Now, Cyber Monday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, often surpassing even Black Friday in terms of revenue and sales.
Previously, the main distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday was that Black Friday focused on in-store sales and Cyber Monday on online sales. But as shopping habits have increasingly favored the internet, shoppers can look forward to a very online-focused Cyber Monday and Black Friday.
Cyber Monday offers a great opportunity to save on all your holiday gifts.
How long do Cyber Monday sales last?
Though Cyber Monday sales once took place on Monday only, we've seen them extend to longer and longer durations, with a handful lasting through the rest of the week.
However, the best discounts we see are in limited supply and expire soon after they become available.
What's better, Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
With more and more buyers shopping online, the debate over which shopping holiday wins, is practically moot. Both events will be held predominantly online, and more than a few deals overlap. In fact, many Black Friday deals become Cyber Monday deals when the dates change.
If possible, buyers should shop on both holidays. We've seen different products receive better discounts on each day, and the deals that each retailer offers will vary.
Generally speaking, consumers shopping for big-ticket items, such as laptops, TVs, and kitchen appliances, can expect more opportunities on Black Friday. Shoppers looking for last year's models, smart home gadgets, digital subscriptions, and gift cards will likely find more luck during Cyber Monday.
What should I buy during Cyber Monday?
If a retailer offers Black Friday deals, it's a near guarantee that it will offer Cyber Monday deals, too. Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are some noteworthy retailers that we know will participate in the shopping event, with deals across many product categories.
We will likely see massive discounts on some of our favorite direct-to-consumer products during Cyber Monday, such as retail startups like Leesa and Brooklinen. For some online stores, Cyber Monday (or Cyber Week) will be one of the few times of the year when their products see major markdowns.
Will there be Cyber Monday shipping delays?
Shipping delays and shopping holidays are inextricably linked, so there's always a risk of late deliveries.
To help you avoid the shipping crunch and get your stuff sooner, several retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, offer in-store pickup and contactless curbside pickup. This means shoppers can grab their orders at a nearby location, provided that the retailer has it in stock.
Best Cyber Monday deals we saw last year
Last year, we saw a lot of great sales on Cyber Monday ranging from sitewide discounts to specific products. Everything from home and kitchen, to subscription services were on sale during last year's annual savings event.
Here are a few of the best Cyber Monday deals from 2020.
- Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Classic Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush was $179 from Kohl's, originally $229.
- FujiFilm Instax Mini 11 Camera Bundle was $70 from Kohl's on Cyber Monday last year, originally $120.
- Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker was $84 from Target on Cyber Monday last year, originally $140.
How we select the best Cyber Monday deals
- We only choose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
- We compare the prices among top retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart and only include the deals that are better than all others offered (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
- All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.
Read more about how the Insider Reviews team evaluates deals and why you should trust us.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/cyber-monday-deals