Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday Better for Deals? (US 2026)
Neither day wins every time. In the US, Black Friday (November 27, 2026) usually brings the broadest mix of in-store and online deals, while Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026) is built around online shopping. How to tell which day is better for what you want, how Best Buy, Walmart and Target fit in, and the four steps to take before you check out.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Author: Hejia Zhang, Editor in Chief, ShopBack US
ShopBack US is a free cashback app and website. Before you check out at stores like Best Buy, Walmart or Target, you go through ShopBack, shop as usual, and part of what you paid comes back as cash. Sign up for ShopBack before the Thanksgiving weekend sales start.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for deals?
For most shoppers, the better day is simply the one where the exact item you want hits the lowest price, and that is often Black Friday for big-ticket, limited-stock items and Cyber Monday for online-only offers. The two days sit inside the same sale weekend, and many large US retailers run the same prices across both.
| Black Friday | Cyber Monday | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 date | Friday, November 27 | Monday, November 30 |
| Where deals happen | In stores and online | Mainly online |
| Usually strongest for | Limited-stock offers on TVs, laptops, consoles, appliances | Online-only deals, extended weekend deals, items you missed on Friday |
| Online spending (Adobe Analytics, 2020) | $9 billion | $10.7 billion |
| Main risk | Popular offers can sell out early | The deal you saw on Friday may be gone |
A simple rule: decide your target price before the sale. If an item hits it on Black Friday, buy it then rather than gambling on Monday. If it does not, keep watching through the weekend into Cyber Monday.
Cyber Monday deals: what usually goes on sale
Cyber Monday deals are mostly online offers from US retailers, and they often include both carried-over Black Friday prices and new Monday-only deals. The name itself comes from retail: according to Wikipedia, Ellen Davis of the National Retail Federation coined the term "Cyber Monday" in a press release on November 28, 2005, based on research showing the Monday after Thanksgiving was one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.
What you will typically see on Cyber Monday:
- Electronics and tech: laptops, tablets, headphones, smart home devices and TVs, often the same categories as Black Friday.
- Sitewide or category codes: percentage-off codes from brands and retailers that run online only.
- Extended weekend deals: many Black Friday prices stay live through the Monday.
- Online-only bundles: accessory bundles and gift sets that do not appear in stores.
In 2020, Cyber Monday was the bigger online spending day of the two. According to Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday 2020 reached $10.7 billion in US online spending, the biggest online shopping day in US history at that point, while Black Friday 2020 reached $9 billion online, up 22 percent on the year before.
Cyber Monday deals 2026: dates and what to plan
In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, Black Friday on Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday on Monday, November 30. Many retailers start their deals earlier in November, so the "Black Friday" price on many items may be available days before the Friday.
A few things worth knowing about the 2026 weekend:
- Thanksgiving Day store hours. Many major retailers have kept their stores closed on Thanksgiving Day since 2020, and Target said in 2021 that it planned to keep its stores closed on the holiday going forward. Check your local store's hours before you go. Online deals are often live on the day itself.
- Early deals. Retailers frequently release Black Friday pricing on some items in the weeks before, so track prices from early November.
- The weekend in between. Saturday and Sunday often keep the Friday deals running, which gives you time to compare stores.
- After Cyber Monday. Some deals carry into the rest of the week, but the deepest limited-stock offers are usually gone.
For a wider view of the year's sale events, see our Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday guide.
Best Cyber Monday deals in the US for 2026: how to spot a real one
A real Cyber Monday deal is one where the price is lower than what the same model number has sold for in recent weeks, not just lower than a "was" price. The best way to know is to track the item before the sale starts.
How to check a deal:
- Write down the exact model number. Holiday versions of TVs and laptops can carry slightly different model numbers from the regular versions.
- Note the price in early November. That is your baseline for judging the sale price.
- Compare at least three stores. Use the same model, the same color or storage size, and the total with shipping and tax.
- Check the return window. Holiday purchases often get an extended return period, but terms vary by store.
- Go through ShopBack before you pay so the effective price drops on the store you choose.
Best Buy vs Walmart Cyber Monday deals: price comparison in 2026
Best Buy and Walmart both run big Cyber Monday electronics deals, and the cheaper store depends on the exact product, so compare the same model number at both before you buy. Each store has its own strengths.
| Best Buy | Walmart | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Electronics and appliance specialist | Big-box retailer covering electronics, home, toys and groceries |
| Usually strong for | TVs, laptops, appliances, cameras, gaming, with a wide range of models | Everyday electronics, TVs, toys and household items in one cart |
| Worth checking | Open-box and member pricing shown on the product page | Rollbacks and online-only deals |
| On ShopBack US | Best Buy on ShopBack | Walmart on ShopBack |
To compare fairly:
- Match the model number exactly, not just the screen size or brand.
- Compare the total with delivery or pickup costs.
- Check stock: a deal that is out of stock near you is not a deal.
- Read the return policy for the holiday period.
- Before you check out, go through ShopBack and open that store's page.
Our Best Buy savings guide goes deeper on sale timing at Best Buy.
Best Buy, Walmart and Target Cyber Monday deals in the US
All three stores run Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in the US, and each one is worth checking for different items. Best Buy is the specialist for tech and appliances. Walmart covers the widest everyday range. Target is strong for home, toys, kitchen and smaller electronics.
Target is also useful for one reason during the sale weekend: its Price Match Guarantee covers its own prices. According to Target, if you buy a qualifying item at Target and then find the identical item for less at Target.com, in Target stores or with a Target Circle deal, you can request a price match at the time of purchase or within 14 days. Clearance, closeout and some other items are excluded, so check Target's policy page. In practice, that means if you buy at Target on Black Friday and Target drops the price on Cyber Monday, you may be able to get the difference back.
Other electronics stores on ShopBack US include Newegg and Costco, so it is worth adding one of them to your price check.
The four steps to take before you check out
Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card. That order works on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Compare prices. Check the same model at Best Buy, Walmart and Target, and use your early-November baseline.
- Look for a promo code. Use codes from the retailer's own site or emails, or the ones listed on the store's ShopBack page.
- Go through ShopBack. Open the store's page on ShopBack US and activate before you add to cart and pay.
- Pay with your best rewards card. Use the card that earns the most on that kind of purchase.
Can you use a rewards card and ShopBack on the same order?
Usually, yes: a credit card's rewards are earned by the card issuer, and ShopBack's cash comes from shopping through ShopBack, so the two usually work on the same order. Check the merchant's terms and the store's terms on its ShopBack page, as some payment methods or gift card purchases may not qualify. Our cashback vs card rewards guide explains how the two compare.
How ShopBack lowers what you pay on Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
Here is an illustrative example: on a $500 TV at an illustrative 2 percent, $10 comes back, so the effective price is $490. The live rate for each store is shown on its ShopBack page, and rates can change during sale weekends, so that is the number to use. Walmart works differently: ShopBack pays a fixed cash amount on eligible Walmart orders, so your effective price is what you pay at checkout minus that amount; the live amount is on Walmart's ShopBack page.
How to do it on ShopBack US:
- Start on the ShopBack US app or website, or use the browser extension.
- Open the store page, for example Best Buy on ShopBack, Walmart on ShopBack or Target on ShopBack, and activate.
- Check out in the same session without switching to another coupon site.
- Check the store's terms on its ShopBack page, as some products or categories may not qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for deals?
Neither day is better every time. In the US, Black Friday usually has the broadest mix of in-store and online deals and the earliest limited-stock offers, while Cyber Monday is built around online shopping and often extends or adds online deals. If the item you want is on sale at a price you are happy with on Black Friday, buy it then; if not, check again on Cyber Monday.
When are Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2026?
In 2026, Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, so Black Friday is Friday, November 27 and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Many US retailers start deals earlier in November and run them through the whole weekend.
Is Cyber Monday bigger than Black Friday for online shopping?
It was in 2020. According to Adobe Analytics figures for that year, Cyber Monday brought in $10.7 billion in US online spending, compared with $9 billion online on Black Friday. More online spending does not always mean deeper discounts on the item you want, so compare prices on both days.
Are Cyber Monday deals the same as Black Friday deals?
Often many of them are. Large US retailers frequently keep Black Friday prices running through the weekend and into Cyber Monday, then add new online-only deals on the Monday. Limited-stock offers can sell out before Monday, so the exact deal you saw on Friday may not be there later.
Is Best Buy or Walmart better for Cyber Monday deals?
It depends on the product. Best Buy specializes in electronics and appliances, while Walmart covers electronics alongside groceries, home and toys. Compare the exact same model number at both, check the total with shipping, then go through ShopBack before you buy from whichever store has the better price.
Does Target price match if the price drops after Black Friday?
Target's Price Match Guarantee covers its own prices: if you buy a qualifying item at Target and then find the identical item for less at Target.com, in Target stores or with a Target Circle deal, you can ask for a match at the time of purchase or within 14 days. Clearance and some other items are excluded, so check Target's policy.
What should I buy on Black Friday versus Cyber Monday?
Black Friday is usually a good day for big-ticket items like TVs, laptops, game consoles and appliances, especially limited-stock offers. Cyber Monday is often a good day for online-only deals and for anything you did not find at the right price over the weekend. Track the price of the exact model before the sale starts so you know whether a deal is real.
What are the steps to get the best Cyber Monday deal?
Step 1: compare prices. Step 2: look for a promo code. Step 3: go through ShopBack. Step 4: pay with your best rewards card. Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a Cyber Monday order?
Going through ShopBack gets you a cash rebate on the same order, at the same store. Start on ShopBack US, open the store page for Best Buy, Walmart or Target, activate, and check out as usual. Cashback comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Check the live rate and terms on the store's ShopBack page.
Key takeaways
- Neither day wins every time: Black Friday (November 27, 2026) is broadest, Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026) is online-focused.
- Adobe Analytics figures for 2020 put Cyber Monday at $10.7 billion in US online spending, ahead of Black Friday's $9 billion online.
- Set a target price in early November, and buy on whichever day the exact model hits it.
- Compare the same model at Best Buy, Walmart and Target; Target's price match covers its own lower prices within 14 days.
- Compare prices, look for a promo code, go through ShopBack US on Best Buy, Walmart or Target, then pay with your best rewards card.
Related reads
- Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday
- Cashback vs Coupon Codes in the US
- Cashback vs Credit Card Points
- Cashback vs Store Sales
- Save on Best Buy
Shop the holiday sales through ShopBack US: Best Buy · Walmart · Target · Newegg · Costco
Disclaimer
The views in this article are those of the author and are for general information only. Sale dates, deals, prices, price match rules and return policies are set by each retailer and can change at any time; check the details on the retailer's own pages before you buy. Spending figures are historical and are not a forecast. Card rewards depend on your card issuer's terms. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate and terms on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.
Related guides
Black Friday vs Prime Day vs Cyber Monday
Prime Day peaks on Amazon; Black Friday hits most categories; Cyber Monday leads on tech. When each event wins for US shoppers.
Cashback vs Coupon Codes in the US: Which Saves More in 2026?
Coupon codes give an instant discount at checkout. Cashback returns a percentage after the sale clears. In the US, coupons win on small one-off buys; cashback wins on large or recurring spend. Stack both when the code source is safe.
Can I Stack Cashback With Credit Card Rewards in the US? (2026)
Usually, yes. In the US you can earn ShopBack cashback and your credit card's rewards on the same online order, because cashback is tied to the store and card rewards are tied to the card. A flat-rate card like Citi Double Cash earns 2%, according to Citi at the time of writing. Go through ShopBack first, then pay with that card.
Cashback vs Store Sales
Merchant sales apply automatically at checkout; cashback pays on top through the tracking link. In most cases the two combine on one order.
Save on Best Buy
Where the real Best Buy US savings come from: Deal of the Day, Top Deals, My Best Buy Plus and Total memberships, Open-Box inventory, and how to stack ShopBack cashback on top of any Best Buy promo or member price on electronics, appliances, and computing.
