Holiday shopping season has always been synonymous with deals, discounts and sale events. Many shoppers start saving early to maximize their shopping spending. Others opt for last-minute sales, rushing to the nearest store or expediting their shipping.
Whether you’re budget planning for the season or considering some gift sets for your family, our experts bring insider’s tips and their go-to items to shop ahead of Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You might save a few more bucks on a laptop deal if you buy during a specific month. Additionally, you might leverage your holiday budgeting when shopping from one specific retailer.
From the most coveted toys to the latest tech inventions, two retail experts give us details on how you can spend less, save more and score that once-in-a-lifetime deal.
Which has better deals: Prime Day or Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Historically, October Prime Day is a great start on holiday shopping for consumers and an opportunity to save big on Amazon-owned devices and other categories, such as kitchen appliances, toys, paper products and household goods, according to RetailMeNot retail insights expert Stephanie Carls.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known for having the deepest discounts of the year on TVs and electronics. Retail expert and co-founder of Threadneedle Alley Foundation, Trae Bodge, says that early October has become a hotspot for deals and expects discounts as deep as 60% off.
“Most major retailers participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday in some way, but the strongest categories are tech, apparel, beauty products, small and large home appliances,” explains Bodge.
Other major retailers, including Walmart and Target, are also rolling out early holiday deals, giving shoppers more opportunities to compare prices ahead of the holiday season.
“Looking at retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy, which carry many of the same products, gives you an opportunity to pay close attention to prices and categories,” says Carls. “Use that to your advantage by comparing prices across retailers to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.” She recommends keeping an eye on competing retailers during October’s Prime Day in particular, as comparing prices across stores can help shoppers determine whether a deal is truly worth buying.
Early Amazon Prime Day deals
Prime Day is a great time to save on household essentials, and this bathroom cleaner was a great contender during my Ranked testing. It provides enough suds to cover your bathtub and toilet while fighting grime, mildew and soap scum.
Writer Danielle Murphy gave this paper towel five stars for its absorbency and durability. “As its name suggests, durability is what put this paper towel right on top. I pulled and tugged and yanked one of these sheets multiple times and it took way more tries than expected to get a single sheet to rip,” she says.
Looking to upgrade your sleep routine? This sound machine will assist in blocking outside noise, snoring and other disruptive sounds. “I used this on my trip last year to Ireland and I didn’t have to charge it once,” shares associate editor Annie Shigo.
This award-winning device offers straightforward tracking. If you’re an iPhone user, all you need to do is connect it to the Find My app to keep track of all your belongings.
This pour-over coffee maker won received a five-star rating on coffee taste results and filtration system.
“It’s cost-effective. It’s wildly user-friendly. And it delivers the kind of sweet, clean and juicy cup that’ll make you keep reaching for it. The V60 gives you control, as well as visual feedback. It’s responsive without being fussy. It’s forgiving without being dull. Whether you’re brewing one cup or three, it’s got the range to meet your needs,” says Drew Pond, director of development at Stone Creek Coffee in Milwaukee.
For those looking to better understand their indoor air quality, this device tracks several environmental factors in your home, including particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), humidity and temperature. With insights into these conditions, it can help you create a more comfortable environment and optimize your bedroom for better sleep.
Target early deals
As rucking continues to gain popularity, this weighted vest can help add resistance to your workouts and support your fitness goals. Its comfortable, breathable design is easy to put on and adjust, making it a convenient option for walks, hikes and strength training.
Listen to up to 18 hours of your favorite playlists with these Bluetooth earbuds from Beats. Designed with dual-layer construction to help minimize discomfort and laser-cut vents for improved audio performance, they deliver a comfortable fit and immersive sound for your everyday listening.
Refresh your bedroom with this cozy comforter set, featuring fade- and wrinkle-resistant fabric for lasting appeal. Its thick, plush construction provides added warmth and comfort for a more restful night’s sleep.
Walmart early deals
Shop TODAY fashion and lifestyle contributor Melissa Garcia loves these Cushionaire shoes for their easy slip-on design, supportive arch cushioning and lightweight feel. They’re comfortable enough for everyday wear and versatile enough to pair with all your favorite fall outfits.
This elegant and compact Michael Kors bag is under $50 and offers an easy way to keep your essentials organized while on the go. Its adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit for comfortable, everyday wear.
Previously featured on TODAY, this versatile ottoman is a stylish way to keep your space organized while hiding away everyday clutter. Simply lift the top to reveal hidden storage for blankets, toys, pillows and other essentials you want to keep out of sight.
If you’re looking for a versatile hair tool, this multi-styler includes five interchangeable attachments designed to help you dry, straighten, diffuse, curl and style your hair in different ways. Wavytalk is a Shop TODAY editor favorite and Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner, making this 28%-off deal one worth noting.
What to shop during Amazon Prime Day
“Every Prime Day, millions of items across dozens of categories are on sale. The deepest discounts are typically on brands Amazon owns, like Amazon Basics, Amazon Essentials, Kindle, Ring, Fire, etcetera,” explains Bodge.
Aside from Amazon devices, there are other categories you can save in October, according to Carls. “If there are other things that you are looking at, home and kitchen appliances such as a coffee maker, air fryer or vacuum cleaner are good items to consider buying in October, and then you have toys to look at as well where availability will matter as much as price,” she says.
“Amazon will also have a lot of home essentials on sale during Prime Day, so it’s a good time to stock up on your favorite go-to’s like paper products, cleaning products and beauty/grooming products,” adds Bodge.
What to shop during Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be the better time to shop for tech and gadgets, according to both experts. “While tech and appliances will be on sale on Prime Day, the discounts could be deeper on Black Friday/Cyber Monday,” says Bodge.
That doesn’t mean you need to wait on every tech purchase. “There are going to be categories you can wait on, but you need to think about if it’s a good idea,” explains Carls. If a Prime Day price doesn’t impress you, she recommends waiting for a potentially better deal later in the season. TVs, for example, are one category shoppers can consider holding off on. When comparing deals, Carls also recommends looking beyond the discount and checking the model number and features to make sure you’re getting the right product at the best price.
Other categories to look out for are “Holiday gift sets which will be more deeply discounted over Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Better yet, gift sets will go on clearance in December!” adds Bodge.
When to start holiday shopping?
“Our survey suggests that 63% of shoppers will start their holiday shopping in October or earlier. Within these few days, it gives you a good reason to compare prices before buying,” Carls says.
That early start is also reflected in research from McKinsey & Company, which found that U.S. consumers are expected to gradually begin their holiday shopping throughout the fall, with 45% of respondents anticipating that they will have started by the end of October. Together, the findings suggest that October is an increasingly important time for shoppers to begin browsing, comparing prices and looking for deals before the holiday rush.
Frequently asked questions
To make sure you’re getting a true deal, Carls recommends checking an item’s price history before buying. Amazon allows shoppers to view an item’s price history, while tools like CamelCamelCamel can provide additional pricing data. She also suggests comparing the same product across retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy. “Understand what that final price can be because the same price can be featured at Target and Walmart, and whenever you factor in those stacked savings, such as a promo code or cash back offer, the final price could end up being different,” says Carls.
In addition to the price-checking apps that help with tracking savings, you can install the Shop TODAY Savings extension to find coupons at over 40,000 retailers.
It’s important to consider delivery timing, especially as the holidays approach. “Looking at shipping times and cutoff dates are important as well during holiday shopping,” says Carls. “If you know you need to make sure something is delivered before Christmas morning, pay attention to the shipping timeframe.” She also recommends checking in-store pickup options and considering whether shopping earlier could work better for your budget and reduce last-minute stress. “Take a look at what timeframe you have and see if shopping early instead of waiting could possibly help with your mental health and your budget,” she says.
How we chose
To find the best deals, we selected products currently on sale within categories recommended by our experts. We prioritized tried-and-true products from our Ranked series, Shop TODAY Awards and other editor-approved picks. We also considered the depth of each discount, prioritizing products with significant savings while factoring in quality, value and overall appeal.
Meet the experts
- Stephanie Carls is the retail insights expert at RetailMeNot, where she helps consumers understand how to shop smarter and understand emerging retail trends.
- Trae Bodge is a retail expert and co-founder of Threadneedle Alley Foundation, a non-profit organization offering grants to U.S.-based midlife entrepreneurs.
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
Illy Whole Bean Coffee Classico (Medium Roast)
