Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: Which Day Is Actually Better for Each Category
Black Friday is usually better for TVs, toys and major appliances; Cyber Monday is usually better for laptops and electronics overall. Adobe’s 2026 forecast puts TV discounts at 23% on Friday and computer discounts at 23% on Monday.
- Black Friday 2026
- Friday
- Cyber Monday 2026
- Monday
- Adobe 2026 forecast
- Electronics peak 30% on Cyber Monday
Category-by-category verdict
Adobe tracks eight categories. For everything else, the verdict is editorial consensus from the named outlet, which is weaker evidence.
| Category | Better day | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| TVs | Black Friday | Adobe forecast peak 23% on Black Friday (2025 and 2026); Cyber Monday peaks were 21.8% (2024) and 22% (2025). |
| Laptops | Cyber Monday | Adobe forecast peak 23% on Cyber Monday (2025 and 2026). |
| Phones | No data | Adobe does not break out phones; its electronics category peaks on Cyber Monday at 30–31%. |
| Apparel (shoes) | Mixed | Adobe: 23% forecast peak on Black Friday for 2026; apparel hit 25% on Cyber Monday 2025. DealNews calls Cyber Monday “often better” for fashion. |
| Toys | Black Friday | Adobe forecast peak 29% on Black Friday (2026); 28% on Cyber Monday 2025. |
| Furniture | Black Friday | Adobe forecast peak 18% (2026); Cyber Monday 2025 peak was 19%. |
| Appliances | Black Friday (major) | Adobe forecast peak 18%; ConsumerAffairs says small appliances are better on Cyber Monday. |
| Travel | Neither | Hopper says the Tuesday after Cyber Monday has more travel deals than both days combined (a vendor claim). |
| Software | Cyber Monday | Editorial consensus (ConsumerAffairs, DealNews). No Adobe data. |
| Mattresses | Cyber Monday | Editorial consensus (ConsumerAffairs). No Adobe data. |
| Tools | Black Friday | Editorial consensus (DealNews). No Adobe data. |
| Gaming consoles (PS5) | Black Friday | Editorial consensus (ConsumerAffairs, DealNews). |
| Beauty | Cyber Monday | Editorial consensus (ConsumerAffairs). |
How big is the gap?
Small. In Adobe’s 2025 recap, Cyber Monday discounts peaked at 31% for electronics, 28% for toys, 25% for apparel, 23% for computers, 22% for TVs, 19% for furniture and appliances, and 17% for sporting goods. Adobe’s 2026 forecast expects up to 30% off list prices during Cyber Week, 14% in early November and 21% just before Thanksgiving.
The practical rule: set a target price in advance from the price-to-beat on each category page, buy on Black Friday if the item hits it, and use Monday as a second look. For tactics, read how to shop Cyber Monday. For dates, see when Cyber Monday is.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday?
It depends on the category. Adobe’s 2026 forecast has electronics (30%) and computers (23%) peaking on Cyber Monday, and TVs (23%), toys (29%), apparel (23%), appliances (18%) and furniture (18%) peaking on Black Friday.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for TVs?
Black Friday. Adobe’s forecast peak day for TVs is Black Friday in both 2025 and 2026, at 23%, while Cyber Monday TV discounts peaked at 22% in 2025.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for laptops?
Cyber Monday, by a small margin. Adobe’s forecast peak day for computers is Cyber Monday in both 2025 and 2026 (23%).
Keep reading
Sources
- https://news.adobe.com/news/2026/09/adobe-us-holiday-shopping-season-to-hit-record
- https://news.adobe.com/news/2025/12/adobe-cyber-monday-hits-record
- https://news.adobe.com/news/2024/12/120324-adi-cyber-monday-recap
- https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2025/10/08/adobe-online-holiday-sales-predictions-2025/
- https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/cyber-monday-2025-playbook-what-to-buy-what-to-skip-and-how-to-save-112625.html
- https://www.dealnews.com/features/cyber-monday/ways-cyber-monday-is-different-from-black-friday/
- https://hts.hopper.com/news/travel-deal-tuesday-2025-brings-the-best-travel-deals-of-the-season-with-up