When Is Black Friday 2025? 15 Black Friday Tips
Who doesn’t love Black Friday? We’ve got all the details of when it is this year, and the best Black Friday tips for grabbing the best deals.
This year, Black Friday falls on Friday 29th November, with Cyber Monday on the following Monday 2nd December.
If you’re anything like us, Black Friday can be an adrenaline-fuelled rush of product-buying that leads to severe regret when you’re faced with hundreds of pounds worth of stuff that you’re not sure you really wanted.
So this year we’re taking control and getting organised so that we don’t have a Black Friday hangover.
From the best things you can buy on Black Friday, to the top tips to make sure you don’t wake up in a haze of regret, we’ve got you covered. Don’t forget to check our Student Beans Black Friday hub for incredible savings this week.
Last updated: 25th November 2024
In this article:
Best things to buy on Black Friday
There’s some things that are worth looking out for in the Black Friday deals, with a lot of big retailers slashing prices on things like tech, electricals and the latest smart products. So if you’re after the best deals, then look out for these:
Laptops, computers, tablets
When you think of Black Friday, the tech deals are probably front of mind. Luckily we’re past the days of rushing shops and battling each other for the biggest television… we hope. With so many deals available online now, you can grab an amazing deal without even leaving your sofa. Which is definitely our kind of shopping.
If you’re after a new laptop or computer setup, especially if you’re at uni, then Black Friday is a great time to get a new laptop or tablet. Looking for the best laptop to play The Sims 4 (sorry, we’re fuelling your addiction), or need a budget laptop under £300? Black Friday might just have your perfect laptop at a bargain price.
Some retailers will even let you stack discounts, so definitely check Student Beans student discounts on laptops, computers and tablets as you could get an even better deal.
Video games and gaming consoles
If gaming is more your thing, then Black Friday could be a great time to upgrade your gaming consoles, with some of the best Black Friday deals for PS5s that you’ll find.
So whether you need to update your gaming setup, or are looking for the best multiplayer games at a cheaper price – Black Friday is a good time to keep an eye out. With the PS5 Pro launching just a few weeks before, you might find there’s even better discounts to be had on the classic PS5, so it’s definitely worth trying your luck.
Check out more gaming student discounts at Student Beans.
Headphones or earpods
If you’re like us, you’ll use your headphones or earpods every day. Whether you need to listen to your fave podcast when you’re walking to lectures, want a motivational playlist for your study session, or just want to feel like the main character when you’re walking down the street, headphones are life.
But so much use means your headphones can wear out pretty quick, especially when you add in the hazards of student house living (why are so many adults spilling drinks?!). But lucky for you, Black Friday is the PERFECT time to get your hands on a new set of headphones. From Bose to Apple, noise-cancelling headphones or your standard AirPods, you can expect to see some fantastic deals.
Kitchen appliances
When you move out on your own for the first time, it can be hard to know exactly what you’ll need for university. Enter Black Friday. Picture this – you’ve been at university for a few months now, and you’ve realised that actually, you really DO need your own frying pan – especially after seeing how one of your housemates cleans dishes…
So now is the time to see what you’re missing from your essential kitchen items and see if you can score a brilliant deal on kitchen appliances, pots and pans and more this Black Friday.
Smart products
Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Ring doorbells… all the stuff that scratches the techy part of your brain but you can’t quite justify paying out for. THIS… THIS is what Black Friday is made for.
Some of your favourite smart home products will be around for up to 50% off in some cases. So if you’re tempted to splash on a bit of automation… wait for the Black Friday deals to drop.
15 best Black Friday tips
If you’re still feeling a bit nervous about going into Black Friday unprepared. Don’t panic. We have our top 15 best Black Friday tips to help you feel cool, calm and collected while you snag a bargain.
1. Make a list before you shop
Probably the most important tip – make a wishlist. AND STICK TO IT. It’s so easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of discounts and deals, but if you want to keep control of your spending, then a wishlist of your most wanted products is a godsend.
2. Research what you’re buying
Not just for Black Friday – but it’s easy to disregard the quality of an item if you’re paying a really cheap price for it. There’s no point buying something for a great price if it’s going to last you 2 minutes.
3. Look out for price matching retailers
Before you hit ‘buy’, check around other retailers who might have better offers, or price match. Some, like John Lewis, have great warranties included, so you might prefer to buy from them.
4. Compare before and after prices
Once your budget is in place, make sure to compare prices before Black Friday happens. You may find that the discounts are not actually worth it and it may have been more affordable before.
With so many battling it out for your money on the day, lots of websites will be price matching instead of coming up with fresh prices. Only buy the item if it is really a good deal.
5. Use student discounts
Student cards have tons of extra discounts that you can use on Black Friday to see your money go further, even if you’re not getting the best price from the brand’s site.
Student Beans have a student discount app and Google extension to make it easier for you to see deals as they happen, once you sign up with them.
6. Get your online accounts at the ready
If you think there’s going to be a high demand for something on your wishlist, then speed up the process by making sure your accounts are all updated. So you know your password and you’re signed in ready to go for when Black Friday hits.
7. Check the sales a few days before
More and more, retailers are creeping their Black Friday sales earlier in the week. So if you think something might sell out, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled up to a week beforehand to see if shops start their sales early.
Of course, it might also be that they reduce the cost further when Black Friday hits, but if you’re after the latest gaming console and are worried about it selling out, you can weigh up the benefits of buying it early.
8. Check Cashback websites
You can also use Cashback websites. By simply spending a certain amount or purchasing items through them, you can get a percentage back of your money. Or even on your phone bill if your phone company has an airtime rewards system.
You can even get a few freebies using your card, online discounts or Cashback websites, so keep an eye out on affordable offers through them.
9. Sign up for emails
Want to be the first to know when Black Friday sales start? Get your email on your favourite brand newsletter list, and you’ll be alerted when the sales begin.
10. Online shopping instead of in store
I mean, you don’t have to tell us twice, but you can often get better deals online than in stores.
AND it means you can avoid the rush of people on Black Friday, and find the best bargains from the comfort of your home. Retail therapy, right?
11. Think about Christmas presents
Let’s think ahead for a second – if you’re an organised guy or gal, you can grab some great bargains for Christmas presents and feel smug at your preparation. So make a list, check it twice (sorry, not sorry), and see if you can get a discount on your Christmas present list.
12. Watch out for scams
We wish this wasn’t a thing, but unfortunately some people are still getting scammed by fake offers on Black Friday. Watch out for social media hashtags for #BlackFriday as people will often post when and where they’ve been scammed.
13. Get on Amazon Prime beforehand!
As a student, you can get free Amazon Prime delivery for 6 months, so what better time to use it than Black Friday? Amazon often gives early access to Black Friday sales for Prime members, so it’s a great way to get ahead of the virtual crowds.
14. Make sure the delivery costs aren’t inflated
Check what delivery fees are before you add all the items to your basket. That way you can save time and money if they’re too much, and find the item cheaper somewhere else.
If you do leave items in your basket, make sure to stay signed in or leave your email address on the website. The brand will probably email you a discount code or reduce the items to entice you back to buy them before the end of the day.
15. Keep your receipts
Of course, there will always be that one item that you may have been so desperate to buy but found to not be what you want when it arrives. Make sure before you invest that it can be returned and if so keep your receipt.
Having the receipt also allows you to take advantage of a brand’s price matching policy (if they have one), meaning that even if you don’t get the best price on the day, you can get the extra money back.
Black Friday scams to avoid
Unfortunately, scammers are everywhere, and they thrive on opportunities like Black Friday. Barclays found that there was a 22% rise in money loss from scams last year on Black Friday purchases. So it’s important to be vigilant when you’re buying online.
Some ways people are being scammed:
- Deals that seem too good to be true – a 90% discount on the latest iPhone just doesn’t feel legit does it?
- Fake designer clothes being flogged as legit – most high-end designers offer certificates of authenticity with their goods, so make sure to check for these
- Hacking based on fake links being sent to your email. If you receive a great discount via an email you don’t recognise, then type the brand directly into your browser instead of following the link
- Insecure websites stealing credit card information – always look for the HTTPS and padlock symbol in a browser bar so you know it’s secure
Don’t forget to sign up to Student Beans so you can take advantage of all the best Black Friday deals in our app.
