It’s hard to imagine a time when holiday shopping didn’t include exciting Cyber Monday sales. The much-loved online shopping event floods the internet with hot deals, many of which are far more impressive than those seen on Black Friday.
But what exactly is Cyber Monday, and how is it different from Black Friday? While it may seem hard to tell the sales events apart, Cyber Monday distinguishes itself as a shopper’s best chance to snag the season’s top deals from the comfort of their own couch.
Cyber Monday is an online holiday shopping event held the Monday after Thanksgiving. It features online-only deals, and many products may even drop to their lowest prices of the year. Many shoppers view Cyber Monday as a calmer, more organized way to dive into holiday shopping compared to Thanksgiving weekend shopping events in stores. Besides skipping long lines and battles for parking spots, it’s often easier to find deals without the hustle and bustle of brick-and-mortar shopping.
The term “Cyber Monday” was first used by the National Retail Federation in 2005 to characterize the notable uptick in online shopping following Thanksgiving weekend, according to Investopedia. There are several reasons as to how and why Cyber Monday carved itself out as a significant shopping event, such as a rapidly modernizing retail landscape or the consumer’s simple desire to shop smarter and get better deals. Over time, it has morphed into an online shopping event of epic proportions, and per Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday generated upward of $10 billion in sales worldwide in 2020.
Cyber Monday sales feature deep discounts that may reach up to 80% off, but that’s not the only way retailers entice shoppers. Here are some of the most popular types of sales shoppers see during the online deals event:
There are a few ways to save big on Cyber Monday, and if shoppers start researching deals now, they may walk away from the event with more money left in their pocket than expected.
Amazon's brand-new Fire 10 Tablet has a speedy Octa-core processor to deliver a smooth user experience and high-quality streaming. The device has built-in Alexa for hands-free navigation.
Sold by Amazon
The Acer Aspire 5 is well-received as a multitasking laptop that is well suited for travel with its 10-hour battery life. It has advanced security features, including a bio-protected fingerprint reader.
Sold by Amazon
UGG Women’s Classic Short II Boot
A perennial favorite, this UGG style is known for its cozy shearling lining and plush footbed. The boot has a Treadlite outsole whose tread boosts traction on slick ground or uneven terrain.
LEGO Hogwarts "Chamber of Secrets" Building Set
The new LEGO "Harry Potter" comes with 10 minifigures of characters from the much-loved series. The building set has a modular design so kids can keep adding rooms to Hogwarts Castle.
Sold by Amazon
The new Fitbit Luxe has the look and feel of a bracelet, but it doesn’t compromise on high-tech features. The fitness tracker measures essential health metrics, including heart rate, sleep quality and activity levels.
Sold by Amazon, Kohl’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 21 Running Shoe
Considered a pro-grade option, this Brooks running shoe has full-length cushioning to support smooth heel-to-toe transitions. The rugged outsole is suitable for sidewalk and street running.
Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Road Runner Sports
This Bowflex home gym has a unique cable system that lets users transition easily and safely between resistance levels. It includes 210 pounds of resistance and is upgradable to 310 pounds.
Sold by Bowflex
The Cricut Explore 3 cuts and creates designs twice as fast as previous models. The device, ideal for a broad range of DIY projects, works with over 100 materials.
Sold by Amazon
Milwaukee M18 Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Impact Drive
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Sold by Home Depot
Step2 Great Creations Art Center
Young artists can tap into their creativity with this dynamic art center that features a double-sided easel and drawing station. The playset has removable trays and bins for flexible storage solutions.
Sold by Amazon
Too Faced Cinnamon Swirl Sweet & Spicy Eye Shadow Palette
This Too Faced palette includes a winter-themed assortment of sweet and spicy shades. The eye shadow is high-pigment and photographs well, making it ideal for holiday photo ops.
Sold by Kohl’s, Ulta, Sephora and Macy’s
Samsonite Silhouette 17 21-inch Hardside Carry-On Spinner
Made by a respected luggage brand, this built-to-last spinner has a tough polycarbonate shell and durable double-spinner wheels. It has advanced storage capabilities, including a removable laundry bag.
Sold by Macy’s
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
