By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
Black Friday 2025 is here, and bargain hunters are on the hunt. But are the deals really as jaw-dropping as they used to be? From steep discounts on laptops, tablets, and TVs to smart-home gadgets and everyday essentials, there are definitely some genuine steals, if you know where to look. At the same time, shoppers need to stay savvy: not every “sale” is as deep as it seems, and some discounts are more smoke-and-mirrors than markdown. Here’s a closer look at what’s worth your attention this year.
✅ What’s working: standout 2025 Black Friday deals
- According to WIRED, a trusted long-time reviewer of tech and home goods, there are legitimately big discounts this year on high-demand items: e.g. tablets, laptops, TVs, vacuums, routers, and more. WIRED+1
- Notable deep cuts this year:
- iPad (11-inch) down about $75, and a top-tier laptop (M4 MacBook Air) roughly $250 off. WIRED+1
- TVs, including 4K and OLED sets, are heavily discounted, for example, some large TVs are marked down sharply at major retailers. TechRadar+1
- Smart-home gadgets, vacuums, streaming gear, and more, many products with real, verified price reductions compared with earlier in 2025. Android Authority+1
- If you shop wisely (compare prices, know what you want, and don’t get sucked into hype), this Black Friday still offers real opportunity for savings on many popular items.
Also interesting: shoppers seem to be approaching this Black Friday more deliberately than in past years. A survey from Boston Consulting Group finds that 79% of consumers plan to shop this season, and many plan to use generative-AI tools to research deals before buying. BCG Global+1
⚠️ Why some deals might not be as great as they look, or as good as prior years
- According to a recent survey by consumer watchdog Which?, about 8 in 10 products sold during last year’s Black Friday were not at their lowest price, meaning many “discounts” were misleading. Sky News
- That suggests that some of this year’s discounts might follow the same pattern: a few real wins, but also many items where the discount is superficial or similar to regular prices.
- The sales environment has changed: shoppers are more cautious because of inflation and concerns over rising prices. According to the BCG survey, many are using the sale season more strategically rather than shopping on impulse. BCG Global+1
So while there are impressive deals, they’re more hit-or-miss than in the heyday of Black Friday when discounts almost always guaranteed savings.
🎯 Who this year’s Black Friday deals are best for
This Black Friday is worth doing if you:
- Have a clear list of what you want (e.g. a new laptop, smart home device, OLED TV, etc.)
- Compare prices carefully, check prices from a few months ago, or earlier this year, before assuming a “deal” is worth it
- Are patient and selective, maybe focusing on higher-value, long-lasting items (rather than random impulse buys)
- Use online retailers. Online deals avoid travel hassles.
🛍️ Example “Top Real Deals” (2025)
Some deals that look especially solid this year, according to deal-tracking and review sources:
- Tablets and laptops e.g. discounted iPad and M4 MacBook Air deals. WIRED+1
- Large-screen TVs (4K/OLED) at steep discounts. TechRadar+1
- Smart-home devices, streaming gadgets, vacuum/smart vacs and home-cleaning gear. Android Authority+1
- Everyday-use items/personals — including some clothing, essentials, and household goods at low prices via big retailers. WRAL News+1
✅ Is Black Friday “as good” this year as past years?
Yes … but only partially. There are genuinely great deals this Black Friday 2025, especially on popular electronics and home-setup products. But the era of universal huge discounts seems over: many so-called “deals” are relatively mild or comparable to regular pricing.
If you shop carefully, with awareness, and compare prices, this Black Friday can still be worth your time. But blanket expectations for “everything half off” are probably unrealistic.
