Walmart vs Best Buy Black Friday 2025: Which Store Has the Better Deals?

Walmart Black Friday deals are coming earlier than ever in 2025, with the retail giant dominating Black Friday shopping in 44 states across the country. While Black Friday officially falls on November 28 this year (the day after Thanksgiving), both major retailers are getting a head start on the shopping season.

Best Buy is launching its Black Friday deals incredibly early, starting on October 31 and running through November 19. However, Walmart isn't far behind with its first Black Friday Deals Event scheduled from November 14 to November 16. This year, Walmart is proving why it owns Black Friday by dropping up to 60% off top brands and offering thousands of deals under $20. Despite Walmart's widespread dominance, Best Buy has managed to take the lead in six states, particularly in tech-focused markets like California and New York.

We're already seeing what experts call "Black November" take shape, with most major retailers rolling out discounts weeks in advance. For shoppers, this means nearly four weeks to score deals on holiday shopping, with record-low prices on TVs, laptops, and headphones already appearing. The question remains: between Walmart and Best Buy, which retailer deserves your Black Friday budget this year?

Black Friday 2025 Start Dates: Walmart vs Best Buy

The race for Black Friday 2025 is starting remarkably early this year, with both retail giants unveiling extended shopping schedules that stretch well beyond the traditional post-Thanksgiving weekend.

Walmart Deal Timeline: Nov 14 & Nov 25 Events

This year, Walmart has structured its Black Friday into two distinct shopping events plus a separate Cyber Monday sale. The first Walmart Black Friday event runs from November 14 through November 16, with deals available both online and in stores throughout the entire period. For the second event, Walmart offers online-only deals from November 25 through November 27, followed by both online and in-store availability from November 28 (Black Friday itself) through November 30.

Additionally, Walmart+ members gain a significant advantage with five hours of early online access for all events, beginning at 7 p.m. ET the evening before each sale starts. This early access applies to the November 13 preview for the first event and November 24 for the second event.

Best Buy Deal Timeline: Oct 31 to Nov 29

Best Buy is launching its Black Friday season even earlier, kicking off with "DoorBOOster" deals starting on Halloween (October 31). Following this initial rollout, Best Buy will introduce new doorbuster deals every Friday throughout the holiday season.

The retailer's early Black Friday deals will run from October 31 through November 19, followed by its official Black Friday sale from November 20 through November 29. This approach gives Best Buy nearly a month of Black Friday promotions compared to Walmart's more concentrated events.

Unlike Walmart's approach, Best Buy focuses on weekly releases rather than distinct events, promising substantial discounts on computing, gaming, home theaters, wearables, and more starting November 20.

Cyber Monday: Dec 1 for Both Retailers

Following their Black Friday events, both retailers transition to Cyber Monday on December 1. Notably, Walmart's Cyber Monday will be a single-day, online-only event, with Walmart+ members again receiving five hours early access beginning at 7 p.m. ET on November 30.

Similarly, Best Buy's Cyber Monday deals will run on December 1, but with a slight extension—the retailer starts its Cyber deals one day earlier on November 30 for a "Cyber Sunday" promotion. According to Best Buy, these aren't merely "Black Friday leftovers" but an entirely new sale featuring online deals and doorbusters from trusted brands.

Membership Perks and Early Access

Both retail giants offer paid membership programs that grant exclusive perks during Black Friday 2025, giving dedicated shoppers a significant edge in securing the most sought-after deals.

Walmart+: 5-Hour Early Access for All Events

Membership programs have become a game-changer for serious Black Friday shoppers, with Walmart+ offering a crucial advantage. Members receive five hours of early online access to all three major sales events, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on November 13, November 24, and November 30—the evenings before each sale officially launches. This head start allows members to secure high-demand items before they potentially sell out.

Priced at USD 98.00 annually (approximately USD 8.17 monthly) or USD 12.95 monthly, Walmart+ membership includes additional year-round benefits beyond early sale access. These perks encompass free shipping with no minimum purchase, free local store delivery, fuel discounts, and a complimentary Paramount+ streaming subscription.

My Best Buy Plus & Total: Bonus Rewards and Early Deals

Instead of early access timing, Best Buy's membership program focuses primarily on financial incentives. My Best Buy Plus and Total members will receive up to USD 25.00 in bonus rewards on select doorbuster events throughout the holiday season. The retailer also offers member-exclusive pricing on many items.

My Best Buy Plus costs USD 49.99 annually, offering exclusive deals, free two-day shipping, and an extended 60-day return window. For those seeking premium support, the Total tier (USD 179.99 annually) adds 24/7 tech support, extended protection plans including AppleCare+, and 20% discounts on repairs.

Which Membership Offers Better Value?

For shoppers prioritizing early access to limited-quantity doorbusters, Walmart+ delivers more tangible benefits during Black Friday. The five-hour headstart can mean the difference between securing or missing high-demand items.

Conversely, Best Buy's membership shines with its year-round value proposition. The extended return window allows purchases made in October to be returned through December—particularly valuable for gift buying. Furthermore, the Total membership's protection plans and tech support provide substantial ongoing value for frequent electronics purchasers.

Ultimately, your shopping preferences determine which membership delivers better value—Walmart+ for scoring limited Black Friday deals or Best Buy for year-round tech shopping benefits.

Deal Categories Compared: Tech, Home, Fashion and More

_{Image Source: Influencer Marketing Hub}

When hunting for the best bargains this Black Friday, knowing which retailer excels in specific product categories can maximize your savings. The retail giants have distinct strengths across various departments.

Tech Deals: TVs, Laptops, Headphones

Best Buy traditionally offers the most compelling collection of tech deals during the holiday season. For TVs, expect substantial discounts on popular brands like Samsung, LG, and TCL, with some smart TVs starting as low as USD 69.99. Consequently, Best Buy stands out for gaming PC configurations and laptops featuring the latest 50-series GPUs. Meanwhile, Walmart typically has the edge on Apple devices like iPads and AirPods.

Home Appliances and Kitchen Gadgets

Major kitchen appliance packages see significant price cuts at Best Buy, with extra savings up to USD 700.00 on select Café kitchen packages and USD 1000.00 on LG appliance bundles. Primarily, small kitchen appliances like air fryers, coffee makers, and vacuum cleaners experience substantial price drops at both retailers. Walmart offers up to 60% off top brands like Dyson and Delonghi.

Fashion and Beauty Discounts

Fashion emerges as a leading category this season, with industry reports showing a 54% interest in fashion items. Essentially, winter gear and holiday party attire will see deep discounts. Athleisure sets and wide-leg jeans are specifically trending, with online sales growing 16%.

Gaming and Entertainment Bundles

Both retailers will offer gaming console bundles that include the device plus games and accessories at significant discounts. Above all, Best Buy excels with handheld gaming PC deals and ROG Ally devices. Xbox Wireless Controllers, Nintendo Switch accessories, and PlayStation 5 games from early 2025 will see the deepest price cuts.

Online vs In-Store Shopping Experience

The shopping landscape for Black Friday 2025 offers distinct experiences between digital and physical retail environments, with both giants taking different approaches to customer engagement.

Walmart: Online-First Rollouts and Store Hours

Walmart has structured its second Black Friday event with an online-first strategy, making deals available exclusively online from November 25–27, before extending to physical stores from November 28–30. This approach significantly reduces in-store crowds during the initial sale days. For shoppers preferring traditional retail experiences, stores will implement safety measures including sanitized carts and health ambassadors enforcing mask requirements. Walmart enhances convenience through multiple fulfillment options including curbside pickup, Express Delivery in as little as 30 minutes, and standard two-day shipping.

Best Buy: App-Exclusive Doorbusters and In-Store Events

Best Buy emphasizes its mobile app experience, featuring exclusive DoorBOOsters and a personalized discover page designed for individual preferences. The retailer offers immersive in-store demonstrations on trending tech products such as Meta Ray-Ban Display, Copilot+ PCs, and appliances from premium brands. Although most deals appear both online and in physical locations, certain doorbusters remain store-exclusive to encourage foot traffic. Beginning November 2, Best Buy extends store hours to accommodate holiday shoppers.

Ease of Navigation and Checkout Experience

Both retailers provide flexible shopping methods. Best Buy offers 24/7 pickup lockers at select locations for after-hours collection. For online purchases, Best Buy provides free shipping on orders over USD 35.00, while My Best Buy members enjoy free shipping regardless of order size. The online shift benefits comparison shoppers who can efficiently evaluate prices across retailers within minutes rather than visiting multiple locations.

Conclusion

After analyzing the Black Friday 2025 strategies from both retail giants, we can see distinct advantages depending on what you're shopping for this holiday season. Best Buy clearly takes the early lead with deals starting October 31, almost two weeks before Walmart's first event on November 14. This extended timeline gives tech enthusiasts nearly a month to secure deals rather than rushing during concentrated shopping windows.

However, Walmart's approach offers notable benefits through its Walmart+ membership. The five-hour early access window provides a significant advantage for securing high-demand items before they sell out. Meanwhile, Best Buy focuses less on timing advantages and more on financial incentives through bonus rewards for Plus and Total members.

Category-wise, the retailers show clear strengths in different areas. Best Buy undoubtedly dominates the technology sector with competitive pricing on TVs, gaming PCs, and major appliance bundles. Conversely, Walmart generally offers better deals on Apple products and has expanded significantly into fashion this year, with winter gear and athleisure seeing substantial discounts.

The shopping experience itself differs considerably between the two. Walmart adopts an online-first strategy for its second event before extending to physical stores, thus reducing in-store crowds. Best Buy, on the other hand, emphasizes its mobile app with exclusive doorbusters and provides immersive in-store demonstrations for trending tech products.

For shoppers looking to maximize savings this Black Friday season, a strategic approach would be splitting your shopping list based on each retailer's strengths. Tech enthusiasts should prioritize Best Buy's earlier deals, especially for TVs and gaming equipment. Those hunting Apple products or fashion items might find better value at Walmart, particularly with Walmart+ early access. Additionally, comparing prices across both retailers' online platforms before making final decisions will ensure you secure the absolute best deals this holiday season.

Key Takeaways

Here are the essential insights to help you maximize your Black Friday 2025 savings between these retail giants:

• Best Buy starts earlier with tech dominance: Launches October 31 vs Walmart's November 14, offering superior deals on TVs, gaming PCs, and major appliances with discounts up to $1,000 on bundles.

• Walmart+ membership provides crucial early access: Five-hour head start on all events at 7 PM ET the night before, giving members first dibs on limited-quantity doorbusters before sellouts.

• Split your shopping strategy by category: Best Buy excels in electronics and gaming gear, while Walmart leads in Apple products, fashion items, and offers up to 60% off top home brands.

• Online-first approach reduces crowds: Walmart's second event runs online-only November 25-27 before stores open, while Best Buy emphasizes app-exclusive doorbusters and extended store hours.

• Extended shopping windows benefit consumers: Nearly four weeks of deals from both retailers means less pressure and more opportunities to compare prices across platforms for maximum savings.

The key to Black Friday 2025 success lies in leveraging each retailer's strengths rather than limiting yourself to one store. Tech enthusiasts should prioritize Best Buy's early timeline, while bargain hunters seeking Apple products or fashion should focus on Walmart's member benefits and category-specific discounts.

FAQs

Q1. Which retailer offers better deals on electronics during Black Friday? Best Buy typically has the edge on electronics deals, especially for TVs, gaming PCs, and major appliance bundles. They often offer substantial discounts on popular brands like Samsung, LG, and TCL, with some smart TVs starting as low as $69.99.

Q2. When do Black Friday sales start at Walmart and Best Buy in 2025? Best Buy kicks off its Black Friday season incredibly early, starting on October 31. Walmart's first Black Friday Deals Event is scheduled from November 14 to November 16, with a second event running from November 25 through November 30.

Q3. What are the benefits of Walmart+ membership for Black Friday shopping? Walmart+ members receive five hours of early online access to all major sales events, beginning at 7 p.m. ET the evening before each sale starts. This gives members a significant advantage in securing high-demand items before they potentially sell out.

Q4. How do the retailers' online shopping experiences differ for Black Friday? Walmart adopts an online-first strategy for its second event, with deals available exclusively online from November 25–27 before extending to physical stores. Best Buy emphasizes its mobile app experience, featuring exclusive doorbusters and a personalized discover page.

Q5. Which retailer offers better fashion and beauty discounts during Black Friday? Walmart has expanded significantly into fashion this year, offering up to 60% off top brands. Winter gear, holiday party attire, and athleisure sets are expected to see deep discounts, with online sales for wide-leg jeans growing by 16%.