Cyber Monday 2021

Cyber Monday 2021 is almost here! We know how important it is for you to maximize your time when it comes to holiday shopping, so we’re creating a master list of all the discounts, deals, and announcements surrounding the mega online shopping day (bonus: some retailers will also be offering free shipping). This year, Cyber Monday officially kicks off on Monday, November 30, just a few days after Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Bookmark this page so you will know which sales start early and what deals are worth waiting for.

Romper may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently of Romper’s editorial and sales departments.

When is Cyber Monday 2021 and when does it start?

Cyber Monday starts on November 29, 2021, which is the Monday that follows Thanksgiving Day. Like Black Friday, it’s a massive sales event where retailers offer steep discounts, promotions, and oftentimes, free shipping, just in time for the holiday season. But of course, this year is unlike any other, which means retailers are spotlighting online sales like never before.

Cyber Monday typically starts as soon as the clock strikes midnight early Monday morning, but this year, it's likely to be the cherry on top to a massive sales event that begins on Black Friday and continues through the weekend. And be sure to keep an eye out for retailers like Amazon, who will be offering amazing discounts in the weeks leading up to the big weekend.

What are the best things to buy on Cyber Monday?

The most popular items to buy on Cyber Monday — which are, not surprisingly, the ones that usually come with the steepest discounts — are typically the newer models/versions of the same products that were most popular in 2020, 2019, 2018, and so on.

So what products are already on numerous wishlists in 2021? Ones that nearly all fall into the tech and/or home electronics categories. Think video game consoles (Nintendo Switch, PS4 Pro, and Xbox One X), 4K TVs, Amazon Echo, and Google Nest smart home devices, InstantPots and Roombas, Apple products (like AirPods, Apple Watches, and iPads), Samsung Galaxy phones, laptops, and tablets.

Don’t forget, though, that the best Cyber Monday deals aren’t just limited to big-ticket items. If there are people on your list who would also love to be gifted with baby items, clothing, shoes, beauty products, or other home goods, then make sure you also keep an eye on other Cyber Monday promos— especially at stores like Sephora and Ulta, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Wayfair, and eBay.

Finally, if you’re buying any presents for children, toys have also become a hot thing to snag around this time because they're offered at much lower prices. Look for Paw Patrol, furReal Friends, Hot Wheels, Amazon Fire tablets for kids, scooters, and all kinds of Baby Yoda gear.

How do I find Cyber Monday deals?

Besides bookmarking this page, one of the best ways to find Cyber Monday deals is to be prepared. Ahead of the event, note all of the regular prices and begin to comparison shop. Then prioritize your list so you can zero in on the retailers that will likely be offering discounts on more than one of your items. That’s a good strategy to have just in case the store requires a minimum spend before free shipping kicks in, too (though, historically, the vast majority of big merchants offer free shipping outright on Cyber Monday). Note: Another way to avoid shipping costs it to choose a “free ship-to-store” option if it’s offered, so be on the lookout for that during check out.

Who participates in Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday sales have spread nearly everywhere, so expect most e-commerce sites to participate in 2021 in one way or another. However, you can easily consider Amazon the reigning king of Cyber Monday deals thanks to its incredible amount of “Lightning Deals” and other limited-time promos.

Rounding out the rest of the Cyber Monday royal court is Target, Walmart, and Best Buy. All of those big box stores are also popular during Black Friday because they all have one major in common: They all sell a wide array of tech devices, electronics, and appliances. So expect them to all continue to compete for your attention by showcasing even more enticing offers on the hottest items of the year.

Also similar to Black Friday? Retailers will be eager to release previews and ads for Cyber Monday way ahead of the extravaganza. This can help you know what is worth passing up on Black Friday.

Interestingly enough, industry experts report that there are always more Cyber Monday deals than Black Friday ones, In fact, those experts are also predicting that 2021 is positioned to be the year where we start to see more significant Cyber Monday discounts come from small business chains and/or independent seller marketplaces like Etsy. More niche stores like those won’t likely release official any Cyber Monday ads, so one of the best ways to be on top of their discounts is by signing up for dedicated emails.