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What Not to Buy on Black Friday 2025: A Travel-Leisure Guide to Smart Shopping

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. 25-a-travel-leisure-guide-to-smart-shopping.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 7:59 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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What Not to Buy on Black Friday 2025: A Travel‑Leisure Guide to Smart Shopping

When the holiday season hits full‑tilt, Black Friday is the moment most consumers scramble to snag the “best” deals. Travel + Leisure’s recent feature, What Not to Buy on Black Friday 2025, flips the script by pointing out the items that are best left off the shopping list. By digging through the article and its internal links, we can distill a practical, travel‑oriented checklist of products to avoid, the reasoning behind those choices, and where to look instead for the real bargains.

1. The Premise: Why Skip Certain Deals?

Travel + Leisure’s piece is grounded in the idea that not all discounted items live up to their hype. The article points out that many “Black Friday” offers are:

• Over‑promoted, but low‑quality – the discounted item often isn’t a genuine best‑seller.
• Limited‑time, low‑stock – once the deal ends, the item’s price jumps back up quickly.
• Misleadingly “cheaper” – sometimes the discount is only relative to a previous high price, not the market value.

The writer encourages readers to think of Black Friday as a testing ground rather than a final word on value. For travelers, this is especially true: the gadgets that promise to make a trip easier often end up being a hassle or a waste of cash.

2. Top Categories to Skip

2.1. High‑End Audio: Headphones & Earbuds

The article cautions against buying the most expensive headphones on the Black Friday line‑up—such as the Sony WH‑1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort 45—purely because the price tag is inflated by the hype. Travel + Leisure notes that:

• The “original price” is often a marketing number, not the true market value.
• Mid‑tier noise‑cancelling models (e.g., Jabra Elite 85t, Sennheiser CX 400BT) usually offer comparable sound for a fraction of the cost.
• The author recommends waiting for Prime Day or the Post‑Christmas sale for genuine savings.

2.2. Smartwatches & Wearable Tech

While smartwatches make great gifts, the article points out that the newest Apple Watch Ultra and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are rarely worth the steep discounts. Key takeaways include:

• The high price is justified only by flagship features that many users don’t need (e.g., advanced health sensors).
• Lower‑tier models like the Apple Watch SE or Garmin Venu 2 provide the core features at a much lower price.
• Look for “year‑end clearance” deals at retailers such as Best Buy or directly on the manufacturer’s site for better discounts.

2.3. Home‑Entertainment “Gifts”

Travel + Leisure advises caution when it comes to:

• Streaming devices – Roku Ultra, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K – because the “deal” is usually a small discount on a non‑premium version. Streaming services cost the same across the board, so the hardware offers little real value.
• Smart TVs – While a 15% discount on a high‑end OLED might sound enticing, the article notes that the savings are minimal compared to the overall price. Instead, consider refurbished or open‑box models.

2.4. Luggage & Travel Gear

Surprisingly, the article advises against buying low‑price luggage or travel pillows on Black Friday:

• The discounts are often only on the cheapest, lowest‑quality items.
• A well‑made suitcase or a good travel pillow is an investment; the article cites that a high‑quality brand (e.g., Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite) can be bought at a lower price during the Summer sales or from the brand’s own outlet stores.
• It’s safer to shop for travel gear in the off‑peak months when brands run larger discounts.

2.5. Cameras & Photography Gear

Travel + Leisure points out that photography enthusiasts should:

• Avoid purchasing the latest flagship cameras or lenses on Black Friday because the discounts rarely match the market price.
• Instead, look for “last‑generation” gear or used camera systems, which often fetch a 30–40% discount.
• Consider the 2024 “camera sale” period (late summer to early fall) when brands like Canon and Nikon roll out large discounts on older models.

2.6. Gift Cards & “Miscellaneous” Deals

The article briefly covers the often‑overlooked section of gift cards. While “50 % off a $100 gift card” is tempting, the writer points out:

• The net cost is still high because you’re paying the full price for the gift card’s value.
• It’s generally better to buy gift cards at retailers’ own sales (e.g., Walmart, Target) during the Holiday season.

3. How to Find the Real Deals

Travel + Leisure’s piece doesn’t just highlight what to avoid—it also provides actionable alternatives:

1. Use Price‑Tracking Tools
   CamelCamelCamel (Amazon) and Honey help you monitor price history and alert you when a product truly drops.

2. Check Brand Outlets
   Brands often have dedicated outlet stores (e.g., the Samsung Experience Store, Sony Outlet) where older models are sold at a discount without the “Black Friday” hype.

3. Shop Early
   Many retailers release “pre‑Black Friday” promotions that are equally good, but with less competition. For tech, Apple and Samsung announce deals weeks in advance, allowing shoppers to snag the best price before the holiday rush.

4. Take Advantage of Seasonal Sales
   The article references the Post‑Christmas and New Year sales as prime times for electronics. Many retailers will clear out inventory after the holidays, offering deep discounts on items that didn’t sell.

5. Check Refurbished Models
   Amazon Renewed and eBay’s Certified Pre‑Owned sections often carry high‑end electronics with warranties for a fraction of the cost.

4. The Bottom Line

The What Not to Buy on Black Friday 2025 article offers a practical, traveler‑focused framework for smart holiday shopping. Its core message: Black Friday is great for some products, but for many categories, the hype inflates prices and misleads consumers.

Key takeaways for travelers include:

• Skip the most expensive headphones and smartwatches in favor of mid‑tier models that deliver comparable performance for less.
• Avoid low‑quality travel gear sold at deep discounts; instead, look for quality brands on sale during other months.
• Choose last‑generation or refurbished camera gear over the latest flagship models.
• Use price‑tracking tools and outlet stores to catch real savings.
• Consider buying during the post‑Christmas or summer sales for deeper discounts on electronics and travel gear.

By applying these guidelines, you can make sure that the gifts you buy for yourself—or for the travel‑lovers in your life—are worth the price, functional, and durable. The article reminds us that the real magic of Black Friday lies not in chasing the flashiest deals, but in thoughtful, informed purchasing. Happy shopping, and may your next adventure be powered by gear that works, not just looks great.