What do people actually buy on Black Friday? Here are the most-bought items by Mashable readers in 2025.
After being terrorized by constant Black Friday ads on our phones, TVs, and inboxes for a month straight, one has to wonder: Of all of the best Black Friday deals, what do people actually buy on Black Friday? Are Black Friday classics like TVs on sale actually the most popular purchase, or is everyone thinking ahead by stocking up on cleaning supplies and toilet paper?
For Mashable readers, the most popular Black Friday deals were more of a brand thing. Apple and DJI dominated much of the top of the list of our most-bought items, with several grocery deals creeping in a little further down. (What's everyone making with all of that damn Amazon brand cream cheese?) But it was a Pokémon Elite Trainer Box sitting in the number one spot. If you know anyone who's big on Pokémon cards, you've probably heard the term "Mega Evolutions" at least once or twice. Yep, the top item had to do with that.
Below, we're breaking down the top Black Friday items that Mashable swarmed to on Friday, Nov. 28 itself. If any of this convinces you to make the same purchase, just know that most of these popular Black Friday deals are still live (though they may be called Cyber Monday deals now).
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolutions 1 Elite Trainer Box
The most serious Pokémon card collectors will camp out outside of a GameStop if they have to, but the option to simply buy a coveted new release at Amazon is clearly preferred. Mashable readers hustled when we let them know that the Mega Evolutions 1 Elite Trainer Box dropped below market value to $79.69 on Nov. 28. It's now back up to $105, but it's somehow still in stock.
The Mega Evolutions Booster Bundle, readers' second most purchased item on Black Friday, is also still in stock at $64.95.
Apple AirPods 4
We can pretty confidently crown the $69 AirPods as the most nuts Black Friday Apple deal. That's a 47% price drop from their usual $129, and by Apple's standards, a sale price like $69 is basically giving them away.
The AirPods 4 with ANC were also quite popular with readers, and they're still at their record-low price of $139.99 at Amazon.
DJI Mic Mini
This is everyone's year to become a content creator, huh? The DJI Mic Mini was easily the favorite Black Friday DJI deal of Mashable readers, specifically the bundle that includes one receiver and two mics/transmitters. It makes sense: DJI's super lightweight pocket microphone system is such an easy way to make recorded audio sound better, as Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard can confirm.
The 2 TX + 1 RX Mic Mini has sold out at Amazon but is still available on sale for $79.99 at Best Buy.
Apple AirTag
After the AirPods 4, the humble Apple AirTag was the second most popular Apple item amongst Mashable readers. No surprises here — knowing the physical location of your wallet, backpack, or luggage is essentially buying peace of mind. AirTags make a great gift idea for just about anyone, and at $17 a pop for Black Friday, why not grab a few?
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select
Out of all of the Echo devices, Fire Tablets, and Kindles on sale, the most popular Amazon device deal among Mashable readers was actually the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (Amazon's newest and most budget-friendly Fire stick). The 50% off deal on the newest Fire TV Stick is too good to pass up — surely the fleeting promo code that brought it down to just $9.99 drove numbers, too.
Topics Apple Black Friday
Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.
