What the Tech: Best time to shop lightning deals
Shopping online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday has become a sport. Prices jump, fall, sell out, reload, and change again in a matter of hours. What most people do not realize is that timing matters just as much as the deals themselves.
Several studies show that online prices follow a pattern, and if you shop during the right window, you can save more money on the same items you were already planning to buy.
Retailers use dynamic pricing. That means prices shift based on demand, competition, and even the time of day. When fewer people shop, retailers often lower prices to create momentum.
A study by the data firm Smartproxy found that online prices are lowest between six in the morning and noon, especially on Tuesday mornings. The same study showed Friday mornings tend to be the most expensive time to shop.
Another analysis by the consumer site Hermio found that lightning style deals, such as Amazon Lightning Deals, refresh more often when traffic is lower. That means early morning is one of the best times to find new inventory and less competition.
A third report highlighted that Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently offer better deals than weekends. This means waiting for Saturday or Sunday might actually cost you more.
Best Times to Shop for Lightning Deals
If you shop Amazon Lightning Deals or similar flash sales, timing can give you an edge.
Here is what the data suggests.
- Check early in the morning, ideally between six and noon
- Shop mid-week, especially on Tuesday morning
- Avoid Friday morning when prices often spike
- Refresh during early hours on sale days when new batches go live
- Use price history tools like Camel Camel Camel or Keep a to confirm real discounts
This timing strategy lines up with how deal algorithms operate. Items often start the day at the lowest price and then rise as demand builds.
How to Prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The best approach is planning.
- Build a wish list now
- Track price history to see if a deal is real
- Turn on price alerts
- Bookmark the items you want so you can check them early
- Compare Tuesday morning prices before the weekend hits
If you follow the timing data, you might discover that your best deals are not waiting for Black Friday at all. They may appear days earlier during those early morning hours when the internet is still quiet.
Final Takeaway
Online shopping is no longer just about finding the right product. It is about clicking at the right time. Early mornings, mid-week, and price history tools can give you a real advantage as we head into the holiday season.
