Direct answer: Use 11.11 (Wednesday, November 11, 2026) for items from cross-border marketplaces like AliExpress, DHgate and SHEIN, especially gifts that need weeks to ship. Wait for Black Friday (November 27, 2026) for name-brand electronics, TVs, consoles and home appliances from US retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. For a TV in particular, read whether to wait for Black Friday to buy a TV. Pick the event by store and category, not by date.
Key takeaways
- 11.11 is a marketplace event. It’s strongest on AliExpress and other China-based platforms. For most US retailers it’s barely a sale.
- Black Friday is a retailer event. Amazon, Walmart and big brands save their biggest US promotions for Thanksgiving week.
- Delivery time decides gifts. A cross-border order placed on 11.11 has more time to arrive before the holidays than one placed on Black Friday.
- AliExpress hasn’t published its 2026 11.11 schedule yet (as of October 11). In past years the warm-up ran November 8–10 and the main sale opened November 11.
- Don’t buy twice. Record today’s delivered price, then compare it during each event.
When are 11.11 and Black Friday in 2026?
| Event | 2026 date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| AliExpress 11.11 warm-up | Expected Nov 8–10 | Forecast, based on 2023–2025 pattern |
| 11.11 / Singles Day | Wed, Nov 11 | Fixed date; AliExpress end date not yet announced |
| Black Friday | Fri, Nov 27 | Fixed (day after US Thanksgiving) |
| Cyber Monday | Mon, Nov 30 | Fixed |
For the record, AliExpress’s 11.11 sale ran Nov 11–17 in 2023, Nov 11–18 in 2024 and Nov 11–19 in 2025, according to its PR Newswire announcements. Each year the end date moved later. Treat any exact 2026 end date you see online as a guess until the banner appears in the app.
Is 11.11 cheaper than Black Friday?
On the same marketplace, it often is. AliExpress treats 11.11 as its headline event of the year, and that’s when platform coupons, store coupons and Coins usually line up together. Black Friday on AliExpress tends to be a second, smaller wave.
At US retailers it’s the other way around. Amazon and Walmart run their biggest promotions around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Treat any “11.11” banner from a US retailer as a regular promotion until it proves otherwise.
So “which is cheaper” really means “where are you buying?”
What should you buy on 11.11 vs Black Friday?
| Category | Better event | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Phone cases, chargers, cables, small gadgets | 11.11 | These are core AliExpress/DHgate categories, and marketplace coupons stack |
| Fashion basics, accessories, costume and party items | 11.11 | SHEIN- and AliExpress-style stores push hard; they still need shipping time |
| Bulk or wholesale orders | 11.11 | Alibaba sellers plan around the event; lead times are long |
| Hobby, craft and DIY supplies | 11.11 | Wide marketplace selection; arrives before holiday projects |
| TVs, game consoles, name-brand laptops | Black Friday | US retailers and brands make their biggest cuts here |
| Major home appliances, vacuums, kitchen brands | Black Friday | Doorbusters at Amazon/Walmart; easy US returns |
| Gifts that must arrive by Dec 25 from overseas | 11.11 | You get about two extra weeks of shipping buffer |
| Anything you need returned easily | Black Friday (US retailer) | Domestic returns are simpler than cross-border ones |
Will an 11.11 order arrive before Christmas?
It’s much more likely than a Black Friday cross-border order. Free standard shipping from overseas marketplaces can take weeks, and it slows down in peak season. Buying on November 11 gives you roughly six weeks before December 25. Buying on November 27 gives you about four. Check the delivery estimate on each listing at checkout. If it shows a date after mid-December, pay for faster shipping or buy domestically on Black Friday instead.
Are 11.11 discounts real?
Some are and some aren’t. Sellers sometimes raise list prices before the event so the “discount” looks bigger. The fix takes five minutes: save the exact listing now, write down the price plus shipping and the date, then compare on November 11. For current AliExpress offers to compare against, check our AliExpress coupons page.
Store-by-store: where each event matters
- AliExpress: 11.11 is the main event. Collect coupons during the warm-up and check out on or right after the 11th.
- DHgate: Cross-border too, so the same shipping logic applies. Buy early.
- Alibaba: For bulk orders, confirm supplier lead times first. The discount matters less than whether stock arrives on time.
- SHEIN: Runs promos around both events. Compare the cart total on both dates and don’t assume either is lower. Shopping from India? Run the same check on Bewakoof deals for casual wear.
- Amazon and Walmart: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the events to wait for. If you already bought during October’s sales, compare those prices against your Black Friday cart before buying again.
For fashion, see our SHEIN 11.11 and Black Friday guide. Before ordering, use our online clothing size guide to check measurements and returns. For more women’s clothing options, compare the StyleWe store page; confirm current pricing, sizing and delivery eligibility with the retailer.
New fashion customers can start small with $3 off your first ChicMe order over $29.
Our recommendation
- This week: Build two lists, one of marketplace items and one of US-retailer items. Record today’s delivered prices.
- Nov 8–11: Buy the marketplace list on 11.11, especially gifts.
- Nov 27–30: Buy the US-retailer list over Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- If an item isn’t cheaper than your recorded baseline, skip it. Browse more verified offers on TopDiscountCodez before checkout.
To see how 11.11 and Black Friday fit with the December sales, read our Black Friday & holiday shopping guide 2026.
FAQ
Does AliExpress also have a Black Friday sale?
Usually yes, but it’s generally smaller than 11.11. Its 2026 dates aren’t officially confirmed.
Is Singles Day a sale in the US?
Mostly on cross-border marketplaces and apps. Major US retailers focus on Black Friday.
Should I wait for Cyber Monday instead?
For US electronics and software, Cyber Monday (Nov 30) can match or extend Black Friday deals. Compare against your baseline.
Final recommendation
Don’t pick one day. Buy overseas marketplace items on 11.11, while there’s still shipping time before the holidays, and buy name-brand US-retailer items over Black Friday weekend. Record your prices now so you can tell a real deal from a relabeled one on either date.