Google's holiday buying guide reveals when prices really drop

Published Oct 15, 2026, 6:51 PM EDT Timi is the news and deals reporter for Android Police, who has been reporting on technology since 2008. He has worked in tech retail and also the IT space, providing hardware and software support, which gives him a unique perspective on the tech that he covers. This allows him to effectively break down complex subjects into easy-to-read pieces that even casual readers can enjoy. Before joining Android Police, he was a news writer for XDA, where he eventually transitioned to covering deals. He also worked as an editor and reporter for Neowin, where he covered news and attended major tech events like CES. He also reviewed phones, tablets, PC products, and other devices. In addition, he also created video content for the Neowin YouTube channel. Sign in to your Android Police account We've all been there, looking for the best price on something you've been thinking about buying. You're probably not sure whether the listed price is the lowest, or if it's actually at its peak. Luckily, Google is sharing hot tips backed by its own data with its new "When to Buy Guide" to give shoppers a better chance to score discounts. The guide is a long read, but Google was kind enough to provide an overview on its News from Google page. Google shares that this guide is meant to "help take that guesswork out of your holiday shopping." The great thing about this guide is that it's backed by data collected from Google. And if you know Google, you know it has a ton of data about everything. This guide uses "U.S. historical promotional patterns, search trends, and discount data aggregated across merchants." And while these are based on 2025 trends, it can be useful for future shopping strategies. While Google has a variety of categories listed, the most relevant for our purposes is going to be the tech section. And it should come as no surprise that Black Friday and Cyber Week are some of the best times to shop for tech products. Google highlights home security products, TVs, and audio equipment. For gaming consoles, Google suggests buying during Black Friday weekend or waiting until the end of December. For tech toys, you should buy them a week before Christmas. One thing to note: most retailers will have an extended return policy in effect. So, even if you buy something early, you'll still be able to return it without any issues. Personally, I'd monitor prices and see how far they drop toward previous lows. Again, even if you buy something, as long as it isn't opened, there shouldn't be an issue returning it and buying it at the new lower price. We get it. Sitting around and tracking discounts isn't something you want to do during your holiday shopping. And while this Google report is helpful, it's also good to add tools that help you track the discounts floating around. Google has some tools built into its Chrome browser to help you get the best prices. Shopping Insights provides instant access to pricing history. You can even use this to track your item and save when it hits its lowest price. However, it only works with compatible websites. You can also bookmark a product webpage, and Google will start tracking the price if it's possible. It can even send you emails when the price drops. Google Chrome can even show you eligible coupon codes for products right in the address bar so you can use them during checkout. In addition, there are tons of third-party tools and websites you can use. ​​​​​​​We covered these extensively last shopping season, so it's a good one to check out to see what's out there. Money's getting tighter now, so even if you're a casual shopper, it pays to at least be aware of the savings you can get.