It is technically a day, but “Black Friday” is now a marketing catch-all. Retailers use it to hype sales all year long. The actual Black Friday comes but once a year, though. It isn’t just a one-day event anymore, but now is the one time to pay attention to all the sales. Be sure to do it online, though. You shouldn’t be making unnecessary trips to any store with the Covid-19 pandemic still getting worse. Luckily, retailers are offering deals online to help you stay home and reduce the spread.
We here on the WIRED Gear team share deals all year long. The discounts listed below appear to be at or below their upcoming, advertised Black Friday prices. You shouldn’t buy anything that isn’t on your shopping list, but if something catches your eye, we think these deals are worth your time and money.
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Early Black Friday Sales
Most major stores are offering early deals now through Black Friday. We’ve linked to their pages below so you can browse for yourself. Remember to do your price research, and check out our Black Friday tips for more helpful advice.
Tech Deals
Apple Watch Series 6
Photograph: AppleApple Watch SE for $230 ($50 off): This is the best basic Apple Watch. If you’re just entering the Watch ecosystem, and you don’t need the fanciest features that come with the pricier Series 6, it’s a good option. Compare the different models here.
Apple Watch Series 6 for $350 ($49 off): If you’d rather have the latest and greatest health-tracking tools baked into your Watch, such as blood oxygen monitoring, this is the version you’re looking for. You don’t necessarily need to upgrade if you’re currently wearing a Series 4 or 5, though.
JBL Flip 5 for $90 ($20 off): This discount extends to nearly every available speaker. We didn’t include the Flip 5 in our best Bluetooth speaker roundup, but it’s a good speaker, and we generally like JBL’s products.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet for $249 ($50 off): This is one of the best Chromebooks. We recommend the Duet, but we do have some gripes with it, such as the lack of a headphone jack or SD card support. Getting an extra $50 off something this inexpensive is still worth it if you’re in the market.
Apple AirPods Pro for $194 ($55 off): The AirPods Pro have been on sale a lot lately. They’re great for iPhone owners (or if you use an iPad or MacBook too), since they pair almost instantly and can switch between Apple devices seamlessly. The sound quality is outstanding, and they have excellent active noise canceling. They’re the first version of AirPods to have silicone ear tips, so they’re much more comfortable than the non-Pro model, plus you can just plop them on a wireless charger to recharge.
Home Deals
Aura Carver Frame
Photograph: Aura