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; it’s now the one time to pay attention to all the sales. Be sure to do it online. You shouldn’t be making unnecessary trips to any store with the Covid-19 pandemic getting worse. Retailers are offering deals that run longer than ever online to help you stay home and reduce the spread.
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 picks are worth your time and money.
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Early Black Friday Sales
Most major stores are offering early deals now through Friday. We’ve linked to their pages below. Remember to do your price research, and check out our Black Friday tips for more helpful advice.
Tech Accessories
Apple Watch Series 6
Photograph: Apple-
Apple 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.
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Apple Watch Series 6 for $350 ($49 off): If you’d rather have the latest and greatest health-tracking tools, such as blood oxygen monitoring, baked into your Watch, this is the version you’re looking for. It also has an always-on display. You don’t necessarily need to upgrade if you’re currently wearing a Series 4 or 5, though.
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Amazon Kindle for $60 ($30 off): Been reading a ton as the days get darker? Amazon’s standard Kindle is on sale this Black Friday, and it’s one of our favorite e-readers. Compare the different models here.
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Amazon Fire HD 10 for $80 ($70 off): The Fire HD 10 is our favorite Amazon tablet. It’s got a relatively speedy processor and a decent 1080p screen, making it great for movies, books, and games alike. Compare all the different models here.
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JBL Flip 5 for $70 ($50 off): This discount extends to nearly every available speaker. We didn’t include the Flip 5 in our Best Bluetooth Speakers roundup, but it’s a good speaker, and we generally like JBL’s products.
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Lenovo Chromebook Duet for $249 ($50 off): This is one of the best Chromebooks you can get for the price. We recommend the Duet, but it’s not without flaws (like the lack of a headphone jack or SD card support). Still, getting an extra $50 off something you crank out some work (or schoolwork) on is still worth it in this climate.
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Apple AirPods Pro for $200 ($49 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 excellent, and they have good 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.
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Beats Powerbeats Pro for $160 ($90 off): This sale is only for specific, less desired colors (like electric yellow), but who cares what color your ears are when you’re working out? The Powerbeats Pro are some of our favorite headphones for breaking a sweat, especially for $90 off retail.
Home Deals
Aura Carver Frame
Photograph: Aura