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Early Black Friday deals are still coming in. We added a few new deals today from Amazon and Costco as well as a few new FAQs.
November 16, 2021
The avalanche of early Black Friday promotions has begun, and we’re sifting through the duds to find the best deals that are worth your time. We’ve already seen notable sales from Best Buy and Amazon. And now Costco, Target, and Walmart are throwing their hats into the ring. Black Friday doesn’t officially begin until November 26, but these early sales may be your best bet for avoiding frustrating stock and shipping issues from 2021’s ongoing product shortages and supply-chain disruptions. We’ll continue to scour all the sales, and we will update this list—as well as the Wirecutter Deals page—with the best early deals we find.
Early deals keep rolling in and we’re taking stock of a few of our favorites. From a stylish backpack to a new TV, here are five early Black Friday deals that have particularly caught our attention.
Rumpl Original Puffy Throw
Deal price: $74; street price: $100
Wandrd Prvke 21L Backpack
Deal price: $138; street price: $184
Hisense U7G Series LED TV (55-inch)
Deal price: $630; street price: $750
Lego City Advent Calendar Building Kit
Deal price: $24; street price: $30
Though we’re not expecting to see tons of Wirecutter picks on offer at Walmart until closer to Black Friday, we've already seen a couple notable deals. The first preview sale from Walmart was on November 3, and the next one coming up is November 10. If you’re interested in early access to Black Friday sales, free delivery, and other benefits, you can sign up for a Walmart+ membership. Walmart’s membership program costs about $100 annually (or $13 monthly), and it nets you early access to Walmart’s three online Black Friday Deals for Days events. This year, special deals will be marked with a “W+ early access” badge for Walmart+ members. The most notable early sale we’ve seen advertised is for the Eufy 25C, a variant of our budget robot vacuum pick (the Eufy 11S).
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
Deal price: $100; street price: $120
Read our review of the best stylus for your iPad.
A stylus is a must-have accessory if you’re an illustrator or like to take notes on your iPad. Although pricier than our other picks, the Apple Pencil integrates seamlessly with USB-C iPads to deliver impressive pressure sensitivity, magnetic charging, and a handy tap system that allows you to toggle through settings easily This newer generation model also offers overall improved performance and charging capabilities over the 1st gen. This deal is only $1 shy of the best price we’ve seen for our upgrade pick.
AncestryDNA Testing Kit
Deal price: $59; street price: $80
Read our review of the best DNA testing kit.
AncestryDNA stands out as the best DNA test kit for its clear and easy-to-understand test results as well as its useful and interesting historical context. Of course, it’s impossible to guarantee who will and won't be able to see and use that information in the future, as the legal guidelines are currently limited, but if you're aware and okay with the notable privacy concerns, this kit is the best we've tested. We expect to see better discounts closer to Cyber Week, but this isn't a bad price if you're searching for a gift right now.
As always, Amazon has been leading the charge throughout most of the month, starting as early as October 4. However, most of its showings have been consigned to single-day sales associated with name brands, like Samsung and Calphalon. You can find Amazon’s daily early Black Friday offerings on its Epic Daily Deals landing page. We’ll highlight especially notable deals below.
BeginAgain Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle and Playset
Deal price: $25; street price: $32
Read our review of the best gifts for 2-year-olds.
This cute animal puzzle is made up of chunky wooden creatures who nest together in a colorful menagerie. Labeled as a corresponding letter of the alphabet, each animal helps guide children to find its proper placement. Besides functioning as a fun learning tool, it serves as a nice decorative piece in a nursery or playroom. This deal matches the best price we’ve seen for this creative puzzle toy.
Buffalo Games Star Wars 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Deal price: $8; street price: $14
Read our review of jigsaw puzzles we love.
Although Star Wars is set in a galaxy far, far away, you and your family can revisit the nostalgia from the comfort of your home with this crowd-pleasing puzzle. The puzzle should entertain various skill levels, from easier character sections to more open and complex space. This deal is the first notable discount we’ve seen for this Buffalo Games puzzle.
Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Deal price: $600 at checkout; street price: $670
Read our review of the best mini desktop PCs.
Great for limited spaces, mini PCs combine the space efficiency of a laptop with the computing power of a more traditional desktop. If you use macOS, we recommend the Mac mini. This updated M1 model has the faster 8-core M1 chip, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. It’s not as upgradable as other mini PCs, but it’s still extremely fast, energy-efficient, and impressively quiet. It's also available from Costco for the same price.
Lego City Advent Calendar Building Kit
Deal price: $24; street price: $30
Read our review of our favorite advent calendars.
This Lego kit combines the excitement of opening a new advent calendar with the joy of collecting legos. Each day offers a fun, new piece that slowly builds to create a full holiday scene and play set. Plus, the instructions are easy-to-follow and save for repeat builds next year.
TP-Link Deco S4 Wi-Fi Mesh-Networking Kit
Deal price: $110; street price: $130
Read our review of the best Wi-Fi mesh-networking kits.
If you're combatting a bad Wi-Fi signal in your home (and you've already tried moving your router), a mesh-networking kit may be the next step. Our budget pick quickly simulated web traffic to three test laptops while three other laptops were streaming 4K video and downloading files simultaneously. Though it only has two Ethernet ports and doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some pricier models, the Deco is still a great way to get better wireless coverage in a large space when you're on a budget.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Deal price: $30; street price: $50
Read our review of the best media streaming devices.
With so many streaming services taking over our consumption of media, it's nice to have something like the Roku Streaming Stick 4K to consolidate all your subscriptions into a single place. As our runner-up pick, the Stick 4K, replaces the Stick+—doing everything the older model did, plus supporting all major 4K HDR standards as well as Dolby Atmos audio and AirPlay 2. The only caveat is that Roku is currently in a dispute with Google, which means the YouTube app may not be available on Roku for long.
Apple Pencil (1st Generation)
Deal price: $80; street price: $100
Read our review of the best stylus for your iPad.
If you’re using an older iPad (one with a Lightning port), the 1st Gen Apple Pencil is the stylus you’re looking for. Offering tilt-support, palm-rejection (so your resting palm won’t register as something you’re trying to draw with), as well as pressure sensitivity, this is a no-brainer for artists who like to draw on their iPad. Just make sure you’re getting the right model—1st Gen Pencils only work with Lightning-port-equipped iPad models released since 2015, and the 2nd Gen Pencils are for iPads with USB-C connectors and flat edges.
Target is joining the party, launching a slew of Black Friday deals even earlier than usual this year. The company ran its first sale from October 10–12, and it has offered rolling sales on toys and gift cards in the weeks since. We’ve been sifting through the sales and will highlight any particularly noteworthy price drops here. RedCard holders may have the opportunity to save even more by stacking their 5% discount and free shipping on top of other Black Friday offerings. Plus, Target is offering a price match on items purchased between October 10 and December 24 (albeit with exclusions). The “Holiday Best” deals have started popping up already—purportedly the retailer’s best prices for the season.
Pyrex Simply Store (22-Piece Set)
Deal price: $20 with store pickup; street price: $40
Read our review of the best food storage containers.
No food storage container will last forever, but our glass pick is odor-resistant, oven-safe, and more durable than the competition. They stack neatly, include easy-to-use lids, and can go in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. Opt for store pickup to avoid shipping fees or use your RedCard for an additional 5% discount.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Electronic Cutting Machine (Blue)
Deal price: $170; street price: $200
Read our review of the best electronic cutting machine.
Whether you're a novice DIY crafter or a seasoned artist, an electronic cutting machine is a nice addition to your toolkit. With easy-to-learn software, good customer service, and a supportive community, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is a great beginner-friendly cutting machine. Though it's not the fastest model we tested, the Air 2 cuts quietly and smoothly, and comes with access to a robust image library that will save you time and effort in the long run.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Deal price: $10 with store pickup or Target RedCard; street price: $15
Read our review of the best white elephant gifts under $25.
We recommend plenty of great waffle makers, but sometimes novelty ranks over function. For those seeking adorable waffles to elevate at-home brunch, we like the Dash Mini. It’s nonstick— making waffle extraction a breeze—and compact enough to store away easily. The Mini also comes backed by a one-year warranty for some added peace of mind. This deal is a new low price for the Dash Mini.
Costco is kicking into high gear early this year, with a selection of early access Black Friday TV deals. Another round of sales from the warehouse store will drop November 1. And we expect to see discounts on everything from OLED TVs to home goods, as well as rare deals on items like stand mixers and on smart-home gear, such as smart sprinklers. Below are the notable discounts we’ve seen so far for Costco members looking to save. We’ll continue adding to this list as deals arise.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub
Deal price: $120 with Costco membership; street price: $170
Read our review of the best external hard drive
We recommend this Seagate drive if you work directly from your external drive or regularly handle large f. It’s faster than most desktop hard drives we tested—including our top pick—and took roughly 20% to 30% less time on average to perform our real-world transfers. The Plus Hub also offers two front-mounted USB ports that are capable of charging small devices. However, it requires a connection to both your computer and an outlet to operate, making it less portable overall.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat with Nest Temperature Sensor
Deal price: $180 with Costco membership; street price: $250
Read our review of the best smart thermostat.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat is Nest’s most-advanced smart thermostat. It features a larger and more useful display, wider compatibility with HVAC systems, and a learning feature that creates an optimized schedule for your heating and cooling preferences. This deal from Costco also includes a temperature sensor for rooms in your home that are harder to regulate. This deal is available for the best price we've seen.
SimpliSafe Home Security System (10-Piece Kit)
Deal price: $130 with Costco membership; street price: $200
Read our review of the best home security system.
Seeking a new security system? This bundle from Costco includes the Base Station, Keypad, Motion Sensor, Panic Button, Keyfob, four Entry Sensors, an HD Security Camera, and three free months of 24/7 interactive monitoring. After the free trial, you can choose between a $15/month standard monitoring plan (24/7 monitoring and a cellular connection), continue the $25/month interactive monitoring plan (standard features plus phone app control, push and email alerts, and 30-day event footage), or choose "no monitoring." We recommend at least the standard plan.
LG C1 OLED TV (65-Inch)
Deal price: $1,800; street price: $2,100
Read our review of the best OLED TV.
An OLED TV is going to give you the best-looking image of any other TV on the market, hands down. Though our top pick is pricey, we think it balances quality and price. It produces fantastic 4K HDR images, has a sleek build, and supports leading high dynamic range standards—so you’ll get the best picture possible from HDR sources. You can also customize and tweak the visuals, no matter the media, with both a filmmaker and game optimizer mode. This deal includes a $100 streaming credit and a $100 warranty credit with the purchase of an extended warranty.
Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) Desktop PC
Deal price: $750; street price: $870
Read our review of the best mini desktop PCs.
Great for limited spaces and getting work done, mini PCs are compact computers that give you more power than most laptops. If you prefer the macOS, the Mac mini is an excellent option. This updated M1 model has the faster 8-core M1 chip, 8 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. It’s not as upgradable as other mini PCs, but it’s still extremely fast, energy efficient, and impressively quiet. It's also available from Amazon for the same price.
Lowe’s is back at it again with its second-annual Season of Savings sales event. It will be offering deals specials into December and through the end of the year. Not to be outdone, The Home Depot has also launched its early Black Friday sale event, offering deals into December as well. We’ll continue to highlight any notable Wirecutter picks we find here.
Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation) + Smart Plug Bundle
Deal price: $25 with store pickup; street price: $45
Read our review of the best voice assistant smart speakers.
Smart speakers can be surprisingly helpful—for everything from playing music and answering questions to controlling the other smart gear in your home. Although the Nest doesn’t offer quite as much smart-home integration as Alexa, it’s an affordable way to tie together your Google accounts or to create an inexpensive audio system in your home. Plus, this bundle includes a smart plug that allows you to remotely activate devices via voice control. To avoid shipping fees, make sure you choose store pickup, or bundle the Nest with a larger purchase.
Stanley 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure (2-Pack)
Deal price: $20 with store pickup; street price: $80
Read our review of the best tape measure.
I’m not sure if measuring twice and cutting once means you should have two tape measures, but this is a nice chance to save on a two-pack of our upgrade pick. The wider 1¼-inch blade can stand unsupported farther, and the tougher coating means it’ll last.
Werner FS106 6 ft Type I Fiberglass Single Sided Stepladder
Deal price: $40 with store pickup; street price: $70
Read our review of the best ladders.
It’s time to take down the cobwebs and start putting up Christmas lights. A good ladder can make the job simple and safer. While it’s not quite as stable as our top pick, the Werner FS106 is an extremely well-built step ladder with a very convenient tool tray. It’s just shy of the $45 free shipping threshold, so pick up a cheap goodie for yourself to bump the order over $45 or select store pickup.
Best Buy kicked off its Black Friday event extra-early this year. We’ve already seen one round of deals, and we expect to see even more in the coming days. With a My Best Buy or TotalTech membership, shoppers can qualify for early access and price protection on deals marked as Black Friday Price Guaranteed. Here are some of the first deals we’ve seen, and we’ll continue to update this piece as more crop up.
Asus Chromebook Flip C536 (C536EA-BI3T3) 15" Chromebook
Deal price: $400; street price: $500
Read our review of the best Chromebook.
If you need a bit more screen real estate for your Chromebook, the Flip C536 is an excellent option. It has a full 15-inch HD touch screen, a flip-and-fold design you can use as a tablet or to watch videos, a full number pad, as well as an 11th gen Intel i3 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 128 GB SSD. The Asus Flip was our 15-inch Chromebook pick, but it’s often hard to find in stock, so this is a great time to pick it up.
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Deal price: $530; street price: $700
Read our review of the best Chromebook.
Another good Chromebook we like, the Spin 713 features an 8GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, and an Intel 11th Generation Core i5 processor. Although it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than our comparable upgrade pick, the Spin has a taller 3:2 screen ratio, more ports, longer battery life, and a handy 360-degree hinge. Another lower-specced version is available for $280 that features 4GB RAM, a 64 GB SSD, and an Intel 10th Generation Core i3 processor.
Hisense U7G Series LED TV (55-inch)
Deal price: $630; street price: $750
Read our review of the best LCD/LED TV.
A great TV doesn’t have to break the bank, and the Hisense U7G is a great example. While the viewing angle isn’t as wide as pricier TV’s, the U7G has great image quality, a good user experience, and an affordable price, making it the best overall 4K LED TV. Since October, we’ve posted a few deals for this TV, but this price is the best discount we’ve yet to note.
Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K (Battery-Powered)
Deal price: $140; street price: $185
Read our review of the best smart doorbell camera.
The battery-powered Eufy doorbell is perfect for folks who want a cam but don’t have existing doorbell wiring. It delivers bright 2K images, clear two-way audio, and a strong battery that should last around four months. The included base station can also store up to six months’ worth of footage, or you can opt into Eufy's cloud service (about $30 per year). However, its recording is limited to 60-second clips, leaving some gaps in our footage during testing. This deal is the best price we’ve seen for our battery-operated pick.
Apple deals are available during Black Friday preview sales and Black Friday itself, but price drops are usually restricted to certain product categories and aging models. This year, we expect to see the majority of Apple deals on iPads (the standard iPad and iPad Air), Apple Watches (the SE), the M1 Mac Mini desktop, and the M1 MacBook Air laptop. Here are the best Apple deals available right now:
Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020, 512 GB SSD) Desktop PC
Deal price: $750; street price: $870
Also available from Amazon.
Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020, 256 GB SSD)
Deal price: $600; street price: $670
Also available from Costco for the same price.
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
Deal price: $100; street price: $120
Apple Pencil (1st Generation)
Deal price: $80; street price: $100
Peloton has officially launched its holiday sales, offering a substantial discount on their Bike+ model. Usually, nearly $2500, the upgraded version of their bike is down to $2145. However, the standard Peloton Bike is $1500, still over $600 less, after a permanent price drop in late August. Our guide writers think that most users don’t need the Bike+ versus the Bike, but if you’re prone to FOMO, the discount could be worth your while. Versus its cheaper sibling, the Bike+ offers a larger, rotating touchscreen which allows for off-bike workouts, enhanced sound, and an Auto Follow feature that automatically adjusts the resistance based on your instructor’s directives.
Walmart’s next round of Black Friday Sales will drop on November 22—most notably, the ad features the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Neither are deals as both are full price—even so, we don’t believe inventory will last long. These sought-after game consoles always sell out close to immediately. Walmart hopes to create buzz around its Black Friday promotions, and touting difficult-to-find game console availability is a good way to do so. It may be worth checking out, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up.
Dyson stick vacuum sales have become a fixture during the Black Friday window, with discounts from major retailers like The Home Depot, Target, and Best Buy in addition to price drops from Dyson itself. However, this year, we’re seeing fewer deals at worse prices than in previous years, likely a byproduct of ongoing supply chain issues. We’ve also found some price drops on the much sought-after Dyson AirWrap while scanning, but our expert writers don’t think the high-end styling tool offers enough versus cheaper versions to be worth it, even at the $450 pricing we’ve noted.
In the wake of the AirPods 3 release, we’re seeing holiday discounts on older gens, like the AirPods 2 ($90 from Walmart) and AirPods Pro (MagSafe version, $190 for Costco members), but we still don’t think AirPods are the best option for iPhone users. Instead, we recommend the Beats Fit Pro.
Lauren Dragan writes, "If you struggle to keep true wireless earbuds in your ears, or you’re an Apple fan who wants access to Apple’s H1 chip features, the Beats Fit Pro is for you.” On Apple devices, it offers the same easy pairing and connection swapping as well as other features like noise cancellation, touch-free Siri control, and microphones with wind and background noise reduction. The Fit Pro also has physical buttons to skip tracks, make phone calls, and control volume.
While the Beats Fit Pro aren't discounted this holiday season, at $200, they’re only about $10 more than the AirPods Pro and $20 more than the AirPods 3. They sound better than both, offer more functionality, and are likely a better value for most iPhones users. Both of the Fit Pro’s buds can also work independently, but can only connect with one device at a time.
Monoprice MP Cadet 3D Printer
Deal price: $170; street price: $210
Read our review of the best 3D printer.
Beginners looking to experiment with a 3D printer for the first time should check out our budget pick. The Cadet won't produce particularly complex or finely detailed designs like some higher end options, but it’s affordable and consistently made flawless prints throughout testing. It's also safer for kids to use and comes in a compact size that can easily fit on your desk. This deal matches the best price we've seen for the MP Cadet; just don't forget to use the promo code 3DP40108 to get the discount. You can also snag it from Walmart for the same price.
Solo Stove Bonfire
Deal price: $216 with code STEVEO; street price: $300
Read our review of the best smokeless fire pits.
With the weather finally getting cool enough, it’s the perfect time to sit outside and warm up by a roaring fire. As our top pick for the best smokeless fire pit, the Solo Stove Bonfire is down to the lowest price we’ve ever seen. While no fire pit is truly “smokeless,” the Solo Stove Bonfire does a great job reducing the smoke by about 70% to 80%. Use code STEVEO to get the new low price.
Rumpl Original Puffy Throw
Deal price: $74; street price: $100
Read our review of the best puffy blanket.
Nothing compliments a chilly, fall day like a puffy blanket. Although not as comfortable as our top pick, the Rumpl has a dense (but breathable) nylon shell that’s resilient and quick-drying. It’s also currently on sale for half the price. This deal is available in three colors and matches the best price we’ve seen for our runner-up pick.
Wandrd Prvke 21L Backpack
Deal price: $138; street price: $184
Read our review of the best buy it for life backpack.
We hope you never have to lug your camera gear through a hurricane—but if you want a backpack that’s up for the task we recommend the Wandrd Prvke. By far the toughest camera bag we tested, the Wandrd is designed with a roll-top flap and two side access doors. It’s sturdy, stylish, and built to withstand the elements. The camera cube inside the bag can be difficult to set in place and we wish there were more internal organization options for gear like notebooks and pens. Still, it’s an overall impressive and versatile backpack. This deal is a new low price for the Prvke.
Leesa Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Deal price: $1,365 with code WIRECUTTER; street price: $1,660
Read our review of the best mattress you can buy online.
Combining the best elements of memory-foam and spring mattresses, this is a good opportunity to save on the Leesa Hybrid. As one of our longtime top picks for best memory foam mattress, the Hybrid checks off all the boxes—good cooling, a thick cover, and a nice balance of bounce from the springs and cradle from the memory foam. Combined with the 100-day trial period and 10-year warranty, it’s the perfect mattress for almost any sleeper.
Saatva Classic (Luxury Firm, Queen)
Deal price: $1,174; street price: $1,500
Read our review of the best innerspring mattresses.
Tired of feeling overheated by your foam mattress? Consider the Saatva Classic. Thanks to its pocketed microcoils and plush 3-inch Euro top, the Saatva features all the bounce of a traditional innerspring mattress without any of the creaking or rigidity. Although it doesn't have the best motion isolation, we found its cotton and memory foam padding deliver optimal pressure relief. The Classic's street price has recently increased, but we still think this deal is a solid discount. Plus, it includes a 180-day trial period and 15-year warranty (note: returns and exchanges elicit a $100 fee).
Lenovo: Although Lenovo is also in the early Black Friday mix, we’ve yet to find discounts that have met our price expectations from the company. We’ll continue to monitor its offers for worthwhile deals as they arise.
Dell: The maker of our top Windows Ultrabook is hosting its own cyber sale, promising limited-quantity deals as well as competitive Black Friday pricing. We have yet to see any standouts so far, but we will continue to keep an eye on the situation.
Black Friday is coming in hot. Luckily, Wirecutter Deals is giving you all the inside information to make your shopping experience as simple as possible.
Ordering early to get gifts that you must have in time for the holidays is a smart move.
Holiday discounts come around earlier every year, but only a small few are worth your time. Here’s what you should be on the lookout for before Black Friday.
Here’s what the Wirecutter Deals team is looking for when they hunt for the best prices on Wirecutter picks every day of the week.
Black Friday is November 26, the day after Thanksgiving, but Black Friday sales have already begun and will continue all month.
Some early Black Friday deals are worth your time, especially if you’re seeking a specific product, want to ensure you won’t run into stock issues or delays, or can get price protection in the event the price falls even more. In the past few years, we’ve seen a percentage of early Black Friday deals that were as good as the deals during Black Friday itself—but Black Friday will still offer excellent prices, better than many we see this month, for those who can wait on product categories that aren’t likely to experience issues.
Our Deals team has already observed delays in restocks and longer shipping times for sought-after products. If you plan to buy popular tech items, hot seasonal toys or apparel, or any other products you suspect could see shortages, we’d recommend planning ahead—starting now.
JCPenney has launched its own round of Black Friday preview promotions, but we haven't seen notable discounts on Wirecutter picks in our early scans. The retailer also has a planned sale from 11/26 – 11/28, the Black Friday Now event. Our most popular pick from JCPenney is this already (relatively) affordable sheet set, but it's not included in the sale. These sheets are typically discounted to around $60 in the Queen size and are always on sale, so the current discount isn't particularly notable.
Jordan Thomas
Deals Writer
Jordan Thomas is a deals writer for Wirecutter. When she’s not scouring the web to find the best deals for the site and the daily deals newsletter, you can usually find her cooking elaborate meals or losing magnificently at trivia.
Dan Kim
Senior Staff Writer, Deals
Dan Kim is a senior staff writer for the Deals Team at Wirecutter and has been covering everything related to deals since 2016. When he’s not hip-deep in the trenches combing through deals on our picks, he enjoys writing about video games, computers, gaming accessories, and tech that he can't afford.
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