Amazon’s Black Friday sale has come early this year, which means you have an entire week to start chipping away at your holiday shopping list before official Black Friday even begins. Of course, even with all that extra time, the sale can still be overwhelming. There’s a massive amount of options to look through, plus the added stress of quick-to-sell-out lightning deals and inflated discounts. But don’t worry: I’ve consulted with my colleagues on their personal favorite picks in the category they’re covering, from beauty to toys to tech. I also went through the sales myself with an eye for products I know are a hit year after year (this is my sixth year covering Black Friday, after all). And everything below is at least 20 percent off.
To make it even easier to shop, I’ve organized this post by product category. And don’t forget to stay updated with more sales coverage by signing up for our email newsletter.
The deals I personally think are the best
On the beauty front, I always think Black Friday is a good time to splurge on otherwise very expensive devices, like the TheraFace Pro. Otherwise, I always suggest picking up extra gifts, like this JBL speaker or Starface starter pack, which is great for Secret Santa or stocking stuffers.
Beauty and personal care
Black Friday is an ideal time to stock up on all your beauty favorites for the year, like the CosRx snail mucin. This is also a great opportunity to pick up more expensive tools, like a new blow-dryer brush or curling iron.
Home
I was most impressed with vacuum deals, where I’ve spotted plenty of our favorites on sale from brands like Dyson and Bissell. There are also sales on other gadgets that will make your home better come winter hibernation season like our favorite air purifier and a nifty humidifier.
Kitchen
In the kitchen category, I’ve seen the best deals on big-ticket appliances, like Breville’s smart toaster oven, a KitchenAid stand mixer, and this souped-up espresso machine that even makes cold brew.
Clothing and apparel
If you’re in the market for a holiday outfit, I’ve found some nice options, including a pair of Vince Camuto knee-highs for just $150 and a knit Theory dress on sale for a whopping 78 percent off. (Or pick up some classic Carhartt.)
Toys and games
Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo says there are plenty of excellent discounts on toys this year at Amazon. Her top three picks include the super-popular Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo set for 20 percent off, an Elmer’s slime kit for 34 percent off, and a Melissa & Doug sandwich-counter play set for 44 percent off. There’s also this super-fun mystery box from rarely-on-sale brand Squishmallows and the Strategist reader-favorite card game Dutch Blitz.
Tech
Black Friday is always good for scoring tech, and this year is no different. There are some extremely giftable headphones, AirTags, and instant cameras.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
