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Happy Thanksgiving! Black Friday starts tomorrow, but many retailers have been offering excellent deals for weeks ahead of the big event. The early discounts we're seeing now mark the best prices we've seen all year on a ton of products across all categories, including tech, home, beauty, kitchen, and more.
However, if you're holding out on shopping until November 26, it's important to know what you want ahead of time. Acting fast is key to snag products in limited supply, so we've rounded up answers to frequently asked questions to help you prepare for Black Friday 2021. Plus, you can find some of the best early deals available right now, below.
Best early Black Friday 2021 tech deals
MasterClass 2-for-1 membershipGet two MasterClass subscriptions for the price of one! Each subscription gets you access to all of MasterClass, so you can watch or sample unlimited celebrity and expert-led classes across a wide range of topics.$180.00 FROM MASTERCLASSOriginally $360.00 | Save 50%
Apple MacBook Air (M1)The latest MacBook Air released in late 2020 gains Apple's new M1 processor, which brings impressively fast performance and long battery life, for under $1,000, making it the best Apple laptop overall.$849.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $999.99 | Save 15%$849.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $999.00 | Save 15%$999.00 FROM APPLE$949.00 FROM B&HOriginally $999.00 | Save 5%
LG 65-inch C1 OLED 4K TVLG’s C1 is one of the best 4K TVs you can buy. The OLED panel delivers incredible image quality with an infinite contrast ratio. This deal price matches the lowest we’ve seen so far.$1796.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $2499.98 | Save 28%$1796.99 FROM WALMARTOriginally $2499.98 | Save 28%
Amazon Fire TV 50" Omni SeriesAmazon launched its own smart TVs in fall 2021 and the Omni Series boasts features like hands-free Alexa support and video calling along with the latest Fire TV software.$359.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $509.99 | Save 29%
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)The latest Echo speaker from Amazon takes on a spherical design for more effective room-filling audio. $59.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $99.99 | Save 40%$59.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $99.99 | Save 40%$59.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $99.99 | Save 40%
Vizio Elevate 5.1.4 SoundbarVizio's Elevate soundbar offers a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos experience with performance that rivals many full-fledged home theater systems.$798.00 FROM AMAZONOriginally $1099.99 | Save 27%$799.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $1099.99 | Save 27%
GoPro Hero 9 BlackThe Hero 9 Black is GoPro's newest flagship camera, capable of shooting videos up to 5K and photos up to 20 megapixels.$349.99 FROM REIOriginally $450.00 | Save 22%$349.98 FROM GOPROOriginally $449.95 | Save 22%$349.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $449.99 | Save 22%$449.99 FROM B&H$449.99 FROM ADORAMA
Microsoft Surface Pro 7The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is sleek and portable with excellent performance for on-the-go use — making it still the most premium 2-in-1 tablet to date.$999.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $1329.00 | Save 25%Best Black Friday 2021 kitchen deals
Instant Pot Duo Plus Pressure Cooker BundleThis bundle is a Target exclusive, and it includes an extra silicone egg rack and stainless steel steam rack for your pressure cooking needs. It’s only $60 right now — an excellent value for such a multifunctional kitchen appliance.$59.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $129.99 | Save 54%
KitchenAid Pro 5 PlusStreet price for the Pro 5 Plus is around $500, making this a 50% discount on a handful of neutral colors including black, silver, navy, and red.$219.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $500.00 | Save 56%
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand MixerThe smallest of KitchenAid stand mixers, this model is the perfect size and strength for occasional bakers, new cooks, and those with petite kitchens.$299.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $349.99 | Save 14%Instant Pot Duo Plus Pressure Cooker BundleThis bundle is a Target exclusive, and it includes an extra silicone egg rack and stainless steel steam rack for your pressure cooking needs. It’s only $60 right now — an excellent value for such a multifunctional kitchen appliance.$59.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $129.99 | Save 54%
Our Place Always PanOur Place's Always Pan is multi-functional nonstick pan that's taken the internet by storm. It promises to replace eight different pieces of cookware in your kitchen. It can function as a steamer, saute pan, frying pan, and more. $99.00 FROM OUR PLACEOriginally $145.00 | Save 32%
Cuisinart Chef's Classic 17-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware SetThis nonstick set includes nine different pans, lids to match, and a steamer for a total of 17 pieces. $219.99 FROM KOHL'SOriginally $399.99 | Save 45%
Bodum Chambord French PressThe Bodum Chambord is about as timeless as French presses get. It's unfussy and operates smoothly, and replacement parts (screens, braces, etc.) are affordable and easily attainable. $25.00 FROM AMAZONOriginally $38.00 | Save 34%Best Black Friday 2021 home deals
Tineco Pure One S11 SpartanIt's no Dyson, but the Tineco Pure One S11 Spartan still has all of the convenience of a cordless stick vacuum for a lower price. Down to $220, it's a solid deal for a barebones S11 model without the extra attachments.$169.00 FROM WALMARTOriginally $299.99 | Save 44%
iRobot Roomba i3+ (3550) Robot VacuumThe i3+ costs considerably more than your average robot vacuum, but it also does a lot more than the average robot vacuum. It develops personalized cleaning schedules and empties itself. $399.00 FROM AMAZONOriginally $599.99 | Save 33%$399.00 FROM WALMARTOriginally $599.00 | Save 33%$399.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $599.99 | Save 33%$399.99 FROM IROBOTOriginally $599.99 | Save 33%
Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set (Queen)If you take your sleep comfort seriously, the pampering touch and good looks of Brooklinen's Luxe Sheets will have you sleeping like a baby.$140.00 FROM BROOKLINENOriginally $175.00 | Save 20%
Shark ION Robot® Vacuum RV750This is one of the cheapest smart vacuums we've seen to date – this far out from the official launch of Walmart's sale. It's tough to imagine this getting much cheaper during the deals event, so it might be wise to act quickly.$143.00 FROM WALMARTOriginally $299.00 | Save 52%
Dyson V10 AnimalTypically selling for $500, right now the V10 Animal is discounted by $150, a low we've only seen for Amazon Prime Day. The V10 Animal is set apart from the rest of the V10s by its affinity for pet hair pickup. $399.99 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $499.99 | Save 20%$399.99 FROM DYSONOriginally $499.99 | Save 20%$399.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $499.99 | Save 20%Best Black Friday 2021 gaming deals
Nintendo eShop $50 Gift CardThe Nintendo eShop is the best place to shop for digital copies of Nintendo's games. This gift card is the perfect gift or investment for anyone with a Nintendo Switch. Better still, Nintendo's eShop offers several sales throughout the year. This means, patient shoppers can double their savings.$45.00 FROM WALMARTOriginally $50.00 | Save 10%$50.00 FROM BEST BUY$45.00 FROM NEWEGGOriginally $50.00 | Save 10%
Xbox Game Pass for PC (3-Month Membership)Typically, you can get a 3-month Game Pass subscription for $30. Right now, it's only $20, a solid deal. This is the PC version, which gets you EA Play, exclusive member discounts, and unlimited to access to over 100 games. $1.00 FROM MICROSOFTOriginally $29.99 | Save 97%$14.99 FROM AMAZONOriginally $29.99 | Save 50%$19.98 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $29.99 | Save 33%Best early Black Friday health & fitness deals
23andMe Ancestry + Health KitThe 23andMe DNA Ancestry + Health Kit tells you which illnesses you're predisposed to and gives you a full look at your ancestry.$99.00 FROM AMAZONOriginally $199.00 | Save 50%$99.00 FROM 23ANDMEOriginally $199.00 | Save 50%
AncestryDNA Genetic Ethnicity TestThe Ancestry DNA Origins + Ethnicity Test gets you access to the largest customer database, which means more detailed results and more family matches.$49.00 FROM ANCESTRYOriginally $99.00 | Save 51%$49.00 FROM WALMARTOriginally $99.00 | Save 51%$49.00 FROM AMAZONOriginally $99.00 | Save 51%
Lululemon Reversible (Un)MatThe cleverly named Reversible (Un)Mat from Lululemon is like having two lightweight yoga mats for the price of one.$59.00 FROM LULULEMONOriginally $68.00 | Save 13%
Fitbit LuxeThe Fitbit Luxe is the company's latest fitness band that comes with a sleek design and advanced health features like stress management and the ability to measure heart rate variation.$99.99 FROM KOHL'SOriginally $149.99 | Save 33%$99.95 FROM FITBITOriginally $149.94 | Save 33%$99.95 FROM BEST BUYOriginally $149.94 | Save 33%
Mirror from lululemonThis isn't just a mirror. It's a cardio class, it's a yoga studio, it's a boxing ring, it's your new personal trainer, and it's so much more. For Cyber Monday, Mirror is on sale for $500 with the code "CYBERMONDAY20"$995.00 FROM MIRROROriginally $1495.00 | Save 33%
Hydro Flask 32-Ounce Wide Mouth This bottle has all the hallmark features of a Hydro Flask water bottle — 12-24 hours of temperature retention, powder color coating that won't chip or fade with time, a silicone twist top — with the very convenient wide mouth for easy pouring and drinking.$33.71 FROM HYDRO FLASKOriginally $44.95 | Save 25%
Oral-B Pro 1000This budget-friendly and highly effective electric toothbrush is compatible with a wide range of replacement brush heads.$29.97 FROM AMAZONOriginally $59.99 | Save 50%$29.99 FROM TARGETOriginally $49.99 | Save 40%$29.97 FROM WALMARTOriginally $49.97 | Save 40%Best Black Friday style & beauty deals
Kiehl's Since 1851 Avocado Nourishing Hydration MaskWinter is coming, and Kiehls' Avocado Mask is here to provide your skin with hydration all season long. This nourishing treatment infuses your face with avocado and evening primrose oils, offering sumptuous moisture after just one use. Plus, it's green tint is a total throwback. You can save 50% on a jar during Nordstrom's Black Friday sale. $22.50 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $45.00 | Save 50%
Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet Liquid LipstickA liquid lip color that gives you a super matte look, but it's so light it feels like a lip stain. The formula is highly pigmented, smudge-resistant, and comfortable on your lips.$19.00 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $38.00 | Save 50%
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow DefinerThere's a reason why Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Definer is a favorite among beauty editors. The angled applicator allows you to sketch on hair-like strokes, providing you with a natural-looking fill every single time. The Definer is on sale during Nordstrom's Black Friday sale, and it's one of the best prices we've seen for this cult-favorite product. You can shop it in every color for just $16. $16.10 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $23.00 | Save 30%
Nike Sportswear Essential Fleece PantsMade from soft fleece material, these sweats are perfect for everyday comfort.$48.00 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $60.00 | Save 20%
Thread & Supply Double Breasted PeacoatThis peacoat from Thread & Supply is a classic with a twist. The oversized buttons extend up the lapel to the collar, giving you the option to bundle up if necessary. And if you don't love it in black, never fear — you can save 31% on this coat in black, camel, or light gray. $39.90 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $58.00 | Save 31%
True & Co. True Body Triangle Convertible Strap BraletteThe convertible straps on this wireless bra can be worn either straight or crisscrossed, and the smooth material appears invisible under clothes.$30.80 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $44.00 | Save 30%
Spanx Faux Leather LeggingsMade with the same level of support as its signature shapewear but with a little extra stretch, these leggings are designed to not only make you look great but feel great, too. $78.40 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $98.00 | Save 20%$68.98 FROM SPANX Originally $98.00 | Save 30%
Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing MascaraUrban Decay's cult-favorite mascara lifts and adds volume with one simple swipe — and it never, ever clumps. You can score a full-sized tube for just $10 during Nordstrom's Black Friday sale. That's a saving of 60% off the regular price. $10.00 FROM NORDSTROMOriginally $25.00 | Save 60%
Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise TightLululemon is, in many ways, the genesis of athleisure, so it's not surprising that the company has an edge in the space.$69.00 FROM LULULEMONOriginally $98.00 | Save 30%
Chaps Mens Long Sleeve Button DownMade from an easy-to-care-for cotton blend and a dose of stretch, this men's button-down shirt will keep you looking polished all day.$19.98 FROM WALMARTOriginally $60.00 | Save 67%Black Friday 2021 FAQSWhat is Black Friday?
Black Friday is an annual sales event that traditionally happens at the end of November, marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season. The savings event is one of the biggest shopping holidays of the year — sales are so high that the day can push a retailer into "the black," or solvency.
We've been seeing noteworthy price drops for the entire month of November, with all-time lows cropping up more and more as the day gets closer.
When is Black Friday 2021?
Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday falls on November 26. However, we've already seen Black Friday-caliber deals pop up in the weeks leading up to the big day.
Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy have already kicked off their Black Friday sales, days before the holiday itself.
What time does Black Friday start?
Technically speaking, Black Friday starts at 12:00 a.m. local time on November 26 for online retailers. However, Black Friday sales start whenever each retailer decides their deals will go live.
A handful of retailers, like Walmart and Amazon, have already begun offering deals for the event.
What time do stores open on Black Friday?
Here are the opening times for the major retailers we're tracking throughout Black Friday. Keep in mind can shop all the retailers below, plus others like Amazon, around the clock online.
Apple: Varies by store, check store hours here.
Bed Bath & Beyond: 6 a.m.
Best Buy: 5 a.m.
Dick's Sporting Goods: 5 a.m.
The Home Depot: 6 a.m.
Kohl's: 5 a.m.
Lowe's: 6 a.m.
Macy's: 6 a.m.
Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack: Varies by store, check store hours here.
Sephora: Varies by store, check store hours here.
Target: 7 a.m.
Ulta Beauty: 6 a.m.
Walmart: 5 a.m.
How long do Black Friday sales last?
Don't be fooled by the name that suggests Black Friday is a single day. It's most definitely not. It's more like a shopping season that begins in early November.
What should you buy on Black Friday?
Since it falls a few weeks before the gift-giving season, Black Friday provides excellent opportunities to buy and save on all your holiday gifts before the last-minute rush.
It's nearly guaranteed that you'll get great value for your money on certain products during Black Friday — but some items tend to see better discounts at other times of the year. If you go in knowing what you're looking for, you're less likely to be ripped off by a fancy-looking coupon or to spend money on products you don't need.
Shoppers can expect tons of great deals — including so-called "doorbusters" — online before and early on in Black Friday. During the event, prices will drop to all-time lows, often beating out prices we see over the course of the year. The sale covers every product category: tech, home and kitchen, fashion, and smart home.
This Black Friday, shoppers should expect to see similar offers to the ones we saw on Amazon Prime Day, except more wide-ranging.
We recommend focusing on the following product categories if you want the best deals:
TVsSmart home devicesGaming consoles and video gamesKitchen appliances
Historically, Black Friday has been a great time to purchase big-ticket electronics — especially larger TVs. Whether you're looking for a top-of-the-line Samsung set or LG OLED, or a budget-friendly TCL or Hisense model, Black Friday will likely deliver several deals.
Much like Amazon Prime Day, we saw tons of discounts on smart home products last Black Friday. Amazon Echo products dropped to their lowest prices ever, plus we saw several discounts and bundles on Google's recently released products.
This Black Friday we expect to see discounts on the latest Xbox and Playstation games. While we didn't see any markdowns on new consoles last year, we did see a few bundles crop up and we expect more of them in 2021 if retailers are able to secure stock.
If you're looking for a kitchen upgrade, Black Friday is a great time to shop. We saw big discounts on Instant Pot pressure cookers, KitchenAid appliances, pots and pans, plus everything else you'll want for the upcoming holiday season.
Of course, the deals found during Black Friday are incredibly wide-ranging. There have also been several deals on diapers, toilet paper, and other household essentials.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better?
It's complicated, and it matters less every year.
For those unfamiliar, Cyber Monday traditionally comes three days after Black Friday, on Monday. However, we've seen Black Friday and Cyber Monday slowly merge and expand to a weeklong, or even a month-long affair. Different products receive better discounts on each day, and the deals that each retailer offers will vary.
A good rule of thumb to follow: If you think you see a good deal, (e.g., one we recommend) create the order as soon as possible. While you can always cancel or return a product, it's impossible to take advantage of an inactive, or expired deal.
Suppose you purchase a discounted product during Black Friday and see a more significant markdown at another retailer come Cyber Monday. Don't sweat it.
You can ask the original storefront to match the price (some automatically refund you the difference), or you can return or cancel the order, then place a new order with a better price. Some orders won't even ship during the weekend, which makes it easy to cancel orders.
For those who can shop in-person during Black Friday, we've found that it's better to shop on Black Friday in these situations:
For expensive productsFor major storesFor this year's productsWhat stores have Black Friday deals?
Outside of a few notable exceptions like REI, nearly every major retailer and direct-to-consumer company is offering markdowns during the event. We've seen deals from Walmart, Best Buy, Dell, Amazon, Adorama, Lowe's, The Home Depot, and more.
As we do every Black Friday, we will be sifting through all of the offers and rounding up the best deals from your favorite retailers.
Will there be Black Friday shipping delays?
Shipping delays and major shopping holidays go hand in hand, and this year is no exception. Supply chain issues are cropping up, but they probably won't ruin your Christmas. To be safe, try buying your gifts as early as possible to avoid stock issues. With so many deals rolling out early, that's easier than ever.
When do Black Friday ads come out?
Most Black Friday ad scans are already available, including Walmart, Kohl's, Macy's, Amazon, and Target. For the full list of available ads, check out the catalog compiled on BlackFriday.com.
Best Black Friday Deals we saw last year
Last year, we rounded up the best Black Friday deals we could find. Some of the best deals we found discounted many products over 50% with hundreds of dollars in savings. Here are some of the best markdowns we saw last year.
iRobot Roomba 675 robot vacuum was $179 on Amazon, originally $229.LG 75" 80 Series smart webOS TV was $999 at Best Buy, originally $1,499.Insignia 24-inch Fire TV was $100 from Amazon, originally $170.Lenovo smart clock was $35 from Best Buy, originally $80.Samsung 1TB internal SSD was $100 from Walmart, originally $280.How we select the best Black Friday dealsWe only choose products that meet our high standard of coverage and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.We'll compare the prices among top retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart and include only the deals that are better than all others offered (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards). All deals will be at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsize value.
Read more about how the Insider Reviews team evaluates deals and why you should trust us.
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