Black Friday is officially two days away, but almost every brand and retailer you can think of has already started their sales — if you haven’t started shopping already, don’t wait any longer. Getting a head start today, or tomorrow, between watching football and eating pumpkin pie, gives you extra time to compare prices, weigh shipping options and hunt for coupons to stretch your budget. Plus, since items are expected to go out of stock, the sooner you shop, the more options you’ll get to browse through at Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora, Nordstrom and more.

I cover the biggest sales of the year as a writer for NBC Select, so I know how to find deals that are actually worth buying. I spent weeks combing through thousands of discounts to find the best Black Friday deals — each one I recommend below is highly rated and 20% off or more. When possible, I ran deals through price trackers to make sure they’re at their lowest price in at least three months or the lowest price ever. I’ll update this list live now through Black Friday.

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Best Black Friday deals overall

4.5-star average rating from 30,172 reviews on Amazon

According to NBC Select tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz, the Apple AirPods 4 are some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds for iPhone users. “They have a semi-open fit, meaning no rubber eartips, and they’re small, lightweight and sync easily across all your Apple devices,” he says. You get up to 30 hours of battery life with the included charging case, and Siri virtual assistant is built in.

4.7-star average rating from 45,774 reviews on Amazon

I put these trackers in my bags, suitcases and wallet, as well as attach them to my keys, so I always know where my belongings are. AirTags pair with Apple’s Find My app, which shows me where my items are on a map and lets me play a sound on the trackers’ built-in speakers. Each AirTag comes with a replaceable battery that lasts over a year, according to the brand.

4.8-star average rating from 247 reviews on Amazon

Once built, this Lego set becomes decor you’ll be proud to display. It comes with all the pieces you need to make three mini bonsai trees: a ginkgo, a black pine and a wisteria tree. Lego recommends it for those ages 18 and up, and one to three people can construct the trees together.

4.5-star average rating from 12,266 reviews on Amazon

“My skin looks clearer and feels smoother since I started using these exfoliating toner pads,” says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. “You use the embossed side first to remove dead skin cells, then use the smooth side, which is so soothing on my skin.” The pads are made with 4.5% lactic acid (an AHA) and 0.45% salicylic acid (a BHA) to reduce the appearance of pores, refine skin texture and decrease greasiness, according to the brand.

4.3-star average rating from 8,266 reviews on Amazon

No matter how much I beat up my Samsonite luggage, it still works perfectly and looks pristine. This set comes with a 19-inch carry-on and a 28-inch checked bag, both of which have a scratch-resistant hard outer shell, 360-degree spinner wheels and internal organization systems. The carry-on bag comes with a built-in charging system, while the checked bag has a built-in TSA lock.

4.8-star average rating from 122,395 reviews on Amazon

LifeStraw’s personal water filter, which you use like a straw, is ideal for those who frequently hike or camp, and it’s a great addition to anyone’s emergency kit. It removes over 99% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics from water, and you can use it to filter 1,000 gallons before you need a new one, according to the brand.

4.6-star average rating from 31,132 reviews on Amazon

This kit comes with all the materials you need to take a saliva sample and send it to Ancestry DNA’s lab. About six weeks later, you’ll get your results online, giving you information about your origins around the world and over 75 traits you may have a propensity for, like cilantro aversion and freckles. You’ll also be able to see and connect with people you share DNA with.

Best Black Friday tech deals

4.7-star average rating from 570,772 reviews on Amazon

Once you connect devices like lamps, fans and coffee makers to Amazon’s smart plugs, you can control them remotely from the Alexa app or via voice commands. You can also set up routines and schedules in the app for each item connected to a plug. The plugs are compact, so they don’t block your second outlet.

4.8-star average rating from 83,578 reviews on Amazon

It’s always a good idea to have extra batteries at home, but they’re especially useful around the holidays to power string lights, toys and remotes. This pack comes with 32 alkaline AA batteries. They have a 10-year shelf life and their packaging is designed to protect against leaks, according to the brand. Energizer’s AAA batteries are also on sale.

4.6-star average rating from 66,998 reviews on Amazon

Once you plug Amazon’s Fire Stick into your TV’s HDMI port, you can stream movies, shows and music from your favorite platforms in 4K Ultra HD. It also lets you play video games via Xbox Game Pass without a console and control compatible smart home devices. Plus, when you’re not using the TV, the streaming stick displays art, photography or widgets like a calendar in Ambient Experience mode. You get an Alexa Voice Remote with your purchase.

4.2-star average rating from 6,431 reviews on Amazon

Rabinowitz says the Oura Ring 4 is the best smart ring you can buy. It tracks over 50 health metrics like sleep, activity, stress and heart rate, all of which are displayed as scores in the brand’s app. You get up to 8 days of battery life on a single charge, and the ring is water-resistant up to over 300 feet, according to the brand. The first month of an Oura membership is included with your purchase, but you’ll need to purchase a subscription afterward to continue using the device.

4.7-star average rating from 10,732 reviews on Amazon

The PlayStation 5 console displays games in 4K, making graphics look vibrant and smooth, and it has 3D sound output to immerse you in different worlds. There’s 1 TB of storage built in, and it comes with a DualSense wireless controller that’s equipped with haptic feedback. In addition to thousands of PS5 games, the console is “backwards compatible,” so it works with most PS4 games, too

Best Black Friday home deals

4.4-star average rating from 119,321 reviews on Amazon

Shark’s upright vacuum cleans up messes on carpets and bare floors, and it’s equipped with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens. It has a detachable pod you can carry around your home to reach above doorframes, under furniture and stairs. The appliance also comes with interchangeable attachments like a dusting brush, pet power brush and crevice tool, as well as an extension tool.

4.4-star average rating from 101,550 reviews on Amazon

I’ve used this spot cleaner to get coffee, red wine, pet accidents and mud out of light-colored carpets and fabric furniture, so it’s a miracle worker in my book. You fill one of its tanks with water and cleaning solution, then use the nozzle to spray and scrub the stain before suctioning it up. The dirt goes into a separate tank, and the appliance comes with a self-cleaning tool that helps you rinse out its hose after each use.

4.2-star average rating from 30,826 reviews on Amazon

This robot vacuum cleans the floor for you. Its powerful suction and multi-surface brushes remove dirt, and it maps your home to avoid obstacles like furniture and stairs. It connects to the Roomba Home app so you can schedule cleans, get progress updates and view maintenance alerts. The Roomba also responds to voice commands, too, and comes with a charging base.

5.0-star average rating from 16,177 reviews at Lola Blankets

I’m not exaggerating when I say Lola’s double-sided blankets are some of the softest I’ve ever felt, and snuggling in mine is always the most relaxing part of my day. The blankets, available in multiple sizes and colors, are made from a non-shedding polyester-spandex faux fur. They’re also machine-washable — I constantly clean mine as directed and it never loses its feel.

Best Black Friday kitchen deals

4.8-star average rating from 19,588 reviews on Amazon

I always buy more food containers during the holiday season to store leftovers and to help me prep ingredients before cooking meals for celebrations. This set comes with 22 containers in various sizes, each of which comes with a matching secure lid. They’re made from a BPA-free material that’s safe to put in the microwave, dishwasher and freezer, and they stack and nest into one another so they stay organized in storage.

4.2-star average rating from 115,749 reviews on Amazon

When you put this kitchen gadget on top of an aluminum can and press the start button, it automatically rotates around the lid to cut it off. The electric can opener leaves behind a smooth edge to prevent cuts and runs on two AA batteries.

Best Black Friday beauty and wellness deals

4.6-star average rating from 96,008 reviews on Amazon

Cosrx’s essence is made with 96% snail mucin, an ingredient that brightens, plumps and hydrates skin, as well as reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand. It has a lightweight, non-sticky and non-greasy feel. The essence also absorbs into the skin quickly, letting you layer other skin care products and makeup over it.

4.2-star average rating from 72,511 reviews on Amazon

This cordless water flosser, which earned the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, is an effective alternative to string floss that helps remove gunk between your teeth. It comes with four interchangeable tips that rotate 360 degrees to reach all areas of your mouth, and it has three pressure settings, plus a 7-ounce removable reservoir that holds enough water for 45 seconds of use. One charge gives you up to four weeks of battery life, according to the brand.

Best Black Friday sales

Here are the best Black Friday sales to know about. Keep in mind, not every item from a brand is discounted as described below.

Best sales overall

1. Amazon: Up to 60% off select deals now, and save even more during Amazon’s Black Friday Week through Dec. 1
2. Walmart: Up to 50% off site- and store-wide, plus get 50% off a Walmart+ membership
3. Target: Up to 50% off sitewide online and in stores through Nov. 29
4. Best Buy: Up to 50% off online and in stores, with new limited-time deals constantly added
5. Home Depot: Shop discounts site- and store-wide through Dec. 3
6. Lowe’s: Up to 50% off select products sitewide
7. Nordstrom: Up to 60% off sitewide and up to 40% off designer clearance through
8. Sephora: Up to 50% off sitewide, plus new deals daily up to 30% off, through Dec. 4
9. Ulta: Up to 50% off select products sitewide
10. Macy’s: Up to 75% off sitewide

Best streaming service sales

1. HBO Max: 70% off the Basic with Ads plan
2. Apple TV: 50% off your first six months
3. Disney +/Hulu Bundle: $8 off per month for 12 months
4. Starz: 73% off your first 3 months

Best tech sales

1. Tile: Up to 41% off Tile trackers sitewide through Dec. 29
2. Sonos: Up to 30% off headphones, speakers and home theatre products through Dec. 1
3. JBL: Up to 70% off Bluetooth speakers, headphones, earbuds, home audio and more
4. Sony: Up to 55% off headphones, cameras, TVs, soundbars and gaming gear
5. Casetify: Up to 35% off sitewide through Dec. 1

Best home sales

1. Sleep Number: Up to 50% off smart beds, mattresses, bedding and more
2. Ettitude: Up to 30% off sitewide, plus up to 60% off final sale products, through Dec. 8
3. Avocado Green Mattress: Up to 20% off sitewide through Dec. 8
4. Bearaby: Up to 30% off sitewide through Dec. 4
5. Canopy: Up to 50% off humidifiers, filters and more sitewide through Dec. 4
6. Crane & Canopy: Up to 20% off bedding, sheets, home decor and more with code EPIC through Dec. 2

Best kitchen sales

1. Great Jones: Up to 50% off sitewide
2. Our Place: Up to 35% off sitewide
3. Hydro Flask: 25% off sitewide (limited exceptions), plus 50% off the sale section, through Dec. 1
4. Made In: Up to 30% off cookware and kitchen tools sitewide through Dec. 7
5. OmieBox: 20% off sitewide through Dec. 2

Best beauty sales

1. Mario Badescu: 30% off sitewide, plus additional limited-time offers with deeper discounts, through Dec. 14
2. Laneige: 30% off sitewide through Dec. 1
3. Foreo: Up to 50% off sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY
4. Peace Out Skincare: 30% off sitewide through Dec. 2
5. Billie: 20% off all purchases $20 or more with code SWIPE20 through Dec. 5

Best apparel and footwear sales

1. Aritzia: 20 to 50% off sitewide online and in stores through Dec. 1
2. La Sportiva: 20% off footwear through Dec. 1
3. Land’s End: Up to 60% off sitewide
4. Hanna Andersson: 40% off sitewide
5. Bombas: 25% off sitewide
6. Wrangler: 30% off sitewide through Dec. 2

Best wellness and fitness sales

1. Bala: 25% off sitewide with code PLAYTIME25 through Nov. 30
2. Pvolve: 20% off sitewide wide code BF20 through Dec. 8
3. HigherDose: 20% off sitewide with code BFCM2025 and 30% off bundles
4. Larq: Up to 30% off sitewide
5. Flaus: 25% off sitewide and up to 40% off bundles through Dec. 4

Best travel sales

1. Away: 25% off sitewide, plus an extra 10% off when you spend $750
2. Samsonite: Up to 40% off sitewide
3. Calpak: Up to 60% off select items and 20% off sitewide through Dec. 8
4. Cadence: Up to 30% off sitewide
5. Trtl: Up to 70% off sitewide through Dec. 3
6. Carl Friedrik: 30% off sitewide through Dec. 1

How I found the best Black Friday deals

All of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting, including products the NBC Select staff tested firsthand. I vetted each deal to make sure it’s 20% off or more and highly rated with at least a 4.0-star average rating from hundreds of reviews. When possible, I ran deals through price trackers like CamelCamelCamel to prioritize highlighting products that are at their lowest price in at least three months or lowest price ever.

I also wrote about every deal in this article and worked with NBC Select editors to finalize the live list, which I’m frequently updating throughout Black Friday to reflect the most up-to-date prices. For more information on our editorial team and how we choose products, check out this page.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m a reporter for NBC Select who has covered Black Friday deals and sales for over five years. I’ve also written about the history of Black Friday and explained what to buy and what to skip. I’ve appeared in Black Friday-related NBC News NOW broadcast segments and co-hosted a For What It’s Worth livecast episode about the sale, too. Prior to Black Friday, I sorted through sales across retailers to find worthwhile discounts you should know about.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.