Best Ongoing Black Friday Deals on Tech

We think Edifier S1000W stereo speakers are a bargain even at their regular price. At nearly $100 off, this deal is a no brainer for someone looking for impressive sound without breaking the bank. The S1000W adds multiroom capability as well as the option of using a more robust WiFi connection to stream your music.

The high-performing Edifier S1000MKII has always been a bargain, even at its full list price, and this discount makes the deal that much sweeter for those who love music. While the MKII lacks the multiroom capability of the newer S1000W, that’s not a dealbreaker. And that’s because the two speakers sound almost the same and that sound is truly admirable.  

The XG300 was selling for $50 less on Black Friday, but it delivers satisfying sound plus the features you want in a modest-sized tailgating speaker: decent volume, an IP67 water-resistance rating (which means it can survive a dunking), and a rechargeable battery with 25 hours of battery life, according to Sony. All in all, our testers say, it’s a significantly better speaker than its more expensive XG500 sibling, and it’s now being offered at $150 off.

The Amazon QL65F601A is one of Amazon’s Omni-series QLED TVs, below the recently introduced Omni models that have Mini LED backlights. We tested this set, and it did well for overall picture quality, but it was subpar for HDR performance, not unusual at this price range. It uses the Amazon Fire TV smart system, with the Alexa voice assistant built in.

Shoppers looking for a truly jumbo-sized TV at a bargain might consider this 98-inch behemoth from TCL. It’s from a 2024 entry-level 4K QLED Google TV series but has some premium features, such as a 120-hertz refresh rate, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, and nice gaming features. We didn’t test this set. Other models in the series do well for overall picture quality but aren’t so hot at HDR performance.

Okay, not everyone has the space—or the back strength—to handle a 100-inch TV in their living room. But if your budget has so far been your biggest obstacle to getting a set this size, consider the Hisense 100QD7N, a midtier 2024 QLED TV that now costs less than $1,600, its lowest price so far. Though it lacks some features found in the company’s ULED sets, such as Mini LEDs and local dimming, it does have support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, and a 144Hz refresh rate (great for gaming). The model uses the Google TV smart platform with Google Assistant built in. This model is now a few hundred dollars cheaper than during Amazon Prime Day. It’s no longer available at Amazon or Walmart.

The AirPods Pro are Apple’s bestselling earbuds, with good reason. They sound good and offer effective noise canceling, including a transparency mode that pipes in outside sound so that you’re not fully cut off from the world while out walking. Better yet, says Apple, a free over-the-air upgrade will allow the model to deliver a clinical-grade hearing test, which, if necessary, can be used to turn the Pros into an over-the-counter hearing aid. The buds were selling for about $15 less on Black Friday.

These are the previous-gen Studio Buds, not the newer, more expensive Studio Buds+, but they perform almost identically, delivering quality sound and effective noise canceling. They’re now $20 more than they were earlier this month, but it’s still a great price. And unlike Apple’s entry-level AirPods, which have a hard plastic earpiece, these have silicone ear tips, which many users prefer. The Studio Buds also have a transparency mode that pipes in sound from outside to keep you connected to the world. In fact, the Studio Buds have many of the features of Apple’s AirPods Pro for less.

The JBL Tune 510BT is already a budget-friendly option, but at $10 off its list price, it dips into stocking stuffer territory. This Bluetooth model delivers sound quality in the ballpark of far more expensive headphones, and it has a 40-hour advertised battery life. It sits on the ears, which some people find more comfortable than being engulfed by bigger, over-the-ear style cans. As an extra perk, you can use the headphones with a cable if you forget to charge them. These aren’t noise-canceling headphones, but for the price, they’re hard to beat.

This all-in-one desktop features impressive specs—an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB solid-state drive—plus a 23.8-inch anti-glare touchscreen. It won’t dazzle you at video game play, but it’s plenty fast for everyday tasks, from word processing to streaming movies. It comes with an AMD Radeon graphics card and a wireless keyboard and mouse.

HP makes a lot of Chromebooks, so it can be challenging to find the right one. Let’s save you some time: This 15.6-inch model has just about everything you want in a Chromebook here in late 2024, including an Intel processor, 8GB of memory, and 64GB of flash storage. That may seem underpowered if you’re used to Windows specs, but it’s more than sufficient for “Chromebook-y” things like browsing the web, editing documents, and participating in video calls. The model was just $20 cheaper on Black Friday.

Thin, light, and powerful, with battery life to spare, the MacBook Air has been a great choice for consumers since the first model was released way back in 2008. This one—outfitted with Apple’s homegrown M1 processor—debuted in 2020 and is still a compelling choice. (Heck, this copy was written on one!) And the model is now selling at a price so low it practically requires a double take.

Apple recently unveiled a Mac Mini with an M4 processor, but this M2 model delivers admirable power and performance, especially for this price. The model features 8GB of memory and 256GB of solid-state storage, and remains the least expensive way to buy a Mac, assuming you already have a mouse, keyboard, and external monitor.

This has dropped $30 since Black Friday.

This full-sized tower completes tasks with impressive speed, handling even demanding video games with ease. It features an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of memory, a 1TB solid-state drive, and an Nvidia Geforce RTX 4060 video adapter with 8GB of dedicated video memory. It comes bundled with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

This all-in-one desktop features impressive specs—an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB solid-state drive—plus a 23.8-inch anti-glare touchscreen. It won’t dazzle you at video game play, but it’s plenty fast for everyday tasks, from word processing to streaming movies. It comes with an AMD Radeon graphics card and a wireless keyboard and mouse. The model was priced just $15 lower on Black Friday.

The Dell Inspiron desktop computer offers midtier specs for less than what you’d pay for a comparable laptop. It delivers solid performance, ergonomics, and versatility, too. It’s not a high-end gaming PC, but if you’re looking for a reliable desktop at a good price, it’s hard to go wrong here.

Much like trackers made by Samsung and Tile, AirTags work best if you’re looking for one within Bluetooth range (roughly 30 feet) of your own phone. But that said, there are millions of iPhones and other Apple devices roaming around out there that can pick up a signal and discreetly convey it to you when you find yourself searching for, say, a park or a school campus for the keys you dropped. Is the tracking pinpoint accurate? No. But it’s close enough to give you a little peace of mind.

This 2-meter cord, designed for the iPhone 5 through the iPhone 14, survived 11,500 bends without failing in the rig we created to test charging cord durability. That’s the equivalent of more than six years’ worth of use, according to our estimates.

The Amazon Echo Pop is the perfect way to test out a smart speaker in your home at a low cost. It’s 50 percent off right now, matching the lowest price we’ve seen for a smart speaker from the Echo family. The sound quality leaves a lot to be desired, so it may not be ideal if you’re looking primarily for music playback. But if you are more excited about adding smart functionality to any room in your house, this may fit the bill.

The latest orblike Amazon Echo tops its predecessor, the classic cylindrical Echo, in a number of important ways. The sonics are significantly improved, with a strong but slightly boomy bass and enough volume to fill a midsized room. Our testers also found that two Echo speakers sound good when paired in stereo, delivering you-are-there appeal.

The Sonos Move is great for a Sonos fan looking to expand an existing multiroom system to a porch or patio. This rather large portable smart speaker is modestly weather-resistant and, like Sonos’s other smart speakers, can work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Sonos’s own digital assistant. It can also add Bluetooth functionality to your existing Sonos system. And the price has dropped $15 since Black Friday.

Situated right below the Roku Streaming Stick 4K+ model, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K has most of the same features—including improved WiFi, support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, and the ability to work with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay, and Google Assistant voice assistant—but not the new rechargeable Voice Remote Pro remote control. Instead, you get a standard Roku voice remote, which lacks the hands-free operation, a headphone jack for private listening, and a lost-remote finder feature found on the Voice Remote Pro.

The Roku Express 4K+ is a small set-top box that offers 4K picture quality, plus support for both HDR10 and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, though not Dolby Vision, which is found in some pricier models. The included WiFi voice remote control has TV controls that let you turn on the TV, adjust the set’s volume, and use Roku Voice to launch channels, search for content, and control streaming services.

The Arlo Pro 5S is one of the company’s higher-end security cameras. It’s weatherproof and battery-powered, allowing you to place it just about anywhere on your property within WiFi range. It offers decent video quality and features color night vision, a built-in siren, and two-way audio. Additional features like AI object detection and activity zones require an Arlo Secure subscription.

This dropped in price by $50 since Black Friday.

The TP-Link Tapo C420S2 performs well across the board in our tests for video quality, response time, data security, and smart features. This two-camera kit’s features include color night vision, person detection, pet detection, vehicle detection, a built-in siren, and free local video storage on up to a 256GB microSD card. Cloud video storage is also available with a subscription.

One of the best (and least expensive) doorbell cameras you can buy, the TP-Link Tapo D130 offers a bunch of features—even without a subscription. They include local video storage on a microSD card (up to 512 gigabytes, sold separately), AI object recognition (for people, vehicles, packages, and pets), activity zones, and color night vision. The model needs low-voltage doorbell wiring for power. Cloud video storage is available via subscription. Also on sale: the battery-powered Tapo D230S1 ($89.99) and wired Kasa KD110 ($37.99)

To make your holiday light display really pop this year, consider the Twinkly Strings. We tried out these lights a few years ago and found them to be a fun way to put on an elaborate light show. The lights connect to WiFi, so you can customize them from your smartphone. They also work with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home/Siri, and Google Home/Assistant. The price has increased $20 since Black Friday.

Interested in a smart lock but don’t like hubs and dongles? The August WiFi Smart Lock connects directly to WiFi, no hub needed. It’s also a retrofit model, meaning it replaces only the interior side of your deadbolt so you can keep your existing keys. It performs quite well in our tests, including those for ease of remote access and convenience. Features include auto-locking and unlocking, access logs, electronic keys, and a door sensor.

This pint-sized, foldable phone easily stows in your pocket but flips open to reveal a high-quality 6.7-inch display. The cover screen, which remains visible even when the device is closed, shows notifications, dynamic widgets, and your personalized wallpaper. The camera quality and battery life are both respectable. All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is a solid performer for fans of foldable phones. 

The brand-new Apple Watch Series 10—reviewed here for CR members—comes with a bigger, brighter display and faster charging capabilities, which might make tracking your sleep easier. The model is also equipped for the first time with sleep apnea detection cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. The model was selling for $20 less on Black Friday.

The sleek Samsung Galaxy Watch6 LTE is now a generation old, but it holds its own against newer competition with a wide range of sensors for workout, sleep, and heart rate tracking, as well as a bright, colorful display. You can also make calls right from your wrist. It’s a great fit if you own a Galaxy phone. The Amazon price varies based on color. The one listed here is for the graphite model.

This rugged-looking (and high-performing) Samsung smartwatch is aimed at outdoors enthusiasts—and anyone who wants the latest premium health- and fitness-tracking features. Just note that Galaxy Watches work only with Android devices. The Walmart price has increased $25 since Black Friday.

The generation-old Garmin Fenix 7 is a top-of-the-line sports watch intended for those who are tackling more intense training programs or want more advanced navigation tools, like the ability to create turn-by-turn hiking courses. It also has an impressive 18-day claimed battery life.

The Sonos Ray is a compact 2.0-channel soundbar and the least expensive Sonos model we’ve tested. Despite its small size, it manages to deliver impressive overall sound. It lacks an HDMI input—you connect it to a TV via the optical digital audio input—but it has built-in WiFi for playing music, podcasts, and radio from your favorite services. It was listed at this price at several retailers during the Amazon Prime Day sale last summer.

We tested the Samsung HW-Q600C, a 2023 soundbar, and it does very well in our ratings. It’s well-priced for a 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X soundbar and it includes a center-channel speaker for dialogue, as well as upfiring speakers to create a sense of height for Dolby Atmos Audio. It doesn’t have rear satellite speakers, but they can be added to create a full surround-sound setup.

This slim 3.1-2-channel Dolby Amos soundbar delivers satisfying sound. The main enclosure includes upfiring drivers to create a sense of height when used with Dolby Atmos soundtracks or music. The system, which includes a separate wireless subwoofer, can be expanded to a full surround-sound system by adding optional battery-powered wireless rear speakers. It has both WiFi and Bluetooth, plus built-in Alexa for controlling the soundbar with your voice.

The Samsung HW-Q60C is a midlevel 3.1-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar from 2023 with sound quality good enough for both music and movie soundtracks. It includes a center-channel speaker for reproducing dialogue, as well as a separate wireless subwoofer. It doesn’t have rear satellite speakers, but you can add them to create a full surround-sound setup. It has Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature, which lets you use both the TV and soundbar speakers together.

The Hon Ignition 2.0 is a good all-around pick, especially given this price. Our panel found the chair to be comfortable and well-designed with plenty of adjustment options for the armrests, seat pan depth, and lumbar support. Those features make this chair a worthwhile purchase, but you’ll need a measure of patience to assemble it and master the controls. The diagrams in the instructions can be overly complex and they don’t always match the chair. They don’t explain how to use the controls, either. For that, you have to go online.

If you’re looking for a well-designed office chair, the Staples Dexley is a great budget pick. It lets you adjust the height of the armrests, seat, lumbar support, and headrest. Better yet, the armrests don’t recline with the backrest, allowing you to ease back with more comfort. The seat pan is a little deep for shorter users, though, and the assembly can be a little tricky, particularly when it comes to attaching the wheels and screwing in the headrest. Once constructed, however, the model is user-friendly.

This model features lots of controls to help you tailor the fit, which is what you ultimately want, but some CR panelists weren’t comfortable with the pronounced feel of the lumbar support. Some users may find the seat pan to be slightly too narrow or too deep, too. The assembly instructions are available only by typing in a URL or scanning a QR code, which can be challenging if you view them on a phone screen.

This entry-level iPad from 2021 is a bargain at the usual price. At this price, it’s a steal. It features a 10.2-inch screen (measured diagonally) and boasts more than 14 hours of video play per charge, plus more than enough performance for everyday tasks like browsing the web and watching videos.

The main thing that the Canon PIXMA TS7720, an all-in-one inkjet, has going for it is its price. The real street price is closer to $100 than the original $150, but you’re still getting a nice savings here. Our annual estimate of ink cost is $68 a year, pretty typical for a cartridge printer. The lab results it turns in are decent, not extraordinary.