Best Early Black Friday Deals at Amazon
These tech and home products that did well in CR's tests are all on sale
By Consumer Reports
The Amazon Prime Early Access Sale may be over, but the retailer still has plenty of deals available ahead of the official Black Friday weekend. If you’re looking for something in particular or you just want to window shop and take advantage of a bargain, you can find early holiday sales on everything from TVs and other tech to home and kitchen products. But with so many options, it can be a challenge to spot the best discounts on high-quality products.
So Consumer Reports combs through the myriad offers to find great prices on things that have performed well in our labs and homes. The best deal isn’t always the cheapest or the biggest discount, especially if the product doesn’t live up to your expectations. Every item in this list has been proved to do its job, and do it well, so you can add it to your cart with confidence.
Looking for more discounts? Check out the best offers under $50, under $100, and more on our Deals hub.
Viewing on a mobile device? Click on the links below to skip to each section.
• Chromebooks, Laptops, and Tablets
• Headphones
• Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
• Countertop Appliances
• Coffee Makers
• Kitchen Tools
• Home Goods
• Smart Home Devices
• Bluetooth and Smart Speakers
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Chromebooks, Laptops, and Tablets
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
The 13-inch Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 lands in the middle of the pack among models CR has tested. Its processing speeds are midrange compared with other Chromebooks, while its battery life is below average at 11.5 hours of web browsing. In addition to the touchscreen display, this model has a built-in microSD card slot for expanding the storage beyond its internal 64 gigabytes.
Why it’s a good deal: An almost $60 discount is substantial for this machine. We did see it selling for $250 recently, though, so maybe keep an eye on it to see whether the price falls again later.
HP 14A-NA0023CL
This 14-inch Chromebook from HP is good for people who simply need a functional laptop to do things like browse the web and check email. It has an Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 32GB of flash storage. As with other Chromebooks, the idea is that you’re going to be storing most files online. It scores okay in our tests, with somewhat middling performance, but it has a 13-hour battery life while browsing the web.
Why it’s a good deal: This Chromebook is just $10 more than the lowest price we’ve seen all year.
LG Gram 17 (2021)
The 2021 LG Gram 17 can be a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight machine that can still perform. Its battery life for web browsing and video playback is one of the longest of all the models CR has tested, a feat you don’t often see on 17-inch laptops. It has a solid state drive that can load up Windows and large programs quickly, and the large 2-terabyte storage space is great for local backups. While not the best choice for gaming, it does have fast speeds that can handle complex spreadsheets and videoconferencing.
Why it’s a good deal: A $300 discount is definitely worth considering if you need a workhorse of a laptop.
HP Victus 16
This 16.1-inch HP Victus 16 laptop has performance speeds that challenge some of the fastest-rated models in our tests, including for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and editing media. It has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 gigabytes of RAM, a 512GB solid state drive, and a Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 graphics card with 6GB of dedicated memory. Its battery life should last you through most of a workday.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a fairly modest discount, but it’s still a decent savings if you’re looking for an impressive gaming laptop. The price also dropped a full $50 from alst week, making this an even better deal.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (128 GB, Wifi)
The Galaxy Tab S8 is a great option for people who want an Android tablet with high performance. Just keep in mind that top performance isn’t necessary for simple tasks such as reading email, watching movies, and surfing the web. The Galaxy Tab S7 is also on sale if you need a fast device but want something a little cheaper.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best price we’ve seen all year, dropping $11 since last week at Amazon, which was a new low then.
Headphones
Anker SoundCore Life Q20
The Anker SoundCore Life Q20 has great sound quality and outstanding noise cancellation, and our tests show it beats models that cost hundreds more. It doesn’t sound quite as good as top-rated models like the Sennheiser PXC 550-II, and you won’t get sought-after features like adjustable levels of noise cancellation. But at this price, those may be sacrifices worth making.
Anker does include some appealing perks, too, such as the ability to work over either Bluetooth or an audio cable, and a free app that adds features, including a bass-boost EQ setting. According to Anker, the headphones have a generous 40-hour battery life when Bluetooth and noise cancellation are both turned on.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best price we’ve seen since the summer. It did drop below $40 then and may get cheaper closer to Black Friday, but this is a fantastic price if you need a new pair now.
Sennheiser CX Plus
The Sennheiser CX Plus offers really good value in a true wireless noise-canceling earbud. According to our testers, the sound quality is more than solid, while the active noise-canceling performance is among the best we’ve tested and includes a transparency mode so that you can hear traffic while you’re walking. Some users might find the buds a bit bulky, but our testers found the fit to be fine for most users.
Why it’s a good deal: This deal puts the CX Plus earbuds significantly below their list price.
Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
Fitbit Luxe
The lightweight and stylish Fitbit Luxe looks more like jewelry than a straight-up fitness tracker, and it performs well on basic functions. The device earns high ratings for both ease of use and counting steps, and it includes the stress-tracking features found on the more expensive Sense smartwatch. It isn’t quite as good as other models when it comes to heart rate tracking, though. And the tiny screen can be tough to read, especially for people who have trouble seeing up close.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a great discount for a slim, discreet fitness tracker.
Fitbit Inspire 2
The Fitbit Inspire 2 fitness tracker has been on sale since mid-April, but the price continues to fall. It’s now only $7 more than the lowest we’ve seen all year. It gets top marks from our testers for step-count and heart rate accuracy, and it earns a spot among the best fitness trackers for its ease of use, pairing, and readability in low light. The Inspire 2 also has a very generous claimed battery life of 10 days (we don’t test that characteristic) and built-in GPS, a feature not found on many other fitness trackers.
Why it’s a good deal: It’s now at the lowest we’ve seen all year.
Garmin Forerunner 35
While technically a fitness tracker, this model offers a watchlike feel. You get a 1.3-inch monochrome display that shows your step count and heart rate. The Forerunner 35 has a built-in GPS and a claimed battery life of nine days, and we found in our testing that it makes good on its water-resistance claim of 164 feet. CR testers give the fitness tracker top marks for heart-rate tracking and step-count accuracy, as well as ease of use.
Why it’s a good deal: Though we’ve seen this dip to about $100 before, this is still a solid deal for a trusty tracker.
Fitbit Versa 3
If you’re looking for a versatile smartwatch under $200, the Fitbit Versa 3 may be a good option. It has a built-in GPS, which allows you to go for a run or ride without taking your smartphone along, plus a blood oxygen sensor, which enhances its sleep-tracking capabilities. It also has a mic and a speaker that allow you to take calls via a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. Our testers found the Versa 3 to be a solid performer for counting steps and tracking heart rate, and it’s easy to pair with a smartphone.
Why it’s a good deal: This model has been on sale since Prime Day, but it just dropped an additional $10 or so.
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (44mm)
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 has a bright 1.3-inch AMOLED display that can showcase a variety of interesting watch faces. The model has a mic and speaker for handling phone calls. It offers a robust suite of health and fitness options, including a blood oxygen sensor, ECG monitoring (that could detect irregularities in heart rhythm), and even a sensor that’s claimed to measure body fat. It works best if you have a Samsung Android phone because that gives you access to all the Samsung Health features.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the standard sale price, and we haven’t seen it drop much lower.
Countertop Appliances
Calphalon Auto-Speed BLCLMB1
Though this blender isn’t among our top-rated, the Calphalon Auto-Speed BLCLMB1 is one of the most reliable models in our tests. The 1,100-watt blender comes in dark stainless steel with a 68-ounce BPA-free Tritan jar, plus a 25-ounce smoothie cup you can take on the road. It weighs 8 pounds and has a pulse option and a removable blade.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a great discount, especially at Amazon.
Hamilton Beach 70730
If you grate cheese for pizza, shred potatoes for hash browns, or dice veggies for salads, you’ll like the 450-watt Hamilton Beach 70730 Food Processor and Vegetable Chopper. It has two speeds and a 10-cup capacity, and it’s dishwasher-safe. It also comes with reversible blades, a bowl scraper, cord storage, and a 1-year motor warranty. Our tests found that it can be a little noisy, however.
Why it’s a good deal: This model typically sells for over $50, so this is a solid discount.
Coffee Makers
Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew BVMC-PSTX91
For a brewer with a thermal carafe, consider this deal on the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew BVMC-PSTX91. Our tests show thermal carafes aren’t as easy to hold and pour as glass carafes, but this machine still performs decently for handling. It also offers great brew performance and is quite easy to clean and use.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best discount we’ve seen in weeks.
KitchenAid KCM1208DG
If you love the look of KitchenAid stand mixers, then you might want to consider this KitchenAid KCM1208DG coffee maker. It features the iconic wraparound metal band from the stand mixers and offers the performance to match. Its many features include a permanent filter, a removable water reservoir, a cleaning indicator, auto-shutoff, brew-strength control, and programming.
Why it’s a good deal: This brewer beats out machines that cost twice as much, and it’s currently $10 off its list price. It could drop again closer to Black Friday; we saw it for $109.99 earlier this week.
Kitchen Tools
Gorilla Grip Durable Cutting Board (Set of 3)
Even at its everyday price, this trio of plastic cutting boards from Gorilla Grip could be considered a steal. Our assessment found that these boards stayed all but glued to kitchen countertops while we prepped everything from parsley to poultry. They’re reversible, easy to transport, and dishwasher-safe.
Why it’s a good deal: At just under half off, you’re hardly paying more than $7 per board.
Chef's Choice Knife Sharpener
The Chef’s Choice 4643 knife sharpener looks like the analog version of the brand’s electric sharpener, but it works a bit differently. It has two basic sharpening settings, one for sharpening knives to 15 degrees and another for sharpening knives to 20. A third stage polishes the edge on any knife, regardless of which sharpening angle you choose. Like the brand’s electric sharpener, the 4643 feels well designed, with grooves that hold your knife at the perfect angle as you slowly draw it through.
Why it’s a good deal: This sale price is $1 lower than the best price we’ve seen all year.
Home Goods
Phomemo D30 Label Maker
The Phomemo D30 Label Maker was the choice label maker in our evaluations. Using an app, you can produce labels in under 10 seconds or connect it to your printer for more elaborate jobs. The Phomemo offers extensive font options and a preview of what they will look like as well. The lithium battery comes charged and ready to print, and you can even print pictures, bar codes, and date and time stamps. The easy-tear labels can be separated with just one hand, and the device is smart enough to calibrate the paper roll to the proper position if you don’t align it perfectly.
Why it’s a good deal: This is close to the best price we’ve seen for this label maker.
Crane Drop
The Crane Drop humidifier is intended for rooms up to 250 square feet and earns a top rating in our tests for overall performance. This model comes with an empty-tank indicator and has an automatic shutoff feature. Easy to use and energy-efficient, this model also scores top marks for its low noise levels.
Why it’s a good deal: The pink version is just $5 more than the best deal we’ve ever seen for this model.
Smart Home Devices
Eufy Solo Cam S40
The Eufy SoloCam S40 is the first security camera CR has tested with a built-in solar panel to recharge its battery. In our tests, it offers superb video quality and data security, as well as speedy response times. The camera doesn’t offer great data privacy, though, which is common among these devices. It features monitoring zones; person alerts; voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant; a built-in siren; color night vision (thanks to its built-in spotlight); and 8 gigabytes of memory to store footage locally.
Why it’s a good deal: This sale price matches the lowest we’ve seen all year.
Kwikset Premis 919TRL 15 SMT
The Kwikset Premis 919TRL 15 SMT is best for iPhone users because it works with Apple’s HomeKit smart home ecosystem and Siri digital assistant. In our tests, the Premis was very resistant to kick-ins and lock picking, but it’s susceptible to attacks from a cordless drill. Still, this lock comes with some very helpful features, including an access log to keep track of who comes and goes, a tamper alarm, an auto-lock feature, and the ability to create and share PINs with others. Just note that because this lock uses Bluetooth and HomeKit, you’ll also need an Apple TV, Apple HomePod, or Apple iPad (that’s constantly plugged into an outlet) in your home to control the lock remotely.
Why it’s a good deal: This is within a few dollars of the best price we’ve seen.
TP-Link Kasa Smart KD110
The TP-Link Kasa Smart KD110 is a great video doorbell for the money, with strong data security, fast response times, and decent video quality. It comes with a plug-in doorbell chime and features monitoring zones, voice and app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant, person detection, and local video storage using a microSD card (sold separately). Video clips can also be stored in the cloud by subscribing to a Kasa Care plan.
Why it’s a good deal: This is within a few dollars of the lowest price we’ve seen in months.
Bluetooth and Smart Speakers
Sony SRS-XB13
For less than $50, the pocket-sized Sony SRS-XB13 is a solid deal. It’s a take-anywhere speaker that can go to the park or the beach without fear of an expensive piece of electronics getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. The Sony’s bass isn’t very strong, and it lacks the smoothness and detail of more expensive speakers, but the speaker’s sound can fill a small room.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a great value for the quality and portability, but this model was $10 less during the Prime Early Access sale, so the price may drop again for Black Friday.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
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.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the same low price we’ve seen during major Amazon sales.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
The Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s smallest smart screen. Our testers report that the sound is subpar for a music-listening device, but there are reasons you should consider this device. It’s a utility machine that works well on a night table or desk. And you get all the Amazon Alexa functionality you’d have in other Echo devices, including the super-cheap Dot, and some added value, thanks to the small screen and camera.
Why it’s a good deal: This speaker is back down to its lowest price right now.
Marshall Stanmore II Voice
The Stanmore II is a super-stylish wireless speaker, channeling the classic good looks of Marshall’s iconic guitar amplifiers. Our testers found it quite easy to use, with large, clearly labeled knobs. Its sound falls short of what you get from the very best wireless speakers, with bass that’s a bit boomy and a midrange that’s slightly congested. The Stanmore II does provide enough volume to fill a large room. And the substantial discount makes it a much better value than it is at its original list price.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a decent discount, although it’s not the best we’ve seen. The price has dipped below $400 for major sales, so you may want to hold off if you’re interested but want to save more.
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