Amazon’s Black Friday strategy closely resembles Amazon’s Prime Day strategy: Solid discounts on all manner of Amazon devices — Echo speakers and displays, Fire tablets and TV Sticks, Kindle e-readers and so on — and “everything else.” We’ve already gotten a taste of the latter thanks to Amazon’s Happy HoliDeals page, which has lots of miscellany but also a smattering of Amazon gear. Now, the company has revealed the full slate of Black Friday device deals, many of which rival what we saw during this year’s Prime Day.
So here’s the list of what’s coming and when, followed by some previously announced deals you can get right now.
Amazon deals starting Friday, Nov. 22
Amazon deals starting Sunday, Nov. 24
Amazon deals starting Wednesday, Nov. 27
Amazon deals starting Thursday, Nov. 28
which If we’re being honest, it’s an over-stuffed, rather confusing mix of sale items, comprising both daily deals and “lightning deals” (which expire after a set number are sold or time runs out). That said, if you look past the fairly standard Amazon fare, there are some interesting — and decidedly good — deals in the mix. Below I’ve highlighted what I consider to be the best of them.
Amazon Black Friday deals available now
As expected, some of the best early discounts are on Amazon devices (though some of the items below will be even cheaper in a few weeks, as noted above). But I found a few noteworthy non-Amazon deals as well, so let’s start with those.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Apple’s latest AirPods are the hot gift item this year, no question. Although Costco and Sam’s Club briefly offered a modest discount, they sold out in a hurry. Now Amazon is matching it, offering $15 off the top-rated true-wireless earbuds. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Read the AirPods Pro review.
23andMe
Got some saliva to spare? Send a little to 23andMe and receive back over 125 DNA-based reports on your health, wellness, ancestry and the like. This is the lowest price we’ve seen on this kit, which normally runs $199.
Chamberlain
Actually, this app-powered garage-door controller originally sold for $130, so in a way you’re saving $100. It’s been steadily creeping down in price, but this is the lowest I’ve seen it. It’s compatible with most garage doors, and its usefulness cannot be overstated. Arguably the best $30 you can spend on your house right now.
Read our Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub review.
Amazon
This is the lowest price to date on Amazon’s kid-friendly tablet, which includes a heavy-duty case (with stand) and two-year worry-free warranty. You also get a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a $36 value. The tablet is available with your choice of three case colors: blue, pink and purple.
You can also get the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet for $90, which is $40 off the regular price. It’s slightly faster and slightly larger, but otherwise pretty much the same experience for your kids.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
Yep, it’s nowhere near Black Friday, and the Echo Show 5 is already selling for less than it was on Prime Day. The little smart-speaker with the 5.5-inch display makes a great bedside companion, but it could also pull kitchen duty for things like recipe videos and video calls.
Read our Echo Show 5 review.
Amazon
The largest of the Echo Show products, this model features a 10-inch screen and Dolby-enhanced speakers. It normally runs $230 all by itself, but this bundle nets you a Philips Hue smart bulb to kickstart (or expand) your smart home setup.
Read our Amazon Echo Show review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Because Amazon’s Certified Refurbished products are literally good as new (including the warranty), I’m comparing this to a new Paperwhite, which sells for $130. And this is the latest model, which offers a flush-front design and waterproof casing. Black Friday proper will likely see it selling new for $90, but why not save an extra $10 if you’re not giving up anything except retail packaging?
Read our Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review.
That’s it for now! Have you spotted any other great deals in Amazon’s super early sale? Share them in the comments.
Originally published earlier this month.
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