Best Early Black Friday Deals at Best Buy

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is two generations old—Sony recently introduced the XM6—but headphone tech doesn’t advance that rapidly, and the XM remains a solid performer with fine sound and very effective noise-canceling. Plus, this doorbuster price, the lowest we’ve ever seen, is what you’d pay on Amazon for a used pair, making it a true bargain.

In the market for a phone upgrade? You’ll lose little by opting for last year’s iPhone 16, which performs nearly as well in our tests as Apple’s newest model. Expect a crisp, 6.1-inch display, impressive dual-rear camera system, and 37 hours of battery life, according to our tests.

The Apple iPhone 16e is Apple’s budget smartphone option. It’s a compact 6.1 inches, with reliable battery life and standout durability. You won’t get a particularly impressive camera when compared to other available iPhone models—the 16e doesn’t offer the 0.5x ultrawide option, for example—but it’s plenty powerful for most of us. This deal is for the unlocked model.

If you want all the typical iPhone pros—a high-res display, proven durability, and capable camera system—but with a bigger screen, last year’s 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus model is a solid pick. Best Buy’s Doorbuster deal is available on the unlocked model only.

The Samsung QN65S84FA, which is now $50 less than it was earlier this month, is a 2025 OLED TV that appears to be exclusive to Best Buy. It’s well-priced for its performance, with excellent overall picture quality and very good HDR performance. It also has very good sound. It includes most of Samsung’s TV features, including support for object-tracking sound and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

Situated in the sweet spot of LG’s 2025 OLED TV lineup, the OLED65C5PUA offers a nice balance of price and performance, with top-notch marks for all key picture quality and sound attributes. Unlike the flagship G5-series sets, which utilize a new "four-stack" OLED technology to enhance brightness, the C5 features a WOLED panel but still achieves sufficient brightness to excel with high dynamic range. The model features numerous gaming capabilities, including a 144Hz variable refresh rate. The TV has recently been selling for $1,600 to $1,700 at most retailers, and it was actually $100 more during the last big sale.

The 77-inch OLED77C5PUA is LG’s midtier OLED TV for 2025, and it’s among the best sets you can buy, with great picture quality, high dynamic range, and sound. It features numerous gaming capabilities, including a 144Hz refresh rate. The price is now $300 less than it was by the time Techtober ended.

We didn’t test this set, a fairly basic 55-inch 4K smart TV from Best Buy’s house brand. However, we did test a similar model, the Insignia NS-55F501NA22, and it performed well for overall picture quality and not as well for high dynamic range or sound. (It supports DTS Virtual-X sound, which tries to create a 3D sound experience using just the TV’s speakers.) This set utilizes the Amazon Fire TV smart platform, featuring built-in Alexa.

This 55-inch smart TV, a new model for 2025, is an entry-level QLED set that nonetheless provides a satisfying picture, though it lacks the brightness to deliver a compelling HDR experience. (The TV supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, plus Dolby Atmos audio.) It also lacks some features, such as local dimming, found in step-up models. Sound quality isn’t great, so you might consider adding a soundbar. It uses the Amazon Fire TV smart system with Alexa built in.

The AirPods Max sound really good and have superb and flexible noise-canceling tech. They have a high-performing transparency mode to pipe in outside sound, as well as spatial audio capability. But the biggest selling point might be the distinctive design and premium feel we’ve all come to expect from an Apple product. This is the best price we’ve seen all year. They did reach $400 last Black Friday, but there’s no guarantee we’ll see that deal again this year, and it may be worth spending the extra $30 to get them now in case they sell out later.

If you’re looking for high-value noise-canceling headphones, the Sennheiser Accentum Plus is a very solid option, especially now that they’re back down to the same low price we saw during the first wave of holiday sales. They’re amiable companions, with robust bass, neutral midrange, and that sense of lively openness that makes really good headphones fun to listen to. They’re pleasantly light in weight, and the fit and stability are good for most of our testers, though those with large heads and/or prominent ears may want to double-check the fit.

The Bose Quiet Comfort earbuds sit near the top of our ratings, with really satisfying sound and exceptional active noise cancellation. Bose headphones also earn top marks from our members for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. They go on sale periodically for this price, which is a pretty nice discount. They’re now back down to the same low price we saw during the big sale at the beginning of October.

If you’re a fan of the Google Pixel phone, then the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a solid choice for a complementary earbud. They have a Find My Device function, and the sound can be adjusted through the Pixel app. The Pixel Buds 2 earn very good sound quality grades and score well for noise cancellation. They’re now $10 less than they were during the last big sale, making this a great time to get them for a deep discount.

If you’re looking for earbuds that prioritize fit above all else, check out the Beats Fit Pro. These noise-canceling buds have soft silicone ear tips in three sizes, plus wingtips that fit into the pinna (the exterior of your ear) for additional security. They have actual buttons, too, rather than the touch-sensitive controls on many other models, which may make it easier to operate them while on the go. The Fit Pros also sound really good and feature effective active noise cancellation, making them a solid alternative to the similarly priced AirPods Pro.

They were under $100 during the last big sales, so waiting until Black Friday could warrant a bigger discount.

The 22.5-watt Anker Nano Portable Charger aces our tests and is petite enough to easily slip into a bag or even pocket. It has enough juice to charge an average smartphone battery from empty once or top it off a few times, and its two USB-C ports can charge two devices simultaneously.

For avid iPad users, a stylus can help you easily navigate menus, jot down notes, or create advanced digital art. The premium Apple Pencil Pro comes with all the bells and whistles, like haptic feedback, Find My capability, and pressure sensitivity. Note that this stylus is only compatible with certain iPad Pro and Air models.

This model, which is $35 cheaper than it was earlier this month, may not have “gaming” in its name, but it should deliver a solid streaming experience. It has a 16-inch display and a big, comfortable keyboard, complete with RGB lighting that makes typing in the dark easier and more colorful. The display supports a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which can make games appear silky smooth in motion.

This 14-inch model weighs next to nothing—2.9 pounds to be precise—and delivers nearly 19 hours’ worth of battery life per charge. Our testers note that it’s not the fastest Chromebook you’ll see, but if you’re just doing typical Chromebook-y tasks, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.

This is now $10 less than the best price we’ve seen this year, making it an excellent time to buy.

The Arlo Essential 2K (VMC3050-100NAS) is one of Arlo’s newer, more budget-friendly security cameras. It performs well in our tests and features a built-in spotlight, a siren, and voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Additional features, such as activity zones, person detection, and cloud video storage, require an Arlo Secure subscription.

The Arlo Video Doorbell 2K is one of the best video doorbells you can buy. It provides the flexibility to install it wherever you need it. You can run it using the rechargeable battery or hardwire it to a home’s doorbell wiring for continuous power. Features include geofencing and voice/app control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home/Assistant. Cloud video storage and additional features (such as alerts for people, packages, animals, and vehicles) require an Arlo Secure subscription. This is the best price we’ve ever seen for this model.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus is primarily designed to work with Apple’s Home Key feature, which allows you to lock and unlock your door with just a tap from your iPhone or Apple Watch, similar to using Apple Pay. With a Yale WiFi Smart Module, $90 (sold separately), it also supports Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. In our tests, it holds up well against kick-ins and it’s very easy to set up and remotely control the lock. It is susceptible to attacks from a cordless drill, but that is a common issue with many locks, smart or otherwise.

The Blink Wired Floodlight Cam is back down to the same sale price we see during big events, which it has seemed to drop to almost without fail over the last few years. In our tests, it receives superb scores for video quality and response time, as well as a very good score for data security. It falls in the middle of the pack in terms of its smart features, and its data privacy guarantees are weak (a common issue across brands in this space). Its features include a siren, activity zones, voice/app control via Amazon Alexa, and up to 5 minutes of continuous live streaming. You can store footage locally without a subscription if you purchase a Blink Sync Module 2, $50, and plug in a USB flash drive. Cloud video storage and other features (such as person detection) require a Blink Subscription Plan.

In our survey-based owner satisfaction ratings of home security systems, SimpliSafe scores well both as a professionally monitored system and a self-monitored system. Our members report that SimpliSafe provides good value for the money, transparent prices, and great tech support.

The Amazon Fire TV Cube, at the best price we’ve ever seen, is a mashup of an Amazon Echo and a 4K Fire TV streamer. Its universal remote control capabilities let you control a host of other compatible A/V gear, including TVs, soundbars, receivers, and even some cable and satellite boxes. New features include HDMI 2.1 connections—one input and one output—for controlling other devices using your voice. (One cool trick is that the Cube will also upscale any content from a source connected to its HDMI input.) Other features include support for WiFi 6E, support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, and an Off button that disconnects the microphones if you don’t want the device in an always-listening mode.

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K shares most of the same features as the more expensive Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, including improved WiFi, support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay, and Google Assistant. But it uses the older WiFi 5 standard to connect to home networks and comes with a standard Roku remote.

The Fitbit Charge line routinely features great general-purpose trackers, and the Charge 6 is no exception. This model is now under $100 after being on sale. foraround $130 for the last few weeks. It offers a 1.1-inch full-color display and a range of tools that help you stay on top of your health, everything from stress monitoring to an ECG (electrocardiogram) function that can alert you to irregular heart rhythms.

This previous-generation Pixel Watch 3 has an elegant design, robust health features, and seamless compatibility with the Pixel phone and Google ecosystem. CR’s testers also found the performance of the watch’s heart-rate monitoring and step tracking to be excellent. Just note that Amazon sold this watch for $179.99 during Prime Big Deal Days.

If you’re looking to upgrade your Apple Watch (or invest in a smartwatch for the first time), the top-rated Series 10—reviewed here for CR members—comes with a bigger, brighter display than the previous model and faster charging capabilities, which might make tracking your sleep easier. This Apple Watch allows for cellular connectivity. 

This full-featured Dolby Atmos soundbar speaker from Sonos, an all-in-one model that doesn’t require a separate subwoofer, is among the top models in our ratings, with very good overall sound quality. It should provide satisfying sound for music and movie/TV soundtracks for even more critical listeners. The model features a total of 11 drivers, including one on each end, as well as two upfiring drivers positioned at the top for Dolby Atmos audio. The soundbar can be configured as part of a full surround-sound system when paired with a Sonos subwoofer and rear Sonos speakers, and/or as part of a multiroom system.

The Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar that delivers satisfying sound, so it’s a good choice for both movies and music. The model supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound, and the main enclosure has upfiring drivers for height sounds. The soundbar features Bluetooth wireless connectivity, allowing you to stream audio from portable devices.

The Marshall Emberton II is a good-sounding small portable Bluetooth speaker that differentiates itself with its styling, and it’s $10 less than it was earlier this month. So if you want to avoid the typical cylindrical speaker in Skittles colors, the Emberton II is an elegant option. Channeling the styling of its namesake company, the Emberton II is a nice gift for the guitar geek in your life. Unlike Marshall’s larger models, which sport satisfyingly beefy knobs, the baby Marshall wasn’t particularly easy to use in our lab tests.

The JBL Flip 7 is a classic do-it-all speaker. It’s small enough to stuff into a bag, but delivers enough sound to provide background music at a barbecue. It’s IP68 water-resistant and dust-proof, and the company claims you can drop it onto a concrete floor from a height of one meter and it’ll keep working. Also, according to JBL, it delivers 16 hours of music on a single charge.

It’s $20 less than it was just two weeks ago.

KitchenAid’s artisan series is a bump up from its classic line. The 10-speed KitchenAid Artisan Series KSM195PSBK comes with the usual attachments, plus a pastry beater, a bowl shield to prevent splatters, and an extra 3-quart bowl for smaller jobs. The standard-issue stainless bowl is 5 quarts. In our tests this mixer aces our tasks for whipping cream and mixing cookie dough and is almost as good at kneading bread dough. It works quietly, and our testers find it very convenient to change the beaters and clean. It weighs 21 pounds and has a tilt-head, so you’ll need some clearance between the counter and the cabinets. Bonus: You have your choice of 10 colors.

A top-rated model in CR’s tests, the Vitamix Ascent X2 may look unassuming with its dial and toggle controls, considering its excellent overall performance in our blender lab. It aces our purée and durability tests, performs admirably in our icy drink and ice crush tests, and is convenient to use, according to our testers. Plus, Vitamix blenders as a brand receive excellent scores for owner satisfaction and predicted reliability. This is a small discount, b ut Vitamix products don’t go on sale often, so it’s worth a look. You can always add it to your cart and keep an eye on the price and hold out to possibly get a bigger discount closer to Black Friday.

The Ninja Pro AF141 is an easy-to-use air fryer with a measured capacity of 3.8 quarts and a range of cooking functions, including a dehydrate setting. It’s not the quietest air fryer, but it’s not especially noisy either, and our testers found it easy to clean. It comes with pre-programmed settings for cooking different foods, plus a recipe book and cooking charts to help guide your cooking. You’ll get a 1-year warranty with this machine.

The Chefman RJ38-2T is not only CR Recommended, but it also carries CR’s Green Choice designation, meaning it has less of an environmental impact than other air fryers, based on its design, energy usage, and other factors. This air fryer receives excellent scores for its ease of cleaning and noise, and a very good score for ease of use, which reflects how easy it is to set your desired time and temperature.

The Café Specialty Drip (C7CDAAS3PD3) offers WiFi connectivity, enabling control through Alexa and Google and making it a smart addition to a connected home. We found that this model was very good at brewing coffee for optimal taste, and it was also easy to clean. This is the best price we’ve seen on this coffee maker in the last several months.

In CR’s tests, the Breville the Sous Chef 16 BFP810 received very good scores for shredding, grating, and chopping, and its slicing performance was excellent. It has a wide feed tube to handle larger chunks of food. Its accessories include a mini bowl insert with its own chopping blade, a dough blade, a french fry and Julienne disc, disc organizer, and cord storage. It comes with a 30-year motor warranty and a 2-year warranty on all other parts. This is the best deal we’ve seen on this food processor since last Black Friday.

Breville’s The Paradice 9 BFP638 aces CR’s tests for chopping, slicing, and shredding, though its grating isn’t as great. It does have a generous 9-cup capacity, though, which is handy if you tend to cook for a crowd. The 625-watt food processor comes with separate shredding, slicing, and dough blades. There’s a 30-year warranty on its motor and a two-year warranty on other parts.

The portable Blue Pure 211i Max is now at its best price, $30 less than the lowest we’ve seen recently, and we don’t expect it to get much better for Black Friday. It features an indicator light to alert you when you need to change or clean the filter. It also has a dirt sensor and four speeds. On its higher setting, it’s terrific at removing dust, pollen, and smoke, but expect a bit of noise. Try it on low and you’ll have more quiet while still experiencing top-notch results. This model is designed for use in a large space of 350 to 650 square feet and costs about $109 a year to maintain, just more than half that of the Pure 211+. It also weighs just 17 pounds, making it easy to move around. CR members found Blueair air purifiers highly reliable and were quite satisfied with their purchase.

If you’re a pet owner, the Shark Vertex DuoClean AZ2002 is a real steal. It picks up pet hair especially well, has exceptional suction power, and does a solid job of containing small dust particles. It also features a lift-away canister, making cleaning hard-to-reach places easier. The self-cleaning brush roll prevents pet hair (and any long hair) from wrapping around it and getting tangled in the vacuum. It’s selling close to the lowest price we’ve seen this year, making this a worthy bargain.

The Shark CarpetXpert EX201 isn’t exactly quiet—it earned a middling rating in our noise test—but it boasts strong performance in cleaning stains. It also did well in our dryness test and is excellent at removing cleaning solution from carpets. It comes with a hose that’s 60 inches long to get into tight spots.

It’s now $50 more than it was at the beginning of November, so we recommend waiting to see if the price drops back down for Black Friday.

One of the best features of the Eufy C10 T2292 is its slim design, which enables it to access hard-to-reach areas under desks, beds, and other low-profile furniture. It’s quiet, good at picking up debris from bare, uncarpeted floors, and has brush rolls that are easy to remove and clean. Competitively priced from the start, this discount makes it even more affordable. 

The Dyson 360 vis nav stands out for its unique features and powerful cleaning performance despite some limitations and its high price—but now it’s $100 less than its typical 50 percent discount, marking the lowest price we’ve ever seen. It’s on the heavy side but compensates with extremely strong suction, effectively picking up pet hair and embedded dirt. Instead of a conventional side brush, it uses an extending side duct to tackle edges and corners. It also has a large brush roll that spans the full size of the vacuum for effective cleaning, and though its dustbin is relatively small, it’s equipped with a convenient one-touch ejection system for easy emptying. 

The Shark PowerDetect AZ4002 is currently the highest-scoring bagless upright vacuum in our ratings, excelling in our pet hair and bare-floor cleaning tests. It’s less noisy than many other models and comes packed with handy features, among them a dirt sensor that automatically boosts power to pull up more debris. For those who hate having to extricate hair from a vacuum’s brush rolls, the PowerDetect’s rolls are designed with a self-cleaning feature to guard against entanglements.

The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ CH951 is perfect if you’re looking for a handheld vacuum that’s good at cleaning pet hair. Thanks to its motorized power brush, it excels at picking up pet hair. The dirt ejection mechanism on this vacuum, while convenient, can sometimes jam.

At 4 pounds, the Dyson Car+Boat 586119-01 is heavier than the other hand vacuums we test, but its run time is also the longest we’ve seen (up to 24 minutes on its high power mode). It’s a strong cleaner of carpets and top-notch at cleaning bare floors and pet hair. But it’s not so good at cleaning tight, narrow spaces. The current price isn’t the lowest we’ve seen for this model, but it’s still a nice discount.

Yes, the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra VS90F40DMK/AA is on the expensive side, but it has everything we want in a cordless stick vac. Its average run time is longer than most of the other cordless stick vacs we tested, which means this vacuum’s less likely to die on you in the middle of cleaning. It scores well for cleaning carpets, a rarity for a stick vac. And the vacuum comes with a cleaning station that automatically empties its contents into the station’s bin, a plus for convenience. The price we’re seeing right now isn’t quite as low as it was during October’s Prime Day event, but it’s still a substantial discount.