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Editor’s note: If you’re looking for Cyber Monday sales, we’ve rounded up all the best Cyber Monday deals at Amazon here.
Black Friday has arrived, and Amazon is not messing around. If you’ve visited the Strategist before, you know we cover a lot of Amazon sales. We’ve been keeping an eye on Amazon deals since October, when Amazon had its Prime Day Early Access Sale. There were a lot of great deals to take advantage of then, but this Black Friday, we’re seeing some of the steepest discounts ever on products we’ve reviewed (with more stuff discounted by 30 percent or higher than we saw during Prime Day Early Access). The much-awaited shopping holiday is synonymous with the retailer’s blowout sales, and this season’s deals have already started flying out. Whether you’ve been anticipating Black Friday for a while (and have your eye on a Casper mattress) or you’re more of a “go with your gut” shopper, we’ve got you covered.
The sheer volume of offers can be overwhelming, so we’ve done the heavy lifting for you and sifted through thousands of promotions across kitchen, home goods, tech, fashion, and more to find the best value and the most sought-after gifts, many of which are vouched for by knowledgeable professionals, stylish people, or Strategist staffers who have personally tested them. We’ll be updating this page throughout the day, so keep checking back often for more great deals, and don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter for even more sales coverage.
Note: We’re done updating this post, but you can keep shopping the deals below all weekend. These deals might change or prices might fluctuate during that time, though, so keep that in mind. We’ll be back on Monday with updates and new deals.
Beauty and personal-care deals
Hasan Minhaj can’t live without this Baxter’s clay pomade, which he uses to help style his “thick, straight black hair.” He likes it because the formula’s “not super-shiny or greasy; it has a pretty clean finish. And I don’t have to put a lot in my hair because a little bit really does do the job.”
For those with oily skin, this Youth to the People face wash is approved by Dr. Hope Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg, Ohio. It’s formulated with organic antioxidants like kale, spinach, and green tea, which Mitchell says “boost moisture in the skin, provide anti-inflammatory protection,” and won’t “leave the skin dry or tight.”
Chad Beightol, founder of grooming boutique Consigliere, has been using rotary electric razors for over a decade, and he’s always stuck with a relatively simple model like this Philips Norelco one. According to Beightol, the heads still pivot, just not as dynamically as those of the 7700, and it features a pop-up trimmer for touching up mustaches, sideburns, and edges. While we’ve seen the price dip down further, this is the lowest it’s been in the past year.
This spray keeps bathrooms and small spaces — like RVs — smelling good. It’s the cheapest we’ve seen.
We deemed this Oral-B brush the best overall electric toothbrush after consulting with multiple dentists. This brush specifically can rotate 44,000 times per minute, which dentist Jonathan Levine says causes “a lot of disruption of plaque.”
This Sonicare electric toothbrush, which comes with a charging travel case and an extra brush head, is at the lowest price we’ve ever seen.
We’ve written about Weleda’s Skin Food a number of times — in Stephanie Danler’s original tribute to it, she noted that it’s a makeup-artist favorite, and three makeup artists — Helene Vasnier, Julianna Grogan, and Atelier Management’s Holly Gowers — mentioned it here. Because it’s so rich, Grogan prefers rubbing a little bit into dry areas of the face, “like around the nose where skin tends to be chapped.”
This kit has nearly 40,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and when we spoke to dentists about the best teeth-whitening treatments earlier this year, they came out as the top recommendation for at-home strips. “They have the ADA seal of acceptance, which means they have been evaluated scientifically for their safety and efficacy by the American Dental Association,” says Dr. Ben El Chami, the co-founder and chief dental officer at dntl bar.
Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton credits this Benton cream for completely changing the texture of her dry, flaky skin. “This cream includes hyaluronic acid for deep moisture as well as snail and niacinamide, both of which are amazing for blemishes and texture,” Viera-Newton writes.
Several professional hairstylists we spoke with cited Klorane as their go-to for an all-around good dry shampoo — and discounted to just $14, it’s the cheapest we’ve ever seen it. Hairstylist Benjamin Talbott says that this dry shampoo works for a variety of hair types and for people with “seriously greasy scalps” because, as he explains, “the oat milk in this formula works as an astringent to dry up excess oil while also adding a softness to hair.”
Strategist contributor Lauren Schwartzberg only uses DevaCurl on her curly hair. “People with curly hair should not use shampoo. It dries out the curls when the thing they need most is moisture,” Schwartzberg writes. Instead, she uses the brand’s No-Poo, a shampoo that doesn’t lather or contain any of the sulfates regularly found in shampoo that dry out curls.
This beloved “drying lotion” counts Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent and Fire Island’s Tomás Matos as fans. “I’ll apply it at night and when I wake up in the morning, the pimple is definitely flatter,” Matos says.
“Dewy dude” Emilio Quezada tells us that the Belif True Cream moisturizer “floods the skin with a rush of hydration while remaining ultra-lightweight,” adding that it’s an “A.M./P.M. lineup essential.” And at 30 percent off, it’s currently the lowest price we’ve ever seen it.
Home and furniture deals
If you’re looking for an air purifier that won’t keep you up at night, this one’s sleep mode was praised by thousands of Amazon reviewers for being so quiet they almost couldn’t hear it. It’s from the same company that makes the purifier that cured one Strategist writer of her dog allergy.
Or if you want an air purifier with a little more heft, this one can freshen up an 874-square-foot room in just 30 minutes.
Strategist contributor Alison Freer says this filter made her shower water “softer and less drying to [her] hair, skin, and nails.” Thanks to the Aquasana, her hair looks as if she’s washing it with bottled water.
“Cats are notoriously poor water drinkers,” according to veterinarian Angie Krause. To encourage your cat to up their water intake, Krause recommends a flowing drinking fountain because many cats prefer “fresh, running water and will drink more when water stays fresh,” she said.
New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff is an avid fan of Yogasleep’s Dohm white-noise machine, claiming that its genius “lies in its simplicity — unlike newfangled noise machines, with their rain-forest chirps and crackling fires, there are only two fan settings and a volume control.”
Piecework makes some of our favorite non-fusty, actually stylish puzzles. Jewelry designer Jennifer J. Matchett loves their still-life images with florals and fruits, calling them “similar to what you see in contemporary photography and styling right now.”
We’re also big fans of the brand’s soy candles; according to writer Dominique Pariso, the scent is “slow to fill the room at first, but once it got going, it blanketed my apartment with a strong, pleasant aroma.”
The Coop Home Original Loft pillow is our pick for the best overall memory-foam pillow. It’s filled with cross-cut memory foam, and an extra bag of fill is included with your purchase, so you can adjust the loft and firmness of the pillow to fit your sleeping needs.
We named the Essential pillow the best option for neck support. The secret is in the pillow-within-a-pillow design. Inside, there’s a firmer core for support, and outside, there’s a layer of plush, fluffy cushioning.
Our pick for the best less-expensive weighted blanket, this YnM one is a favorite of Strategist associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell, who calls it a dupe for the Instagram-famous Gravity Blanket. “Using the blanket, I couldn’t tell you how long it takes me to fall asleep, because I’m actually sleeping instead of having nightly staring contests with my ceiling,” she says.
Former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson tested this Zinus mattress and declared it the best less-expensive overall mattress for its “plush yet supportive feel.” Its inexpensive price tag makes it “one of the best values for a mattress, full stop,” Adelson writes.
Zinus’s Joseph bed frame also topped our list of the best metal bed frames. The brand’s furniture “finds the balance between price, quality, and style,” says Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths. “The industrial-yet-simple design of the Joseph frame feels timeless as well as trendy.”
This two-piece Samsonite luggage set will get you ready for all your travel adventures next year.
Toys and games deals
Over the past two decades, Settlers of Catan has built a cult following for its simple, accessible gameplay. We also think it’s one of the best board games for adults.
Ticket to Ride is a great board game for families, especially during the holidays.
Strategist contributor Steven John says his kids would rather play with the Toniebox than watch a movie. “I was pleasantly surprised by the production value: talented voice actors, rich sound effects,” John writes. “It makes the aural experience of the content every bit as rewarding as watching the movie — arguably more so, as you create the visuals in your mind.”
LOL Surprise consistently makes our list of the top holiday toys that are bound to sell out. This Advent calendar of accessories allows your kid to unwrap a special treat every day until Christmas.
Whether your kid is a LEGO lover, a Star Wars lover, or both, they’ll enjoy putting together this intricate model of the Razor Crest starship.
5 Surprise’s mini-figurines have a timeless, all-ages appeal. “Kids love them because they get to play grown-up. Adults love them, too, because they get to play kid; shrink a household’s worth of banal necessities to the size of a snail and you can trick yourself into believing that there’s whimsy in the daily grind,” says contributor Jennifer Miller.
This is a killer toy deal worth taking advantage of. We featured this cottage in our roundup of the best dollhouses, and Calico Critters make some of the best gifts for 3-year-olds.
These Melissa & Doug Water Wow coloring pads — one of our favorite activities for 3-year-olds — are great for keeping kids entertained on the go.
There’s no better way for kids to learn about the wonders of metamorphosis than to see it happen up close, which is why we think this butterfly garden is one of the best STEM toys. Dr. Laura Phillips, a pediatric neuropsychologist, has used this kit to teach kids patience: “A lot of toys have instant gratification, but it takes days to a week or two for the caterpillar to turn into a butterfly.”
Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang says Green Toys, which uses material recycled from milk jugs, are longtime favorites of parents and kids. “Mine have gotten lots of play over the years, even now that my kid is 6.75 years old,” she reports.
Baby deals
This Fisher-Price baby jumper is currently at the lowest price we’ve seen in several years. Yang claims that “babies love it, mine included.”
Yang has used Britax’s Advocate convertible car seat for many years with her daughter “because it has three layers of side-impact protection (the Boulevard has two, Marathon one).” She found that the ClickTight feature makes “installation a thousand times easier and more secure than any other seat we’ve tried.”
The Dream on Me Emma three-in-one toddler bed is a go-to pick for parents whose little ones are active sleepers. “We chose this one over all the others because of the side rails on all sides,” says one reviewer. “There is just enough opening for him to get out when he wants to and not fall out when he’s sleeping.”
Kitchen deals
We picked the Ode as the best quiet coffee grinder. Associate editor Louis Cheslaw says it’s satisfyingly easy to use and sounds “like crumpling up a newspaper.”
James McCarthy of Brooklyn’s Driftaway Coffee called this one his personal favorite in our roundup of the best electric kettles. This kettle has the same base as the glass model above but with the addition of a gooseneck for more precise pouring.
Strategist contributor Sarah Leon relied heavily on this Instant Pot during her kitchen renovations. “This model has handles on the pot, which makes it easier to lift the pot out of the appliance and serve food directly,” Leon says.
Jenny Tschiesche (the author of an air-frying cookbook) praised the Vortex’s durability and size as well as the handy window that allows chefs to see exactly how their recipes are doing as they cook. The Vortex “has lasted two years without damage,” Tschiesche tells us, adding that she uses it to roast vegetables, reheat buns, and make chicken nuggets, salmon, sweet-potato fries, and flapjacks.
Stasher’s silicone storage bags are consistently a Strategist favorite for its secure Pinch-Loc seal and for basically functioning like Ziplocs — except you never have to throw them away.
If you’re looking to invest in new stainless steel, Wartzman declares All-Clad “as classic as it gets.” Matt Rodbard, food writer, editor, and cookbook author, calls his set his workhorse: “You get such an even temperature, and it cleans up really nicely with Bar Keepers Friend. Plus I think that having a piece of iconic culinary gear in your house feels great.”
After Strategist editor Maxine Builder tested out a range of soda machines, she wrote she was “quickly charmed” by the SodaStream One-Touch and concluded, “If you’re looking for maximum fizz with minimal effort, this is the machine to buy.”
If your goal for the new year is to strengthen your knife skills, you can’t go wrong with a set from leading knife manufacturer Zwilling J.A. Henckels. And discounted to just $130, this is the lowest price we’ve seen it since Black Friday in 2020.
According to Strategist columnist Chris Black, the Vitamix 7500 is “the Rolls-Royce of blenders,” perfect for whipping up smoothies, soups, salsas, and more.
Breville’s Smart Oven — the best-rated toaster oven — does much, much more than just heating up leftovers. One reviewer says it has “virtually replaced our traditional oven” and makes quick work of sheet cakes, homemade biscuits, chicken, brats, cookies, brownies, casseroles, and even a whole Christmas chicken.
Grub Street editor Alan Sytsma gave this espresso-maker to his folks a few years back — and “my parents quickly became obsessed,” he reported. It’s compact, easy to use, and produces a perfect cup of coffee time and time again.
Crockpot’s electric lunch box makes lukewarm leftovers a thing of the past — and it’s dishwasher safe to boot.
Claire Saffitz calls these kitchen scissors one of her most essential cooking tools, and chef Mike Reilly agrees. “These scissors are small and sharp enough to do fine tasks like cutting herbs, but they are also strong enough to go through fish bones, lobster shells, and chicken backs,” Reilly says.
“Even though I am a fully functioning adult who has never had trouble cooking eggs before in my life, I knew I had to have it,” says one reviewer of Dash’s egg cooker. And they weren’t disappointed: “It makes especially lovely, perfectly round omelettes with minimal cleanup required.”
Although it’s not the cheapest we’ve ever seen it, this is still an excellent deal on OXO’s coffee grinder, which comes equipped with an integrated scale. Paul Schlader, owner of Birch Coffee, likes how the feature “simplifies the process of grinding coffee for your average home brewer.”
The Hydro Flask, which we deemed the best overall water bottle, is currently on sale at the lowest price it’s ever been. Bettina Stern, founder of operations at Chaia in Washington, D.C., is amazed by the bottle’s insulation ability. “If I’m going on a run or a bike ride, I will take my Hydro Flask and fill it with cold water,” says Stern. “And then when I finish, it’s just as cold as when I left it.”
If you’re looking for a vessel to carry your drinks in (that aren’t a flask), Nicola Nice, founder and CEO of Pomp & Whimsy gin, calls these Yeti wine tumblers the “Swiss army knife of glassware.” They come with a magnetic-locking lid to ward against any accidental spills.
Le Creuset’s sleek stoneware mug will make your morning coffee feel a bit more like you’re drinking at a café. Plus it’s dishwasher safe, and the impermeable enamel is resistant to any scratches or stains, so it’ll look like new for longer.
Fashion and accessories deals
This Orolay jacket, dubbed the “Amazon coat,” once was a fixture of the Upper East Side landscape. The price has jumped since we wrote about it (it went from under $100 to $150-plus). But you can now get the original for the same throwback price, as it’s down to just under $100.
Ray-Ban’s Wayfarers are a classic frame that will never go out of style. March and White Design co-founder Elliot March likes how they have “a matte black finish and a nice, textural quality” as well as an oversize silhouette to “fill the face better.”
Any hard-to-buy-for boyfriend would be delighted to receive this cozy Calvin Klein fleece sweatshirt.
Barron Cuadro, founding editor of Effortless Gent, says ExOfficio’s boxer briefs are made for outdoorsmen, “so they’re anti-microbial and they dry superfast.”
The Navarro College cheerleaders practice their routines in these quick-drying Under Armour T-shirts, so you can rest assured they’re more than capable of standing up to vigorous activity.
If you’re looking to protect yourself from winter slush, this Marmot jacket features Gore-Tex technology for first-rate water- and weatherproofing.
Meanwhile, for the Grateful Dead fan in your life, this colorful T-shirt was among our favorite tie-dye finds on Amazon.
An adorable pair of mini-UGGs for kids with a fashionable flair.
This sporty watch is water-resistant and looks as if it costs way more than $45.
For women, this stylish wristwatch has a brown, crocodile-textured leather strap and an easy-to-read face.
Tech and smart-home deals
This accessory turns any phone into a gaming device. Just snap on the controller ends and play while using the joysticks and buttons rather than tapping your phone screen. While the product shown is only compatible with iPhones, you can get a Razer Kishi for Android phones at the same price. This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the Kishi.
We think the MacBook Air is one of the best laptops you can get for under $1,000. At 20 percent off, it’s the cheapest we’ve seen.
The latest generation of Apple’s noise-canceling earbuds are currently the cheapest they’ve ever been.
The XM4s are one of our favorite pairs of noise-canceling headphones. Now’s a chance to snag them at the lowest price they’ve been.
These are our favorite noise-canceling earbuds for Android users, and at 36 percent off, they’re currently at the lowest price we’ve seen on Amazon.
These classic Bose noise-canceling headphones are an air-travel staple, and we haven’t seen them cheaper.
This Bose speaker is one of actress-singer Dove Cameron’s ten things she can’t live without. “It’s really small and really portable, but the bass is superintense. I listen to a lot of Diplo and Sylvan Esso and Labyrinth on it, and it all sounds really good,” she says.
We’ve featured the handy JBL Clip many times before, but associate editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell described it best when she wrote, “Even though it’s small, it’s always been loud enough to fill whatever space I’ve lived in.” The Clip is at an all-time-low price for Black Friday.
If you’re looking to power outdoor lighting like security lights or holiday lights, this smart plug is what you need, according to tech writer Kyle Schurman. You can control the two outlets independently from your phone (and directly with two buttons on top of the plug).
Attach these trackers to your keys, and if you ever lose them, you can locate them via Bluetooth (and the Tile app) on your phone. It’s one of model Yumi Nu’s nine favorite things, and it’s at the lowest price we’ve seen.
We picked Google’s Chromecast as the best streaming device for browsing.
If you’ve been looking for an easy way to turn your television into a smart one, this Fire TV Stick is Amazon’s latest model, and it’s compatible with 4K TVs. The Fire TV Stick has occasionally dipped this low in price, but this is the lowest it goes.
The Echo Show is like a visual organizing hub for your home. You can create slideshows and showcase your photos as you would in a digital frame, stream episodes of your favorite TV show, and store your grocery lists and recipes — all in one screen. This is the best price we’ve ever seen for it.
We’ve praised Ring’s doorbell cameras extensively, but the Ring Stick Up deserves equal praise for surveillance: It’s one of the best-rated security cameras among Amazon reviewers.
If you’re in the market for a smart thermostat, you can’t go wrong with the Google Nest. It provides scheduling suggestions for saving energy and makes it easy to control everything throughout your home.
Through the Aura app, you can add your own photos to this digital frame — and so can your friends or family. It was the best thing senior editor Jen Trolio bought last year. “This idea was so appealing that I purchased two more frames — one as a gift for a beloved aunt in Texas and one for my parents,” Trolio writes.
The Blink security camera is a solid bet if you’re looking to use it outside your home and want to store video clips and photos in the cloud. At $60, it‘s currently the cheapest we’ve seen.
This robot vacuum is a slightly different version of our favorite self-emptying iRobot Roomba model (the j7, which is also currently on sale). It has smart-mapping capabilities and can be controlled using voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant.
This is a robot mop, not a robot vacuum, but we still included it in our roundup of the best robot vacuums for pets because it pairs so well with the Roomba — if you have both, you have a “cleaning team to replace the need for a professional housecleaner.” Photographer Winnie Au loves her Braava mop because you can put both dry and wet pads in it so that it can dust or mop your floors.
When its battery runs low, this self-emptying Shark robot vacuum will recharge itself at its base, then resume its cleaning where it left off.
Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa recommends keeping a portable jump-starter in your car for all your outdoor adventures. “You never know when you or your road-trip buddy might accidentally leave a light on overnight or when your battery might crap out,” he writes.
Health and wellness deals
These foldable yoga mats make it easy to get a stretch or morning flow on the go. They’re a great travel option or if you’re just looking for a space-saving mat to take to class.
The PRO is the most advanced model of the Theragun line; it has the most powerful motor that delivers a professional-grade massage. We’ve interviewed dozens of athletes who swear by these massage tools for recovery. (We also like the Theragun Mini, which is one of our most frequently recommended fitness gifts.)
This Fitbit is an activity tracker, step counter, heart-rate monitor, and plenty more. It’s on our list of best gifts for dads, and right now, it’s the cheapest it has ever been.
The Suunto 9 is one of the most premium watches for endurance athletes because you can track health and metrics for running, biking, swimming, and more — but what sets it apart from other watches is its barometer, which gives accurate altitude info and how it affects your performance. It’s one of the items Ben Gibbard can’t live without. While the Suunto 9 has dipped a little lower in price in the past, this is the best price we’ve seen since 2019.
We picked the Trigger Point Grid as the best overall foam roller. The Grid Vibe Plus is similar to the Grid, but it vibrates to relax tight muscles. (And it’s one tool that can help improve your WFH posture.)
This space-saving adjustable kettlebell is a steal at 40 percent off. It’s the best adjustable kettlebell you can buy. (We also featured the dumbbell version of this Bowflex weight set in our roundup of the best adjustable dumbbells.)
These simple kettlebells have a vinyl coating on the bottom for softer contact with the ground or floor.
Rellosa packs a LifeStraw water bottle on backpacking trips so he can filter out bacteria and debris from running-water sources. This is the original LifeStraw (without the bottle attachment), and at just $10, it’s cheapest we’ve ever seen.
The Allen Sports 2-Bike hitch rack is the best less expensive option, according to outdoor-gear expert and Strategist contributor Graham Averill.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
