30 Things That Are Worth Buying on Black Friday

Chaotic, cranky customers, long lines, too-early mornings, and cold temperatures can define Black Friday shopping. The reality, however, is that the official start of the holiday shopping season is more than just a gimmick. You can save real money if you're willing to brave the madness — just make sure the stuff you're buying is worth the adventure. Here are 30 product categories that will offer a pretty safe bet when it comes to slashed prices. For advice on what not to buy on the year's biggest sales weekend, check out 14 Things That Aren't Worth Buying on Black Friday.

Based on sales trends and past Black Fridays, DealNews named Apple products as one of its nine categories to watch in 2019. Expect to see deals on iPads, older model iPhones, AirPods, Apple watches, Macbooks, and Apple TVs — many bundled with or including a free year of Apple TV+, the tech giant's new streaming service. If past year's deals pop back up, expect to receive Apple gift cards worth up to $200 with select in-store purchases at retailers like Walmart, as well.

Related: The Hottest Tech Gifts This Holiday Season

Sale Price: $129 from Walmart (available beginning 10 p.m. Wednesday online and 6 p.m. Thursday in store; through Friday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $144 ($15 savings)
At this price, Walmart has the competition beat on AirPods. And there's a reason they're so popular: Devotees say the sound quality is great, the comfort is top-notch, and the charging case is ultra-convenient. They also seamlessly integrate with iPhones and have built-in Siri.

Apple won't be the only retailer offering discounts on previous model smartphones, DealNews notes. Expect deals on Galaxy, Google Pixel, and Motorola Moto phones, as well, with prices that include bundled smart devices, like the Amazon Echo Show, and accompanying gift cards to retailers like Best Buy. Keep in mind that, like other categories in the broader grouping of electronics on this list, items like these could go quickly. "Electronics will sell out the fastest on Black Friday, says Sara Skirboll, a RetailMeNot shopping and trends expert. "If you see a good deal on TVs, computers, tablets, or phones, pick it up immediately!"

Sale Price: $399 from Walmart
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Regular Price: $599 ($200 savings)
The best thing about this cell-phone deal, other than the sweet discount? No contract is required with the Straight Talk prepaid phone service. But if you don't mind signing a new contract, look for big gift-card bonuses from Walmart on phones like the iPhone XS ($450 Walmart eGift Card, plus an additional $250 with an eligible trade-in).

Yes, it's pretty much a given that TVs will go on deep discount on Black Friday, but there's more nuance than that to the usual deals. For example, RCA, Samsung, and especially LG TVs were the brands that offered the most deals in 2018, says DealNews, which also notes that Samsung dominated the 50- to 59-inch class, while RCA had better 32-inch deals. Expect doorbuster deals on 32-inch TVs to drop to $80 or less, brand-name sets to come with gift cards, and smart TVs to drop as low as $250. Keep an eye on Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Dell Home — the latter has already said it will offer a Vizio 65" 4K Smart HDR Ultra HDTV (plus $50 Dell gift card) for $640.

Related: The Year's Hottest Holiday Gifts: Buy Them Before They Sell Out

Sale Price: $278 from Walmart
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Regular Price: $499 ($221 savings)
Availability: Limited stock online; may be available in store
Walmart is going toe to toe with other retailers that have priced 4K sets to sell fast this Black Friday. The marquee deal is this Philips 65-inch AndroidTV with built-in Google Assistant that makes streaming and controlling your smart home easier than ever.

We've already mentioned that Macbooks will likely be on sale on Black Friday, but shoppers and tech enthusiasts can also expect Chromebooks and Windows laptops to go on sale at Walmart, Amazon, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other retailers. Budget versions could go as low $100-$200, while higher-end machines could be found for around $500-$700. Got a gamer in the family? Alienware gaming laptops could see discounts of up to $700, says DealNews.

Sale Price: $450 from Best Buy
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Regular Price: $650 ($200 savings)
Gamers will love the power and speed they get from the AMD Ryzen 5 processor on this HP laptop. It also has a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, 8GB memory, and a 256GB solid-state hard drive. At under 5 pounds, it's plenty portable enough for on-the-go play.

Not to be outdone by Apple, Amazon will be offering plenty of its own products for sale on Black Friday. Tech Radar notes that last year, the retail giant offered up to 50% off many items like the Echo Dot with Clock, Echo Buds, Echo Studio, and the Amazon Fire TV Cube. Forbes predicts price cuts of $5-$50 for some of Amazon's newer products, like the Echo Show, Loop, Flex, and Glow, while previous-gen versions of products will see even deeper discounts.

Sale Price: $100 from Amazon (available "various dates and times" from Friday, Nov. 22, through Black Friday)
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Regular Price: $150 ($50 savings)
Amazon's all-new tablet is its largest ever, with 10.1 inches of screen space. In addition to the features included in smaller Fire tables, it has a 30% faster processor, up to 12 hours of battery life, enhanced Wi-Fi, and a USB-C outlet for faster charging. It comes in black, plum, twilight blue, and white.

Big-ticket appliances are usually a Black Friday sure thing, and this year should be no different. Best Buy is expected to have deals, and retailers like Sears, Home Depot, and Lowe's usually follow suit. Last year's savings ranged from just under $200 for a top freezer to nearly $800 for a French door refrigerator.

Sale Price: $1,000 from Best Buy (available all day Thursday online and beginning 5 p.m. in store; through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $1,700 ($700 savings)
Don't ignore Black Friday deals on large appliances if your kitchen needs an upgrade. This Energy Star-certified refrigerator includes spill-proof tempered glass shelving, adjustable door bins, an easy-glide freezer drawer, and a magnetic, fingerprint-resistant finish.

Big-ticket items aren't the only way to save on Black Friday if you're considering a kitchen upgrade. Look for small kitchen appliances, too. "Items like coffee makers, electric skillets, slow cookers, toasters, deep fryers, blenders, and rice makers will have slashed prices as retailers make more mass orders than they usually stock for the holidays," says Skirboll. Kohl's Black Friday ad, released on Nov. 1, features toasters, mixers, coffee makers, slow cookers, waffle irons, and more for prices less than $10, and toaster ovens, a triple slow cooker, single-serve coffee makers, and other products for less than $20. Both deals are after coupons and rebates. Stores that will probably have similar deals include JCPenney, Kmart, and Macy's.

Sale Price: $230 from Target (online and in store through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $450 ($220 savings)
Availability: Limited stock online; may be available in store.
Target comes through with one of the best deals on this Black Friday staple. This sturdy KitchenAid has a roomy 5-quart stainless-steel bowl, 10 speeds, and a power hub that can take a wide range of attachments, from pasta makers to food grinders. Whip up up to nine dozen cookies in one batch.

From gadgets to speakers to security products, expect to find Black Friday sales on plenty of smart home technology. Individual deals that DealNews expects to see include Ecobee and Nest thermostats for $140-$150, Amazon smart plugs for around $5, and smart light starter kits like Google Home Mini, with one smart bulb included, for $30, or bundled with other products for less. Finally, if you want to improve your home security, products like the Ring doorbell, Arlo security lights, and more will also go on sale.

Related: 25 Smart Home Products That Are Worth the Money

Sale Price: $30 from Best Buy
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Regular Price: $50 ($20 savings)
You know that sinking feeling when you can't remember whether you closed the garage door? Banish it forever with the Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub. Control access remotely with your smartphone, know when someone comes or goes, or get alerts if your garage door is left open for a certain amount of time.

Children's duds could be slashed by up to 80% off at retailers like Carter's and The Children's Place, DealNews predicts, while jackets and pajamas will also like drop in price, with many styles going for less than $20. Finally, look to Carter's, Shoes.com, and Sorel to offer discounts on footwear for kids.

Sale Price: $10 from Target
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Regular Price: $20
Get him ready for the Christmas festivities with this cute shawl-collared knit pullover.

It's not just the kids who get to update their wardrobe on Black Friday. "Black Friday is sure to bring savings on all forms of clothing — from shoes and accessories to pants and tops," Skirboll notes. "While it's not usually the best time to buy in-season clothing, Black Friday is the exception as many retailers will be discounting winter coats and cooler weather apparel. Now is a good time to gear up for the cooler months ahead." DealNews predicts that men's suits will likely be on sale for less than $100 or BOGO at Macy's and Men's Wearhouse; men's polo and other shirts will be discounted — some to less than $5 — at stores like Old Navy, Aeropostale, Amazon, and Hanes; and women should look to pick up sweaters on the cheap, some for as low as $6, from Old Navy, Gap Factory, and Amazon.

Sale Price: $40 from Macy's; $70 after 1 p.m. Friday (available Wednesday through Saturday in store and online as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $140 ($100 savings)
This is about as cheap as cashmere will come on Black Friday, so snap up a sweater or two from Macy's. This classic crew neck comes in regular and petite sizes in about two dozen solid colors.

You can never have too many pairs of jeans, and this year's Black Friday will help both men and women stock up. DealNews expects that shoppers can get up to half-off name-brands like True Religion, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger on Amazon, and denim prices at Walmart have been known to drop to as low as $7.

Related: The History of American Jeans: From Railroad to Runway

Sale Price: $30 from Amazon
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Regular Price: $60 ($30 savings)
These and Levi’s for the whole family are up to 40% off at Amazon on Black Friday.

Both athletic shoe and boot prices are expected to be slashed for women and men. Keep an eye on Joe's New Balance Outlet, which could drop prices by 70%, or a more modest 50% off Adidas footwear. Meanwhile, over at Macy's, Belk, and Amazon, women's boots could drop as low as $20, and some buy-one-get-one deals are expected as well.

Related: 15 Trendy Designer-Look-Alike Shoes and Boots Under $100

Sale Price: $35 from Dick's Sporting Goods (available beginning Thursday online and Friday in store; through 2 p.m. Friday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $70 ($35 savings)
Ugg lookalikes abound, but some of the best are Bearpaws, enthusiastic owners say. They praise their comfort, warmth, and copycat style that's nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, and now's your chance to get them even cheaper than usual.

Looking to take a trip after post-holidays or into the spring? Black Friday, Cyber Monday — or Travel Deal Tuesday, which is Dec. 3 this year — might be the perfect time to book, says DealNews. Airfare discounts could reach up to 40% on Travel Tuesday, and Hayley Berg, economist for travel app Hopper, told DealNews that the company typically sees "discounts on 20% of all routes" on that day. Finally, one-way flights could drop as low as $19 on budget airlines, and around $50-$75 on airlines such as Southwest and Alaska.

Related: 24 Ways to Take the Hassle Out of Booking Holiday Travel

Sale Price: $39 from Walmart
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Regular Price:$80 ($41 savings) 
Availability: Limited stock online; may be available in store
Holiday travel coming up? This eye-catching spinner will stand out in a sea of boring black bags, and reviews attest that it's more durable than the standard cheap Black Friday luggage. A matching travel case sweetens the deal.

Of course, if you're going to book a flight, you might also need a hotel. DealNews advises shoppers to check out sites like Travelocity, Expedia, and other large travel sites starting the week before Black Friday when many will pre-publish the coupons they'll offer on the day itself. Hotel rates have historically dropped as low as $39/night, while packages for hotels and ski resorts in past years went for between $80-$100.

Sale Price:60% off
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Regular Price: Varies
The well-known travel site is offering a huge discount on hotel rooms over the weekend and Monday, and an extra 18% off select bookings made through their app using code HELPYOURSELF18.

Like most other electronics, big retailers compete for shoppers' dollars with gaming consoles on Black Friday, too. This is already evident in some retailers' early ads — Kohl's is offering an Xbox One S 1TB console for $200, and a PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Fortnite Neo Versa console is also $200 — both $100 off regular price. Look to Costco, Belk, Dell, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and other retailers to offer further gaming deals, as DealNews predicts prices could be slashed even more. And Skirboll recommends keeping an eye out for bundled products for even bigger savings. "Shoppers will find deeper savings by looking into great offers on gaming bundles that will come with a console, a combination of accessories and sometimes video games," she says.

Sale Price: $149 from Walmart
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Regular Price: $249 ($100 savings)
It's not the newest console, but that makes the deals on the Xbox One S even sweeter, and this is one of the best out there. For one low price, grab a 1TB console, a wireless controller, a month of Xbox Live Gold, and three digital full-game downloads: "Minecraft," "Sea of Thieves," and "Forza Horizon 3."

This is another category that's usually a safe bet for Black Friday discounts, and this year is no different. Kohl's has announced it will be offering doorbuster prices on gaming headsets, retro handheld games, PS4 and Xbox One controllers, and Sharper Image gaming chairs.

Related: Black Friday Deals You Can Start Shopping Today

Sale Price: $150 from Kohl's (available all day Thursday online and beginning 5 p.m. in store; through 1 p.m. Friday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $200 ($50 savings plus $45 Kohl's Cash)
Aren't we all a little nostalgic for the days of Pac-Man? Let a gamer relish the simpler times with this countertop arcade unit. No assembly is required, and neither are any quarters.

If you've been hesitant to jump into the world of VR, now might be a financially feasible time to do so. DealNews expects PlayStation VR bundles to be $250 or less, and Oculus Go prices to sink to $159 (it starts at $199 normally). While older versions of the HTC Vive probably won't be deeply discounted, they could be offered with gift cards to "lessen the sticker shock," says DealNews.

Sale Price: $349
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Regular Price: $399 ($50 savings) One of the better-known VR brands on the market, Oculus’ Rift offers access to hundreds of games, plug an ergonomic design. It comes with two controllers.

If you've already got all the gaming tech you can handle, then use your dollars to load up on the games themselves. Look to the larger retailers like Target and Walmart, where select games will go on sale, likely below $20.

Sale Price: $15 and up from Best Buy (available all day Thursday online and 5 p.m. in store; through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $20 and up ($10+ savings)
Whether you have a Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch, Best Buy will have countless choices starting at just $15 during Black Friday promotions.

Lego toys aren't usually deeply discounted, but DealNews does expect some discounts this year. The official Lego shop, for instance, will slash product prices up to 30%, and other retailers like Amazon and Target could match that. And, just like last year, you can expect price slashes as low as $20 on Lego Creator and Classic lines. If you're waiting to see massive discounts on the brand's Star Wars, Wizarding World, or Super Heroes lines, you'll probably be disappointed, DealNews says. As for other toys, Skirboll recommends waiting. "The best deals on toys are found about two weeks before Christmas," she notes.

Related: Nintendo to Hatchimals: 20 Gifts That Sparked Black Friday Insanity

Sale Price: $20 from Walmart (available beginning 10 p.m. Wednesday online and 6 p.m. Thursday in store; through Friday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $40 ($20 savings)
Legos can keep kids busy for hours, so treat your children and yourself to a new set for half off. The 900-piece Classic Creative box allows for plenty of open-ended play, perfect for kids who feel stifled by the endless directions of other Lego sets.

Just like in past years, streaming devices will be a predictable Black Friday deal. DealNews says that the Amazon Fire TV Stick will probably again be bundled with the retail giant's Echo Dot for $40, about a 50% discount. Google's Chromecast, regularly $35, should drop to $25 or less, and its 4K Ultra version could come in a two-pack for $89 (one is usually $69), or bundled with a Nest Hub for around $120. Finally, Roku could offer its own Ultra model for as low as $55 on Black Friday.

Sale Price: $18 from Walmart
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Regular Price: N/A
This exclusive holiday model boasts the lowest price we've ever seen on a Roku, but it appears to have features that are similar to the base model Roku Express. The main downsides? A simpler remote, and no support for 4K displays. Otherwise, happy streaming. If you've gotta have 4K video, the Roku Ultra will be on sale for $48, down from $99.

Looking to get in shape after the new year? While Fitbit's Versa 2 probably won't be discounted, DealNews says, the Versa Lite version will probably be offered at around $130, down $30 from its usual retail price, and could be bundled with gift cards or store credit. Older models could be even cheaper, and the Samsung Gear Sport and Gear S3 Frontier could drop to $135 and $110, respectively. And, as previously noted, Apple Watches will also be one to watch on Black Friday. Last year, the brand-new Series 4 was offered by Verizon for $150 less when purchased in addition to an iPhone. The same could happen with the Series 5 in 2019, with older models offered for far less.

Sale Price: $250 from Target
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Regular Price: $330 ($80 savings)
Know someone looking for a sleeker design in a smartwatch? The Samsung Galaxy is a good candidate, with watch faces you would never realize are digital. Still, it has fitness tracking, apps, notifications, and even wireless charging.

Those looking to introduce a higher-quality sound into their lives will be in luck this Black Friday. Portable Bluetooth speakers will probably drop to stocking-stuffer prices for cheaper models, with still "excellent savings on more popular models," DealNews says. Heftier sound systems like Klipsch could be slashed to 50% off like in years past, and TV soundbars might drop to $100 or less, even on brands like LG and Vizio. Amazon's new speaker, the Echo Studio, however, probably won't go on sale due to its recent release date.

Sale Price: $40 from Target (available all day Thursday online and beginning 5 p.m. in store; through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $80 ($40 savings)
Drop it, toss it in the pool, take it on a hike — the waterproof, shock-proof Wonderboom can go anywhere and provide great sound the whole time. It's about the size of a soda can, and two can be paired for even bigger sound. The 10-hour battery life means you have enough juice for any party.

If you've been coveting a new, higher-quality product in this category, keep your ears out for deals like the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, which could drop to $230 or less, and the current generation of Apple AirPods, which could drop to $135 at retailers like Rakuten (Apple AirPods Pro, however, probably won't be discounted at all). If you just need a basic set of earbuds for a stocking stuffer or a secret Santa gift, basic models could dip as low as $8. Kohl's will offer the JLab JBuds Pro wireless earbuds at a doorbuster price of $13.

Sale Price: $129 from Walmart
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Regular Price: $199 ($70 savings)
Get up to 40 hours of battery life on just one charge with a sleek pair of wireless Beats. They feature easy-to-use on-ear controls, integrated mics and comfortable, adjustable ear cups. Fast Fuel will give you three hours of listening on a 5-minute charge.

If you're shopping for gifts for the paparazzo in your life, there's good news on camera prices. Canon DSLR bundles — like the EOS Rebel T7 with extra lenses, shoulder bag, SD card, and maybe even an online photography course — could fall to around or below $500, says DealNews. Refurbished cameras from the same brand could go on sale for less than $400. Kohl's will offer a doorbuster price of $400, for example, on the Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR, with Wi-Fi connectivity, two lenses, and a bag — that's $350 off the regular price.

Sale Price: $700 from Best Buy
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Regular Price: $1,200 ($500 savings)
Make the leap from novice to pro with this Canon EOS Rebel DSLR, primed for great shots, even during fast-action events. Features include a 24.2 megapixel sensor, 3-inch LCD display, and built-in Wi-Fi. The bundle comes with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses, a camera bag, and 32GB memory card.

Experts expect kitchen-related savings to go beyond the things you plug in to products like food storage container sets. For example, durable Pyrex glassware, which is still made in America and is coveted by home chefs everywhere, will be substantially marked down by Kohl's, as will Rubbermaid. You can bet that other retailers will offer deals, too.

Sale Price: $18 from Macy's after $10 mail-in rebate; $45 after 1 p.m. Friday (available Wednesday through Saturday in store and online as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $90 ($72 savings)
Upgrade their flimsy plastic food-storage containers this holiday season with this Pyrex glass set that won't absorb smells or stains. It comes with nine round containers and two rectangular containers in a variety of sizes; all come with colorful BPA-free plastic lids, and if you actually follow through with the rebate, it's the best Pyrex deal you'll find on Black Friday.

One big feast might be over, but more are coming, and Black Friday might also be the right time to upgrade your outdated pots and pans — with plenty of brands and a range of materials and sets to choose from. Kohl's will offer discounted cookware sets from Food Network, Cuisinart, Rachael Ray, Calphalon, T-Fal, Faberware, and more.

Sale Price: $40 after $20 mail-in rebate from JCPenney (available through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $160 ($120 savings)
Give the gift of an instant kitchen with this 52-piece set featuring stainless-steel cookware, a JCPenney Black Friday staple. It includes two saucepans, a Dutch oven, two fry pans, a colander, storage bowls, measuring cups, and more.

Beauty products are often pricey, but expect to save in November when cosmetic stores clear space for new holiday sets and seasonal product launches. Last year, a retail expert Cheapism spoke to noted that shoppers should look for particularly great savings on high-end products.

Sale Price: $65 from Macy's (available Wednesday through Saturday in store and online as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $129 ($64 savings)
Chances are your favorite beauty buff already has a stable of favorite products, so why not give them a fun chance to sample a ton of new stuff? They'll get 24 skincare and beauty products plus a surprise gift — $15 off their next Macy's beauty purchase.

Last year our experts also told us to expect "deep discounts" on price tags attached to wellness products for dental hygiene, shaving, and more, and this looks to be true for 2019, as well. Kohl's recent Black Friday ad features Norelco shaving products for just over $20, a Sonicare Essence rechargeable toothbrush for $17, and plenty of other deals in this same category.

Sale Price: $100 from Target (available all day Thursday online and beginning 5 p.m. in store; through Saturday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $200 ($100 savings)
A great option for that hard-to-buy-for someone, this 23andMe kit will likely be half off several places for Black Friday. It can give users a detailed breakdown of their DNA background and more insight into their heritage and health. It's as easy as providing a saliva sample.

Another predictably satisfying category for savings on Black Friday will hold true again this year. We haven't seen a ton of ads yet, but Kohl's will be discounting different models from brands such as Bissell, Hoover, Shark, iRobot, and Dyson, and other retailers will probably follow suit.

Sale Price: $179
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Regular Price: $224 ($45 savings)
A cordless vacuum is a must for quick clean-ups, and it's hard to go wrong with this well-regarded Dyson. Fine for both carpet and hardwood, it goes for up to a half-hour without needing a recharge and transforms into a handy handheld.

The home improvement stores are already selling a variety of tools at discounted prices, and shoppers can expect that to remain the case on Black Friday. Hedge your bets here, though, because tools can be even more deeply discounted come December.

Sale Price: $190 from Sears (available all day Thursday online and beginning 6 p.m. in store; through Friday as supplies last)
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Regular Price: $460 ($270 savings)
This impressive mechanic's tool set boasts 16 combination wrenches, three quick-release ratchets, six extension bars, six adapters, 191 sockets, 175 bits, 40 hex keys, and a magnetic handle. It all comes housed in a sturdy three-drawer case.