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

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!"

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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