Retailers kicked off Black Friday early this year, slashing prices on everything from AirPods and robot vacuums to premium over-ear headphones. The sales surge has created a crowded marketplace of verified price drops and aggressive markdowns — and many shoppers are planning to lean on those promotions to stretch holiday budgets.
Big-ticket and everyday tech already at record lows
Across outlets and brand storefronts, several headline bargains are already live. Notable early deals tracked by multiple outlets include:
- Apple AirPods 4: as low as $85 (all-time low on some retailers).
- Amazon Fire TV Stick HD and Fire TV Stick 4K: marked down to roughly $18 and $25 respectively.
- iPad (11-inch, 128GB): around $300 — near its low-water mark.
- Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M4): discounted to about $750 in early promotions.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones: down to approximately $299.
- Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet: as low as $80.
- Dyson V9 Motorbar cordless vacuum: steeply reduced in some listings to roughly $270.
- Large TVs and living-room sets: deals span budget 32–65" sets under $300 up to super-sized discounts like a 98" Samsung 4K set advertised near $1,700.
- Product refresh cycles: New model launches push last year’s inventory into discount windows.
- Normalized supply chains: Fewer stock fears let retailers be more aggressive with price cuts.
- Competitive positioning: Big retailers want to capture gift purchases before shoppers comparison-shop elsewhere.
- 59% plan to use Black Friday to save on tech purchases.
- The average planned spending on tech this season is about $931.
- 87% have concerns about buying tech, citing rising prices, tariffs, affordability and potential shortages.
- Set a short wishlist and budget: know which models and specs you want before browsing.
- Check price history: tools and trackers can show whether a current markdown is genuine.
- Compare across retailers: big-name discounts can vary by store, and bundles or carrier trade-in deals can add value.
- Consider refurbished or late-model units: certified pre-owned products often represent the best value for non-gift purchases.
- Watch return policies and price-match windows: some retailers will honor lower prices later in the season.
Deal coverage shows deep discounts across categories — laptops, tablets, headphones, TVs and small home appliances — with both premium and value models appearing in retailer rollouts.
Why the sales started early — and why some discounts feel different
Analysts and retail reporters point to a few converging factors behind the early rush:
Audio, in particular, has been a standout category. Premium headphones that once held firm through the holidays are dropping into midrange price territory, while value brands are being pushed to half-off levels to attract deal-focused buyers.
But shoppers should beware of faux discounts. Several experts recommend verifying price history before hitting buy — retailers sometimes inflate list prices ahead of sales to make discounts look deeper.
Shoppers are counting on Black Friday — and feeling cautious
A recent CNET-commissioned survey of U.S. adults planning holiday tech purchases found:
CNET contributors and sources offer context: mobile reporter David Lumb notes newly released phones rarely see steep holiday discounts, while CNET laptop editor Josh Goldman says Black Friday and Cyber Week typically produce the lowest laptop prices of the year. TV expert David Katzmaier recommends watching price history and pouncing when a set hits its all-time low.
Experts also urge shoppers to prioritize what they need now versus what can wait: if an item is a “must-have” and in stock, buying sooner can avoid disappointment; conversely, waiting often rewards patience for true all-time lows.
How to shop smart this season
Savvy shoppers are mixing strategies to avoid buyer’s remorse:
CNET’s shopping director warned that tariffs and inflationary pressures are on shoppers’ minds, and recommended prioritizing practical purchases (appliances, laptops) early and entertainment gifts closer to the end of the year when deeper doorbuster discounts often appear.
Headphones and audio: an early battleground
Personal audio has seen unusually aggressive early discounts. Flagship over-ears from Sony and Bose, and sought-after earbuds from Apple and Beats, are appearing at their best prices of the year. Retail analysts say market dynamics — strong volume but softer average selling prices — plus last year’s model refreshes have combined to push deeper discounts into the weeks before Thanksgiving.
Buyers should weigh use case (travel, commuting, workouts) against features like ANC effectiveness, multipoint Bluetooth, codec support and battery life. For workout-focused users, secure-fit Beats models or IP-rated sport buds are often better buys than bulkier over-ears, even at similar markdowns.
What this means for holiday shoppers and retailers
For consumers, the early deals offer a chance to grab verified price drops before inventories tighten. For retailers, the tactic spreads demand over a longer period and helps smooth fulfillment pressures. But with so many early-sales events, the calendar for meaningful bargains now stretches from October through Cyber Week — meaning Black Friday has become a season rather than a single day.
Bottom line: if you see a verified all-time low on something you genuinely need or want, it may be worth buying now. If you can wait, keep watching price history and retailer guarantees — another sale is likely, but the exact item could be gone.