The term “Black Friday” is becoming increasingly inaccurate as the tradition of a single day of post-Thanksgiving sales expands into a month-long event. This trend continues in 2023, as retailers like Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart have already started advertising their early Black Friday deals. Many other shops and manufacturers are also offering early discounts. While this flood of sales promotions can be overwhelming, it also provides an opportunity to do your holiday shopping at a more relaxed pace. To assist you, we have compiled a list of the best early Black Friday deals we could find below. Although there is a chance of bigger discounts on November 24, we are already seeing all-time lows on popular gadgets like Apple’s AirPods Pro, Google’s Pixel 7a, Amazon’s Echo Show 5, and LG’s A2 OLED TV. We will update our list regularly leading up to Black Friday, so check back if there is anything else you are interested in.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
The latest version of Apple’s AirPods Pro is currently on sale for $190 at Amazon and Target. This is only $1 more than the lowest price we have seen and $59 less than buying directly from Apple. The AirPods Pro are our top pick for iOS users in our wireless earbuds buying guide due to their easy pairing and seamless integration with Apple devices. They offer effective active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and a warm sound profile. The earphones also feature a new adaptive audio mode that adjusts the noise control settings based on your surroundings. However, the battery life is average at around six hours per charge, and they work best with an iPhone. We gave the Lightning-based version of the second-generation AirPods Pro a review score of 88 last year, and this new iteration is nearly identical, except it comes with a USB-C charging case and has a higher IP54 dust-resistance rating.
Beats headphone sale
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
Several wireless headphones from Apple subsidiary Beats are also discounted this week. The Beats Fit Pro is available for $160, which is $20 off the average street price. The Fit Pro is our top pick for workouts in our wireless earbuds guide, offering a fun sound and many Apple-friendly features similar to the AirPods Pro. However, it has weaker active noise cancellation, no support for wireless charging, and cannot be paired with multiple devices. We gave the Fit Pro a review score of 87 in 2021.
The more basic Beats Studio Buds + are on sale for $130, and the over-ear Beats Studio Pro is available for $200. Neither of these models are top picks in our guides, but they may be worth considering if you are an Apple fan and like the Beats aesthetic. We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 in May and the Studio Pro a review score of 81 in July.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
This is the first major discount for the latest version of Amazon’s 4K streaming dongle. The slightly faster and more featured Fire TV Stick 4K Max is also on sale.
Amazon’s latest Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max have received their first discounts since their release in September. The Fire TV Stick 4K is available for $30, which is $20 off, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is available for $45, a $15 discount. The Max version has a slightly faster processor, more internal storage, and support for Wi-Fi 6E. It also includes Amazon’s “Ambient Experience” mode, which displays artwork and widgets when the streamer is idle. Both dongles offer fast content loading, support for streaming apps, Dolby Atmos, and major HDR formats. However, they come with Amazon’s ads and promote their own services like Prime Video and Freevee. If you frequently use those apps and want an affordable 4K streamer, this may not be an issue for you. The Fire TV Cube is also on sale for $110, tying its all-time low.
Google Chromecast with Google TV
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
The Google Chromecast is available for $39 at Amazon, which is $11 off the list price. This deal has been seen before, and other retailers like Walmart and Target also have it on sale for a dollar more. The Chromecast is the runner-up in our guide to the best streaming devices. It offers fast streaming, works with major apps, and features Google TV’s interface, which provides personalized show suggestions and convenient voice search. If you are shopping for an older TV, the 1080p version of the Chromecast is also available for $20.
The top pick in our media streamer guide is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which combines excellent performance, wide app support, and a user-friendly interface. Although it is not currently discounted, we may see a sale in the coming weeks.
Amazon Echo Show 5
This matches the best price to date for Amazon’s diminutive smart display.
The Echo Show 5 is currently available for $40, which is the lowest price we have seen. This is a $50 discount off the list price, although the device has been on sale for most of the past month. We recommend the Echo Show 5 in our smart display buying guide. While the Echo Show 8 offers a better screen, richer speakers, and a sharper camera for video calls, the Echo Show 5 provides similar functionality in a more compact design. If you prefer Alexa and want a smart alarm clock for your nightstand, the Echo Show 5 is a great option. The Echo Show 8 is not currently discounted, but this may change by Black Friday.
Google Nest Hub
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Although not at its all-time low, the Google Nest Hub is available for $60 at various retailers. This is a $40 discount off the list price. The Nest Hub is our top overall pick in the smart display category, with a 7-inch screen that fits well in a bedroom or small office. While it lacks a built-in camera, it offers a range of features and integrates well with the Google Assistant. However, no smart display is completely privacy-conscious. The Nest Hub is currently available at Target, B&H, Best Buy, and Google’s online store.
Ultimately, the choice between the Nest Hub and Echo Show depends on the services you use and your personal preferences…
