When Black Friday rolls around, our attention — and our hard-earned cash — is being pulled in a thousand different directions, with the retail costs of our favorite products slashed through with double-digit markdowns and brands claiming that prices have never been lower (and never will be again).
If you’re anything like us and really dislike spending money, this can be more overwhelming and anxiety-inducing than it is exciting, so we put together a list of only the most essential products that are really worth your time and precious funds. Keep scrolling to make the most of your money on Black Friday.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Air purifiers don’t just eliminate odors; they also capture airborne pollutants and bacteria. This one from Renpho is on mega-sale right now, and reviewers say it’s particularly good if you have pets or allergies. People also seem to deeply appreciate that it’s very quiet, even in its highest setting.
Promising review: “My husband and his rather large cat spend a lot of time together in what used to be my sun room. Needless to say, he doesn’t always do a good job keeping the litter box clean %26 and the odor can be bad. I also worried about bacteria. I ordered this air purifier, and the difference is like night and day. No odor anymore. I was so impressed that I bought one for the upstairs… even though I don’t have a cat, just 4 wonderful, clean little Yorkies.” — Walmart Customer
Target’s 400-thread count performance sheets will require little introduction to our audience. Their sturdy and shockingly high-quality construction combined with an impossibly reasonable price makes them an irresistible purchase for… well, practically anyone with a bed. The sturdy 100% cotton construction enables them to “wash beautifully,” in the words of one HuffPost editor’s mom, and the sateen finish will make you feel like you’re sleeping in a fancy hotel bed. (We speak from experience — multiple HuffPosters own this set.)
They’re available in 11 solid colors and sizes twin/twin XL-California king, and printed sets are also available at the same discount. You can buy these sheets piecemeal and get an individual fitted sheet or pillowcase set.
Perhaps the most practical Cyber Week purchase you can make, this pack of 48 batteries includes 24 AA and 24 AAA. With Energizer Max promising a 12 year shelf life on these, your devices should be powered up for quite a while.
Quip’s electric toothbrushes are designed remove up to 11 times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, according to the brand, and feature soft-bristled brush heads and timers to ensure you don’t over-brush in certain areas. Each toothbrush comes with a stand that’s easy to mount on a bathroom mirror and ingeniously doubles as a travel cover. You can get 20% off sitewide right now with code BF20.
Got a small space and prefer not to go too big with your television or budget? Turn your attention toward this highly rated HD TV that gives you access to Alexa voice control and loads of streaming apps. The TV is the No. 1 bestseller in its category on Amazon, and reviewers appear to agree that the picture quality is great for the price.
Promising review: “I bought this small Fire TV recently and I’m really happy with it. The picture quality is great for the size, and the sound is clear enough for a bedroom or small living room. It was easy to set up and the Fire TV interface is simple to use, with all the apps I needed like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. The Alexa feature is super handy for voice controls, though the remote buttons could be a bit bigger. Overall, it’s a solid choice for the price and works well in smaller spaces.” — Kenisha B.
Each of these clever smart plugs turns any regular old wall outlet into one you can set to turn on and off on a schedule or at your whim, without getting off the couch or even needing to be at home. They’re especially great when you realize you left home without turning off an appliance, or when you want to make it look like someone’s home while you’re on vacation.
You can use either Alexa or the Kasa app or both to control them, and setup is truly simple either way: All you have to do is plug one in, push a button to connect it to your Wi-Fi, add it to the phone app and live your life. And if you have an outlet or lamp switch that’s hard to reach or stuck behind furniture, they’re complete game-changers.
The Neo 120 Luxe bidet is a sleek toilet attachment for anyone who might be intimidated or brand new to the idea of a bidet. Constructed with high-pressure valves with metal-ceramic cores, this bidet offers a special rear-clean wash in five different pressures, plus a self-cleaning function.
There’s a reason these things absolutely fly off the shelves when they go on sale: they really can work. All you have to do is peel off two strips and apply them for 45 minutes once a day, and Crest says you can see a difference of up to 20 shades whiter in about three weeks. This kit comes with 44 Professional Effects Whitestrips — enough for 22 days of treatments — and two one-hour Express Whitening treatments. Snag them while you can, as they’ve been known to sell out during big sales.
Apple’s AirTags are on sale again which means it’s a perfect time to re-up or snag some as stocking stuffers.
Each AirTag can ping its own location, so when it’s attached to one of your belongings, you can track that item via Apple’s Find My app, which is available in the cloud and on Apple devices like iPhones, laptops and more. Through Find My, you can even tell your AirTag to play a sound so it’s easier to find.
A massage gun can get those nasty knots out of your body and relieve sore muscles, whether you work out, slouch all day during your desk job or sleep poorly (and, if you’re like me, you’re doing all three!). This FitRx massage gun comes with its own carry case and plenty of head attachments to really get in there and loosen up. Use it on yourself or ask someone else to vibrate you from your neck all the way down your spine.
Promising review: “This is a great device. Did not expect the power of it. Definitely been a huge help with all my muscle issues as well as for my wife. Definitely recommend this device for anyone who is needing a deep tissue massager. Does not disappoint.” — Julio
Promising over-the-top plushness and maximum absorbency, these Brooklinen-exclusive towels are made from 100% Turkish cotton that’s been certified to be free from any harmful materials or dyes. This bundle includes two bath towels and two hand towels, which come in 10 different colors or prints.
Brooklinen is offering 25% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles, through Dec. 4.
These luxurious pillows are filled with a soft, down alternative that helps them keep their plush shape and makes them a great pick for back, stomach and side sleepers alike. Hot sleepers will especially appreciate the pillows’ cooling fiber and breathable cotton cover with a luxe 400-thread count.
Promising review: “As someone who used to work for Hilton, these pillows feel equal, if not superior, to the quality of what we used. In lots of locations Hilton uses Serta products. These pillows are incredible, I have major anxiety and really struggle to sleep at night usually because I have to adjust so often. I found major comfort in the morphability of these pillows to my neck, they also give great lumbar support which I love having 2 pillows for. Overall it’s great value for money and they seem like they will have longevity. So much better than any pillow I’ve ever owned! Not lumpy, soft, but firm, perfect!” — Alexander Thornfill
Toss out those cleaning products with overpowering scents that can cause headaches. This set from Flamingo Estate includes dish soap and surface cleaner spray in their best-selling Roma heirloom tomato scent. It’s so good you’ll actually look forward to cleaning.
“Boy, am I ever glad I bought one of these a few years ago,” wrote Janie Campbell, our former deals writer. “Every time I spill food on my rug — and this happens a lot — I just run for the Little Green, flip it on, spend a scant minute scrubbing and breath a sigh of relief. It gets stains out of carpet and rugs with a spray-and-scrub brush that also vacuums up the dirty water into the dirty water tank. It’s saved me from soy sauce, ketchup, dollops of curry and more than one dropped sandwich.”
This may just be one of the most beloved cleaning tools we share, and reviewers have given it 4.5 stars in gratitude. It also comes with a free bottle of stain-removing solution you can mix into the clean water tank.
Whether you’re loving your current mattress or thinking of a replacement — you might want to consider a mattress pad for extra support. This cotton Casaluna version is 40% off can elevate a comfy bed and help transform an uncomfy one. It fits mattresses up to 20 inches deep and it’s water-repellant. Get the pad in full, queen and king sizes.
Promising review: “I was truly impressed with the softness that this brought to a hard mattress in our guest bedroom. It’s a very firm mattress and people have a hard time sleeping. While it doesn’t take away all of the firmness, it did provide some softness and comfort to the bed. I was surprised at the thickness of the down. For the price, you can’t beat this. Great buy.” — Shellie
Another Amazon smart home device that’s on major sale is the Blink Outdoor 4 security camera, which is wireless, has two years of battery life and is simple to set up outside your home. The camera lets you see what’s going on day and night, thanks to infrared night vision, and also comes with two-way audio and enhanced motion detection. Like all Amazon home products, it works with Alexa, too.
The Peter Thomas Roth brand is known for skin care products that create noticeable results in an impressively short time. Consider adding its enzyme mask to your skin care regimen, especially if you’re trying to restore your glow and improve texture. It works as an exfoliator that removes impurities and dead skin cells from the skin.
Promising review: “This mask is wonderful. Felt a difference first time I used it. Definitely makes your skin softer and brighter.” — Wendy
This powerful machine makes one of the most dreary tasks — flossing — a lot more fun and exponentially more effective. Waterpik says the Aquarius can remove 99.9% of plaque and is up to 50% more effective than string floss. This advanced model offers 10 pressure settings, a massage mode to stimulate gums and a built-in timer to track your flossing. It comes with seven different tips, so a whole family can hygienically use one machine. It’s less than four inches deep and under 5 inches wide, so it won’t take up your whole bathroom counter, either. At a whopping half off, there’s no reason not to grab one and impress your dental hygienist on your next visit.
This compact, hardworking toaster oven is hugely popular with customers and HuffPosters alike. (Shopping writer Erica Kam has a model very similar to this one that “makes sure she gets fed most of the time.”) This 7-in-1 appliance has the ability to air fry, warm food, and toast, along with baking and broiling on both regular and air-circulating convection settings. It can accommodate a 4-pound chicken or a 12-inch pizza and comes with a drip tray, frying basket and oven rack.
Grab it while it’s over 50% off — a massive deal for an appliance you’ll get huge value out of starting Day 1.
Unlike the other Ancheer on this list (keep scrolling), this walking pad is slightly slower at 2.4-3.9 mph but it’s got a brushless motor that makes it ultra-quiet. It’s got a few more color options than the Walmart one on this list. Plus, it’s remote- and app-operated.
Originally retailing for almost $200, the Beats Solo 4 headphones are now down to their lowest price ever. They offer a longer battery life (up to 50 hours), clear acoustics and a more balanced bass. They also sport spatial mode with head tracking, lossless audio, fast-charging capabilities for 5-hour playtime after a quick 10-minute charge a carry case, a foldable design and USB-C charging. And although they’re not marketed as having active noise-canceling, reviewers say that’s debatable.
“I turned down my music to low levels and could not hear my spouse right next to me,” says jfe about the over-ear quality. “The sound is great — very little outside sounds,” says reviewer Vivian Martin. Compatible with Apple and Android devices alike, the Beats Solo 4 headphones also deliver plush over-ear comfort, plus adjustability for the best fit. Take advantage of this early Black Friday deal before it’s gone.
It’s possible you’ve seen some version of these overnight hydrogel masks on TikTok that start off opaque and become transparent as all of the infused goodness absorbs into skin, leaving behind a complexion that’s plump, hydrated and glass-like. These Biodance masks contain a collagen-peptide that’s of a low molecular weight to penetrate deeper into the skin. It also has brightening niacinamide, moisture-trapping hyaluronic acid and galactomyces to improve skin tone and texture.
Promising review: “Amazing value for money spent. I loved the cool feel and was blown away by how relaxing it was to sleep in this mask. My skin glowed all day, I used this the same night I received it. My face looked more plump and brighter. Even the dark circles under my eyes reduced. The quality is amazing, feels like think jelly and is super easy to apply. I was impressed with how smaller my pores appeared after just 1 use. Will definitely be adding this to my self care routine.” — S. Williams
Using both a heating element and a sonic water vaporizer, this at-home facial device claims to produce nano steam with negatively charged ionic particles which makes it more effective at penetrating the skin. The result is a complexion that’s more hydrated, pores become easier to unclog and your skin care products can penetrate deeper. You can also use this nanosteamer to act as a humidifier in a bedroom or make removing makeup easier.
You’ll be hard-pressed to spot the HuffPost team recommending many tote bags. The reason? They kinda come a dime dozen. However, this Lands’ End canvas tote is a true standout.
Why? It has pockets galore (inside and outside!), it’s made of thick canvas material that won’t easily snag or tear, the straps are the perfect thickness for carrying a day’s worth of essentials with snapping AND it’s wide enough to fit a small laptop or tablet. This is the ultimate everyday bag and it’s on sale for 40% off. Get it in two colors.
No, this isn’t a super expensive item normally, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Once you introduce 10-foot charging cords into your life, you’ll never want to go back. The cords included in this three-pack are USB-C to A, are braided for durability and — oh yeah — are 10 feet long. No more being chained to the nearest outlet. For just $8 on sale, extended charging cords are one of those really cheap items that has made my life noticeably easier, and reviewers are with me.
With the Jackery 300 portable power station, you can charge important electronic devices like phones and tablets on the go or during a power outage. It uses a completely silent rechargeable lithium battery or it can be charged with Jackery solar panels.
Promising review: “I bought this 300w power station on a whim. I have a big 6500w gas generator to run larger appliances but this thing is super handy. My power went out recently at 2am and I was able to get a lamp and my internet router running within about 30 seconds on this device(I have almost zero mobile service in my house without internet) Compared to my big generator, I would have had to go out to my shed in the dark with a flashlight, drag it out in the backyard and start it in complete dark, then run extension cords inside. The Jackery unit obviously will not run much, but it’s a great stopgap to get a couple lights or a router on immediately, or charge your phone, until you get a larger generator up & running. I will be taking it on a roadtrip next year too. I bought it at $235 and it’s $200 right now, absolute steal at that price” —
Laneige’s cult-favorite and intensely moisturizing lip sleeping mask is adored for its cushiony formula and it’s the perfect way to smooth parched, flaky lips. It’s available in several fragrances and uses a berry mix complex to boost moisture and deliver antioxidant benefits while you sleep, while a blend of shea and seed butters nourishes lips.
It’s meant for wear at night but several reviewers noted that they wear it during the day as well and still experience good effects. Try one or get the 5-piece set with several minis so you can experience different flavors to find your favorite.
It takes just minutes to install the Afina showerhead which filters out harmful substances and heavy metals and purifies water through a conversion process called Redox. The result isn’t just safer water; it can also mean healthier skin, hair and scalp.
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The Reebok Flexagon Force 4s are super simple training shoes on sale for an extremely attractive price: $30. These mesh lace-ups are plenty breathable for hitting the gym or taking walks, while the brand’s FuelFoam midsole has enough cushioning for the softest landings. As their name might suggest, they’re ultra-flexible, and with plenty of colors to choose from, you can hit the gym with whatever style you want. Get ’em in men’s sizes 6.5-11.5 and women’s sizes 5-10.
Promising review: “Honestly for the price these are fantastic! These are my 2nd pair, they fit great, look great very comfortable, I used them for the gym and they do not disappoint! And looks good with shorts or sweats, great shoe for the price I’m surprise the price isn’t higher” — Sulli
Thanks to the 5.5-inch display, the Amazon Echo Show can, well, show you more than your average smart home product. Equipped with Alexa, this device lets you watch shows, see the weather, control other smart home products, view photos and so much more. There’s even a built-in camera, so you can make video calls or connect with a video doorbell for home security. You can get it in up to three colors.
Even if you haven’t heard of the Medicube device, it’s very possible that it’s already on the radar of the beauty lover on your list. This wildly popular K-beauty tool claims to help improve product absorption by up to 490% to help maximize the results of your skin care ingredients and leave skin deliciously dewy and hydrated.
If you’re looking to invest in an artificial Christmas tree this season, there are a multitude of options on sale at Target right now. (The pre-lit palm tree is kind of irresistible.) Our pick for a classic crowd-pleaser is this spruce-style tree that comes pre-lit with a multitude of incandescent lights. We’ve listed the price for the 6-foot tree because it’s over half off, but you can get it in a variety of other sizes.
