This is the best time of the year to buy a new laptop. You’ll rarely get a better chance to nab a computer, so we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday laptop deals we’ve seen on all the models our reviewers recommend. Whether you want a portable productivity powerhouse, a glorious gaming PC, or just something to curl up in bed with Netflix, these machines from companies like Apple, Dell, Asus, and Lenovo will do the job. You’ll also find some other laptop accessories and peripherals below, including mechanical keyboards.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Laptop Deals
Photograph: Lenovo
Do you think of a laptop as metal framing around a web browser? Consider a Chromebook. Google rolled out a big upgrade called Chromebook Plus in 2023. The “Plus” stands for better performance—faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better video cameras. Our favorite of the models we’ve tried is Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s among the fastest Chromebooks we’ve tested for the money. It features a 3.75-GHz Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of flash storage.
Dell’s two larger XPS laptops (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are aimed at Windows users with Macbook jealousy. The design, specs, and sizes align perfectly with Apple’s offerings. The XPS 14 has a gorgeous, sleek design (though it’s thicker than a MacBook), a wonderfully bright and sharp OLED screen (with 120-Hz screen refresh rates), and is plenty speedy for everyday tasks. Unfortunately, heavy-duty tasks like video editing, well, the MacBook’s benchmarks run circles around the XPS 14. Still, with this deal, this is a serious piece of hardware for not a lot of money.
Dell recently updated its XPS 13 line with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips to make it that sweet, sweet Copilot+ PC. This deal features the Snapdragon X Elite, which is the fastest of the two options. I’ve been testing this one for a couple of months and have been very impressed with how smoothly Windows works on a new architecture. It’s been plenty speedy, and the battery life is outstanding—about 14 hours in my testing—though not quite as impressive as some other Snapdragon-equipped machines we’ve tested. If you want an Intel XPS 13, those are on sale as well. You can get a Core Ultra 7 chip, 32 GB RAM, and a 1 TB SSD for $1,499 ($500 off).
Photograph: Christopher Null
The first Intel-based Copilot+ PC is a winner on all fronts (7/10, WIRED Review), boasting outstanding AI and graphics performance and some of the best battery life we’ve ever seen on Intel hardware. With its slightly oddball 15.3-inch screen, it hits its high points and is hard to argue with at this price, though the fan is loud and the system may weigh you down more than you’d like.
There’s much to love about Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Ultra (7/10, WIRED Review), but let’s be honest, that sticker price is insane. This deal brings it down somewhat, though it’s still pricey. You get impressive hardware—the new Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, the current top-of-the-line processor in Intel’s Core Ultra CPU lineup, along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. The 16-inch AMOLED 2,880 X 1,800-pixel touchscreen is magnificent to work on and performance blew everything else we’ve tested out of the water at this price.
The Swift Go offers outstanding performance for the price (7/10, WIRED Review). It also boasts an impressive 15-hour battery life. The downside is the speakers, which aren’t great, and overall the body feels a little plasticky. But this is the least expensive Intel Core Ultra laptop we’ve tested by a few dollars, so if your budget is tight, the Swift Go is worth considering.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Photograph: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best-looking Chromebook you can buy. The beautiful white design stands out in a sea of gray slabs. The Core i5 CPU offers plenty of performance and can easily handle multiple tabs and app juggling. The webcam is nice too, much crisper than you’d expect for a sub-$500 laptop. The downside is there’s no backlit keyboard.
The 13-inch Surface Laptop (7th Edition) (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. Performance was good in our testing. It did not bog down no matter how many windows, tabs, and apps we threw at it. That said, this is not a machine for graphics-intensive tasks, like video editing or gaming (which is a shame because the vivid sharp screen with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate would be great for gaming).
MacBook Deals
Be sure to read through all our Black Friday Apple deals, and for more background on which Macs we love, see our Best Macbooks guide.
Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
The new 13-inch MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best MacBook for most people. It pairs a powerful M3 chip with a nice, bright, sharp 13.6-inch LCD screen, a 1080p webcam, two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports, and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. The M3 chip gives the Air quite the performance boost over the older M1 version. In our testing, it was able to handle everyday tasks, like web browsing, checking email, and watching videos with ease, and even handles slightly more intensive tasks like photo or video editing without breaking a sweat. If you’re looking for a mobile video editing workstation, you’re better off with the MacBook Pro below.
If you want a MacBook that can handle even more workloads, this is the deal for you. This model also has more ports. There are three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI port, an SD card slot (bless you Apple, may every PC copy this move), a fancy high-impedance headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port. The base model has 16 gigabytes of memory and the base M4 chip can handle most general tasks but video editors and anyone using more CPU- and GPU-demanding apps will want to look at the M4 Pro for $2,099 ($300 off) or the M4 Max for $2,899 ($300 off).
Tablet Deals
Photograph: Apple
The iPad (10th-gen) (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite iPad to recommend to most people. It has an A14 Bionic chip (which you’ll also find in the iPhone 12) that never felt sluggish while testing it. It also has a modern design, with slim bezels around a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (IPS LCD), Touch ID integrated into the power button, a USB-C port for charging, and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera that’s located in the center of the iPad.
The OnePlus Pad 2 is a mouthful of a name, but it’s our favorite Android tablet. It’s a good value, especially at this price. The screen is quite nice if a somewhat unusual, 12.1-inch size. It’s great for watching videos or getting work done. The highlight here is the OnePlus customization of Android, which makes it possible to multi-task three apps side by side simultaneously, or two apps side by side and a third at the bottom. To be more productive, we suggest picking up the keyboard case.
Chargers and Accessories
Photograph: Satechi
This handy charger has enough power to juice up two MacBook Pro models simultaneously. But it’s also great if you have a lot of devices around your desk that constantly need to be charged. It has a little stand to prop it up, a short cord that goes out to an outlet, and four USB-C ports that output 100 watts each. This is the lowest price we’ve tracked.
A 25,000-mAh battery pack that’s surprisingly compact is a rarity, and this one also packs two USB-C ports, one USB-A, and the ability to draw 145 watts while charging. That means one USB-C port can dish out 100 watts, enough to fast charge a laptop, while the other puts out 45 watts.
This charger packs two USB-C ports, one of which can output 65 watts when used alone. If you plug two devices in, the top will deliver 45 watts and the bottom can do 20 watts. It also folds up and looks super sleek.
Photograph: Twelve South
We’ve used this hub with iPads, but it’s also great for MacBooks. Plug it in via the USB-C port on your laptop and you’ll have access to another USB-C port for passthrough charging, a USB-A port, an HDMI output, and a headphone jack. It’s also fairly compact and thin so it won’t add too much bulk to your laptop. It dipped to $40 in August but this is still a good deal.
Our favorite external SSD for photographers, the Crucial X9 is built to last, easily pocketable, and supports a wide range of devices, from computers to mobile phones. It’s also one of the fastest portable SSDs we’ve tested, breaking its own stated read and write speeds of 1,050 MBps, so you can get back to taking photos. There’s an even faster X10 Pro, but given the limited availability of the inputs needed to make it work, we think the X9 is a great choice. While this price has been lower before, it never hurts to stock up on storage. —Brad Bourque
Samsung’s rugged, padding T7 drive has an IP65 rating, which means it’s fine in the rain and is protected from dust and sand. The T7 line is notable for its built-in security features like hardware-based encryption, but unlike the Touch model, the Shield does not have a fingerprint reader. Still, this is a good SSD if your portable drives lead a rough life in an everyday bag.
Keychron Q1 Pro
Photograph: Amazon
This was WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu’s daily keyboard for almost a year. You can use it wired or wirelessly via Bluetooth and it comes in several colors and switches to pick from (it’s also RGB-backlit). The red switches aren’t very loud but are still clicky, and there’s a great knob for volume control. It’s hot-swappable too, so you can change the switches whenever you’d like.
The Das Keyboard MacTigr (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is expensive, but it’s great for those in the Apple ecosystem with a dedicated Mac layout. It also has cherry MX Red switches (that don’t get too loud), a two-port USB-C hub, and a high-quality all-metal build.
Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images
Logitech has a long history of great keyboards, and the MX Mechanical Mini is no exception. This wireless keyboard packs backlit keys, wired or wireless connectivity, and low-profile mechanical switches in your choice of tactile quiet, clicky, or linear. If you’ve got tons of devices, you should know the MX Mini also has wide support for operating systems and devices, including iOS. That makes this one of our favorite upgraded keyboards for tablet power users who want to unfold for a bit into a proper workstation. —Brad Bourque
Even at its original price of $170, the Lofree Flow84 is one of the best low-profile mechanical keyboards I’ve tested. It’s crisp, satisfying, and incredibly solid thanks to a full metal construction and a gasket mount system. Combine this with great styling, wireless connectivity, and hot-swappable switches (although this keyboard only takes other Kailh V2 low-profile switches), and the Flow84 is an incredible deal for a solid low-profile keyboard. —Henri Robbins
This is our favorite laptop stand for bed. It’s one height, but you can angle the base, and the legs fold up for storing. The smaller surface on the right stays flat, so you can put your drink there if you don’t move around too much. There’s even a small drawer.
You may not realize it, but your TV is sad. It’s sad because it wants to offer great sound to accompany its awesome picture, but it is woefully ill-equipped to do so. You could shop for a multi-component home theater system or a pair of bookshelves to remedy things, but if that sounds like too much hassle, a good soundbar is a great alternative. Luckily, now is the exact right time to grab one. Below we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday soundbar deals to turn your TV’s frown upside down. Be sure to check our live Black Friday deals tracker too.
Updated November 29: It’s Black Friday! We’ve added a few new deals and corrected prices.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Soundbar Deals
Klipsch Flexus Core 200
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
If you’re just after a simple and affordable audio upgrade, Yamaha’s SR-C20A is a go-to option, now at an exceedingly reasonable price. It doesn’t offer conveniences like network streaming or multiroom connection, but its 100-watt power plant easily exceeds the pale performance your TV is likely to muster. The 2.1-channel configuration includes dual full-range drivers and a built-in woofer for some heft in the low frequencies. You’ll get a simplified TV connection over HDMI, standard Bluetooth streaming, and even a 3.5-mm analog input so you can connect a turntable with a pre-amp and some cable finagling.
The Bar 1300X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a sweet audio system that’s even sweeter with this deal. This multi-piece setup provides realistic Atmos immersion with a unique twist. The battery-powered, fully wireless surround speakers can connect to the main bar to play and charge, or disconnect to sit behind you for versatile configurations–you can even take them outside as stand-alone Bluetooth speakers. It’s a futuristic feature, but my favorite trait of this bar is just how good it sounds, offering an expansive dome of sound with 3D audio, and great musicality for streaming your tunes. I wish the app was a bit more precise for settings adjustments, but the 1300X’s performance makes up for it, bringing cinematic punch to everything you play.
Classic audio brands have had a harder time pivoting to the soundbar world than most, but Polk has managed to make a decent bar and stand behind it for a few years now. This model features integration with Alexa, and you can even expand it with other powered Polk speakers down the line, making the React a good system to slowly build a home theater with. —Parker Hall
Sonos Beam
Photograph: Sonos
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 provides expansive sound from a pint-size package. It’s not big on bass, but it serves up detailed dialog, an expansive soundstage, and solid music streaming skills from a frame that virtually disappears beneath your TV screen. It provides good Dolby Atmos virtualization, though it’s more limited than bars with dedicated upfiring drivers (see the Bose Smart Soundbar). The Beam’s best trick is its advanced networking skills that let it connect with other Sonos speakers in a surround configuration or whole-home audio system via the Sonos app. Said app has been maligned of late, but it now seems to be mostly back on track. You can also stream music from the app directly from multiple services, or via AirPlay and Spotify Connect. The Beam has long been among the most popular compact bars, and it’s still a top option.
It’s not the latest and greatest soundbar we have tested, but the Signa S4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a slim bar with a relatively large wireless subwoofer that makes it great for action fans. I wish it had Wi-Fi for music streaming, but as long as you connect it to your TV, you can use the apps on there for that. —Parker Hall
Bose Smart Soundbar
Photograph: Ryan Waniata; Getty Images
Bose’s Smart Soundbar (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite new compact soundbar thanks to its excellent sound and innovative new tricks. It all starts with true upfiring speakers, which help provide spacey immersion for Dolby Atmos TV shows and movies. The bar’s new AI dialog mode is just as impressive, providing fantastic clarity in dialog and center-channel effects. Maybe most intriguing, you can now connect Bose’s Open Earbuds to use in concert with the bar as personal surround speakers. The app is easy to use for making basic adjustments or streaming music, and the versatile design lets you connect other Bose speakers like a Bass Module subwoofer, so you can expand the system to suit your needs.
Every TV deserves better sound, and this cheap soundbar and wireless subwoofer from Yamaha is a great way to get it. It’s super easy to set up with a simple HDMI eARC connection, and it brings a shocking amount of depth to content you probably watched through tinny TV speakers. Its little brother, the SR-C20A, has been our best soundbar for most of the year, and this brings more bass at a now-discounted price. —Parker Hall
Sonos Arc
Photograph: Adrienne So
Sonos’ popular Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has gotten an upgrade in the Arc Ultra, which provides revamped sound and some cool new features. But at $1,000, it makes the regular Arc feel like a real bargain, especially on sale. The baseline Arc is still a heckuva bar, offering smooth and detailed sound, great dialog, and expansive Dolby Atmos immersion thanks to multiple speakers and acoustic waveguides that bounce sound around your room. It’s got some fun features, like the ability to connect the Ace headphones (8/10, WIRED Recommends) with its clever TV Swap feature, or link Sonos speakers in a surround or multiroom audio setup with the Sonos app. The app has made headlines lately for all the wrong reasons, but it seems to be mostly back on its feet, and the Arc remains one of the best stand-alone bars you can buy.
Klipsch’s Flexus Core 200 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the most potent and musical stand-alone soundbar I’ve heard at its price point. Built more like a traditional speaker system than most plastic bars, it uses MDF construction and Onkyo internals for impressive sound and responsive performance. Upfiring drivers provide swirling Dolby Atmos performance, and hefty woofers punch deep into the mid-bass region for cinematic punch. What you won’t get here is a Wi-Fi connection, limiting streaming to Bluetooth, but as the bar’s name implies, you can still add surround speakers or a massive sub from the Flexus system. On its own, the Core 200 won’t give you the full boom of bars with a separate subwoofer included, but if you value sound quality above all, this is a great choice.
The Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a quirky little Sonos offering, but the smallest bar on the list is a great choice for the right buyer. This is the cheapest soundbar I’ve seen with this kind of network skills, letting you connect over Wi-Fi and enjoy all the spoils of Sonos, including linking up with other Sonos speakers in a whole-home audio system. The trade-off is that, unlike nearly all soundbars we test, the Ray connects to your TV via an optical connection instead of HDMI. That means it may not automatically work with your TV remote (though most remotes can be programmed), and it doesn’t even come with its own remote, leaving only the Sonos app as an alternative. If you don’t mind those limitations, the Ray is the spunkiest bar of its size, offering powerful, clear, and musical sound in a profile that barely registers.
Vizio M Series Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Photograph: Vizio
If you’re after a crazy affordable way to enjoy the thrills of surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and even its rival DTS:X, you won’t find a better deal than Vizio’s 5.1.2 soundbar (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Offering a multicomponent setup with true surround speakers, upfiring drivers, and a hefty subwoofer to bring the boom, this system will instantly raise your sound game to cinematic heights. To get this affordable, the bar cuts some corners; it requires a wired connection for the surround speakers instead of a wireless connection like many competitors, and it doesn’t offer a Wi-Fi connection for high-quality music streaming. You will get Bluetooth streaming, though, as well as intuitive control via a backlit remote. This may be the best Atmos deal around, and on sale, it’s a guilt-free pickup.
Thanksgiving is over and the Kindle black Friday deals have arrived. Yes, and I mean the brand-new Kindle lineup of e-readers Amazon announced last month. Not only that but other WIRED-approved Amazon devices are also discounted, from Fire tablets and Echo speakers to Eero routers. If your holiday gift list includes one of those or maybe even a Fire TV Stick, you can shop (and save) now.
Updated November 29: It’s Black Friday! We’ve added a few new deals and corrected prices.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Kindle Deals
The 12th-gen Paperwhite (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Kindle (it was also very new, announced in October). It has all the important features that make for a great reading experience including a large display with high resolution, smooth performance, warm lighting, and an IPX8 water-resistance rating. The latest version has the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle (for sharper text and images) and up to three months of battery life. It’s the thinnest it’s ever been too. The Signature Edition is also on sale for $155 ($45 off), which comes with auto-adjust brightness, double the storage (32 gigs), and wireless charging support.
The basic Kindle is an excellent choice for a compact and affordable e-reader. The latest 2024 model doesn’t offer many new features compared to the 2022 version, but it has a higher contrast ratio, a 25 percent brighter front light, and a faster page-turn rate. As the smallest Kindle, it’s super comfortable to hold one-handed and travel with if you’re the type who reads on the go often. For a fun pop of color, I suggest snagging the Matcha color. For under $100, you can’t go wrong with this one.
If you’re raising a bookworm, the kid-friendly Kindle makes for a wonderful gift this holiday season. Although it’s more expensive, we prefer the Paperwhite Kids because it has a larger display (which is better for reading graphic novels) and it’s waterproof so you don’t have to worry about those accidental spills. The basic Kindle Kids is also on sale for $95 ($35 off) which is smaller, more compact, and comes with fun covers to choose from. Both models also include six months of Amazon Kids+, a subscription service for age-appropriate books, and a two-year warranty.
We think Amazon’s Audible Premium Plus is the best audiobook service, as it bundles a library of Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts, with one credit per month to use on any audiobook title you fancy, and regular exclusive deals and discounts. Usually, you get one month free, after which it costs $15 per month, but any nonsubscriber can get three months for $1 until the end of the year. Remember that you get to keep titles purchased with credits, even after your subscription ends.—Simon Hill
Fire Tablet Deals
The Fire Max 11 (5/10, WIRED Review) is Amazon’s most powerful tablet. But its high price, especially paired with the Productivity Bundle, put us off. Now that its price is well below $200, it’s a much better value. Like all Fire tablets, it’s ideal if you’re all in on Amazon’s content and services. It packs good performance, a bright and sharp screen, solid speakers, and an all-metal build, plus the 1080p cameras are nicer than what you’ll find on the rest of Amazon’s tablets.
This Fire tablet launched late last year but it’s still the best option in the lineup, especially at this sale price. It comes with a speedy octa-core processor, a large screen Full HD (1080p) screen, and 3 gigabytes of RAM for smoother performance when browsing the web with several tabs open. It supports Show Mode, which turns the tablet into an Echo Show smart display if you set it on a stand. You’ll have the choice between 32 GB or 64 GB configurations, with a microSD card slot that can add up to 1 TB of storage on both models. If you want to use the tablet to get work done, you can also buy the Keyboard Case bundle for $100 ($90 off).
The 2024 Fire HD 8 tablet only comes with a few improvements. Amazon increased the RAM from 3 GB (up from 2 GB), which was likely added for smoother performance when using the company’s new AI features. The rear camera has been upgraded to 5 megapixels (up from 2 MP). Aside from that, it has the same design, size, and 13-hour battery life (we hit about 11 hours in our testing) as its predecessor. You’ll also get 32 GB or 64GB storage options with the ability to expand it up to 1 TB with a microSD card. It’s a better option if you want all the features that come with the HD 10 but in a smaller size. The display isn’t as nice, but the tablet is more travel-friendly.
This is the best kids’ tablet for younger children. It sports all the same features as Amazon’s standard Fire tablets, but you’ll also get a rugged case and a two-year worry-free guarantee. Amazon will replace it for free if your kids accidentally break it. It also comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+, which gives you access to kid-friendly movies, books, apps, and games. You can manage the parental controls on the device as well.
Smart Speaker Deals
The fourth-generation Echo (8/10, WIRED Recommends) holds the top spot in our Best Alexa and Amazon Speakers guide and it’s also the best one you can get for this price. The company honed in on sound quality, digital signal processing, and fidelity to deliver a great home speaker. Equipped with Amazon’s AZI Neural Edge processor, it does a solid job at recognizing speech. You can use it in the kitchen for timers and recipes, in your bedroom for weather and news, or in the bathroom to play music or podcasts while you’re in the shower or getting ready.
This is a wonderful, affordable little smart speaker that delivers powerful and robust sound. With a compact footprint, you can set it up on your nightstand, side table, or bookshelf. WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell says she set hers up in the hallway, allowing her to ask quick questions while moving throughout the house. It’s on sale for this price often, but we still think this is an excellent deal. Just know that despite being newer than the Echo (4th Gen), the Echo Dot (5th Gen) doesn’t have as good a speaker system.
If you can’t pick between a smart speaker or a smart display, the second-generation Echo Spot (7/10, WIRED Recommends) combines both. The half-circle display shows the time along with any alarms you have set. You can also use voice commands to display music, weather, and the calendar. There are a few customization options too, with the ability to customize the clock with different face options and colors. It has solid sound too—it’s loud enough for alarms and some music listening.
This is Amazon’s kid-friendly speaker (almost identical to the Echo Dot 5th Gen), complete with easy-to-use parental controls that allow you to review activity, filter explicit content, and set time limits. You also can choose between an adorable owl or a fun dragon design. Kids can use the speaker to listen to music, help them spell, or receive reminders for when it’s time for dinner. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ too, which gives you access to thousands of Audible books, games, and features. If you’d prefer a smart display for your child instead, the Echo Show 5 Kids is also on sale for $50 ($50 off).
The Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a basic speaker that comes in fun colors like purple and teal. It doesn’t have the best sound, but it’s OK for smaller spaces like a dorm room or studio apartment. It’ll work just fine if you’ll only be using it for background music or podcasts, but the main draw is that it’s affordable.
Smart Display Deals
The Echo Show 8 is our favorite smart smart display for Alexa. The 8-inch screen is a perfect size—it’s large enough for video chats, weather updates, and looking at recipes, but is also compact enough that it doesn’t take up too much space on your counter or nightstand. Amazon also added Widgets, which allow you to choose up to three informative little squares to see on the screen. The third-gen version is more expensive than its predecessors, but that’s because it also comes with spatial audio support and a smart home hub.
If you’re looking for a smart display to control your smart home devices, the Echo Hub is the way to go. It’s meant to be mounted on the wall, but you can also place it on a stand (sold separately). You can also use it to ask Alexa questions and play music, but the speakers aren’t great. You can, however, ask the Echo Hub to play music on a different set of speakers instead. If you already have a smart home setup, this device will help streamline the experience.
Fire TV Stick Deals
If you primarily watch Amazon Prime shows and movies, the second-generation Fire Stick is our top recommendation. You can still access major streaming apps like Netflix and Max, but a Fire TV Stick is tailored to Amazon Prime content. As with the last version, Alexa is built into the remote, there’s an “Ambient Experience” feature that displays and cycles through nature or art scenes when you’re not using it, and you’ll have access to picture-in-picture mode for controlling smart home devices or pulling up security camera feeds. Amazon doubled the storage to 16 gigabytes in this model and added support for Wi-Fi 6E, future-proofing it a bit.
Eero Router Deals
Simple to set up and use, Amazon’s Eero mesh systems are easy to recommend and can act as smart home hubs with support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. The tri-band Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) mesh adds the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. It’s a great choice for busy households with many devices and a 1 Gbps or faster connection. Performance is excellent, but the 6-GHz band is short-range. The Eero Plus subscription is expensive ($10 per month or $100 per year) but includes comprehensive parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and even a password manager and VPN service. Folks with smaller homes and connections up to 500 Mbps, should consider the Eero 6 (3-Pack) on sale at $150 ($50 off), but the more heavily discounted Eero 6+ (3-Pack) at $195 ($105 off) is a better deal if you can afford it. —Simon Hill
If you want the top-of-the-line mesh system from Amazon’s Eero, it’s the Max 7. This tri-band system supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. Each router can cover up to 2,500 square feet, and they have four Ethernet ports apiece, two rated at 10 Gbps and two at 2.5 Gbps. You can mix and match Eero routers, the app is very accessible, and this system is designed to be hands-off. It also boasts comprehensive smart home connectivity, and the optional Eero Plus subscription is pricey ($10 per month or $100 per year) but bundles parental controls, enhanced security, ad blocking, a password manager, and VPN service. Eero has worked out some of the kinks since I tested the Max 7 (7/10, WIRED Review), but it’s still likely overkill for most folks and more than you need to spend unless you have a big busy household with a multi-gig internet connection. —Simon Hill
Even More Deals on Amazon Devices
Looking for more? We’ve got you covered. Below, we gathered some more noteworthy gadgets that are also on sale.
I made a joke earlier this week in my family group chat that everybody was getting $2 and a macaroni picture frame for Christmas. But seriously, have you seen those grocery store prices? I’m shopping for 20 people, and my bank account is already wincing. Luckily, with these Black Friday deals under $50, holiday shopping doesn’t have to be pricey. We’ve rounded up deals on affordable tested-and-approved gear so you can get your shopping done without crying afterward. Be sure to check our live Black Friday deals tracker here.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Tech, Gaming, and Accessory Deals
Photograph: Nena Farrell
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is truly tiny yet powerful. It’s the Alexa smart speaker I always have set up somewhere in my house, even if I’m testing other voice assistants. This smart speaker might only be a few inches tall, but its audio quality can almost rival the larger Echos. The small footprint makes it easy to add almost anywhere in your home. —Nena Farrell
The Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the cheapest Amazon Echo speaker on a normal day, and it’s the only one you’ll find for under $20 this Black Friday. It’s downright adorable, with a half-moon shape and a couple of fun colors you won’t find in other Amazon speakers. It’s not the most impressive speaker—no surprise with the smaller form factor it has—but it’s not bad for the price, you’ll get all the usual features of a smart speaker. —Nena Farrell
If you watch mainly Amazon Prime content, the Fire TV Stick is the streaming device you need. You can stream from any service, of course, but it’s heavily geared toward the company’s own content. This 4K Max is faster, with 16 gigabytes of storage versus eight, but if you want to spend less and stay in the Amazon ecosystem, the 4K Stick is on sale for $22 ($27 off).
Photograph: Amazon
The Echo Show 5 is typically overpriced at $90, but the deal price of $40 matches the best we have tracked. Just keep in mind that it goes on sale quite frequently. We prefer the Echo Show 10 for its larger size, but the smaller footprint of the Echo Show 5 is good for a nightstand or tiny kitchen.
This owl- or dragon-patterned, Alexa-powered smart speaker is our favorite speaker for kids, and it opens up a world of music, audiobooks, and kid-friendly content. You get a year of Amazon Kids+ (usually $3 per month), it’s easy to configure via the parent dashboard, and it can serve as a regular Bluetooth speaker. Just bear in mind that it is internet-connected and has a microphone.
This little USB-C to USB-C cable goes on your keychain, and if you’re ever in a situation where you need power, well, now you always have a cable on you! Just hope there’s a USB-C power source somewhere nearby. The two zinc cable ends magnetically stick together and can carry up to 60 watts, which can even slowly juice up a MacBook Pro. The Lightning to USB-C version is also on sale if you have an older iPhone. Read our Nomad Black Friday Sale roundup for more Nomad goodies.
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
These earplugs are one of my festival essentials, and they’re always in my purse just in case my Apple Watch yells at me for being in a loud environment. Unlike typical earplugs, these filter out damaging frequencies without muffling the sound. You’ll still be able to hear the music or the IMAX movie, but it won’t damage your delicate little eardrums. The outer silicone shell is soft and comfortable, with pull tabs for easy removal and adjustment. I also like the metal keychain case, which helps me keep track of these tiny, magical accessories.
Need a cheap pair of earbuds to not think too much about? Look no further than the Go Air Pop, which are utterly usable earbuds that cost less than $20 this Black Friday. I like keeping a pair in my car or gym bag for when I forget to bring nicer buds with me and still want music. —Parker Hall
The WIRED Gear team battles over who gets to review each generation of this adorable Bluetooth speaker because it’s just so handy. A tiny little rubber strap lets you attach it to everything from handlebars to backpacks. It sounds shockingly good for its size, too, and a rugged IP67 rating means you don’t need to worry if it takes a spill. —Parker Hall
Photograph: Loop
The Loop Experience 2 earplugs are some of our favorite gifts for new parents since they can help cut back on overstimulation. I wish I had had them in class when people wouldn’t stop clicking their pens and the words on my test would blur together. The earplugs slightly reduce noise while letting you hear what’s around you. If you need a bit of a break from your environment but still want to hear what’s going on, these can help smooth the edges and round the corners of reality.
I was initially skeptical of Disney Dreamlight Valley, but now it’s one of my favorite cozy games. It’s fantastic on the Nintendo Switch as well as other consoles. You’ll run around doing the typical life-sim video game activities: mining gemstones, fishing, growing crops, and changing your outfit. The game features a whole host of characters from Disney and Pixar media, but the storyline is surprisingly grown-up and touching. It’s a great game for playing during these colder months. This version comes with bonus cosmetics.
The Plum Paper A5 Planner is a gorgeous, customizable planner that lets you add themed pages to complement your life. Whether you want pages for meal planning, fitness tracking, or journaling your baby’s growth, Plum Paper has it all. Those baby-related add-ons are why it’s my paper planner pick for parents. (It will cost around $5 to $10 extra.) Plum Paper also has a ton of gorgeous sticker packs to order, from seasonal to fitness or baby themes. You can get custom stickers, too, which is fun. It’s a great planner if you want something specific to your life—my copy has a section just for my son!—and you can get your own for 30 percent off right now. —Nena Farrell
Home and Outdoor Deals
Photograph: Amazon
This egg cooker fluctuates in price, but this is an especially good deal. It was featured in our “Buy It for Life” guide, where WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu says his wife loves this little countertop appliance. Their unit has been going strong for four years. It can make eggs in basically every way except fried. Poaching? Soft-boiling? Hard-boiling? It can handle those and even make omelets. Plus it looks cute on the counter, which helps justify any space it might take up. —Louryn Strampe
We think ThermoWorks’ Thermapen One is the best instant-read thermometer but the ThermoPop is a great budget option. It’s not as fast as the Thermapen One, but it’s still quick and the large, back-lit, auto-rotating screen is easy to read. It’s waterproof, and accurate to plus or minus one degree. —Scott Gilbertson
We like this budget-friendly food dehydrator and think it offers the best bang for your buck out of all the models we tested. The stackable BPA-free plastic rings are a little bulky and awkward to fit in the dishwasher, but everything we dehydrated dried evenly. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a food dehydrator but want one that works efficiently, this is a model worth checking out.
Photograph: Jordan Michelman
This is a solid discount on our favorite wine opener. WIRED contributor Jordan Michelman says the opener feels good in your hand, it has a sharp knife, and it’s easy to pack away and store. The opener is usually pretty affordable, but why not save some money if you can? —Louryn Strampe
Whenever I have unexpected company, I break out the Chom Chom. It’s a necessity in my household due to the sheer fluffiness of my cat. Seriously, I don’t know how one tiny creature can have so much fur, nor how they can so consistently transfer it to all of my upholstered surfaces. But it’s fine because all I have to do is roll this gadget back and forth across my couch a few times to thoroughly de-fluff it. It’s fast, it’s efficient, and it’s easy to clean out once it’s full. —Louryn Strampe
Photograph: Tyler Shane
We recommend this kitchen scale if you’re looking for a two-in-one model. It’s got two weighing platforms—one that can handle up to 11 pounds and one that can handle up to a pound. It weighs in pounds (on the larger platform), grams, and ounces. The smaller platform can measure in increments as small as 0.01 grams, and the large, backlit display is easy to read. If you’re serious about baking, this scale will have you covered—no matter how little vanilla extract you’re pouring out. —Louryn Strampe
This LifeStraw was a staple in our outdoorsy gift guide for years. While we replaced it this year, the product is still a great way to filter out bacteria, microplastics, and other contaminants. You can even screw it onto a water bottle instead of using it to slurp out of a stream. Any preppers would likely love to get this gift for the holidays, but for $19, it’s a solid addition to your go-bag if you (like me) are scared of the zombie apocalypse but doing nothing to prepare for one. —Louryn Strampe
The Travelrest Nest Ultimate Travel Pillow (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is about as good as it gets. The high, firm sides will keep your neck supported, and the flat back helps keep your spine aligned. We also like the soft, machine-washable microfiber cover. —Louryn Strampe
Photograph: Home Depot
This inexpensive kit is full of our favorite drill bits. The black oxide coating both reduces friction and resists rust, and the drill bits can handle wood, metal, plastics, wallboard, and fiberglass. These go on sale frequently, but this is still a good Black Friday get, especially if you’re picking up the discounted DeWalt drill that we also recommend. —Louryn Strampe
Smart plugs are pretty darn cool. Anything becomes a smart device with their help—just plug in and bam—you can remotely control it. The Kasa Smart Plug Mini is one of our favorite smart plugs since it’s nice and small, making it easy to use without blocking a neighboring outlet. Use the app to make routines and scenes like you would smart lights, so that your house comes to life for you, or to act like you’re home when you aren’t. Buy one on sale, or score an entire four-pack on sale and deck out the house. —Nena Farrell
This is a great little lamp that can transform the vibe of a room. All you have to do is plug it in and aim it toward the wall. It produces a halo-like effect with rainbow colors that make the space feel nice and cozy. (For a sunrise, check out our Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks guide.) It comes with a short cord though, so you’ll have to plug it into a power strip if you want it in a specific spot. I’d also make sure not to place it anywhere that someone can accidentally knock it over. —Brenda Stolyar
Health and Beauty Deals
Photograph: Wyze
This is one of the few smart scales we recommend. It supports up to eight individual profiles, and there are modes for babies, luggage, and pets to track weight without messing up your stats. The scale can also track metrics like muscle mass, visceral fat, and basic metabolic rate measurements if you install the companion app on your smartphone. —Louryn Strampe
If a washcloth and a makeup remover wipe had a softer, faster-drying baby, that would be the MakeUp Eraser. The microfiber cloth is one of our favorite reusable products. Wet it with water, run it over your face, and be amazed at how your mascara, smoky eyeshadow, and eyebrows disappear in one fell swoop. (Sorry to call you out like that.) Afterward, you’ll want to cleanse again, but the Makeup Eraser is one of the fastest and easiest ways to start your skincare routine. Even on nights that I forget to take care of my skin, at least I’m not sleeping in my makeup anymore. Most of the time. —Louryn Strampe
Toy Deals
Photograph: Amazon
Magna-Tiles may be expensive (a little less expensive now), but the return on investment is just staggering. We bought our daughter’s first set when she was 2 or 3 and enjoyed making little 2D ice cream cones or hats. Now she’s 9 and can make full villages for stuffed animals in the course of an afternoon. There are also a ton of different themed sets (also on sale) if you need more specialized pieces for race courses or jungles. —Adrienne So
A firm WIRED favorite and one of the best family board games, Ticket to Ride features steam engine styling and rules that are easy to grasp. All you must do is claim railway routes across the US and Canada using your colorful plastic rail cars. Spend cards to claim routes, rack up bonus points for connecting specific destinations, and the person with the highest score at the end wins. All aboard, choo, choo! —Simon Hill
Inspired by the Royal Palace of Evora in Portugal, with its Moorish blue-and-white ceramic tiles, this board game challenges you to make mosaics by matching tiles with different patterns and colors to amass the maximum possible score. One of the best family board games for all tastes, Azul is easy to grasp but supports many tactical approaches and has surprising depth. The beautiful tiles and other components are high quality, and filling your board is deeply satisfying. Play moves quickly, and you can complete a game in less than an hour, but you will probably want to play again immediately. —Simon Hill
Photograph: Amazon
Start with a randomly generated map of hexagonal tiles in this addictive family board game, and gather and trade resources to develop your civilization and win. Amassing enough victory points requires a smart strategy and some dice-rolling luck. Catan is easy to get the hang of and only takes around an hour to finish. Players can trade freely, but the robber mechanic can cause arguments, so set some ground rules. The modular randomization makes for excellent replay value, and there are expansions and spin-offs to further complicate the gameplay. This game is for three or four players aged 10 years and up. —Simon Hill
This cat-themed card game is easy to pick up and perfect for a quick game. The aim is to avoid exploding kitten cards by wielding a comical cast of cats with special powers. Timing and strategy are essential to get the best of your opponents. This fun card game appears in our Best Family Board Games guide. The countless expansion packs are worth trying if it’s a hit with your family. —Simon Hill
if you’ve been eyeing a pricey MacBook recently, now is the time to hit that buy button. Apple Black Friday deals are already here and several WIRED-approved gadgets are on sale—from iPads and MacBooks to Apple Watches and AirPods. All of these deals are from third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy; Apple doesn’t have sales of its own, and the only promotion you’ll find on its website is the ability to get up to a $200 gift card if you buy an eligible product.
Updated November 29: It’s Black Friday! We’ve added new deals and corrected prices.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
MacBook Deals
This is our favorite MacBook for most people (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It has a solid 13.6-inch LCD screen, a 1080p webcam, and an M3 chip that delivers a noticeable boost in performance compared to the older M1 chip. It handles everyday tasks with ease but it can also hold its own with some photo and video editing.
If you want a MacBook more powerful than the M3 in the MacBook Air, this is the next step up. Unlike its predecessor, it has three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 in addition to an HDMI port, SD card slot, headphone jack, and MagSafe charging port. Apple also increased memory on the base model to 16 GB (up from 8 GB). This sale applies to the model with the base M4 chip, which is a decent upgrade over the MacBook Air above. But you can also configure it with an M4 Pro or M4 Max for more power—both are on sale.
For ultimate power, there’s the 16-inch MacBook Pro (7/10, WIRED Review). Along with a Mini-LED screen, 120-Hz refresh rate, 1080p webcam, and six-speaker sound system, it also comes with new USB ports that support Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gbps/sec) for speedier data transfers. You’ll have the choice between an M4 Pro or M4 Max chip. We tested the M4 Pro which was only slightly faster than last year’s M3 Max chip. But it’s a great choice if you want a MacBook Pro that can handle anything and everything you throw at it.
Apple recently launched the M4-powered versions of the MacBook Pro, but the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) remains a great option. It has a bright display with mini-LED and a 1080p webcam built in. You’ll also get a 120-Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. As usual, it packs plenty of ports, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a MagSafe charging port, an SD card slot, and a high-impedance headphone jack. We recommend it if you don’t want to spend over $2,000 on a MacBook Pro.
The brand-new iMac with M4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t all that different than the M3-powered version, but it does come with a few upgrades. There’s a 12-megapixel webcam with support for Center Stage, a nano-texture display that makes for a better viewing experience, and all peripherals now have USB-C ports (finally). Thanks to the new M4 chip, it also delivers great performance. It’s the top pick in our Best All-in-One Computers guide. On Amazon, if you clip the coupon button, you’ll also save an additional $50.
iPad Deals
If you’ve been waiting for Apple’s new iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) to go on sale, wait no longer. The changes to the latest model are largely internal. It comes equipped with an A17 Pro chip (the same inside the iPhone 15 Pro), which can handle both graphically demanding games and support for Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of artificial intelligence features with iOS 18.1). It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, so you don’t have to get an iPad Pro to enjoy the improved stylus. Its tiny stature also makes it great to travel with, whether you’re using it for reading ebooks or gaming.
The iPad (10th-gen) (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite iPad to recommend to most people. It has an A14 Bionic chip (which you’ll also find in the iPhone 12) that never felt sluggish while testing it. It also has a modern design, with slim bezels around a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display (IPS LCD), Touch ID integrated into the power button, a USB-C port for charging, and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera that’s located in the center of the iPad.
Apple’s latest iPad Pro tablet (6/10, WIRED Review) has several new features. It packs a bigger and brighter display, an upgraded OLED screen, and the front-facing camera has landscape mode. Under the hood is the latest M4 chip, which delivers snappy performance. It’s also compatible with various new accessories including Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil Pro, and Smart Folio case. However, we still recommend the 2022 M2-powered iPad Pro. So, it’s a great alternative if you want to save even more cash.
AirPods Deals
These are our favorite AirPods (8/10, WIRED Recommends). They come with a bunch of great features including Adaptive Transparency mode (which combines noise cancellation and transparency to adjust audio), support for Find My in case you lose them, Conversation Awareness (which lowers the music and background noise when having a conversation), and an IP54 sweat- and dust-resistance rating. Sound quality, meanwhile, is above average with crisp highs, authoritative bass, and excellent noise cancellation. You’ll also gain access to Apple’s new hearing aid features, designed for people with low to moderate hearing loss.
This past September, Apple finally updated the AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) to include USB-C. Aside from the new port, the rest of the features remain the same as on the Lightning version (those are on sale as well). You do, however, have the choice between a few new colors including orange, purple, blue, starlight, and midnight. These over-the-ear headphones come equipped with a massive soundstage, rich bass, and great noise cancellation. It also has great build quality, with a mesh headband and fabric (replaceable) earcups.
Not into AirPods? The Beats Studio Buds+ are our favorite alternative for Apple users. They come with all the essential features including active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio. They’re comfortable to wear and easy to use, complete with physical buttons on the outside of each bud. They feature great battery life—36 hours when combined with the charging case. You can also pick from various colors including silver, ivory, black, and transparent.
Apple Watch Deals
The Series 10 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the newest Apple Watch to join the lineup. It has a bigger screen than any other Apple Watch that came before, yet it’s also thinner, lighter, and supports fast charging. The smartwatch runs the latest WatchOS 11 operating system, so you’ll have features like Training Load, which displays how your workouts impact your fitness over time, and Vitals, to check your baseline each morning. It’s important to note, however, that it doesn’t come with a blood oxygen sensor.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our go-to smartwatch recommendation for anyone who mainly participates in outdoor sports. It delivers fast performance thanks to the S9 chip and an ultrawideband chip for enhanced precision finding. It also comes equipped with dual-frequence GPS, a Backtrack functionality for creating virtual breadcrumb trails on the Compass app (via the Action button), and access to offline maps (that you’ll have to download to your iPhone). Oh, and you won’t have to charge it every day.
Apple Accessory Deals
Photograph: Apple
The second-gen Apple Pencil features pressure sensitivity, handwriting support, tilt sensitivity, and double tap (which lets you switch quickly between tools by tapping the stylus twice). It has support for wireless pairing and wireless charging too, so you can magnetically connect it to the top edge of the iPad and start charging. It works with the iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Air (4th gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (3rd gen and later). It’s not compatible with the new iPad Air (M2) or iPad Pro (M4) though.
The first-generation Apple Pencil has been around for years and it’s still very good, provided you have a compatible iPad. It sports features like pressure sensitivity (the lines get thicker as you press harder on the display), tilt sensitivity (for shading), and handwriting support within apps and search fields. As for supported iPads, it works with the base model iPad (6th gen and later), iPad Mini (5th gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st and 2nd gen), and iPad Pro 10.5-inch. It reaches this price often, but it’s still a good deal. With the current lineup, that means only the 10th-gen iPad is compatible.
Thanksgiving is the Christmas Eve of TV sale events, and the best Black Friday TV deals are live now. I’m a TV expert and I have tested and reviewed 100+ TVs over the years and have spotlighted the best discounts on televisions someone from our team has tested below. Or check out the absolute best Black Friday deals.
Updated November 29: It’s Black Friday! We’ve added a new deal and corrected prices.
Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
TV Deals
Photograph: Best Buy
On one hand, I would not watch the Super Bowl on this super inexpensive Hisense TV. On the other hand, a decade ago it would have blown my mind. I just bought this TV for my mom and it’s what we’re using to watch football and play Switch today. The software boots surprisnly smoothly and quickly and because it’s a Hisense it’s quite bright compared to other TVs I’ve seen at this price. —Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Best Buy
If affordability and convenience top your TV checklist, this balanced baseline model from Roku is an enticing choice. Roku’s simplified interface runs the show, making it easy for even the less technically inclined among us to navigate between inputs, broadcast TV, and your choice of hundreds of streaming services. The TV’s picture quality isn’t top tier, and its 60-Hz refresh rateView Live may not appeal to avid gamers, but you do get good brightness, vibrant colors, local dimming for solid black levels without blotchy light patches, and smart support for Apple Homekit, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
If you’re after something more budget-friendly, Hisense’s U7N QLED TV (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our pick as the best TV for most people right now, thanks to its mix of killer brightness, vivid quantum dot colors, and excellent contrast. We saw some uniformity issues in testing (aka the dirty screen effect) but it’s not noticeable in most situations, and the TV’s mini LED backlighting system is a step above regular LED TVs, with loads of dimming zones for minimal “blooming” or light wash around bright images. An intuitive Google TV interface and high-end gaming features complete the package for a TV that punches well above its price.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Looking to bust the brightness barrier? Hisense’s 65-inch U8N TV (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is among the brightest we’ve ever tested, outshining the vast majority of LED rivals with its searing highlights and voluminous quantum dot colors. You might think all that power would make it a poor performer in the dark, but the U8N’s advanced mini LED backlighting allows for inky black levels with very little light bloom. You’ll also get top-end gaming features and a Google TV interface. The TV’s off-axis image quality and motion handling are just OK, but otherwise you’re getting a lot of the goodies found in premium TVs for far less money. Add in a good sale, and it’s hard to say no.
Photograph: Amazon
Not to be outdone, Samsung’s second-tier OLED (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is another of my favorite TVs of the year. The 65-inch model’s QD-OLED panel (the 42-, 48-, and 83-inch models use a more traditional WOLED panel) provides fabulously rich colors and a slight brightness boost over its C4 counterpart, alongside the perfect black levels and excellent picture quality from any angle that makes OLED TVs top performers. Like the C4, you’ll get HDMI 2.1 support across all four inputs and Samsung’s Game Hub lets you stream games from an impressive list of services, including Xbox. Like all Samsung TVs, the S90D doesn’t support Dolby Vision, the most common dynamic HDR format, opting for HDR10+ instead. Otherwise, it’s hard to find a flaw.
Photograph: Amazon
If I’d known the Bravia 7 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) would drop this low, I honestly would have given it a higher score. It seemed a bit too high at its $2,300 MSRP, but now that it’s $1,000 lower, and $400 off its original sale price, it feels like Sony’s giving these things away. My main gripe about the Bravia 7 was its notably poor performance from the side. If you’re mainly watching from straight-on, though, this is a killer performer for the money. The TV’s mini LED backlight is brilliantly bright, with dazzling colors, excellent contrast, and stunning clarity across content. Like most TVs in its class, it tacks on top gaming features (though only across two of its four HDMI inputs), and its Google TV interface adds intuitive control. At this price, this is among the best options for anyone after a bright-yet-refined TV experience.
Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images
LG’s C4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is perennially named one of the best TVs you can buy, for good reason. You’ll get the stunning contrast and perfect black levels of a top OLED display, rich and naturalistic colors, sparkling clear picture processing, and solid brightness with support for Dolby Vision HDR. LG’s smart interface is quirky but lightning-fast, and the Magic Remote works like a Nintendo Wii remote for versatile control. Extras like four fully-loaded HDMI 2.1 inputs to serve up the top gaming features make the C4 feel like a flagship TV at second-tier pricing. (Note: We’ve seen this price fluctuate in the past few w, dropping as low as $1,400, so you may want to keep the buy tab open and your finger ready.)
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
TCL’s QM7 (6/10, WIRED Reviewed) is one of the best TVs I’ve reviewed at its price point, with one exception: The HDR picture mode in my review model was oddly connected to SDR settings, which greatly limited its brightness in HDR. TCL was able to fix the issue for me, but said it won’t issue a broad update until December. It doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue, and this screen otherwise offers great contrast, rich and showy colors, and impressive screen uniformity that outdoes the similarly priced U7N. It’s that last trait that makes the QM7 a prime candidate for a large-scale display. A 98-inch screen is insane, as is the fact that you can now purchase one for well under $3,000. If you trust TCL’s willingness to stand behind its products, this TV could be the grand-scale showpiece you’ve been waiting for.
Photograph: Amazon
This is big savings on a trophy TV with a lightening fast refresh rate, blinding brightness, and surprisingly rich sound from side speakers. I’ve been testing this TV in my house for the last two months and have been delighted by the performance—so much so that I’m a convert to the Hisense brand and it’s all I’ll buy now. —Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images
Sony’s A95L (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best 4K TV I’ve ever seen. It’s so good that Sony decided not to update it for 2023. The company instead turned its focus to backlit LED TVs like the searingly beautiful Bravia 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), but the A95L is still arguably the company’s best. You’ll get perfect black levels for incredible contrast, sweet and accurate colors, and impressive brightness for an OLED display. Unlike LED TVs, including the Bravia 9, it looks almost perfect from any angle. The frosting on this cake is Sony’s XR processing which provides crystalline detail for a remarkably immersive image. The TV adds solid features, including a Google TV interface and next-gen gaming support (though only across two of its four HDMI ports, helping to keep the TV from a perfect 10). It’s a pricey display that’s a little easier to stomach in a 55-inch size and especially tempting on a great sale.
Sony Bravia 9
Photograph: Ryan Waniata; Getty Images
Another brightness champion, the Bravia 9 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) matches its next-gen LED potency with brilliant balance to create one of the most stirring performances of any TV I’ve tested. You’ll almost feel the heat of the sun or lasers cascading across the screen, while Sony’s proprietary backlighting and processing systems provide incredible contrast and clarity. You’ll get Sony’s Google TV smart interface for simple navigation, and high-end gaming features, including in-house PlayStation exclusives. The TV’s off-angle viewing is good, not great, and I wish Sony would offer HDMI 2.1 gaming support across more than just two of its four inputs, but if you’re after the best LED TV on the market at its lowest price yet, you’re welcome.
REI’s pre-Black-Friday, don’t-call-it-Black-Friday “Opt Outside” sale is over. But fear not, bargain-hunting friends, there are still plenty of Black Friday outdoor deals on the best gear we’ve tested this year. Now is a great time to save money on tents, backpacks, sleeping pads, and running shoes. Make sure you check out our live Black Friday deals here.
Be sure to check out our many outdoor gear guides, including our Best Tents, Best Sleeping Bags, Best Sleeping Pads, Best Camp Stoves, and Best Rain Jackets for more well-tested picks. Are you working on your holiday shopping? Don’t forget our guide to the Best Gifts for Hikers and Outdoorsy People. Shopping for someone else? We’ve put together some gift ideas for hikers, backpackers, and outdoorsy people.
Updated November 29, 2024: We’ve added deals on Sea to Summit tents, Garmin devices, an Osprey backpack, a Peak Designs bike mount, a Biolite firepit, and a waxed canvas jacket from Huckberry.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Backpack Deals
We’ve been testing day packs for years, and a few of our favorites are on sale now.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson; Getty Images
Mystery Ranch’s Coulee 30 pack (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is everything you need in a good hiking day pack. This deal is for the slightly larger 40L version, which is the same, just, um, bigger (there are a limited number of the 30L on sale at Public Lands for $113 ($75 off)). The suspension is cushy and provides a comfortable carry even with heavy loads. Mystery Ranch’s Signature Y-shaped zippers offer easy access to all your gear, and there are five externally accessible pockets for things you want close to your hand. The smaller Coulee 20L is also on sale for $135 ($40 off), though I have not tested that model.
The Goruck GR1 (7/10, WIRED Review) is my favorite backpack for everything but hiking. (That’s when I turn to the Mystery Ranch above, thanks to its nice hip belt.) I’ve had mine for several years and it looks pretty much like the day I got it. The 1000D cordura resists wear like no other fabric I’ve used. I fully expect this thing to outlive me. The GR1 has a lot more storage space than it looks like it would, with lots of useful pockets, including a protective laptop compartment. My one gripe is the back packet zipper, which I find difficult to unzip when the pack is really full. Otherwise though, this is as close to perfect as a pack is likely to get.
I have just started testing the GR2, which is similar to the GR1, but with some larger options (I have the 34L), and additional pockets that make it good for travel. Like the original, the GR2 is massively overbuilt with 1000D cordura on the back and sides. Like the GR1, this has 210D cordura on the back panel and underside of the shoulder straps, which is a bit softer and easier on those merino T-shirts we love. The GR2 also has two compartments, each with 3 pockets, including a built-in field pocket, all of which adds up to plenty of ways to organize your gear even before you start putting stuff on all that MOLLE webbing.
Photograph: Mountainsmith
Our favorite lumbar pack, the Tour is loaded with pockets, which gives you far more stash spaces than would seem possible in a pack this size. We’ve had no trouble fitting a change of clothes and a couple of meals in here, in addition to the gear you’ll need for a full day on the trail or on a bike. The 13L version is also on sale for $75 ($25 off).
I own a slightly older version of this Deuter day pack, and the suspension system is so comfortable that I regularly load it with way more than the recommended weight and have had no problems. I found the same to be true of this updated version when I tested it. It’s a comfortable, capable day pack, and Deuter’s ventilation system is the best I’ve used. The biggest discount here is only for the yellow pack, but it’s a great deal.
Every high school kid has a JanSport. Except for those who just want a JanSport, which was me in high school. I wrote that once and JanSport reached out and ended up sending me the InBound to try. It was as good as it seemed back when in high school. You get a spacious main compartment, side bottle pockets, and an interior padded 15-inch laptop sleeve (that was not thing when I was high school). There’s also a nice zippered vertical front pocket. This deal is only on the blue color, the others are less of a deal at $72.
Osprey’s Farpoint is an updated version of a bag I lived out of for 18 months, traveling through southeast Asia and Europe. The 40-liter capacity is enough for those of us who travel light (I also carried a daypack), and the stowaway harness and hip belt make it easy to convert from backpack to duffel. The real genius though is the padded sides, these saved my laptop more times than I care to remember on bumpy bus routes and rough rides from questionable cab drivers.
Photograph: The North Face
The North Face’s Base Camp Duffel bags (or duffle if you prefer) are legendary gear swallowing, gear hauling monsters. This deal is on the 95L large size, though the medium (71L) is also on sale for $75 ($75 off). This is not a fancy bag, with tons of features. It’s pretty much just one huge cavern, organizing your gear within it is on you, but that’s the way we like it. The fabric is water-resistant and these have backpack straps for when it’s too heavy to sling over your shoulder.
The times I want a duffel bag are rare, but they’re nice when you’re flying a bunch of gear and don’t want to pack so much as have a bag swallow your stuff. We’ll sort it out at the destination is my motto. In those cases, I like this Peak Design duffel, and its larger cousin, the 80-liter model. They’re very well made, with heavy zippers that have never snagged in my testing. You can wear it as a backpack, or use the shoulder strap.
My kid started his hiking career in this pack, which carried him from the mountains of Colorado to the hot barren mesas of Chaco Canyon. It’s not cheap (though this deal takes some of the pain away), but it’s well-made, and, most important, stable and comfortable. It’s also the easiest kid-hiking-pack to get on and off, which you will inevitably do, a lot.
The Best Deals on Tents
Camping is intense! Yup, I’m just going to keep putting that joke in any time I write about tents, because it never gets old. But your tent will. If you need a new one, there are some good ones on sale. We’ve spent years testing tents, and many of our favorites are on sale now.
Photograph: Nemo
If I had to pick just one tent to own, this would be it. The Dagger Osmo 2P (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a stout, low-to-the-ground (peak height is 42 inches), incredibly sturdy tent—it holds up really well even in high winds (45 mph when I was testing). Pair the sturdiness with large, spacious vestibules and a roomy interior, with excellent stargazing potential thanks to the mesh roof, and you have a great backcountry tent. If you want something roomier, the three-person version is also on sale for $420 ($180 off).
The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is the king of ultralight tents. I’ve used both the two-person and four-person models (on sale for $560) over the years, and Big Agnes has continually refined the design to the point that these are pretty near perfect. This is a high-quality, well-designed tent. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and stable even in strong winds. The steep sidewalls give you more livable space than most tents and the “awning” design (with trekking poles or sticks) is great. The only complaint I have is the price, but on sale it’s a little easier to handle.
Bikepacking (backpacking on a bike) is going to be (if it isn’t already) the next big thing. Brands like Big Agnes are even designing tents that have shorter pole lengths, enabling them to fit between drop handlebars, or in panniers. The Copper Spur UL3 Bikepacking tent is our favorite of the bunch we’ve tested. It weighs just 3 pounds, 11 ounces (1.6 kilos), and it has enough space for two (a squeeze for three). It’s also available in lighter, smaller, one- and two-person options, all with twin vestibules and doors, hidden helmet storage, and external webbing for hanging out wet clothes. Grab yourself one of the hammock-style Gear Lofts ($13), which create a huge stash space without cluttering up the tent floor.
Photograph: MSR
This is the best deal we’ve ever seen on our favorite family tent. The Habitude is strong, relatively light, and easily fits in your trunk or a canoe. The design is simple, and the poles are color-coded. There’s plenty of floor space for sleeping pads and sleeping bags to keep two adults, two toddlers, and a largish dog warm at night. It also has storage pockets, places to hang lights, and a vestibule. The only major downside is that it doesn’t get quite as much airflow as we’d sometimes like, but at this price you’d be hard pressed to find a better family tent.
Our favorite lightweight family backpacking tent, the MSR Elixir 4 tent isn’t quite as pricey as options like the Big Agnes Copper Spur, but it’s not much heavier. I’ve spent quite a few nights in here with three kids, and there was plenty of interior space. That said, three adults will be more comfortable than four. The mesh at the top provides great ventilation on warm summer nights and the crossover pole helps it stand up well in the wind. The 3-person size is also on sale for $208.
Do you go all-out when you go out? No one at our group campsite could believe the size of our Bridger 6, especially since it packs down to around the same size as our four-person MSR Habitude. Even though the assembly is pretty simple and fast. The tent floor area is a whopping 90 square feet, big enough to fit two huge air mattresses. The enormous vestibule is another 90 square feet, which is big enough to fit multiple mountain bikes. The full-coverage fly kept us pretty warm while camping with 40-degree nights, but there are also two saloon doors. On lazy days, there’s plenty of room to roll up the doors, admire the lake in front of you, and take a nap. —Adrienne So
If you like to camp in the fall or spring, then you need a tent that’s a little more robust to keep out the wind, the cold, and the elements. That typically means your tent is heavier and bulkier, but Sea and Summit’s new “3-plus season” tent is capable enough in almost any weather while staying crazy light—just 3 pounds and 12 ounces for this three-person model. I used it on a 5-day trip to Loon Lake in northern California in early October, a true “shoulder season” trip with daytime highs in the 80s, nighttime lows in the 40s, and overnight winds of up to 60 mph. My favorite design detail is that the pole bag is kept rigid by an insert of opaque white plastic. Clip it to the tent’s ceiling, pop in your headlamp, and illuminate your abode. —Michael Calore
The Alto TR1 is our top pick for lightweight 1-person tents. I’m currently testing the Hilleberg Akto, which I like a little better as an all-around and colder weather solo tent, but the Sea to Summit TR1 is still a great choice if you’re primarily in warmer climates. The TR1 did outstanding in our testing on the abrasive volcanic rock and high winds of the north shore of Hawaii, and at this price, you really can’t go wrong. All of Sea to Summit’s tents are 50 percent off right now.
Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Deals
For more on our favorite sleeping bags, be sure to check out our guides to the best sleeping bags and best sleeping pads,
Photograph: Amazon
If you’re looking for a solid three-season quilt and don’t want to pay custom quilt prices, this is our top pick. The top-of-the-line Vesper has everything you could ask for in a lightweight quilt. It weighs less than a pound, and ratcheting down the included comprehension sack will get it to roughly the size of a Nalgene bottle. The 900-fill down insulation (more on fill power here) was more than toasty enough for nights in the low 40s in the Canadian Rockies. The down is hydrophobic, which means condensation on tent walls shouldn’t be an issue.
Our top pick for side sleepers, we love Nemo’s Disco 15. This down mummy bag was designed with a “spoon shape” for side sleepers and has a little extra room in the elbows and knees so you can roll over onto your side without feeling like you’re slipping into a straight jacket. It’s built for temps down to 15 degrees and has zippered gills you can open to avoid overheating in the 40s, though I kept them all closed in the mid-30s and wasn’t overly warm.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
At 2 pounds, 3 ounces, the Questar isn’t the lightest bag for the temp rating, but it is one of the warmest. Therm-a-Rest comfort rates this bag to 32 degrees, but I used it several nights in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains in temps down to 25 and found it plenty warm. I really like the SynergyLink Connectors, Therm-a-Rest’s slightly ridiculous name for the nylon straps that secure the sleeping bag to the pad underneath. This, combined with the slightly wider cut, makes this one of the more comfortable bags I’ve used. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for this one.
The Bishop Pass is our favorite backcountry sleeping bag. It isn’t perfect, but it strikes the best compromise for most backpackers, being warm enough for the shoulder seasons and light enough (2 pounds, 5.4 ounces) that you won’t mind it even when you barely need it in the summer. If you need something warmer, the 0-degree Gore-Tex model is also on sale for $244 ($80 off) and the lighter, 30-degree model can be had for $146 ($118 off).
Nemo’s Forte 20 is a 35-degree synthetic-fill sleeping bag, making it a good choice for summer. I tested the slightly warmer 15F version, which is our favorite synthetic bag, but aside from fill, the two are the same. What I like most about this bag, and nearly all of Nemo’s sleeping bags, is the wider cut through the torso area down to the knees. Like the Therm-a-Rest Questar above, this bag is almost a hybrid of a mummy bag and your father’s good old 1970s square sleeping bag. Which is to say, this bag is roomy.
Photograph: Sea To Summit
If you want to have just one pad that’s plush enough for car camping yet reasonably lightweight (2 pounds, 2 ounces for the regular size linked here) and small enough for backpacking, this is the pad to get. That’s why it’s our favorite sleeping pad. There are lighter pads, there are comfier pads, but the Comfort Plus sets itself apart by being able to gracefully slip between those worlds.
Our favorite ultralight sleeping pad, Nemo Equipment’s new 2024 Tensor-insulated sleeping pads (8/10, WIRED Recommends) have the best R-Value to weight ratio of anything we’ve tested. The Tensor All-Season has an R-value of 5.4 and weighs just 18.2 ounces. That alone is impressive, but what I love about the Tensor is that it’s thick, comfortable, and most importantly, dang near silent. I hate that swish of nylon that’s pretty much synonymous with backcountry sleeping. There is hardly any of that with the Tensor, making it well worth the money.
Deals on Ebikes and Scooters
Photograph: Rad Power Bikes
Rad Power Bikes is one of the first direct-to-consumer ebike companies, and as such has been the subject of some painful lawsuits as the market has grown. However, it’s still a very popular bike, very affordable, and very fun and easy to ride. All of their bikes are on sale but most people seem to ride the basic RadRunner, which is insanely powerful for the price, if a little unwieldy for smaller riders.
We’ve tried several Aventon models and appreciate the high level of quality for a relatively low price point (the accessories are better than Lectric’s, too). This fat-tire ebike (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is affordable, versatile, and has built-in commuter essentials. We also like the Soltera.2 and the Abound, both of which are on sale.
Photograph: Ride1Up
Ride1Up positions the Cafe Cruiser as its light, affordable daily cruiser (7/10, WIRED Recommends) but with a 750W motor and a 65-pound frame, it’s pretty big and powerful for an entry-level bike. Still, at this price (and for these specs!) it’s a pretty amazing value.
We’ve tested a number of GoTrax’s escooters but we like the company’s folding, step-through ebike as well. It has the usual pitfalls of a cheap folding ebike (heavy, awkward) but it has a decent 20-mile range and all the commuter essentials for well under $1,000.
This is the affordable, DTC version of the now-defunct VanMoof (8/10, WIRED Recommends). You get a stylish, attractive bike for not a lot of money. All of Wing’s bikes are currently on sale.
Camping Deals
Photograph: Coleman
My favorite of Coleman’s current lineup, the Cascade 3-in-1 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) features heavy-duty cast iron, comes with a cast-iron griddle and grill, and can fit a 12-inch pan and a 10-inch pan side by side. It’s all-around sturdier and more robust than other Coleman stoves, well worth the extra money if you’re serious about camp cooking.
The WhisperLite Universal is a legend for good reason. It’ll burn just about anything (isobutane-propane, white gas, gasoline, kerosene), making it a great choice for traveling internationally or wherever you don’t know what kind of fuel will be available. Flame control is a little tricky, but we have managed to get it to simmer, as long as the wind isn’t too bad.
The MSR Autoflow is similar to the MSR Guardian (alas, not on sale), my all-time favorite water filter. The filtration isn’t quite as fine, which is why it’s about half the price (the Autoflow won’t filter viruses), but this is plenty for most people camping in the United States. Pumping water for five on the trail can be a lot of work, but with these gravity filters it’s as simple as scooping water in a bag and waiting a few minutes. If you backpack with a large group, this thing is well worth the weight.
Photograph: REI
Our favorite headlamp, I’ve been using a Tikka for backpacking since 2012, and it’s still going strong, which beats every other headlamp or flashlight I’ve tried in that time. To be fair, the headband gave out long ago, and I replaced it with some shock cord, but the headlamp itself is a testament to Petzl’s durability. The Tikka is not the brightest light. The models linked here top out at 350 lumens, but it’s plenty of light to cook by in the backcountry or trace the source of that transmission fluid dripping off the oil pan. Don’t forget to grab some AAA batteries (we recommend Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries).
This little filter lives at the bottom of my day pack (the Mystery Ranch Coulee above) because it’s so light. Why not? You don’t have to worry about lugging a ton of water if you know that your trail crosses active streams and you have this thing with you. In fact, if you’re an ultralight fanatic you can skip the water bottle entirely and just squirt this thing into your mouth while you vault across streams, sailing toward that summit.
I’m still testing the Sawyer micro squeeze filter, but so far I like it. It’s tiny and weighs just 2.5 ounces. It works with a straw or the included pouch, and there’s an adapter to fill your hydration reservoir directly (provided it uses the semi-standard 28-mm threads). At this size, you’re going to have to back-flush it fairly frequently, but it’s great for short trips. For longer hauls, I’d go with the regular size, which is also on sale for $35 ($11 off).
Photograph: Amazon
If you hike, camp, or have a disaster kit at the ready, a LifeStraw is a good thing to include. It filters contaminated water without batteries or other accessories. Grab a BPA-free bottle to filter into and you’ll get out 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria for up to 1,000 gallons of water. By then you’ll have either made it to the survivors’ camp in Vermont or the zombies will have won.
Deals on Apparel and Rain Jackets
Photograph: Darn Tough; Getty Images
Darn Tough makes our favorite Merino wool socks. Just about all varieties are on sale, but if you don’t know where to start I like these Midweight Hiking Socks for $22 ($7 off) for cooler adventures in fall and spring.
Prana is having an absolutely bonkers sale right now, offering 40 percent off certain styles. Reviewer Nena Farrell and I are both fans and have recommended Prana leggings in our Gifts for Mom guide. The fabric is ridiculously soft and thin, especially if you like hot yoga. The Halle Pants are also my go-to climbing and hiking pants.—Adrienne So
Patagonia Down Sweater Hooded Jacket
Photograph: Smartwool
Base layers are the perfect place for merino wool, and this is our top-pick merino base layer. The softness of this Smartwool shirt is hard to beat, and the 100 percent merino means you get all of the temperature-regulating, odor-resisting goodness of wool without any synthetic fibers to drag it down.
I am a waxed canvas convert. It’s not breathable, and it can be heavy so it’s not necessarily the best when you’re heading into the backcountry, but if you want to say dry, it beats everything else I’ve tried. It also looks a lot better. This waxed canvas jacket from Huckberry is far and away the most stylish thing on this page and the wool lining means you’ll stay warm and dry. I have the flannel-lined version and wish I had the wool. Don’t be me, get the wool version.
It’s winter, and it’s getting colder. That means you’re probably heading to the climbing gym. These are some of the most comfortable and cheapest climbing shoes around, so they’re great for all-day wear, or beginners whose feet haven’t entirely converted into calloused toe claws.
Photograph: Hoka
The Hoka Speedgoats are our favorite trail running shoe, which makes sense since the company started off making trail running shoes. It’s roomy in the toes for long runs and has a durable Vibram outsole, and it’s noticeably lighter than previous Speedgoat models. —Adrienne So
This is my favorite running shoe. Altra’s shoes have a roomy toe box and are zero drop, which means that they’re flat—the heels are not higher than the toes. which improves your posture and strengthens your lower leg. The Outroads are designed for both trails and roads. This is a very good all-in-one shoe over a variety of terrain. —Adrienne So
I bought these running socks earlier this year to replenish my stock, and I’m now going to buy more because this is an unbelievable deal. These are great for winter running—synthetic quick-dry fibers are good for the rain, and the crew height keeps wet mud and dirt from sliding in next to my skin. —Adrienne So
Rab’s Glaceon Pro is an early front-runner in our hoodie testing (guide coming soon). It’s the warmest of the bunch of tried, especially for how small it packs down. The ripstop nylon shell is reasonably tough (my puppy has failed to rip it) and windproof. It’ll hold off a light drizzle pretty well, but anything more than that and you’ll want to pull out a shell. I like the adjustability of the hood and the two-way front zipper for accessing a climbing harness when you’re wearing one.
I tested this jacket all summer and into the fall (admittedly, one of the driest ever where I live), and it’s performed incredibly well. I’ve twice had it in significant downpours and not had it wet through and the size zippers give you great ventilation options. The entire jacket is seam-taped, adding to the waterproofing, and the stretchiness of the shell fabric is great for a large range of motion when you’re hiking with a pack on. The only downside is that it weighs 15.3 ounces, which is on the heavy side.
Other Great Outdoor Deals
Photograph: Firebox
I love my Firebox stove. There are fewer and fewer places you can use these thanks to backcountry burn bans, but when you can, there’s nothing like cooking real food over an open flame after a long day’s hike. The Firebox is a stainless steel box you can fold up to be flat for easy packing. Most of the company’s stoves are on sale right now, but the G2 is the best for most people. If you regularly cook for larger groups, the best option is the Freestyle Everything Kit for $120 ($74 off).
The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is our top pick for backyard fire pits. At 19.5 inches wide and 15 inches tall, it’s small enough to toss in the trunk and lug to the beach or a tailgate but big enough to gather a group of a half-dozen friends around without feeling like you’re sitting around a Sterno can. Made from stainless steel, it weighs about 25 pounds. This deal on on the bundle, which gets you the firepit, lid, stand, and handy carrying bag. If you want something bigger, the Yukon is also on sale for $580 ($70 off).
Our pick for the best hibachi grill and fire pit, Biolite’s FirePit+ is a sleek, portable, mesh box with removable legs, a hibachi-style grill, and an ash bin. It has a rechargeable 10,400 mAh battery that can power 51 air jets for up to 26 hours. This allows you to precisely control the flame, and to some extent, the heat of the fire. It’s Bluetooth-compatible so you can tweak the airflow—and how high the flames go—on your phone. The FirePit+ can burn charcoal or wood and, thanks to the fans, you don’t need a charcoal chimney and you’ll never struggle to get a fire burning.
Photograph: Kieran Alger
Garmin’s InReach Mini is the satellite communicator in the ultralight and backpacking worlds. It’s tiny, weighs a mere 3.5 ounces, and uses the super-fast Iridium satellite network, so you can send a rapid SOS from pretty much anywhere, even the middle of the Indian Ocean. It can also do more mundane things like allow friends and family to track daily progress via a real-time map. As you would expect, it plays nicely with compatible Garmin watches.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is aimed at runners and triathletes, with plenty of mileage and stats available for running and swimming. There are also pretty solid sleep-tracking features and the battery life is great. The Forerunner generally knew what I was doing, logging pushups, walking, running, and resting without issue. It’s particularly well-suited to interval training thanks to the automatic detection.
The Isle Switch 3 is by far my favorite inflatable that I have tested. Do you want to paddle out in glassy, still water and lie on your belly with your dog and watch fish? Then it’s a big, solid, stable paddleboard with a grippy, soft surface perfect for puppy paws. Is there a bit of a breeze and you want to put the full force of your paddling muscles in play? Slip the hooks into the eyes and tighten the straps to put on a big, comfy seat and foot brace. (I used mine as a seat for the kids behind me.) Even the paddle converts from an SUP paddle to a kayak paddle. I can’t believe I’ve never tried one of these before. This deal includes a free electric pump.—Adrienne So
Photograph: Bote
The Breeze Aero (7/10, WIRED Recommends) inflatable paddleboard is well-built and durable, and it packs up reasonably small. It’s also one of the stablest paddleboards I’ve tried, making it a good choice for beginners. It’s easy to unpack and easy to use. Inflating is something of a chore with the hand pump, but once it’s deflated, it’s not hard to stow it away again. This deal is on the 11’6″ model (which supports up to 355 pounds).
It’s been a while since we tested an Oru, but every time we have we’ve loved them. These clever kayaks fold up like origami, packing down to the size of a small suitcase. Most weigh around 25 pounds and they’re all on sale. The Beach LT is in the middle of the lineup, both in terms of size and price. It’s a bit wider than some models, making it more stable and giving you a spacious cockpit that’s more beginner-friendly. —Adrienne So
Goal Zero’s Yeti 1000X is a good choice for off-grid camping. It’s got enough power to recharge all your devices for a week or more, as well as power smaller appliances like a portable fridge. It offers a 60-watt USB-C power delivery port, two USB-A ports, a 12-volt port, and two 120-volt AC ports (1,500 watts, 3,000 watts surge). You can pair it with some solar panels if you’re going to be off-grid for longer periods of time.
I recently stopped putting my phone on my handlebars when I ride, but when I did this was by far the best mount I ever used. It uses Peak Design’s SlimLink magnetic mounting system, which is super strong and easy to take on and off, just press the button, and your phone releases. It’ll fit a large range of handlebars and can go out front as the name implies, but also below or behind if you want to position it differently. The only catch is you need to use Peak Design’s phone case for this to work.
The Branch Black Friday sales event is live and runs through December 2. It’s become one of my favorite home office furniture companies for three main reasons. First, its products are easy to assemble, with clear instructions and helpful assembly videos. Second, they look good, with multiple color options and an overall aesthetic that’s easy on the eyes. Third, everything is reasonably priced. Sure, you can find cheaper office chairs and standing desks, but these are well-designed, functional, and have longer warranties than most.
During the Black Friday sale event, you can get 15 percent off select products, and 20 percent off if you bundle things together, which also nets you free shipping. You’ll need to use the code BFCM at checkout to see the discount in your cart. I’ve tested a handful of products from the company—here’s what I like the most that’s well worth your money. Be sure to check our live Black Friday deals here.
Updated on November 29: It’s Black Friday! We’ve added two new deals and corrected prices.
Branch Office Chair Deals
This has been my top office chair recommendation for several years. It’s well priced, quite adjustable, and looks pleasant. You can get it in fun colors, but this bumps up the price. The armrests go up, down, back, and forward, and you can adjust the seat depth (helpful for taller people). There’s adjustable lumbar support as well, to make sure it’s supporting the natural curve in the spine. The seat foam is cushy, and the mesh back allows for good airflow. I had no trouble sitting on it for hours as a 6’4″ man, but my 5’1″ wife also enjoyed it.
Branch just released the Ergonomic Chair Pro, which supposedly improves on the original in several ways. I have it in a box but have not had a chance to set it up and try it. If you’d like to take your chances, it’s also on sale for a tempting $75 discount, costing you $424.
The Verve is the “next step up” pick in our guide if you can spend a little more, though that might change soon, once I try the Ergonomic Chair Pro. It keeps my back straighter, is just as comfy, and looks prettier. There’s a headrest add-on if you want, but I don’t think it’s necessary. If you need a wider seat, you may want to look elsewhere, as the seat arms can feel like they’re boxing you in. Speaking of which, these arms only go up and down, so there’s not much you can do to move them around. Still, there’s a good level of polish on this chair that’s a step above the Ergonomic Chair.
The Softside feels more like you’re sitting on an armchair than an office chair. If you have a bookshelf in your office and are a frequent tea drinker, it just might complete your room’s aesthetic. It’s soft all around with a lovely fabric that feels durable. If you need a wide seat, this isn’t the chair for you—the arms are fixed and rise directly from the seat, boxing you in. There’s not much else in the way of adjustability outside of locking the recline, but my back didn’t complain after weeks on this chair.
I tested the High Back version, which goes all the way past my shoulders (I’m 6’4″). The standard model is the Mid Back, which I can’t vouch for, but may be suitable for shorter folks. You can also swap out the fabric for leather or vegan leather, but I haven’t tried either.
Branch Standing Desk Deals
I’m working on a standing desks guide, and the Duo is my choice for anyone limited on space. It’s a very small standing desk (though you can choose from multiple sizes), and the desk add-ons are easy to install, like the cable organizer and drawer. It’s made of manufactured wood and has a powder-coated steel frame, and it didn’t take me too long to assemble. There’s a paddle on the right to raise or lower the desk, with two height presets. It’s a little tricky to figure out how to save the heights you want, so keep that manual handy.
This was one of the first nice standing desks I tested. You get multiple height presets, quiet motors, and a large desktop to fit all your stuff. There’s a spot in the back of the center to run cables through. This one has a larger range of movement than the Branch Duo.
This newly-launched standing desk just arrived at my doorstep recently, and I finally got a chance to set it up. It was pretty easy (there aren’t many parts). The motors are a little louder than I expected but I love the four-legged design. Fully used to make one like this called the Fully Nolan, but it was discontinued after Herman Miller bought the company. Now Branch has a version, and it’s truly significantly nicer-looking than most two-legged standing desks. There are three height presets, and it can lift 225 pounds (static weight load is much higher). Like all of Branch’s standing desks, it has a 10-year warranty.
Other Good Deals
Well, whaddya know. I’m not the only one who likes Branch. My colleague Boutayna Chokrane retested a bunch of laptop stands recently and came away thinking that Branch’s Adjustable Laptop Stand is indeed the best for most folks. It lifts your laptop up 7 inches, and you can adjust it to nearly any viewing angle. It doesn’t wobble and looks great. It’s a little tough to adjust, but that’s also what keeps it so stable and reliable.
An easy way to add more outlets to your desk setup, this Branch accessory clamps directly to the desk. I used it for a while at my desk and have now repurposed it for my tool closet to keep all my power tools charged up (it’s clamped to a shelf). It looks attractive and offers three outlets as well as a USB-C and USB-A. This accessory is UL-certified and it has a 6-foot cord which should be long enough to run to the wall.
I recently got this filing cabinet to test and it looks very attractive. It’s also the perfect length up top for my desktop gaming PC. It was easy to assemble and mine had no damage in transit. There’s only one lock but it secures both drawers. Both are spacious and I like the little organization at the top for pens and other stationery.
I’ve been using these lockers for close to a year. They’re flat-pack metal containers that arrive in sheets, and you bend certain parts to connect them all. It might sound flimsy but they’ve held up exceptionally well and don’t sound like they’re about to fall apart. (Installation is easy, just takes some time.) I currently have three kinds: Standard, Lowdown, and Midi Lockers. One is holding all my vinyl and has heavy speakers and a turntable on top. Another is keeping my camera gear out of sight, and the third is just miscellaneous storage. They’re pretty (and come in a range of colors). Oh, and easy to clean too.
You need to make sure you have desk space before you buy this caddy. It’s huge! If you do, it can replace all your existing containers. Toss in your pens, notebooks, stick notes, and more. It’s a statement on a desk, so don’t keep it hidden away.
The holiday travel season is upon us. You may have dragged your suitcase out of the closet only to discover that a wheel is broken, or that it’s just not big enough for all the loot that you’re expecting. (Or maybe you plan on popping in and out with only a toiletry kit and a T-shirt, in which case, good for you!) These Black Friday travel deals on carry-on suitcases, toiletry kits, and accessories will make your flights as painless as possible—or maybe even enjoyable! Check out our gift guide for travelers for more, and be sure to see our live Black Friday deals.
WIRED Featured Deals
WIRED’s Black Friday 2024 Coverage
Suitcase Deals
Photograph: Away
The best carry-on in multiple guides, Away is now offering 25 percent off everything sitewide. Away is the original direct-to-consumer travel company, taking both design and marketing inspiration from iconic millennial brands like Warby Parker. Despite some questionable business practices, multiple WIRED staffers still use the classic Away hard-shell carry-on (9/10, WIRED Recommends) as their travel suitcase.
A basic Travelpro soft-sided carry-on isn’t going to be the flashiest suitcase when you’re going through the airport. But there’s a reason this is the brand that most flight attendants have—you get a tremendous amount of bang for your buck. Our tester found that the handle was sturdy, the wheels rolled smoothly, and it weighs a mere 5.4 pounds. It’s also only a hair above $100.
The viral Beis carry-on is also one of our favorite suitcases. Not only is it a beautiful bag (reviewer Nena Farrell has hers in the light blue Slate) but it also comes with a bunch of great features. A built-in weight! A bag lock! Two organizer bags that match the color of your bag! A soft cushion for your hand on the handle! Beis doesn’t often have sales, so this is a good time to buy.
Photograph: State Bags; Getty Images
At least one of you reading this is going to be traveling with children in tow. I highly suggest you avoid the pain of the checked luggage line and get your kids their own carry-ons. In addition to being as sturdy and lighter than my own carry-on, the State bags have kid-friendly features, like fun prints and an organizational front pocket. State Bags is currently holding a sitewide sale with 30 percent off with the code BF24.
Aer’s carry-on is more expensive than some of our other picks, but I particularly liked it for a few reasons. The polycarbonate surface doesn’t pick up dirt as easily as the Monos, and it doesn’t have ridges like the Beis. It also has specialized Hinamoto metal ball bearings for smoother rolling, as well as wheel locks, so it doesn’t slide all over the place when you have to take it on a shuttle. All of Aer’s luggage is 25 percent off through Cyber Monday.
The wheels on this teeny, tiny carry-on suitcase pop off so you can simply slide it under your seat as a personal item (although I should note here that I flew with it on Alaska Airlines and it fit without me taking the wheels off). However, they are loud and rattle when you’re walking. If this doesn’t make you grit your teeth, this tiny suitcase is impressively functional for the price.
Other Bag Deals
Photograph: Six Moon Designs
Reviewer Martin Cizmar loves this travel backpack. Not only can it max out your allotted carry-on space on a plane, it’s also a trail-ready backpack that’s comfortable enough to wear for 10-20 miles of hiking. The straps are fully adjustable; the pockets are well-considered, and there’s everything from webbing to a padded hipbelt. I also appreciate that instead of basic black, it also comes in a very bright and attractive yellow.
Not only does Away make our favorite carry-on suitcase, the company also makes our favorite toiletry bag. Reviewer Kat Merck notes that it’s sleek, well-made, and unisex, and it holds an impressive amount of items for its reasonable countertop footprint. While we’re here, though, you might also want to consider Wandrd’s toiletry bag, which you can find on Amazon and which is also on sale. Julian Chokkattu notes that it’s made from Robic nylon with a thermoplastic urethane coating, and it’s weather-proof (not submersible), thanks to the zippers and coating.
Reviewer Nena Farrell also likes Calpak’s duffel bag as a weekender or personal item to tote on top of your rolling suitcase. It’s also big enough to be a great hospital bag if you suddenly need emergency surgery (yes, she tested that, sadly) and can also work as a gym bag.
Accessories Deals
Courtesy of Meta
Not only are the Ray-Ban Meta glasses the best face computer, I argue that they’re indispensable for travel. I freaking love these things (possibly because I’ve been wearing Ray-Ban Wayfarers for almost two decades). You can listen to podcasts on your run! You can take pictures and videos to text to your spouse! You can check if the food cart is open! All without taking out your phone. As a bonus, they also shade your eyes.
With crowded airports and long-haul flights, it’s time to upgrade your noise-canceling headphones. No, you don’t need a pair of the AirPods Max! Bose remains our top choice for high-quality noise cancellation (9/10, WIRED Recommends), and it has up to 18 hours of battery in Immersive Audio mode (or 24 without), which is long enough to last through the most brutal trip. The earbuds are also on Black Friday sale.
If you own Apple products, like an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch, then you need a portable 3-in-1 charger. We love pretty much everything from Anker’s MagGo line and this one delivers up to 15 watts to an iPhone or Qi2-certified device via an adjustable magnetic pad, so you can doomscroll while you charge. There’s a second pad tucked behind for Airpods (or other wireless earbuds), and a fold-out Apple Watch charger. Anker even includes a 5-foot USB-C cable and a wall adapter, all backed by a two-year warranty.
Reviewer Boutayna Chokrane notes that the Theragun Mini 2 is just what a weary traveler needs to ease that lower back pain after a long day in the middle seat. It’s compatible with the Therabody app and even comes in limited edition Getaway Collection colors—polar blue, alpine green, and twilight pink.
Ah, it’s time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday: an online marathon of mad sales, and the beauty deals are hotter than the hair straightener you forgot to unplug. Whether you’re updating your skincare regimen, upgrading your hair tools, or finally caving on that viral product, these live Black Friday deals are too good to miss. I’ve done the heavy lifting for you, scouring through the sales to find the absolute best—WIRED-approved, of course. Let’s dive into the best hair and beauty deals.
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System Ultimate 6-Piece Accessory Pack
This is the Dyson Airwrap dupe—and I mean that in the best way possible. The Shark FlexStyle packs six tools in one: two auto-wrap curlers, an oval brush, a paddle brush, a diffuser, and a concentrator. Whether you’re aiming for mermaid waves or a blowout, it delivers versatility for all hair types and textures. At $216, it’s still an investment, but it’s far easier to justify than the Dyson’s eye-watering $600 price tag.
The Dyson Airwrap (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the Birkin of hair tools: luxurious, expensive, and everyone and their mother wants one. Normally $600, this Black Friday deal trims it to $500, which makes the dream feel just a bit more attainable (she says hopefully). Plus, with six attachments—two long barrels, two smoothing brushes, a volumizing brush, and a 2-in-1 Coanda dryer—it’s like having your own glam team in a box.
We’re big fans of Olaplex at WIRED, and this shampoo is no exception. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and formulated without sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. At $21 this Black Friday, it’s the ultimate excuse to snag a bottle or two for yourself and a friend.
Revlon heard our cries and delivered: the Volumizer Plus 2.0 has fixed most of the issues I had with its earlier model. It’s smaller, speedier, and no longer feels like it was designed for someone with three arms. The new medium setting is the Goldilocks of temperatures—not too hot, not too weak, just voluminous blowout perfection in under 15 minutes. The detachable brush also makes portability a non-issue. At $31, it costs less than my caffeine addiction, let alone a single Drybar visit.
Face and Body Deals
If you haven’t heard about snail mucin yet, I need to know what rock you’re living under. But in all seriousness, this slug syrup isn’t just a TikTok trend—it’s packed with real benefits. To name a few dermatological ones: it hydrates, smoothes fine lines, and calms inflammation. At $13, this K-beauty bestseller is practically begging you to jump on the snail train. Consider this your cosmic sign to embrace the slime.
Thirty dollars is a small price to pay for pearly whites. The Sonicare 4100 strips away the unnecessary embellishments, focusing instead on quality features like a pressure sensor, a two-minute timer, and a long-lasting battery (about two weeks on a single charge). It’s gentler than an oscillating toothbrush, and it’s our favorite sonic one.
Micellar water removes makeup, clears impurities, and refreshes your face—all without a single rinse. It’s perfect for lazy days or when you need to freshen up after a long flight or workout. When I’m at home, I like to follow Bioderma up with a rinse-off cleanser. (I’ve been using COSRX’s Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, and it just so happens to be on sale, too.)
PanOxyl’s 10% benzoyl peroxide wash is a permanent resident in my shower. It’s the strongest over-the-counter option available, so sensitive skin folks should consult a dermatologist and tread lightly. I don’t dare use it on my face, but I rely on it to keep my back clear after sweaty workouts. Bacne doesn’t stand a chance.
Hydrocolloid patches are my not-so-secret weapon for taming breakouts. They shrink pimples, soak up gunk, and keep you from picking at your skin. Mighty Patch makes transparent stickers, so I buy them in bulk to use overnight, or when I’m not trying to make a statement with a bright yellow star on my face. The Original Mighty Patches also don’t contain any active ingredients, which is ideal for reactive skin.
The Beard Hedger earns its status as the traveler’s MVP, thanks to its USB-C charging—a feature so obvious, I’m surprised more brands haven’t caught on. The stainless steel teeth and high-RPM motor handle stubble and shorter beards with ease. Not the prettiest, but it’s waterproof.
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