It’s nearly the most wonderful time of the year for bargain hunters, as the best deals of the holiday shopping season are only a few weeks away. Whether you’re shopping Black Friday offers to find the perfect gift for a loved one, restock household essentials at a discount, finally score the latest tech without paying full price or take advantage of seasonal sales to score a new winter coat or space heater, I’ve searched the web to find the best early markdowns.
Black Friday sales may start earlier and earlier each year, but that doesn’t mean every discount live ahead of the end of the month is actually worth adding to your cart. Below, I’ve used my decade of experience helping people save to find deals that are already hovering around their expected Black Friday prices. Is there a chance things drop a bit lower? Yeah, I, unfortunately, don’t have a crystal ball. But if you’re looking to shop as early as possible, I’ve found some notable deals on items that have either already landed at new low prices for 2026 or returned to what you would have paid during previous savings events like Amazon Prime Day or Prime Big Deal Days.
The newest edition of the best MacBook CNN Underscored editors have tested has received its second-highest discount of the year. At $200 off, today’s offer is right in line with the best savings I expect to see this holiday shopping season on the beloved 13-inch laptop. That means instead of waiting until Black Friday, this is your chance to save on the Air’s all-day battery life, reliable processor that’s built to last for years to come and a portable design that can go just about anywhere.
My personal favorite USB-C wall charger has returned to its lowest price of the year at your choice of two retailers. You’ll need to be a Prime member to save at Amazon or have to clip the on-page coupon over at Anker. In either case, you can save $14 on all four colors to take advantage of the charger’s unique smart charging tech that can protect your smartphone’s battery against overheating in order to extend its lifespan.
I’ve tried dozens of new over-ear headphones in 2026, and the newest pair from Bose might just be one of the best values of the bunch. At their MSRP, the headphones offer many of the same features as higher-end models that sells for hundreds more, and now that they’re up to 40% off with this week’s all-time low markdown, they’re easily the best option around for anyone who needs to block out the world around them while traveling this fall.
It gets darker out at night far earlier now that daylight saving time has come to an end. My secret weapon for dealing with less sunshine is to schedule my smart light bulbs to turn on once the sun starts going down. You can achieve that same routine by saving 27% on a pack of four Philips Hue bulbs that connect to several of the most popular platforms over Matter. That means you can control them with Siri, Alexa and other voice assistants, on top of setting custom schedules.
If you spend a lot of time in your car commuting or on work trips, a dash cam is a handy gadget to have. The 70mai A810 Lite gives you 4K recording with 4G capability so you’re constantly connected to your ride at home or on the road. Even better? It’s 40% off right now.
This simple power bank is down to its best price since back in July with today’s 30% discount. If you’re constantly worrying about your smartphone running through its battery, UGreen has your back with 20,000mAh of charge that can refuel your device several times over. It even has an integrated USB-C cable to ensure you always have a way to plug in.
As much as I love my MacBook’s trackpad, I know not everyone shares the same fondness for the touch-based input. If you prefer a mouse, CNN Underscored’s previous pick for the best computer mouse is 20% off this week. It’s a fantastic way to make using your new MacBook Air more comfortable, thanks to its ergonomic design that helps reduce, if not prevent, hand fatigue after extended work sessions.
Anyone shopping for a Windows laptop this holiday season will want to take a look at the newest Surface Laptop. Unlike many of the other portable computers you’ll find on sale this upcoming holiday season, this Microsoft model is made to last with a higher-end, aluminum construction, 13.8-inch display, Snagdragon X2 Elite processor and 16GB of memory. Today’s discount is an extra $100 below the previous October Prime Day markdown.
When it comes to kitchenware that will last for years, Lodge’s cast-iron skillets have impressed our editors enough to make the cut into our Buy It for Life series. Whether you plan on making pancakes or steaks, these skillets can handle cooking just about anything with impressive heat distribution and a surface that naturally rivals the alternative nonstick coatings found on other pans. They rarely ever go on sale, but this week, you can save $26 on a pack of three different sizes to outfit your kitchen for less.
These are the best glass meal-prep containers that CNN Underscored editors have tested. Amazon is offering a rare discount so you can score them for an even better price well before you’ll need to put them to use with Thanksgiving leftovers. This discounted bundle includes five different sizes, each of which is wrapped in a silicone protector that keeps it safe from most accidental drops.
If you need a new kitchen knife set to help carve up the turkey come Thanksgiving, the best set that our team of at-home chefs have tested is on sale this week. It’s at least 20% off ahead of the big feast at the end of the month, but Sur La Table will save you $130 to help you score the best price in months. Zwilling’s knives all have ergonomic handles that we found helped with slicing and dicing, and they all rest in a high-end wooden block.
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Ditch the single-use foil roasting pan for your turkey and save on this All-Clad alternative instead. You’ll be able to use it year after year to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, as well as countless times throughout the rest of the year for preparing whole chickens, roasts, hams and other dishes. Three retailers allow you to save $60 with the year’s second-best markdown.
There’s no need to wait for Thanksgiving week to save on the best air fryer our team has tested. The Ninja Crispi now sells for within $4 of the projected Black Friday price and comes in several colors. Each one includes 6-cup and 4-quart glass containers that do triple-duty as frying baskets, serving dishes and leftovers containers.
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Another notable tool for helping streamline the Thanksgiving meal preparations is this veggie chopper from Oxo. The brand makes so many of our editors’ favorite kitchen gadgets, but this one is particularly relevant for helping with all the stuffings, casseroles and side dishes that need to be made before guests arrive on Nov. 26.
The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat is a combination heater and cooling fan that can keep you warm in the fall and winter, as well as cool in the spring and summer. Combining these two appliances into a single footprint would typically run you as much as $400, but ahead of Black Friday, you can score the year’s best price at Best Buy. This 50% discount is an extra $80 under the previous markdown on a device that impressed our team enough to win one of CNN Underscored’s inaugural Innovation Awards as an outstanding home appliance.
Crowned the best cordless stick vacuum our editors have put to the test, Dyson’s new V8 Cyclone delivers that CNN Underscored seal of approval for $150 less than usual. The stick vacuum can be converted into a portable cleaning machine by using the included crevice tool, dirt brushes and extension hose that allow you to put its upgraded suction power and 60-minute run time to use all around your home and even your car, thanks to the bundled cleaning kit with extra accessories. It matches its lowest price to date at Dyson and Walmart ahead of Black Friday and likely won’t drop any lower this month.
After trying tons of pillows in search of one that is actually comfortable in all kinds of sleep positions, I found the Coop to be my favorite. I love its squishy filling that can be adjusted to get the perfect level of support, so much so that I ended up buying a second one for my wife. I’ve easily gotten my money’s worth out of both pillows so far, which makes today’s 25% discount an even better buy.
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I may prefer to bring a real tree into my home come the holidays, but when it comes to artificial Christmas trees, I trust my colleagues’ recommendations. This pre-lit decoration from the National Tree Company is one of our favorites and is now down to its best price of the season. The last discount we tracked was offering 40% in savings and today, it’s as much as 54% off at the best price of the year.
Black Friday is known for offering the year’s best discounts on mattresses, but you don’t have to wait to score one of the lowest prices of 2026 on this one from Saatva. The brand’s Classic Mattress is one of the best that our editors have tested for all kinds of sleepers, with a plush 3-inch Euro pillowtop, customizable firmness level and supportive hybrid design made of memory foam and coils. Today’s discount comes within $100 of the expected Black Friday and Cyber Monday price.
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As fall weather sets in, my home has desperately needed a humidifier to help keep dry air at bay. This budget pick may be one of the most affordable options our product testers recommend, but it still manages to outperform higher-end models. If you’re like me and could use a humidifier sooner than the end of the month, this discount is worth taking advantage of now, especially considering it’s selling for the same price as back on Black Friday in 2025.
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When it comes to unique storage solutions that add a pop of color to your home, there aren’t many alternatives to Mustard Made and its adorable storage lockers. The brand makes some of our editors’ favorite home decor, but it rarely ever goes on sale. This week, you can score the first markdown in nearly a year on items like this two-door locker that comes in an assortment of bright colors at 25% off.
This week, you can save 30% on a puffer coat you’ll be able to wear all winter long while knowing you scored a new jacket without paying anywhere close to full price. All five of the new styles that Columbia just released this fall are on sale for one of the first times, complete with a water-repellent fabric on the outside and the brand’s signature thermal-reflective lining on the inside. Judging from previous Columbia sales, these likely won’t drop much further come the actual holiday shopping event at the end of the month.
Our senior testing editor, Rick Stella, fell for this sweater the second he put it on. Its rich, midgauge shaker material is knitted directly into its exact 3D shape to stand out from alternates that use a cheaper, cut-and-sewn construction. It’s one of the best values you’ll find from Lands’ End, even at its MSRP, let alone with a $55 discount attached when you apply the code DAZZLE at checkout.
The full-zip version of The North Face’s Yumiori jacket is now 30% off, complete with a full inventory of stock across each of the different sizes. Each one returns to its best price of the year for the first time since March.
Merrell’s midseason sale has some rare deals on its beloved hiking boots, like this Ontario style that is 30% off. It’s the first discount in months on its waterproof, full grain leather construction paired with molded EVA midsoles.
In testing, our team found that the hooded version of this jacket was warm enough to earn a spot in your winter wardrobe with some of the coziest down material we’ve tried. It didn’t pack down as well as some other options we tested, but today’s discounts help ensure the The North Face’s Thermoball series will keep you covered through freezing temperatures.
Lululemon just added these joggers to its We Made Too Much section with $30 in savings attached. There’s only a single, red style available at a discount, which will elevate your fall workout attire with a roomy, oversized fit that is made from a soft cotton SuperLoft fabric with a comfortable fleece lining.
Podiatrists and shoe experts alike recommend these Hoka Clifton 10 running shoes for runners with plantar fasciitis. They offer excellent arch support for less now that they’re at least 20% off at several retailers. Each storefront has its own assortment of sizes and styles, many of which are selling for their respective lowest prices yet. Given that Hoka just launched the new Clifton 11 and these sales are meant to clear out stock, there’s no telling if these discounts will last through Black Friday. I’d recommend shopping now to score the widest range of colors and sizes before they sell out for good.
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Our favorite fleece jacket has now dropped even lower in price than previous fall discounts with an extra $3 in savings across several styles. It’s now at least 30% off to help make dealing with falling temperatures even more comfortable. Directly from Columbia, you’ll be able to save on six new colors as well as older options, while Amazon is offering as much as 39% in savings across some of last year’s styles in a more limited assortment of sizes. The Benton Springs fleece is crafted from plush 250gsm MTR filament fleece that’s an ideal weight for layering under heavier winter coats without overheating.
Early Black Friday beauty and hygiene deals
Dr. Dennis Gross’ fast-absorbing eye serum is clinically proven to treat aging eyes by firming skin, boosting hydration and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and crepey skin. Our editors tried it for themselves and were also impressed by how well it minimized fine lines. It’s rare to see such a beloved addition to your skin care routine go on sale, but right now, Sephora members can save as much as 30% with the year’s best markdowns.
This bestselling brightening serum can streamline anyone’s morning beauty routine and makes a great stocking stuffer too. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E help nourish skin, which may be needed ahead of the dry winter months. Plus, you can grab it for 20% off right now with code CNN2026
If you need a brighter smile before that upcoming family gathering on Thanksgiving, Black Friday discounts won’t be much of a help. Ahead of time, you can score a rare discount on this pack of 40 Crest teeth-whitening strips that are designed for rapid results to help you feel more confident in your appearance with plenty of time to spare. It comes with an extra activator light that allows you to take advantage of the highest hydrogen peroxide levels available from Crest’s strips.
Loved by CNN Underscored’s expert product testers and deals editors like myself, this electric toothbrush is the way to go for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a new staple of their oral hygiene regimen. I took our team’s advice earlier in the year and bought a Sonicare 4100 for myself and have been impressed by how clean it makes my teeth feel despite costing this little. And that’s before you consider today’s 20% discount that returns select colors to the year’s second-best price.
Want to look your best this holiday season without having to empty your wallet for a trip to the salon? This Shark hair styler has your back. Several colors are on sale at Amazon, with different models designed for different hair types landing at the year’s lowest prices ahead of those family get-togethers come Thanksgiving week and beyond.
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Adding a new anti-aging treatment to your vanity doesn’t have to be expensive. This CeraVe serum comes recommended by dermatologists and now is on sale. The retinol formula helps tackle wrinkles for $5 less than you’d typically pay. It may land at a couple of bucks less during Black Friday, but buying it now means you’ll already start seeing results in the time you’d have to wait for that potential holiday markdown at the end of the month.
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I’ve tried tons of suitcases over the years, but only one has been reliable enough to tag along on trips all over the world. This Monos carry-on has accompanied me to Tokyo, Paris, Toronto and San Francisco, and will continue to earn a spot in my travel kit, thanks to its internal organization, durable yet lightweight shell and dedicated laptop compartment. Applying the code EARLYBF at checkout takes 25% off in order to offer the best price in months.
If you’ve already booked a flight back home for the holidays, consider this discount your sign to make the trip a little more enjoyable. This audio transmitter is an essential travel accessory if you fly with wireless Bluetooth headphones and want to use them with a seat-back screen. The original version plugs into the infotainment screen and allows you to use the AirPods or over-ear headphones you already own to enjoy movies and TV shows throughout your flight. It’s now $15 off to match the best price of the year.
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Applying the code TREAT10 at checkout allows you to make this early Black Friday discount an even better value. The promotion saves you another 10% on top of the existing 40% markdown. A pair of designs are both down to the year’s best price as part of the sale, and even if the official sale at the end of the month offers a better discount, it would likely only be $8 less than this offer.
Two of our editors’ favorite travel accessories now come bundled together with a 15% discount attached. This package from Ostrichpillow includes the company’s signature neck pillow alongside an eye mask made of the same, squishy material.
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If you have an upcoming trip abroad and are just now realizing you’ll need an international outlet adapter in order to keep your gear charged, UGreen has your back. This travel adapter converts a typical American plug into something you can actually use around the world in countries like Canada, Italy, Australia, Japan, Korea and across the UK.
This year, Black Friday is on Nov. 27. It’s the final Friday of the month and means that the massive, post-Thanksgiving savings event will arrive closer to the actual start of the winter holiday season.
I’ve been covering Black Friday deals for over a decade, and if there’s one trend I’ve noticed over the years, it’s that sales go live earlier and earlier. It used to be that Black Friday was just isolated to the weekend following Thanksgiving, but now it takes up most of November and even carries into early December. Gone are the days of one-day-only doorbusters and midnight store openings, as big players like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart look to kick off sales events as early as possible. For 2026, I am predicting that the first batch of early deals will begin on the first day of November. Brands will hold limited-time sales that give shoppers a taste of what is to come on Black Friday while helping them beat the rush.
While there will be quite a few chances to shop early deals, the official savings will likely go live the week of Nov. 15. If past years are any indication, Thursday, Nov. 19, will be when major retailers officially launch their annual shopping events to give shoppers even more time ahead of Thanksgiving week to get their shopping done.
Black Friday officially lasts a single day. If you’re not interested in shopping the early deals throughout the month of November and don’t care about the following offers on Cyber Monday, you’ll have 24 hours on Nov. 27 to shop Black Friday markdowns. Because retailers like Amazon don’t confine their sales to just a single day anymore, though, the extended Black Friday shopping period will last for around two weeks. At CNN Underscored, we refer to this as the “Turkey 12.”
As you can see from the early deals above, many big brands will be getting in on the Black Friday action! All the biggest retailers will be offering some form of sales come the end of November, including big-name storefronts like Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart, as well as individual brands and retailers like REI, Lululemon, Sephora and Wayfair.
If you’re wondering if something will be on sale, odds are it will be. Just about everything under the sun, from the latest tech, home goods and fashion to appliances, furniture, mattresses, e-bikes and more will come with ample savings attached. The shopping holiday is a great chance to knock presents off your list, restock on household essentials or finally splurge on that big-ticket item you’ve been waiting to replace.
Some of the products we are specifically eyeing include the latest Apple gear, like AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and MacBooks. Some of our favorite appliances and gear for around the home will be getting in on the savings as well. That means Black Friday will be the perfect time to save on a new Ninja appliance, Dyson vacuum and other essentials.
If answering this were as simple as writing a paragraph, we wouldn’t have jobs. Retailers are making it incredibly complicated to score the season’s best offers, flooding sale sections with thousands of offers to dig through, comparison shop and check historical pricing on. We, of course, handle this for you at CNN Underscored, searching the web for the best deals, regardless of where they’re listed.
But if previous years are anything to go on, the best Black Friday deals aren’t going to be found at just one retailer. Altland has been covering the holiday shopping season for over a decade now, and each year the competition between stores has only heated up. Amazon may undercut Best Buy on a certain product, while Walmart steps in and price matches an all-time low discount from Target. That means you’ll have to shop around to get the best price.
That’s why you can leave it to our editors here at CNN Underscored. We research to find all the season’s best deals for you, so you can cut right to the chase and save. Each team member, including Altland, deals editor Jacqueline Saguin and associate deals editor Elena Matarazzo, is dialed into a specific beat to help surface the best of the best deals. That ramps up even more throughout the holidays as the rest of the CNN Underscored team taps in to help track down discounts.
Just like any other discount, a lot can go into what makes a good Black Friday deal. At CNN Underscored, our deals experts dig into the nitty-gritty pricing history in order to see how the offer compares to previous markdowns. Most Black Friday deals worth shopping will land at the lowest prices of the year, if not the lowest prices ever. Being able to score the best discount to date is an easy way to tell if a deal is good or not, but there will also be rare sales that offer the first chances in months to save on seasonal apparel and gear, as well as price cuts that come within a few dollars of previous low prices. Our editors will be putting our expertise to work clarifying why each and every one of the discounts we cover is worth adding to your cart.
No. Lately, the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday has become less noticeable. It used to be that Black Friday would encourage shoppers to head to brick-and-mortar locations to score doorbuster deals, while Cyber Monday would ramp up the digital offers. Over the past several years, that is no longer the case, and many of the deals from Black Friday will last through Cyber Monday.
Tons of offers will be popping up at different points throughout Cyber Week. So, if you’re looking to shop the best discounts online, you’ll have to tune in on Black Friday, not just Cyber Monday.
CNN Underscored’s deals editors scour the internet daily for the best available sales and discounts, then put them on your radar in real time. They utilize a range of techniques and consider a variety of factors — price history checks, available coupon codes, competitor pricing — to determine if a deal is worthy of coverage (and your money).
For this article, CNN Underscored senior deals editor Rikka Altland broke down all the information you need to be a smart shopper come Black Friday and researched the deals worth shopping now. Altland has been doing just that for over a decade, and that kind of experience extends to the rest of our deals team. Being an advocate for buyers to make sure we’re only recommending the best prices on the best products is what we’re all about, and that focus comes across in our work.