We Test Thousands of Products Year-Round, and These 123 Winners Are Now on Sale for Black Friday

Madison Yauger
·19 min read

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Find discounts on vacuums, denim, and kitchen essentials from more than 50 popular brands

<p>People / Daisy Rodriguez</p>

People / Daisy Rodriguez

Black Friday is like a marathon. You’ve been preparing all year, taking stock of the things you need. You know just how far you can push yourself (and your wallet) when the time comes. And now that the day has finally arrived, we are propelling you to the finish line (checkout) with the best deals on our favorite things.

We test thousands of products firsthand in our labs and in the real world to find the best of the best across categories, and right now, much of what we’ve come to love is on sale for Black Friday — in some cases, by as much as 72 percent off. Whether you’re shopping for carry-on luggage, cozy bedding, or a new pair of jeans, we’ve found a deal for you.

Black Friday Best Overall Deals

Solo Re:Define Laptop Backpack, $47 (Save 43%)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

The Solo Re:Define bag earned perfect scores in our tests, impressing us with a shocking capacity, charging capabilities for smart devices, and highly durable construction. It’s such a versatile bag for weekend trips, daily commutes, and other adventures that we named it the best laptop backpack you can buy.

Madewell Kick Out Crop Jeans, $60 with code LETSGO (Save 58%)

<p>People / Cai Cramer</p>

People / Cai Cramer

Madewell jeans are a hot commodity, and the Kick Out Crop jeans were a hit across various body types on our team. (The material is so stretchy and comfortable that one of our testers even did the splits while wearing them.) They have subtle design details like frayed edges, a flared and cropped hem, and a versatile medium wash. Use the promo code for a total of 58 percent off in savings when you check out.

Related: We Tested 17 Pairs of Jeans — Here’s How Each Fared Among Different Sizes and Body Types

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Serum, $20 (Save 32%)

<p>People / Sheila Tong</p>

People / Sheila Tong

If you have fine lines, we found that a retinol serum like the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair can help smooth them out with daily use. It’s a gentle formula without fragrance, suitable for sensitive skin types. In our test, the formula absorbed quickly, so you can layer it under makeup and other products. Over time, it showed significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines.

Black Friday Deals Under $25

Primary Muslin Sleep Sack in Rainbow Stripe, $21 (Save 41%)

<p>People / Jessica Juliao</p>

People / Jessica Juliao

Shopping on a budget, or for a Secret Santa with a price cap? There are fantastic Black Friday deals under $25 on the best things you can buy. Sleep sacks are a wondrous invention to help babies sleep better, and we tested 19 of them — with our own babies and toddlers as the judges. The Primary Sleep Sack snagged our best overall rating thanks to its lightweight fabric, baby-conscious design features, and washability without shrinking. Plus, the rainbow print is adorable.

Related: The 8 Best Sleep Sacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed by Parents

Joytale Reflective Dog Collar, $7 with Prime (Save 49%)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

A reflective collar brings peace of mind to dog owners who let their pet out at night. This safety feature, as well as the collar’s durability, water resistance, and varied color options, made the Joytale collar a favorite among our testers and their dogs. Right now, you can buy the collar for just $7 with your Prime membership.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer, $8 (Save 24%)

<p>People / Jhett Thompson</p>

People / Jhett Thompson

The stamp-like design of this Maybelline concealer makes it a great option for the under-eye area, allowing you to dab it across your skin effortlessly. When we tried the concealer, our testers wore it for six hours and saw very little creasing. The versatile formula can also be used as highlighter or contour.

Black Friday Bedding Deals

Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheet Set, $194 (Save 25%)

<p>Brooklinen</p>

Brooklinen

For better or worse, it’s the season of guests. If you’ve been meaning to stock up on extra sheets, bath towels, cozy blankets, or even a new mattress, Black Friday is the best opportunity to find discounts.

Linen sheets are a little slice of luxury, and this Brooklinen set is 20 percent off right now. We appreciated how durable the set was when we tried ourselves, as well as the directional labels that help with the bed-making process. The weave design also keeps your body from overheating while you sleep but still feels cozy, so it’s a good year-round sheet.

Amazon Basics Down Alternative Pillows, $28 (Save 24%)

People / Rachel Marek
People / Rachel Marek

A good pillow will provide neck support, medium thickness, and a soft texture. The Amazon Basics pillow was popular during testing thanks to its plush down-alternative filling. Our testers felt their necks were thoroughly supported, and the pillow kept its shape throughout the three-month testing period. It’s comfortable for side and back sleepers alike, and right now, it’s just $28.

Black Friday Bath Deals

Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Towel, $84 (Save 30%)

<p>Cozy Earth</p>

Cozy Earth

Our team has tested nearly 100 bath towels to find ones that provide a spa-like feeling at home. The Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Towel — also a favorite of Oprah — was among our winners. The towel has a decorative look with its waffled texture and dried more quickly than others we used. Also, the non-waffle side is super soft to wrap up in. (At Cozy Earth’s Black Friday sale, you can also grab some of our favorite sheets for 30 percent off.)

Black Friday Kitchen Deals

Cuisinart GR-300WSP1 Elite Griddler, $116 (Save 32%)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is leftovers, and you can make delicious leftover sandwiches with this griddler from Cuisinart. We tested almost 20 panini presses, and the Cuisinart model earned perfect scores for use, performance, and ease of cleaning. It has both griddle and grill sides, as well as level options for the top press — so you can hover over a pizza, press pancakes, or even sizzle a large steak.

Tramontina Fry Pan Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad, $40 (Save 33%)

<p>People / Russell Kilgore</p>

People / Russell Kilgore

If you like a nice sear on your food, the Tramontina Stainless Steel Fry Pan created a beautiful sear on salmon in our test. The frying pan was easy to hold, and the stainless steel finish prevented its contents from sticking to it. You can stick it in the dishwasher, but we’d recommend hand-washing to ensure longevity.

Related: The 7 Best Stainless Steel Frying Pans of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Cuisinart HM-90BCS Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Handheld Mixer, $63 (Save 21%)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

To find your baking buddy this holiday season, we tested a series of top-rated hand mixers. The Cuisinart Hand Mixer has nine speed settings (whipping cream in just two and a half minutes), and a comfortable hand grip. It also comes with two dough hooks, a whisk, a spatula, and a plastic bin that attaches to the mixer base to store the attachments.

Related: The 8 Best Hand Mixers We Tested, Including the One Jennifer Garner Uses

Black Friday Vacuum Deals

Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, $300 (Save $100)

<p>People / Henry Wortock</p>

People / Henry Wortock

We’ve tested more than 300 vacuums, so we know which ones will be the most effective for the price versus others that just suck. Save on popular brands like Samsung, Tineco, Bissell, and iRobot right now. Besides, when else are you going to find such deep discounts on vacuums other than Black Friday?

For pet owners, there are few options better than the Samsung Jet 75 Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum. When we tested this vacuum, it blew us away with its efficient suction power, maneuverability, and HEPA filter that picks up pet dander other vacuums might leave behind. The vacuum has multiple power levels, and the dust bin is simple to empty. Right now, it’s $100 off for Black Friday.

Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet Dry Vac, $270 (Save $80)

<p>People / Henry Wortock</p>

People / Henry Wortock

Wet-dry vacuums are great tools for multipurpose floor cleaning. The Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam was runner-up to our best overall for its effective performance, falling just short due to it being slightly noisier. The vacuum cleans hardwood floors and carpets quickly without leaving residue behind. It’s a good value at full price, so the $80 discount makes it a must buy.

iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum, $159 (Save 42%)

<p>People / Rachel Marek</p>

People / Rachel Marek

The iRobot Roomba was one of the most self-sufficient vacuums we tested, earning the best overall robot vacuum title. It had powerful suction that cleans pet hair, sand, and dirt with ease and continued to perform well over a six-month testing period. Plus, it maneuvers around furniture without getting stuck and self-empties once its finished.

Black Friday Beauty Deals

Covergirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara, $7 (Save 46%)

<p>People / Jessica Juliao</p>

People / Jessica Juliao

We’re stocking up on this Covergirl mascara now that it’s under $10 for Black Friday. We liked that the mascara didn’t flake or smudge during testing, and the volumizing formula lasted throughout the day.

Hot Tools Pro Signature Steamstyler, $47 (Save 47%)

<p>People / Jessica Juliao</p>

People / Jessica Juliao

We found this flat iron to be especially effective at straightening curly hair, with three steam settings and a wider plate that helped to tame curls all day. It never caught on tangles and moved seamlessly through our hair, leaving behind a sleek and shiny appearance. Luckily, the Hot Tools Steamstyler is nearly 50 percent off for Black Friday.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $300 (Save $100)

<p>People / Tamara Staples</p>

People / Tamara Staples

We tested 34 hair dryers and concluded that if you can afford to invest in an expensive one, the Dyson Supersonic won't disappoint. It's super customizable; it comes with seven heat and speed settings, and we love the flyaway attachment for taming stray hairs at the end of a quick blow drying session.

Black Friday Clothing Deals

Everlane Way-High Jean, $83 (Save 30%)

<p>People/Alyssa Brascia</p>

People/Alyssa Brascia

Our team loved the Everlane Way-High Jean because it fit all of our testers well — those in their 20s and 40s, in sizes ranging from 2 to 32. The high-waisted fit was supportive, while the hem was more relaxed. These jeans are especially great for the fall and winter seasons because the cotton is thicker than other jeans we tried, providing you with extra warmth on chilly days.

Related: The 24 Very Best Jeans for Curvy Women of 2023, Starting at $30

Black Friday Pet Deals

Furminator Medium Dog Undercoat deShedding Tool, $35 (Save 15%)

<p>People / Rachel Thalhuber</p>

People / Rachel Thalhuber

If your dog has thick fur, the Furminator Deshedding Tool is such an effective grooming tool. During testing, we liked how the brush’s stainless steel bristles glided through fur while catching loose hairs. The handle is comfortable to grip, and there’s even a button to eject the brushed fur after using the tool.

Related: The Best Dog Brushes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Donut Cat and Dog Bed, $49 (Save 29%)

<p>People / Katie Tuttle</p>

People / Katie Tuttle

We let our dogs decide the best dog beds, and the Best Friends by Sheri bed was by far the most calming of the bunch. The round, plush bed is a soft and comfortable place for your dog to rest because its edges cocoon them with a sense of security. The bed was easily washable and continued looking brand new throughout the testing period.

Trixie Baza Scratching Post, $34 (Save 42%)

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

This dual cat tree and scratching post is what your cat wants this holiday season. We loved how easy it was to set up, as well as the hammock lounger on top (a favorite spot of our tester’s cats). The scratching posts are fairly durable, though they showed some fraying after weeks of use by two cats. Right now, this mini cat complex is on sale for 42 percent off.

Related: The 10 Best Cat Trees of 2023, Tested by Cats

Black Friday Luggage Deals

Delsey Paris Cruise 3.0 Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $124 (Save 31%)

<p>People / Jhett Thompson</p>

People / Jhett Thompson

When it comes to carry-on luggage, we love this expandable suitcase from Delsey Paris — on sale for 31 percent off right now. We tested various popular luggage models, and this one really stood out for its dual spinner wheels, spacious inner section, and light weight, which makes for easy storage in an overhead compartment. Its sleek durable shell is just a bonus, which is sure to last for years to come.

Black Friday Travel Accessory Deals

Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag at Nordstrom, $94 (Save 25%)

<p>Dagne Dover</p>

Dagne Dover

Dagne Dover is known for durable, versatile, and well-designed bags — and the Landon Carryall lives up to that reputation. The bag is incredibly spacious with side pockets for storing small things and a design that folds into itself to save space when storing it. Though tested as a travel purse, we think this carryall is the perfect duffel or weekender, and right now, it’s 25 percent off.

Related: The 15 Best Travel Purses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Monos Metro Backpack, $170 (Save $30)

<p>People / Conor Ralph</p>

People / Conor Ralph

We love the Monos Metro Backpack for its smart design — it’s spacious enough for several laptops, comfortable to carry, and made with durable materials like nylon and faux leather. Whether you need a new backpack for traveling or your daily commute, the Monos backpack is a stylish and durable option that’s worth the full price.

Benevolence Travel Jewelry Case, $20 (Save 20%)

<p>People / Leticia Almeida</p>

People / Leticia Almeida

In our travel jewelry case test, we took 25 jewelry boxes on different trips and decided this one from Benevolence is the best option for weekend getaways. It's sturdy but small enough to pop in a weekender bag or small carry-on, and it has been featured on Oprah's Favorite Things list.

Related: The Best Luggage Trackers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

More Black Friday Deals Not to Miss

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