Black Friday is still more than three weeks away, but you wouldn’t know it from the way retailers are already rolling out holiday discounts. In fact, this early surge of sales is one of the best reasons to get a head start on your gift list before all the good stuff sells out. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect gift, only to discover it’s backordered until after the holidays. Starting now means you have time to compare prices, read reviews, and actually make thoughtful choices instead of panic-buying whatever is left on the shelf. This is especially useful if, like me, you have a pre-Thanksgiving birthday in your household, or if you just want to have something special ready before the holiday itself. Maybe you need a good pair of headphones to tune out your family on the ride to a relative’s house, or an espresso machine to impress your in-laws with a post-dinner cappuccino. Whatever your reason, the smart move is to buy things that have been tested and recommended by people who genuinely know what they’re talking about. That’s exactly what you’re getting here. Every deal below is on an item that a WIRED reviewer has personally used and can vouch for, so you’re not gambling your money on some random discount-bin product. From phones and laptops to televisions, earbuds, smart home gear, and even a few fun extras, this early wave of Black Friday deals covers a lot of ground. There are also more niche early discounts on smart bird feeders, mattresses, and espresso machines if you want to keep digging, but the standouts are worth focusing on first.
Let’s start with the technology that lives in your pocket or sits on your desk. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want something that feels genuinely futuristic, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 is one of the most interesting options out there. This brand-new foldable unfolds into a spacious 7.6-inch display, giving you a wide canvas for typing, reading, and multitasking. WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu actually prefers it to the even pricier Fold8 Ultra, which costs over $2,000. He praised the Fold8’s easier-to-open hinge and said it’s simply nicer to use in every way. That kind of hands-on endorsement matters because it means the phone isn’t just impressive on paper; it’s actually enjoyable to live with. If a foldable isn’t your style, the Google Pixel 11 is also showing up with early deals. This new model is only a minor upgrade over last year’s Pixel 10, but that’s hardly a bad thing. The Pixel 10 was already a solid phone, and the Pixel 11 keeps the features people loved, including the 5X telephoto lens, magnetic Qi2 wireless charging, and an impressive seven years of software support from launch. That kind of longevity is rare and makes the phone a great long-term investment. This particular early deal is on unlocked 128-GB models in Indigo and Frost, so if you’re picky about colors, it’s worth checking the listing closely. On the laptop side, WIRED reviewer Luke Larsen is a big fan of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-Inch. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip, which delivers excellent battery life and smooth performance for everyday tasks. The display is generously sized and has a 120-Hz refresh rate, making everything look fluid and responsive. It’s not quite as sharp as a MacBook in every way, but it’s a great value and a real upgrade over similarly equipped Windows laptops. If you need a dependable computer for work, school, or holiday planning, this one deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Now let’s talk about audio, because few things improve the holiday travel experience more than a good pair of headphones or earbuds. The Beats Studio Pro are a popular choice, and right now you can get the classic black pair with $109 off. They have a fun, bass-forward sound that works well across all kinds of music, and they come in a range of playful colors, including navy, brown, and gray. Pairing is effortless with both Apple and Android devices, and they also support head tracking for spatial audio, which is a nice immersive bonus when you’re watching movies or videos on the go. But if you want the absolute best wireless headphones we’ve ever tested, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM6. These are the latest in Sony’s flagship lineup, and they still offer some of the best noise canceling money can buy. With around 30 hours of battery life, they’ll easily get you through a long flight, a layover, or several days of holiday chaos without needing a charge. The new smaller case and memory foam-augmented folding ear cups also make them much easier to travel with, which is exactly what you want when you’re carrying gifts and luggage. If earbuds are more your speed, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are an excellent option for holiday travel. They weigh just 5.5 grams per bud, which makes them 25 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than the previous model. Our reviewer loved their detailed, balanced sound, and while he found the noise canceling and call quality a bit underwhelming compared to the very best in the category, they’re still a fantastic choice for anyone who prioritizes musical detail over heavy bass. With this sale, they’re an especially good grab for travelers who want something lightweight and comfortable to slip into a pocket or small bag.
Big screens are another category where early Black Friday deals can save you serious money and completely change how you enjoy your downtime. If you’re looking for a TV under $1,000, the TCL QM6K QLED is about as good as it gets. Right now, it’s $400 off, which is a hefty discount for a TV that already impressed WIRED’s reviewers. Former reviewer Ryan Waniata described it as a versatile display that does just about everything well, from naturalistic colors to rich black levels and impressive clarity. It even has a 144-Hz refresh rate, so if you’re a gamer, you’ll appreciate the smooth motion and responsive feel. Honestly, it’s the kind of TV that makes movie nights feel more cinematic and sports broadcasts feel more immersive, all without forcing you to spend a fortune. For those who spend more time in front of a computer monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey G6 OLED is another standout deal. Samsung makes some of the best gaming monitors around, and the Odyssey G6 is one of our top picks. It features a blazing 360-Hz refresh rate, which is about as smooth as it gets, and it displays deep blacks with rich, accurate colors. Those same qualities make it an excellent choice for graphic design and video editing, not just gaming, so it’s a versatile addition to any creative workspace. The only real complaint from our reviewer was the high price, which is why this early holiday discount is worth paying attention to. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to upgrade to a premium monitor, this might be your lucky day. Whether you’re upgrading your living room for family movie night or your home office for work, these screen deals are a great way to see a noticeable improvement in your daily experience.
Beyond phones and entertainment, there are a few other upgrades that can genuinely make your holiday hosting life easier and more enjoyable. One of my personal favorites is WIRED’s longtime pick for the best semiautomatic espresso machine for most people. This machine has been in constant use by reviewer Julian Chokkattu for seven years, which is a testament to its durability and build quality. It delivers consistent pressure, has a reliable steam wand, and includes a built-in grinder, all wrapped in an all-metal construction that’s easy to clean. Buy it now and you can impress your in-laws at Thanksgiving with espresso martinis and latte art—or at the very least, keep yourself caffeinated while the whole family is in town. If you’re more focused on health and wellness during the stressful holiday season, the Oura Ring 4 is also seeing some deep discounts now that the newer Oura Ring 5 has arrived. Our reviewer loves the 5’s slim, lightweight design, but I actually prefer the chunkier look of the 4, which I bought at Best Buy last year for $100 more than the current sale price. It’s still going strong, and I can vouch for its usefulness when it comes to tracking sleep, activity, and stress. The $249 deal is only available on the matte black and silver colorways, so if those colors work for you, it’s a great time to pick one up. And don’t forget about your guests’ ability to connect to your Wi-Fi. Google’s Nest Wifi Pro 6E router is easy to set up and manage through the Google Home app, and WIRED reviewer Simon Hill found its coverage to be reliable even during simultaneous gaming, streaming, and video calls. Just keep in mind that the deal is for one unit only, even though the product image might show two. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing you want to know before you hit buy.
Finally, let’s look at a couple of practical extras that could be perfect for your holiday shopping list. If you plan on doing some gaming in between all the family obligations, the Corsair Scimitar Elite Wireless is a gaming mouse worth considering. Our reviewer was impressed by its Stream Deck integration and longer battery life compared to its predecessor. It’s not the lowest price we’ve seen, but it’s still pretty solid if you’re looking to relieve some pre-holiday stress with a few hours of gaming. For a more budget-friendly, work-focused option, WIRED reviewer Luke Larsen’s top Chromebook choice is also on sale. It offers solid everyday performance and a responsive touchpad, and with its Intel Core i3 processor and 8 GB of RAM, it’s a practical choice for browsing the web and working in Google Docs. You will have to compromise on color accuracy if you’re doing photo editing, but for everyday tasks, online shopping, and holiday planning, it’s a wallet-friendly option that gets the job done. The overall theme here is simple: you don’t have to wait for Black Friday to score meaningful discounts on quality gear. By shopping early, you can cross names off your gift list, avoid the chaos of crowded stores, and actually enjoy the holiday season instead of scrambling at the last minute. All of these products have been tested and recommended by WIRED reviewers, so you’re not gambling on hidden flaws or gimmicky features. Just double-check the details, like colors, storage capacity, and model year, before you commit. And if you want more curated recommendations and early deals, you can keep an eye on WIRED’s ongoing coverage. A little early planning can save you money, time, and stress, leaving you with more room to enjoy the things that really matter—like a warm cup of espresso, a peaceful drive, and maybe a little bit of quiet before the holiday madness begins.
