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  • Black Friday deals on tech for 2025 are still live: Up to 50 percent off the best gear from Apple, Amazon, Disney+, Lego, Dyson and others

    Black Friday is technically over, but long gone are the days in which all of the deals dry up at midnight. Black Friday is very much a multi-day event now, with most of the best deals (as long as they don’t sell out) lasting through Cyber Monday. This year, we’ve found some of the best prices of the year on tech like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, speakers and more.

    Below, we’ve collected the best Black Friday deals you can still get today. We expect many of these to run through Cyber Monday this year, but we’ll keep this post updated as we account for possible sell-outs and any new deals we can find that are worth your money.

    Black Friday deals: Engadget’s top picks

    Disney+ Hulu bundle — $60 for one year: The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1. New and eligible returning subscribers can take advantage of this deal, and considering the bundle typically costs $13 per month, this deal represents more than a 50 percent discount on the standard monthly price.

    Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $220 ($29 off): Apple’s latest flagship wireless earbuds are the ones to get if you have an iPhone and any other Apple gear. They have improved sound quality, impressive ANC improvements, extra features like Live Translation and even better battery life.

    Apple iPad A16 for $274 (21 percent off): Apple’s cheapest iPad makes a great first tablet for kids, or anyone who just wants a basic slab for watching videos, online shopping, sending emails and more. It’s plenty fast thanks to the A16 chipset that powers it, plus it has a nice screen, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

    Apple TV+ — 6 months for $36: Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.

    HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.

    PlayStation 5 digital edition for $399 ($100 off): The PlayStation 5 is getting a major Black Friday discount, with $100 off consoles. That brings the PS5 Digital Edition down to $399, the standard PS5 to $449 and the new PS5 Pro to $649. If you’ve been holding out for the right time to upgrade or buy your first console, these are the deals to beat. You’ll find them direct at Sony and from other retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

    Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499: Black Friday Nintendo sales were announced recently and, unsurprisingly, there won’t be many true deals out there this year. There are no straight discounts on the Switch 2 console, so your best bet is to pick up a bundle that saves you some cash on a Switch 2 game. One of the best is the Mario Kart Wold bundle, but Pokémon fans should consider the Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle, too.

    Meta Quest 3S VR headset for $250 ($50 off): We consider this to be the best VR headset for newbies or those on a budget. It’s comfortable to wear for long sessions, has solid performance, comes with excellent controllers and you’ll have access to a large app library with it.

    PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for $299 ($100 off): It’s hard to broadly recommend the PSVR2: The actual hardware is superb, but there aren’t a ton of standout exclusives to play. Thankfully, you can now use the device with a gaming PC through a separate adapter, though it’s all wired-only. Still, if you have cash to burn and want to dive into games like Gran Turismo 7, the Resident Evil 4 remake or the Horizon adventure bundled here, this is a new low. If this offer runs out of stock, the standalone headset is on sale for the same price. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    DJI Neo drone for $159 (20 percent off, Prime exclusive): Yes, the Neo 2 just came out, but it’s still unclear if that model will make its way to the US. For now, if you want an affordable drone to capture your next adventure, the original Neo remains an excellent option. It was our top pick for the best drone for those on a budget, and it’s an even better buy at this sale price.

    Samsung S95F (65-inch) for $2,298 ($700 off): The S95F is a premium model that’s received almost universally stellar reviews for being especially bright among OLED TVs while keeping the bold colors and contrast expected from a QD-OLED panel. That brightness, combined with the display’s matte finish, means it’s uniquely adept at fending off glare. It also has four HDMI 2.1 ports and a native 165Hz refresh rate for gaming. That said, there’s still no Dolby Vision HDR, and the matte coating means that black tones won’t look as deep in a bright room. It’s not cheap, but this is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 65-inch model. Also at Samsung and Best Buy.

    Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar for $879 (20 percent off): Sonos’ most premium soundbar offers crisp, clear sound and an impressive bass boost over the original. It has a sleek design and works with the Sonos Ace headphones as well. There are plenty of other Sonos Black Friday deals to consider as well, both on Amazon and direct at Sonos.

    Google Pixel 10 Pro for $749 (25 percent off): You can get much better than this when it comes to Android phones. Google’s latest flagship has a brighter display, longer battery life, a camera that supports 100x Pro Res Zoom and Pixelsnap (i.e. Qi2) charging support.

    Black Friday streaming deals and subscription deals

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    Audible — three months for $3 + $20 Audible credit: For literally $1 per month, you can get access to Audible’s enormous library of published audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals (which can be anything from never-before-heard books to live performances). It’s only three months, after which you’ll have to cancel or renew at the regular price, but an audiobibliophile can cram a lot of listening into 90 days.

    MasterClass — up to 50 percent off annual subscriptions: The MasterClass Black Friday deal discounts most subscription tiers by 50 percent when you pay for one year upfront. The Premium tier, the most expensive option, usually costs $20 per month but now only sets you back $10 per month for one year. That gives you access to the entire MasterClass content library, offline viewing and up to six simultaneous streams.

    Starz — one year for $12: Pay upfront for one year and you can get more than $50 off a Stars annual subscription. There’s a month-to-month option too, which costs $3 per month for the first three months if you don’t want to commit to the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movie library with offline viewing and no ads.

    Paramount+ (2 months) for $6 ($20 off): Paramount+ is doing its Black Friday deal a little differently. Instead of a reasonably cheap long-term plan, you get an incredibly cheap short-term deal — two months for less than a Starbucks run costs these days. That’s more than enough time to binge Yellowjackets, Dexter: Resurrection or Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, along with weeks of NFL games through CBS Sports.

    Sling TV Orange Day Pass for $1 (80 percent off): Sling TV is one of the best live streaming services, and has one of streaming TV’s most unique deals: a commitment-free day pass that lets you stream whatever you want for 24 hours, including cable channels and exclusive sports. Normally, a day pass costs $5, but this Black Friday deal knocks that all the way down to $1.

    Plex (lifetime pass) for $150 (40 percent off): Plex offers personal media servers you can use to organize your digital collection — imagine your own curated Netflix homepage that nothing ever vanishes from. It’s also a streaming platform in its own right, with movies and TV from all genres and eras. Plex did just raise its prices, so now’s your chance to get a lifetime pass for close to what it used to cost.

    Proton VPN (24 months) for $59.76 (75 percent off): Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN — a secure, trustworthy app that doesn’t sacrifice features, speed or usability. Although its free plan does come with unlimited data, we recommend upgrading to get the full set of servers and features. With this deal, you’ll get servers in 117 countries; better yet, every one of those we’ve tested so far can unblock Netflix.

    1Password (one year) for $24 (50 percent off): Using a password manager is one of the most important cybersecurity steps you can take right now. 1Password generates strong, unique passwords for every account, then saves them to autofill when you need them. We named it the best password manager in honor of its well-designed user interface and cross-platform compatibility.

    Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps, Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There’s a helpful goals feature for when you’re planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There’s even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home.

    Black Friday Apple deals

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    Apple AirPods 4 for $69 (47 percent off): These are the most affordable AirPods you can get, and the latest model has been substantially improved over the previous. They have a better fit and noticeably better sound quality than their predecessor, plus some advanced features previously only found on pricer models.

    Apple AirTags (four pack) for $63 (36 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you’re going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it.

    Apple Watch SE 3 for $199 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you’ll find in more expensive model.

    Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Our top pick for the best laptop you can get, the M4 MacBook Air will be plenty of power for most people in a convenient, premium package. It’s thin and light as ever, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad, plus enough battery life to get you through a whole day of work, video calls and more.

    Apple Pencil Pro for $95 ($35 off) at Amazon: The Apple Pencil situation is a little messy, so you’ll want to double check which model is compatible with your particular iPad. The Pencil Pro is the most fully featured in the lineup with haptic feedback, barrel roll and squeeze capabilities, and a hover preview feature. It’ll work with the two most recent models of the Air and Pro iPads, as well as the latest iPad mini. Also at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Black Friday deals under $50

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    LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $18 (20 percent off): Here’s an ideal Secret Santa gift — everyone loves Legos and these cheery little guys will keep your giftee company at their desk or on a windowsill, and are the lowest-maintenance plants around. Also at Target and Walmart; it’s one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now.

    Philips fabric shaver for $13 (32 percent off): Consider this the Black Friday tech deal you didn’t know you needed. If you have shirts, sweaters, pants, even blankets that have pilled over time, this handy little fabric shaver can get them looking more like new again. I bought this on a whim after wishing I could refresh some of my most-loved wardrobe staples without spending hours pulling pills off myself. Philips’ fabric shaver has delivered and then some, and my clothes look much fresher than before.

    Amazon Smart Plug for $13 (48 percent off): Those who use Alexa often will get the most out of this smart plug. We like that it’s super simple to set up and can turn almost anything with an on-off switch “smart,” allowing you to control it via your phone or with Alexa voice commands.

    Roku Streaming Stick Plus for $19 (52 percent off): This is one of the best Roku devices to get if you’re on a budget and just want to make an aging TV set feel a little bit newer. This model supports 4K HDR content, has pretty accurate universal search and gives you access to a ton of free content to watch via Roku’s streaming OS.

    Govee Smart LED Light Bars for $30 ($20 off, Prime exclusive): Another of our stocking stuffer picks are these smart LED light bars from Govee. They can stand up or lie flat so they can go just about anywhere and are infinitely adjustable via the app. You can even set them to light up in sync with your music. Alexa and the Google Assistant will let you control them with just your voice (and a smart speaker).

    Samsung Evo Select (512GB) for $33 ($14 off): We recommend the Evo Select in our microSD card buying guide for those on a tight budget. It has mediocre write speeds, so it’s not ideal for a camera, but it should be serviceable for most people just looking to add space to an Android tablet or original Nintendo Switch on the cheap. (Note that this is a standard UHS-I card, not a newer microSD Express model.) This deal matches the lowest price to date for the 512GB variant. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    UGreen Uno Nexode Charger Block (65W, 3-Port) for $33 (35 percent off): There are other ways to charge your devices, but few are this cute. That’s why we named it one of the best stocking stuffers you can buy. You get three ports in its head and outlet prongs hidden in its removable magnetic feet. Its 65 watts are enough to charge multiple devices at once. Also available directly from UGreen.

    Best Black Friday deals on tech

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    Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool heater and fan for $300 ($200 off): I’ve had this heater and fan for over five years at this point and it remains one of my favorite pieces of tech. It’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room and it’s both a heater and a fan: it cuts the chill in my home office during the winter, and circulates the air to keep me cooler in the summer. You can control the whole thing using the included remote (and it includes a sleep timer), and it handily attaches magnetically to the top of the device so you don’t misplace it.

    Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $248 ($158 off): While the new XM6 headphones have replaced these as Sony’s flagship cans, that doesn’t mean the XM5 aren’t worth buying. They were our top pick for the best wireless headphones for years before the XM6 came around, and they still have excellent ANC, great sound quality, long battery life, a comfortable fit and handy extra features like multipoint connectivity.

    Sony PlayStation Portal for $179 at Amazon ($21 off): Included in the many Black Friday deals on PS5 consoles, games and accessories is this first major discount for Sony’s remote play handheld, which recently added the ability to run games directly from the cloud. Just note you need a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription for that. Anecdotally, I’ve found it a godsend as a new dad. Also at Best Buy, Walmart and others.

    Hisense U65QF (55-inch) for $398 ($402 off MSRP): The U65QF is another entry-level LED TV with generally positive reviews. Most feedback around the web suggests that it can’t match the QM6K in terms of contrast, gaming features and overall accuracy, so TCL’s model should be a better buy for most. This iteration also uses Amazon’s Fire TV platform instead of the cleaner Google TV. It can achieve a higher peak brightness, however, so it’s worth considering if you get particularly bad glare in your living room. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 55-inch model, but the 65-inch ($548), 75-inch ($748) and 85-inch ($900) models are also at all-time lows. Also at Best Buy.

    LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable 75375 for $68 (20 percent off): This is a set that any Star Wars fan will love to build and then love to display once it’s complete. The 921-piece set features a fully-detailed Millennium Falcone, buildable stand and nameplate. It’s one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now.

    Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $170 ($80 off): The latest color ereader in Amazon’s lineup includes a seven-inch, high-contrast display, USB-C charging and a battery life that can last up to eight weeks on a single charge. Its design is waterproof too, so you don’t need to baby it if you take it by the pool or to the beach. If you prefer a black-and-white screen, the base Kindle is also on sale for $80.

    Aura 10.1-inch digital frame for $139 (22 percent off): Aura makes some of our favorite digital frames, and this one has a 10-inch HD display, Wi-Fi connectivity and an elegant mat design. Arguably the best thing about Aura frames in general is that you don’t have to pay a subscription fee to add photos to it over time — all photos are stored in the cloud, and multiple people can add photos to one frame.

    Ninja Creami ice cream maker for $180 (22 percent off): The Creami has been one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances of the past couple of years, and for good reason. It’s one of our favorite pieces of kitchen gear because it makes it a breeze to prepare custom ice cream and many other frozen treats. It’s definitely worthwhile investment if you’re an ice cream lover and want to experiment with making your own flavors.

    Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $400 ($600 off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn’t have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It’s one of the strongest robot vacuums I’ve ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture.

    Black Friday FAQs

    When is Black Friday 2025?

    Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28.

    When do Black Friday sales start?

    Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper.

    When do Black Friday sales end?

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday.

    Does Amazon have Black Friday sales?

    Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer’s site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech.

    Does Apple have Black Friday sales?

    No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple’s website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday.

    Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals?

    The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It’s also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want — for example, if you’re looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you’ll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers.

    Which stores have Black Friday deals?

    Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others.

    Valentina Palladino

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  • Apple’s MacBook Air M4 is $250 off in this Black Friday deal

    Apple’s latest MacBook Air M4 is now discounted to $750 for Black Friday. The deal applies to the entry-level 13-inch model, giving you the same sharp Liquid Retina display and impressive M4 performance that we praised in our review, now for less.

    The MacBook Air M4 continues Apple’s streak of refining what’s already its most popular laptop. It runs on the new M4 chip with a 10-core GPU, offering fast performance for everyday work, creative apps and light gaming. The upgrade from the M3 model is noticeable in both speed and efficiency, making it ideal for multitasking or editing photos and videos on the go.

    Apple

    Despite the power boost, it keeps the same slim profile that helped define the MacBook Air line. The unibody design is still one of the thinnest and lightest in its class, weighing just under three pounds, with a durable aluminum chassis available in four colors — midnight, starlight, silver and space gray. The fanless build keeps it completely silent during use, even when running intensive tasks.

    The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports the P3 wide color gamut and reaches up to 500 nits of brightness, making text and images look crisp and vibrant whether you’re working indoors or near a window. You also get a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-mic array for clear video calls and a four-speaker setup with Spatial Audio support.

    Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port and a headphone jack. Battery life remains one of its standout features, with Apple rating it at up to 18 hours on a single charge. That easily covers a full day of work or travel without reaching for the charger.

    There are a few small limitations, like the lack of a high refresh rate display and the fact that both USB-C ports sit on the same side. Still, for most users, the MacBook Air M4 strikes the best balance between power, portability and price.

    If you want a larger screen, Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air M4 offers the same specs with more workspace, but the 13-inch remains the best pick for portability. You can read more about how it compares to other Apple laptops in our guide to the best MacBooks. This MacBook Air M4 deal makes one of Apple’s best laptops an even smarter buy.

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    Lawrence Bonk,Georgie Peru

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  • Apple Black Friday deals are live: Some of the biggest sales we’ve seen this year on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirTags

    According to our reviews, Apple makes some of the best tech you can buy. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price for the devices. Now that Black Friday sales have arrived, we’re seeing plenty of discounts on iPads, MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches and more. A few of the discounts are hitting all-time lows, and others are the best prices we’ve seen in months. So if you’ve got your eye on a new iPad for family, an Apple Watch for a gift or a pair of AirPods for yourself, this is the list to check out. Here are the best Apple Black Friday deals around.

    Editor’s note: Apple’s own website does not typically host sales. But now through December 1, you can get up to $250 in gift cards from that site. For pure discounts, however, you’ll need to shop Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, B&H Photo or other third-party retailers, which you’ll find linked below.

    Apple Black Friday deals: AirPods

    Billy Steele for Engadget

    In our review of the new AirPods Pro 3, we said they were Apple’s “most comprehensive update” to its Pro line yet. They feature live translation and heart-rate sensing, as well as improved overall sound, better active noise cancellation and a longer battery life. This is the lowest price yet on the new buds. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and Target.

    $220 at Amazon

    AirPods 4 (no ANC) for $69 ($61 off) at Amazon: You miss out on a few more features on the base-model AirPods 4: no live translation, no noise cancellation and no heart rate sensing, but you do get Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, like on the pricer models. We gave the entry-level buds an 88 in our review. The previous low price was $80. Also available at Walmart and Target.

    AirPods 4 (with ANC) for $110 ($69 off) at Amazon: If you just need moderate noise cancellation and prefer an open-wear fit (where nothing goes in your ear canal), you may prefer the new AirPods 4. They don’t have heart rate sensing or the hearing features the Pro models have. But we found the sound quality to be pretty good and appreciated Pro-level features like live translation. These hit a low of $100 earlier in the sale, but have since gone up to $110. Also at Walmart and $140 at Best Buy.

    AirPods Max for $400 ($149 off) at Amazon: These cans have been around for quite some time now, only getting the slightest upgrade with a new USB-C port in 2024. The hardware is otherwise the same as it was when the over-ear headphones debuted in 2020. Still, they’re comfortable, have good sound quality and the on-board controls are unique but good. This $400 sale price matches the all-time low and it’s good for most of the colorways, though a few hues are selling out. You can get the same deal at Walmart in for all but the orange model.

    EarPods for $17 ($2 off) at Amazon: For those who prefer a cord, here is the only Apple-branded wired earphone option. Also at Walmart.

    Apple TV Black Friday deal

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    Apple

    You can get six months of access to the Apple TV streaming service for only $36. That means you can catch Pluribus, the new show from Vince Gilligan (Better Call Saul) and other very good originals like Severance, Ted Lasso and Slow Horses. The offer is live through December 1 and is open to new and qualified returning subscribers but you have to subscribe directly through Apple (link below) and not through a third-party service.

    $36 at Apple

    Apple Black Friday deals: iPads

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    Jeff Dunn for Engadget

    The entry level iPad doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, but that didn’t bother us when we reviewed the new slate. We found the speed to be plenty for what most people need an iPad for: casual gaming, streaming, browsing, answering some emails. We wish the display was laminated and had some anti-glare coating. But this is the lowest-priced way to get your hands on a current-model iPad. Also at Walmart, Target and Best Buy.

    $274 at Amazon

    iPad Air (M3, 11-inch, 128GB) for $449 ($151 off) at Amazon: The Air is the Goldilocks Apple tablet. It strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, making it our overall pick for the best iPad you can buy. The build is lovely; it feels premium and the display is a big improvement over Apple’s base-model slate. The M3 chip is plenty fast for everyday use and can handle an average day of productivity no problem, particularly with its improved multi-tasking abilities. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also on sale at Target and Best Buy.

    iPad Air (M3, 13-inch, 128GB) for $649 ($150 off) at Amazon: A larger screen will make watching shows and playing games more expansive. And if you use your iPad more like a personal computer, you’ll appreciate the extra real estate for spreading out your work. Like the 11-inch Air, this has a powerful M3 chip and an excellent screen, as well as support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence. This matches the lowest price we’ve tracked. Also at Target, Best Buy and it’s $749 at B&H.

    iPad mini (A17 Pro, 8-inch, 128GB) for $399 ($100 off) at Amazon: The smallest Apple iPad is really meant for those who put a priority on the portability and palm-ability of an 8-inch tablet. It uses the A17 chip, which enables support for Apple Intelligence, unlike the base model iPad. We gave it an 83 in our review, praising the fact that you get the full iPad experience, just in a more compact package. We found it particularly suited to messaging, reading, watching video and playing lots of Balatro. It went as low as $379 in October. Also at Best Buy.

    iPad Pro (M5, 11-inch, 256GB) for $899 ($100 off) at Amazon: While we think this is an amazing piece of computing machinery, we admit that it’s overkill for most people. It’s got one of the best displays you’ll find on a tablet, the most recent M5 chip (the same that powers the base-level Apple MacBook Pro) and an almost impossibly thin and light build. We gave it an 85 in our review and had very few complaints — aside from the near-prohibitive price tag. Hopefully this Black Friday discount helps. This $100 discount is a new all-time low. It’s $927 at Walmart.

    iPad Pro (M5, 13-inch, 256GB) for $1,199 ($100 off) at Amazon: To get the most out of the excessive power of the M5 chip, you might want the biggest screen. Once you add in the keyboard and Pencil Pro, you’re looking at one pricey setup (and might be better off with a MacBook?). But if extreme portability and massive power is what you crave, you may as well save $100 with this Black Friday discount. Also at Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Apple Watches

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    Cherlynn Low for Engadget

    Apple still makes the best smartwatch money can buy. The flagship Apple Watch Series 11 is not just a stalwart companion for an iPhone, it also offers comprehensive health monitoring and fitness tracking. There wasn’t a huge change from the Series 10 to this one — both have the same thin and light design, but now the glass is tougher and the battery lasts longer. This $60 discount is a brand new low. Also at Walmart and Target.

    $339 at Amazon

    Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) for $199 ($49 off) at Amazon: After a couple years, Apple finally updated its budget-model smart watch. And we were pretty happy with the results, awarding the new wearable a review score of 90. It’s got a smaller screen and thicker bezels than the Series 11 and lacks a few of the more advanced health monitoring features. It’s also made from slightly less-robust materials. But it has nearly everything that makes Apple Watches great for a lot less — particularly now. This is the lowest price we’ve seen since the watch came out in September. Also at Walmart and Target.

    Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm, GPS + cellular) for $700 ($99 off) at Amazon: The newest feature for Apple’s priciest smartwatch is satellite connectivity. The Ultra 3 has a titanium case, a large 49mm screen size and comes standard with cellular and dual GPS connectivity. It also has features for adventuring, like an on-board siren, depth gauge and up to 3,000 nits of brightness. The $99 discount within a dollar of the all-time low.

    Apple Black Friday deals: MacBooks and Macs

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    Apple

    As far as we’re concerned, Apple makes the best laptop overall with the M4 MacBook Air. It’s light and portable yet powerful enough to handle all but the most demanding media rendering. The keyboard and touchpad are excellent and the battery will get you through a full day of work and then some. It earned a 92 in our review. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    $749 at Amazon

    Apple MacBook Air (M4, 15-inch, 256GB) for $949 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M4 chip is quite powerful, to take advantage of all the productivity it enables, you might want a little more room on your screen. When Apple first made a 15-inch option for the MacBook Air a couple generations ago, we were surprised at the difference it made. Also at Best Buy and it’s $100 off at B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,349 ($207 off) at Amazon: Apple’s most recent M-series chip is the M5, and only comes equipped on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the iPad Pro. When the M5 MacBook Pro M5 came out last month, we promptly reviewed it and awarded it a 92. That new chip gives the laptop an impressive graphics upgrade that helps make it more suited to gaming — an area where Apple still lags behind PCs. Other than the chip upgrade, it’s mostly the same, which is a good thing. It’s sturdy, powerful and has an impressively long battery life — we clocked 34 hours in a video run-down test. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 14-inch, 512GB) for $1,749 ($250 off) at Amazon: The M5 chip isn’t yet available in the Pro and Max variants. If Apple follows the same six-month gap that separated the M4 from the M4 Pro and Max chips, we may see the M5 Pro/Max in spring of next year. For now, however, those higher-specced chips can only be found in the M4-series lineup. The MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is on sale and it’s our recommendation for creative professionals who need an obscene amount of processing power. Also at Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.

    Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 16-inch, 256GB) for $2,189 ($310 off) at Amazon: You sacrifice a little portability for the larger 16-inch screen, as it adds about a pound and a quarter to the weight. But you might appreciate the extra space for your work on the display. Also at Walmart and B&H.

    Apple 2024 iMac (M4, 24-inch) for $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon: Apple just has one model of an all-in-one desktop computer and it has the M4 chip inside. We called the iMac more cost effective than ever, now that it comes with a minimum of 16GB of RAM. The M4 chip makes it capable for content creation, productivity and gaming.

    Mac mini (M4) for $479 ($120 off) at Amazon: Apple’s compact desktop computer got a rave review from us. We called it “shockingly small [and] incredibly powerful.” It also benefits from a bump to a minimum of 16GB of internal memory. It can play modern games at reasonable resolutions and handle most productivity tasks you throw at it.

    Apple Black Friday deals: Accessories

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    Apple AirTag (4-pack) for $63 ($36 off) at Amazon: Even though they haven’t been updated in a few years, Apple’s AirTags are still the gold standard of Bluetooth trackers, and what most people think of when they think of trackers. We may get a new version soon, but they aren’t likely to be this cheap. Also at Walmart. A single AirTag is on sale too for $18 instead of $29.

    Apple Pencil USB-C for $49 ($30 off) at Amazon: If you have the new base-model iPad with the A16 chip, this is the pencil that will work for you. It’ll also work with current as well as slightly older models of the Air and Pro iPads.

    Apple Pencil Pro for $95 ($35 off) at Amazon: The Apple Pencil situation is a little messy, so you’ll want to double check which model is compatible with your particular iPad. The Pencil Pro is the most fully featured in the lineup with haptic feedback, barrel roll and squeeze capabilities, and a hover preview feature. It’ll work with the two most recent models of the Air and Pro iPads, as well as the latest iPad mini. This deal is $5 more than the all-time low and it’s also available at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Image for the mini product module

    Amy Skorheim

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  • Apple Watch sleep score: What your number really means

    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Apple added a new Sleep Score feature that gives you a single number to sum up how you slept.

    It pulls data from your Apple Watch and turns it into an easy rating you can check first thing in the morning. This makes it much easier to understand your sleep without sorting through charts.

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    System requirements for Apple Watch Sleep Score

    You need an Apple Watch running watchOS 26 or later paired with an iPhone running iOS 26 or later. This feature was tested on an iPhone 15 Pro Max and an Apple Watch Series 11. If you run older software, update your devices before you begin.

    iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update > Install iOS 26

    Apple Watch: Watch app > General > Software Update > Install watchOS 26

    Apple CEO Tim Cook holds up the new Apple Watch Series 11 during a launch event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)

    How to set up sleep tracking on your Apple Watch

    It only takes a minute to get your Apple Watch and iPhone working together to monitor your nightly sleep habits. Here’s how to do it:

    • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
    • Tap the Search icon in the bottom right of the screen, then choose Sleep.
    • Tap Get Started, then tap Next if you haven’t set it up before. Otherwise, click Sleep again.
    • Scroll down to Your Schedule and click Add to set your Sleep Goal by tapping where it says BEDTIME and WAKE UP
    • Choose the days you want this schedule active, then tap Add.
    • You can always revise it by clicking Edit. 

    Once your Apple Watch sleep tracking is set up in the Health app, the Sleep Score appears in both your watch and iPhone. You can view your history and see how your habits change over time.

    How to check your Sleep Score on Apple Watch

    You can see your Sleep Score right on your Apple Watch as soon as you wake up. The score usually appears within about fifteen minutes and gives you a quick look at how you slept. Here are the steps:

    • Press the Digital Crown to open your apps
    • Open the Sleep app
    • Tap the i in the circle next to your Sleep Score once it appears. Then tap the X.
    • Use the crown to scroll down to view your Sleep Stages, Time Asleep, and Last 14 Days.
    • Open the Health app on your iPhone for full charts and history (see below for steps).

    This keeps everything fast and simple on your wrist while your iPhone shows the deeper breakdown.

    ADAPTIVE POWER IN IOS 26 BOOSTS IPHONE BATTERY LIFE

    How to check your Apple Watch sleep score on iPhone

    Follow these steps to see your score each morning:

    • Open the Health app
    • Tap the search icon in the bottom right corner
    • Select Sleep
    • Tap Sleep Score
    • Tap Sleep Score again to view more details
    • Choose Show in Charts to track your score over time
    • Pick W for weeks, M for months, or 6M for six months of history
    • Look under Levels to see how many nights fell into each score range
    • Select Elements to check your average duration, bedtime, and interruptions
    • Tap the info icon to learn what each Sleep Score level means
    woman sleeping

    Apple’s new Sleep Score feature gives users a rating each morning to show how well they slept and met nightly goals. (iStock)

    How your sleep score works

    Your Sleep Score is a number out of 100. Apple uses three main factors to build your final rating. Sleep duration provides up to 50 points. Bedtime consistency offers up to 30 points. Interruptions and wake-ups make up the last 20 points. These elements combine to show how close you came to your nightly sleep goals.

    When Apple calculates your score, it places you into one of five levels. These levels help you understand the quality of your rest. They may not always match how you feel in the morning, but they give you a steady way to track trends over time.

    Excellent Your body and mind likely received the rest needed for the day. With consistency, this level may also support long-term health.

    High You may not have slept perfectly, but you got the sleep you needed. Your night was likely restorative and may still benefit your health over time.

    OK An OK score often means your body and mind did not get the full amount of rest they need.

    Low A low score means you did not get enough time to rest and restore.

    Very Low A very low score suggests your body did not get the sleep it needs. If you see this level often, it can affect your mental and physical health.

    APPLE RELEASES IOS 26.1 WITH MAJOR SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW FEATURES FOR IPHONE USERS

    Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com 

    Photo of a man wearing an Apple Watch on his wrist.

    An Apple Watch running watchOS 26 pairs with an iPhone on iOS 26, or later, to track nightly sleep habits. (Apple)

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    The new Sleep Score makes the Apple Watch’s sleep tracking easier to read and more useful day to day. You get a clear number that shows how your routines guide your rest. If you want a quick pulse check each morning, this tool keeps things simple.

    What part of your nightly routine affects your score the most? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. 

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  • The best Black Friday deals on tech for 2025: Get up to 50 percent off gear from Apple, Amazon, Disney+, Lego, Dyson and others

    Black Friday is here in all of its discount glory. At this point, though, you might be feeling some deal fatigue. The entire month of November has been awash with holiday deals as “Black Friday” becomes more of a month-long event than a single-day affair.

    Whether you’re just starting your holiday shopping now or you’re back to see if there are any good new deals, Engadget has you covered. We’ve been tracking the best Black Friday deals on tech since the month began, and we continue to do so today. As usual, there are a few surprises for Black Friday, and many of the best Black Friday deals we’ve seen over the past few weeks are still available today. To avoid unnecessary searching, we’ve collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right here.

    Black Friday deals: Engadget’s top picks

    Disney+ Hulu bundle — $60 for one year: The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1. New and eligible returning subscribers can take advantage of this deal, and considering the bundle typically costs $13 per month, this deal represents more than a 50 percent discount on the standard monthly price.

    Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $220 ($29 off): Apple’s latest flagship wireless earbuds are the ones to get if you have an iPhone and any other Apple gear. They have improved sound quality, impressive ANC improvements, extra features like Live Translation and even better battery life.

    Apple iPad A16 for $274 (21 percent off): Apple’s cheapest iPad makes a great first tablet for kids, or anyone who just wants a basic slab for watching videos, online shopping, sending emails and more. It’s plenty fast thanks to the A16 chipset that powers it, plus it has a nice screen, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

    Apple TV+ — 6 months for $36: Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.

    HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.

    PlayStation 5 digital edition for $399 ($100 off): The PlayStation 5 is getting a major Black Friday discount, with $100 off consoles. That brings the PS5 Digital Edition down to $399, the standard PS5 to $449 and the new PS5 Pro to $649. If you’ve been holding out for the right time to upgrade or buy your first console, these are the deals to beat. You’ll find them direct at Sony and from other retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

    Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499: Black Friday Nintendo sales were announced recently and, unsurprisingly, there won’t be many true deals out there this year. There are no straight discounts on the Switch 2 console, so your best bet is to pick up a bundle that saves you some cash on a Switch 2 game. One of the best is the Mario Kart Wold bundle, but Pokémon fans should consider the Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle, too.

    Meta Quest 3S VR headset for $250 ($50 off): We consider this to be the best VR headset for newbies or those on a budget. It’s comfortable to wear for long sessions, has solid performance, comes with excellent controllers and you’ll have access to a large app library with it.

    PlayStation VR2 + Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for $299 ($100 off): It’s hard to broadly recommend the PSVR2: The actual hardware is superb, but there aren’t a ton of standout exclusives to play. Thankfully, you can now use the device with a gaming PC through a separate adapter, though it’s all wired-only. Still, if you have cash to burn and want to dive into games like Gran Turismo 7, the Resident Evil 4 remake or the Horizon adventure bundled here, this is a new low. If this offer runs out of stock, the standalone headset is on sale for the same price. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    DJI Neo drone for $159 (20 percent off, Prime exclusive): Yes, the Neo 2 just came out, but it’s still unclear if that model will make its way to the US. For now, if you want an affordable drone to capture your next adventure, the original Neo remains an excellent option. It was our top pick for the best drone for those on a budget, and it’s an even better buy at this sale price.

    Samsung S95F (65-inch) for $2,298 ($700 off): The S95F is a premium model that’s received almost universally stellar reviews for being especially bright among OLED TVs while keeping the bold colors and contrast expected from a QD-OLED panel. That brightness, combined with the display’s matte finish, means it’s uniquely adept at fending off glare. It also has four HDMI 2.1 ports and a native 165Hz refresh rate for gaming. That said, there’s still no Dolby Vision HDR, and the matte coating means that black tones won’t look as deep in a bright room. It’s not cheap, but this is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 65-inch model. Also at Samsung and Best Buy.

    Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar for $879 (20 percent off): Sonos’ most premium soundbar offers crisp, clear sound and an impressive bass boost over the original. It has a sleek design and works with the Sonos Ace headphones as well. There are plenty of other Sonos Black Friday deals to consider as well, both on Amazon and direct at Sonos.

    Google Pixel 10 Pro for $749 (25 percent off): You can get much better than this when it comes to Android phones. Google’s latest flagship has a brighter display, longer battery life, a camera that supports 100x Pro Res Zoom and Pixelsnap (i.e. Qi2) charging support.

    Black Friday streaming deals and subscription deals

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    MasterClass — up to 50 percent off annual subscriptions: The MasterClass Black Friday deal discounts most subscription tiers by 50 percent when you pay for one year upfront. The Premium tier, the most expensive option, usually costs $20 per month but now only sets you back $10 per month for one year. That gives you access to the entire MasterClass content library, offline viewing and up to six simultaneous streams.

    Starz — one year for $12: Pay upfront for one year and you can get more than $50 off a Stars annual subscription. There’s a month-to-month option too, which costs $3 per month for the first three months if you don’t want to commit to the full year. Either option gives you access to the entire Starz TV and movie library with offline viewing and no ads.

    Paramount+ (2 months) for $6 ($20 off): Paramount+ is doing its Black Friday deal a little differently. Instead of a reasonably cheap long-term plan, you get an incredibly cheap short-term deal — two months for less than a Starbucks run costs these days. That’s more than enough time to binge Yellowjackets, Dexter: Resurrection or Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, along with weeks of NFL games through CBS Sports.

    Sling TV Orange Day Pass for $1 (80 percent off): Sling TV is one of the best live streaming services, and has one of streaming TV’s most unique deals: a commitment-free day pass that lets you stream whatever you want for 24 hours, including cable channels and exclusive sports. Normally, a day pass costs $5, but this Black Friday deal knocks that all the way down to $1.

    Plex (lifetime pass) for $150 (40 percent off): Plex offers personal media servers you can use to organize your digital collection — imagine your own curated Netflix homepage that nothing ever vanishes from. It’s also a streaming platform in its own right, with movies and TV from all genres and eras. Plex did just raise its prices, so now’s your chance to get a lifetime pass for close to what it used to cost.

    Audible — three months for $3 + $20 Audible credit: For literally $1 per month, you can get access to Audible’s enormous library of published audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals (which can be anything from never-before-heard books to live performances). It’s only three months, after which you’ll have to cancel or renew at the regular price, but an audiobibliophile can cram a lot of listening into 90 days.

    Proton VPN (24 months) for $59.76 (75 percent off): Proton VPN is our pick for the best VPN — a secure, trustworthy app that doesn’t sacrifice features, speed or usability. Although its free plan does come with unlimited data, we recommend upgrading to get the full set of servers and features. With this deal, you’ll get servers in 117 countries; better yet, every one of those we’ve tested so far can unblock Netflix.

    1Password (one year) for $24 (50 percent off): Using a password manager is one of the most important cybersecurity steps you can take right now. 1Password generates strong, unique passwords for every account, then saves them to autofill when you need them. We named it the best password manager in honor of its well-designed user interface and cross-platform compatibility.

    Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps, Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There’s a helpful goals feature for when you’re planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There’s even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home.

    Black Friday Apple deals

    Image for the mini product module

    Apple AirPods 4 for $69 (47 percent off): These are the most affordable AirPods you can get, and the latest model has been substantially improved over the previous. They have a better fit and noticeably better sound quality than their predecessor, plus some advanced features previously only found on pricer models.

    Apple AirTags (four pack) for $63 (36 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you’re going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it.

    Apple Watch SE 3 for $199 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you’ll find in more expensive model.

    Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Our top pick for the best laptop you can get, the M4 MacBook Air will be plenty of power for most people in a convenient, premium package. It’s thin and light as ever, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad, plus enough battery life to get you through a whole day of work, video calls and more.

    Apple Pencil Pro for $95 ($35 off) at Amazon: The Apple Pencil situation is a little messy, so you’ll want to double check which model is compatible with your particular iPad. The Pencil Pro is the most fully featured in the lineup with haptic feedback, barrel roll and squeeze capabilities, and a hover preview feature. It’ll work with the two most recent models of the Air and Pro iPads, as well as the latest iPad mini. Also at Walmart and Best Buy.

    Black Friday deals under $50

    Image for the mini product module

    LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants Building Toys 10349 for $18 (20 percent off): Here’s an ideal Secret Santa gift — everyone loves Legos and these cheery little guys will keep your giftee company at their desk or on a windowsill, and are the lowest-maintenance plants around. Also at Target and Walmart; it’s one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now.

    Philips fabric shaver for $13 (32 percent off): Consider this the Black Friday tech deal you didn’t know you needed. If you have shirts, sweaters, pants, even blankets that have pilled over time, this handy little fabric shaver can get them looking more like new again. I bought this on a whim after wishing I could refresh some of my most-loved wardrobe staples without spending hours pulling pills off myself. Philips’ fabric shaver has delivered and then some, and my clothes look much fresher than before.

    Amazon Smart Plug for $13 (48 percent off): Those who use Alexa often will get the most out of this smart plug. We like that it’s super simple to set up and can turn almost anything with an on-off switch “smart,” allowing you to control it via your phone or with Alexa voice commands.

    Roku Streaming Stick Plus for $19 (52 percent off): This is one of the best Roku devices to get if you’re on a budget and just want to make an aging TV set feel a little bit newer. This model supports 4K HDR content, has pretty accurate universal search and gives you access to a ton of free content to watch via Roku’s streaming OS.

    Govee Smart LED Light Bars for $30 ($20 off, Prime exclusive): Another of our stocking stuffer picks are these smart LED light bars from Govee. They can stand up or lie flat so they can go just about anywhere and are infinitely adjustable via the app. You can even set them to light up in sync with your music. Alexa and the Google Assistant will let you control them with just your voice (and a smart speaker).

    Samsung Evo Select (512GB) for $33 ($14 off): We recommend the Evo Select in our microSD card buying guide for those on a tight budget. It has mediocre write speeds, so it’s not ideal for a camera, but it should be serviceable for most people just looking to add space to an Android tablet or original Nintendo Switch on the cheap. (Note that this is a standard UHS-I card, not a newer microSD Express model.) This deal matches the lowest price to date for the 512GB variant. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    UGreen Uno Nexode Charger Block (65W, 3-Port) for $33 (35 percent off): There are other ways to charge your devices, but few are this cute. That’s why we named it one of the best stocking stuffers you can buy. You get three ports in its head and outlet prongs hidden in its removable magnetic feet. Its 65 watts are enough to charge multiple devices at once. Also available directly from UGreen.

    Best Black Friday deals on tech

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    Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool heater and fan for $300 ($200 off): I’ve had this heater and fan for over five years at this point and it remains one of my favorite pieces of tech. It’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room and it’s both a heater and a fan: it cuts the chill in my home office during the winter, and circulates the air to keep me cooler in the summer. You can control the whole thing using the included remote (and it includes a sleep timer), and it handily attaches magnetically to the top of the device so you don’t misplace it.

    Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $248 ($158 off): While the new XM6 headphones have replaced these as Sony’s flagship cans, that doesn’t mean the XM5 aren’t worth buying. They were our top pick for the best wireless headphones for years before the XM6 came around, and they still have excellent ANC, great sound quality, long battery life, a comfortable fit and handy extra features like multipoint connectivity.

    Sony PlayStation Portal for $179 at Amazon ($21 off): Included in the many Black Friday deals on PS5 consoles, games and accessories is this first major discount for Sony’s remote play handheld, which recently added the ability to run games directly from the cloud. Just note you need a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription for that. Anecdotally, I’ve found it a godsend as a new dad. Also at Best Buy, Walmart and others.

    Hisense U65QF (55-inch) for $398 ($402 off MSRP): The U65QF is another entry-level LED TV with generally positive reviews. Most feedback around the web suggests that it can’t match the QM6K in terms of contrast, gaming features and overall accuracy, so TCL’s model should be a better buy for most. This iteration also uses Amazon’s Fire TV platform instead of the cleaner Google TV. It can achieve a higher peak brightness, however, so it’s worth considering if you get particularly bad glare in your living room. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the 55-inch model, but the 65-inch ($548), 75-inch ($748) and 85-inch ($900) models are also at all-time lows. Also at Best Buy.

    LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable 75375 for $68 (20 percent off): This is a set that any Star Wars fan will love to build and then love to display once it’s complete. The 921-piece set features a fully-detailed Millennium Falcone, buildable stand and nameplate. It’s one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now.

    Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $170 ($80 off): The latest color ereader in Amazon’s lineup includes a seven-inch, high-contrast display, USB-C charging and a battery life that can last up to eight weeks on a single charge. Its design is waterproof too, so you don’t need to baby it if you take it by the pool or to the beach. If you prefer a black-and-white screen, the base Kindle is also on sale for $80.

    Aura 10.1-inch digital frame for $139 (22 percent off): Aura makes some of our favorite digital frames, and this one has a 10-inch HD display, Wi-Fi connectivity and an elegant mat design. Arguably the best thing about Aura frames in general is that you don’t have to pay a subscription fee to add photos to it over time — all photos are stored in the cloud, and multiple people can add photos to one frame.

    Ninja Creami ice cream maker for $180 (22 percent off): The Creami has been one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances of the past couple of years, and for good reason. It’s one of our favorite pieces of kitchen gear because it makes it a breeze to prepare custom ice cream and many other frozen treats. It’s definitely worthwhile investment if you’re an ice cream lover and want to experiment with making your own flavors.

    Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $400 ($600 off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn’t have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It’s one of the strongest robot vacuums I’ve ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture.

    Black Friday FAQs

    When is Black Friday 2025?

    Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28.

    When do Black Friday sales start?

    Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper.

    When do Black Friday sales end?

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday.

    Does Amazon have Black Friday sales?

    Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer’s site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech.

    Does Apple have Black Friday sales?

    No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple’s website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday.

    Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals?

    The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It’s also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want — for example, if you’re looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you’ll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers.

    Which stores have Black Friday deals?

    Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others.

    Valentina Palladino

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  • 15 Surprisingly Good Black Friday Gift Ideas for the Tech Lover in Your Life

    If you’re looking to get a gift for someone into tech, you know it can be challenging to figure out what to buy. This year for Black Friday, the most interesting deals aren’t necessarily the flashiest. They’re the practical, delightfully nerdy tools people will actually use.

    This isn’t a list of the cheapest tech—in fact, some of these things aren’t even on sale for Black Friday. Instead, it’s a list of the best tech to give someone you actually like. These are product ideas that solve real problems and would be a welcome gift for any tech aficionado.

    Image Credit: Jason Aten

    The Paper Pro Move is just a few months old, and I’ve been reviewing it since it came out. I think it’s fair to say it’s the most thoughtfully designed “mini” device of the year. It shrinks reMarkable’s new color e-ink canvas to a 7.3-inch display—roughly paperback size—while keeping the adjustable front light, Gallery 3 color, and reMarkable’s signature paper-like writing feel. The pixel density jumps to 264 PPI, making text sharper than even the full-size Paper Pro.

    If someone on your list takes field notes, travels light, or found the original 11.8-inch Paper Pro too unwieldy, this is the one to get. The catch: it’s brand new, so no straight discounts.

    Who It’s For: Note-takers, creatives, commuters, field workers, and anyone who writes more than they type.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: The official bundle discount ($50 off) on the Move + Marker Plus + Type Folio.

    2. Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W)

    Anker’s best pocketable charger is on one of its best sales ever. The Nano Power Bank has an integrated retractable USB-C cable—no more scrambling for cords—and a 10,000 mAh battery that can refuel most phones twice. The best feature is the 45W output, which is powerful enough to charge a MacBook Air or Nintendo Switch.

    Who It’s For: Travelers, commuters, students, and anyone who lives out of a sling bag.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $39.99 (down from $59.99) at Amazon and Anker.

    3. Sony A7 IV

    Sony’s A7 IV remains one of the most balanced, capable, and reliable full-frame cameras you can buy—especially for the price. It features a 33MP sensor, excellent low-light performance, industry-leading autofocus, and oversampled 4K video. It’s not the newest body in Sony’s lineup, but that’s the point: it’s the rare camera that’s good at everything without costing flagship money.

    Who It’s For: Enthusiast photographers, hybrid shooters, vloggers, and anyone moving up from an APS-C camera.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $1,998 for the body ($700 off), at B&H Photo.

    4. Nespresso Vertuo Creatista

    Image Courtesy, Nespresso

    This year, the Nespresso Vertuo Creatista arrives on Black Friday with a compelling case: it blends the instant convenience of pods with a legit steam wand for lattes, cappuccinos, or flat whites. Not only that, but it all comes inside a polished stainless-steel body that looks more like a countertop espresso machine than a pod brewer. Its 2-liter water tank, auto-eject capsule system, and built-in frother make it a one-button way to satisfy both espresso and latte cravings. 

    Who It’s For: Coffee lovers who want café-quality espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes at home without learning the art of tamping and pulling shots—ideal for apartment dwellers, new homeowners, or anyone upgrading from a standard drip pot.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: As low as $418.98 at Amazon (Down from $699.95 list price).

    5. Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub

    If it’s time to give yourself or someone you love a home-theater upgrade, this is the one. The new Arc Ultra shrinks the soundbar while improving its bass and clarity thanks to Sonos’s “Sound Motion” transducer tech. Paired with the Sub (Gen 4), it delivers room-filling sound and best-in-class dialogue enhancement. As a result, movies sound dramatically better, especially voices—the Arc Ultra’s center channel is exceptional.

    Who It’s For: Movie lovers, home-theater enthusiasts, and anyone who struggles to hear dialogue.
    Best Deal for Black Friday:
    $1,499 for the bundle from Sonos and major retailers (about $500 off typical pricing).

    6. EcoFlow 140W Rapid GaN Charger

    EcoFlow has quietly become one of the most compelling accessory makers, and the Rapid 140W GaN charger is a perfect example. It’s compact, supports USB-C PD 3.1, and can charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro at full speed. Multiple USB-C ports (plus USB-A) make it a one-brick solution for phones, laptops, watches, and earbuds. Because it uses GaN technology, it’s also small enough to throw in just about any bag.

    Who It’s For: Anyone trying to simplify their bag—or ditch the tangle of chargers behind their desk—will appreciate this.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $74.99 at EcoFlow.com.

    7. July Carry On Suitcase

    Image Courtesy, July

    July has become our favorite suitcase brand, and for good reason. The curved polycarbonate corners are more durable than standard designs, and the “SilentMove” wheels are among the smoothest—and quietest—of any carry-on. Seriously, they’re so good that they were the first thing my wife commented on when we packed for our recent trip to Lisbon in a July Carry-On. Not only that, but the CaseSafe models have built-in Apple Find My support, as well as an ejectable power bank.

    Who It’s For: Frequent travelers, business flyers, and anyone upgrading from a cheap spinner.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $220 for the Carry On Light.

    8. M4 MacBook Air

    Apple finally fixed the MacBook Air’s only real drawback by making 16GB of RAM standard. The new M4 chip is faster, more efficient, and supports dual external displays—a first for the Air with the lid open. For students, writers, office workers, and just about everyone else, this is the best all-around laptop you can buy. Right now you can get pretty great deals on the MacBook Air from Amazon and other retailers.

    Who It’s For: Students, office workers, creators, and anyone replacing a laptop older than four years.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $899 at Amazon and B&H.

    9. AirPods Pro 3

    AirPods Pro 3 look familiar, but the updates are pretty big: a built-in heart rate sensor, better waterproofing (IP57), improved bass, and 8 hours of battery life with ANC. The fitness-tracking alone makes them the easiest upgrade recommendation for any runner or gym-goer.

    If you want to save just a little more money, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are on sale for only $110 online at Walmart.

    Who It’s For: Fitness lovers, commuters, and anyone still using AirPods from 2019.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $219.99 on Amazon.

    10. Whoop MG

    Image Credit: Jason Aten

    The Whoop 5.0 MG is a significant upgrade for the platform, with 14-day battery life and new medical-grade features, including FDA-cleared ECG and blood-pressure trend monitoring via its conductive clasp. It keeps Whoop’s distraction-free design while offering excellent data accuracy for sleep, recovery, and strain. If you’re not into ECG and BP trend data, the standard Whoop 5.0 has the same long battery life for less.

    Who It’s For: Athletes, sleep trackers, health-conscious users, and anyone who wants the most accurate data without wearing a smartwatch.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $299 “Life” Membership (normally $359). If you don’t need the medical features, the standard 5.0 Peak membership is $199.

    11. Sony WH-1000XM5

    Sony’s WH-1000XM5 remain the gold standard for noise-canceling headphones. They deliver exceptional ANC, 30-hour battery life, lightweight comfort, and dramatically better microphone quality for calls. Sony’s tuning is warm, detailed, and fatigue-free—ideal for long flights or hours-long focus sessions. At their annual Black Friday price, they’re one of the best headphone deals you’ll find.

    Who It’s For: Frequent flyers, commuters, remote workers, students, and anyone who needs silence on demand.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $298 (down from $399) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

    12. Kindle Paperwhite (2024 Signature Edition)

    Amazon’s refreshed Signature Edition brings a faster processor, snappier page-turns, a larger 7-inch display, 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and an ambient light sensor that adjusts automatically. For pure reading, nothing beats the Paperwhite’s combination of screen quality, battery life, and portability.

    Who It’s For: Avid readers, travelers, students, and anyone trying to get off their phone at night.
    Best Deal I’ve Found: $154.99 (normally $199) at Amazon.

    13. Level Lock Pro

    Image Courtesy, Level Lock

    The Level Lock Pro keeps the same invisible, inside-the-door design as the Level Lock+, but upgrades nearly everything internally: native motion sensing for faster auto-unlock, full Matter-over-Thread support, and Door Sense—a physical status indicator that tells you if the door is open or closed. It remains the best “you can’t tell it’s a smart lock” option on the market and continues to support Apple Home Keys.

    The Pro is new and isn’t on sale for Black Friday, but the Level Lock+ is. If you’re willing to sacrifice Matter support and Door Sense, it’s a great deal.

    Who It’s For: Apple Home users, smart-home fans, minimalists, and anyone who hates bulky keypad locks.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: No discounts on the Pro itself, but the Level Lock+ is $229—saving you $120 if you don’t need the new hardware features.

    14. Nanu Arc Alarm Clock

    Image Courtesy, Nanu

    The Nanu Arc is a design-forward, phone-free alarm clock with a mechanical chime—striking an actual metal bar—that creates a calming, gradual wake-up sound. It’s beautifully made, repairable, battery-powered (USB-C), and designed to keep your phone out of the bedroom without sacrificing elegance or functionality.

    Who It’s For: A perfect gift for the “digital detox” crowd—or anyone who wants to stop waking up to their phone.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $254 (normally $299), one of the only discounts Nanu products see all year.

    The original Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses look like classic sunglasses but add surprisingly good open-ear audio, hands-free POV photo/video capture, and on-device Meta AI tools. The audio quality is surprisingly good, and being able to capture moments without holding up a phone changes how you record memories.

    Who It’s For: Travelers, parents, creators, and early adopters who love capturing candid moments.
    Best Deal for Black Friday: $239 (20% off), for the original version.

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    The final deadline for the 2026 Inc. Regionals Awards is Friday, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply now.

    Jason Aten

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  • ‘ I have never had an issue with mine’: Woman buys ‘leakproof’ Owala water bottle. Then she puts it in bag with her $2,000 MacBook

    Placing a water bottle tumbler in a bag can be risky. Any movement can be a game of spillage roulette, ruining any valuables inside. Unfortunately, one learned that ‘leakproof’ isn’t always foolproof after she placed her Owala in the same pocket as her MacBook, which resulted in a hefty price. 

    The seven-second clip shows TikTok creator Laurie (@laurienadeau61) with her hand on her forehead, devastated. “POV: your ‘leakproof’ Owala leaked (aka FLOODED it) in your bag,” she writes in the text overlay.

    “Now your $2k MacBook Pro no longer works, and you don’t have access to any of your notes or papers anymore a few days before exams,” she adds. Then, the content creator flips the camera to reveal her MacBook with its screen frozen on a Word document.

    Needless to say, the incident distressed Laurie. “@Owala I just wanted an A+ on my next exam, I’m screwed now,” she expresses in the caption.

    Viewers were empathetic

    The video racked up over 219,000 views. Many in Laurie’s comments section resonated with her, sharing their own experiences with Owalas drowning their belongings.

    “I bought one to travel with and leaked allll over first use. I’m [sure] traumatized,” one viewer revealed.

    “This exact thing happened to me. My heart goes out to you,” a second commented.

    “It happened to me with my ipad where I have all my notes and projects,” a third echoed.

    How can ‘leakproof’ Owala tumblers spill?

    Due to experience, others proposed how this could’ve happened.

    “I found that my owala would only leak when I would fill all the way to the top. So I only fill it up till the end of where I say the cap ends when it’s tightened on. Because I have tried at least 3 times and it will leak if I fill it all the way to the top,” one commenter explained.

    “Mine did this too but bc something pushed on the button and it opened slightly,” another stated.

    Essentially, Owalas are leak-free due to their screw-top lid, rubber gasket on the mouthpiece, and rubber stopper, Yahoo states. On the other hand, several factors can cause spills, such as adding hot, carbonated liquids or accidentally bumping the unlock button, according to Owala’s website. The brand recommends keeping tumblers away from other objects and covering the button to prevent this.

    However, if none of these are the culprits, it may be a missing piece. In August, one Florida-based mother learned that a missing stopper was causing her daughter’s Owala to leak. From what she allegedly witnessed, it could’ve been a case of customers pulling switcheroos to customize their own tumblers, a popular phenomenon at Target. Other factors can include damaged or unclean pieces and improper securing.

    @laurienadeau61 @Owala I just wanted an A+ on my next exam, I’m screwed now ? #leakproof #owala #macbookpro #finalseason #fml ♬ original sound – ASMR icons

    The Mary Sue reached out to Laurie via email and TikTok comment as well as Owala via press email.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Melody Heald

    Melody Heald

    Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, The Daily Dot, and more. You can email her at: [email protected]

    Melody Heald

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  • Black Friday Apple deals include the AirPods 4 for 47 percent off

    Black Friday Apple deals are here, and one of the best we’re tracking is on the AirPods 4. They’re down to $69 right now, which is a new record low. While these buds don’t provide active noise cancellation, they’re still a great option for those who want all of the conveniences of a pair of Apple earbuds in an affordable package.

    The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple’s H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models.

    Apple

    They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won’t have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple’s hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price.

    This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don’t have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem.

    You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case.

    Elsewhere when it comes to Black Friday AirPods deals, you can pick up the AirPods 4 with ANC for $100, the new AirPods Pro 3 for $220 and the AirPods Max (in certain colors) for $400.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    Cheyenne MacDonald

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  • Black Friday 2025 deals: We found huge sales from Amazon, Apple, Lego, Ninja, Dyson and others to start shopping now

    Black Friday has become the time to buy the hottest tech of the year. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or stocking up on gifts for the holidays, Black Friday deals are sure to bring the best prices of the year to things like headphones, game consoles, robot vacuums, phone accessories and everything in between. You don’t even have to wait until Black Friday proper to save a ton of money. Over the past few years, we’ve seen Black Friday tech deals start earlier and earlier — to the point where the entire month of November is packed with discounts.

    If you’re on the hunt for solid tech deals, Engadget has you covered. We’ve collected the best Black Friday deals on tech you can get right now, and we’ll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day and Cyber Monday.

    Black Friday deals: Engadget’s top picks

    Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $220 ($29 off): Apple’s latest flagship wireless earbuds are the ones to get if you have an iPhone and any other Apple gear. They have improved sound quality, impressive ANC improvements, extra features like Live Translation and even better battery life.

    Apple iPad A16 for $274 (21 percent off): Apple’s cheapest iPad makes a great first tablet for kids, or anyone who just wants a basic slab for watching videos, online shopping, sending emails and more. It’s plenty fast thanks to the A16 chipset that powers it, plus it has a nice screen, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

    Disney+ Hulu bundle — $60 for one year: The Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) bundle is on sale for $5 per month for one year (for a total of $60) through December 1. New and eligible returning subscribers can take advantage of this deal, and considering the bundle typically costs $13 per month, this deal represents more than a 50 percent discount on the standard monthly price.

    PlayStation 5 Black Friday deals: The PlayStation 5 is getting a major Black Friday discount, with $100 off consoles. That brings the PS5 Digital Edition down to $399, the standard PS5 to $449 and the new PS5 Pro to $649. If you’ve been holding out for the right time to upgrade or buy your first console, these are the deals to beat. You’ll find them direct at Sony and from other retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

    Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World bundle for $499: Black Friday Nintendo sales were announced recently and, unsurprisingly, there won’t be many true deals out there this year. There are no straight discounts on the Switch 2 console, so your best bet is to pick up a bundle that saves you some cash on a Switch 2 game. One of the best is the Mario Kart Wold bundle, but Pokémon fans should consider the Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle, too.

    Meta Quest 3S VR headset for $250 ($50 off): We consider this to be the best VR headset for newbies or those on a budget. It’s comfortable to wear for long sessions, has solid performance, comes with excellent controllers and you’ll have access to a large app library with it.

    Philips fabric shaver for $13 (32 percent off): Consider this the Black Friday tech deal you didn’t know you needed. If you have shirts, sweaters, pants, even blankets that have pilled over time, this handy little fabric shaver can get them looking more like new again. I bought this on a whim after wishing I could refresh some of my most-loved wardrobe staples without spending hours pulling pills off myself. Philips’ fabric shaver has delivered and then some, and my clothes look much fresher than before.

    Amazon Smart Plug for $13 (48 percent off): Those who use Alexa often will get the most out of this smart plug. We like that it’s super simple to set up and can turn almost anything with an on-off switch “smart,” allowing you to control it via your phone or with Alexa voice commands.

    LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable 75375 for $68 (20 percent off): This is a set that any Star Wars fan will love to build and then love to display once it’s complete. The 921-piece set features a fully-detailed Millennium Falcone, buildable stand and nameplate. It’s one of many Lego Black Friday deals you can get right now.

    DJI Neo drone for $159 (20 percent off, Prime exclusive): Yes, the Neo 2 just came out, but it’s still unclear if that model will make its way to the US. For now, if you want an affordable drone to capture your next adventure, the original Neo remains an excellent option. It was our top pick for the best drone for those on a budget, and it’s an even better buy at this sale price.

    Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $170 ($80 off): The latest color ereader in Amazon’s lineup includes a seven-inch, high-contrast display, USB-C charging and a battery life that can last up to eight weeks on a single charge. Its design is waterproof too, so you don’t need to baby it if you take it by the pool or to the beach. If you prefer a black-and-white screen, the base Kindle is also on sale for $80.

    Black Friday Apple deals

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    Apple AirPods 4 for $69 (47 percent off): These are the most affordable AirPods you can get, and the latest model has been substantially improved over the previous. They have a better fit and noticeably better sound quality than their predecessor, plus some advanced features previously only found on pricer models.

    Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you’re going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it.

    Apple Watch SE 3 for $199 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you’ll find in more expensive model.

    Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $749 ($250 off): Our top pick for the best laptop you can get, the M4 MacBook Air will be plenty of power for most people in a convenient, premium package. It’s thin and light as ever, with an excellent keyboard and trackpad, plus enough battery life to get you through a whole day of work, video calls and more.

    Apple Mac Mini M4 for $479 ($120 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support.

    Apple iPad Air M3 (11 inch) for $422 (30 percent off): We consider this to be the best iPad for most people thanks to its strong performance, big , sharp display, good battery life, improved multitasking capabilities and its compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro.

    Black Friday streaming deals and subscription deals

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    Apple TV+ (6 months) for $36 ($42 off): Apple TV+ is offering six months of access for only $36 for Black Friday, which comes out to a discounted price of $6 per month for the six-month period. The deal is live now for new and eligible returning subscribers and runs through December 1, giving you a chance to stream shows like Silo, The Morning Show and For All Mankind for less. The biggest caveat to the deal is that you must subscribe directly through Apple and not through a third-party service.

    Paramount+ — two months of Essential or Premium for $6: This Black Friday deal brings the monthly price of either Paramount+ tier down to just $6 for two months, or $3 per month. The obvious better deal is on the Premium plan, which typically costs $13 per month.

    HBO Max — one year for $36: HBO Max’s Black Friday deal gives subscribers one year streaming for $36 through December 1. This Black Friday streaming deal is on the ad-supported option, which normally goes for $11 per month. With this discount, you’re getting it for $3 per month for one year. You can sign up via HBO Max’s website or, if you’re a Prime Video subscriber already, via that service as an add-on.

    MasterClass Black Friday deal — get up to 50 percent off subscriptions: MasterClass is running a limited-time offer that cuts up to 50 percent off all annual subscriptions for Black Friday. The deal gives you access to hundreds of lessons taught by experts and well-known names across nearly every field, from cooking and business to film and design. Normally, annual plans cost anywhere from $120 to $240 per year, so up to a 50-percent discount represents significant savings for new or returning subscribers.

    Sling TV Orange — day pass for only $1: Sling TV launched Day Passes earlier this year, giving users one-day access to a variety of its packages. This deal cuts $4 off the normal price of a day pass for Sling Orange. With that, you get unlimited access for 24 hours to Orange’s more than 30 channels that includes ESPN, CNN, TBS and others.

    Audible subscription (three months) for $3 ($42 off): From now through mid-December, you can get Amazon’s audiobook subscription for just a dollar a month for three months. Note that it will auto-renew at $15 per month after that, but you can cancel at any point.

    Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps, Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There’s a helpful goals feature for when you’re planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There’s even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home.

    Black Friday deals under $50

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    Govee Smart LED Light Bars for $30 ($20 off, Prime exclusive): Another of our stocking stuffer picks are these smart LED light bars from Govee. They can stand up or lie flat so they can go just about anywhere and are infinitely adjustable via the app. You can even set them to light up in sync with your music. Alexa and the Google Assistant will let you control them with just your voice (and a smart speaker).

    Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $24 (18 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don’t have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan’s blades show its remaining battery level.

    Samsung Evo Select (512GB) for $33 ($14 off): We recommend the Evo Select in our microSD card buying guide for those on a tight budget. It has mediocre write speeds, so it’s not ideal for a camera, but it should be serviceable for most people just looking to add space to an Android tablet or original Nintendo Switch on the cheap. (Note that this is a standard UHS-I card, not a newer microSD Express model.) This deal matches the lowest price to date for the 512GB variant. Also at Samsung and B&H.

    UGreen Uno Nexode Charger Block (65W, 3-Port) for $33 (35 percent off): There are other ways to charge your devices, but few are this cute. That’s why we named it one of the best stocking stuffers you can buy. You get three ports in its head and outlet prongs hidden in its removable magnetic feet. Its 65 watts are enough to charge multiple devices at once. Also available directly from UGreen.

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35 (42 percent off): One of our favorite streaming devices, the 4K Max dongle supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K and HDR10+ and it has Wi-Fi 6E for a speedier, more stable internet connection. It also supports the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which can display art on your TV when you’re not actively using it.

    Anker Nano magnetic power bank (5K, Qi2 15W) for $39 (30 percent off): This ultra-slim battery pack snaps magnetically to the backs of compatible phones to power them up, allowing you to use your device while it’s charging. It comes in multiple colors and supports the latest Qi2 charging standard.

    Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $36 (49 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat.

    Black Friday Lego deals

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    LEGO Star Wars: A New Hope Boarding the Tantive IV Fantasy Toy 75387 for $38 (30 percent off)

    LEGO Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo 75407 for $48 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 Building Toy Set 75379 for $80 (20 percent off)

    LEGO Harry Potter Mandrake Figure & Pot Plant Toy 76433 for $41 (41 percent off)

    LEGO Harry Potter Thestral Family Building Toy 76458 for $49 (30 percent off)

    Black Friday smart home and kitchen deals

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    Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $89 (26 percent off): I personally have this air fryer, one of our top picks, in my house and I’ve used it for over a year with no issues. I love that it makes good use of vertical space so it doesn’t take up too much space on my counter, and its rounded-square shape allows me to cook more food than you’d think in one go in the basket. It crisps all kinds of foods up well and generally takes a lot of the guess work (and time) out of making a good meal.

    Aura 10.1-inch digital frame for $139 (22 percent off): Aura makes some of our favorite digital frames, and this one has a 10-inch HD display, Wi-Fi connectivity and an elegant mat design. Arguably the best thing about Aura frames in general is that you don’t have to pay a subscription fee to add photos to it over time — all photos are stored in the cloud, and multiple people can add photos to one frame.

    Ninja Creami ice cream maker for $180 (22 percent off): The Creami has been one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances of the past couple of years, and for good reason. It’s one of our favorite pieces of kitchen gear because it makes it a breeze to prepare custom ice cream and many other frozen treats. It’s definitely worthwhile investment if you’re an ice cream lover and want to experiment with making your own flavors.

    Ninja Dual-Zone air fryer (10-quart) for $130 (43 percent off): If you cook for large crowds on Thanksgiving and other occasions, this is the air fryer to get. Not only is it a large, 10-quart capacity model, but it also has two separate cooking areas. You can crisp up potatoes on one side and brussel sprouts on the other with no issues. Use the Smart Finish feature to cook two separate foods in different ways and have them both be done at the same time, or Match Cook to copy the cooking method in both chambers.

    Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro for $300 ($100 off): One of the most versatile air fryers out there, this Breville machine not only air fries, but also bakes, roasts, toasts, dehydrates, reheats and more. It also has a large capacity that can cook a 14-pound turkey or a tray of muffins with ease.

    Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $400 ($600 off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn’t have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It’s one of the strongest robot vacuums I’ve ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture.

    More Black Friday tech deals

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    Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool heater and fan for $300 ($200 off): I’ve had this heater and fan for over five years at this point and it remains one of my favorite pieces of tech. It’s lightweight enough to carry from room to room and it’s both a heater and a fan: it cuts the chill in my home office during the winter, and circulates the air to keep me cooler in the summer. You can control the whole thing using the included remote (and it includes a sleep timer), and it handily attaches magnetically to the top of the device so you don’t misplace it.

    SanDisk microSD Express card (256GB) for $60 (12 percent off): If you have a Switch 2, no regular microSD card will do if you want to expand the console’s storage. You need a newer microSD Express card, and currently there are only a handful on the market. We did some testing to find the best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and found that performance was, in general, very similar amongst all the readily available cards. We recommend getting whichever fits within your budget at the capacity you want.

    Theragun Mini (3rd gen) for $168 (24 percent off): The most compact percussion massager that Therabody makes, the latest Mini is small enough to toss in your gym bag or carry-on to take with you when you’re traveling. It comes with three head attachments and it charges via USB-C. Also available at Therabody.

    Bose QuietComfort headphones for $200 (43 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an “Aware” mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life.

    Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $248 ($158 off): While the new XM6 headphones have replaced these as Sony’s flagship cans, that doesn’t mean the XM5 aren’t worth buying. They were our top pick for the best wireless headphones for years before the XM6 came around, and they still have excellent ANC, great sound quality, long battery life, a comfortable fit and handy extra features like multipoint connectivity.

    GoPro Hero 13 Black Extended Power Bundle for $349 ($150 off): This bundle gives you our favorite action cam plus three Enduro batteries, a dual battery charger, one adhesive mount, a 64GB SanDisk microSD card, two USB-C cables and more. It makes a great all-in-one gift for the budding videographer or aspiring influencer in your life, or a solid addition to your own camera kit. Also available at GoPro.

    TCL QM6K (55-inch) 4K TV for $398 ($202 off): The QM6K is widely regarded as one of this year’s better TV bargains. As a budget model, it won’t get you top-notch contrast, color volume, brightness or HDR performance, but its quantum-dot color, mini-LED backlighting and full-array local dimming help it more than hold its own for the money. It’s a nice buy for gaming on a budget as well, since it has a fast 144Hz refresh rate that can reach as high at 288Hz if you play in 1080p. This deal marks a new low. The 65-inch and 75-inch models are also at their all-time lows at $498 and $698, respectively. Also at Best Buy and Walmart.

    Samsung 65-inch Frame Pro smart TV for $1,548 (26 percent off): The latest version of Samsung’s art TV, the Frame Pro lets you show artwork on the screen when you’re not watching a sports game or binge-watching your favorite show. It supports 4K content, VRR gaming at up to 4K 144Hz and runs on Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen3 processor. Also available at Best Buy.

    Black Friday FAQs

    When is Black Friday 2025?

    Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28.

    Which stores have Black Friday deals?

    Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others.

    When do Black Friday sales start?

    Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper.

    When do Black Friday sales end?

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday.

    Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals?

    The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It’s also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want — for example, if you’re looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you’ll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers.

    Does Apple have Black Friday sales?

    No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple’s website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday.

    Does Amazon have Black Friday sales?

    Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer’s site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech.

    Valentina Palladino

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  • Apple Black Friday deals: The iPad A16 is cheaper than ever right now

    The iPad A16 is now on sale for $274 for Black Friday, giving you a chance to pick up Apple’s newest entry-level tablet at a discount. It’s the most affordable iPad in the current lineup, offering quick performance, strong battery life and all the essentials for everyday use.

    Apple’s latest 11-inch iPad uses the A16 chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15, delivering fast and reliable performance for most tasks. Whether you’re watching videos, editing documents or using creative apps, it feels responsive and capable. The A16 chip also helps future-proof the device, ensuring it stays compatible with new iPadOS updates for years.

    Apple

    This is the lowest price we’ve seen on Apple’s cheapest tablet.

    $274 at Amazon

    The tablet’s 11-inch Liquid Retina display (2360 x 1640) offers sharp detail and vivid color at up to 500 nits of brightness. While it doesn’t have the ultra-bright XDR panel of the iPad Pro, it’s more than crisp enough for streaming or sketching with the Apple Pencil. The design follows Apple’s familiar flat-edge style, with slim bezels and an aluminum build that keeps it light and durable.

    The iPad includes a 12MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing Center Stage camera, which automatically adjusts to keep you in frame during video calls. The front camera is positioned along the longer landscape edge, which gives a more natural angle for calls or recordings. You also get Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C for charging and data transfer, plus Touch ID built into the top button. Battery life runs up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi, which is consistent with Apple’s other models.

    Accessory support covers the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the first-generation Apple Pencil with the USB-C adapter, along with the Magic Keyboard Folio. It doesn’t work with the Apple Pencil Pro, but for casual drawing, note-taking or quick document markup, these accessories add plenty of flexibility.

    The A16 iPad sits at the entry point of Apple’s lineup, but it shares a lot of what makes its pricier siblings appealing. You get a polished display, dependable performance and the familiarity of iPadOS without the premium cost. It’s an ideal choice for students, casual users or anyone who wants a reliable tablet for daily use.

    If you’re still deciding which model fits you best, check out our guide to the best iPads to compare the A16 against the Air and Pro models. At $274, this iPad deal offers excellent value for Apple’s newest entry-level tablet. Also on sale for Black Friday is the 11-inch iPad Air M3, which is down to $449.

    Image for the mini product module

    Georgie Peru

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  • Best iPad apps for unleashing and exploring your creativity | TechCrunch

    If you’re looking to explore your creativity, there are a number of iPad apps that can help you get started. Although the iPad started off as a simple device that could be used to stream content or browse the web on the go, Apple has essentially turned its iPads into powerful machines that can be used to do things like create digital art and edit videos.

    We’ve compiled a list of some of the best iPad apps for creativity that are available on the App Store. 

    Before we get into the list, it’s worth noting that although Adobe’s creative apps are often top choices for creativity on the iPad, this list won’t include them because they are already well-known. The list will instead focus on somewhat lesser-known apps.

    Procreate

    Image Credits:Procreate

    Procreate is one of the most popular drawing apps for the iPad, and for good reason. The app lets you create digital paintings, sketches, and illustrations using dozens of different types of brushes. Procreate is easy to use and features built-in gesture controls, along with a simple interface. 

    The app allows for high-resolution canvases up to 16K by 8K on compatible iPad Pros. It also lets you create storyboards, GIFs, animatics, and simple animations. Plus, you can import image files such as JPG, PNG, and TIFF. Procreate includes several features that are designed to help you during the creative process on your iPad, such as QuickShape, StreamLine, Drawing Assist, and ColorDrop.

    Once you’re finished creating your piece, you can relive your creative journey with the app’s time-lapse “Replay” feature and share a 30-second time-lapse video on social media. 

    You can access Procreate with a one-time payment of $12.99.

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    LumaFusion

    Image Credits:LumaFusion

    LumaFusion is a great app for editing videos if you’re ready to graduate from iMovie. The app features numerous user-friendly features that make it perfect for aspiring videographers or indie filmmakers on a budget. 

    With LumaFusion, you can create multiple layer edits with 4K ProRes and HDR media. You can add different effects, choose from dozens of transitions, and record voice-overs. The app lets you create multilayer titles and import fonts and graphics. Plus, you can fine-tune audio with Graphic EQ, Parametric EQ, Voice isolation, and more. 

    The app lets you create projects with a variety of aspect ratios, including 16:9 landscape, 9:16 portrait, square, widescreen film, anamorphic, and more. 

    LumaFusion is available for a one-time payment of $29.99. You can also purchase additional features, such as multicam editing and the ability to send your project to Final Cut Pro for Mac. 

    Canva

    Image Credits:Canva

    Canva offers a user-friendly platform that allows anyone to create visual content, even without graphic design experience. You can use it to create presentations, infographics, videos, websites, social media posts, and more with over 250,000 templates.

    Canva features tools for editing photos, personalizing content with logos and images, adding audio, and cropping and speeding up video. 

    The platform also has a series of AI features that are designed to make the creation process easier. For instance, you can extend an image using “Magic Switch” or turn ideas into images with “Magic Media.”

    Canva is free but offers a $12.99 monthly subscription if you want unlimited access to its AI features, premium templates, and more. 

    Affinity Designer 2

    Image Credits:Affinity

    Affinity Designer 2 is a graphic design app that combines vector design, pixel-based textures, and retouching into a single platform. It’s great for professional illustrators, web designers, game developers, and other creatives. 

    The app lets you create illustrations, branding, logos, icons, UI/UX designs, typography, posters, labels, fliers, stickers, concept art, digital art, and more. It supports Apple Pencil’s precision, pressure sensitivity, and tilt functionality.

    Affinity Designer 2 features gesture controls to speed up your workflow, and it lets you customize keyboard shortcuts. You can also do things like create your own custom font and zoom to over 1,000,000% for absolute precision. 

    You can access the app through a one-time payment of $18.49. 

    Concepts

    Image Credits:Concepts

    Concepts is a great app for exploring your ideas and experimenting with designs. You can use the app to sketch plans, make notes and mindmaps, and draw storyboards and designs. 

    The app features Nudge, Slice, and Select tools that allow you to easily change any element of your sketch without redrawing it. The app features realistic pens, pencils, and brushes that flow with pressure and tilt. 

    Concepts gives you access to scale and measurement tools that calculate real-world dimensions, and also features a tool wheel or bar that you can personalize to your liking. 

    The app’s basic features are free. Concepts offers a $4.99 monthly subscription if you want access to additional features, such as the ability to create your own brushes and premium editing tools.

    Tayasui Sketches

    Image Credits:Tayasui Sketches

    Tayasui Sketches is a good, user-friendly sketching and drawing app. It has several different features such as a realistic watercolor brush, digital acrylic brushes, the ability to blend two colors to get the perfect shade, gradient and depth tools, and more.

    The app lets you multitask by opening up another app and dragging lawyers and documents between the two. There’s also a “Zen Mode” that lets you create without distractions.

    You can also upload your images to incorporate them into your creations. Tayasui Sketches lets you store your creations into personalized folders.

    Tayasui Sketches’s basic features are free. The app offers a $2.99 monthly subscription that unlocks unlimited layers, new brushes and markers, an extended brush editor, the ability to backup your drawings, and more.

    Dudel Draw

    Image Credits:Dudel Draw

    Dudel Draw is a bit different from the other apps on this list: It’s designed to unleash your creativity by giving you a new shape every day that serves as a starting point to sketch on top of.

    These daily shapes vary from basic geometrical forms to more complex and abstract designs. Plus, you can explore your creativity further by choosing to view the shape from all angles with the app’s “flip” and “rotate” features.

    You can also get your friends in on the creativity with some fun competition by comparing your different creations each day. Dudel Draw offers a great way to sharpen your artistic skills, challenge yourself to create something new every day, and just simply express yourself.

    Dudel Draw is available for free.

    Sketchbook

    Image Credits:Sketchbook

    Sketchbook is an easy-to-use app for sketching, painting, and drawing. The idea behind the app is to make it feel like you’re drawing on paper, as the digital brushes and pens behave like the real thing.

    The app’s interface is simple and lets you tuck away palettes and tools to make it easier to focus on drawing.

    You can customize brushes by tweaking the size, opacity, flow, and more to align them with your personal style. There’s also a “predictive stroke” feature that helps smooth out the lines of your drawing.

    Sketchbook is available for free, but you can unlock premium features for a one-time payment of $2.99. Premium features include the ability to import additional brushes and color palettes, adjust the size of your canvas after you’ve started working, export multiple canvases or an entire album as a PDF, and more.

    This story was originally published in December 2024 and is updated regularly with new information.

    Aisha Malik

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  • Tiny Treasures: The Stocking Stuffers She’ll Love This Holiday Season

    The holiday season is upon us, and as you navigate gift-giving this year, remember that while some believe bigger is better, that’s not always the case when it comes to a thoughtful gift. Oftentimes, the best—not to mention the most luxurious—things come in small packages.

    For the upcoming holidays, put in the extra effort to find her the most delightful petite presents. The perfect stocking stuffer isn’t kitschy—it’s a tiny treasure that you’ve put thought into. Whether she’s all about self-care, is the consummate bookworm, loves being in the kitchen or simply appreciates all of the finer things in life, there’s a charming gift out there to tuck into her Christmas stocking that is far from bland. If you’re concerned about finding a pint-sized yet considerate holiday gift, you’ve come to the right place. From indulgent perfumes and sparkly jewelry to chic sunglasses and plush purses, these are the sophisticated and adorable stocking stuffer ideas that she’ll absolutely love for the holidays this year.

    Check out all of Observer’s luxury gift guides for the best holiday present ideas for every person out there. 

    Morgan Halberg

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  • Don’t Fall for Sketchy iPhone VPNs—Here Are the Only 3 You Should Use

    iPhone VPNs, Compared

    You might be surprised how similar the three VPNs I chose are when you break down their features, but that’s not an accident. Given how restrictive I was with who made the final cut, there’s a pretty high bar for inclusion. Although there are some minor differences, I designed this list in a way that you can choose one of my picks without reading a single word and still come out the other side with an excellent VPN for iPhone.

    Other iPhone VPNs We Tested

    Surfshark

    Courtesy of Surfshark

    Surfshark: Surfshark was a strong contender for the main list. Even its Starter plan comes with extra features like a masked email generator. Features like ad and tracker blocking, as well as unlimited simultaneous connections, come standard across plans. However, it was a bit slower than my top picks, dropping around 20 percent of speed on average, compared to around 15 percent for the top options.

    Mullvad: Mullvad is a favorite among privacy enthusiasts, and for good reason. It doesn’t fuss with multi-year discounts or referral programs, and you don’t even need to provide an email to sign up for an account. You can even pay the static monthly fee by mailing Mullvad cash. It’s a great service if privacy is your top priority, but it trades speeds and features in the process. VPN services like Nord and Proton have quickly grown into full privacy and security suites, while Mullvad is more focused on making a robust VPN. In the context of an iPhone, the scales tip more toward those security suites, but Mullvad is still a great privacy-focused option to keep in mind.

    ExpressVPN: By the numbers, ExpressVPN should be at the top of the list. It has a ton of servers, a featureset that can go toe-to-toe with Nord, and speeds only a touch below Proton. However, ExpressVPN has found itself in a spiral of increasing controversies over the past four years, and the brand has yet to get back on solid footing. After being purchased by Kape Technologies—the company behind the infamous adware company Crossrider—former US intelligence official Daniel Gericke took over at CTO and continued in that role for two years, even after being fined over $300,000 by the US Department of Justice for hacking activities on behalf of a foreign government. Gericke left in 2023, but that same year, ExpressVPN experienced a large swath of layoffs, and Kape, its parent company, was delisted from the London Stock Exchange. The vast majority of shares went to Unikmind Holdings Limited, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, who got his start by creating gambling software Playtech. That’s an extremely condensed version of what ExpressVPN has gone through over the past few years. The company hasn’t done anything nefarious, but the revolving door of executive control tied to controversial names doesn’t inspire confidence.

    Private Internet Access: Private Internet Access, or PIA, is also owned by Kape Technologies, and it followed a similar playbook as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, which Kape also owns. After the acquisition and community backlash, there’s been very little transparency about what’s going on in the company. A connection to Kape definitely raises questions, but that doesn’t immediately disqualify a service from being included. Unfortunately for PIA, it had much slower speeds than any of the other VPN services I tested, so regardless of ownership, it isn’t a top pick for iPhone VPNs.

    iPhone VPNs to Avoid

    X-VPN: X-VPN is one of many different VPNs that show up high in the search results on iPhone. There’s a desktop app, but X-VPN mainly targets mobile users with its free plan. It was featured in a Tech Transparency Project report about VPNs with ties to the Chinese government, alongside apps like TurboVPN. I haven’t tested TurboVPN, but X-VPN has issues. Even without questionable ties, X-VPN doesn’t have the best speeds, and it lacks basic features like split tunneling, all while charging the same price as top VPNs like NordVPN and Proton VPN.

    Hola: Hola is an infamous name if you’ve been around the VPN space long enough. Around a decade ago, Hola fell under fire. It owns a data collection company known as Bright Data (formerly Luminati), and that network is made up of users who use Hola. This network was used for a public distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. Even a decade on, Hola still logs user data, including your IP address, and it still sells access to its peer-to-peer network, meaning you could become an exit node without knowing.

    EventVPN: EventVPN comes from the same team behind ExpressVPN, but it takes a very different approach to privacy. It’s free, and it’s only available on iPhone and Macs, but most importantly, it’s supported by ads. EventVPN says it’s able to leverage an ad-supported model with Apple’s advertising privacy features, which allows for tailored ads without giving out personally-identifiable information. That’s the story, at least, but as you can read in our iPhone privacy guide, Apple’s privacy-focused advertising model still shares some critical information, including your zip code. Further, the pervasiveness of ads in EventVPN makes it hard to recommend. You have to wait through a 30-second video each time you connect or disconnect from a server, and a banner ad lives at the top of the app at all times. EventVPN has a paid plan to remove ads, but at that point, you might as well pick up ExpressVPN. And, on the free end, there’s ProtonVPN and Windscribe, both of which I’d recommend over EventVPN.

    How We Tested

    To earn the best iPhone VPN title, a service needs to satisfy three criteria. It needs to be secure, fast, and easy to use. That may seem straightforward enough, but there’s a little more that goes into it. For ease of use, I only looked at VPNs that offer a one-tap connection. If you need to configure anything, that’s a disqualification. That still encompasses a lot of the most popular VPNs on iPhone, so I narrowed the field further by focusing on apps that balance usability with power. You should have all the relevant features in the iOS app that are available in the desktop app, and organized in a way that they don’t disrupt that one-tap experience.

    Speed testing is where I focused a lot of my testing time. Speed testing is highly variable, and trying to come out with one singular number to encompass the speed of thousands of servers is a fool’s errand. The numbers I gathered for this guide are the result of 20 tests I ran for each VPN, then averaged.

    I tested five locations for each VPN, measuring my unprotected speed immediately before testing and running three passes before averaging. Each location was tested at a different time of day, and I removed any outliers before averaging. For this guide, that meant if there was greater than a 10 percent deviation between two of the three passes. After averaging the speed drop for each location, I gathered all of those numbers together and averaged them for a final speed drop.

    Finally, security. The traditional wisdom with a VPN is that you, at some point, have to put some faith in the company that its privacy policy is accurate and it isn’t lying about its logging practices. That didn’t do it for me. Again, I set a high bar for inclusion.

    Every VPN I’ve included here has not only been independently audited, but also been forced to uphold its no-logs policy in legal proceedings. You indeed need to put some trust that the VPN provider you’re using is telling the truth, but the options I included all have rock-solid track records when it comes to transparency.


    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.

    Jacob Roach

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  • OpenAI’s Secretive A.I. Gadget Designed by Jony Ive Aims to Redefine Tech’s Vibe

    An A.I. device project spearheaded by Sam Altman and Jony Ive has earned the backing of Laurene Powell Jobs. Barbara Kinney/Emerson Collective

    Sam Altman and Jony Ive have stayed painstakingly cryptic about what their collaborative A.I. hardware device will ultimately look like. So far, the OpenAI CEO and former Apple designer have shared only that the product will be less clunky than a laptop and less screen-focused than a smartphone. Their latest hint, meanwhile, speaks to the product’s overall “vibe.”

    Current devices can feel like walking through Times Square, with all “the little indignities along the way: flashing lights in my face, tension going here, people bumping into me, noises going off,” Altman said at a recent event hosted by Laurene Powell JobsEmerson Collective. OpenAI’s upcoming device, he added, will instead evoke the feeling of “sitting in the most beautiful cabin by a lake in the mountains and just sort of enjoying the peace and calm.”

    Altman and Ive officially joined forces in May when OpenAI acquired the designer’s hardware startup, io, which previously received backing from Powell Jobs, in a $6.5 billion deal. The acquisition brought Ive into the fold to oversee OpenAI’s efforts to design a consumer-facing A.I. device that reimagines how people interact with technology.

    “What I went to with Sam wasn’t a product but a tentative thesis. It was a thought about the nature of objects and our interface,” Ive said at the same event, declining to offer more details about the pitch he delivered.

    What little the pair have disclosed about their project remains frustratingly vague. The initial design goal was to create something users “want to lick or take a bite out of,” Altman said, adding that an early prototype was scrapped in part because it didn’t fit that description.

    They appear to have since crossed that threshold. According to Altman, their work has now produced its first prototypes, which he described as “jaw-droppingly good.” The final product is expected to arrive in under two years, giving users plenty of time to, as he joked, lick and bite the device to their heart’s content.

    Altman and Ive have emphasized that their device will not be another smartphone and have repeatedly warned about the harmful effects of today’s dominant tech products. Nonetheless, from the clues they’ve offered, their approach seems to echo Apple’s sleek design language. OpenAI’s device will be “playful” and full of “whimsy,” Altman said, describing it as so minimal that consumers will look at it and say, “That’s it?”

    Ive, too, stressed restraint and simplicity. “I can’t bear products that are like a dog wagging its tail in your face, or products that are so proud that they solve the complicated problem and want to remind you of how hard it is,” said the designer. “I love solutions that teeter on appearing almost naive in their simplicity.”

    Even as they try to avoid the pitfalls of modern consumer tech—devices that can fuel unhealthy relationships—the duo are also working toward a release with societal impact on par with landmark products like the iPhone. When asked which device he uses most often, Altman pointed to the iPhone, calling it “the most ‘before-and-after-moment’ product of my life.”

    OpenAI’s Secretive A.I. Gadget Designed by Jony Ive Aims to Redefine Tech’s Vibe

    Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

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  • Best Buy Unveils Black Friday Offer, With 50% Off Beats Headphones and Free Apple Music Subscriptions

    If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

    The Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones have become the audio brand’s flagship over-ear headphones since they were first released in 2023 and they’re still one of the best values on the market right now, especially with this Black Friday deal at Best Buy.

    The popular headphones, known for their wireless connectivity and high-end audio, are currently 51% off at Best Buy, bringing down their usual $349.99 price tag to just $169. It’s hard to come by any premium cans in this price range, so this is a deal you won’t want to miss.

    Best Buy’s Black Friday offer includes three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, to use with these headphones. Plus, you can also get two free months of Apple TV with purchase.

    BLACK FRIDAY DEAL

    Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones

    The Beats Studio Pro headphones feature the brand’s proprietary chip for better-than-ever performance: think bigger, bolder bass; less distortion; and 360-like sound with Beats’ “spatial audio” capabilities. These are also noise-cancelling headphones, with Beats’ ANC tech constantly monitoring the environment around you to reduce distracting outside noise.

    Battery life is superb at up to 40 hours on a single charge. In a hurry? Just ten minutes of charging gets you up to four hours of playtime.

    In our testing, the cushy earpads are comfortable enough for all-day wear, and they’re super breathable too, so you won’t sweat your music. The headband is secure enough to take these on a run or hike, but not so constricting that you get a headache.

    Considering their luxe design and comfortable fit, the Studio Pros are great for those looking for headphones to wear for work or while on the go. They store easily for travel too. These headphones are a consistent go-to in our rotation.

    Regularly $349.99, get the Beats Studio Pro Wireless ANC Headphones on sale for just $169.99 at Best Buy now. This deal gets you the Beats headphones, a carrying case, 3.5mm analog cable, USB charging cable (USB-C), user manual and warranty card. Best Buy offers in-store pickup in as little as an hour or you can get the headphones shipped to your door.

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  • Our Favorite Wireless Headphones for iPhone Owners Are $150 Off

    Yesterday I wrote about a deal on the Nothing (1) Headset, an awesome pair of active noise-canceling headphones that compete with some of the best available options at a fraction of the price. For those who don’t feel like compromising, and already have Apple devices, I also found a juicy discount on the Apple AirPods Max. That’s right, Apple’s biggest and baddest headphones are marked down to just $400 at both Best Buy and Amazon.

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    Even for the steep price tag, the audio quality on the AirPods Max is nothing short of incredible. When WIRED writer Parker Hall reviewed them initially, he called them “the best-sounding wireless headphones [he’s] ever heard, and by a significant margin.” Even when stacked up against the big hitters from Bose and Sony, they have an impressively open soundstage, letting details shine in every genre, from highly-produced pop to soft jazz. The active noise canceling is extremely potent as well, with a pass-through mode that’s sharp and clear.

    As long as you’re in the Apple ecosystem, these have an impressive level of features and excellent coordination between devices. Like most AirPods, simply hold them near your iPhone or iPad and they’ll connect right away, no extensive pairing or app installations. Because they’re always running in a low-power state, you can remove them from their little case or put them on your head, and they’ll connect to the closest iOS device and start playing. It’s a neat trick, but one that’s always draining the battery slowly, so you may find them dead if you don’t use them for too long.

    While there have been occasional discounts on the headset, to my knowledge this is the lowest price yet for the updated USB-C model. It’s matched only by a similar markdown on the older Lightning port version in July of 2024, just before the update, although this time there don’t seem to be any rumors swirling about another update. While your availability may vary by location, as I write this all five colors are in stock and discounted at Best Buy, but Amazon is sold out of the orange.

    Brad Bourque

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  • Pick up a pair of AirPods 4 earbuds while they’re down to a new low for Black Friday

    Black Friday Apple deals are here, and one of the best we’re tracking is on the AirPods 4. They’re down to $69 right now, which is a new record low. While these buds don’t provide active noise cancellation, they’re still a great option for those who want all of the conveniences of a pair of Apple earbuds in an affordable package.

    The Apple AirPods 4 are the best budget AirPods you can get in 2025, with Apple’s H2 audio chip to support some of the more advanced audio features from more expensive models.

    Apple

    They offer Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and more. If you get the model without active noise cancellation, you won’t have features like Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness, or Apple’s hearing health tools. But, the entry-level model still offers great sound quality for the price.

    This model also features the redesigned shape, which makes for a more comfortable and secure fit so you don’t have to worry about them falling out of your ears. A force sensor on the stem allows for basic touch controls, including play and pause, play next track, previous track and answer a call. You can also summon Siri by pressing and holding the stem.

    You can expect to get up to 5 hours of battery life on a charge with the non-ANC model, and up to 30 hours using the USB-C charging case.

    Elsewhere when it comes to Black Friday AirPods deals, you can pick up the AirPods 4 with ANC for $100, the new AirPods Pro 3 for $220 and the AirPods Max (in certain colors) for $400.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    Cheyenne MacDonald

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  • AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for a record-low price for Black Friday

    Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are already shaping up to be one of the most sought-after tech gifts this season, and now you can grab them at a lower price. They’re on sale for $220, down from the regular $249. Previously, the lowest we’ve seen the AirPods Pro 3 discounted to is $239. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your earbuds, this is the deal worth grabbing.

    Apple

    Pick up Apple’s latest wireless earbuds while they’re on sale for Black Friday.

    $220 at Amazon

    Apple didn’t reinvent its flagship earbuds with the AirPods Pro 3, but it made smart refinements that elevate nearly every part of the listening experience. We praised these earbuds in our AirPods Pro 3 review for delivering noticeably richer audio and more effective active noise cancellation while keeping the same pocketable form factor that made earlier models so popular.

    The standout upgrade here is Apple’s Live Translation feature, which was an unexpected but welcome surprise, announced at the iPhone 17 event. Leveraging Apple’s H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 3 combines Voice Isolation, ANC and beamforming mics to kick Live Translation into action. Siri’s translation filters seamlessly through the earbuds, but if environmental noise gets too intrusive, you can view a real-time transcription in the iOS Translate app, which is a useful feature for international travel and business calls.

    Battery life has improved, too. You get up to eight hours on a single charge with ANC on, and the case adds another 24 hours of playback. The MagSafe charging case, with its new U2 chip, now supports an increased distance for Precision Find My, so it’s easier to locate if misplaced.

    Since we’re talking about earbuds, audio quality plays a key role in deciding whether to purchase the AirPods Pro 3 or upgrade from a previous model. Although improvements have been made to sound quality through new drivers and transducers, Apple’s decision to increase air flow inside the earbuds has been the most noticeable update. You can expect the AirPods Pro 3 to deliver deeper bass, crisper highs, and an expanded soundstage that makes everything from podcasts to orchestral tracks feel more dynamic.

    There’s not much to fault here beyond the familiar Apple premium price, but that’s why this AirPods Pro 3 deal is such good news. The AirPods Pro 3 remain the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users who want seamless connectivity, top-tier ANC and reliable comfort. But if you were hoping to spend a little less, the AirPods 4 with ANC are on sale for $100 right now as well, and the standard AirPods 4 are down to $69. If you prefer over-ear headphones, select colors of the AirPods Max are down to $400.

    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module
    Image for the mini product module

    Georgie Peru

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  • Apple lays off part of its sales team

    Apple has laid off dozens of employees across its sales team to streamline the organization and eliminate overlapping roles., according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. “To connect with even more customers, we are making some changes in our sales team that affect a small number of roles,” the company told Gurman, though it didn’t say how many people were affected. Apple also said that it’s hiring for new sales roles and that laid off employees can apply for them. They have until January 20 to secure a new position within the company, or they will be let go with a severance package.

    Some of the affected workers told Gurman that while Apple’s official internal reason was to streamline its organization, the layoffs were primarily driven by its plan to shift sales more towards third-party resellers. By relying on third-party channels further, Apple could lower costs like its spending for people’s salaries, especially since it eliminated longtime employees. They reportedly include managers and other staff members who’ve been with the company for 20 to 30 years.

    Apple’s government sales team, which works with the Defense and Justice departments, was one of the biggest groups affected by the layoffs. It’s not quite clear if it was a direct effect of the recent US government shutdown. As Gurman notes, the layoffs have taken place in the middle of a record-breaking period. After posting a $102.5 billion revenue for the quarter ending in September, it’s now on track to make $140 billion in sales for the quarter ending in December.

    Mariella Moon

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  • Decades-old murder solved after new analysis, investigators say

    Officials announced Monday that they have solved a 50-year-old murder case in which a 22-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment in Concord, New Hampshire.Attorney General John Formella said a review of the 1975 death of Judy Lord determined that she was killed by her neighbor, Ernest Theodore Gable.”I’m proud to say but also solemnly say that we can bring long-awaited closure to this case,” Formella said.He said Gable will not face justice in the case because he was stabbed to death in 1987 in Los Angeles. Lord was 22 years old when she was found strangled to death inside her home at the Royal Gardens apartment complex on May 20, 1975. She was living with her 20-month-old son at the time, and the baby’s cries led the building’s apartment manager to discover Lord’s body.”The scene police discovered more witnesses to a violent and desperate struggle,” said Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Knowles.Knowles, who runs the state’s Cold Case Unit, said the original Concord police investigation was thorough, and Gable, who was 24 at the time, was identified as a suspect early in the case. But he said a flawed FBI hair analysis incorrectly excluded Gable as a suspect.Gable had a lengthy arrest history, and Lord had told her friends that she was afraid of him.Knowles said there was evidence that Lord was sexually assaulted. Semen found on a towel matched Gable’s blood type, and fingerprints at the scene also matched, Knowles said.Knowles called the circumstantial evidence “overwhelming” before hair samples were sent to the FBI, which conducted a microscopic analysis of the hairs. That technique was considered to be the gold standard in hair analysis, and the FBI was the leading authority, Knowles said. But the technique has since been discredited, and Knowles said it is no longer a tool used by investigators. New DNA analysis definitively linked Gable to the crime, and the new analysis by the Cold Case Unit allowed investigators to remove the FBI report from the case, Knowles said.Investigators said that if Gable were still alive, he would be charged with first-degree murder.”This case demonstrates that no cold case is ever truly closed until we find the truth, and that time is only one impediment,” Formella said. “Time is also an asset, because we will continue to work year after year, decade after decade, until we find the answers in these cases.”Several of Lord’s family members were at Monday’s press conference watching the announcement. Her son, Gregory Lord Jr., was watching virtually and sent a statement saying his mother will always be with him.”I’m told I look just like my mom, and I’m proud of that,” he said.

    Officials announced Monday that they have solved a 50-year-old murder case in which a 22-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment in Concord, New Hampshire.

    Attorney General John Formella said a review of the 1975 death of Judy Lord determined that she was killed by her neighbor, Ernest Theodore Gable.

    “I’m proud to say but also solemnly say that we can bring long-awaited closure to this case,” Formella said.

    He said Gable will not face justice in the case because he was stabbed to death in 1987 in Los Angeles.

    Lord was 22 years old when she was found strangled to death inside her home at the Royal Gardens apartment complex on May 20, 1975. She was living with her 20-month-old son at the time, and the baby’s cries led the building’s apartment manager to discover Lord’s body.

    “The scene police discovered more witnesses to a violent and desperate struggle,” said Senior Assistant Attorney General Christopher Knowles.

    Knowles, who runs the state’s Cold Case Unit, said the original Concord police investigation was thorough, and Gable, who was 24 at the time, was identified as a suspect early in the case. But he said a flawed FBI hair analysis incorrectly excluded Gable as a suspect.

    Gable had a lengthy arrest history, and Lord had told her friends that she was afraid of him.

    Knowles said there was evidence that Lord was sexually assaulted. Semen found on a towel matched Gable’s blood type, and fingerprints at the scene also matched, Knowles said.

    Knowles called the circumstantial evidence “overwhelming” before hair samples were sent to the FBI, which conducted a microscopic analysis of the hairs. That technique was considered to be the gold standard in hair analysis, and the FBI was the leading authority, Knowles said. But the technique has since been discredited, and Knowles said it is no longer a tool used by investigators.

    New DNA analysis definitively linked Gable to the crime, and the new analysis by the Cold Case Unit allowed investigators to remove the FBI report from the case, Knowles said.

    Investigators said that if Gable were still alive, he would be charged with first-degree murder.

    “This case demonstrates that no cold case is ever truly closed until we find the truth, and that time is only one impediment,” Formella said. “Time is also an asset, because we will continue to work year after year, decade after decade, until we find the answers in these cases.”

    Several of Lord’s family members were at Monday’s press conference watching the announcement. Her son, Gregory Lord Jr., was watching virtually and sent a statement saying his mother will always be with him.

    “I’m told I look just like my mom, and I’m proud of that,” he said.

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