All the best Black Friday 2020 deals we can find

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Black Friday once again brings tons of new low prices on good gadgets and tech gear.
Enlarge / Black Friday once again brings tons of new low prices on good gadgets and tech gear.
Ars Technica

The abnormalities of 2020 have stretched this holiday shopping season out farther than usual, but now Black Friday proper has finally arrived. That means the Dealmaster has been hard at work scouring retailer ads, researching products, checking price history charts, and discarding the junk to bring you the very best Black Friday deals we can find. The result is the latest version of our annual mega-roundup of good Black Friday discounts.

Per usual, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite offers of the shopping holiday below, and we’ll regularly update this post over the course of the day. For now, though, we’ve already found tons of noteworthy deals. If you’re in the market for a new gadget, game, or any other piece of tech gear, our curated list should have something worthy of your attention.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Table of Contents

Top 10 best Black Friday 2020 deals

LG's BX OLED TV is one of the best premium TVs on the market.
Enlarge / LG’s BX OLED TV is one of the best premium TVs on the market.

55-inch LG BX OLED TV for $1,196.99 at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy (normally $1,450): Black Friday has brought the expected deluge of TV deals, but one standout is this all-time low price on LG’s BX OLED TV, which launched earlier this year. This is the entry-level model in LG’s highly-regarded OLED TV lineup, so it lacks the brighter panel and more advanced image processor of LG’s CX set, which is also on sale for $1,400. But if you’d like to save a few bucks, the BX still offers a tremendous 4K image with the excellent contrast we’ve come to expect from a premium OLED display. With a 120Hz panel and support for HDMI 2.1 and variable refresh rates, it’s also a great choice for those looking to maximize the video output of a new PlayStation 5 or Xbox console.

Sony WH-1000XM4 for $278 at Amazon, B&H, and Adorama (normally $350): This matches the largest price drop we’ve seen for our current top pick among wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Released earlier this year, the XM4 provide a bass-forward yet nicely customizable sound, a highly comfortable design, nifty features like a “speak to chat” function that automatically pauses your music when you’re talking, and active noise cancellation that ranks near the very best on the market.

Apple AirPods Pro for $169.99 at Amazon (normally $220): Here’s the lowest price we’ve seen on Apple’s premium pair of true wireless earphones, which we’ve recommended in the past. Reports suggest new AirPods will arrive next year, but for now, the AirPods Pro are still a comprehensive upgrade over the standard AirPods—which are also on sale for $110—with a more universally comfortable design, a fuller sound, and active noise cancellation. The ANC isn’t as strong as that of the XM4 above, but it’s among the best when compared to other totally wireless pairs. And like any Apple headphones, the AirPods Pro are a breeze to pair and use with iPhones and iPads. Be aware that this deal appears to be flickering in and out of stock, but as of this writing you should still be able to lock in a purchase at the discounted price.

Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm) for $329.98 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $385): It’s not flawless, but we think the new Apple Watch Series 6 is the best smartwatch for iPhone owners thanks to its vibrant always-on display, useful watchOS software, and fitness-friendly perks like an ECG function and blood oxygen sensor. Just note that this deal appears to only apply to select models. If you don’t need those more premium health features, the Apple Watch SE offers most of the essentials for less, though we haven’t seen any notable Black Friday deals for that device just yet.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (8GB, ads) for $84.99 at Amazon (normally $130): We think the Kindle Paperwhite is still the best e-book reader for most people thanks to its sharp display, waterproof and easy-to-hold design, and access to Amazon’s massive Kindle library. While the 8GB model here was available for $5 less on Prime Day, this Black Friday deal ties the best price we’ve seen outside of that.

Roku Streaming Stick+ for $29 at Amazon and B&H (normally $45): It’s been around for a few years now, but Roku’s Streaming Stick+ remains a speedy and dead-simple way to stream 4K and HDR apps to any TV (HBO Max aside). For iOS users, it now supports AirPlay as well. This deal matches the lowest price we’ve seen. If you don’t mind trading Roku’s cleaner interface for Dolby Vision HDR support and better voice search, note that Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K is another media streamer we like; it’s down to $30 as well.

Samsung EVO Select (256GB) for $24.99 at Amazon and Samsung (normally $32): If you need more storage space for your Nintendo Switch, Android phone, or any other device with a microSD slot, Samsung’s EVO Select cards are reliable and quick enough for most people’s needs. This is the biggest discount we’ve seen to date for the 256GB variant, though the 128GB and 512GB models are on sale for new lows as well. If you’d prefer to pay a little bit more for a better performer, we can also recommend SanDisk’s microSD Card for Nintendo Switch, the 128GB model of which is down to a joint-low of $20.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch) for $49.99 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $60): As you can see below, there are tons of deals on noteworthy video games this Black Friday. Among the highlights is the biggest price drop we’ve seen for Super Mario 3D All-Stars, the recently released three-pack of classic Mario games: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Nintendo certainly could’ve done more to spruce up the package for HD hardware, but the games themselves are still all-timers, and given that the collection will only be sold through March of next year, it’s possible this is the biggest discount we’ll ever see for it.

Yubico Security Key NFC for $13.50 at Yubico (normally $27): We’ve extolled the security benefits of hardware-based two-factor authentication before; logging into your accounts with a device like the Yubico Security Key NFC here is simply less risky than relying on SMS-based methods, even if it requires a bit more effort to use. This half-off discount is visible at checkout and marks the best price we’ve seen. If you’d prefer a form factor with a USB-C or Lightning connector, Yubico is running a separate sale that takes $20 off your order if you purchase any two YubiKey 5 Series keys.

Sonos Beam for $299 at Sonos, Amazon, and Adorama (normally $399): The 3.0-channel Sonos Beam isn’t the most expansive-sounding device you can buy, and it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, but for a compact soundbar, it has an impressively neutral and clean sound. It’s as easy to use as any other Sonos speaker, too, with the same wide-ranging streaming service support, and it’ll easily slide in to an existing Sonos system. This rare $100 discount matches the lowest price we’ve seen and comes alongside similar price drops for the Sonos Move portable speaker and Sonos Sub subwoofer.

The Roku Streaming Stick+ remains a simple and speedy way to stream 4K video on the cheap.
Enlarge / The Roku Streaming Stick+ remains a simple and speedy way to stream 4K video on the cheap.
Samuel Axon

Best Black Friday TV deals

There are tons of deals on Nintendo Switch games this Black Friday.
Enlarge / There are tons of deals on Nintendo Switch games this Black Friday.

Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals

There are predictably no deals on the new Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 this Black Friday, but you can pick up a spare Xbox controller for the former (left) at a discount.
Enlarge / There are predictably no deals on the new Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 this Black Friday, but you can pick up a spare Xbox controller for the former (left) at a discount.
Sam Machkovech

Best Black Friday PlayStation and Xbox deals

There is no shortage of deals on premier 2020 games, such as <em>Ghost of Tsushima</em>.
Enlarge / There is no shortage of deals on premier 2020 games, such as Ghost of Tsushima.
Sucker Punch / SIE
The Razer Viper is one of the best gaming mice we've tested.
Enlarge / The Razer Viper is one of the best gaming mice we’ve tested.

Best Black Friday gaming deals

The 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3.
Enlarge / The 13.5-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3.

Best Black Friday laptop and desktop PC deals

  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 laptop—Intel Core i5-1035G7, 13.5-inch 2256×1504, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $999.99 at Microsoft and Amazon (normally $1,300).
  • Microsoft Surface Book 3 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i5-1035-G7, 13.5-inch 3000×2000, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $1,299.99 at Microsoft (normally $1,600).
  • HP Envy x360 15 2-in-1 laptop—AMD Ryzen 7 4700U, 15.6-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $728.29 at HP (configure specs at checkout, select Intel AX 200, and use code: SMBHOL10—normally $1,000).
  • HP Spectre x360 13t 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i5-1135G7, 13.3-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $778.99 at HP (use code: 5STACKBFCM21—normally $1,000).
  • HP Spectre x360 15t 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i7-10510U, 15.6-inch 3840×2160, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce MX330 for $1,099.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,500).
  • HP EliteBook 840 G7 laptop—Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $720 at HP (configure specs at checkout, select backlit keyboard and 65W adapter—normally $1,200).
  • HP Chromebook x360 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i3-10110U, 14-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 64GB eMMC for $379 at Best Buy (normally $580).
  • HP Pavilion 15 (15-ec1073dx) gaming laptop—AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, 15.6-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1650 for $449.99 at Best Buy (normally $700).
  • HP Omen 15 (15-EN0023DX) gaming laptop—AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, 15.6-inch 1080p 144Hz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB for $949.99 at Best Buy (normally $1,300).
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (8th gen) laptop—Intel Core i7-10510U, 14-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD for $1,199.99 at Lenovo (use code: THINKSGIVING2—normally $1,800).
  • Lenovo Yoga C940 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i7-1065G7, 14-inch 1080p, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD for $999.99 at Microsoft and Best Buy (normally $1,200).
  • Lenovo Yoga C740 2-in-1 laptop—Intel Core i5-10210U, 14-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $549.99 at Best Buy (normally $800).
  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2-in-1 tablet—MediaTek Helio 60T, 10.1-inch 1920×1200, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC for $229.99 at Lenovo (use code: TURKEYDUET—normally $290).
  • Lenovo IdeaPad 3 laptop—Intel Core i3-10005G1, 15.6-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $229.99 at Best Buy (normally $450).
  • Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop—Intel Core i7-10750H, 15.6-inch 1080p, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce RTX 2060 6GB for $999.99 at Walmart (normally $1,300).
  • Dell XPS 13 laptop—Intel Core i5-10210U, 13.3-inch 1080p, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $699.99 at Dell (normally $900).
  • Alienware m15 R3 gaming laptop—Intel Core i7-10875H, 15.6-inch 1080p 300Hz, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce RTX 2070 8GB for $1,599.99 at Dell (normally $2,100).
  • MSI GE66 Raider gaming laptop—Intel Core i7-10750H, 15.6-inch 1080p 240Hz, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, GeForce RTX 2070 Super for $1,699.99 at Best Buy (normally $2,200).
  • Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen Edition gaming desktop—AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, GeForce RTX 2060 6GB for $999.99 at Dell (normally $1,290).
The HP Spectre x360 15.
Enlarge / The HP Spectre x360 15.
Samuel Axon

Best Black Friday monitor deals

Apple's AirPods (left) and AirPods Pro.
Enlarge / Apple’s AirPods (left) and AirPods Pro.

Best Black Friday Apple device deals

  • Apple AirPods Pro true wireless noise cancelling headphones for $169.99 at Amazon (normally $220).
  • Apple AirPods true wireless earbuds for $109.99 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $130).
  • Beats Powerbeats Pro (select colors) true wireless sports earphones for $159.99 at Amazon and Best Buy (normally $240).
  • Beats Solo 3 Wireless Bluetooth on-ear headphones for $119 at Amazon (normally $175).
  • Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, select colors) smartwatch for $329.98 at Amazon and Walmart (normally $385).
  • Apple iPad (32GB) 10.2-inch tablet for $279.99 at Best Buy (normally $310).
  • Apple iPad (128GB) 10.2-inch tablet for $359.99 at Best Buy (normally $310).
  • Apple iPad Mini (64GB) 7.9-inch tablet for $334.99 at Amazon (normally $365).
  • Apple iPad Air (64GB) 10.9-inch tablet for $569.99 at Amazon (normally $599).
  • Apple iPad Pro (128GB) 11-inch tablet for $699.99 at Amazon (clip $29.01 coupon—normally $770).
  • Apple iPad Pro (128GB) 12.9-inch tablet for $899 at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy (normally $965).
  • Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th gen) for $119.97 at Amazon (normally $189).
  • Pre-order: Apple Mac Mini (late 2020) mini desktop—Apple M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for $649 at B&H (normally $699).
  • $100 Apple gift card (email delivery) + $20 Target e-gift card for $100 at Target (normally $120).
We think Amazon's waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is still the best e-book reader for most people.
Enlarge / We think Amazon’s waterproof Kindle Paperwhite is still the best e-book reader for most people.
Valentina Palladino

Best Black Friday Amazon device deals

The OnePlus 8 Pro is among the year's best flagship Android phones.
Enlarge / The OnePlus 8 Pro is among the year’s best flagship Android phones.
Ron Amadeo

Best Black Friday smartphone deals

  • OnePlus 8 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $599 at OnePlus (normally $699).
  • OnePlus 8 Pro (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $799 at OnePlus and Amazon (normally $899).
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (6GB RAM, 128GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $549 at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy (normally $650).
  • TCL 10 Pro (6GB RAM, 128GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $314.99 at Amazon and B&H (clip $135 coupon—normally $450).
  • Motorola Moto G Stylus (4GB RAM, 128GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $199.99 at Amazon and B&H (normally $265).
  • Motorola Moto G Power (4GB RAM, 64GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $179.99 at Amazon (normally $230).
  • Nokia 5.3 (4GB RAM, 64GB storage) unlocked smartphone for $166.85 at Amazon (normally $199).
The Sonos Beam is as easy to use as any Sonos speaker, sounds great for its size, and supports voice assistants like Alexa and the Google Assistant.
Enlarge / The Sonos Beam is as easy to use as any Sonos speaker, sounds great for its size, and supports voice assistants like Alexa and the Google Assistant.

Best Black Friday headphones and audio deals

The Garmin Vivoactive 4s is a stylish and feature-packed smartwatch for fitness enthusiasts.
Enlarge / The Garmin Vivoactive 4s is a stylish and feature-packed smartwatch for fitness enthusiasts.
Valentina Palladino

Best Black Friday electronics deals

The Das Keyboard 4 Professional has been around for a few years now but is still a good buy among full-size mechanical keyboards.
Enlarge / The Das Keyboard 4 Professional has been around for a few years now but is still a good buy among full-size mechanical keyboards.

Best Black Friday smart home deals

SanDisk's microSD Card for Nintendo Switch is fast and reliable, regardless of whether you use it with an actual Switch console.
Enlarge / SanDisk’s microSD Card for Nintendo Switch is fast and reliable, regardless of whether you use it with an actual Switch console.

Best Black Friday storage deals

For those who need more connectivity options from their PC, CalDigit's TS3 Plus is one of our favorite Thunderbolt 3 docks.
Enlarge / For those who need more connectivity options from their PC, CalDigit’s TS3 Plus is one of our favorite Thunderbolt 3 docks.
Corey Gaskin

Best Black Friday accessories and miscellaneous deals

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