Black Friday Tech Deals: The Easy Shortlist
Skip the endless scrolling—this is the short list that balances value and performance. From TVs and streaming to laptops, audio, storage, and smart-home, these are the picks that typically get real Black Friday drops.
Fast Picks by Category
| Category | What to Look For | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| TVs (55–65″) | QLED/OLED, 120Hz + HDMI 2.1 for gaming | QLED · OLED |
| Streaming sticks | 4K + Dolby Vision/Atmos | Fire TV 4K Max · Roku 4K |
| Laptops (everyday) | 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, IPS display | Everyday picks |
| Laptops (gaming) | RTX 40-series, 144Hz+ | Gaming laptops |
| Headphones/Earbuds | ANC + multipoint, long battery | Over-ear ANC · ANC earbuds |
| Monitors | 27″ 1440p 144Hz (work + play) | 27″ 1440p |
| Storage (PC/PS5) | NVMe PCIe 4.0; heatsink for PS5 | 1–2TB NVMe |
| microSD (cameras/handhelds) | A2/V30 ratings | microSD cards |
| Routers/Mesh | Wi-Fi 6/6E mesh, app setup | Mesh kits |
| Smart-home starters | Smart plugs, LED strips, doorbells | Smart plugs · Light strips · Doorbells |
| Chargers & cables | GaN 65–100W + 100W USB-C cables | GaN chargers · USB-C cables |
Editor’s Picks (Why They’re Good)
Streaming: Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Fast UI, Dolby Vision/Atmos, super giftable.
TVs: 65″ QLED (bright rooms) or 55–65″ OLED (dark rooms)
QLED battles glare and sports; OLED wins contrast for movies and gaming.
Laptops: Everyday 14–15″ (16GB/512GB)
Spec floor that keeps machines snappy longer; IPS for nicer text.
Headphones/Earbuds: ANC
Peace on planes and in open offices; look for multipoint and long battery.
Storage: 1–2TB NVMe (PCIe 4.0)
Huge speed bump for PCs; grab heatsink versions for PS5.
Wi-Fi: Mesh Kits
Three nodes cover most homes; place one per floor.
Smart-Home Starters
Smart plugs and light strips are cheap upgrades; doorbells add useful security.
Smart plugs · Light strips · Video doorbells
Chargers & Cables: USB-C GaN + 100W
One compact brick for laptop + phone; carry two 100W cables.
