Black Friday Deals You Should Skip, and What You Should Buy Instead

The most anticipated sales event of the year has finally arrived, and while it’s an opportunity to grab some of the most coveted items on your wish list, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the millions of deals that are out there. If you’re someone who loves taking advantage of Black Friday sales but don’t know where to start shopping, we’ve scoured a number of popular retailers to compile a list of noteworthy deals that are worth your time (and money).

Below, you’ll find the best Black Friday deals across massive retailers like Target, Walmart, Wayfair, Best Buy, Ulta, and Nordstrom Rack. Expect to find steep discounts on customer-loved items like Apple AirPods, a Nespresso coffee maker, and a Best Choice Product Christmas tree, with prices as low as $13.

Best Black Friday Deals to Shop
63% Off: Staub Ceramic 2-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set, $48 (was $129); Wayfair.com
6,000+ Five-Star Ratings: Apple AirPods Pro 2 (2nd Generation), $154 (was $249); Walmart.com
Top-Seller: Bissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner, $90 (was $140); Target.com
Farberware 12" x 16" Nonstick Roaster with Rack, $20 (was $30); Target.com
Roku Streaming Stick 4K Streaming Device, $30 (was $50); Target.com
Apple AirTag (4-Pack), $73 (was $99); BestBuy.com
Dunhill Fir Tree with Clear Lights, $205 (was $487); Wayfair.com
Best Choice Products 6-Foot Pre-Lit Christmas Pine Tree, $110 (was $255); Walmart.com
iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum, $359 (was $799); BestBuy.com
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, $400 (was $650); Walmart.com
Don't Buy: Flimsy Bakeware
Buy Instead: Staub Ceramic 2-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set
Thanksgiving may have come and gone, but Christmas and other holidays are right around the corner, which means that you’ll want to invest in a reliable set of baking dishes instead of opting for something cheap and flimsy. Thankfully, this Staub ceramic baking dish set is on sale for Black Friday. It includes two pieces that are perfect for making casseroles, one-pan meals, and sweet treats.

Farberware 12" x 16" Nonstick Roaster with Rack
Who says that Thanksgiving is the only time you can have turkey? For upcoming holiday gatherings, pick up this Farberware roaster and rack to gently roast turkey, chicken, beef, and pork while keeping it tender and juicy.

Don't Buy: Expensive Smart TVs
Buy Instead: Roku Streaming Stick 4K Streaming Device
Simply plug in this nifty Roku streaming device and immediately watch over 400 live TV channels, as well as popular streaming apps like Netflix, Max, Hulu, Apple TV+, Disney+, and more. You also get a handy remote with your purchase to easily navigate your home screen, apps, and volume.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods are always worth picking up when they’re on sale, and you don’t want to miss out on this pair. For starters, they’re sweat- and water-resistant, which makes them especially suitable for use while working out. They also have a built-in sensor to quickly answer calls and can be used for up to 30 hours when fully charged.

Apple AirTag (4-Pack)
Keep track of your car keys, luggage, wallet, and other important belongings with this pack of Apple AirTags. It includes four AirTags that connect to your iPhone so you can know where your possessions are at all times.

Don't Buy: Real Christmas Trees
Buy Instead: Dunhill Fir Tree with Clear Lights
Nothing beats a real Christmas tree, yes, but if you don’t have the time or energy to hunt down a real tree of your own, an artificial tree is just fine. This tree looks just like a real one, with 2,514 pine tips that give it a full, natural look. Plus, it comes pre-lit with warm-hued lights so you can simply plug it in and watch it glow.

Best Choice Products 6-Foot Pre-Lit Christmas Pine Tree
If you like the frosty look that trees have after a snowfall, this Christmas tree from Best Choice Products is for you. It’s designed with PVC pine needles that are flocked with a snowy finish, and also comes equipped with warm white lights to make it sparkle in your home.

Don't Buy: Bulky Cleaning Tools
Buy Instead: Bissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner
The Little Green Max portable carpet cleaner is a best-seller year round, and now’s the time to snatch it up for a fraction of the price. The tool allows you to easily clean stains and messes on your carpet, furniture, car seats, and more thanks to its self-cleaning tough stain tool, pet hair removal tool, and generous 32-ounce reservoir.

iRobot Roomba j7+ Robot Vacuum
This iRobot Roomba j7 robot vacuum takes cleaning floors out of your hands with its self-mapping, self-emptying feature. It has edge-cleaning, too.

Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Ditch your bulky upright vacuum for this slim option from Dyson. The V12 cleaner is Dyson’s lightest vacuum, weighing just over five pounds, but its feathery light weight doesn’t mean it lacks in performance. The vacuum has four attachments, three cleaning modes, and a built-in light to detect dust and debris. It can also run up to an hour at a time.

Don't Buy: Traditional Coffee Pots
Buy Instead: Keurig K-Express Essentials Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Traditional coffee pots serve a purpose, but when you’re on the go and don’t have time to brew a big pot, this Keurig is a great choice. The slim coffee maker can brew six-, eight-, and ten-ounce cups of coffee or hot water in minutes. Plus, if you are someone who enjoys multiple cups in one sitting, you can immediately brew a second cup without having to wait for more water to reheat.

Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Combination Espresso and Coffee Maker
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ makes brewing high-quality coffee and espresso as simple as the push of a button. It’s compatible with six capsule sizes that can be brewed hot or over ice.

Don't Buy: Casual Sneakers
Buy Instead: Sam Edelman Pryce Bootie
It can be easy to resort to a casual pair of sneakers when running out to the store or going on a casual date, but why not opt for something slightly more elevated for some added flair, like this pair of booties from Sam Edelman? The versatile boots are crafted with a leather upper, a stylish side zipper, and a short chunky heel.

Fireside By Dearfoams Greta Shearling Clog Slipper
You can’t beat a good pair of slippers around this time of year, and these clog slippers from Dearfoams will make your feet feel warm and cozy in the chilliest of weather. They’re made from 100 percent Australian shearling that is both moisture wicking and temperature regulating. They also have EVA outsoles so they’re perfect for indoor or outdoor wear.

No Boundaries Knit Chelsea Ankle Boots
Chelsea boots never go out of style, but they are especially popular to shop around this time of year. Grab these No Boundaries Chelsea ankle boots while they’re on sale and you won’t regret it. They have a stretchy knit panel that helps break up the texture, a two-inch block heel, and a platform sole for some added height (and style).

Tommy Hilfiger Ianzi Bootie
Black Friday is one of the only times you can buy Tommy Hilfiger without spending a fortune. These chic booties are made from a synthetic leather material, feature a 1.5-inch chunky heel, and come with a golden buckle with the iconic brand logo on it.

Muk Luks Janie Cozy Sweater Boot
These cozy sweater boots are bound to be on constant rotation in your wardrobe this winter. The boots have a knit upper and a faux suede bottom that look as cozy as they feel.

Don't Buy: Overpriced Beauty Products
Buy Instead: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Firming Eye Cream
People of all ages love this revitalizing eye cream from L’Oréal Paris for a few reasons. The formula contains retinol and centella, which are powerful ingredients known for their ability to reduce fine lines, soften wrinkles, and add elasticity back to the skin. It also has a smooth, creamy consistency and blends easily under the eyes as you apply it.

Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush
This hair dryer brush tool gives your hair a salon-quality blowout without the costly price tag. It features three heat settings, charcoal-infused nylon brush pins, and a ceramic base to prevent heat damage.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub
Exfoliate your skin and make it silky-smooth with this top-rated Sol de Janeiro scrub. It’s formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients, including sugar crystals, crushed cupuaçu seeds, guaraná, and coconut oil. The result? Glowing, soft skin that smells like pistachio and salted caramel.