The barrage of Black Friday deals can sometimes feel a bit like wading through treacle, as various 'deals' offer a few quid off a product that used to be, um, possibly cheaper than it is now. That's why I'm here to cut through the nonsense and deliver a curated list of genuine deals that are actually worth buying – and now Black Friday has passed and we've skirted through the weekend to Cyber Monday, I've updated this article with the latest.
I've collated a top 10, featuring everything from big-scale TVs to affordable phones, Soda Stream water-fizzers to Xbox Series S. So whether you're buying for yourself, buying to gift (you might want to check out our Christmas gift guide for that), or just don't have the time to scroll through retailer pages for hours on end (it's like the new doomscrolling, really) then here's the top kit you'll want to consider.
- Amazon Black Friday sale – low prices on tech, smart home & essentials
- AO.com Black Friday sale – cheap deals on appliances
- Argos Black Friday sale – best offers on toys, games & furniture
- Currys Black Friday sale – huge discounts on tech & appliances
- John Lewis Black Friday sale – savings on homeware, beauty & tech
- Very Black Friday sale – discounted fashion, toys & kitchenware
Top 10 best Cyber Monday deals
1. Xbox Series S console: was £249.99, now £189.99 on Amazon
Microsoft sent out its official 'sales' email and I thought 'well this is a good deal', only to find out that Amazon has the entry-level all-digital Xbox console for even less cash in its Cyber sales. Although it's no Series X, I still think as a gaming and streaming hub to place under your TV that this is a cracking deal, with almost a third off the typical list price.
2. Google Pixel 6a: was £399, now £297 on Amazon
If you're an Android user and want one of the best affordable phones, Google was already on to a winner with the Pixel 6a. But with just over £100 off for this sales period, as a SIM-only purchase I really don't think you'll find anything better in the affordable phones market. This is a truly great phones deal, and it's a few quid cheaper on Amazon than anywhere else.
3. Sonos Move: was £399, now £299 at Amazon
This is one of those rare Cyber Monday specials, as Sonos held back discounting its superb portable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker. This is a flash deal that was worth waiting for, especially as there's £100 off!
4. Hisense A6BGTUK 50-inch 4K HDR TV: was £499, now £299 at Amazon
Now I'm not saying this is the best TV ever made, but if you're looking for a large panel for a low price then this 50-inch 4K HDR option from Hisense is a total bargain. It'll deliver scale that so many buyers are looking for, without breaking the bank. As said in T3's review: it's a cheap 4K TV that allows you to go for a bigger screen without sacrificing detail and motion clarity to get there.
5. Sony WF-1000XM4: was £250, now £159 at Amazon / Sony.co.uk
These Sony in-ears are T3's favourite in our best wireless earbuds list, thanks to top audio quality and active noise-cancellation (ANC). There's a very tasty £90 off the typical asking price, and given the overall quality and performance available here I think that's a total bargain. There are cheaper earbuds, sure, but few can match these.
6. Garmin Forerunner 245: was £209.99, now £149 at Amazon
Want to sharpen your fitness? Garmin makes some of the best running watches on the market and this GPS-laden Forerunner features heart-rate, stress, sleep and step-tracking. Its battery life is way better than you'll find from an Apple Watch, too, and while the interface is simpler, it's perfectly agreeable for fitness tracking. Especially at this lower price point.
7. Tefal ActiFry Genius XL 2-in-1 Air Fryer: was £284, now £198 at Very.co.uk
Air fryers are all the rage at the moment, and this one is among one of the best. There's a solid £90 off the typical asking price for this 1.7kg capacity model. In our review, we commented that “it’s an incredibly impressive machine that can produce fabulous meals and is genius for busy families.” Everyone should clearly own one.
8. Delonghi La Specialista: was £529, now £399 at DeLonghi
None of that instant nonsense, just smooth, delicious caffeinated goodness to make your mornings and afternoons more tolerable. The price has gone up on Amazon (£419 there), but it's come down on DeLonghi's official site. The standout feature is the automatic tamping – pressing the ground coffee down into the filter basket at exactly the correct pressure for consistently excellent results.
9. SodaStream Jet Sparkling Water Maker: was £84.99, now £59.99 at Amazon
This has 'Christmas present' written all over it, doesn't it? With almost a third off the usual asking price, this SodaStream starter kit can fizz up your boring tap water with the simple click of a button in just a matter of seconds. It comes with a refillable bottle, too.
10. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: was £49.99, now £27.99 at Amazon
At almost half its usual price, the 4K-capable Amazon Fire TV Stick is a great budget buy. It's an ideal way to upgrade an existing less-smart TV into a more advanced streaming hub. It's easy to use and delivers great quality streams to all your favourite platforms – from Amazon Prime to Netflix to BBC iPlayer and beyond.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Mike is the Tech Editor at T3.com. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and, as a phones expert, has seen hundreds of handsets over the years – swathes of Android devices, a smattering of iPhones, and a batch of Windows Phone too (remember those?). But that's not all, as a tech and audio aficionado his beat at T3 also covers tablets, laptops, gaming, home cinema, TVs, speakers and more – there's barely a tech stone unturned he's not had a hand on. Previously the Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more. In addition to his tech knowledge, Mike is also a flights and travel expert, having travelled the globe extensively. You'll likely find him setting up a new mobile phone, critiquing the next MacBook, all while planning his next getaway... or cycling somewhere.