There’s a load of tech deals online this weekend. Here’s how to tell if you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck.
5 strategies to find the best Black Friday deals
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Black Friday is both a smart and overwhelming time to shop. On the one hand, there are plenty of deals to snag. On the other, there are so many deals to compare.
Follow these tips to ensure your Black Friday deal hunting is successful.
1. Shop for the right things
Some items won’t go on sale during Black Friday, and you’ll waste your time searching for bargains. For example, forget about finding discounts on the newest gaming systems (the PS5 and Xbox Series X and Series S consoles). They’re simply too new and too popular. Finding these in stock can be considered a deal.
Nintendo Switch and the VR Oculus Quest 2 are also long shots this year. The pandemic has buoyed the Switch’s popularity. And the Oculus Quest 2 is still practically brand new.
Combine all this with the fact that the PS4 and Xbox One are absent from retailers’ ads this year, and it’s a tough year to save on gaming consoles.
Luckily, there are plenty of categories that are worth your effort. GameStop, Target and Walmart are advertising strong deals on video games, which might make you feel better about having to wait on a new console.
Smart home gadgets are also a safe Black Friday bet. You’ll find the newest (4th Gen.) Echo devices at the lowest prices seen since their release at both Amazon and Target.
When it comes to smart security, the Ring Video Doorbell 3 is discounted by $60 across the board at retailers including Lowe’s, Target, Kohl’s and Amazon. Amazon will also be knocking $80 off the pricier Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which PCMag gave 4 out of 5 stars for its upgraded specs and slender design.
2. Comparison shop
Before buying an item, check the prices of other major competitors. Just don’t spend too much time crunching the numbers. Retailers price-match each other aggressively during Black Friday, so you’ll likely find only small differences between prices at major stores. Price isn’t the only thing to compare, however.
Kohl’s, for example, is known for offering Kohl’s Cash when you purchase certain items. That could make its deals stronger than a competitor’s when it comes to certain items. For example, it’s offering $60 back in Kohl’s Cash when you buy a Nest Learning Thermostat for Black Friday while also matching the price tag of other retailers.