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Black Friday is just weeks away (days really), and time is funny at this time of year — blink a few times and it will be December! I find that it’s a good idea to get a jump on gift buying, because it takes the strain out of doing it all last-minute, and there are also some great deals out there ahead of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period.
Also: 10 DIY gadgets I never leave out of my toolkit (and why each one earns its spot)
I review a lot of gadgets and gear here at ZDNET — over the past twelve months I’ve reviewed dozens of phones, power banks, and power stations, not to mention countless tools, EDC items, drones, amd much more — so I’ve got my finger on the pulse when it comes to what’s a good deal and what’s just a fake price cut.
On top of that, I’ll only list things that I’d want, buy, and use. No fluff, no filler. Here are my favorite early Black Friday gadget deals.
Find Black Friday deals
Best early Black Friday gadget deals
- Current price: $35 (22% off)
- Original price: $45
A USB-C rechargeable electric screwdriver with a twist — literally! It has a pivoting head that can lock in three positions (0, 22.5, and 45 degrees) for improved ergonomics in tight spaces. It also has three torque settings – low, medium, and high — to cope with all your day to day tasks.
- Current price: $33 (28% off)
- Original price: $46
I’ve tested a lot of USB-C rechargeable hand warmers because, well, I live in the UK and it gets pretty cold and wet here. But a lot of the hand warmers on the market are either poor quality and don’t get warm, or become absolutely roasting and dangerous.
This is the hand warmer I turn to when things get really cold! And I have to say that it really delivers. It has a huge 10,000mAh capacity good for up to 16 hours of continuous warmth, or 6 hours on the extra heat mode. It is is IP56 rated water and dust resistant, built to be shockproof, making it perfect for outdoor use.
- Current price: $550 (39% off)
- Original price: $900
Like coffee? You’ll love this espresso and coffee machine with a handful of one-touch or customized coffee drinks. Choose from espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, iced coffee, coffee, hot water, and even save your own personalised creation.
- Current price: $30 (40% off)
- Original price: $50
Forget the old, inconvenient tape measure and get right into the 21st century with this laser measuring tool. Fire a beam at a wall up to 98 feet away and get a distance reading in a fraction of a second accurate to ±1/16 inch.
Oh, and the built-in class 2 laser can be used to entertain your cat, too.
- Current price: $51 (10% off)
- Original price: $57
This is a brilliant power meter that’s perfect for repair enthusiasts and professionals. This does it all, from showing voltages and power flow to automatic detection of protocols and even displaying waveforms.
Another useful feature is the ability to read E-mark chip data found in higher-quality USB-C cables. This chip allows the cable to communicate with the devices it connects to, providing information about the cable’s capabilities, power capacity, and supported features.
Review: This powerful, pocket-sized gadget is perfect for all your USB troubleshooting needs
- Current price: $169 (32% off)
- Original price: $249
Now, I can’t say that I’m much of a tool brand fanboy, but I’ve grown quite fond of DeWalt power tools. It’s a brand that delivers decent tools at fair prices. With this kit, not only do you get the 1/2-inch drill and the 1/4-inch impact driver, but you also get two 20V/1.5Ah rechargeable batteries, a battery charger, and a neat carrying case. This 20V system is powerful enough to tackle most jobs you’re likely to come across, yet the tool and batteries are light enough that you can wield them for a few hours without getting fatigued.
- Current price: $150 (32% off)
- Original price: $220
The perfect vacuum cleaner for deep-clean carpets and tackling bare floors with multi-surface powerful suction. It features an effective HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. It has a massive 0.9-quart dirt capacity, and there’s an easy to remove dust cup to empty debris in seconds.
- Current price: $269 (43% off)
- Original price: $469
The EcoFlow River 2 Max is the Goldilocks of power stations — compact enough to be portable, big enough to be practical.
The River 2 Max takes things to the next level compared to its predecessor — capacity is doubled to 512Wh, its weight is bumped up to 13.4 pounds, and it is capable of a sustained AC output of 500W (1,000W max). And while it’s pretty hefty, it’s 22% lighter than the previous generation EcoFlow units of comparable specs.
Review: I found the perfect portable power station for off-grid adventures
- Current price: $129 (7% off)
- Original price: $139
I’m a big believer that every toolbox needs at least one thermal camera. The problem is, a lot of thermal cameras are expensive, and they are often specific to either iPhone or Android, so if you switch platforms, you’ll need a different camera.
The new Thermal Master P1 solves both these issues with an affordable thermal camera that works for both platforms. The camera has a range of -4°F to 1,112°F (-20°C to 600°C) and an accuracy of ±3.6°F, making it perfect for a wide range of applications, from insulation inspections and HVAC system diagnostics to automotive troubleshooting.
Review: I invested in a thermal imaging camera for my iPhone and Android – it’s already paying off
- Current price: $470 (22% off)
- Original price: $599
This is a mini PC that can handle some serious workloads thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage on an M.2 drive. But this mini PC has another trick up its sleeve — an OCuLink port that allows it to be connected to an external GPU, boosting graphics performance considerably.
- Current price: $157 (37% off)
- Original price: $250
Let’s get straight to the exciting part: you can charge the Solix C300 DC using two 140W USB-C inputs, delivering a maximum of 280W of power. In terms of outputs, you’re spoiled with seven total USB-C and USB-A ports, providing the unit with great flexibility and the ability to charge everything from a MacBook Pro to earbuds. The 12V DC output also lets you power car accessories such as portable refrigerators.
Review: My favorite portable power station for traveling can charge any device
More Black Friday gadget deals
- CHEF iQ Sense Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer with 3 Ultra-Thin Probes: $160 (save $90): A 4-probe smart wireless thermometer that takes the guesswork out of cooking. Perfect for the oven, BBQ, grill, or smoker.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick HD: $18 (save $17): Quick and easy HD content streaming offering access to over a million free movies and TV episodes.
- Penaover Magsafe Magnetic Portable Charger with AC charging: $32 (save $8): I like this, because it’s a power bank that you can charge direct from a USB-C cable or direct from the wall outlet.
- Philips Sonicare 4100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush: $30 (save $20): An electric toothbrush that’s packed with all sorts of features and settings to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Aootek Solar Motion Sensor Lights 120 LEDs (4-pack): $20 (save $15): Easy to install and long-lasting security lights. No cables or wiring needed. Just attach them to the wall and they recharge using solar. The PIR sensor has several different settings, allowing you to customize how the light turns on and off.
- FOXWELL OBD2 NT716 Bidirectional Scan Tool: $240 (save $60): Take a deep dive into what your car is up to with this high-tech scan tool. Run tests on all sorts of car systems, from cooling fans to injectors, and also find out what’s causing that dreaded check engine light to come on.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday 2025 falls on November 28, and Cyber Monday (which only became a thing in 2005) follows on December 1. Beat the store chaos and do your shopping from the comfort of your home (or office!).
Are gadgets really cheaper during Black Friday?
The short answer is yes, gadgets can be significantly cheaper in the run-up to and during Black Friday. It’s a time of year when retailers want to make up for the discounts they offer with a high volume of sales. Yes, price manipulation does happen sometimes, where some brands and retailers increase their prices in advance to make their cuts seem even better, but it happens a lot less these days because there’s more competition and people are getting savvy to it.
How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?
ZDNET (and I) only writes about the deals we want to buy — devices and products we desire, need, or and would recommend wholeheartedly. Our experts look for the best deals, or products that are hardly ever on sale, using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.
I also look at customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals I’m recommending. There are also recommendations that are based on my own testing and reviews. The goal is to get you the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter and save money.
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