The strangest Black Friday sale in the 20-year history of the big sale day is now underway at major retailers.
During this pandemic, when stores cannot host overflow crowds (and for the most part will be closed Thanksgiving night), retailers had to be creative, putting many of their hottest electronics deals online only.
Kristin McGrath of BlackFriday.com told us "those are the things that might bring out the crowds and get people lining up and crowding in, so they are playing it really safe this year."
As a result, most major stores have been running Black Friday sales all month.
But don't worry: You are not too late.
The best is yet to come with Walmart's big electronics sale kicking off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and other stores marking down home goods and kitchen gadgets Thursday and Friday.
"Countertop appliances, like mixers and air fryers, you're going to see deals 50% off and more," McGrath said.
So with the help of BlackFriday.com and DealNews.com, we have come up with the 9 best Black Friday deals from now until Friday, based on some of the most popular items this year.
Note that Walmart's electronics deals are online only.
1. 70- to 75-inch 4KTV
Vizio 70-inch Vizio 4KTV: $478, Walmart.com,starting Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
2. 60- to 65-inch 4KTV
TCL 65-inch UHD Smart TV: $229 at Target.com all week (look for supplies to be restocked around Wednesday night).
Samsung 58-inch 4KTV: $378 at Walmart, starting Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
3. Smart Watches/Fitness Trackers
Apple Watch Series 3: $119 at Walmart Wednesday evening ($169 at most retailers).
Apple Watch Series 6: $329 for the new model atAmazon all week, when available. ($349 at most retailers).
Fitbit Charge 4: $100 all week at Amazon (regularly $150).
Fitbit Inspire 2: $70 atBest Buyall week (regularly $100).
4. Apple AirPods
Apple AirPods Pro $169 at Walmart Wednesday evening ($199 at most retailers earlier in the week).
Apple Air Pods, with wireless charging base: $150 at Amazon all week.
5. Ring Video Doorbell
Ring Video Doorbell 3 plus Echo Show 5: $149 at Amazon all week.
Ring Video Doorbell or Peephole Camera: $69 at Amazon all week.
6. Alexa Echo
Amazon Echo Show 5: $45 at Best Buy all week.
Newest Amazon Echo Dot: $29 at Amazon all week.
Updated "Echo Dots" are pictured at Amazon Headquarters, following a launch event, on September 20, 2018 in Seattle Washington.
7. Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo Nova: $69 at Kohl's(list $149). Other retailers have it for the same price, but they don't give you the bonus of $15 Kohl's Cash.
8. Robot Vacuum
Shark ION Robotic Vacuum: $169 at Kohl's (list $299), plus $15 bonus cash.
9. Streaming sticks
Roku SE: $17 at Walmart, starting Wednesday night.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K; $29 at Amazon all week.
As usual with Black Friday deals, many items like big screen TVs will be in limited supply and will sell out quickly.
And if you are looking for the new XBox Series X or Sony PS5, you'll be lucky to find one at the list price of $499. Don't even dream of finding a sale, as eBay sellers are asking over $1,000 for these new models.
So check store websites frequently, and remember that many TV deals will not be available in store, so don't line up on Thanksgiving afternoon as you may have in years past.
That way, you don't waste your money.
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