• Thanksgiving dinner can be a hotbed for family quarrels.
• Hal Runkel is a marriage and family therapist and the author of multiple books on parenting and relationships.
• Runkel said it can be helpful to display vulnerability during a fight with a family member.
• The word "ouch," as in, your comments hurt me, can help defuse conflict.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

At Thanksgiving dinner, you may be sitting with family or a partner who knows you really well — which can be a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, you can be yourself around them— your unfiltered, sometimes un-showered, lame-joke-telling self. On the other hand, they eventually learn better than anyone else exactly which buttons to push that set you off.

Hal Runkel puts it eloquently: "No one can touch you like the one you expose yourself most to, but no one can hurt you like the one you expose yourself the most to."

Runkel is a marriage and family therapist, and the author of multiple books on parenting and relationships, including "Choose Your Own Adulthood."

When he visited the Business Insider office in 2017, Runkel shared his best advice for de-escalating a conflict that's spiraled out of control because one person said something that cut deep.

SEE ALSO: 8 signs you're in a strong relationship — even if it doesn't feel like it

Actually, that advice is just one word: 'ouch'

It's a word that doesn't get used nearly enough in marriage, Runkel said.

"When [you're] in conflict, inevitably [you] will say something that hurts the other person using the 'inside information' that you have on them or that they have on you," he said.

For example: Your partner knows you're struggling to lose weight and they blurt out, "Of course you didn't take five minutes to walk the dog — you were too busy stuffing your face!"

At that moment, Runkel said, "Everything in you wants to scream something right back at them: 'Oh yeah? Well, you're starting to look like your mother!'"

'Ouch' can stop a conflict from spiraling out of control

Here's where the word "ouch" comes in handy. Runkel explained that the best response in this situation is simply, "Ouch. That one hurt. I don't know if you were meaning to hurt me; I don't know if that's what you were going for; but that's what you did."

Your partner may get defensive and say something back like, "You've said some pretty hurtful things to me!"

Now here's your line: "You're right. I have, and I hate that I have."

"That conversation, which was a very familiar path, that fight is now a totally different path because one of you chose to actually get vulnerable," Runkel said.

"It wasn't a step of pushing [your partner] away. It was a step of inviting [your partner] in by saying: You know what? I am open enough to you that you can actually hurt me. So now how about we talk to each other as if we actually love each other?"

That display of vulnerability is key, and a lot harder than it sounds.

Too many of us have this tendency to pretend that we're made of emotional steel — that when our partner insults us, or doesn't pay us enough attention, we're totally fine.

Ideally, when you implement Runkel's strategy, your partner will respond in kind, and you two can have a calm conversation about what's bothering you. Yet Runkel also mentioned that your partner's next sentence after you admit that you've been hurt will tell you a lot about your relationship.

All you can really do is start the dialogue: "That hurt. Tell me what you'd like me to do with that."

In the end, a strategic "ouch" could save your Thanksgiving dinner from becoming a meltdown of arguments.

• Major winter storms, including a "bomb cyclone," have snarled Thanksgiving travel across the US.
• As Denver dug out and the Midwest was blanketed by snow, the Northwest was hit with blinding snow and hurricane force winds.
• Transportation, including air travel, was thrown into disarray around the US, with major cancellations and delays. 
• Airlines including American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and United have issued travel waivers letting some affected passengers change their flights without any fees. Scroll down for details on the waivers, and check back here for updates.
• Sign up for Business Insider's transportation newsletter, Shifting Gears, to get more stories like this in your inbox.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Two major storms disrupted millions of people traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The first storm began to cause mayhem on Tuesday continuing into Wednesday, with at least hundreds of flights to and from Denver cancelled by early Tuesday afternoon, according to flight tracking website Flight Aware, hundreds of delays in Minneapolis on Wednesday, and dozens in Chicago.

The second storm, a "bomb cyclone," slammed into the West Coast from Northern California to Southern Oregon starting Tuesday afternoon and continued to lash the area as it moved east on Wednesday. The National Weather Service described the storm as "historic" and "unprecedented." Winds reached 106 miles per hour near Cape Blanco, Oregon.

A 100-mile stretch of Interstate 5 was closed on Wednesday due to snowfall in California.

This year's Thanksgiving travel period is expected to be the busiest since 2005 and a record-breaking number of passengers are expected to travel by air. The two storms have the potential to cause major transit delays across the US

Even in areas far away from the storms, a ripple-effect of delays from other parts of the country could snarl holiday travel plans, as aircraft are repositioned or delayed in other parts of the country due to the weather.

Numerous airlines issued travel waivers as snow impacted the US.

Even if your flight hasn't been delayed or cancelled yet, you can take advantage of waivers to proactively rebook yourself, making alternate arrangements before it's too late and other flights are all booked up.

United

Travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airport November 26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

For the waiver to apply, travel must be rescheduled by November 29 between the same cities and in the same cabin.

To change your flight, contact airline reservations at 800-864-8331 or make the change online yourself through the United website or app.

Delta

Travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from or connecting through the following airports on November 26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

The full waiver applies as long as you reschedule your flight for a date on or before November 29 between the same cities and in the same cabin. You can reschedule your flight for later — as long as it's within a year of the original purchase date — but you may have to pay a fare difference.

You can also cancel your flight and get a refund in the form of a credit. You'll have to use the credit to purchase a new ticket for travel within a year of the original purchase date.

There's also a waiver for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airports on November 27:

• Minneapolis, Minnesota (MSP)

For the full waiver to apply, flights must be rescheduled for a date on or before November 29 between the same cities. Other than that, the same terms apply.

To change your flight, click "My Trips" in the Delta app or on the website.

American Airlines

Passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airport on November 26 are eligible for travel waivers:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

The waiver applies as long as you reschedule your flight for dates between November 24-26 and between the same cities and in the same cabin.

There's also a waiver for passengers flying to, from, or through the following city on November 27:

• Minneapolis, MN (MSP)

The full waiver applies as long as travel is rescheduled for November 25–30.

Finally, there's a waiver for passengers flying to, from, or through the following cities November 26–27:

• Cheyenne, WY (CYS)
• Duluth, MN (DLH)
• Grand Island, NE (GRI)
• La Crosse, WI (LSE)
• Marquette, MI (MQT)
• Omaha, NE (OMA)
• Rochester, MN (RST)
• Sioux City, IA (SUX)
• Sioux Falls, SD (FSD)
• Wausau, WI (CWA)

The full waiver applies as long as travel is rescheduled for November 26–30 between the same cities and in the same cabin.

You can also cancel any eligible flights and get a refund in the form of a travel voucher, good for one year from the date you originally purchased the ticket.

To change your flight, contact airline reservations at 800-433-7300, or make the change online yourself by clicking "change trip" when you pull up your flight details.

Southwest

Travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airport November 25–26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

And the following airport November 26–27:

• Minneapolis, MN (MSP)

The waiver applies as long as you reschedule your flight for anytime within 14 days of the original travel date between the same cities and in the same ticket class.

To change your flight, contact airline reservations at 800-435-9792, or make the change online yourself by using the Southwest app or website.

Frontier Airlines

Travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airports November 26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)
• Colorado Springs, Colorado (COS)

Affected passengers can make one change. The waiver applies as long as you reschedule your flight for anytime on or before December 18. Passengers are allowed to change their origin or destination cities.

If your flight is canceled outright, you can choose to request a refund instead of a rescheduled flight.

To change your flight call reservations at 801-401-9000. Frontier advises on its website that it's experiencing "higher than normal call volumes."

Spirit Airlines

Spirit's travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airport on November 26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

The travel waiver also applies for passengers traveling to, from, or through the following airport on November 27:

• Minneapolis, MN (MSP)

For both airports, the full waiver applies as long as you reschedule your flight for travel on or before November 29 between the same cities.

Change fees will still be waived if you reschedule for a later date, but you may have to pay a fare difference.

To change your flight, visit the "manage travel" page and enter your flight information, or call reservations at 801-401-2222.

JetBlue

Travel waiver applies for passengers flying to or from, or connecting through the following airports November 25-26:

• Denver, Colorado (DEN)

Flights must be rebooked for travel by November 29 or earlier between the same cities and in the same cabin for the waiver to apply.

To change your flight, contact airline reservations at 800-538-2583, or make the change online yourself by clicking "manage flights" when you pull up your flight details.

If your flight ends up being canceled, you can also opt for a full refund.

• Apple'sAirPods Pro improve on the regular model in important ways, by adding features like noise cancellation, sweat and water resistance, and ear tips in different sizes.
• The sound quality has also gotten an upgrade, although they still don't sound quite as rich and vibrant as Sony's wireless earbuds.
• Still, that's a trade-off that may be worth the convenience that comes with AirPods' tight integration with the iPhone's software. And with the AirPods Pro, there are even fewer such compromises now that they support noise cancellation.
• The ease and simplicity of connecting your AirPods Pro with your iPhone is still one of its standout features. But it would be useful to see Apple extend this to the Mac too.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Apple's AirPods have been a runaway success since their 2016 launch, with estimates from Counterpoint Research indicating that Apple owns the majority of the wireless earbud industry. 

On October 28, Apple finally launched the true successor to the original AirPods — the AirPods Pro. The new $250 headphones offer critical features that Apple's headphones were previously missing, like noise cancellation, sweat and water resistance, and ear tips in different sizes. Even though they're priced at $250, you can grab them for a $14 discount at Amazon. 

They've been on store shelves since October 30, and are being offered right alongside the standard, non-Pro second-generation AirPods that Apple launched earlier this year. Those AirPods are certainly better than the first-generation model that first launched in 2016, but still lack the new stuff that makes the AirPods Pro so great.

The AirPods Pro have only been available for less than a month, but they already seem to be a hit. Apple is ramping up production to keep up with demand, according to Nikkei Asian Review, which reports that the company has increased monthly orders from one million to two million. Apple is also expected to double its AirPods shipments in 2019 to 60 million thanks to demand for the AirPods Pro, according to Bloomberg.  

I've been using the AirPods Pro for the past several weeks, and it's clear that they're a major improvement over the original. The noise cancellation alone makes the AirPods Pro worth considering for those thinking about upgrading the first-generation AirPods they've been hanging on to. The sound quality has also gotten an upgrade, making them stronger competitors to rivals like Sony, and a compelling choice over the slightly cheaper Beats Powerbeats Pro.

Here's a closer look at what it's been like to use them. 

SEE ALSO: Next year's iPhone is starting to take shape, and it already looks like Apple could be on its way to reclaiming dominance in the smartphone industry

Noise cancellation makes a huge difference.

I've been wearing AirPods for years, and one my biggest gripes has always been their lack of noise cancellation or noise reduction. Whenever I wear them on the subway, I constantly find myself cranking up the volume to drown out the sound of the subway screeching to a halt or background chatter.

Luckily, Apple has finally addressed this with the AirPods Pro. During my time with the AirPods Pro, I found that the noise cancellation feature worked well enough to adequately block out noise from my surroundings — whether it be the noisiness of fellow commuters on the subway, the humming of the treadmill during my morning run, or my coworkers chatting at the office throughout the workday. They also stayed just as snug and secure in my ears during a run as Apple's regular AirPods.

That noise cancellation feature is powered by inward- and outward-facing microphones, which the buds use to identify and subdue noise from your surroundings. An outward-facing microphone detects noise from your environment so that the AirPods can cancel it out, while an inward-facing microphone picks up any extant noise around your ear canal.

It's a noticeable upgrade from Apple's existing wireless earbuds, including the standard AirPods and the Powerbeats Pro, the latter of which features the lesser technology of noise isolation — not noise cancellation. But I still found that Sony's slightly cheaper $230 WF-1000XM3 did an even better job at blocking out sound than the AirPods Pro. 

If you still want to be able to hear what's going on in your surroundings, you can also turn on transparency mode on the AirPods Pro, which allows you to hear external sound that would otherwise be blocked by the silicone tips. 

You can switch between active noise cancellation and transparency mode either through the iPhone's Control Center, or by pressing and holding on a groove on the stems of the AirPods Pro. Although AirPods were initially mocked for their elongated tips that stick out of your ears, this particular thing seems to justify the design – at least a little.

Pressing sensors on the stem to perform actions like turning off noise cancellation or pausing music is much more comfortable than alternatives offered by other companies.

Amazon's Echo Buds, for example, require you to tap or press on the part of the bud that sits in your ear to perform certain tasks, while you have to press the Sony's WF-1000XM3's buds to pair them with your device for the first time. Neither of those gestures feel nearly as comfortable or natural as Apple's alternative, even if it means the earbud is less discreet in your ear.

The sound quality has gotten a big upgrade, but I still preferred Sony's earbuds.

Apple's AirPods Pro have much more boisterous and rich sound than the standard AirPods and less expensive alternatives like the $130 Amazon Echo Buds. During my testing, I found that they provided a slightly louder and more full-bodied sound than the $250 Powerbeats Pro, although they were very close.

Apple made some internal improvements to bolster the sound quality. The AirPods Pro contain an Apple-designed driver that should provide improved bass extension and detailed mid and high frequencies, for example. 

But Sony's WF-1000XM3 were still better in this regard, providing a sound that had a bit more depth and color than that of the AirPods. Everything sounded a bit more crisp and vivid coming through the WF-1000XM3; vocals were defined and popped much more vividly compared to the AirPods. 

That being said, I was still pleased with the AirPods Pro.

The new design is more compact, and just as comfortable.

Apple's AirPods have also gotten a refreshed design — an update that was necessary to enable active noise cancellation. But this overhaul also brings another benefit: the ability to customize the way AirPods fit in your ear.

The AirPods Pro come with silicone ear tips in three sizes, finally offering some level of flexibility. When you set up AirPods for the first time, you'll also go through an ear-tip fit test to help you figure out which one provides the best seal. 

Even with their new design, the AirPods Pro feel just as lightweight as their predecessors, and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, even during the working day.

The ease and convenience of pairing AirPods with your iPhone is still one of its best features. But there's room for Apple to improve here too.

Among the biggest advantages that Apple's AirPods offer over the competition is how quickly and seamlessly they can connect with your iPhone.

Just pop the lid open, hold the button on the back of the case, and your iPhone will detect that the headphones are nearby and walk you through the brief setup process. And after you set them up for the first time, the AirPods Pro will connect to your iPhone automatically whenever you flip open the lid — just like the originals.

That convenience is a large part of what has made the original AirPods so popular in the first place, and it continues with the Pro. It's so seamless that competitors like Samsung have even followed suit with similar pairing process between their own phones and earbuds.

I only wish that Apple would come up with a similarly convenient interface for pairing AirPods with your Mac. Currently, you still have to go into the Bluetooth connections tray on your Mac and choose your AirPods to use them. And although Apple has improved the speed at which its AirPods can connect to other devices, the AirPods Pro can't connect to more than one device at a time. 

Should you buy the Airpods Pro?

With their great noise cancellation, rich sound, comfortable fit, and fast pairing with iOS devices, the AirPods Pro are a great choice for iPhone users looking for a reliable pair of everyday wireless headphones. The addition of new features like noise cancellation and sweat resistance gives Apple device owners less of a reason to look to alternatives.

The upgrade is probably worth it if your AirPods are now a couple of years old, considering the Pro model also brings the upgrades Apple introduced with the second-generation AirPods, like hands-free Siri support and wireless charging. 

But it's also worth considering Sony's WF-1000XM3, which are even better at blocking out surrounding noise and offer better sound quality for a cheaper price.  They also should last longer on a single charge — Sony claims they should last for six hours with noise cancellation turned on, and eight hours with it off.

Apple's AirPods Pro, comparatively, should last for five hours, or 4.5 hours if you have active noise cancellation turned on. Sony's headphones, however, aren't sweat- and water- resistant and don't pair as seamlessly with the iPhone as AirPods. That said, they'll work well across Apple and non-Apple devices alike.

The $250 Powerbeats Pro, also from Apple, are a compelling option for iPhone users too, considering they offer the same easy pairing mechanism and other Apple-oriented features as AirPods. They also should offer longer nine-hour battery life. But the Powerbeats don't have true noise cancellation like AirPods Pro — they have the lesser noise isolation technology instead — so you won't be able to tune out distractions as easily.

All told, Apple's AirPods Pro live up to the hype. While Sony may have Apple beat in some respects, the addition of noise cancellation, sweat resistance, and tips in different sizes means that iPhone loyalists no longer have to make compromises to ge the convenience that AirPods bring. We can only hope that Apple takes these even further by making the process of switching between devices a bit simpler and more streamlined in the future.

• Macy's Black Friday sale has started and runs through Black Friday, November 29.
• The best deals include $100 off an All-Clad cookware set, $260 off a Lauren Ralph Lauren coat, and $165 off a Shark cordless vacuum. 
• To possibly save more on Black Friday deals this year, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date Macy's coupons and promo codes.

Macy's Black Friday sale has begun. If you're looking for discounted clothing, home, and kitchen products from the best brands, you'll likely find them here.

The sale runs sitewide through November 29, but there are even more ways to save thanks to a few different promo codes. View the details and terms here.

• Extra 20% or 15% off select merchandise with code "BLKFRI" 
• $10 off orders of $25 of select merchandise with code "BLKFRI25"
• $20 off orders of $50 of select merchandise with code "BLKFRI50" 

The best Macy's Black Friday deals of 2019: 

1. Best stand mixer deal: KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $280 (originally $475) [You save $195] 
2. Best coffee maker deal: Nespresso by De'Longhi Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Maker, $125 (originally $313) [You save $188] 
3. Best kitchen appliance deal: Instant Pot Duo Nova Black Stainless Steel 6-Qt Multi-Cooker, $60 (originally $125) [You save $65] 
4. Best air fryer deal: Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Qt Air Fryer, $170 (originally $288) [You save $118]
5. Best cookware deal: All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick 7-Pc. Set, $300 (originally $400) [You save $100]
6. Best vacuum deal:Shark Rocket Cordless Vacuum, $150 (originally $315) [You save $165] 
7. Best bedding deal:Hotel Collection 680 Thread-Count Full/Queen Duvet Cover, $134 (originally $335) [You save $201]
8. Best mattress deal:Serta Special Edition II 11.5-inch Queen Mattress, $299 (originally $839) [You save $540] 
9. Best men's clothing deal:Lauren Ralph Lauren Luke Wool-Blend Classic-Fit Peacoat, $90 (originally $350) [You save $260] 
10. Best men's shoe deal: Cole Haan Jefferson Grand 2.0 Plain Oxford, $140 (originally $300) [You save $160] 
11. Best women's clothing deal: Calvin Klein Hooded Packable Puffer Coat, $70 (originally $240) [You save $170]
12. Best women's clothing deal: North Face Osito Fleece Jacket, $74.25 (originally $99) [You save $24.75] 
13. Best women's shoe deal: Sperry Women's Saltwater Duck Booties, $72 (originally $120) [You save $48]
14. Best accessory deal: Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses, $142.10 (originally $203) [You save $60.90] 
15. Best makeup deal: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette, $27 (originally $54) [You save $27] 

What makes these deals great: 

1. KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $280 (originally $475) [You save $195] A workhorse in the kitchen, the versatile KitchenAid stand mixer can be used to make all sorts of things, from cookie dough to mashed potatoes. This 5-Quart model is a great size for most kitchens and chefs, as it's not too big, not too small, and easy to use. In fact, we named it the best overall model in our KitchenAid stand-mixer buying guide for just those reasons. 
2. Nespresso by De'Longhi Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Maker, $125 (originally $313) [You save $188] Usually, this Nespresso coffee and espresso maker is $250, but as a Black Friday deal, you can get the machine, a frother, and a set of Nespresso capsules for just $125. It has pretty much everything you need for the perfect cup of coffee — just add a cup. 
3. Instant Pot Duo Nova Black Stainless Steel 6-Qt Multi-Cooker, $60 (originally $125) [You save $65] A great Instant Pot deal like this one is mentioning. This black stainless steel version of the Instant Pot Duo Nova is exclusive to Macy's, and though we haven't tested this model quite yet, we can't imagine this model would be so different from the Duo that we've tried and loved.
4. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Qt Air Fryer, $170 (originally $288) [You save $118] This versatile kitchen gadget can roast, dehydrate, bake, grill, and air fry. Amazon and Kohl's are offering this product at the same price if you prefer to shop there. 
5. All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick 7-Pc. Set, $300 (originally $400) [You save $100] A good set of cookware is a kitchen essential. This seven-piece set from All-Clad is a good starting point for outfitting your kitchen. Plus, it's a Macy's exclusive so you won't find it anywhere else. Our editor's parents have been using the same All-Clad pans they received for their wedding nearly 50 years ago — if that's not a testament to their long-lasting quality, we don't know what is.  
6. Shark Rocket Cordless Vacuum, $150 (originally $315) [You save $165] We've been impressed with Shark's efficient and affordable vacuums in the past. This one gets a five-star rating from Macy's shoppers, most of whom comment on how easy and quick it makes the cleaning process. 
7. Hotel Collection 680 Thread-Count Full/Queen Duvet Cover, $134 (originally $335) [You save $201] This 680 thread-count duvet cover made of soft Supima cotton makes for a luxurious topper to any comforter. This is another item that was crafted just for Macy's, so it's an exclusive deal that you'll only be able to find there. 
8. Serta Special Edition II 11.5-inch Queen Mattress, $299 (originally $839) [You save $540] Made from a combination of coils and gel foam, this plush mattress from Serta is great for sleepers who don't want something too firm. At just $300, it's a great price for any mattress, especially one of this quality. 
9. Lauren Ralph Lauren Luke Wool-Blend Classic-Fit Peacoat, $90 (originally $350) [You save $260] Don't miss out on a great price on a cozy winter coat.  The simple silhouette works with almost any outfit, and would make a particularly great holiday gift.
10. Cole Haan Jefferson Grand 2.0 Plain Oxford, $140 (originally $300) [You save $160] Every guy needs a pair of classic oxfords and these ones from Cole Haan are a great choice. They're super comfortable with Cole Haan's Grand 360 technology (our men's style writer is a big fan and swears by Cole Haan for comfy work shoes) and this is the best price we've seen them for so far. 
11. Calvin Klein Hooded Packable Puffer Coat, $70 (originally $240) [You save $170] This puffer coat can be packed down to fit inside a bag, making it the perfect travel companion for cold-weather adventures. It comes in a range of neutral and bright colors and gets great reviews, with most shoppers commenting on how much warmer it is than they thought it would be based on its light weight.
12. North Face Osito Fleece Jacket, $74.25 (originally $99) [You save $24.75] This North Face fleece jacket gets five stars from Macy's shoppers for its plush softness. It's a great layer for your winter wardrobe but it can transition easily through seasons. 
13. Sperry Women's Saltwater Duck Booties, $72 (originally $120) [You save $48] These are our top pick for the best women's rain boots you can buy even when they're full-price, so we highly recommend checking out this deal. While already affordable, the discount makes this pair a steal. 
14. Ray-Ban Polarized Sunglasses, $142.10 (originally $203) [You save $60.90] Ray-Ban's aviators are classic, with a timeless style and quality construction. You can find the same pair for the same price at Sunglass Hut, but with all of the special offers currently running at Macy's, you may be able to save more if you choose to buy these glasses there. 
15. Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette, $27 (originally $54) [You save $27] Makeup lovers swear by Urban Decay's Naked Palette with its range of neutral and potent eyeshadows. It's rarely on sale, so this 50% off deal is one worth taking advantage of. It's on sale for the same price at Nordstrom if you prefer to shop there. 

How we selected the best deals at Macy's:

• We only chose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
• We compared the prices against other retailers like Target and Kohl's and only included the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
• All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.

Shop all of the best Macy's Black Friday deals below. 

Kitchen: Up to 60% off

Shop kitchen deals

• KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt. Stand Mixer, $280 (originally $475) [You save $195] 
• Nespresso by De'Longhi Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Maker, $125 (originally $313) [You save $188] 
• Instant Pot Duo Nova Black Stainless Steel 6-Qt Multi-Cooker, $60 (originally $125) [You save $65] 
• Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with 4-Qt Air Fryer, $170 (originally $288) [You save $118]
• All-Clad Hard Anodized Nonstick 7-Pc. Set, $300 (originally $400) [You save $100]

Home: Up to 80% off

Shop home deals

• Shark Rocket Cordless Vacuum, $150 (originally $315) [You save $165] 
• Hotel Collection 680 Thread-Count Full/Queen Comforter, $174 (originally $435) [You save$261]
• Serta Special Edition II 11.5-inch Queen Mattress, $299 (originally $839) [You save $540] 
• Save well over 50% on select bedding and bath goods from Tommy Hilfiger, Fairfield Square Collection, Grund, and more
• Save 30% and more on Hotel Collection
• Save 30% and more on Martha Stewart Collection
• Save 30% and more on Charter Club
• Save 30% and more on Lauren Raph Lauren

Men's clothing and accessories: Up to 70% off

Shop men's clothing deals

• Lauren Ralph Lauren Luke Wool-Blend Classic-Fit Peacoat, $90 (originally $350) [You save $260] 
• Levi's 505 Regular-Fit Non-Stretch Jeans, $35.70 (originally $59.50) [You save $23.80]

Men's shoes: Up to 70% off

Shop men's shoe deals

• Cole Haan Jefferson Grand 2.0 Plain Oxford, $140 (originally $300) [You save $160] 

Women's clothing and accessories: Up to 70% off

Shop women's clothing deals

• Calvin Klein Hooded Packable Puffer Coat, $70 (originally $240) [You save $170]
• North Face Osito Fleece Jacket, $74.25 (originally $99) [You save $24.75] 
• Sperry Women's Saltwater Duck Booties, $72 (originally $120) [You save $48]
• Save up to 50% on Macy's jewelry

Women's shoes: Up to 60% off

Shop women's shoe deals

• Sperry Women's Saltwater Duck Booties, $72 (originally $120) [You save $48]

Beauty: Up to 60% off

Shop beauty deals

• Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette, $27 (originally $54) [You save $27] 

More Black Friday 2019 sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

• Nordstrom tends to have great Black Friday deals— and we expect this year to be no different. 
• The best deals you'll find include $50 off Hunter Original Gloss Rain Boots and $145 off a Marc New York Down Coat.  
• To potentially save even more on Black Friday deals, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date Nordstrom coupons and promo codes. 
• We're also keeping tabs on Black Friday store sales available online at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. 

Black Friday is one of the best days of the year to shop, with deep discounts on all kinds of products, particularly big-ticket items. If you're hoping to find great prices on clothing, beauty, and home goods, you'll want to check out Nordstrom's Black Friday sale. 

While prices won't start dropping until Wednesday, November 27, Nordstrom has already released a handful of deals so you can get a head start on making your Black Friday shopping list. These are ten of the best deals we've seen so far, but we'll be updating this list as more are released. 

The 10 best Nordstrom Black Friday 2019 deals we know of (so far):

1. Hunter Original Gloss Rain Boot, $99.90 (originally $150) [You save $50.10]
2. Dagne Dover XL Landon Carryall Duffle Bag, $172 (originally $215) [You save $43]
3. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC, $99 (originally $198) [You save $99]
4. Marc New York Holden Coat, $129.90 (originally $275) [You save $145.10]
5. Topshop Carly Coat, $75 (originally $125) [You save $50]
6. Ray-Ban Icons 50mm Round Metal Sunglasses, $107.10 (originally $153) [You save $45.90]
7. Halogen V-Neck Cashmere Sweater, $65.90 (originally $98) [You save $32.10]
8. Blondo Nada Waterproof Boot, $129.90 (originally $219.95) [You save $90.05]
9. Nike Men's Epic React Flyknit 2 Running Shoe, $99.90 (originally $150) [You save $50.10]
10. AG Everett Jeans, $132.66 (originally $198) [You save $65.34]
11. Hydro Flask 40-Ounce Wide Mouth Cap Bottle, $32.21 (originally $42.95) [You save $10.74]
12. Ugg Grove Shearling Trim Slipper, $69.90 (originally $99.95) [You save $30.05]
13. Sam Edelman Hooded Puffer Jacket, $99.90 (originally $230) [You save $130.01]
14. Rag & Bone Cate Ankle Skinny Jeans, $134.98 (originally $225) [You save $90.02]
15. Nuna Pipa Lite LX Infant Car Seat & Base, $299.95 (originally $399.95) [You save $100]

Shop Nordstrom Black Friday deals by category:

• Women's fashion
• Men's fashion
• Kids' fashion
• Home
• Beauty and fragrance

Nordstrom Black Friday 2019 FAQs:

Is Nordstrom open on Thanksgiving?

No, Nordstrom will not be open on Thanksgiving, but it will be open on Black Friday. You can go to any Nordstrom store on November 29, but if you'd rather snag deals from the comfort of your couch, you can always shop online. 

When does Nordstrom's Black Friday sale start?

Black Friday 2019 falls on November 29, but you'll be able to access the sale even earlier than that. This year, prices will drop on November 27, the day before Thanksgiving. 

Nordstrom also frequently open sales up earlier to its Nordy Club members. It's free to join, so it may be a good idea to do so now so you can get the best chance of early savings. Plus, being a Nordy Club member gives you exclusive perks all year round, so if you shop at Nordstrom often you'll probably benefit from the membership. You can also apply for a Nordstrom Credit Card which instantly makes you a Nordy Club member, and offers even more perks. If you apply for a Nordstrom Credit Card now through December 2, you'll get a $60 Bonus Note to spend on a later Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack purchase. Learn more about the perks of a Nordstrom Credit Card and being a Nordy Club member. 

What should you buy? 

Whether it's everyday wear or designer goods, Nordstrom has it all. Last year, shoppers saved up to 60% off on a huge selection of clothing, beauty products, and home goods with Nordstrom's Black Friday deals. Additionally, certain designer items could be found on sale for up to 40% off. 

Nordstrom has released a handful of deals already so you can plan ahead. We'll be hand-picking the best deals from Nordstrom's Black Friday sale and updating this guide.

What's Nordstrom's return policy?

Nordstrom doesn't have a traditional return policy. Instead, returns are handled on a case-by-case basis. The retailer says it has "the ultimate objective of making our customers happy," so the company tends to be very accommodating. 

How can I save even more at Nordstrom on Black Friday?

While we can't be sure, we wouldn't be surprised if Nordy Club members get early access to deep savings again. Last year, Nordy Club members also got extra points on their Black Friday purchases. These points add up to Nordstrom Notes, which eventually can be redeemed to shop at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, and Hautelook. While Nordstrom Notes may not be direct savings in the short term, in the long-run they'll add up to help you save on future purchases. 

As Black Friday gets closer, we'll update this page with more information on Nordstrom deals, so bookmark this page to stay up to date. 

• Shop clothing, home goods, beauty, and more at Nordstrom
• Sign up to become a Nordy Club member
• Apply for a Nordstrom credit card

See more Black Friday sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Best Buy Black Friday deals 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

• Black Friday offers some of the year's best discounts on tech, home essentials, and more.
• We're tracking Target's best Black Friday deals in this article, so bookmark it for regular updates. We're also keeping tabs on the best deals available online at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Nordstrom, The Home Depot, and more stores.
• If you're already planning ahead for Cyber Monday, check out Target's best Cyber Monday deals here. 
• To potentially save more on Black Friday deals this year, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date Target coupons and promo codes.

Alongside Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon, Target will be offering some of its best discounts of the year. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about Target's upcoming Black Friday deals, and you can find everything we know about its Cyber Monday deals here. 

Target will again give RedCard holders early access to shop more than 100 deals all day on Wednesday, November 27. Members of Target Circle (the company's free loyalty program) will get early access at 6 p.m. CT on November 27. For everyone else, Target Black Friday deals became available on Thanksgiving morning. 

To keep up with retailers with great shipping policies (cough, Amazon), you may see cheaper expedited shipping. Target already offers free two-day shipping when you spend at least $35 or use your RedCard. 

Target Black Friday ad — the deals we know about for Black Friday

Target released its Black Friday ad earlier this November, so we at least know some of what will be on sale. Here are the standout deals from the ad, some of which are live now.

The best Target Black Friday deals of 2019:

1. Best game console deal: Xbox One S 1TB Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order bundle, $200 [You save $100]
2. Best TV deal:TCL 55-inch Roku 4K UHD Smart TV, $319.99 (originally $449.99) [You save $130]
3. Best streaming stick deal:Amazon Fire TV Stick, $20 (originally $40) [You save $20]
4. Best headphones deal:Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones, $179.99 (originally $300) [You save $120]
5. Best coffee maker deal: Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine, $129.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $70 plus get a $30 gift card]
6. Best kitchen appliance deal: As Seen on TV Power 7-Quart Air Fryer, $69.99 (originally $129.99) [You save $60]
7. Best toy deal:Take 50% off select toys and buy-one-get-one 50% off on other toys 
8. Best camera deal: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, $50 + free $15 Target gift card with RedCard (originally $70) [You save $20] 
9. Spend $50 in-store or online on Black Friday, November 29 and get a 20%-off coupon to redeem online or in stores December 3-14

What makes these deals great:

1. Xbox One S 1TB Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Bundle, $200 (originally $300) [You save $100] This Xbox bundle includes the console and one controller, along with a full-game download of State Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Deluxe Edition ($69.99 value) and one-month trials of Xbox Game Pass ($9.99 value) and Xbox Live Gold ($9.99 value). You'll find the same $100 discount at Best Buy and Walmart, but RedCard owners will get an extra 5% off at Target.
2. TCL 55-inch Roku 4K UHD Smart TV, $319.99 (originally $449.99) [You save $130] This smart TV is relatively affordable but includes capabilities that the average user may be looking for, like wireless or direct connection streaming. You'll see the same $319.99 price listed at Best Buy, but Target RedCard holders will see a price of $279.99 (saving $170) plus an additional 5% off. 
3. Amazon Fire TV Stick, $20 (originally $40) [You save $20] Amazon's Fire TV Stick lets you stream Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more straight to your TV. You'll also find this sale price at Amazon and Best Buy. The 4K Ultra version is an additional $5 for $24.99 right now. 
4. Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones, $179.99 (originally $300) [You save $120] The Beats Solo 3 Wireless headphones have a Fast-Fuel five-minute charge that translates to three hours of playback and an overall 40-hour battery life that ensures you can use it throughout the week without too much maintenance. You'll find them for $150 at Best Buy right now, but RedCard holders will soon see a price of $129.99 (you save $170) and also get an additional 5% off.
5. Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine, $129.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $70 plus get a $30 gift card] The Nespresso VertuoPlus makes freshly brewed coffee with cream as well as espressos at the touch of a button. Your savings overall are $100 — $70 off the price tag, and a $30 gift card with the purchase.
6. As Seen on TV Power 7-Quart Air Fryer, $58.99 (originally $129.99) [You save $71] This $71 discount is the lowest deal we've seen so far, and the device functions not just as an air fryer, but also as a dehydrator, pizza oven, baking oven, roaster, or a good way to reheat foods. 
7. Take 50% off select toys and buy-one-get-one 50% off on other toys Take up to 50% off the season's best and newest toys, and Target is offering additional bonuses like a buy-two-get-one-free for Disney Frozen toys.
8. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, $50 + free $15 Target gift card with RedCard (originally $70) [You save $20] The Fujifilm Instax Mini is a perennially popular holiday gift, and so it rarely sees as good of a discount. You'll also find this price on Amazon and in a bundle at Kohl's, which is also offering $15 in Kohl's Cash and a 15%-off discount today any way you pay — though you'll have fewer color options there. 

How we selected the best deals at Target:

• We only chose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
• We compared the prices against other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy and only included the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
• All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.

What are Target's Black Friday store hours on Thanksgiving?

Target will be open for an eight-hour shift from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day like it was last year. Doors close at 1 a.m. and re-open again at 7 a.m. on Friday, November 29. For all online shoppers, Target Black Friday deals became available on Thanksgiving morning. 

Shop Target

Create a Target wish list

Apply for a Target RedCard

Early Target Black Friday 2019 deals you can shop now:

Vacuums: Up to 30% off

Shop vacuum deals

• Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable Upright Vacuum, $119.99 (originally $189.99) [You save $70]
• Hoover Impulse Cordless Vacuum, $89.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $110] 

Kitchen: Up to 50% off

Shop kitchen deals

• Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine, $129.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $70 plus get a $30 gift card]
• Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single-Serve Coffee/Latte/Cappuccino Maker, $219.99 plus a $40 gift card with your purchase
• KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5qt Stand Mixer, $199.99 (originally $ 259.99) [You save $60]
• Instant Pot Duo Nova 8-Quart, $99.95 (originally $119.99) [You save $20.04] 
• As Seen on TV Power 7-Quart Air Fryer, $69.99 (originally $129.99) [You save $60]
• Ninja Professional 1200W Kitchen System, $149.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $50]

TVs: Up to 45% off

Shop TV deals

• VIZIO P-Series Quantum X 65-inch Class, $1,399.99 (originally $2,199.99) [You save $800]
• TCL 55-inch Roku 4K UHD Smart TV, $319.99 (originally $449.99) [You save $130]
• Samsung 50-inch Smart 4K UHD TV, $279.99 (originally $449.99) [You save $170]

Laptops: Up to 25% off

Shop laptop deals

• Dell Chromebook 3000 2-in-1 Chromebook, $446.99 (originally $599.79) [You save $152.80]
• HP Omen 15.6-inch Laptop, $899.99 (originally $1,149.99) [You save $250]
• Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.5-inch, $755.99 (originally $912.49) [You save $156.50]

Speakers and headphones: Up to 50% off

Shop speaker and headphone deals

• Apple AirPods with Wired Charging Case, $144.99 (originally $159.99) [You save $15]
• Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, $169.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $30]
• Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $179.99 (originally $299.99) [You save $120]
• urBeats3 Earphones with Lightning Connector, $39.99 (originally $59.99) [You save $20]
• Google Home Mini, $25 (originally $49) [You save $24]
• Bose Home Wireless Speaker 300, $199.99 (originally $259.99) [You save $60] 

Furniture: Up to 40% off

Shop furniture deals

• Berwyn Large Round end table $65.99 (originally $109.99) [You save $44]
• Small Marble Top Coffee Table, $104.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $45]
• Franklin Console Table, $199.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $50]

Health and grooming: Up to 40% off

Shop health and grooming deals

• Oral-B Genius X Luxe, Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $219.99 (originally $299.99) [You save $80]
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel Face Moisturizer, $14.49 (originally $22.99) [You save $8.50]
• Oral-B Genius X 10000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $179.99 (originally $279.99)[You save $100]
• Panasonic ARC 5-Blade Advanced Men's Electric Shaver, $99.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $50]

Genetic and wellness tests: Up to 50% off

Shop genetic and wellness test deals

• 23andMe Personal Ancestry + Health Personal Genetic Service - Lab Fee Included, $99.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $100]
• 23andMe Personal Ancestry + Traits Personal Genetic Service - Lab Fee Included, $79.99 (originally $99.99) [You save $20]

Toys: Up to 50% off

Shop toy deals

• Buy Two Get One: Disney Frozen toys
• LEGO Star Wars Droid Gunship 75233, $29.99 (originally $39.99) [You save $10]
• Our Generation Movie Theater with Electronics, $119.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $30]

Target Black Friday FAQs:

When do Target's Black Friday deals start?

Target will again give RedCard holders early access to shop more than 100 deals all day on Wednesday, November 27. Members of Target Circle (the company's free loyalty program) will reportedly get early access at 6 p.m. CT on November 27. For everyone else, Target Black Friday deals became available on Thanksgiving morning. 

Target released its Black Friday ad on November 6, so we at least know some of what will be on sale.

What are Target's Black Friday store hours on Thanksgiving?

Target will be open for an eight-hour shift from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day like it was last year. Doors close at 1 a.m. and re-open again at 7 a.m. on Friday, November 29. 

Does Target allow in-store pick-up?

Sometimes, but you may not want to count on it. There are certain items that will be eligible for in-store pickup, but not likely everything you'll want to buy.

What is Target's return policy?

For items purchased from November 1 through December 25, the 30-day return period will start on December 26. As usual, RedCard holders have a longer returns window. 

Is Target price-matching during Black Friday?

No. Target will price-match between its online and in-store prices, but not with competitors. 

However, Target will likely keep prices as close to competitors as possible, and most major retailers tend to adjust prices throughout the day to remain competitive. You just won't have 14 days to ask for a differential refund if you come across something lower. 

Will RedCard holders still get 5% off purchases at Target on Black Friday?

Yes. They'll also get early access to over 100 Black Friday deals on November 27.

Are there any ways to save even more at Target on Black Friday?

As mentioned, it certainly doesn't hurt to be a RedCard holder. They typically get early access to the deals, and they get an extra 5% off their purchases. You'll also get free shipping with no minimum. If you make purchases with a Target Debit Card, Credit Card, or Target Mastercard (all RedCards) you also get an additional 30 days to return a purchase. 

You can also get early access for free by joining Target Circle, the retailer's free loyalty program. 

The benefits may be slim in comparison, but it also doesn't hurt to download the Target app. Retailers with apps are known to push specific coupons or exclusive discounts to those with it downloaded already or to incentivize downloads. 

And while it pays to get early access to avoid sellouts, Target is offering incentives for shopping on Black Friday, too. Shoppers who spend $50 (in-store or online) on November 29 get a 20% off coupon to redeem online or in stores December 3 through December 14. 

In terms of strategy, the best plan is to have a plan. Make a wish-list of what you'd like to buy day-of by clicking the heart on a Target product. When Black Friday deals open to the public, shop your wish-list and don't get lost browsing. And prioritize whatever is most likely to sell out first.

See more Black Friday sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

• Kohl's released its Black Friday ad, announcing that it will offer $15 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend.
• The best Black Friday deals include $100 off the Xbox One S 1TB Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Gaming Console Bundle plus $60 in Kohl's Cash, $70 off the Beats Studio Wireless Headphones plus $75 in Kohl's Cash; and $150 off the Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum plus $75 in Kohl's Cash.
• Kohl's Cash can be used on future purchases until December 9. It's a good incentive to buy some big-ticket items from Kohl's rather than head to Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Nordstrom, which may try to match prices, but won't include the same rewards. 
• To potentially save more on Black Friday sales this year, visit Business Insider Coupons to find the most up-to-date Kohl's coupons and promo codes.

Kohl's Black Friday ad

Kohl's Black Friday ad includes a sneak peek of this year's deals, as well as rewards like its Kohl's Cash deals. You can see more of the standout deals below, but one of the best benefits of shopping at Kohl's on Black Friday is that for every $50 you spend there from November 25 to November 29, you'll also receive $15 in Kohl's Cash that can be redeemed November 30 through December 9. That's basically free money to use on future purchases.

Plus, now until November 29, you'll get 15% off your purchase with the code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout, though some items are excluded. You'll also receive free shipping at Kohls.com when you spend $25 between November 25 to December 4. 

The best Kohl's Black Friday deals of 2019:

Below are the best deals mentioned in Kohl's Black Friday ad, which will be available starting at 12:01 a.m. Central Time on November 28. A few of the items below are already on sale, but none of the discounts are better than what is being offered on Black Friday. 

1. Best smart speaker deal: Echo Dot, $22.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $27]
2. Best kitchen appliance deal:Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 6-Quart, $67.99 (originally $129.99)[You save $62] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
3. Best wireless headphone deal:PowerBeats Pro Totally Wireless Headphones, $199.99 (originally $249.99)[You save $50] plus $60 in Kohl's Cash
4. Best over-the-ear headphone deal: Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, $89.99 (originally $199.99)[You save $110] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
5. Best fitness tracker deal:Fitbit Charge 3, $99.99 (originally $149.99)[You save $50] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
6. Best security deal: Ring Video Doorbell 2, $139.99 (originally $199.99)[You save $60] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash.
7. Best smart home deal: Google Nest Learning Thermostat, $179.99 (originally $249.99)[You save $70] plus $45 Kohl's Cash
8. Best smart home deal:Google Home Smart Light starter kit, $25 (originally $55) [You save $30]
9. Best printer deal: HP DeskJet 3639 All-in-One Printer, $29.99 (originally $79.99) [You save $50]
10. Best TV streaming deal: Amazon Fire TV Stick Streaming Media Player, $19.99 (originally $39.99) [You save $20]
11. Best speaker deal: JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99 (originally $179.99)[You save $80] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
12. Best vacuum deal: Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, $249.99 (originally $399.99)[You save $150] plus $100 in Kohl's Cash
13. Best video game deal: PS4 Pro 1TB Gaming Console, $299.99 (originally $399.99)[You save $100] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
14. Best video game deal:Take 25% off retro handheld games and gaming systems

What makes these deals great: 

1. Echo Dot, $22.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $27] Our reviewer calls this the best entry-level smart-home hub on the market. It may be small and budget-friendly, but it still packs just as much brilliance as its siblings. Basically, it does almost everything you need and nothing you don't at a very reasonable price, especially with this deal. Find the Insider Picks buying guide to the best Amazon Echo devices here.
2. Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 6-Quart, $67.99 (originally $129.99) [You save $62] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash. The Instant Pot Duo is our favorite multicooker on the market. It's a super-easy way to prepare quick meals and can accommodate ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts, and pretty much anything else you might be craving. The $35 matches the best Black Friday deals we saw last year.    
3. $50 off the PowerBeats Pro Totally Wireless Headphones, plus $60 in Kohl's Cash. The Beats Powerbeats Pro headphones are largely considered to be some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy. They not only sound great (especially for the price), but have Apple's H1 chip built into them for flawless connectivity.
4. Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, $89.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $110] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash. Sony makes some of our favorite noise-canceling headphones, and for $110 off along with $15 in Kohl's Cash, this is a steal.
5. Fitbit Charge 3, $99.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $50] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash. The Fitbit Charge 3 offers all the activity tracking, a heart rate monitor, and just the right screen size for most people. Our reviewer called the Charge 3 Fitbit's best product to date.
6. Ring Video Doorbell 2, $139.99 (originally $199.99) [You save $60] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash. The Ring Video Doorbell 2 connects homeowner to live video feed from anywhere (even thousands of miles away), offers a remote two-way talk feature, and is outfitted for 1080 HD video with infrared night vision. Read our full review.
7. Google Nest Learning Thermostat, $179.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $70] plus $45 Kohl's Cash. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat isn't the cheapest thing in the world, but it's one of those devices that will help you save money (and pay for itself) over time. When choosing between thermostats, our reviewer writes, "Really, what it comes down to is which smart home ecosystem you have set up. If you're a Google Assistant user, then the Nest Learning Thermostat is the way to go."
8. Google Home Smart Light starter kit, $25 (originally $55) [You save $30] All the tech you need and nothing you don't to voice-activate your home lighting. At this price, you're barely spending more than you would on some eco-friendly lightbulbs, but entering a whole and brave new world.
9. HP DeskJet 3639 All-in-One Printer, $29.99 (originally $79.99) [You save $50] What's to say? The HP Deskjet has been serving us all well through its many iterations, and while there have been no huge technological advances in home printers of its sort, you'll have a hard time beating this sale price.
10. Amazon Fire TV Stick Streaming Media Player, $19.99 (originally $39.99) [You save $20] The streaming stick that instantly turns your TV into a viewing platform for hundreds of thousands of shows and movies has never been more affordable. Even at full price, we think it's worth it.
11. JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $99.99 (originally $179.99) [You save $80] plus $15 in Kohl's Cash. Waterproof, loud, and durable, JBL makes some of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, and at half price, now's as good of a time as any to pick one up.
12. Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, $249.99 (originally $399.99) [You save $150] plus $60 in Kohl's Cash. Dyson's been at the top of the vacuum game for a very long time, probably because the brand makes some of the longest-lasting, most powerful vacuums on the market. "The Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum is quieter and more powerful than just about any other vacuum I've ever used, corded or not," writes our reviewer. Find our review of the vacuum here.
13. PS4 Pro 1TB Gaming Console, $299.99 (originally $399.99) [You save $100] plus $30 in Kohl's Cash. The PS4 Pro 1TB is the latest in Playstation technology, and while it's three years old, it's still tough to get a deal on it, at least one this good. The best thing about it compared with other Playstation consoles is that it's geared up to take full advantage of your 4K tv.
14. Take 25% off retro handheld games and gaming systems: If you're lamenting the days of old, when VR was just a pipedream and a simple number of pixels occupied video game screens, you're in luck. They're back on the scene, and they're 25% off for Black Friday. Have a ball.

How we selected the best deals at Kohl's:

1. We only chose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
2. We compared the prices against other retailers like Target and Amazon and only included the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
3. All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.

There are also early Black Friday deals you can shop now at Kohl's. Here are the top 8:

Below are the best Black Friday Kohl's deals that you can shop right now, plus the Kohl's Cash you'll earn. Most early deals are eligible for 15% off with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout.

If you take advantage of an early deal, you can earn Kohl's Cash (redeemable before December 9) to apply to your future Black Friday or Cyber Monday purchase.

1. Best headphones deal: $70 off the Beats Studio Wireless Headphones, plus $75 in Kohl's Cash
2. Best fitness tracker deal: $50 off the Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch, plus $45 in Kohl's Cash. 
3. Best toothbrush deal: $63 off the Philips Sonicare Series 2 Rechargeable Toothbrush with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout
4. Best robot vacuum deal: $200 off iRobot Roomba 677 Wi-Fi Connected Vacuum with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout, plus $45 in Kohl's Cash.
5. Best vacuum deal: $172 off the Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout, plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
6. Best coffee maker deal: $82 off the Keurig K-Select Single-Serve Pod Coffee Maker with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout, plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
7. Best stand mixer deal: $60 off the KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5-Quart Stand Mixer, plus $60 in Kohl's Cash
8. Best air fryer deal:$43 off the Power XL Vortex Air Fryer with the promo code "GIVETHANKS" at checkout, plus $15 in Kohl's Cash

Electronics: Up to 50% off

Shop electronics deals

• $27 off the Echo Dot
• $50 off the PowerBeats Pro Totally Wireless Headphones, plus $60 in Kohl's Cash
• $110 off the Sony Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
• $50 off the Fitbit Charge 3, plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
• $70 off the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera, plus $15 in Kohl's Cash
• $50 off the HP DeskJet 3639 All-in-One Printer
• $80 off the JBL Charge 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker, plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
• $100 off the PlayStation VR Astro Bot Rescue Mission and Moss Bundle, plus $60 in Kohl's Cash
• Take 25% off retro handheld games and gaming systems

Home and kitchen: Up to 60% off

Shop home and kitchen deals

• $60 off the Ring Video Doorbell 2, plus $30 in Kohl's Cash
• $70 off the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, plus $45 Kohl's Cash
• $30 off the Google Home Smart Light starter kit
• $20 off the Amazon Fire TV Stick Streaming Media Player
• $150 off the Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free Vacuum, plus $75 in Kohl's Cash.

Women's clothing: Up to 70% off

Shop women's clothing

• $30 off the Columbia Benton Springs Zip-Front Fleece Jacket*available now*
• $11 off the Croft & Barrow Classic Crewneck Tee*available now*

Women's shoes:

Shop women's shoes

• $40 off the Nine West Taye Women's Ankle Boots*available now*

Men's clothing: Up to 70% off

Shop men's clothing deals

•  $26 off the Croft & Barrow Extra-Soft Flannel Button-Down Shirt*available now*

Men's shoes: Up to 60% off

Shop men's shoes

• $35 off the New Balance 519 Cross-Training Shoes *available now*

Kohl's Black Friday FAQs:

Will Kohl's be open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, Kohl's will open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. They'll be offering doorbuster deals until 1 p.m. on Black Friday. Black Friday deals will be available online at Kohl's from 12:01 a.m. CT on November 28.

You can shop early Kohl's Black Friday deals online starting November 25.

Does Kohl's offer in-store pick-up?

Yes, Kohl's typically offers in-store pick-up for most items. However, since Kohl's is lowering its free shipping minimum to $25, you'll likely get free shipping without trying.

What's Kohl's return policy during retail holidays?

Kohl's lets you return items within 180 days of purchase, except premium electronics which must be returned within 30 days. 

For the holidays, premium electronics purchased from November 1 through December 25 can be returned by January 31 with original packaging and a receipt or account to track the order. Learn more here. 

What's Kohl's shipping policy during Black Friday?

Kohl's is offering free standard shipping when you spend $25 or more from November 25 through December 4. 

See more Black Friday sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Best Buy Black Friday deals 2019
• The Home Depot Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

• Goldman Sachs is optimistic about the US economy in 2020.
• The Wall Street titan's economists expect growth to accelerate next year after suffering from the trade war in recent months.
• They predict unemployment will drop to its lowest level since the Korean War, and they put the risk of a recession at one in five.
• Goldman identified the looming presidential election as the single biggest risk to the US economy next year.
• View Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Goldman Sachs is optimistic about the US economy in 2020.

A team of the bank's economists, led by Jan Hatzius, released a note detailing their predictions for next year.

They expect the US-China trade war to subside and consumer spending to remain strong, offsetting weak business investment and causing growth to accelerate. They also predict unemployment will drop to its lowest level since the Korean War and see the risk of a recession dropping, from one in three earlier this year to one in five.

Markets are likely to remain nervy, however, with a presidential election in less than a year, as there's no clear frontrunner among the Democrats and President Donald Trump's approval ratings remain low.

Below are Goldman's expectations for the US economy in 2020. 

Growth is set to modestly accelerate

Goldman expects growth to push upward in 2020 and cites four main reasons:

1. The bank expects "the drag from the trade war to fade gradually." The bank's economists think that a "phase one" deal will be signed this year and that the December 15 tariffs will be removed. Goldman Sachs released a note on how the trade war dragged growth down, which hit real incomes and tightened financial conditions. But by the end of 2020, Goldman expects this drag to disappear.
2. "Driven by both the better trade news and easier monetary policy, the sharp tightening in financial conditions in late 2018 has now fully reversed," the bank said. According to the economists' research, this is already showing in housing data.
3. Consumer spending is also expected to outlast weak business investment. "Healthy consumer confidence and solid gains in disposable income growth and household wealth should keep consumption growing at a roughly 2.5% pace next year. Meanwhile, some of the recent weakness in business investment — especially in the energy and aircraft categories — is likely to prove temporary."
4. "The drag on goods-sector output from the inventory adjustment is probably nearing an end," Goldman's economists said. They added that since the first quarter of 2019, "inventory investment as a share of real GDP hit its highest level since mid-2015, the monthly numbers have slowed steadily and the inventory components of both the ISM and the Markit PMI have fallen below 50."

As a result of this, they expect a "modest acceleration" in growth in 2020 to between 2.25% and 2.5%. 

Another solid year of job creation ahead

Goldman's economists say "a year of above-trend growth should mean another year of solid job creation."

They expect nonfarm payroll growth to stay above the 100,000 breakeven point and the unemployment rate to continue to trend downward. The bank is forecasting unemployment to hit 3.25% by the end of 2020, which it says would be the lowest rate since the Korean War. 

Wage growth should also rise by about 3.5%, as shown in the graph above, with those on lower incomes set to gain the most. 

The Fed has set a high bar for changing interest rates

After delivering three interest-rate cuts this year, the Federal Reserve seemed to indicate that it "would need to see a really significant move up in inflation that's persistent before we even consider raising rates to address inflation concerns." As a result of this, the bank expects fund rates to remain unchanged in 2020. 

The risk of a recession is set to drop

Earlier this year, the bank's economists put the risk of a US recession within the next 12 months at one in three. Now it's cut the chances to one in five. 

"The current expansion is now the longest in US business cycle records dating to the 1850s, and some recession fears may simply reflect an instinctive sense that its time is nearly up," the economists said. 

"This has not been an unreasonable thought historically, as the two usual late-cycle risks—inflationary overheating and financial imbalances—often did grow over time. But so far both risks look limited," they added. 

The 2020 election

Goldman says next year's elections are "likely to be the single biggest event for financial markets in 2020." The bank will be keeping a very keen eye on what happens in the next year. 

Goldman anticipates a tight race. It notes that while the incumbent usually stays in office, President Donald Trump is battling low approval ratings.

There could be changes for the Senate, too, according to the bank: "Prediction markets currently imply a 36% probability of a Democratic majority in the Senate. In light of the fact that outcomes of competitive Senate seats and presidential elections are correlated, this is probably also close to the implied probability of unified Democratic control."

If one of the four frontrunners for the Democratic nomination does win the general election (Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and Elizabeth Warren), Goldman thinks the federal corporate income tax rate would most likely be upped from 21% back toward 35%. Goldman says it would "reduce S&P 500 earnings in 2021 by 11%" if it were to go all the way back to 35%.

• Indeed, a job search site, released a report that listed its highest-rated tech skills of 2019, based on how often they appeared in the job descriptions posted by employers on the website. 
• According to Indeed economist Andrew Flowers, two major trends are driving the popularity of these skills: the rise of data science and the rise of cloud computing. 
• Programming languages like Python have exploded thanks to the rise of data science and machine learning. 
• As moving to the cloud becomes a bigger priority for companies, their demand for employees familiar with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure is also growing. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you're trying to break into tech, learning certain new skills will help push you forward.

The job search site Indeed released a report this month about the top tech skills of 2019 based on job descriptions that are being posted. 

Andrew Flowers, an economist at Indeed, says that in today's job market, there are two major trends that drive the top skills in tech. The first is the rise of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The second is the rise of cloud computing.

Some languages, like Java and C++, still remain some of the most important skills in tech, but they have been around for decades. On the other hand, the programming language Python is a relative newcomer and today is one of the top skills on the list. 

"Python has had explosive growth," Flowers told Business Insider. "If I'm around the dinner table and a nephew asks what should I learn? Having done this report, I would say, learn Python."

The reason why Python has exploded is because of the rise of data science and machine learning, Flowers said.

"Some tools are good and will always be around," Flowers said. "Python is just so notable because it's easy to learn. It's used in data science and it's also used in web development. Its explosive growth is the #1 takeaway from this research."

Besides that, the report also shows growth in cloud technical skills for Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. 

"AWS is still the dominant cloud computing tool but Azure is growing really fast, too," Flowers said.

Here are the top 20 tech skills, according to Indeed:

SEE ALSO: An age of cybersecurity M&A is approaching. Here are the companies ripe for acquisition, according to a new report.

#20: Docker

Docker is known for creating containers, which allow users to manage, secure, and run their applications anywhere they want on any device, on the cloud or on servers.  It also makes it easy for them to build and package up these applications with all the code that's needed to run them.

"It basically did not exist five years ago," Flowers said. "Now, it's 5% of job postings in the tech world. I guarantee you it will continue to grow. I used it this month and it solves a lot of consistent development problems that software developers and data scientists and economists like myself have."

#19: SQL Server

SQL Server was developed by Microsoft and is a relational database management system. In other words, it's used to organize, search for, and analyze data. It's helpful for people to find relationships between different types of data because of its table-like structure.

#18: Unix

Unix is an operating system that was developed by AT&T Bell Labs in the 1960s. It allows people to execute multiple tasks at once and can be used by multiple users at once. It also provides a set of simple tools that also allow users to easily access and maintain files, as well as write commands to a computer for performing tasks.

#17: Azure

Azure is Microsoft's cloud, which was launched in 2010. It allows its customers to store and run their data on Microsoft's data centers. In addition to that, Azure offers other popular Microsoft services, like SQL Server. Because of Microsoft's longstanding relationship with enterprise customers, it quickly became the #2 cloud on the market, after Amazon Web Services.

#16: Machine learning

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence where computer programs can find patterns in data, make decisions, and learn on its own – with little to no instructions from humans. Self-driving cars, recommendations for online shopping, and software for detecting fraud are all made possibly by machine learning.

#15: CSS

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is used to design web pages and lay out how different parts of a web page are displayed. Features like colors, fonts, spacing, and buttons are all made possible on a web page with CSS. Without CSS, web pages would just look like dull, plain text. 

#14: Git

Git, which was first developed in 2005 by Linus Torvalds, is a version control system that helps developers manage different versions of projects they're working on. It's open source, meaning it's free for anyone to use, download, or modify. With Git, developers can work on different versions of their project to try out new features, and if they like it, they can add it to the main project. They can also use it to see the history of changes they made to their code. 

#13: Scrum

Scrum is a teamwork method for software teams to collaborate and work together. It was created by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland to help teams address complicated problems. The Scrum revolves around Sprints, which is when a team has the goal of working on a project for no more than one month. At the end of the Sprint, the team will review their code and the next steps.

#12: HTML

HTML is the standard programming language for building sites and the basic building block of the web. It stands for Hyper Text Markup Language and describes different elements displayed on a web page, such as headings, lists, tables, and body text. It's frequently used with CSS, which is used to style web pages. 

#11: Oracle

Founded in 1977, Oracle is known for its database technology to help its customers manage and analyze data. Today, it also offers cloud applications, as well as cloud infrastructure for people to store and run their data. Oracle lags behind Amazon, Microsoft, and Google on the cloud market, but some analysts say that it will focus more on enterprise applications and databases.

#10: .NET

.NET, pronounced "dot net," is a software framework developed by Microsoft, and intended to be used by most applications created for the Windows platform. It first came out in 2002. Today, it supports over 60 programming languages, and it's used for developing websites, apps, games, and more. 

#9: C#

C#, pronounced "C-sharp," was developed by Microsoft in a team led by Anders Hejlsberg. It is known for drawing on elements of both C and Java. Employers consider C# helpful for its flexibility, as it can be used in mobile applications, games, and enterprise software.

#8: C

The grandfather of programming languages, C, dates back to 1972. It was developed by Dennis Ritchie at AT&T Bell Labs. Thanks to its ability to program a wide array of computer systems and hardware, it still remains popular today. Many other programming languages today, including Java, PHP, and JavaScript, also have their roots in C.

#7: C++

The programming language C++ builds off C, and dates back almost as far. Bjarne Stroustrup created it back in 1979, while he was working on his PhD thesis, as a way to add additional features to C. Despite its age, it remains highly valued today as the core language in many operating systems, browsers, and games.

#6: Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services is the online retail giant's cloud division, launched in 2006. Today, AWS is a market-leader in cloud computing. AWS offers a range of services, including computing, storage, analytics, and developer tools. Its most popular services allow customers to use Amazon's cloud for data storage and computing power. 

#5: JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the main languages used for building webpages. It helps make websites interactive and can even be used to build games. Its flexibility and power have made it one of the most popular programming languages today. JavaScript appeared around 1995, the same year as the language Java. But despite the similarities in the language names, they are completely different languages. 

#4: Linux

Linux is a family of open source operating systems based on the Linux kernel, which serves as the core of a computer's operating system. Developers are free to use, download, or modify Linux to their own specifications. 

The Linux kernel was first released by Linus Torvalds in 1991, and has exploded in popularity since then. The mobile operating system Android is based off the Linux kernel, as is the Chrome OS, which is the operating system underpinning the Chromebook. 

#3: Python

Python's popularity has soared in the tech industry over the past few years. The open source language's explosive growth has been driven by the rise of data science and machine learning. It is especially useful in data analytics and artificial intelligence applications. 

But it's also known for being an entry-language into the programming world. There's also a large community around Python, and even conferences and meetups dedicated to it.

#2: Java

Java, an open source language that stretches back to 1995, is one of the leading programming languages today. Developers use Java to create mobile and web applications, games, and database-driven software. 

The programming language was first developed by Sun Microsystems, a company that was later acquired by Oracle. Today, companies like Twitter and Netflix use it. 

#1: SQL

SQL, or Structured Query Language, is a domain-specific programming language used for finding and retrieving data held in a relational database management system.

It was originally developed at IBM by Donald Chamberlin and Raymond Boyce in the 1970s, when it was used to manage data stored in IBM's System R. Today, SQL is used to manage data in a variety of database management systems, like Oracle's MySQL or Microsoft's SQL Server. 

• The London-based e-commerce infrastructure company VTEX recently raised its first major fundraising round from SoftBank's Latin America fund and two major Brazilian investors. 
• The company plans to use the $140 million round to expand its operations in new geographies, improve its product, and boost its research-and-development spend.
  
• VTEX provides back-end e-commerce services for retail giants such as Walmart and Coca-Cola, handling aspects such as order management and the online checkout process.
• "Previously we were allergic to external funding because we were doing well without, but now we know how to scale and see the opportunity," Mariano Gomide, the co-CEO of VTEX, told Business Insider in an interview. 
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

Two Brazilian entrepreneurs spent years shunning external funding as they grew their business before deciding to take on SoftBank cash in a bid to take the company to the next level.

VTEX, a London-based e-commerce business, raised $140 million in venture funding from SoftBank's Latin America fund plus the prominent Brazilian investors Gávea Investimentos and Constellation Asset Management.

The company, which counts brands including Coca-Cola and Walmart among its clients, provides back-end e-commerce software. The firm wants to expand its operations deeper into the US and Europe.

Founded in 1999, VTEX has generally avoided taking big capital. "I think it's a big mistake from entrepreneurs to think of a big funding round as an end goal," VTEX co-CEO Mariano Gomide told Business Insider in an interview. "We were allergic to investment until we found the best way to apply that money wisely to scale, and now we have our playbook for growth." 

The company met with SoftBank, famous for its $100 billion Vision Fund, which drove growth at Uber and WeWork, 14 months ago after Gomide and his co-CEO, Geraldo Thomaz, were fishing in Mexico and decided to ramp up operations. 

The draw of SoftBank was the fact that the company's Latin America fund was built out by entrepreneurs who understood the VTEX founders' desire to keep control of the company while scaling. VTEX met with some 50 investors, Gomide says, before settling on SoftBank at a "good" valuation with plans to go public in place in the next three to four years.

The firm wants to build out its artificial-intelligence offering, up its research-and-development spend, and expand internationally. Despite being headquartered in London, VTEX does not have a large UK presence and will launch in Britain in the first quarter of next year, Gomide says.

Earlier this year, VTEX purchased UniteU, an e-commerce platform based in the US. The company has bought numerous businesses in the past 10 years as it looks to gain greater reach and experience in specific markets. Gomide indicated that while this strategy would continue, it would be not be a use of the new funds.

"VTEX has three attributes that we believe will fuel the company's success: a strong team culture, a best-in-class product, and entrepreneurs with profitability mindset," said Paulo Passoni, a managing investment partner at SoftBank's Latin America fund. "Brands and retailers want reliability and the ability to test their own innovations. VTEX offers both, filling a gap in the market. With VTEX, companies get access to a proven, cloud-native platform with the flexibility to test add-ons in the same data layer."

You can see the (redacted) pitch deck that secured VTEX $140 million of funding here:

SEE ALSO: We got an exclusive look at the pitch deck the scooter company VOI just used to raise $85 million to take on Bird and Lime

• The average US household has hundreds of dollars in unused tech sitting around the house, according to Decluttr.
• Trading in those old phones could bring in some extra cash, or go towards a new phone.
• Old phones from 2014 and 2015 could be worth between $50 and $100.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

With holidays coming up, a little extra cash is always welcome. One easy way to make some extra money could be selling old phones on websites like eBay, Decluttr, or Flipsy.

A 2017 study from Decluttr found that the average US household has as much as $264 in unused tech products sitting around, from old phones to gaming consoles. 

Whether you're finally upgrading an old phone and want to get the most for your money, or you just found an ancient iPhone in an untouched drawer, here's what your old devices are worth, assuming they are unlocked and in decent condition. (You can also go directly to each site to put in the specifics of your device.)

SEE ALSO: If you're thinking about buying discounted Apple products on Black Friday, check the serial number first

iPhone 6 (2014)

Flipsy: $49 to $66

Ebay: $79 to $108

Decluttr: $42 to $60

iPhone 6 Plus (2014)

Flipsy: $86 to $107

Ebay: $124 to $149

Decluttr: $73 to $91

iPhone 6S (2015)

Flipsy: $75 to $102

Ebay: $104 to $144 

Decluttr: $64 to $87

iPhone 6S Plus (2015)

Flipsy: $107 to $134

Ebay: $144 to $190

Decluttr: $73 to $91

Galaxy S6 (2015)

Flipsy: $46 to $61

Ebay: $63 to $99

Decluttr: $44 to $58

Galaxy S6 Edge (2015)

Flipsy: $54 to $62

Ebay: $83 to $105

Decluttr: $58 to $61

Galaxy S6 Edge Plus (2015)

Flipsy: $63 to $71

Ebay: $95 to $135

Decluttr: $61 to $68

Galaxy Note 5 (2015)

Flipsy: $80 to $85

Ebay: $101 to $111

Decluttr: $73 to $84

Galaxy Note Edge (2014)

Flipsy: $85

Ebay: $66 to $95

Decluttr: $81

• Apple's new $129 Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro is a reliable yet expensive option for those looking to get more juice out of their iPhone.
• When I tested the case using an iPhone 11 Pro, I didn't have to charge my iPhone for roughly three days.
• It costs significantly more than options from third-party accessory makers, but it does come with conveniences not found elsewhere like a dedicated camera button.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. 

If you're anything like me, you probably feel like your phone's battery life can never last long enough. That's why I've come to appreciate power bank accessories and battery cases over the years, particularly for those extra long days when it's unclear how long it will be before I'm able to plug my phone in again.

Apple's latest battery case, the $129 Smart Battery Case for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max is an excellent albeit pricey option for those looking to get some extra mileage out of their iPhone. At $129, it's more expensive than many of its third-party rivals. But it works well and integrates with the iPhone in a way that only Apple products can.

During my time testing the Smart Battery Case with an iPhone 11 Pro, I found that I didn't have to charge my phone  for roughly three days. 

Here's a closer look at what it's been like to use it. 

SEE ALSO: Motorola's iconic Razr flip phone was one of my favorite cellphones ever — but I wouldn't buy the new one

Extra long battery life

Apple says the Smart Battery Case will add 50% more battery life to your iPhone, and I found my experience to be consistent with those claims. My iPhone 11 Pro usually lasts for a day and a half or slightly more, and with Apple's new battery case my iPhone lasted for about three full days.  

What I appreciate about Apple's cases versus third-party rivals is the way it integrates with the iPhone's software. As soon as you slide the phone into the case and plug it into the device's Lightning port, you'll see a prompt displaying how much battery life is left in the case. You can also check this at any time by swiping over to the battery widget in the iPhone Today View to the left of the home screen — the same place you'd normally see the battery life of your AirPods or Apple Watch too. 

Easier camera access

What makes Apple's newest battery case different from its predecessors is its dedicated camera button, which is located toward the bottom of the case on the right side.

You can tap this button to launch the camera, whether the phone is locked or unlocked, and then press it again to take a photo. Holding the button when the camera is launched will prompt your iPhone to capture a "Quick Take" video — Apple's lingo for a shortcut that switches the camera app from photo to video mode. 

Truthfully, the camera button doesn't really make accessing the camera all that much faster than using the shortcut on the lock screen. But it does make snapping photos feel much more comfortable when your phone is in the case. That's because the button is situated right where your finger naturally falls when holding the phone, eliminating the need to reach up toward the volume buttons or stretch your thumb to the on-screen shutter button. 

A somewhat bulky addition to your iPhone

The Smart Battery Case, like most battery packs, will add some heft and thickness to your phone. And just like Apple's previous battery cases, the battery protrudes from the back of the phone just below where the camera is located, resembling a step.

It may feel a little bulky to use as an everyday case, but it's certainly worth that compromise if you're concerned about being away from an outlet for too long.

The Smart Battery Case has a silicone exterior, much like the standard cases Apple sells for the iPhone. It's soft to the touch, but this material does tend to gather dust and debris fairly easily, which means you may find yourself wiping it clean often. 

Should you buy it?

If you're looking for a reliable case that will add a significant amount of battery life to your iPhone, the $129 Smart Battery Case won't disappoint. I went three days without having to charge my iPhone 11 Pro when using the case, and its camera button made taking photos feel much more convenient than reaching for the shutter button.

But, as is typically the case with Apple products, there are other choices available for much cheaper. Such options include the $34 Newdery iPhone 11 wireless charging case, the $40 Alphatronix iPhone 11 Pro battery case, and the $60 ZeroLemon Rugged Juicer for the iPhone 11 Pro. That latter option from ZeroLemon even claims to offer a significantly longer charge by adding 200% more battery life to the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

But some of these less expensive cases do come with drawbacks that should be considered. The Alphatronix case, for example, isn't compatible with EarPods or Lightning accessories, so you'll have to listen to music through AirPods or another pair of Bluetooth headphones while using it. 

When placed on a wireless charger, the Newdery's accessory will charge your phone first and then the case, whereas Apple's battery case charges simultaneously with your iPhone. Plus, the way that Apple's battery case integrates with the iPhone's software is something you won't find from third party accessories.

At $129, the Smart Battery Case is certainly pricey. But it also offers conveniences you may not find elsewhere for those who are willing to pay a premium. 

• For Black Friday and Cyber Monday season, millennials told Business Insider what they wish people would stop getting them for the holidays.
• The millennials BI spoke to indicated they prefer to pick out personal items, like fragrances and clothes, themselves. They also hate getting what they already have too much of: socks and mugs.
• They'd rather receive a nice kitchen appliance, tech gadget, or money.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

There are some things you should really stop getting millennials for the holidays.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday here, Business Insider surveyed millennials about their holiday wish list. We asked them what they don't want, and some common themes cropped up.

You should probably stay out of their kitchen unless you're going all out, for one. Millennials said they're tired of getting cookbooks and mugs, but they would welcome a nice appliance like a NutriBullet, Kitchenaid Pro Mixer, or air fryer.

And please don't by them scented items or clothes, especially socks. Millennials have their own personal taste when it comes to clothing style and perfumes, thank you very much.

Many millennials who answered the survey said they'd like a tech gadget, like Airpods, noise-canceling headphones, an Apple watch, or a desktop computer. Several also said they'd like money so they can pay their bills or debt.

Below, here's a look at what not to get the millennials in your life for the holidays this year.

SEE ALSO: The 25 US states with the highest sales tax, ranked

DON'T MISS: The 26 US states with the lowest sales tax, ranked

Millennials don't want candy.

Several respondents said they're tired of getting candy and chocolates. One 23-year-old respondent said she ends up with so much of the latter she doesn't end up eating it all. 

As 26-year-old Adler puts it, "I am over the sugar."

There are "way too many sugary things around the holidays," seconded 30-year-old Kirsten, who said she would rather get homemade food items.

Don't give millennials gift cards.

Some millennials said they would like a gift card for the holidays, specifically from Amazon, Starbucks, and Sephora. But several said they wish people would stop gifting them gift cards.

Caleb Post, age 34, called them "boring, lame, and unoriginal." Thirty-year-old Katie also said they're "limiting and impersonal."

Jessica, age 32, feels the same way: "I want people to think about me and not give me the easiest thing they can think of."

Millennials are fed up with cookbooks.

A handful of millennials told Business Insider they don't see a use for cookbooks.

"Why are people always buying millennials cookbooks?" 24-year-old Sam said. "I get that you think we are incompetent when it comes to life skills, but you also have to understand that we can get recipes for free online! I love 'Salt, Fat, Acid Heat' on Netflix, but I don't need five copies of the book."

Millennials are over mugs.

A millennial only needs so many cups of coffee or tea, and they've got enough mugs for that. As Cassie, age 33, wrote, "I have one too many."

"My apartment is full of them," Ayara Pontioso, age 25, said. She'd rather have something to fill her mug with, like a coffee maker or coffee pods.

Stop getting millennials socks.

A couple of millennials said they were getting their friends socks for the holidays — but they probably shouldn't, considering that many respondents said they don't want socks as a gift.

Erica, age 26, said she has too many socks from past holidays.

"I have picky feet, and they never get me anything I would actually wear," Chris, age 30, said.

Millennials prefer to buy their own clothes.

Think twice before curating a millennials' wardrobe for them. One 25-year-old told Business Insider that people don't know her style and size, so she always ends up returning the gift. She's not the only one. Another 24-year-old respondent says she has a specific style and would rather get money to pick clothes out herself.

"I place a lot of importance on fit and comfort for my clothing and it's difficult to pick that out for me," Sam Timmons, age 25, wrote. "Also, my style changes frequently; it's one of the more awkward gifts to pull out of a bag and pretend to love it (Sorry, mom.)."

"Style is so subjective and nothing ever fits me right," Jessica Prouty, age 25, said. "My grandmother is particularly guilty of this."

Let millennials select their own scents.

Don't get anything with a fragrance — scent is very personal. Michelle, age 24, said she's not going to use cheap perfume or body lotions. Likewise, one 27-year-old respondent said he doesn't want fragrance gift sets.

"I have super-sensitive skin and usually have to donate [bath and body products]," wrote Rachael, age 32.

Don't decorate millennials homes' for them, especially for the holidays.

Rebekah, age 26, said she didn't want home decorations, and other millennials alluded to this as well. A few said they don't want candles, while others said they don't want holiday décor, like ornaments. Charlize, age 29, noted that he is not a fan of "random Santa figurines" in particular.

• Black Friday is perhaps the single most famous and historically important day of the year for US retailers.
• Major airlines such as Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, United, Emirates, Norwegian, Qatar Airways, and more have all posted Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals.
• Singapore, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, EasyJet, JetBlue, Ryanair, and more are expected to post discounted flights and vacation packages too.
• Scroll down to see what's available now, and check back here for the latest on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019 — we'll be updating this list constantly as new deals are announced.
• Sign up for Business Insider's transportation newsletter, Shifting Gears, to get more stories like this in your inbox.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Black Friday is perhaps the single most important day of the year for US retailers, even as Black Friday.

Last year, US retailers set a record with $6.22 billion in Black Friday business in online sales alone. 

With the online component, Black Friday continues to include more than just electronics and toys. Even airlines have been jumping on board with sales and specials of their own.

So far, deals are rather sparse, but we expect more to be announced as Black Friday and Cyber Monday get closer.

We'll be updating this list as the world's airlines announce their Black Friday sales, so be sure to check back and refresh.

In the meantime, scroll down to find the best airline Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals of 2019.

SEE ALSO: I flew Delta's reviled 767 business class seat from Europe to New York. Here's what it was actually like.

Delta

Delta is offering a ton of Black Friday deals starting on Tuesday, November 26 (the airline is calling it "Takeoff Tuesday").

The airline is offering cut-rate sales on a ton of individual routes throughout its network, on both domestic US and international flights.

To get the best deals, book by Sunday, December 1. The travel periods depend on the route, but are generally in December, January, or February — a few include days in March and April, too.

Visit Delta's Black Friday sale page to see the routes available. Some of the best deals include:

• New York–Amsterdam for $309 round-trip.
• Detroit–San Jose, Costa Rica for $507 round-trip.
• Miami–New York for $187 round-trip.
• Los Angeles–Milan, Italy for $639 round-trip.

Delta's also offering a Black Friday deal on vacation packages. You can get up to $350 off or 35,000 bonus miles when you book a vacation package. That's in addition to the usual savings from booking a flight and hotel together as a package.

Click here to book Delta's Black Friday deals.

American Airlines

American Airlines is offering Black Friday specials on vacation packages booked through the airline.

You can already get discounts by booking your flight and hotel together as a vacation package, but the Black Friday sale offers an extra discount on top of that.

Visit American's Vacations website and use promo code "Friday2019" to see sale prices. Packages must be booked by December 11 for travel by July 31, 2020.

Click here to search Black Friday vacation deals through American Airlines.

United Airlines

United is also offering Black Friday specials on vacation packages. Save up to $600 on flight + hotel packages, including up to 74% off hotels, and get 10,000 bonus United miles on select packages.

Make sure to book by December 5 to take advantage of the sale prices.

Click here to look at United's Black Friday and Cyber Monday vacation packages.

Southwest

Southwest is offering a ton of low fares for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

The fares currently listed must be purchased by the end of Thanksgiving Day — November 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT — but it's likely Southwest will add additional deals for Black Friday itself.

Visit the sale page and check the interactive search tool to browse options. Keep in mind that listed prices are all one-way.

Click here to browse Southwest Black Friday fares.

Emirates

Emirates is offering steep discounts on flights from its 12 US gateways to a variety of destinations.

Black Friday fares start at $449 round-trip in economy and $2,959 in business class.

To get the best prices, book by Saturday, November 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Travel dates vary depending on cabin and routing. Most economy fares are valid for travel between December 4– November 15, 2020, while most business class fares are good for travel between January 12–December 9, 2020.

Click here to shop Emirates Black Friday deals.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is offering $150 off round-trip economy flights and $300 off business class flights — including Qatar's award-winning Q Suite seats— to a handful of destinations from the US.

Tickets must be purchased by December 1, and the discounts are valid for travel from January 11 through May 19.

Use promo code "FLYDAY" to get the discount. Visit Qatar's Black Friday page to see a full list of eligible routes.

Click here to book a Black Friday deal on Qatar Airways.

Norwegian Airlines

Save up to 30% on flights with Norwegian Air, including on short-haul and long-haul flights.

Use promo code "BLACKFRIDAY19" when searching for flights, and check Norwegian's Black Friday page to browse available fares.

Book by December 2 for travel between December 1–March 28, 2020.

Click here to search Norwegian's Black Friday and Cyber Monday flight deals.

Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus, the Irish flag carrier, is offering up to $100 off round-trip flights  in economy from the US and Canada to Ireland and Europe, and $200 off business class for the same flights.

The airline says that the prices will be reflected in search results. Of course, because airline pricing models are incredibly complex and opaque, it's hard to tell how the discounts are being applied.

However, a few sample searches found some stellar prices, including the low $300s from New York to destinations in Ireland and the UK.

Book by December 3 for travel between January 1 and March 8, 2020.

Click here to book a Black Friday deal on Aer Lingus.

Iberia

Spanish airline Iberia is offering a wide range of discounted flights for Black Friday.

Book by December 2 to get the best prices on travel between now and March 27, 2020.

There are some deals to cities in Spain — like New York to Madrid for $272 round-trip — as well as connecting through Spain to other destinations — like New York to Tel Aviv, Israel for $569.

Click here to book Black Friday fares with Iberia.

Icelandair

Icelandic budget airline Wow Air may have gone bankrupt, but there are still plenty of opportunities to fly to Iceland for cheap.

Icelandair's Black Friday sale has discounts on round-trip flights to Reykjavik from all over the US. Fly from New York for about $360, from Seattle for $479, or from a handful of other cities around the country.

You can also connect through Reykjavik and fly to other destinations in Europe, depending on your origin city.

Visit the Black Friday sale page to see options from your home airport. Tickets must be booked by December 3.

Click here to browse Icelandair's Black Friday deals.

Ryanair

The European budget airline is offering different deals every day of "Cyber Week." Check back on its website every day to see the latest.

Click here to browse Ryanair's Cyber Week flight deals.

Aeromexico

Aeromexico is offering a handful of discounted flights for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Some deals are better than others — for instance, a $325 round-trip flight from New York to Mexico City is a solid deal, while an advertised $1,110 flight from Houston to Lima is far from competitive.

The best thing to do is check Aeromexico's promotion page and explore the various routes and prices to see if something works for you, and then price-compare on Google Flights.

Occasionally, you can score an incredible deal on business class — sometimes it's around the same price as coach — so make sure to search for that too. That's how I got to fly to Santiago, Chile in business class last summer, which was a fantastic experience. 

Click here to explore Aeromexico Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is also advertising a Black Friday sale, although it hasn't offered specifics on pricing or dates.

If you're interested in traveling to Hawaii, the best thing to do would be visit the Black Friday sale page and start searching for flights to see if you can find a deal.

Click here to search Hawaiian Airlines' Black Friday deals.

Air France

Instead of discounts, Air France is offering triple miles for its Flying Blue frequent flyer members on round-trip flights between the US and Paris.

Book from now until December 2, and travel between December 7 and March 31, 2020 to take advantage of the deal.

Click here to book Air France flights as part of the triple miles promotion.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM — which is co-owned with Air France by the larger Air France-KLM group — is offering a similar promotion for Flying Blue frequent flyer members.

Earn triple Flying Blue miles on round-trip flights from the US and Amsterdam when you book by December 2, and travel between December 7 and March 31, 2020.

Click here to book KLM flights as part of the triple miles promotion.

La Compagnie

La Compagnie, a boutique all-business class French airline, is offering a pre-Black Friday sale. 

Fly round-trip between Paris and New York in business class for just $1,000 if you book by November 26 — although the deal was supposed to end, the promo page is still live, so it's definitely worth checking to see if you can still snag a great price. The fares are valid on travel between now and April 30, subject to availability.

La Compagnie often offers competitive business class fares, but it's rare to see them go below $1,500.

Click here to book La Compagnie flights for $1,000 round-trip.

Check back here for more deals!

We expect a ton of airlines to announce their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals over the next few days as Thanksgiving draws closer.

Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines have both teased their Black Friday sales, and more airlines will in the next few days.

Be sure to bookmark this page and check back — we'll be updating it constantly as new deals are announced!

• Emirates is the largest operator of the double-decker Airbus A380 plane, with 113 of the superjets in its fleet.
• The whole lower level is devoted to economy, meanwhile, the upper deck is home not only to the business class seats and first-class suites, but also a lounge and two shower spas.
• While visiting Dubai Airshow 2019, I spent more than a day familiarizing myself with the plane and testing out everything it offers.
• I also flew economy on one of Emirates' A380 both from Melbourne to Dubai and then Dubai to London.
• I was shocked by just how different the business and first-class experiences seemed to economy, but I still don't understand how anyone can justify the cost of travelling in first.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

As an economy traveler, it's always somewhat bittersweet to have to walk though the business and/or first-class sections of a plane before taking your seat.

Sure, it's fascinating. But it can also make squeezing into the coach section somewhat more painful.

Should you be flying on an Emirates Airbus A380, though, this torture is no longer something travellers have to worry about. The huge double-decker planes devote the whole of the lower level to economy seating, and those in business and first often board straight on to the upper deck.

As part of a recent video trip sponsored by Airbus, I visited the Dubai Airshow and had the chance to check out one of Emirates' A380 planes, despite the fact that it's being discontinued. 

Although the plane was grounded the whole time, I spent a whole day on board (and returned again a few more times over the five-day show) so was really able to familiarize myself with what the plane offers in every class.

I also flew Emirates economy on one of their A380s both to Dubai (from Melbourne) and from there back home to London.

Here's what I found.

Emirates is the largest operator of the A380 in the world, and the airline currently has 113 of them in its fleet.

The whole lower level is devoted to economy, with 427 seats arranged in a 3-4-3 formation. While I wouldn't call the design stylish as such, the pale turquoise and grey at least help create a calming vibe.

Legroom is, well, standard for economy. It's not a great deal.

On my 14-hour flight from Melbourne to Dubai, I was fortunate enough to get a row of three to myself so was able to stretch out, but on my 7-hour trip back to London from Dubai I wasn't so lucky, and my legs, hips, and back felt really stiff when I landed.

Basic headphones and a blanket is provided for economy passengers, and if you're on an extra long-haul flight you'll also be given an eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

The screen is actually quite a decent size for economy at 13 inches, and there's an impressive number of charging sockets and a remote for playing games. As well as the tray-table, there's a cup holder for when you just have a drink.

When it comes to food, everything is served at once on economy. This was the breakfast on my flight to Dubai: A cheese omelet with chicken sausage, vegetable croquette, peppers, and baked beans, banana bread, fruit, yogurt, and a muesli bar. It was a lot of food and actually tastier than it looked. I also liked having proper metal cutlery.

If you're on an extra-long flight you'll get a second big meal — this was my lunch on the flight to Dubai: Chicken in sweet bean sauce with garlic fried rice, steamed choi sum, and stir-fried peppers (there was also a beef option), cold-smoked salmon with orecchiette pasta in a pesto sauce, bread, crackers, and cheese, and a raspberry cake. I also got an Arabic pide (flatbread) later in the flight and could help myself to snacks, so I certainly didn't go hungry.

At the back of the plane, there's a fancy spiral staircase to take you up to the next level — not that I could use it on my actual flights.

At the Airshow, however, I was able to climb up the stairs and through a staff galley ...

... where I emerged into this gorgeous lounge, which is pretty damn chic.

The lounge is for both business and first-class passengers and is lovely and spacious — it barely felt like being on a plane.

Passengers can order pretty much any type of alcohol they might like, and there's an extensive cocktail menu. However, there are different brands on offer depending on what class you're in — while business class passengers are served Veuve Clicquot champagne, for example, first-class travelers get Dom Pérignon.

There are lots of nibbles on the bar counter, and everything is much fresher than in economy — on offer when I looked around were fruit skewers and cakes ...

... cheese straws and olives ...

... a selection of packaged sandwiches, as well as fresh fruit and packets of M&Ms, wasabi, and dried fruit.

There's also a ginormous screen opposite the bar, which broadcasts live TV when there's an important sporting event going on back on the ground.

The lounge led into business class, which was unsurprisingly much more spacious than economy, containing 76 seats.

Just from looking at the chairs, I could tell they were going to be a lot more comfortable than coach downstairs, and everything provided (such as the blanket, pillow, and eye-mask) was of a higher quality.

The headphones provided, which are noise-canceling, are a lot sturdier — they still come in the same plastic packaging though.

One of the biggest perks of flying business class is the legroom — there was tons of space to stretch out, and I particularly enjoyed having my feet up when I tried the seat out. The 23-inch screen was a vast improvement, and there were just as many sockets available for charging purposes.

Business-class passengers get a tablet as well as the remote to control their TV screen and seat position, and there are soft drinks on offer in the self-serve bar area by each seat.

Food-wise, what's served in business class looks miles tastier than what you get in coach. That said, I haven't actually eaten any of it.

The presentation is certainly a lot more inviting than what I'd eaten anyway — passengers are served a starter, main, and dessert separately, and this was just one appetizer (the Arabic mezze).

The chairs recline fully flat, and the flight attendants will make a bed up for you when you're ready to sleep.

You'll also be given an amenity kit full of Bulgari toiletries — there's one for men and another for women.

The front of the section has a magazine rack (just in case you get bored of watching films), and there are also fresh flowers on the wall, which I thought was a nice touch. However, I hadn't really seen anything yet ...

Welcome to first-class, which made me feel like I was in 'The Great Gatsby,' or on the Orient Express.

The 14 seats are, in fact, suites, and each one is incredibly spacious, with an impressive 32-inch screen (which may actually be bigger than the one I have at home).

Everything is very sleek, with lots of gold touches, fresh orchids, and a basket of snacks waiting for passengers when they sit down. Another nice pre-take-off touch is the offer of Arabic coffee and dates.

A semi-circle cabinet in the shelf can be opened and closed to reveal a mirror and some toiletries designed exclusively by Byredo.

And a drawer pops out to reveal a leather-bound notebook and pen.

Needless to say, there is more legroom than any one person could need, and ample storage space too.

The headphones are even more stylish than those in business class — they're by Bower & Wilkins, and similar ones retail for around $200 a pop.

Source: Amazon.

There's a mini-bar of soft drinks (even more than in business), which raises up and down from the side panel, and you can also draw out a large table, providing tons of room for food and magazines.

First-class passengers have the luxury of dining whenever they want, enjoying the choice of five appetizers plus a salad bar, five main courses, and five desserts as well as fresh fruit and cheese. The photo below shows the Arabic mezze appetizer, which is even fancier and bigger than the business class version.

The crockery, cutlery, and presentation of the food wouldn't be out of place in a fine dining restaurant.

When you want to sleep, staff will turn your seat into a fully flat bed complete with duvet, faux sheepskin blanket, pillow, pajamas designed to regulate body temperature, slippers, and eye-mask.

And if you want some privacy, you can close your sliding doors — they don't go all the way to the ceiling so staff can still see in over the top, but they still make you feel nice and enclosed.

At the front of the first-class section of the plane is the spa area. Yes, really.

There are two shower spas, and passengers can book half-hour slots to freshen up.

They're incredibly spacious (again, much bigger than my bathroom at my home in London), and two people can go in at once, but only parents and children, not couples.

If you want a shower, you get five minutes of water per person. While that might not sound like much, the purser told Insider that barely anyone uses the full five minutes — a timer inside the shower tells you how long you've got to go. I could fit inside fine, but particularly tall people might struggle. There's a little bench to sit down inside too though.

Every bathroom item you might require is provided by Voya ...

... and first-class passengers get even fancier Bulgari amenity bags than those in business class.

The rolled-up hand towels and fresh orchids almost made me feel like I could be in a spa in Bali. Almost.

Having looked around the whole plane, it struck me that the difference between economy and business, and then business and first-class travel is immense.

And this was reinforced by the two levels of the plane — it seemed quite literally "upstairs, downstairs," with the business and first-class passengers spared the hardship of mingling with the proletariat below.

Having flown long-haul economy on various airlines, I do believe Emirates offers one of the best experiences. But now that I've seen just what business and first-class flying could be like, I realize that it's a totally different world up there.

Of course, this huge difference in flying experience comes with equally huge pricing differences.

While a direct flight onboard the A380 from New York to Dubai in economy would cost around $960, the equivalent journey in business class costs $4,535, and in first that goes up to $14,705.

I also think that the difference between the business and economy flying experience is probably greater than that between business and first.

For most people, the price of flying first class is too much money to comprehend. And although it looks incredible, you would have to be extremely wealthy to be able to justify spending so much on one journey. 

Dom Pérignon is lovely I'm sure, but I could manage quite happily with Veuve Clicquot for the $10,000 difference. In the meantime, I'll be downstairs in economy, spending $20 to treat myself to a glass of Moët & Chandon.

Read more:

I tested out Emirates' first-class suites, and it was clear why they were voted the best in the world — especially if you hate other people

I flew 13 hours nonstop on the world's biggest passenger plane, the $446 million Airbus superjumbo jet, and it's about as good as economy can get

I flew business class for the first time on British Airways' new A350, and the cocoon-like privacy impressed me far more than the food or the lounge

• Amazon's Echo smart speakers are deeply discounted for Black Friday 2019. 
• Beginning on Thanksgiving (November 28), you can get an Echo Dot for just $22, a new Echo for $60, an Echo Show 5 for just $50, and more great deals.
• Check out our list of the best Black Friday 2019 deals across all categories, and also check out Business Insider Coupons to potentially save even more on your Black Friday purchases.

Black Friday is finally here, and among the best deals are Amazon's own devices. You'll find Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, and plenty of Echo speakers on sale.  

Besides controlling your smart home, an Echo speaker lets you play music, make voice calls (and video calls on Echo Show devices with displays), ask Alexa for info, and more.

If a smart speaker is what you want, check out these Black Friday Echo deals below. We will be updating this list as more deals go live.

Best Echo Black Friday deals in 2019:

1. Echo Dot, $22 (originally $50) [You save $28] 
2. Echo (3rd gen), $60 (originally $100) [You save $40]
3. Echo Show 5, $50 (originally $90) [You save $40] 
4. Echo Show (2nd gen), $150 (originally $230) [You save $80] 
5. Amazon Smart Plug, $5 (originally $25) [You save $20] 

Echo Dot

Echo Dot, $22 (originally $50) [You save $28] 

The most affordable Echo smart speaker gets even cheaper. At this price, you can stock up on a couple or more and spread them throughout the house. The Echo Dot is our pick for the best affordable smart speaker.

Echo

Echo (3rd gen), $60 (originally $100) [You save $40] 

The third-generation of the original Echo speaker has improved sound quality, thanks to Dolby technology. It also comes in more colors and has a softer design that makes it look good in any home. Check out our review.

Echo Show 5

Echo Show 5, $50 (originally $90) [You save $40] 

Part alarm clock, part smart speaker, the Echo Show 5 is the perfect bedside companion. You can do all the same things with the Show 5 that you can do with an Echo speaker, but it's also a smart display, so you can make video calls using the 5.5-inch screen, check on the baby monitor, or watch a show on Prime Video. It's our pick for the best budget smart display with Alexa.

Echo Show (2nd gen)

Echo Show (2nd gen), $150 (originally $230) [You save $80] 

The largest version of the Echo Show has a 10.1-inch display in a redesigned frame that looks sleeker. It's ideal for bigger rooms like the kitchen or living room. You can watch shows, listen to music, make video calls, see info like the weather report, and control your smart home devices. It's our overall pick for the best Alexa smart display.

Amazon Smart Plug

Amazon Smart Plug, $5 (originally $25) [You save $20] 

With Echo devices, you can use Alexa to control a smart home. With an Amazon Smart Plug, you can turn any standard outlet into a smart one. Just plug in a lamp, for example, and you can tell Alexa to turn it on and off. At $5, you can outfit your entire home with smart plugs quickly and easily.

See more Black Friday deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Best Buy Black Friday deals 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

See more Cyber Monday deals

• The absolute best Cyber Monday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Cyber Monday 2019
• Amazon Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Target Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Macy's Cyber Monday deals 2019
• What is Cyber Monday? Everything you need to know

• The Xbox One X and Xbox One S are among the most powerful gaming consoles out there.
• The consoles and their games are getting impressive discounts for Black Friday at Best Buy, Walmart, and Microsoft.
• You can check out the rest of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday coverage on Insider Picks.

Black Friday is nearly here, and it's set to be the best time of the year to buy gaming devices — including the PlayStation 4, and, of course, the Microsoft Xbox One.

The Xbox One is the most powerful gaming console on the market, so you'll get beautifully detailed graphics, awesomely long storylines, and many great games.

Interested in getting the Xbox for less? Plenty of retailers have announced their Black Friday deals, so we know where some of the best Xbox deals are available.

Here are the best Black Friday Xbox deals we found.

5 best Xbox Black Friday deals in 2019:

1. Xbox One X 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" for $349.99 (originally $499.99) [You save $150], available at Walmart
2. Xbox One S 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" + $40 gift card for $199 (originally $299) [You save $140], available at Target
3. Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition for $149.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $100], available at Best Buy
4. Xbox One S 1TB with two controllers for $199.99 (originally $279.99) [You save $80], available at Costco
5. Save up to 65% on Xbox One games like "Gear5" and "NBA 2K20" [You save 65%], available at Microsoft

Does Microsoft Have a Black Friday sale?

Thankfully, yes. Many of the best console deals may come from other retailers, but Microsoft still offers some excellent Xbox One deals of its own. Microsoft's own deals are available from November 24 to December 2. 

Will "Jedi: Fallen Order" be on sale for Black Friday?

We currently have no word on whether or not "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" will be available at a discount on its own — but it is available on sale bundled with an Xbox One console.

Does GameStop have Black Friday deals?

GameStop has a range of Black Friday deals of its own. These deals include console deals and game deals.

Xbox One X 1TB with 'Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order'

This deal runs from November 24 to December 2. 

If you're looking for the most powerful version of the Xbox, then the Xbox One X is the way to go. This console can output video at a hefty 4K, so you'll be able to play games in stunning detail.

Not only that, but this bundle comes with the highly-anticipated and already well-reviewed "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order," so you'll be able to get started playing as soon as you get your console. This bundle normally costs $499.99, but it's on sale for Black Friday for an impressive $150 off, bringing the total to $349.99.

Get the Xbox One X 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from Walmart, $349.99 (originally $499.99) [You save $150]

Get the Xbox One X 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from Best Buy, $349.99 (originally $499.99) [You save $150]

Get the Xbox One X 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from Microsoft, $349.99 (originally $499.99) [You save $150]

Xbox One S 1TB with 'Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order'

This deal runs from November 24 to December 2. 

Perhaps you don't want or need an Xbox that supports 4K — in which case, it's worth considering the Xbox One S bundle, which also comes with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order."

The Xbox One S is still a very capable console and will display beautifully vivid games — even if they're not in 4K. While the bundle normally costs $299.99, on Black Friday, you can get it for only $199.99  — $100 off the normal price.

Get the Xbox One S 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" + $40 gift card from Target, $199 (originally $299). [You save $140]

Get the Xbox One S 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from Walmart, $199 (originally $299) [You save $100]

Get the Xbox One S 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from GameStop, $199 (originally $299) [You save $100]

Get the Xbox One S 1TB with "Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order" from Microsoft, $199 (originally $299) [You save $100]

Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition

This deal runs from November 24 to December 2. 

Don't like the idea of having to buy physical copies of video games? The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is the Xbox console for you. This console doesn't have a disc reader at all, but the trade-off is that it's a little cheaper than other Xbox One consoles. Safe to say, if you really only plan on buying digital copies of games anyway, this may well be the way to go. Just know that you can't take advantage of used games.

Get the Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition from Walmart, $149.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $100]

Get the Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition from Best Buy, $149.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $100]

Xbox One S 1TB with two controllers

This deal started on November 24. 

If you prefer to play video games with friends, then you might need a second controller – in which case this bundle is for you. The bundle doesn't come with any games, but you will get the Xbox One S console with two controllers – and that's perfect for those who like playing local multiplayer games.

Get the Xbox One S 1TB bundle with 2 wireless controllers from Costco, $199.99 (originally $279.99) [You save $80]

Save up to 65% on Xbox One games

This deal runs from November 24 to December 2. 

Once you have an Xbox One console, you might want to get a few games for it, and Microsoft has a range of discounts on games. You'll get up to a whopping 65% off Xbox One games, including recent titles like "Gears 5" and "NBA 2K20." These deals seem to be specifically for digital games, so you'll need to be willing to download your games instead of own physical copies.

Save up to 65% on Xbox One digital games

See more Black Friday sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Amazon Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019

See more Cyber Monday 2019 sales and deals

• The absolute best Cyber Monday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Cyber Monday 2019
• Amazon Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Target Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2019
• Macy's Cyber Monday deals 2019
• What is Cyber Monday? Everything you need to know

• Warning: Some spoilers lie ahead.
• Some shows should have come to an end in 2019, but they didn't.
• For example, "13 Reasons Why" failed to shake off the controversy that's surrounded it since the first season, and the "Riverdale" plot continues to get more and more absurd.
• Below are nine shows that should have been canceled in 2019 based on critic reviews, viewership, and editorial opinion.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

There really can be too much of a good thing.

While some shows get off on the wrong foot, others explode in popularity just to fizzle out in subsequent seasons.

2019 marked the end of some beloved series, including "The Big Bang Theory" on CBS and HBO's "Game of Thrones."

It also marked the end of some not-so-beloved series, like CBS' "The Code," which was canceled just one day after the first season's finale, and Netflix's "Chambers," which one reviewer described as a "Bloated Netflix Dud."

However, some shows were allowed to continue when really they'd run their course, including "13 Reasons Why" and "Riverdale."

Below are nine shows that should have been canceled in 2019 based on critic reviews, viewership, and editorial opinion, along with the season that aired this year.

Warning: Some minor spoilers below.

'13 Reasons Why' (Netflix) — season 3

Season three of Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" is narrated by a new character: Ani Achola, played by Grace Saif.

Fans of the show didn't fail to notice that despite being a new kid at the school, Ani seemed to know everything about each of the characters.

So bad was the abuse that Saif got on social media from fans who accused her of ruining the show that she deleted all images from Instagram and made her Twitter account private.

Despite retrospectively editing Hannah Baker's controversial suicide scene this year, "13 Reasons Why" has struggled to shake off the questionable morals of the show.

It's been renewed for a fourth and final season.

'Turn Up Charlie' (Netflix) — season 1

Idris Elba's Netflix passion project "Turn Up Charlie," which combined his two loves of acting and DJing was, regrettably, not funny or good.

Charlie's (Elba) will-they-won't-they forbidden romance with American DJ Sara (Piper Perabo) is the most compelling element of the series, but it drags and ends with an unceremonious fizzle.

Elba brings his typical charm and swagger to the series with a fresh breath of self-deprecation, but it's not enough to save the fact that there just aren't many laughs.

'Riverdale' (The CW) — season 4

"Riverdale" started the season with a touching memorial to Luke Perry, who played Fred Andrews (Archie's dad) in the series.

While the show was right to mourn Perry befittingly, the rest of the season so far has continued on a ludicrous storyline that spiraled out of control after season one.

Producers have still yet to give a timeline as to where the group of teenagers are at in their academic life (let's not forget in real life the young adult actors are much older than that of their characters).

Even Polly Cooper's twins don't appear to have aged at all since they were born at the beginning of season two — the children are still being carried around covered in blankets.

"Riverdale" viewing figures are in decline, but Digital Spy reports that its loyal core fanbase means it's unlikely to be axed in the near future.

'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' (ABC) — seasons 23 and 15

"The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" are two previously loved "reality" shows that have failed to change with the times. Not only are both models of the show created only with straight contestants in mind, but there's a serious lack of visible diversity. We've yet to see a contestant that doesn't look like they stepped out of a swimsuit catalog, and almost every winning couple has been white.

The last season of "The Bachelorette" was a complete disaster, too, after Hannah, The Bachelorette, found out that the man she chose actually had a girlfriend when he came on the show. They called it quits, marking the perfect time for the show to do the same.

'American Gods' (Starz) — season 2

The ratings for "American Gods" fell through the floor in season two.

According to TV Series Finale, viewership was down more than 50% from season one to season two.

The second season was hampered by delays after the original executive producers and showrunners Michael Green and Bryan Fuller quit.

Actors Gillian Anderson and Kristin Chenoweth — both with big followings — left soon after.

Rolling Stone's Allan Sepinwall cited the notable departures as the driving factors behind the show's downfall: "Fuller and Green's vision of 'American Gods' was far from perfect throughout, but it could be stunning in isolated moments or episodes, where the new season offers very little to believe in."

Nevertheless, it was announced in March that Starz had renewed "American Gods" for a third season.

'Carnival Row' (Amazon Prime) — season 1

Amazon's new fantasy TV series "Carnival Row" is hated by critics but a hit with audiences, Business Insider's Travis Clark wrote in September.

Clark pointed out that the show starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne had a 53% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but an 88% audience score.

The New York Times said the show "reanimates bits and pieces from different branches of the fantasy genre into a glum and lumbering beast that only occasionally sparks into life."

Meanwhile, Vanity Fair titled its review: "Carnival Row, or, What Happens When You Try to Become the Next Game of Thrones," citing "bad lighting, endless plot, incomprehensible details — but none of the good ones" as comparisons between the two fantasy series.

"Carnival Row" was renewed for a second series before the first was even released, and producers will take confidence from their viewership figures — it was included on TV Time's "Shows on the Rise" list, based on data from the television-tracking app's millions of global users.

'The Morning Show' (Apple TV+) — season 1

Apple TV+'s flagship show starring Jennifer Aniston and Rees Witherspoon was panned by critics despite its massive $300 million budget.

IndieWire's Ben Travers said there was "very little to just enjoy" about the first three episodes.

The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg called the show's pilot "brutally dull" and its second episode "meandering" but wrote that there were "distinct hints in the third hour of a more satisfying and confident" series.

Variety's Daniel D'Addario criticized the characters, writing that there's "not a human worth caring about in sight."

Recently, executive producers behind the show blamed its reviews on Apple-bashing critics.

"When those reviews came in, I didn't know what show they were watching. And I just kind of thought they were nuts," director Mimi Leder said at Recode's Code Media conference. "I just felt there were a lot of Apple haters and wanting Apple to fail," she said.

A second season is already in the works.

'American Horror Story' (FX) — season 9

"American Horror Story" tried to cash in on the 80s trend with its ninth season set in 1984.

However, poor performances from the cast and a sketchy plotline that blurs the line between supernatural and real crime make this one of the worst seasons in the show's history.

IndieWire's Ben Travers wrote that the franchise has struggled to break away from the anthology format that made it so famous, but is now so widely used.

"... it's hard to imagine the series going anywhere truly shocking," he wrote.

"Instead, it's just spinning its wheels in a different decade."

Read more:

The 20 most-watched shows on Netflix in 2019, so far

The 57 best Netflix original TV shows this year so far, ranked

5 of the best and 5 of the worst Netflix original thrillers of the year

• Americans, on average, spend more than $1,000 on holiday expenses. 
• I've made an effort to cut back on holiday expenses by not going crazy with gift giving.
• Still, there are certain expenses, like travel and a great Christmas tree, that I will not compromise on.
• Read more personal finance coverage.

The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year — until you take an honest look at your bank account. 

This year, Americans are expected to spend more than $900 each on holiday gifts, and those who travel will spend nearly $1,500 more. That can have a huge impact on your financial well-being. 

That's why I've taken steps to scale back my holiday spending. My husband and I buy fewer gifts for our children, and instead of buying gifts for extended family we've created a unique holiday tradition that also saves us money. 

Still, I'm someone who absolutely adores Christmas. The lights, the songs, and the traditions bring me so much joy. Because of that, there are certain Christmas traditions that I gladly spend money on year after year. 

Here are the holiday expenses that I won't compromise on:

Travel

One reason I love Christmas so much is because it's the perfect excuse to spend time with friends and family. Unfortunately, that can be hard for me, since my extended family lives in many states and continents. I live in New Hampshire, but my mother's large extended family lives in Illinois. 

So, each year, I pack up my kids, kiss my husband goodbye, and fly to Illinois to participate in a Christmas weekend with the extended family. Usually, this happens in early December. This year, it will cost about $700 for my two daughters and me to fly out for family Christmas.

That's a lot of money. However, every single penny is worth it. My older daughter, who is 5, is already excited to get to Illinois to see her cousins. She gets to help my grandmother decorate her Christmas tree. 

Enhancing my family relationships and seeing them blossom in the next generation is well worth the expense.

The tree

You know how some people go nuts over Christmas presents? That's the way I feel about the tree. 

For the six weeks or so that I have a Christmas tree up, I smile each and every time I walk by. That amount of joy is worth investing in, I think. 

Finding the Perfect Tree™ is a mission that I delve into with crisp specifications and a flexible budget. Since I live in the middle of the forest, I can get a great tree for under $80.

If I had to spend more, however, I definitely would. When I lived in Australia, it was nearly impossible to find a live tree.

There was one store in the city that I lived in that sold fir frees. I trekked there and spent about $150 on a tiny tree and stand. I knew that I was making an absurd indulgence, but that tree brought a little bit of my New England roots to my tropical Australian Christmas.

Experiences

I'm 30 years old and still adore Christmas. However, the holiday is especially magical for young kids. When you believe in the magic of Santa, the holidays are extra enchanted. 

Right now, my daughters are 5 and 1. I know that I have precious few years where they will be squealing with delight at meeting the guy in the big red suit and wondering whether he is the real Santa. 

That's why I prioritize spending on Christmas experiences, especially while my kids are young. This year, I spent $253 for myself, my daughter, my husband, and my mother-in-law to go on a Polar Express train ride.

That price tag stung. I left the tab open on my computer for a day, trying to convince myself that it was too much to spend on a silly train ride. And yet, it wasn't. 

When I buy experiences like The Polar Express, I'm investing in a fun day out for our family, but also in creating memories and traditions that we'll appreciate for years to come. 

Christmas baking

Anyone who bakes a lot of Christmas cookies will tell you that this hobby can get pretty pricey. It's not unusual for me to spend $100 or more on ingredients that I'm only going to use once a year. 

And yet, I don't stop. I love the process of baking cookies with my children, and having the sweet smell of the holidays fill our house.  

I love passing on bags of homemade cookies to friends, family, and coworkers. No one ever frowns when you hand them a bag of fresh holiday cookies, so making the treat is well worth the time and money invested.

Giving back

My husband and I try not to spend much money on presents for our children, because really, they have everything they need. However, my extended family and I spend a few hundred dollars each year purchasing Christmas gifts for people in need. 

I thoroughly enjoy knowing that we're helping another family have a brighter Christmas. This is also a great way to get my daughters involved and teach them about the holiday spirit and giving back to others.

It's easy to go wild with holiday spending. Then, you hit January and wonder where all that money went. 

By taking a moment to be more mindful of your holiday spending, you can make sure you're putting your money in the places that matter most to you. That's a holiday wish worth pursuing.

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• While Amazon has Prime Day to offer great deals in the summer, it's certainly not going to hold back during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
• Amazon's early Black Friday deals are now live and will run through Friday, November 29.  
• Of course, all of Amazon's popular devices and services (Echo, Fire TV, Ring, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, etc.) are prominently on sale.
• Right now, the best deals on Amazon devices are $45 off the Kindle Paperwhite, $30 off the Fire HD 8 Tablet, and $28 off the newest Echo Dot.
• Another Amazon deal we're excited about is $300 off a 13" MacBook Air— its lowest price ever on Amazon. At the time of our last update, the Gold color is still available, but Space Gray and Silver are temporarily out of stock. 
• We're also keeping tabs on the best Black Friday deals available online at Walmart, Best Buy, Target, Nordstrom, and The Home Depot. Check out even more Black Friday store sales.

Black Friday is a big time of year to shop kitchen appliances, TVs, smart home devices, and other tech. You can shop Black Friday sales at a large variety of retailers, but more likely than not, you'll find yourself lingering on one specific online shop: Amazon.

Amazon has released early deals ahead of Black Friday. They can be found on the Black Friday Countdown page, which updates every day with new, limited-time deals, including Lightning Deals.

The live deals below are the same ones that will be available on Black Friday — that means if you're interested now, you can take advantage of them before they sell out on the big day. 

The best Amazon Black Friday deals of 2019:

1. Best Amazon Echo deal: Echo Dot, $22 (originally $50) [You save $28] 
2. Best laptop deal:Apple 13-inch MacBook Air, $899 (originally $1,099) [You save $299 if you choose no-rush shipping, which includes an extra $100 off] (temporarily out of stock in Space Gray and Silver, but available in Gold)
3. Best ebook reader deal:Kindle Paperwhite, $85 (originally $130) [You save $45 + get a $5 ebook credit]  
4. Best tablet deal:Fire HD 8 Tablet, $50 (originally $80) [You save $30] 
5. Best streaming stick deal: Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, $20 (originally $40) [You save $20] 
6. Best music streaming deal:Amazon Music Unlimited: New members get four months for $1 (originally $32) [You save $31] 
7. Best smart home deal: Ecobee Smart Thermostat, $199 (originally $249) [You save $50]
8. Best DNA kit deal: 23andMe DNA Test - Health + Ancestry, $99 (originally $199) [You save $100]
9. Best headphones deal:Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, $278 (originally $350) [You save $72]
10. Best wireless earbuds deal: Jabra Elite 65T Earbuds, $100 (originally $170) [You save $70] 
11. Best fitness tracker deal:Fitbit Versa 2, $149 (originally $200) [You save $51] 
12. Best smart home deal: Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, $51.99 (originally $115) [You save $38, plus an additional $25 with coupon]
13. Best travel accessory deal: Tile Mate and Tile Slim 4-Pack (2 x Mate, 2 x Slim), $29.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $20]

What makes these deals great:

1. Echo Dot, $22 (originally $50) [You save $28] The most affordable Echo smart speaker gets even cheaper. At this price, you can stock up on a couple or more and spread them throughout the house. The Echo Dot is our pick for the best affordable smart speaker.
2. Apple 13-inch MacBook Air, $899 (originally $1,099) [You save $199] This is the best price ever on the new MacBook Air. At first glance, the discount is $199 off, which Best Buy is also offering, but choose free no-rush shipping at checkout and you'll get another $100 off. While the Space Gray and Silver colors are out of stock at the moment, they may be back for Black Friday. In the meantime, the Gold is available at the deal price. 
3. Kindle Paperwhite, $85 (originally $130) [You save $45] + $5 ebook credit Prices won't get any better on the most popular model of Amazon's Kindle ebook reader, which makes reading on the go more convenient and enjoyable. To get your portable library started, you'll also get $5 in ebook credit, and you can get three free months of Kindle Unlimited (if you've never signed up before). 
4. Fire HD 8 Tablet, $50 (originally $80) [You save $30] This tablet balances affordability, versatility, and practicality. It already created great value at its original price of $80, but now it's back at its lowest price — last seen during the holiday season in 2018. 
5. Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa, $25 (originally $50) [You save $25] The streaming stick that instantly turns your TV into a viewing platform for hundreds of thousands of shows and movies has never been more affordable. Both versions of the Fire TV Stick are 50% off during Black Friday, but for an extra $5, you might as well get a more vivid and crisp viewing experience with the 4K model. 
6. Amazon Music Unlimited: New members get four months for $1 (originally $32) [You save $31] Amazon's music streaming service normally costs $8 per month for Prime members, making this $1 deal (just $0.25 per month) a can't-miss opportunity for anyone who loves listening to music. 
7. Ecobee Smart Thermostat, $199 (originally $249) [You save $50] This is the lowest price available for a thermostat that has Alexa built in, an innovative sensor that adjusts settings based on the current room occupancy and temperature, and a sleek touch display. There's also the option to bundle it with a smart light switch. 
8. 23andMe DNA Test - Health + Ancestry, $99 (originally $199) [You save $100] 23andMe reliably offers this 50% off deal every year, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. You can learn about your unique genes and ancestry from the comfort of your own home. 
9. Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, $278 (originally $350) [You save $72] One of our favorite pairs of noise-cancelling headphones is at its best price ever. For under $300, you'll get a powerful set of headphones that won't only cancel out surrounding noise — they also feature "smart listening" that actively adjusts ambient sound based on where you wear them. 
10. Jabra Elite 65T Earbuds, $100 (originally $170) [You save $70] These truly wireless earbuds have experienced many price fluctuations over the year, and now the price is at an all-time low. If you're not into the look or expensive cost of AirPods, get these light yet powerful Jabra earbuds instead. 
11. Fitbit Versa 2, $149 (originally $200) [You save $51] Don't miss out on the best price for the 24/7 heart-rate monitoring fitness tracker. You can choose from a few different colors — just make sure it's not one of the special edition versions, which cost $30 more. 
12. Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock, $51.99 (originally $115)[You save $38, plus an additional $25 with coupon] This deal on this useful wake-up light is already a good value at $77, but clipping the $25 on-page coupon results in a never-before-seen low. You'll wake up refreshed, knowing you got a great deal on a great sleep aid.
13. Tile Mate and Tile Slim 4-Pack (2 x Mate, 2 x Slim), $29.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $20] Down nearly $15 below previous lows, this is useful for both home and travel and makes for an affordable gift. Since this is a lightning deal, this will expire at the end of the day. 

How we selected the best deals at Amazon:

• We only chose products that meet our high standard of coverage, and that we've either used ourselves or researched carefully.
• We compared the prices against other retailers like Target and Best Buy and only included the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
• All deals are at least 20% off, with the occasional exception for products that are rarely discounted or provide an outsized value.

Shop more of the best Amazon Black Friday deals below. 

Amazon devices: Up to 50% off

Shop Amazon device deals

• Fire 7 Tablet, $30 (originally $50) [You save $20] 
• Fire HD 8, $50 (originally $80) [You save $30] 
• Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, $80 (originally $130) [You save $50]
• Fire HD 10 Tablet, $100 (originally $150) [You save $50] 
• Kindle Paperwhite, $85 (originally $130) [You save $45] + $5 ebook credit (see all Kindle Black Friday deals here)
• Amazon Smart Plug, $5 when purchased as a bundle with Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock, Echo, Echo Show 5, or Echo Studio [You save $20] 
• Echo Dot, $22 (originally $50) [You save $28] 
• Echo (3^rd gen), $60 (originally $100) [You save $40] 
• Echo Show 5, $50 (originally $90) [You save $40] 
• Echo Show, $150 (originally $230) [You save $80] 

Amazon services and memberships

• Amazon Music Unlimited: New members get four months for $1  
• Kindle Unlimited: New members get three months for free, or six months for $29.97 
• Get $10 in ebook credit when you spend $30 on ebooks
• Audible: New members receive a bonus $15 Amazon credit and their first three months of an Audible membership at $6.95 a month, available through November 27
• Prime Video: Prime members get 50% off rentals and purchases of new release movies - available from November 29 to December 5

Laptops: Up to 40% off

Shop laptop deals

• Apple 13-inch MacBook Air, $899 (originally $1,099) [You save $299 if you choose no-rush shipping, which includes an extra $100 off] (temporarily out of stock in Space Gray, but available in Silver and Gold)

TVs: Up to 45% off

Shop TV deals

• Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, $20 (originally $40) [You save $20] 
• Fire TV Cube, $90 (originally $120) [You save $30] 
• See our article on the best Black Friday TV deals across the internet.

Smart home devices: Up to 40% off

Shop smart home device deals

• Ecobee Smart Thermostat, $199 (originally $249) [You save $50] 
• Ring Video Doorbell Pro + Echo Show 5 bundle, $179 (originally $339) [You save $160]

Headphones: Up to 30% off

Shop headphone deals

• Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, $278 (originally $350) [You save $72] 
• Jabra Elite 65T Earbuds, $100 (originally $170) [You save $70] 

Smartwatches and fitness trackers: Up to 33% off

Shop smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

• Fitbit Versa 2, $149 (originally $200) [You save $51]

Kitchen appliances and tools: Up to 50% off

Shop kitchen deals

• Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 4-qt. Air Fryer, $170 (originally $230) [You save $60]

Home goods: Up to 40% off

Shop home deals

• Quility 60" x 80" 15-Pound Weighted Blanket, $87.70 for Prime members (originally $109.70) [You save $22]

Beauty and skincare: Up to 45% off

Shop beauty and skincare deals

• Proactiv Solution 3-Step Acne Treatment System, $39.20 (originally $60) [You save $20.80] 

Health and personal care: Up to 50% off

Shop health and personal care deals

• 23andMe DNA Test - Health + Ancestry, $99 (originally $199) [You save $100] (see all DNA kit deals for Black Friday here)
• Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Electric Toothbrush, $60 with coupon (originally $90) [You save $30] 
• Waterpik Electric Toothbrush & Water Flosser, $140 (originally $200) [You save $60]

Fashion: Up to 50% off

Shop fashion deals

• Levi's: Up to 40% off 
• AmazonBasics: Up to 50% off men's and women's clothing

See more Black Friday sales and deals

• The absolute best Black Friday deals of 2019
• The best tech deals of Black Friday 2019
• Best Buy Black Friday deals 2019
• GameStop Black Friday deals 2019
• Kohl's Black Friday deals 2019
• Target Black Friday deals 2019
• The Home Depot Black Friday deals 2019
• Walmart Black Friday deals 2019
• The best mattress deals on Black Friday 2019