If you were around during the days of in-store stampedes and overflowing shopping carts during Black Friday’s heyday, you’ve likely been itching for a good deal. And we can’t agree more. While we might never go back to those days, we are still stocking up our carts — virtually.
This Black Friday, we’ve been seeing massive discounts on tech, streaming services, beauty and fashion finds as we put together all our coverage. However, that doesn’t mean we’re not doing a little shopping for ourselves — we’re human after all!
Because we sift through deals all year long, we are prone to holding off on items until they’re heavily discounted or are at the price we want. And because we know you’re nosy like us, we’re giving you a peek into our carts. Here’s what Shop TODAY editors are picking up this Black Friday.
Fashion deals Shop TODAY editors are shopping
Colors: 12 | Materials: Cubic zirconia stones, gold-plated brass
We love a good BaubleBar deal. Fortunately for our team, there’s tons of them this Black Friday! Associate editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson flagged that this sleek birthstone necklace is on sale for nearly 80% off right now, so you bet we’re snagging several for all the women in our lives.
Styles: 13 | Pack count: 3 | Material: 14 karat gold plating
In the winter, it’s harder to accessorize, so I [Moon] always reach for statement pieces and am picking up these bangles to spruce up all my looks, whether it’s at the office or a night out. They have great reviews, and I love that I can mix them with other gold pieces I have.
Editorial assistant Annie Shigo is known as the office shoe aficionado and is often ahead of the trend curve, so her picks are the ones we look for. For Black Friday, she said she’s picking up this New Balance pair, which is on major deal at 65% off at Zappos.
Shigo is also picking up this winter pair of boots from Steve Madden, which have a rubber outsole, making them a good pick for rainy days.
Sizes: XXS-XL | Fabric: 55% acrylic, 35% polyamide, 10% wool
Writer Jannely Espinal covers fashion, so it’s no surprise her top pick is a stylish dress that works for any occasion. Considering it’s 50% off right now, several other editors have also been tempted to pick it up.
Sizes: 28-34 | Colors: 5 | Lengths: 30, 32, 34
For deputy managing director Jess Bender, this 50% off deal from Levi’s is a no-brainer. The style comes in a variety of lengths, making it easy to find the right pair for her.
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 1
Ever since I first saw this dress in person, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. However, as a deals editor, I’ve been waiting for it to be marked down for Abercrombie’s Black Friday sale. The fabric is of great quality, and while it’s a little too cold for it right now, it will be perfect for the spring and summer.
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 4
As a dog mom, I have to leave the house at least three times a day, no matter the weather. Rather than reaching for a trench coat or a heavy jacket, I am ready to invest in a proper waterproof parka that I can use all year, for more than just my dog walks. This one hits just above the knee, has an adjustable hood and is machine-washable.
Beauty deals Shop TODAY editors are shopping
Fragrance-free?: Yes | Skin Types: All | Size: Available in 3.4, 4.22, 13.5 or 23.7 oz. options
Everyday essentials are one of our favorite things to stock up on during a sale and for me, that essential is this micellar water. As a former beauty editor, I’ve tried countless beauty products and this is one I consistently go back to and can never find a replacement for.
Kiss frizz goodbye with this 3-in-1 treatment that reduces frizz, protects against heat and improves shine.
Size: 3 oz. | Key ingredients: Biomimetic peptide complex, Amazonian murumuru and babassubutters
Commerce editor and producer, Julie Ricevuto, swears by this leave-in treatment for giving her silky smooth strands. “After using this, my hair looks and feels so much healthier,” she explains. “It minimizes frizz and it doesn’t feel heavy on my thin hair, meaning no greasy residue!”
Product type: Hair perfume | Key ingredient: Honey | Scent: Wildflower honey
Additionally, a hair perfume, to me, is a daily essential. While I love the scent of freshly-washed hair, this perfume takes my locks up a notch. I’ve gone through two bottles of this perfume, and while the brand has other options, this specific pick is floral, fresh and lasts all day, which is why I reach for it daily.
Tech deals Shop TODAY editors are shopping
Great deal
Shades: 4 | Storage size: 256 GB
Both Bender and associate editor Shannon Garlin are ready to upgrade their personal laptops, and right now, this deal is at its lowest price ever. “I’m finally ready to upgrade my personal laptop since my MacBook Pro is on its final legs after a decade of use. I don’t need any major bells and whistles, so I think this MacBook Air will treat me well,” says Bender.
Connection type: Wireless
“I like that they’re attractive, compact and can easily switch between three devices with the touch of a button,” says editor Evan Siegel about this bundle.
Home deals Shop TODAY editors are shopping
I love stocking up on household essentials during a sale, and the lemon scent is so fresh and clean that it really makes cleaning up and freshening up any room feel less like a chore. I especially appreciate that the formula is made with essential oils and often lasts me months.
Size: 1 foot 7 inches – 8 feet
Writer Emma Stessman shared that she is making a change in her holiday decor by picking up this tree. “After years of dealing with the mess from real Christmas trees, I’ve decided to make the switch to an artificial one. This one is super slim, so it seems like it will be great for my small studio apartment.”
Size: 51.5 x 42 in | LED count: 100 | LED color: Warm-white | Requires: 3 AAA batteries
Deals editor Rebecca Brown is also looking for new Christmas decor and while she hasn’t decided on a specific tree, this one is catching her eye for how easy it is to assemble and how little space it takes up.
Size: 45 x 29 x 27 in | Maximum speed spin: 700 revolutions per minute | Agitator type: Dual-action | Includes: Automatic temperature control, water faucet, child lock | Material: Stainless steel
“My brother-in-law is in the market for a new washer-dryer since his is on its final legs. This Samsung bundle looked really promising, earning high ratings for its quiet, top-loading washer and dryer with Sensor Dry technology to optimize the time and temperature your load really needs,” says Bender about this deal.
Gift deals Shop TODAY editors are shopping
For her dad, deputy editorial director Ali Deabler is grabbing this nifty set of flashlight gloves. They come with LED lights at the top of the fingertips, making it a good gift for any DIY dad.
Format: Physical | ESRB Age Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) | Model Compatibility: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch 2
“Several of my friends (and my 6-year-old nephew) are always on the hunt for good video game deals. I’ve seen several great deals on games for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 that appeal to a wide audience,” says Bender, who is opting for this game.
Compatible platform: PS5 | Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
Additionally, Bender is also grabbing this galactic adventure for the little gamers in her family.
Styles: 30+ | Material: Acrylic
Deabler found this “kitschy” neon wall sign for her mom (hopefully she isn’t reading this) and will be gifting it come Christmas.
Features: 2 adjustable arm rests with cupholders | Comes with: Carrying bag
For the queen of gift guides, Stewart-Jackson Christmas shopping is just as tough as it is for the rest of us — especially when it comes to those who have everything. She picked up this for a sport-loving family member and knows that others will want one too.
How we chose
We meticulously combed through thousands of products on sale during Black Friday 2025 to determine the absolute best Black Friday deals, identifying expert recommendations from previous reporting on Shop TODAY and staff-tested award winners. For this roundup, we asked our editors to share their specific picks for Black Friday and what items they’ll be personally buying that they think are worth their time.
We also consider factors like a high average rating (of over four stars), the amount of verified shopper ratings (over 1,000) and specific user feedback.
