I love Cyber Monday: The lack of sleep. The waiting out in the cold. The jockeying for position among other crazies, er, shoppers. O.K., fine, you caught me, I’m lying. I did Black Friday once (yes, only once), back in the day when Cyber Monday used to actually start on Friday and you could still manage a few hours of sleep if you went to bed at a reasonable time. It’s extra people-y and, to be honest, the deals just aren’t that impressive to me.
And, let’s be serious: Ever since the likes of Amazon came along, we get to enjoy the best prices year-round. Stand in a 20-person line for a $200 TV? No ma’am, not when I can get the same deal and have it shipped right to my front door. But, in the spirit of the season, I’m going full-on Cyber Monday with these deals. I’ve got all the usual suspects here: Top tech buys like cameras and smartwatches, home helpers like a bed in a box and a robotic vacuum, and some fun finds for everyone on your list including a drone for the dudes, a Dyson dupe for the dudettes and a rowing machine so you can get a jump on New Year’s resolutions. All of it, delivered right to your house — no lines, multiple coffees or lack of ZZZs required.
You’re On Candid Camera
One of the best uses of Cyber Monday, in my opinion, is the tech deals to be had. These Arlo Pro spotlight cameras offer wireless security for your home or business with 2K video, HDR, color night vision, two-way audio and a direct Wifi connection with no hub required. This set of two comes at a pre-owned savings price, in excellent condition with no signs of cosmetic damage.
Vac Attack
Hear me out: Vacuuming but make it automatic. And, oh yeah, make it so I don’t have to do anything. This robot vacuum and mop combo is part of the iRobot Roomba family and means you don’t have to touch your floors (apart from walking on them) for months. Turn it on when you’re home or program it to work when you’re away. It’s like having your own personal maid.
E.T., Drone Home
Drones are all the rage and this one, priced at less than $70, is a great buy. Great for kids or adults, this unit has an adjustable camera, remote or smartphone app controls and WiFi capabilities for sharing photos and videos. With four distinct features like gravity control, voice control, trajectory control and gesture control, you’re in charge of the action from lift-off.
It’s My Bed In A Box
Does anything sound simpler than a “bed in a box?” Open and sleep? Now you’re speaking my language. This mattress, available in all the traditional sizes, has a combination of zero gravity foam, air wave shape support foam, high-density based foam and high-quality steel coil base, creating a more supportive and comfortable night’s sleep than ordinary mattresses. The fabric cover is designed to be cool and breathable.
Tooth(brush) Fairy
The number of toothbrush options on the market these days is almost as ridiculous as the number of cereal options. This one, an Oral-B electric toothbrush comes highly recommended by my personal dentist with 3D cleaning action that oscillates, rotates and pulsates to break up and remove plaque. A pressure sensor keeps you from brushing too hard and a built-in timer ensures that you brush long enough.
Heat On Repeat
If retro appliances are so cool, why did we stop using them in the first place? This vintage-style microwave isn’t short on modern features like nine preset menus, a position-memory turntable and a mute function in color choices like cream, red and blue. It’s perfectly sized for even the smallest of kitchens to occupy a small footprint on your countertop.
Just You Watch
Apple is up to something like Apple Watch 47 now but you don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars to sport a piece of helpful tech on your wrist. This smartwatch from Amazfit does everything the pricier versions do at a quarter of the price. It has a heart rate monitor, exercise tracker, smart notifications and more in five vibrant color options.
Pet Project
Pets are great but pet hair can be a problem. And, to be honest, a lot of vacuums just aren’t great at tackling the issue. This MultiClean pet vacuum from the vac masters at Bissell has specialized pet tools, a lift-off detachable pod for convenience and a HEPA sealed allergen system. A lightweight design, swivel steering and a one-touch easy-empty system are extra conveniences for an already convenient machine.
Cut A Rug
For me, Black Friday is a time to snag deals on bigger purchases that you’ve perhaps been putting off. This Moroccan lattice tassel area rug falls into that category for me. (Have you checked the prices of area rugs lately!?) Available in beige or gray, it comes in a variety of sizes so you can outfit your home accordingly.
Sous Chef
Wouldn’t you love to have your own personal assistant in the kitchen? And, no, I’m not talking about your messy four-year-old. This sous vide precision cooker delivers perfect results every time no matter what you’re cooking – chicken, fish, vegetables, eggs, beef, lamb, pork and more. Roughly the size of a pair of tongs, it’s easy to store and even easier to use.
Seal Of Approval
When I first got my sous vide machine, nobody told me I was going to need a vacuum sealer. (It’s really not much of a jump; I just didn’t know.) This sealer comes with 10 ready-to-use bags so you can vacuum seal your meats (and more) for a perfect sous vide immersion. Right now, you can snag this deal and the sous vide machine for roughly $150.
Stop And Smell The Coffee
There are coffee pots and coffee makers and then there are, what I like to call, coffee bosses and this De’Longhi espresso machine is most definitely the latter. Eight precision settings, a built-in frother and active temperature control make this one of the finest additions to your kitchen currently on the market. Three preset recipes will get you started as soon as you crack open the box.
Out Of Steam
I know a travel steamer for your clothes isn’t the sexiest Black Friday purchase but if you’ve been eyeing one anyway, this large-capacity version is a good buy. One-button operation and a quick heating process mean you can go from wrinkled mess to workday ready in a matter of minutes. A nine-foot power cord lets you use this gadget just about anywhere.
Full Of Hot Air
Once upon a time, there were no air fryers. Now, there are air fryers everywhere. I blame them for the general collapse of society. I reckon you’re still going to want one, though, so I threw one in the mix her. This one has four cooking presets, adjustable time and temperature and one-touch controls for simple cooking. The best part is healthier meal prep using less oil.
Cheers To The Weekend-er
I have a bag problem — small ones, medium ones, large ones — I don’t discriminate. I especially love the usefulness of a weekender bag, which does exactly what it sounds like: Giving you room to stash a weekend’s worth of stuff inside. This set was thoughtfully designed, in my opinion, with a zippered shoe compartment on the bottom and matching toiletry and messenger bags.
Get A Charge Out Of This
Remember when we had to charge our gear by plugging it into an actual wall? What kind of Neanderthals were we? This fast wireless charging pad has three charging modes in a slim design that has built-in safety controls so you don’t burn your house down trying to charge your phone or your AirPods. It’s a great deal for less than $14, with similar gadgets priced considerably higher.
Couch Potato
It’s not patio season, which is precisely why you should be scoping out patio furniture deals on Amazon this Black Friday. This wicker rattan sofa in gray and white will be perfect in your backyard, on your deck or poolside when the temperature warms. Right now, you can snag it for almost 50 percent off, which seldom happens in regular furniture stores.
High And Dry
Very few people want to drop $500 on a blow dryer — or, let me rephrase — very few people can drop $500 on a blow dryer. This hair dryer with a diffuser is Dyson-esque without the Dyson price tag. Equipped with a foldable handle, this works wonders on frizz and enhances shine with three heat settings and two speeds.
Hover Around
If anyone on your Christmas list has a hoverboard on their wish list, look no further. This electric hoverboard with dual motors is a self-balancing scooter with a built-in Bluetooth speaker and LED lights. This is an Amazon bestseller with more than 1,600 positive reviews and six colors to choose from. Non-slip foot pads help keep your ride secure.
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Right about now, households across the country are doing three things: 1. Thinking about turkey, 2. Planning for Christmas and 3. Making resolutions for the new year. For the latter, this rowing machine might be the perfect purchase. Enjoy a full-body, low-impact workout that targets your forearms, biceps, triceps, shoulders, legs, thighs and more. It’s a solid home gym investment for less than $300.
Pack A Punch
I know you have people you want to punch in the face. You’re not going to look good in an orange jumpsuit so try this punching bag instead. Technically designed for children ages three to 10, this provides hours of fun (and fitness) for both boys and girls. This has adjustable height to grow with your kiddo (or to allow you to get in a few punches of your own).
As Warm As Toast
This rechargeable hand warmer is secretly (or not-so-secretly, since I’m telling you) my favorite gadget on this list. I have, in fact, two of these so I’m never without now that’s fully charged. I take it to the movies, to sporting events and anywhere else I suspect I might get cold (which is nearly everywhere). This doubles as a portable phone charger, too, which is extra handy (no pun intended).