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Best Black Friday deals 2020: Early offers from Amazon, Debenhams and Very - OLD

With slashed prices across tech, beauty, home appliances and furniture, we'll be sourcing the best deals across the event (The Independent)
With slashed prices across tech, beauty, home appliances and furniture, we'll be sourcing the best deals across the event (The Independent)

The biggest shopping event of the year, otherwise known as Black Friday, will take place on Friday 27 November this year.

As the event originally hails from America, the date always falls the day after Thanksgiving, and then is followed by Cyber Monday (30 November) which is traditionally the online-only day of the sale.

Although this year, because of coronavirus, the deals on offer will be found online.

With a range of retailers set to slash their prices on big ticket items like smart TVs and coffee machines, it's the best time of the year to find a deal and of course, get your Christmas presents sorted.

Since Amazon first brought the event online in the UK, it has overtaken other big annual sale events like Boxing Day and the January sales.

Traditionally, the Black Friday sale has extended in length every year, and 2019 saw the event last for more than two weeks, with pre-sale deals happening earlier than expected. But this year the retailer giant has gone one rather large step forward by starting its sale a whole month early. We’ve rounded up the best early Amazon Black Fiday deals in our guide. Other retailers including John Lewis, Currys PC World, Superdrug, AO, Boots, Very and O2 also began earlier too.

So, whether you’re after a new television, a laptop, your favourite perfume or kids' toys, you'll be able to find a great deal during the mammoth sale event. Read on for the best early Black Friday deals to shop now.

Our IndyBest team hand-picks every deal we feature. We may earn some commission from the links in this article, but our selections have been made independently and without bias. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Early Black Friday deals: Quick links

Amazon - Early bird Black Friday sale runs until 19 November

John Lewis & Partners - 20 per cent off fashion and 15 per cent off beauty

Currys PC World - The “Ready, Set Go!” early Black Friday sale has started

Boots - More than half price discounts on Fenty Beauty, Clinique, No 7 and more

Very - Early Black Friday sale discounts on home appliances, kids’ toys, tech and more

The best early Black Friday deals

KitchenAid KSM125BQG Artisan Stand Mixer: Was £399.99, now £349.99, Very

KitchenAid
KitchenAid

The brand to beat when it comes to stand mixers, KitchenAid’s are always hugely popular during Black Friday, and Very is the first retailer we’ve seen to discount one.

If you saw Nigella Lawson’s new TV show this week and were as envious of her hot pink KitchenAid as we were, now is the time to snap one up.

Although this model is in a sleek graphite colour rather than a bold shade, you’ll be saving £50. The 4.8l model has ten speed settings and does everything from cutting pasta to mincing meat and slicing vegetables. KitchenAid has also featured in our review of the best stand mixers too, so we can vouch for the brand.

Buy now

Nintendo Switch - Neon Red/Neon Blue, was £326.77, now £315, Amazon

Perfect for playing games on the go, this will go down a treat at ChristmasAmazon
Perfect for playing games on the go, this will go down a treat at ChristmasAmazon

The Independent’s technology editor and avid gamer, Andrew Griffin, explains what makes the Switch such a great choice, whether you’re looking to update your gaming kit or shop for a loved one’s Christmas present.

"To get this out the way: the Switch is an entirely different proposition, but one that’s not worth ruling out,” he says. The games are incredible, the console is packed with fun, and Nintendo have pulled out a stroke of genius all around. It has its downsides – the graphics and performance are nowhere near as futuristic and powerful as the other bigger consoles – but that’s what you get for it all fitting in a box you can throw in your bag and play on the move.”

Buy now

Estée Lauder Limited Edition 'Repair Renew Hydrate' Advanced Night Repair Serum Gift Set: Was £70, now £35, Debenhams

Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder

Enjoy 50 per cent off this gift set from coveted beauty brand Estee Lauder, housing a full size bottle of its best-selling anti-ageing serum and four travel minis. The cult product has recently been reformulated with new weighty glass packaging and ingredients.

In our review comparing both formulas, our tester awarded the latest version the winner, saying: “Our skin felt a little firmer along the jawline and around the mouth, and held the springiness of hydration for an hour or two longer. The brand touted added firmness as one of the new improvements to the formula, so we were pleased to see this play out in our testing, albeit in a small way.”

This would make the perfect Christmas gift, but at this price you’ll have to be quick.

Buy now

Virgin Media broadband packages

Virgin
Virgin

The retailer has started its sale early, offering what it claims to be its lowest ever Black Friday prices. Available until 30 November, it’s offering savings on TV and broadband bundles, broadband-only packages and mobile phone handsets.

Its 18-month M100 Fire Broadband package is currently on offer for just £24.99 a month, with a 108 Mbps average download speed. It’s the most basic package, but is ideal for binging your favourite shows. It usually costs £44 a month.

On the other end of the spectrum, its M500 Fibre Broadband package costs £42.99 a month, a £20 saving, with a 516 Mbps average download speed that is ideal for gamers.

There’s plenty of other packages to choose from, so we’d snap up this offer now.

Buy now

Apple AirPods with charging case: Was £159, now £124.49, Amazon

Apple
Apple

Enjoy an impressive 22 per cent off the second generation AirPods in Amazon’s early Black Friday sale. David Phelan, our technology critic, rated these highly in his IndyBest review of the best wireless earbuds, saying: “Apple’s distinctive earbuds have been massively successful since they first launched and they remain even now some of the very lightest in-ears you can find.

“The design is unchanged since day one, but improved electronics inside mean that you can say, ‘Hey, Siri’ to invoke the virtual assistant without even touching the earbuds,” he added.

He also rated the pro version of the AirPods which are on sale too, down from £249 to £209, but still commended the standard AirPods for their sound quality: “The fit is slightly different from the pro – there’s no silicone ear tip – and there’s no noise-cancelling. Even so, audio quality is very good, as is call quality, which works even if you only use one earbud.”

Buy now

Sleepyhead Deluxe+ Pristine White Baby Pod, 0-8 months: Was £140, now £104, John Lewis

IndyBest
IndyBest

In our guide to the best gifts for new parents, this Sleepyhead Deluxe+ pod won the best buy, and our reviewer called it a “must-buy gift for newborns”, adding that “the Sleepyhead is every parent’s saviour for an easy-as-pie pod for their babies to relax in."

The pod is a great little cosy space for them to nap in, play and be changed in too. But it is not designed for overnight sleeping or for babies to sleep in unattended. The material is breathable, soft and can be washed too (an essential). Although this one is classic white, there are other patterns on offer too, although currently not in the sale.

Buy now

Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Camera with 10 pack of paper: Was £109.99, now £88.99, Very

Instax
Instax

We bet these cameras are on plenty of Christmas lists this year, and for good reason. They are perfect for capturing memories, instantly printing mini pictures in true retro style. This model has selfie, macro and landscape modes, with a timer, flash and mirror built-in, helping you get the perfect shot. When we can finally enjoy spending time with larger groups of family and friends again, you’ll want this to hand. We love the gold colourway, but it’s also available in black, blue and red.

Buy now

Shark anti hair wrap upright vacuum cleaner: Was £329, now £199, Very

Shark
Shark

If you’re ready to get your Mrs Hinch on, snap up a vacuum cleaner from her favourite brand. With a huge 40 per cent off, this upright corded model has anti-hair wrap technology that removes hair from the brush-roll. Ideal for pet owners, the additional tool removes embedded hair from sofas and stairs. It also comes with a car detailing kit, making this excellent value for money.

Buy now

Tassimo by Bosch coffee machine: Was £89.99, now £29, Currys PC World

Bosch
Bosch

If you’re sick of instant coffee, add this affordable machine to your kitchen arsenal for a barista-style cup of Joe every morning.

With a huge 68 per cent off, this has the ability to make 70 different types of coffee, an automatic shutoff function when you’re not using it and dishwasher safe parts, making it an absolute steal at this price. It’s compact too for even the smallest of kitchens.

Buy now

Virgin Media TV and broadband packages

Virgin Media
Virgin Media

The brand’s Big Bundle features M100 Fibre Broadband with an average download speed of 108Mbps, a Virgin TV V6 box with 112 channels and a range of streaming services including Netflix and Amazon Prime, and a phone line which comes with voicemail. Usually costing £62 a month, this 18 month contract is on sale for just £28.99 a month, in what Virgin claims is its lowest ever price for the bundle.

Sports fans should look to the Ultimate Oomph Bundle, with over 250 TV channels including some from Sky Sports, BT Sport 4K and Sky Cinema. It comes with two Virgin Media V6 boxes, meaning you can enjoy TV from multiple rooms. This, along with ultrafast M500 Fibre broadband, a phone line and endless mobile data, calls and texts with a “truly unlimited” SIM card makes this a whopper of a package. It usually costs £139 a month but is currently down to £77.99 a month for 18 months.

Buy now

Shark Flexology True Pet Anti Hair Wrap IZ251UKTDB Cordless Vacuum Cleaner - Black: Was £549, now £349, Currys PC World

Shark
Shark

Save £200 on this vacuum cleaner that will come in particularly handy if you have pets that are constantly shedding hair on your carpets and hard floors. It’s a brand that’s featured previously in our review of the best pet vacuum cleaners that tackle hair and dirt with ease.

Promising 120 minutes of running time, it has a motorised attachment that can help lift pet hairs from floors to furniture, and its anti-wrap technology will stop the brush-roll getting clogged up. It can also switch to a handheld unit to help you tackle harder-to-reach areas such as stairs or the inside of your car.

Buy now

Fitbit inspire 2 with free Google Mini: Was £138.99, now £89.99, Currys PC World

Fitbit
Fitbit

There’s 35 per cent off this fitness tracker which can monitor your heart rate, calories, sleep routine and distance travelled when you exercise.

Water resistant, so you can use it while swimming, it’s an easy way to keep track of your goals. It also includes other features such as guided breathing sessions, a food log, and a year’s free access to Fitbit Premium, which provides access to fitness and nutrition programs.

Buy now

Apple iPhone 11: Save up to £288, O2

Apple
Apple

O2 has launched its “best-ever Black Friday deals” a whole three weeks before the big day. Running from 5 November until 2 December, the retailer has savings on phones, tablets and smartwatches, including on Apple devices. It will also be including a range of refurbished devices in its Black Friday offers for the first time ever.

There’s a £288 saving on O2’s iPhone 11 64GB unlimited data package. With a £60 upfront cost, you’ll get a six month’s subscription to Deliveroo Plus and 20 per cent off AirPods pro with this deal, for just £39.98 a month.

Landing a spot in our review of the best phones of 2020, our technology critic, David Phelan, said: “The iPhone 11 is almost as good as the Pro models. It has spectacular battery life and two of the Pro’s three cameras (it lacks the telephoto). It’s also every bit as powerful as it has the same processor at its heart, so it can do all the standout things from the Pro, such as the fast, effective face recognition.”

Buy now

Beats Solo 3 headphones: Was £179, now £125, Currys PC World

Beats
Beats

This pair can automatically connect to all your devices via Bluetooth, whether you’re using it on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Offering up to 40 hours of battery life, it claims a five minute charge will provide three hours of playback, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice.

The on-ear cups are adjustable too and designed for hours of wear, while the controls on either side can allow you to take calls, play music and adjust the volume.

Buy now

Fenty Beauty Stunna Lips & Killawatt Cheeks 2-Piece Lip & Face Set: Was £48, now £24, Boots

<p>We suspect this deal won’t last long, so move quickly before it sells out </p>Boots

We suspect this deal won’t last long, so move quickly before it sells out

Boots

Boots will be running its Black Friday sale from 4 to 30 November, with new deals being added every day, offering up to 50 per cent off well-loved brands such as Clinique, Givenchy, Remington and Fenty Beauty.

This half price Fenty set is going straight in our basket. It features the brand’s long-wearing liquid lipstick in "unbutton", a peachy nude shade, and a killawatt duo-highlighter to bless your cheekbones with a copper glow. Any make-up by Rihanna’s powerhouse brand is a hit, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on more Fenty Beauty deals on Boots throughout November.

Buy now

Samsung QE55Q85TATXXU 55" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby, Alexa & Google Assistant: Was £1,299, now £999, Currys PC World

Samsung
Samsung

As we now have more time than ever to binge watch our favourite series and films, ensure your TV is up to scratch. This model from Samsung currently has over 20 per cent off. A similar TV, the Samsung QE55Q80R, has also featured in our review of the best 4K TVs.

Features include 4K picture quality, an anti-reflection screen and Adaptive Sound+, which adjusts the volume to the acoustics of your home. It can also stream services such as Netflix, Apple TV and Disney+ with the help of voice control using Google Assistant or Alexa.

Buy now

DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Jovia Pod Capsule Coffee Machine: Was £57.66, now £34.99, Amazon

<p>Start every day with a barista-quality cup of coffee</p>Amazon

Start every day with a barista-quality cup of coffee

Amazon

This compact coffee machine is ideal for small kitchen counters limited on space.

Its features include offering 40 different varieties of hot and cold drinks, with an adjustable drip tray to fit most sizes of cups and glasses to provide a barista-worthy caffeine, or hot chocolate, fix every morning. Promising to be easy to use and easy to clean, its removable parts, such as the drip tray, are dishwasher safe too.

Buy now

Huawei MateBook X Pro: Was £1,199, now £849.98, Amazon

Now most of us are working from home, a laptop has never been so essentialAmazon
Now most of us are working from home, a laptop has never been so essentialAmazon

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, this Huawei model has 38 per cent off, and it was featured in our guide to the best high-end laptops.

Our tech critic, David Phelan, who reviewed it said: “The bezels around the edge of the bright, colourful 13.9in display are amazingly thin, giving an immersive, all-screen effect.”

He went on to say:“The camera is buried in the top row of the keyboard. Although it’s a slightly different angle, the view isn’t pointing as much up your nose as you might fear. Like the Apple laptops, there’s a fingerprint sensor in the power button which is fast and responsive.” The same model with Intel Core i7 is also on sale with 40 per cent off here, reduced from £1,449.99 to £979.

Buy now

Remington Curl & Straight Confidence 2 in 1 Straightener: Was £119.99, now £49.99, Boots

<p>There’s £70 to be saved on this set of straighteners, that curl hair too</p>Boots

There’s £70 to be saved on this set of straighteners, that curl hair too

Boots

This styling tool featured in our guide to best hair straighteners, which our tester loved for its ability to allow you to switch your hairstyle up with ease.

“While they can be adapted to five different temperatures between 150C and 230C, the end of the tool stays constantly cool, so there’s no risk of burning your fingers while attempting curlier hairstyles,” they said. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, the huge £70 discount at Boots should do the trick.

Buy now

Camber cabin in sky blue: Was £179, now £152.15, Antler

Antler
Antler

Taking top spot in our guide to the best cabin bags, this luggage offering from Antler is now reduced by 15 per cent as part of a site-wide Black Friday sale. The hard-shelled case comes in sky blue or sea green, perfect for a stylish weekend away. An added bonus is the bag’s eco credentials – it’s made from crushed shells that are a by-product of the fishing industry. Lightweight and robust, this is a steal of a deal.

Buy now

Gucci Bamboo For Her Eau de Toilette 75ml: Was £85, now £42.50, Superdrug

<p>Treat yourself or start your Christmas shopping now for the beauty lover in your life </p>Gucci

Treat yourself or start your Christmas shopping now for the beauty lover in your life

Gucci

Superdrug has kicked off its sale early with up to 80 per cent off make-up, skincare, electricals and haircare from 4 November to 1 December.

Any fragrance fans should move quick to snap up this bargain on Gucci’s Bamboo eau de toilette perfume that has 50 per cent off.

Fresh and light, it has notes of Tahitian vanilla, Casablanca lily and mandarin, perfect for perking up a cold, wintery morning.

Buy now

Oral-B SmartSeries black 6500 cross action electric toothbrush: Was £229.99, now £59.99, Amazon

Prevent a build up of plaque with this electric toothbrushAmazon
Prevent a build up of plaque with this electric toothbrushAmazon

Ensure your teeth are squeaky clean with this electric toothbrush from the experts at Oral-B that has a discount of more than 60 per cent off.

It comes with four brush heads and a travel case for easy transportation and has five modes from daily clean, pro clean, sensitive, gum control and whitening, so it will reach every nook and cranny. At this price, it’s a no brainer, brilliant budget buy.

Buy now

Braun FaceSpa Pro 922 Facial Epilator Beauty Gift Set: Was £149.99, now £69.99, Superdrug

Braun
Braun

If you’re worried about missing out on salon treatments during lockdown, look to this handy device that epilates, cleanses and tones the skin.

It works to remove facial hair, whether that’s on your upper lip, chin, or simply all over, with a separate head to cleanse the skin. According to Braun, it removes three times as much short hair than waxing. For the best results, you will need to continually use this to prevent future hair growth. It also comes with a stand, bronze cap and pouch to keep it neat and tidy.

Buy now

LG GSL460ICEV American-style fridge freeer: Was £1,199, now £849, Currys PC World

LG
LG

This American-style fridge freezer has 591I of capacity, so is sure to fit all your weekly shops. There’s also an ice-water and ice cube dispenser, and a moist balance crisper that maintains the correct level of moisture so food such as lettuce doesn't end up soggy. You can also pair the fridge to your phone via the LG ThinQ app in case there is ever a problem and you need quick advice.

Buy now

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday has nothing to do with the UK’s traditional winter sales, but originates from America. In the US, it traditionally follows Thanksgiving and is widely regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Since Amazon introduced the event to the UK, the sale will run across the same dates here.

When is Black Friday?

This year, the sale falls on Friday 27 November and runs across the following weekend, finishing on Cyber Monday on 30 November.

Amazon has already launched its early deals, as has O2, Boots, Currys PC World, Very and Superdrug and we’re expecting other retailers to follow suit in a bid to make up for lost revenue earlier in the year because of the pandemic.

Which stores are taking part in Black Friday this year?

Every year, increasing amounts of brnads take part in the big sale as it grows in popularity.

When it comes to tech and home appliances, big retailers that host impressive Black Friday sales include John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World, Very and Argos, while fashion and beauty retailers like Asos, Nike, Superdrug and Debenhams also take part.

For more details, read our extensive guide to all the stores we expect to take part this year. We will be updating it as soon as brands announce their deals.

How can I get the best Black Friday deals?

When it comes to making the most of Black Friday, preparation is key and, with 98 per cent of the UK’s shoppers planning to buy online, that’s where you can expect to find the very best deals.

But, whether you’re shopping in-store or bargain hunting from the comfort of your sofa, it’s important to shop around and research items you want to buy well in advance rather than splashing out on a whim.

We suggest sticking to a shopping list of items that you know you actually want: is s it a new winter coat from The North Face, a pair of wireless Beats headphones, an iPad or a Foreo Luna beauty gadget?Then set yourself a budget and watching out for additional discount codes online.

The key is not getting drawn into seemingly “good looking” deals that you don’t actually want or need.

Once you know what you want, make sure that you shop around to find the best price for it before the Black Friday sale begins. That way, you’ll know if a sale deal really is a bargain or not.

It’s also a good idea to check retailer’s returns policies before buying and to check terms and conditions for sites you’ve not used before.

Our IndyBest team will be doing most of the hard work for you, finding the best offers on everything from TVs and fashion to furniture and home appliances and plenty more, as well as providing extensive guides on how to bag the best bargain. As a result, it's worth checking back here closer to the time for our top tips and deals.

How long will the Black Friday discounts last?

Black Friday 2019 was the longest running event to date, which saw sales covering more than two weeks. Previously the event ran for just a weekend, while before that it had been only days.

This year is already longer thanks to Amazon, but at the moment no other retailers have joined in this early, but we do expect them to begin sales earlier than in previous years.

What were the best Black Friday deals last year?

Last year, there was some impressive deals on a range of tech, including games consoles like the Nintendo Switch and a number of discounts on smartphones, including the iPhone X, the Google Pixel 2 and Samsung Galaxy S8.

Amazon’s own product range – including Echo devices, Fire tablets and Kindles – had massive discounts too, as did PS4 and Xbox One bundles, OLED TVs, vacuum cleaners, IPL hair removal machines and kids' scooters.

Tips for Black Friday shopping online

Make sure you’ve already got an account with big retailers like Amazon or John Lewis & Partners to make shopping easier and quicker (that way, there will be no time wasted entering all your details as a new customer), and if you want next day delivery, register for Amazon Prime.

Sign up to newsletters from brands that you like and might want to shop from so you’ll be the first to know when their sales start and will have access to any discount codes you might need.

Download the apps of retailers you use and follow them on Instagram and Twitter for deals, too.

To find the original price of a product, use PriceSpy or CamelCamelCamel – the latter is especially useful for Amazon.

To make sure you are shopping safely online, check any sale emails you receive properly before clicking links to make sure they’re legitimate.

If you’re shopping from a computer, it’s also a good idea to ensure your anti-malware software is up to date.

Am I protected on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

As well as genuine deals, Black Friday and Cyber Monday can bring out fraudsters so it’s important to be vigilant.

Make sure you check any emails you receive properly before clicking links to make sure they’re legitimate.

If you’re shopping from a computer, it’s also a good idea to ensure your anti-malware software is up to date.

Read more on Black Friday 2020

Best Amazon Black Friday deals – There will be millions of deals, so check in here for our pick of the best

Best Currys PC World Black Friday deals – For everything from TVs to laptops, and kettles to coffee machines

Best John Lewis & Partners Black Friday deals – With great deals on fashion, beauty, tech, kids and homewares it will be a go-to for many

Best Argos Black Friday deals – Covering everything from kids to homewares and fitness to DIY

Best Apple Black Friday deals – The tech giant is notorious for not participating in Black Friday, so how can you find deals on Apple products? Find out in our guide

Best Black Friday tech deals – Whether it’s a new phone contract or noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll find the best deal here

Best Black Friday TV deals – Update your at-home cinema experience without paying full price with our featured deals

Best Black Friday laptop deals – There’s hundreds of pounds to be saved on laptops from big-name brands such as Apple, Microsoft and HP

Best Black Friday gaming deals – Struggling to choose which console to buy, or after a new controller or game? Here's our expert guide

Best Black Friday home appliances deals – Now’s the time to upgrade your vacuum cleaner or coffee machine

Best Black Friday fashion deals – Whether its a pair of boots or a coat, treat yourself to new season essentials

Best Black Friday beauty deals – Stock up on your favourites across make-up, skincare, haircare and fragrance

Best Black Friday kids’ toys deals – Get your Christmas shopping done and dusted, with deals from Disney, Lego, Playmobil and more

Best Black Friday mattress deals – Rest easy with big discounts for brands such as Emma, Eve Sleep and Simba

Best Black Friday furniture deals – There's no need to wait until the January sale to get a bargain sofa, wardrobe or armchair

The stores taking part in Black Friday – Our predictions based on last year, which we’ll be updating as the deals begin

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