The Best Early Black Friday Deals of 2021

Black Friday is almost here. And at this point in time, the stories of people lining up for hours on Black Friday and getting into fist fights over heavily discounted appliances are mere memories, not reality. Thanks to online shopping and longer sales, it’s become a whole lot easier for all of us to score great deals.

When is Black Friday 2021?

This year, Black Friday falls on November 26, 2021. It occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving and is one of the biggest shopping events of the year.

How long to Black Friday sales typically last?

“In the past, Black Friday signaled the start of the holiday shopping season, with customers starting to plan their Friday shopping during the week leading up to Black Friday, especially for in-store purchases,” says Rishi Hingoraney, SVP of Client Partnerships at cash-back app Ibotta. He added that there’s not as much urgency now since most Black Friday sales extend all the way through to Cyber Monday and Tuesday.

Even more recently, retailers have been starting their Black Friday sales before the actual day. Rishi explains that because Amazon moved Prime Day to October last year (instead of its usual summer date), other companies launched early sales to compete. And this year, some of those early sales are expected again. For example, Best Buy is running its Early Black Friday Sale from October 19-22, then kicking off true Black Friday deals on November 19. The bottom line? It’s already time to start looking for early deals.

What stores offer the best Black Friday deals?

Black Friday is such a mainstay that most major retailers will run fantastic deals for the weekend. If you’re looking for kitchen tools, dining sets, or small appliances, Williams Sonoma typically offers massive discounts on small kitchen appliances like espresso machines, high-end blenders, and stand mixers. And major retailers like Amazon and Walmart generally offer huge discounts on everything from household appliances to the latest tech. 

When it comes to smaller retailers, Black Friday discounts are a bit harder to predict. In 2020, Made In Cookware offered up to 30 percent off on some of their bestsellers. But keep in mind these brands tend to keep their sales a secret until much closer to the date, so your best bet is to bookmark this page and keep checking back.

Online shopping offers many benefits versus shopping in-store. Savvy shoppers can easily compare prices and products across multiple stores, and shipping is often free with returns becoming much easier in recent years. Still, many customers prefer going in-store to try on clothes or browse in a physical environment, so in-person deals will likely be just as good.

What should I look out for this year? 

Black Friday is known as a time to score great deals on big-ticket items like appliances and tech gadgets. If you’re looking to replace a piece of kitchen equipment—like your refrigerator or your range, Black Friday is a great time to do that. And if you have your eye on a certain small appliance, like a Vitamix or a KitchenAid, you’ll probably be able to get a deal on those things, too.

Here are the best Black Friday deals of 2021.

KitchenAid KSMPRA 3-Piece Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set

Buy on Amazon

Normally $200, Now $180 at Williams-Sonoma

True pasta lovers know that the dried noodles you get at the store can never measure up to the fresh stuff. If you want to start making your own pasta, this KitchenAid attachment is a must-have.

Farberware 8-Inch Nonstick Skillet

Buy on Amazon

Normally $49, Now $28

When it comes to nonstick pans, culinary director Daniel Gritzer recommends opting for something Teflon and inexpensive. Why? Because the nonstick coating, while fantastic for omelets, just isn’t made to last for several years. We love the Farberware nonstick skillets, which are currently on sale on Amazon.

All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

Buy on Amazon

Normally $100, Now $80 at Williams-Sonoma

All-Clad makes some of the best high-quality stainless steel skillets around, and Black Friday is your chance to get a big discount on one, or on a whole set of stainless steel cookware. Their skillets, pots, and pans heat quickly and evenly, and they look sleek in any kitchen. Right now, take up to 20 percent off with code FRYPAN.

AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Hydroponic Garden

Buy on Amazon

Normally $150, Now $130 at Amazon

Some people might write off this indoor hydroponic with built-in lights and its own watering system to grow herbs as a silly and unnecessary purchase. But we love it, and it can even be moved beyond herbs to grow cherry tomatoes. If you’ve been curious about this machine, now is the time to buy.

ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4

Buy on Thermoworks.com

Normally $100, Now $70

If you like cooking meat to temperature, then you absolutely need an instant-read thermometer to ensure the perfect doneness. We recommend the Thermapen for its accuracy and ease of use.

Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Professional-Grade Smart Blender

Buy on Amazon

Normally $700, Now $600 at Sur la Table

Does everyone need a high-end blender in their kitchen? No. But if you like blending fibrous fruits and vegetables to a silky consistency in smoothies and soups, then a Vitamix can do that for you. There are countless Vitamix models, and they're on sale right now.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron 5 1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven

Buy on Amazon

Normally $460, Now $370 at Sur la Table

This gorgeous piece of Le Creuset cookware tops our list of the best dutch ovens of 2021. It’s perfect for stove-to-oven cooking and will last for years. Most Le Creuset items go on sale for Black Friday, but right now you can snag this dutch oven for less. Plus, they come in over a dozen colors, so you can even match them to your kitchen decor.

NutriBullet Juicer Pro Centrifugal Juicer Machine

Buy on Amazon

Normally $160, Now $150

This countertop juicer made our list of the best juicers of 2021. It’s relatively easy to clean, and was the quietest of all the machines we tested. If you or someone on your holiday gift list loves to make their own juice concoctions at home, this is a fantastic option.

Breville BPR700 Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker

Buy on Amazon

Normally $280, Now $250 at Amazon

When it comes to electric pressure cookers, the Instant Pot gets all the attention. But for people who want complete control of how their food is cooked, the Breville Fast Slow Pro Slow Cooker allows you to set the pressure in increments of 0.5 psi.