The Tool Desk
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The Guardian’s Filter editors selected these early holiday deals using product testing, retailer comparisons and price-tracking tools. Advertised comparison prices are not necessarily products’ usual market prices, and no discount is guaranteed to last until Black Friday.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Amazon Logo | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Amazon eGift Card - Happy Birthday | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Visa Physical Gift Card $200 (plus $6.95 Purchase Fee) | $206.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Physical Gift Card in a Gift Box - Better than Gold - Black | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee) | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Best early Black Friday-style deals at a glance
| Pick | Price listed July 23 | Advertised comparison price | Retailer | Editor’s angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Amazon Kindle | $84.99 | $109.99 | Best Buy | Best tech deal |
| Merrell Thermo Chill women’s boots | $89.99 | $150 | Merrell | Practical winter buy |
| Patagonia Downdrift women’s parka | $219.45 | $399 | Backcountry | Large-ticket outerwear discount |
| Foreo Bear 2 | $197.40 | $329 | Macy’s | Beauty-tech gift |
| Trtl Travel Pillow | $46.74 | $54.99 | Trtl | Best practical gift |
| Our Place Large Wonder Oven Pro | $259.99 | $349 | Nordstrom | Best home appliance |
| Baboon to the Moon 34L Weekender | $99.99 | $169 | Nordstrom | Best travel bag |
| Minardi Piumi ski jacket | $169 | $399 | Oysho | Largest advertised percentage discount |
Prices and availability above were reported in the July 23, 2026 roundup; the research desk checked the information on August 9. Recheck retailer pages before purchase.
The deals worth checking first
Best tech deal: 2024 Amazon Kindle for $84.99
Best Buy listed the standard 2024 Kindle at $84.99, down from an advertised $109.99. That is a $25 reduction, or about 23% off the comparison price.
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- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
This is the regular 2024 Kindle, not a Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Colorsoft. It may suit someone looking for a compact dedicated e-reader; shoppers who want waterproofing, a larger display or warmer lighting should compare the Paperwhite before deciding. The listed price is not confirmed as current.
Best practical gift: Trtl Travel Pillow for $46.74
The Trtl Travel Pillow was listed at $46.74, compared with an advertised $54.99. The $8.25 difference is modest, but the product may be more useful than a novelty gift for someone who regularly takes long flights, train journeys or road trips.
Because this was not a deep discount, do not rush solely because a page uses Black Friday language. Check the current price, shipping costs, return terms and whether the same price is available directly from Trtl or another retailer.
Best large advertised discount: Minardi Piumi ski jacket for $169
Oysho listed the Minardi Piumi water-resistant ski jacket at $169, reduced from an advertised $399. That is a $230 difference against the comparison price, or roughly 58% off.
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Rank #2
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
The roundup notes that the jacket was recommended by a ski instructor who had previously been an Oysho brand ambassador. That endorsement is useful context, but it is not a substitute for checking the jacket’s insulation, waterproof rating, sizing and return policy. A winter coat is only a bargain if it suits the conditions in which it will be worn.
Best home appliance: Our Place Large Wonder Oven Pro for $259.99
Nordstrom listed the Our Place Large Wonder Oven Pro at $259.99, down from an advertised $349—a $89.01 reduction. The combination air-fryer and toaster oven was identified by Drexel Food Lab researchers as a leading pick in its category, according to the roundup.
This is a relatively expensive purchase, so compare its capacity and functions with conventional air fryers, toaster ovens and competing combo units. Also consider whether it will replace equipment you already own. Saving $89 is not saving money if it becomes a third countertop appliance.
Best travel bag: Baboon to the Moon Weekender 34L for $99.99
The 34-liter Baboon to the Moon Weekender was listed at $99.99, down from an advertised $169. The $69.01 difference makes this one of the more substantial practical discounts in the roundup.
Rank #3
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Before buying, confirm the bag’s dimensions against the airline you use most often. “Weekender” does not automatically mean carry-on compliant, and airline size limits differ. A bag that avoids checked-bag fees can have more value than its advertised percentage discount—but only if it fits the relevant carrier’s rules.
More editor-selected deals
| Product | Price listed July 23 | Advertised comparison price | Potential difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Thermo Chill women’s winter boots | $89.99 | $150 | $60.01 |
| Patagonia Downdrift women’s parka | $219.45 | $399 | $179.55 |
| Foreo Bear 2 | $197.40 | $329 | $131.60 |
| Pottery Barn Kids felt teddy bear ornaments | $16.97 | $34.50 | $17.53 |
| Nike Men’s Manoa Leather Boots | $114.99 | Not supplied | Not calculable |
| Shokz OpenFit 2+ open-ear buds | $159.99 | $199.99 | $40 |
| SilkSilky square scarf | $36.50 | $42.95 | $6.45 |
The Nike boots appeared alongside Famous Footwear’s seasonal buy one, get one 50% off promotion. The promotion applied broadly across much of the retailer’s inventory, so the effective price depends on what second item you buy. Do not count the offer as a 50% saving on one pair purchased alone.
How to decide whether one is genuinely worth buying
- Check the live product page. Best Buy’s “Black Friday in July” event ran July 20–26, 2026. The event has ended; an individual Kindle page may show a different price now.
- Compare the exact model and size. A different Kindle generation, boot color, jacket size or bag configuration may have a different price.
- Check the final checkout total. Add shipping, sales tax, membership requirements and any coupon conditions before calculating the saving.
- Compare against normal selling prices. An advertised “was” price is not necessarily the price the product regularly sold for. Search competing retailers and use a price-history tool such as CamelCamelCamel where it supports the retailer.
- Read the return policy. Final-sale clothing and holiday merchandise can turn a seemingly cheap purchase into an expensive mistake.
- Use a spending limit. A discount is not a reason to borrow, carry a credit-card balance or buy something absent from your gift or household budget.
Are these officially Black Friday deals?
Not necessarily. “Early Black Friday-style deals” or “early holiday deals” is more accurate for this list.
Best Buy’s named “Black Friday in July” event ran July 20–26, 2026, and had ended by the research desk’s August 9 check. Macy’s has a page titled “2026 Black Friday Deals & Sales,” but its assortment includes clearance, limited-time sale and preorder products rather than proving that a single traditional Black Friday event is live. Nordstrom’s page references its 2026 Cyber Deals and Black Friday sale without establishing that the main event has started.
Rank #4
- Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
- Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
- Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
- Free One-Day Shipping (where available)
- Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
A retailer’s Black Friday landing page can remain online while individual products change price or go out of stock. Judge the deal by the current product page and checkout total, not by the label alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to shop early without wasting the saving
Buying early can be sensible for a specific gift, a limited size or a seasonal item such as boots or a ski jacket. It is less compelling for widely available electronics, where November promotions may be deeper or include a newer model.
Keep the receipt and record the price you paid. If the retailer has a price-adjustment policy, a later reduction may qualify for a refund of the difference, but policies vary and often exclude clearance, marketplace sellers or special promotions. Do not assume a retailer will match a future Black Friday price.
For a large purchase, consider the opportunity cost. The $259.99 oven, for example, may be a good deal for a planned replacement, but it still uses nearly $260 of cash today. Paying the full statement balance on a credit card is more important than capturing an advertised discount.
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
FAQ
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27. The listed deals are early holiday or Black Friday-style discounts, not proof that the main November event has begun.
What is the best early deal on this list?
The 2024 Kindle was listed at $84.99 as the strongest tech pick, while the Trtl Travel Pillow was listed at $46.74 as a practical smaller gift. The right choice depends on whether the product matches a planned purchase, and neither price is confirmed as current.
Are these prices guaranteed to last until Black Friday?
No. The prices came from an editor roundup published July 23, 2026, and were checked by the research desk on August 9. Retailers can change prices or end promotions without notice. Recheck the product page and checkout total before buying.
How can I tell whether a Black Friday discount is real?
Compare the exact product at competing retailers, check price history where available, and calculate the final price after shipping, tax and required memberships. An advertised comparison price is not automatically the product’s usual market price.
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These are early deals to investigate, not a reason to start Black Friday shopping indiscriminately. The Kindle was listed at $84.99, the Baboon to the Moon bag at $99.99 and the Minardi ski jacket at $169 in the July roundup. The Our Place oven may be worth considering if it replaces an appliance you need. Verify the live price, model, return terms and checkout total—and buy only from money already in your budget.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
