Black Friday 2025: The best tech steals under $100 — and the splurges now worth a discount

Black Friday is serving up earbuds, iPads, robot vacuums and chargers at prices that actually make you feel clever. From Apple’s entry-level iPad hitting a new low to a Dyson robovac cut by more than half, this year’s sales are a mix of stocking-stuffer bargains and one-off markdowns on higher-end gear.

If you need gifts or a home-technology refresh on a tight budget, the deals this weekend are unusually deep across categories. Retailers and manufacturers launched discounts on November 28, 2025, and many offers run through early Cyber Week, creating a narrow window for the best prices (see retailer pages for exact end dates).

Cheap, useful tech that makes better gifts than socks

These aren’t just a scatter of coupon-level cuts. Some price moves reflect inventory pushes - like Dyson discounting its 360 Vis Nav to $400, a $600 reduction - while other steep drops are tactical: Apple’s AirPods 4 are down to $69, 47 percent off the usual price, and the entry-level iPad hit an all-time low of $274 at major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart). These numbers matter if you’re deciding whether to buy now or wait for another flash sale.

If you want practical presents that won’t break the bank, Black Friday’s $100-or-less tier is a good place to start. Engadget’s roundup highlights a handful of tested picks: AirPods 4 at $69, a four-pack of AirTags for roughly $63, and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus for $19 - all items that deliver clear utility for phone users and TV watchers (https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-deals-on-tech-for-100-or-less-081912662.html).

Big-ticket bargains that are actually worth buying

These picks matter because they fix daily annoyances for most people. AirTags save minutes each week spent hunting for keys; a $19 Roku makes an old TV feel current; AirPods 4 feature Apple’s H2 chip and up to five hours of listening on a charge, plus roughly 30 hours total with the USB-C case - enough for commutes and flights before a recharge (https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-apple-deals-include-the-airpods-4-for-47-percent-off-162917296.html).

Accessories are also low-cost wins. Engadget’s coverage of Anker notes the brand’s power banks and wireless chargers saw as much as 50 percent off and that its chargers consistently place in best-of guides after hands-on testing (https://www.engadget.com/deals/anker-black-friday-deals-save-on-power-banks-wireless-chargers-power-adapters-and-other-accessories-164907229.html). Buying a tested $30 charger now avoids the midwinter panic of dead devices and frantic last-minute purchases.

What to buy now and what to watch for restocks

Not every good deal is below $100. Some higher-priced items are down to levels you won’t see again until next year. Dyson cut the 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum to $400, a $600 markdown that Engadget calls “one of the strongest robot vacuums we've tested,” praising its suction and obstacle avoidance (https://www.engadget.com/deals/dyson-black-friday-deals-robot-vacuums-and-cordless-vacuums-are-up-to-600-off-right-now-173533897.html). If you want suction-first cleaning rather than mopping or a self-emptying dock, that price is compelling.

Apple’s tablet lineup also got meaningful discounts. The entry-level iPad fell to $274 - a new low and a $75 cut at major retailers - while the iPad Air with the M3 chip matched an all-time low of $449 in base configuration (https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/832251/apple-ipad-air-mini-pro-black-friday-deal-sale-2025). For students or remote workers who prioritize battery life and Apple Pencil compatibility, those prices reduce the friction of upgrading a hand-me-down tablet.

Think about total cost of ownership. A discounted Dyson or iPad may still require accessories - replacement filters, a keyboard, or a case - so factor those into your buy-or-wait math. But if a $400 robovac saves you two hours of vacuuming each week, the time savings alone justify a higher upfront spend for many households.

What to buy now and what to watch for restocks

• Dyson Black Friday deals: Robot vacuums and cordless vacuums are up to $600 off right now - Engadget, 2025-11-28

• Apple’s most affordable iPad is over 20 percent off for Black Friday - The Verge, 2025-11-28

• Anker Black Friday deals: Save up to 50 percent on power banks, wireless chargers, power adapters and more - Engadget, 2025-11-28

• The best earbuds we’ve tested for 2025 - The Verge, 2025-11-28