What our experienced buyers bought

Whether you’re looking to buy holiday gifts, upgrade your tech, or put together a new wardrobe, there’s no better time to score big savings than Black Friday. As NBC Select editors, we sift through thousands of online deals to find the best ones that are worth your money. In search of the best discounts on products in each category (many of which are offered at the lowest prices of the year), we’ve added a few things to our own shopping cart. Below, I’ve rounded up the best deals our NBC Select editors are taking advantage of this Black Friday.

SKIP Black Friday deals our NBC Select editors are shopping

What our NBC Select editors are buying on Black Friday 2024

Apple MacBook Air 13″ (M3)

4.6 star average rating from 301 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

If I were looking for a new laptop, I would jump at this offer in a heartbeat. Apple’s MacBook Air is a fantastic laptop, especially for travelers and students looking for a compact, lightweight computer to carry in a backpack. This model has up to 18 hours of battery life and has improved performance over previous models due to Apple’s M3 chip and 16GB of storage (up from 8GB). – Harry Rabinowitzreporter

Hulken bag large

4.6 star average rating from 1,256 reviews on Amazon

Part of our work requires testing products, lots of products. I always carry everything home in several carrier bags and that is uncomfortable and annoying this person in the subway. I’ve had my eye on the Hulken for some time now, as it’s a popular product among the NBC Select staff. Since it doesn’t go on sale very often, I knew I had to grab their Black Friday deal before it sold out. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin lent me her copy from time to time, and it changed my life. It’s so spacious (we even put an entire air conditioner in it) and the handles are long enough that you can throw it over your shoulder while climbing stairs. The wheels glide well on bumpy sidewalks and save me from tossing around with a bunch of carrier bags. – Rebecca RodríguezEditorial project manager

Ouai Melrose Place Dedtergent

I’m a big fan of the hair care brand Ouai. When I found out they were working with fragrance house Dedcool (which I also love) to develop laundry detergent, I knew I had to add it to my laundry routine. This Black Friday, I purchased the scent Melrose Place (a rich rose) and the brand’s newest limited edition scent, North Bondi (bergamot, lemon, rose and violet). The detergent lasts for up to 60 washes, which in my opinion justifies the higher price. – Mili GodioUpdate editor

Supergoop invisible sunscreen SPF 40

4.6 star average rating from 17,275 reviews on Amazon

Finding the perfect sunscreen for your skin type, texture, and complexion can be just as difficult as finding the right foundation. I had such a hard time looking for a mineral sunscreen that didn’t leave an ugly white cast until I found Supergoops Unseen Sunscreen. It’s completely sheer, feels very light on my face and I can wear it under makeup. It also doesn’t make my face look or feel greasy like most other mineral sunscreens on the market do. – Aksha MittapalliEditorial intern

Bissell Little Green Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

4.5 star average rating from 90,705 reviews on Amazon

There’s a reason people won’t stop talking about this small but powerful device from Bissell. It makes cleaning pet stains, drink spills, and dirt stains easy, all at a great price. Smaller than your average travel bag, the Little Green machine uses water, suction and a cleaning solution to lift and remove tough stains from carpets and upholstered surfaces like sofas and chairs. Mili Godio, updates editor for NBC Select, has one and says it’s a big help when cleaning up after her dog, Bella. – Cory FernandezTrade Editor.

Embark breeding and health package

4.7 star average rating from 17,963 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

Lately I’ve been obsessed with finding out the breed of my puppy Obi. He resembles a border collie and features slight brown tones in his coat, but overall his breed remains a complete mystery. I decided to get this dog DNA kit from Embark to at least get an idea of ​​his background. Who knows, maybe he’s part beagle or some other random breed; Either way, it will be a fun story to tell. – Jordan BowmanTrade Editor

Reformation Bethany Ballerina

I’ve had my eye on these homes for a while, and since Reformation only has a few sales throughout the year, I figured I’d finally buy them. I love the dark chestnut color and the buckle style makes it look on-trend while keeping my feet secure (one of my biggest pet peeves is my feet slipping out of my flats when I walk). Plus, it’s made of a chic, high-quality leather material that goes perfectly with my winter outfits. – Mili Godio, Update Editor.

JBL Charge 5 – Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

4.7 star average rating from 29,826 reviews on Amazon

I recently got my hands on this JBL Charge 5 and it was the best Bluetooth speaker I have ever purchased. This speaker has incredibly clear sound quality, connects easily to Bluetooth on my phone or computer, and is the perfect size so I can fit it in my backpack when I’m on the go. Plus, it has a battery life of up to 20 hours, so I never have to worry about it breaking down too quickly. Whether I’m at the beach with friends, going on a hike, getting ready for a night out, or just hanging out in the backyard with family, this speaker is the perfect addition to my music setup. – Ella Morrissey, page.

Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones

4.5 star average rating from 6,204 reviews on Amazon

Lowest price ever

Train, airplane and car noise are no match for the noise-cancelling technology of these Bose headphones. They’re one of our favorite over-ear headphones for travel because they’re lightweight, comfortable, and have a cable for seated entertainment on flights. The headphones fold down to a more compact size on the hinges and come with a carrying case that you can easily slip into your travel backpack or weekend bag. – Harry Rabinowitz, reporter

Artifact Uprising Wedding Layflat Photo Album

As my one-year wedding anniversary approaches, I want to create a photo album with all of my favorite photos from the big day. I was looking for an album that looked and felt luxurious and premium, and this option from Artifact Uprising fits the bill. It is a flat-lay album, meaning the seams lie flat so the images have a panoramic effect. It also features a minimalist cover (available in over a dozen colors) with foil lettering for a chic touch. – Mili Godio, Update Editor

Vitamix Ascent X3 Blender

This is the only product my mother promised me that I would buy on Black Friday. Since many Indian recipes require a blender, I’ll be logging miles on the Vitamix as soon as it ships. It can blend hard, frozen fruits and other solid foods into a fine mixture faster than any other blender I’ve used. It also has a speed dial and a pulse function so I can adjust the settings depending on the foods I’m putting in the blender. – Aksha Mittapalli, editorial intern

Shark HD430 FlexStyle

4.3-star average rating from 5,902 reviews on Amazon

This product truly has everything you need to style your hair in one. A friend of mine bought a Shark last year and after trying it out a few times, I knew I had to get my own. It is suitable for every hair type and style. Since I have thinner hair, it doesn’t cause heat damage and keeps my hair looking fresh every time I use it. It also includes detailed instructions for styling all hair types and is worth the price in my opinion. – Ella Morrissey, page.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m an editorial intern at NBC Select and regularly report on gift guides, deals features, and product roundups. For this story, our editors, who try and research hundreds of products every month, share their favorite Black Friday purchases.