Black Friday deals are already rolling out across major retailers, with significant discounts appearing on WIRED-tested gear. The publication's reviews team has curated early deals on products they've actually tested, including Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 (down from $249), MacBook Air M4 for $750 (down $249), and smart bird feeders hitting their lowest prices of the year.
The holiday shopping season just got more interesting. WIRED's reviews team has started spotting legitimate early Black Friday deals on gear they've actually put through rigorous testing - the kind of discounts that usually don't surface until the official sales events kick off.
The standout deal comes from Apple, where the Apple Watch SE 3 has dropped to $200, down from its $249 retail price. This isn't just any smartwatch discount - WIRED calls it "the best Apple Watch for most people" thanks to its skin temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, and the new watchOS 26 operating system. The publication notes this price point makes it especially compelling given its feature set and battery performance.
But Apple's discounting strategy goes deeper. The MacBook Air M4 is now available for $750 at several retailers, marking a substantial $249 price cut. According to WIRED's testing, this 2025 model represents "the best MacBook on the market right now," handling multiple Chrome tabs and background applications while featuring an upgraded 12-megapixel webcam. The review team specifically mentions this price "matches the best we've tracked and is $50 lower than we'd seen up until this month."
The consumer electronics landscape is seeing broader movement. Nothing's Ear (a) earbuds - which WIRED describes as "ultra-stylish" and among "the very best on the market" - have hit $89, just $10 above their historical low. The publication warns these tend to sell out when they reach the $79 sweet spot.
Smart home technology is experiencing particularly aggressive pricing. The Netvue Birdfy smart bird feeder, crowned WIRED's "best smart bird feeder," has dropped to $120 from $200. This timing aligns with what the publication calls a seasonal pattern: "this time of year usually brings it to the lowest price we'll see." The device features 1080p recording, solar panel compatibility, and AI-powered bird identification services.
Retail dynamics suggest these early deals represent strategic moves ahead of the official Black Friday launch. Amazon is offering the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at $35 (down from $60), while Walmart has positioned competitive pricing across multiple WIRED-recommended categories.
The publication's approach differs from typical deal aggregation - they're only featuring products their team has personally tested and "would recommend to a friend." This methodology appears designed to cut through the noise of Black Friday marketing, focusing on verified product performance rather than headline discounts.
Home office equipment is seeing significant movement too. The Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro, which WIRED tested against "nearly 60 office chairs" and deemed "the very best we've found," is priced at $424 during what the publication notes "doesn't go on sale for cheaper than it is right now."
Consumer response will likely determine how widespread these early discount strategies become. If sales velocity increases, expect more retailers to abandon traditional Black Friday timing in favor of extended deal periods. For shoppers, this creates both opportunity and decision fatigue - genuine deals mixed with standard promotional pricing dressed up as holiday specials.
These early Black Friday deals from WIRED's tested gear list signal a shift toward extended holiday shopping periods rather than single-day events. For consumers, the key differentiator here is editorial curation - these aren't just algorithmic discounts but products that survived rigorous testing. As official Black Friday approaches, expect this trend of early, verified deals to accelerate across major retailers.
