When tech professionals put their money where their mouth is, what do they actually buy? The Verge staff just spilled the details on their Black Friday hauls, revealing a mix of practical upgrades and impulse purchases that offer real-world insights into what's worth buying during the season's biggest sales.
The best product recommendations often come from people who actually use the gear they're reviewing. That's what makes The Verge's latest staff shopping roundup so revealing - these are the deals that convinced actual tech editors to open their wallets.
Dominic Preston, the site's news editor, finally pulled the trigger on a monitor upgrade he'd been planning since August. The Dell 27-inch 4K display caught his eye at $260, down from $350. "I talked myself down from a 32-inch model," Preston admits, but the practical choice paid off with USB-C connectivity and a 120Hz refresh rate that works for both work and gaming.
The TV upgrade story from reviews editor Barbara Krasnoff reveals how even tech pros balance budget with features. Moving to a smaller apartment with a larger living room prompted the switch from an aging 40-inch set to a 55-inch Hisense U7 Mini-LED at around $500. "We were aware it was only mid-level," Krasnoff notes, but the Google TV interface let them ditch their old Chromecast while delivering solid picture quality.
Senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards took a different approach - finally buying items that had been sitting in his cart for months or years. The Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player he'd been tracking "fluctuating between $450 and $550" finally dropped to $399, making it an easy decision. His OXO coffee maker purchase was pure necessity after his Bonavita "broke irreparably."
But it's the quirky purchases that reveal personality. AI reporter Robert Hart bought retractable USB-C cables (practical) and Death Stranding 2 (anticipated), then threw in Lego Botanicals Happy Plants as "an impulse buy" for his boyfriend. The mix of calculated and spontaneous purchases mirrors how most people actually shop during major sales events.
The most unique purchase belongs to Vergecast producer Travis Larchuk, who scored a 20% discount on a Traintrackr NYC subway display - a real-time LED board showing train locations throughout the city. Living "next door to a subway station," this $175 gadget represents the kind of hyper-specific tech that sales events make slightly more reasonable.
News writer Emma Roth kept it simple with just one item: Arctic MX-6 thermal paste for a flea market PC build. Even her shopping mistake - misreading the product listing - offers a lesson about actually reading the specs before buying.
The shopping patterns reveal interesting insights about how tech professionals approach deals. Most stuck to predetermined lists rather than browsing for bargains. They prioritized practical upgrades over cutting-edge features, choosing value over specs in several cases. The mix of high-ticket items like TVs and monitors alongside sub-$20 accessories shows that good deals matter at every price point.
What's notable is how these purchases reflect real-world priorities rather than reviewer wish lists. Preston chose the more affordable Dell monitor over premium options. Krasnoff embraced a "mid-level" TV that met their actual needs. Edwards finally bought the Blu-ray player that had been on his wishlist for half a decade.
This practical approach contrasts sharply with typical Black Friday coverage that focuses on maximum discounts or flagship products. Instead, these purchases represent thoughtful decisions by people who test tech for a living - they know the difference between marketing hype and genuine value.
The timing also matters. Several editors mentioned specific circumstances driving their purchases: apartment moves, broken equipment, or planned upgrades finally reaching the right price point. This suggests the most successful Black Friday shopping happens when sales align with actual needs rather than manufactured urgency.
For consumers looking to emulate this approach, the lesson is clear: make a list, stick to it mostly, but leave room for one or two items that genuinely spark joy - even if they're Lego plants or subway trackers.
The Verge staff's Black Friday purchases offer a masterclass in strategic shopping - prioritizing practical upgrades over flashy deals, sticking to planned lists while leaving room for personality, and choosing value over specs. Their approach shows that the best tech deals aren't always the biggest discounts, but the items that solve real problems at the right price point. For next year's sales, consider following their lead: make a list, know what you actually need, and don't be afraid to wait for the right moment to buy.
