10 hot gifts at Amazon to snap up ahead of Black Friday
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Don't wait until Black Friday to knock out your holiday shopping this year. Those who do will likely encounter supply-chain shortages, inflated prices and shipping delays.
Popular electronics and toys are expected to be most heavily impacted. Small-business owner Thea Brown told us that she's grateful that she stocked her quirky Richmond, Va., toy shop, World of Mirth, early: "We have several vendors, including one of our largest suppliers, that have stopped taking orders for the year. That has never happened before."
The retail giants will face shortages in these areas too. Here's our list of 10 gifts on Amazon that you should nab now, before Black Friday hits, to avoid delays. You'll find some sales in the mix too, since Amazon's early Black Friday deals are already under way!
And if you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (Even those without Prime get free shipping on orders of $25 or more).
Happy shopping!
The smartwatch: Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch
Give the gift of good health (and timeliness) to a loved one this holiday. Amazon's No. 1 bestselling smartwatch, the Fitbit Versa 2, tracks heart rate, sleep, swimming, steps and so much more. It also stores and plays music, connects with phone messaging and even offers voice-activated support from Alexa. Small and large bands are included.
My husband adores the one I bought him, and he's not the only one. With well over 90,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, this glorified watch has improved countless wearers' lives.
"All the lovable features, none of the hassle," wrote one happy shopper. "I love the accuracy of the sleep tracker, step counter, and heart rate monitor! As a former Charge 2 user, this thing is loaded with extra bells and whistles, like Alexa built-in (SUPER CONVENIENT), ability to control Spotify/Pandora, cuts out the 'middle man' i.e, your phone, when it comes to tracking water intake, female calendar, as you can log all this info right from your wrist."
The smart speaker: Echo Dot (4th Gen)
A smarter home is within reach. With the Echo Dot (4 Gen), one simply has to voice their needs: "Hey, Alexa, how many days til Black Friday?" "Hey, Alexa, play dance music." It even connects to other smart home devices, so you can command it to switch lights off and on, lock doors and adjust thermostats. Plus, it has privacy controls.
This clock Dot is especially great for the nightstand. Set your alarm with a few words and shut it off with a light tap. It's already garnered over 120,500 five-star ratings and No. 1 bestseller status on Amazon!
One fan wrote, "A big Improvement from the third-generation Echo Dot. It has true surround sound. The LED clock on the front is very bright, and displays the time in standard and military time...The sound quality is a real improvement. You can hear channels, lows, midrange, and highs...It will surprise you with how powerful it is for its size. The microphone is an upgrade also. It's very sensitive, and can hear you practically whisper across the room..." Want a bedtime story? It will "read to you from your Kindle books, and Audible acct."
Don't snooze on this Dot. It's a popular one.
The tablet: 2021 Apple 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB)
Everybody and their cousin wants Apple's latest iPad. Released this fall, the mighty 2021 Apple iPad (ninth gen) currently reigns as the No. 1 bestselling computer tablet on Amazon. Thanks to its A13 bionic chip, this speedy wonder boasts bold and beautiful graphics on it's 10.2-inch retina display. It has an extra-wide front cam, a wide rear cam and 64GB storage. (Need even more storage? Go with the 265GB model.)
One impressed shopper reported: "This is such a great value. The graphics, sound and speed of this device is better than any tablet we've ever used before."
The vac: iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum
Make someone's year with a housekeeping service they can use daily. The app-enabled, self-charging iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum sucks up all the dirt, dust and hair lingering on floors, carpets and even in the corners — all by its lonesome. This smart vac auto-adjusts to carpet heights and levels of dirt and navigates with ease (it won't tumble down the stairs, either). You can even train it to work on a schedule. And it's on sale now for $245 (was $300)
As Amazon's No. 1 best-selling vacuum, it has over 75,400 five-star ratings. "Love, love, love this Roomba!" wrote one happy owner. "We have three cats and it picks up all the cat hair. We have all wood and tile floors with some scatter rugs. It does a great job cleaning on all surfaces...We are seniors and it is so nice to sit in our recliners and have the Roomba do its job. Another plus is that it will connect to our Echo Dot and so all we have to do is say "Alexa, start the Roomba." Now if they make a model that can cook, we will be the first to buy it! LOL."
The pressure cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
Simplify dinner prep for your fave cook with the No. 1 bestselling electric pressure cooker on Amazon: the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1. This famous kitchen gadget has seven key functions: rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, sauté pan, steamer and warmer. The Duo is loaded with safety features and has overheat protection so you can let it do it's thing worry-free.
One of its 114,600 five-star fans wrote: "I use this for everything! How did I live without this before???...I've been making a lot of stews, and I'll sauté the onions, carrots, and meat...then add everything else, seal it, and set it for 7 minutes on high pressure. I let it release naturally and have a perfectly cooked, tasty meal every time. This gives me enough for 4 or 5 servings...I've even baked banana bread in it!!!"
The Instant Pot Duo starts at just $70 for the three-quart model, which is the ideal size for smaller families with up to three bellies.
The printer cam: Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
Instant-print cameras have made quite a comeback, and you'll find them with a wide range of features in so many sizes and styles. The best seller of the digital bunch on Amazon now: the $50 Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera. This point-and-shoot automatically kicks out fun little 2-by-3-inch peel-and-stick prints. No messy cartridges or toner necessary. Plus they come in six nifty, ultra-gifty hues.
One five-star fan wrote, "Great gift for teenage daughter! She loves it!...Takes it everywhere. It has the capability of a micro SD Card — so you can save photos and have them developed through Shutterfly, etc."
The fidget toy: Shashibo Shape-Shifting Box
Stuff anyone's stocking with this! The three-dimensional Shashibo fidget cube is popular with kids of all ages, including over 10,100 five-star reviewers on Amazon. Made with 36 rare earth magnets, the Amazon Launchpad No. 1 bestseller can morph into 70-plus different shapes — and if you combine a few of them together, the possibilities are endless. It's available solo in 12 patterns and also in bundles of two or four.
"Great unusual toy," said one fan, "It's beautiful, well made, and geometrically interesting. The magnetic planes have a very nice feel to them, as they're moved around into different shapes. There's nothing quite like this toy; easy enough for older children to enjoy, intriguing and beautiful for adults to manipulate. It's not so much a puzzle per se, but once you make a couple of changes to the geometry, it will take some time and some experimenting to get it back into cube shape again."
The blind box:
5 Surprise Mini Brands, 2 pack
Kids love blind boxes, and this one's megapopular. A No. 1 bestseller on Amazon with over 19,300 five-star ratings, Mini Brands are beloved by microplay fans and dollhouse lovers alike. Peel each capsule to reveal four surprise Mini Brand items and one shopping accessory.
Said one parent: "One of the containers had a super rare Pe dispenser, which apparently made my 10-year-old child’s life complete."
The holiday doll:
Barbie Signature 2021 Holiday Doll, 12-inch
Holiday Barbie in her glamorous gown is all the rage on Amazon right now — and she's the retailer's No. 1 bestselling doll. A favored gift for generations, the 12-inch Barbie makes big impact for the low price of $35 (was $40). She comes dressed to the nines with silvery earrings, red lips, high heels, and carefully styled blonde, dark brown or black hair. (Ages six and up.)
For one shopper, it's "a yearly tradition." They went on: "Been giving our daughter one of these at Christmas since she was a kid..she's 34 now!"
The cozy slipper:
UGG Women's Scuffette Ii Leopard Slipper
"A season of shivers" is predicted this year by the Old Farmer's Almanac, which could very well mean another run on fuzzy Ugg slippers come Black Friday. The very highly rated (4.8-star!) UGG Women's Scuffette Ii Leopard Slipper is currently available in seven colors, sizes 5 to 12. The 100 percent suede slipper lined with warm sheep fur is sure to make those toesies cozy!
"As a realtor, I spend many hours a day on my feet with heels on," reported one grateful shopper. "Sliding my feet into these slippers was like walking on a cloud. They are incredibly comfortable and keep my feet warm and cozy. I look forward to getting home at the end of the day to take my shoes off and put them on. They are pricey but worth every penny and we’re true to fit...Am planning to purchase a few pair to give them to family for Christmas presents."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Looking for more great Amazon deals? Check these out:
TV deals:
Insignia NS-24DF310NA21 24-inch HD Fire TV, $100 (was $170), amazon.com
TCL 32-inch 3-Series HD Roku Smart TV, $160 (was $230), amazon.com
TCL 40-inch HD Smart LED Roku TV, $230 (was $350), amazon.com
Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K Ultra HD smart TV, $330 (was $470), amazon.com
Hisense 75A6G 75-inch 4K Ultra HD Android Smart TV, $710 (was $950), amazon.com
Samsung 75-inch Class QLED Q70A Series 4K Quantum Smart TV, $1,498 (was $2,300), amazon.com
Samsung 85-inch AU8000 Series 4K Smart TV, $1,498 (was $2,200), amazon.com
Headphones and earbud deals:
Sony "Extra Bass" Earbuds (MDRXB50AP), $20 (was $50), amazon.com
Majority Teton Bluetooth Soundbar for TV, $50 (was $60), amazon.com
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, $100 (was $150), amazon.com
Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds, $153 (was $209), amazon.com
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, $100 (was $200), amazon.com
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones, $178 (was $250), amazon.com
Zihnic Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, $45 with on-page coupon (was $70), amazon.com
JBL Live 660NC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones, $100 (was $200), amazon.com
Video game deals:
Motorola Moto G Stylus, $270 (was $300), amazon.com
Apple Watch Series 5 GPS + Cellular with Milanese Loop, $459 (was $759), amazon.com
Fossil Men's Gen 5E 44mm Stainless Steel Smartwatch, $149 (was $249), amazon.com
TCL 10L Smartphone, $190 with on-page coupon (was $250), amazon.com
Smart home deals:
Facebook Portal Smart Video Calling 10-inch Touch Screen Display, $114 (was $180), amazon.com
Kasa Smart Plug HS103P2, $13 (was $20), amazon.com
Linksys AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router Home Networking, $119 (was $130), amazon.com
Honeywell Home RTH9585WF1004 Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, $99 (was $169), amazon.com
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect Hub, $155 (was $230), amazon.com
Kasa Full Color Smart LED Bulb, $10 (was $22), amazon.com
TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender(TL-WA855RE), $15 (was $30), amazon.com
Vacuum deals:
Coredy R750 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $200 with on-page coupon (was $321), amazon.com
OKP K7 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $158 with on-page coupon for Prime members only (was $439), amazon.com
Deenkee DK600MAX Robot Vacuum, $150 (was $200), amazon.com
Shark Rotator ZU632, $328 (was $380), amazon.com
iRobot Roomba i6+ (6550) Robot Vacuum, $550 (was $800), amazon.com
Fashion deals:
Satina High Waisted Leggings for Women, $14 (was $20), amazon.com
Anne Klein Women's AK/1868GBST Premium Crystal-Accented Gold-Tone Bangle Watch, $51 (was $150), amazon.com
Herou Womens Mock Turtleneck, $15 (was $29), amazon.com
Ouges Women's Open Front Cardigan, $20 (was $29), amazon.com
Save up to half off select Ray-Ban and Oakley Sunglasses, amazon.com
Save up to half off Watches from Invicta, Timex, Tommy Hilfiger and more, amazon.com
Kitchen deals:
Gooseneck Electric Kettle, $33 with on-page coupon (was $55), amazon.com
Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Countertop Convection Oven, $224 (was $350), amazon.com
Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Set, $90 (was $150), amazon.com
Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer, $90 (was $130), amazon.com
Airpro Pasta Maker Attachment, $72 (was $128), amazon.com
RTGraphics Whiskey Stones (six piece), $9 (was $20), amazon.com
Beauty deals:
Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine, $150 with on-page coupon (was $300), amazon.com
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush, $35 (was $60), amazon.com
AquaSonic Duo Dual Handle Ultra Whitening Wireless Charging Electric Toothbrushes, $50 (was $70), amazon.com
HoMedics Compact Pro Spa Collapsible Footbath with Heat, $40 (was $50), amazon.com
Svcouok Fast Heating Hair Straightener Brush, $32 (was $36), amazon.com
Handcraft Grapeseed Oil, $14 (was $19), amazon.com
Bedding deals:
SafeRest Queen Size Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector, $21 with on-page coupon (was $35), amazon.com
SafeRest King Size Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector, $23 with on-page coupon (was $38), amazon.com
Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator, $20 with on-page coupon (was $30), amazon.com
Bedsure Fleece Blanket Twin Blanket in Black, $20 (was $27), amazon.com
Shark HE601 Air Purifier, $300 (was $450), amazon.com
Lemomo Grey Blackout Curtains, $35 (was $44), amazon.com
Bedsure Satin Pillowcases Standard Set of Two, $10 (was $13), amazon.com
Y-Stop Hammock Chair Hanging Rope Swing, $27 with on-page coupon (was $40), amazon.com
Save up to 30 percent off on Casper mattresses and more, amazon.com
Save up to 20 percent off T&N mattresses and more, amazon.com
Read more from Yahoo Life:
This chic striped sweater is my cold-weather secret weapon — now $33 at Amazon
Fitbit smartwatches are on mega sale over at Amazon — starting at $100
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy! — a NYT No. 1 bestseller — is now $19 at Walmart
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