The 12 Best Amazon Black Friday Deals in the UK So Far

The 12 Best Amazon Black Friday Deals in the UK So Far

WIRED's selection of Black Friday deals on Amazon today, along with the most popular tech discounts

While Amazon is a major player on Black Friday, it's not the sole retailer in the game. In fact, there are numerous other contenders. However, Amazon stands out for its aggressive price matching tactics, striving for sales dominance and fending off competing retailers. Additionally, Amazon often offers exclusive discounts that you won't find elsewhere. This is not only due to Amazon's extensive inventory, which includes peculiar items like bread loaf-shaped pillows (although, sadly, not part of the Black Friday deals.

Amazon is not only a retailer but also a creator of various products. From a range of Echo speakers to the exceptional Kindle e-readers, and an array of smart home cameras reminiscent of those in 'Black Mirror,' Amazon has now ventured into offering TVs as well. Below, you'll discover some of these products, along with a selection of deals considered either top-notch or highly sought after. For a comprehensive list covering various retailers, explore our main UK page featuring the best Black Friday deals for 2023.

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen for £199 (£30 off)

While the discounts on AirPods Pro earphones are typically not substantial, this Black Friday deal might just be enticing enough to persuade many who have been hesitant to own a pair. Despite our inclination to critique Apple's products — as we've done with previous AirPods iterations — the AirPods Pro stand out as an exceptional product. Their sound tuning is impressive, striking a perfect balance between authentic tonality and wide appeal in sound quality. Additionally, the active noise cancellation feature is remarkably effective.

Ninja Food Max Air Fryer for £180 (£70 off)

The era of the air fryer remains ongoing, and this particular Ninja model stands out as one of the more popular and dependable options available. Notably, it boasts a substantial size, featuring two trays that collectively hold up to 9.4 liters. What sets it apart is the ability to divide food types and customize different temperatures and cooking times for each compartment, a rather intelligent feature. Despite its smart functionalities, it remains incredibly user-friendly. However, a potential downside might be the risk of becoming an 'air fryer enthusiast,' which could inadvertently impact your social interactions .

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones for £280 (£100 off)

Sony's newest flagship street headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5, offer outstanding sound quality and top-notch active noise cancellation. These features garnered them a Wired Recommends badge and a stellar 9/10 score in 2022. If the price seems a bit high, consider the previous model, the WH-1000XM4, available for £198. Both models share similarities, delivering a bass-boosted sound profile that can be advantageous, especially in urban environments.

Logitech Master 2S Wireless Mouse for £40 (£30 off)

Logitech excels in the realm of mice, particularly in gaming-focused higher-end models. However, the Master 2S combines the advanced features of those gaming mice into a design tailored for a broader consumer base. Having extensively used a mouse from the Master series for over a year, we found them exceptionally comfortable, equipped with more buttons than we initially imagined using. Being a Bluetooth mouse, it's versatile, compatible not only with laptops and PCs but also with various other devices.

Bose QuietComfort SE for £190 (£60 off)

The Bose QuietComfort QC45 is considered the budget-friendly alternative to its counterpart. The primary distinction between the two lies in the type of case provided—soft or hard. Considering our often casual handling of headphones, the case quality might not significantly impact our usage. While our review initially found the Bose QC45 to be somewhat lacking in competitiveness (rated 7/10), they undeniably excel at this price point, offering luxurious comfort, exceptionally effective noise cancellation, and a relaxed, pleasing sound quality.

Meta Quest 2 VR Headset for £250 (£50 off)

The Meta Quest 2 surprisingly emerged as one of the standout offerings of Black Friday 2023, exceeding initial expectations. Its value as a deal is even more appealing upon closer inspection. With a purchase, you receive an additional £50 Amazon credit, essentially reducing the headset's effective cost to just £200. While the newer Meta Quest 3 boasts enhancements such as sharper lenses, dual screens for improved pixel utilization, and a significantly more potent processor, it comes at a substantially higher price of £480. Nonetheless, the older headset still offers plenty of enjoyment and entertainment.

Apple iPad Air (256GB) Tablet for £759 (£90 off)

While the price might seem high for a non-Pro iPad, this tablet offers an enhanced storage capacity of 256GB, a notable upgrade from the base 64GB of the Air series. Moreover, it features the Apple M1 processor, which mirrors the technology found in earlier MacBook models. Notably, Apple hasn't yet transitioned its tablet line to the latest processors, and this model represents the current generation. Therefore, the price isn't based on clearing inventory but rather reflects the current status of the product in the lineup. The anticipated upgrade to newer processors is expected to come next year .

Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones for £70 (£24 off)

Every major sales event sees the return of this Amazon-exclusive headphone model (specifically the finish, not the entire range), evoking a sense of cozy nostalgia. What makes these stand out? They're wired, open-back hi-fi headphones—devoid of active noise cancellation or wireless capabilities—rendering them utterly impractical for public transportation. However, for enthusiasts who appreciate this headphone type, they offer unparalleled comfort and exceptional sound quality at an attractive price point. Ideal for late-night movies and extended gaming sessions, it's challenging to find a more comfortable and superior-sounding option within this price range . 

Amazon Omni 55-inch TV for £500 (£250 off)

Amazon has ventured into the realm of manufacturing TVs, offering two distinct tiers within its lineup. The 4-series represents the basic range akin to TVs found in supermarkets—affordable options designed to serve a purpose without breaking the bank. In contrast, the Omni line stands out as a more premium choice. These QLED sets, equipped with Samsung technology, utilize VA panels that deliver impressive contrast, particularly in dimly lit rooms. Notably, the inclusion of local dimming, a rare feature in TVs priced below £500, enhances the viewing experience. Amazon TVs come with the company's Fire TV interface integrated, presenting a user-friendly interface. While they might not boast the glamour of fancy OLED or miniLED displays, these TVs offer commendable picture quality at a significantly lower price point—particularly enticing during sales periods.

Microsoft Xbox Series X Console for £360 (£120 off)

This deal stands out as one of the Xbox Series' most remarkable bargains to date. Offering Microsoft's high-powered console at a price lower than that of a lower-mid-range graphics card makes it an incredibly appealing offer. For an additional £10, you can opt for the Forza Horizon 5 bundle, which includes the Hot Wheels expansion—an attractive package, although the game is already available through Xbox Game Pass, akin to Microsoft's gaming equivalent of Netflix. Alternatively, there's the Diablo IV bundle priced at £390.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader for £115 (£35 off)

During major events like Black Friday, Amazon's proprietary devices consistently hit the sale shelves, and the classic Kindle e-reader remains among our top picks. Opting for the basic £69 model doesn't mean sacrificing much, as it now features a backlit screen. However, stepping up to the Paperwhite presents a notable upgrade, boasting a higher-resolution E Ink display and impressive water resistance. For those seeking a larger option, the Kindle Scribe caters to this with a spacious 10.2-inch screen and includes a stylus, perfect for extensive note-taking.

Apple Pencil Stylus from £79 (£40 off)

Apple's Pencil styluses, renowned for their compatibility with iPads, are excellent tools for digital art. However, their steep prices often act as deterrents for those exploring this creative realm. While Black Friday doesn't entirely resolve this issue, it does soften the blow. On Amazon, you'll find discounts ranging from £30 to £40 off for both the first and second-generation Apple Pencils. It's crucial to verify which Pencil model is compatible with your specific tablet, as these styluses aren't universally cross-generational.