Black Friday 2022: start date, predicted deals and shopping hacks

Apple AirPods Pro $250 $159 at Walmart (save $91) (opens in new tab)
We described the AirPods Pro as "exceptionally comfortable" and praised their "strong noise-cancelling and balanced, easy-going sound". They're a great option if you've bought into Apple's ecosystem.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $55 $40 at Amazon (save $20) (opens in new tab)
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max has plenty of streaming smarts. It usually costs $55, but that was reduced with this deal. Looks like the discount is still available, which bodes well for Black Friday 2022.  

Sony WF-1000XM3 (opens in new tab)$230 $128 at Amazon (save $102) (opens in new tab)
While now surpassed by the $278 WF-1000XM4, these true wireless earbuds are still great buys – especially at a discounted price. They combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $279 $199 at Amazon (save $80) (opens in new tab)
The fantastic, five-star true wireless earbuds combine brilliant noise-cancelling tech with natural, dynamic sound. They're worthy challengers to the AirPods Pro – especially when they dropped from $279 to only $199 in last year's Black Friday sales bonanza.

Sony WH-1000XM4: $350 $248 at Amazon (save $102) (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)Sony’s premium XM4 might have been trumped by the XM5 but they still deliver a sonic masterclass. Nothing really lets that down – battery life, build, comfort and usability are all great for the money. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

TCL 65-inch 6-Series 4K TV (2021 Model) $1499 $799 on Amazon (save $700) (opens in new tab)
This TV's cheap price point, combined with all the features of a flagship model, made for a real Black Friday bargain. TCL knows how to deliver great value TV sets and this was another great deal.

Sony LSPX-S3 illuminating speaker $350 $248 at Amazon (save $102) (opens in new tab)
A unique speaker that packs a lot of tech into a very futuristic aesthetic – and then makes it glow like a candle. It'll be the ultimate conversation piece over the holiday season and should sound great, too, especially with a discount. 

12-month subscription to Hulu (ad-supported) for $0.99/month (save 85 per cent) (opens in new tab)
With an extensive library of movies, originals and classic series, unlimited access to the entire Hulu's ad-supported tier typically costs $84 per year – so this deal would have saved you a massive $72 and kept you entertained until Black Friday 2022.

Hisense 55A6G 55in 4K UHD smart TV $430 $350 (save $50) (opens in new tab) at Walmart
4K UHD resolution? Check. Google Assistant? Indeed. Chromecast built-in? Affirmative. Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10 and DTS Virtual: X? Yup. Decent OS? Android TV, meaning access to 700,000+ movies and shows all in one place. A snip!

LG OLED55C1 $1 (opens in new tab)9 (opens in new tab)99 $1296 at Walmart (save $703) (opens in new tab)
This 55-inch TV is probably the best size for most people – not too big, not too small. It packs some of LG's finest picture smarts into a package that was discounted by a huge $703.

Disney+ $95.88 $79.99 for a one-year subscription (save $15) (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)Get access to Disney's Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, and Star Wars content, with classic and new shows coming online every day – including Star Wars. No contract, cancel anytime.

Monitor Audio Bronze 50 $550 $439 at crutchfield (save $111) (opens in new tab)
These are the smaller of two bookshelf speaker options in Monitor Audio's Bronze range, but they still offer two sets of gold-plated speaker terminals for bi-amping (see image). Small speakers, big saving!

Samsung HW-Q600A $600 $328 at Amazon (save $272) (opens in new tab)
A premium Atmos soundbar at a not-so-premium price thanks to Black Friday. We've been impressed with Samsung's form in the Atmos soundbar market of late, so the Q600A at only $328 seemed like safe bet for those looking to sweeten up their TV system.

Sony XR-65X90J 4K HDR TV $1499 $1199 (save $300) (opens in new tab)
This classy-looking 75-inch LED TV promises exceptionally good black depth, vibrant colours, and excellent HDR handling. A 4K TV that's worth considering, especially at this affordable price. There was $200 off (opens in new tab) the 50-inch model too.

Chromecast with Google TV $50 $39 at Walmart (opens in new tab)
A great deal on one of the very best low-cost media streamers on the market. Will it go even lower come Black Friday 2022? We'll find out in November...

Q Acoustics 3010i (white) $299 $224.25 (save $74.25 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
"Exemplary budget bookshelf speakers for smaller living spaces", as we concluded in our five-star review. The 3010i are among the most engaging of their kind at this level. So honestly, a 25% discount was most welcome.

Apple AirPods Max $549 $439 at Amazon (save $110) (opens in new tab)
Yes, even with a fantastic deal Apple's wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are still quite expensive. But they are wonderful to use, boast spatial audio support and are one of the very best-sounding wireless headphones we've heard. Worth it. Five stars

Bose QuietComfort 45 $330 $279 at Amazon (save $51) (opens in new tab)
These impressive Bose wireless headphones (in Triple Black or White Smoke) are great on the go, offering amazing noise-cancelling and a punchy, exciting sound. They're sure to be discounted again this Black Friday.

KEF R5 floorstanding speakers $1650 $1300 at Crutchfield (save $350) (opens in new tab)
The KEF R5 are impeccably built with a sleek design. You get two bass drivers top and tailing the Uni-Q midrange, both paired with a tuned reflex port, so you can imagine the kind of heft these floorstanders can deliver. Four stars

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) 32GB $150 $75 (save $75) (opens in new tab) at Amazon
(opens in new tab)This five-star tablet offers lots of HD screen for the money and puts in a strong audio and video performance. The deal applies to the latest-model, ad-supported Fire HD 10 with 32GB of storage. Expect more deals come Black Friday 2022.

Apple iPad Air 64GB (Renewed) $599 $549 at Amazon (save $50) (opens in new tab)
This deal was particularly tempting: a low price on the very latest, 10.9-inch iPad Air (wi-fi) at Amazon. The retail giant also discounted the regular iPad. Fingers crossed for more of the same this year.

Google Nest Audio $100 $60 at Best Buy – save $40 (opens in new tab)
Google's smart speaker was cheaper than ever last Black Friday. This deal applied to all five finishes (Charcoal, Sky, Sage, Sand and Chalk), and came with an extended holiday return period in case you change your mind.

JBL Xtreme 2 (green) $350 $190 (save $160) (opens in new tab) at Amazon
When we reviewed this larger portable speaker, we concluded: "One of the best portable speakers around, the Xtreme 2 offers sonic subtlety you wouldn’t expect from first impressions". And look at that discount! 

Hisense Class L5 Series Laser TV $2700 $1800 at WWStereo (opens in new tab)
We've not had the pleasure of looking at the Hisense UST projector range but this 'laser TV', as the company calls it, can create a 100in 4K HDR picture and has both Android TV and a 2 x 15W speaker system built in.

Sennheiser Ambeo $2500 $2000 at Crutchfield (save $500) (opens in new tab)
Standing over four feet wide, Sennheiser's Ambeo is not for the faint of heart or short of space. But it sounds sensational and boasts Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Relatively expensive by soundbar standards, but worth investigating if you can get a discount. Five Stars

Beats Studio Buds $150 $99.95 at Walmart (save $50) (opens in new tab)
We called these new Beats "a neat true wireless solution that represents one of the best affordable alternatives to Apple’s AirPods we’ve seen so far". So, what are you waiting for?

TCL 65-inch 6-Series 4K TV (2021 Model) $1499 $799 on Amazon (save $700) (opens in new tab)
This TV's cheap price point, combined with all the features of a flagship model, made for a real Black Friday bargain. TCL knows how to deliver great value TV sets and this was another great deal.

Hisense 55A6G 55in 4K UHD smart TV $430 $380 (save $50) (opens in new tab) at Walmart
4K UHD resolution? Check. Google Assistant? Indeed. Chromecast built-in? Affirmative. Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10 and DTS Virtual: X? Yup. Decent OS? Android TV, meaning access to 700,000+ movies and shows all in one place. A snip!

LG OLED65A1 $2499 $1496 at Walmart (save $1003) (opens in new tab)
The 65-inch A1 had a saving of over $1000 – a great deal if you were looking for a big TV on Black Friday. You could even pay for it in instalments of $139 a month.

Samsung 65-in QN90A 4K TV $2600 $1700 (save $900) (opens in new tab) at Samsung
It's a 4K flagship TV, so you're getting Samsung's Quantum Matrix tech, AI upscaling to 4K powered by the Neo Quantum Processor, Object Tracking Sound+ to keep up with the on-screen action and a 120Hz refresh rate at 4K.

Samsung 65in The Terrace Outdoor QLED TV $4999 $3999 at Samsung (save $1000) (opens in new tab)
The Terrace is the first TV verified for 'Outdoor Visibility', which means this 'Full Sun' model is watchable even in direct sunlight. If you want to give your garden a state-of-the-art twist, look no further.

Sony XR-75X90J 4K HDR TV $2099 $1598 (save $502) (opens in new tab)
This classy-looking 75-inch LED TV promises exceptionally good black depth, vibrant colours, and excellent HDR handling. A 4K TV that's worth considering, especially at a Black Friday discount.

Sony XBR-65X900H $1399 $1198 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
One of Sony's most premium 2020 TVs, the X900H earned a stellar five out of five in our review. That was down to a killer combination of vibrant colors, excellent HDR handling and Sony's typically superb motion processing, making it one of the best TVs in recent memory.

AKG Y500 Wireless (opens in new tab)$150 $75 at Walmart (save $75) (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab)"Juggling good sound quality, clever features, durable build quality and attractive design in equal measure is no mean feat, but AKG pulls it off while making it look easy" – that's what we said of these wireless on-ears under intense review. Five stars

Apple AirPods Pro $250 $159 at Walmart (save $91) (opens in new tab)
We described the AirPods Pro as "exceptionally comfortable" and praised their "strong noise-cancelling and balanced, easy-going sound". They're a great option if you've bought into Apple's ecosystem.

Bose QuietComfort 45 $330 $279 at Amazon (save $50) (opens in new tab)
These impressive Bose wireless headphones (in Triple Black or White Smoke) are great on the go, offering amazing noise-cancelling and a punchy, exciting sound. They were $50 off at Best Buy and B&H Photo, too.

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless $399 $247 at Amazon (save $152) (opens in new tab) These superb-sounding wireless noise-cancelling headphones only serve to further enhance Sennheiser’s momentum in the headphone market. They're excellent all-rounders. Five stars

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $279 $199 at Amazon (save $80) (opens in new tab)
The fantastic, five-star true wireless earbuds combine brilliant noise-cancelling tech with natural, dynamic sound. They're worthy challengers to the AirPods Pro – especially when they dropped in price.

Bose SoundSport Wireless $149 $129 at Walmart (save $20) (opens in new tab)
These wireless earbuds for active types provide you with up to six hours of juice from a 2-hour charge. They're comfortable, too, with a fun, engaging sound and strong wireless performance.

JBL Reflect Flow $150 $70 at Walmart (save $81)
(opens in new tab)In our five-star review we praised the Reflect Flow's detail, musicality and strong bass depth. They also deliver a solid fit and long battery life, perfect for those evening runs. Expect up to 10 hours per charge, with an extra 20 from the case.

Sennheiser CX 400BT $199 $81 at Amazon (save $119) (opens in new tab)
While slightly compromised in the features department (battery life is 20 hours), the CX 400BT are sonic marvels – and, at this price, hugely appealing.

Sony WF-1000XM3 (opens in new tab)$230 $128 at Amazon (save $102) (opens in new tab)
A fantastic pair of true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM3s combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality. Awesome truly wireless earbuds, usually well discounted these days.

Apple AirPods Max $549 $439 at Amazon (save $110) (opens in new tab)
Yes, even with a fantastic deal Apple's wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are still quite expensive. But they are wonderful to use, boast spatial audio support and are one of the very best-sounding wireless headphones we've heard. Worth it. Five stars

JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass $350 $300 (save $50) (opens in new tab) at Walmart
JBL's entry-level 'bars are popular because they provide a big improvement to your TV's sound on a budget. The Bar 2.1 Deep Bass adds a wireless subwoofer to boot. The sub's 6-1/2" down-firing woofer promises a low-end rumble worthy of its name.

LG SP8YA Dolby Atmos soundbar $800 $450 (save $350 at Best Buy) (opens in new tab)
This Dolby Atmos soundbar (with wireless subwoofer) features eARC (opens in new tab) support, HDMI 2.1 connectivity and 4K Dolby Vision (opens in new tab) and HDR10 (opens in new tab) pass-through. Bluetooth and wi-fi are also included, as are Chromecast (opens in new tab) and Apple Airplay 2 (opens in new tab). Four stars.

Samsung HW-Q950A $1800 $1600 at Samsung (save $200) (opens in new tab)
There are big savings to be had Samsung's flagship 2021 soundbar, which has more drivers than any other model on the market. The 11.1.4-channel soundbar delivers both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound, which makes for epic sound.

Samsung HW-Q600A $600 $330 at Samsung (save $270) (opens in new tab)
If you want seriously-cinematic sound at a reasonable price, this could be worth considering. The soundbar/sub combo includes up-firing channels and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound.

BenQ TK800M 4K projector $1449 $1199 at Walmart (opens in new tab)
This was a great deal on a 4K HDR projector. 3000 lumens of brightness, a 10:000:1 contrast ratio... and good customer reviews on Best Buy. Snap one up if you can.

BenQ TK850 4K HDR projector $1699 $1499 at Adorama (opens in new tab)
Not one we've tested but BenQ's HDR-PRO projectors offer an affordable and effective way of getting a 4K picture without breaking the budget. The TK850 is one of the higher-specced HDR-PRO machines and should bring a decent piece of DLP home cinema action into your living room.

Hisense Class L5 Series Laser TV $2700 $1800 at WWStereo (opens in new tab)
We've not had the pleasure of looking at the Hisense UST projector range but this 'laser TV', as the company calls it, looks like a decent entry point, especially with a discount. It can create a 100in 4K HDR picture and has both Android TV and a 2 x 15W speaker system built in.

Hisense L9G laser TV with screen $6500 $5000 at WWStereo (opens in new tab)
Not one we've tested but this UST projector deal is hard to ignore with such a large price cut. It uses three separate lasers to create a 120in 4K image and has a 40W Dolby Atmos sound system built in.

LG CineBeam HU80KA 4K projector $2700 $2397 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
This high-end portable projector handles 4K HDR material and comes with connectivity including an app store of its own. With 2500 lumens of brightness and a 150in picture too, it's one of the most feature-complete projectors you'll ever find.

Optoma UHD50X 4K projector $1999 $1599 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
This is a very decent budget 4K projector with some good HDR pop and some of the best black depth you'll find in this price bracket and beyond. It features a powered USB socket and high frame rate HDMI certification for gamers to enjoy.

Samsung The Premiere LSP7T $3500 $2500 at Samsung (opens in new tab)
If the LSP9T below is a little big for your budget, Samsung's more reasonable UST offers a very decent compromise without having to miss out on the brilliant Tizen OS and the very handy aerial socket for terrestrial TV.

Samsung The Premiere LSP9T $6500 $4997 at WW Stereo (opens in new tab)
This is one of the most premium UST projectors around at the moment. Bright enough to use for daytime viewing and, with both a smart platform and an aerial socket, it's fully kitted out for streaming services and live TV as well as any HDMI devices.

Sony VPL-VW715ES native 4K projector $10000 $8998 at WW Stereo (opens in new tab)
Pick up this five-star-reviewed native 4K projector with an impressive 10 per cent discount. With fantastic 4K detail, an exciting and vivid picture, and top notch motion processing, you'll melt into a world of cinematic bliss.

Google Nest Audio $100 $60 at Best Buy (save $40) (opens in new tab)
Google's smart speaker was cheaper than ever during last year's Black Friday sales. This deal applied to all five finishes (Charcoal, Sky, Sage, Sand and Chalk), and came with an extended holiday return period in case you change your mind.

Google Home Mini (1st Gen) $50 $24.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond
(opens in new tab)The Google Home Mini is a dinky smart speaker with Google Assistant. It can be used as a wireless speaker or smart hub through which you can control other Google Home and Chromecast-enabled speakers around your house.

Sony SRS-XB12 (red): $60 $50 (save $10) (opens in new tab) at Walmart
This Bluetooth speaker boasts a water-, dust-, and mud-proof build, plus an Extra Bass feature for more low-end bass clout. You can even pair two speakers together for room-filling stereo sound.

KEF R3 bookshelf speakers $2100 $1699 at Amazon (save $400) (opens in new tab)
Former What Hi-Fi? Award winners, the R3 are brilliant all-rounders. They’re expertly sonically balanced and work well across a wide range of systems.

Klipsch R-41PM Bluetooth bookshelf speakers $499 $374 at World Wide Stereo (save $125) (opens in new tab)
Very well equipped active speakers by Klipsch that offer an integrated phono pre-amp, Bluetooth, digital optical, analog RCA and USB inputs.

Klipsch R-41M bookshelf speaker $280 $120 at Amazon (save $160) (opens in new tab)
Passive (unamplified) versions of the speakers above, these are Klipsch classics – and heavily discounted ones at that.

Polk Audio TSi100 bookshelf speakers $219 $149 at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)
These Polk speakers are a great price and promise an open sound with wide staging and precise imaging. They sport a 1in silk dome tweeter, 5.25in polycarbonate woofer and stand 16 inches tall. Also at Amazon (opens in new tab) and World Wide Stereo. (opens in new tab)

Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers $170 $88 at Amazon (save $82) (opens in new tab)
Exceptionally well-reviewed on Amazon, these Sonys are budget three-way standmounters that are currently still discounted – just not by as much. Wait till Black Friday 2022 and they might go down again.

Denon DP-400 $589 $499 at Crutchfield (opens in new tab)
Another record player we haven't tested ourselves, but Denon is a hugely respected audio brand so it could be worth trying this one out. The DP-400 has a built-in phono preamp and spins at 33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm – perfect for those older collections.

Fluance RT81 $350 $ (opens in new tab)250 at Amazon (save $100) (opens in new tab)
The RT81 is an instantly likeable deck that won't let you down. It sounds good out of the box and can be easily upgraded at a later stage. A talented musical turntable.

Arcam SA10 stereo amplifier $999 $880 at World Wide Stereo (save $120) (opens in new tab)
The SA10 gives you 50 watts of power per channel, a Toslink optical connector and two digital coaxial inputs, and three stereo analog RCA inputs. For vinyl enthusiasts, there's a dedicated phono input, plus a built-in DAC. It's an all-in-one system with a lot of appeal.

Onkyo TX-8220 stereo receiver $349 $249 at Amazon (save $100) (opens in new tab)
This stereo receiver features two powerful amplifiers, digital audio inputs for TV and BD/DVD player connection, analog inputs for your audio devices and built-in Bluetooth connectivity. There is even a dedicated phono input for your vinyl record player.