'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Black Friday Apple deals: AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and more on sale now
Just like that, the holidays are around the corner and it's time to start shopping again. Holiday shopping can be stressful if you want to give gifts that won't disappoint without breaking the bank. If you know someone who already has an Apple ecosystem of devices, buying them another Apple item to build on their collection is a gift sure to impress.
The one problem with gifting Apple products is that they usually carry a hefty price tag. However, because we are already entering the holiday season, Apple is offering early discounts on a lot of their products. To find good deals for your Apple-loving family and friends, read on to find ZDNET's best picks.
Best early Black Friday 2022 Apple deals overall
Below are the best early Apple deals we found could find. Further down the page, you'll see other interesting Apple deals we spotted at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
- Current price: $479
- Original price: $549
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones are Apple's only over-the-ear headphones in the AirPod line and offer ANC, spatial audio, and transparency mode. These headphones have a pretty hefty price tag, so a 13% discount can save you quite a bit of money.
If you are thinking about taking the plunge to make this investment, you might as well save yourself some money while you can. A huge bonus, these headphones have been ZDNET expert-reviewed and approved.
Read the review: AirPods Max review
- Current price: $100
- Original price: $179
Apple just dropped its latest Apple TV 4K, so it's the perfect time to get a hefty discount on the previous model. With this deal, you can save 39% on a product that will take your Apple ecosystem to new heights. When you purchase an Apple TV streaming device, it comes with a remote as well as a sleek box that will give you access to all your streaming service on your TV, as well as Apple interface perks such as Apple Music and AirPlay.
- Current price: $1,350
- Original price: $1,499
This laptop is the best MacBook Air on the market, sporting Apple's latest and most powerful M2 chip. The M2 chip allows this laptop to have a very long battery life -- 18 hours. In addition, because this is the Air model, despite all of its capabilities, it only weighs 2.7 pounds. This specific model has loads of storage capacity: 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage. A discounted price for such a high-quality laptop is a really great deal.
- Current price: $299
- Original price: $329
An iPad is a great gift for anyone on your shopping list because it can double as a notebook, sketchpad, e-reader, mini laptop and more. Everyone can take advantage of one of the features it has to offer and for an Apple product, this is on the lower end of the price scale. Unlike more expensive tech gadgets, an iPad is simple to use, so both your little ones and older ones can figure it out with ease.
- Current price: $400
- Original price: $499
Out of all the deals on the list, this deal has the biggest discount. The iPad Mini is available for 20% off, which rarely ever happens with an Apple product. The iPad Mini is a very practical gift because it has so many uses. The smaller size makes it easier to bring everywhere you go. If someone on your list commutes often or carries a bag that is heavy enough as it is, an iPad Mini would be a great alternative to the full size. I know that personally, when I take the bus home from work, I don't want to whip out a big device to get my reading, note taking, or web surfing done.
- Current price: $95
- Original price: $100
Now I know you may be thinking this isn't a huge discount, and you aren't entirely wrong. However, the value in this purchase is that each individual AirTag retails at $29 and through this bundle, you are already saving $20. That saving, plus the additional six percent off, makes for a really good deal. Another bonus is that you can give these out individually to people as four different stocking stuffers. AirTags are something everyone can take advantage of -- who doesn't want an easier way to find their keys, wallet, and other important items?
- Current price: $120
- Original price: $130
If you're in search of wireless headphones that provide good sound quality without unnecessary bells and whistles, these headphones are ideal. These AirPods have a simple one-tap setup and stay automatically connected. Plus, they automatically pause audio when you remove one or both earbuds from your ears. With the charging case, the battery life can last more than 24 hours with up to 5 hours of listening time per charge. This could be a good gift for someone who doesn't care for active noise cancellation or spacial audio and just wants headphones that do the job.
More early Black Friday 2022 Apple deals at Amazon
Here are some other Apple Black Friday deals happening right now at Amazon:
More early Black Friday 2022 Apple deals at Walmart
Here are some other Apple Black Friday deals happening right now at Walmart:
More early Black Friday 2022 Apple deals at Best Buy
Here are some other Apple Black Friday deals happening right now at Best Buy:
How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?
To get out the best early Apple Black Friday deals, we searched the web for items that would make a great gift (or personal purchase -- we won't judge) without breaking the bank. Apple products are already a hefty investment, so we want to help you save as much money as you can.
When is Black Friday 2022?
Black Friday 2022 is on November 25, the day after Thanksgiving. However, Black Friday sales start earlier and that's why we made this list.
When is Cyber Monday 2022?
Cyber Monday happens on the Monday after Black Friday. This year it lands on November 28.
What are the best Black Friday deals?
ZDNET scoured Black Friday sales to find the best deals by category at different retailers:
- The best early Black Friday deals happening right now
- Miss Prime Day? See the best early Black Friday deals on Amazon right now
- Black Friday Apple deals: AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and more on sale now
- Black Friday gaming deals: Laptops, consoles, and accessories on sale now
- Black Friday AirPods deals: $50 off AirPods Pro, $100 off AirPods Max
- Black Friday headphone deals: Top early sales on AirPods Pro, Bose, and more
- Black Friday laptop deals: Dell is offering $700 off the stunning XPS 15
- Black Friday monitor deals: Samsung's 34-inch curved display is $375
- Black Friday robot vacuum deals: Score a Roomba for $240 -- over 40% off
- Black Friday phone deals: The best early sales on iPhone and Android phones
- Black Friday Samsung deals: Galaxy phones, TVs, and more on sale now
- Black Friday tablet deals: Microsoft's Surface Pro 7 tablet is currently 44% off
- Black Friday TV deals: Save hundreds on Samsung, Sony, and LG TVs
- These early Black Friday VPN deals are some of the lowest prices we've seen
- Black Friday Costco deals: Early-bird sales on TVs, laptops, and more
- Black Friday iPad deals: The iPad Pro and iPad Air are already on sale
- Black Friday Dell deals: XPS, Inspiron, and Alienware laptops all on sale
- Black Friday HP deals: The best early deals on gaming PCs, laptops, and more
- Black Friday Newegg deals: Gaming monitors and PCs, earbuds, and more
- Black Friday smartwatch deals: Get an Apple Watch for $179 right now
- Black Friday storage deals: Early sales on flash drives, SSDs, and more
- The best early Black Friday deals at Target
- The best early Black Friday deals at Walmart
- Top early Black Friday deals at Best Buy
- The best early Black Friday deals under $30