The Best Black Friday Deals of 2019

Christine Ho and Bradley Kahn
Layout Editor and Contributing Writer

It’s almost Black Fri-YAY, fellow Gauchos! Whether you’re looking for some in-store retail therapy to decompress from your uncle’s political rants or just looking to scoop up some killer deals on great gifts, The Bottom Line (TBL) has your back with our curated list of all the top deals to start your holiday shopping right. Note: TBL is in no way associated with the brands listed below. Happy shopping! 

HEADPHONES

Who doesn’t want a pocket sized sliver of isolation, in the form of ear cushions, ready to blast your favorite bops over the din of obnoxious roommates? 

If you’re looking for the best all-around headphones, look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM3. World-class sound, advanced noise cancellation, and stylish design make this flagship set perfect for a long flight or a late night study sesh. $280 from Best Buy, originally $350. Online or in-store through Friday.

When they launched last year, Apple’s AirPods changed the game by taking fully wireless earbuds mainstream. If you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon*, you can get a comparable experience for far less with JBL’s FREE line of “true wireless” earbuds. $75 from Best Buy, originally $150. Online or in-store through Friday.

*For those who want that clout, the best AirPods deal is from Staples. $135 from Staples, originally $160. Online through Friday.

LAPTOPS

Accidentally spill a bottle of CBD-infused Kombucha on your nine-year-old MacBook in the library? Are you an engineering major taking ME10 next quarter? If so, you may need a new workstation.

The Dell XPS 13 has been widely acclaimed as one of the best Windows laptops on the market. Its portability, great battery life, and versatile performance makes it the perfect pick for power user on a budget. $1,050 from Dell.com, originally $1,300. Configurable. Online through Friday.

If you want a laptop primarily for email, web surfing, and spreadsheets, then we recommend the HP 14 Celeron. Compared to other Chromebooks in its segment, this Windows 10S machine offers far more functionality for the price. $150 from Wal-Mart, originally $270. Online Wednesday through Friday, or in-store Friday.

SPEAKERS

Whether you’re relaxing with the homies on the beach or throwing a bangin’ DP rager, these deals are sure to bring the noise wherever your heart desires.

The speaker deal of the season is the Philips EverPlay Wireless Portable Speaker. Underneath its sleek design is a multi-driver array, offering huge sound in a highly portable package. Advanced sound-processing technology, fast charging, dust/water/shockproof certifications, and several nifty built-in features (the carrying strap doubles as a charging cable!) makes this a great buy for most students. $37 from Newegg, originally $80. Online through Friday.

For those who want something with a little more flash, the Sony XB41 is our pick. This waterproof speaker features a 24-hour battery life and a far larger set of speakers than its more portable contemporaries. But what makes it really shine is its enhanced bass and built-in RGB lights and strobes that’ll surely crank any party from merely “lit” to downright TURNT. $125 from Target, originally $250. Online or in-store Thursday through Saturday.

CAMERAS

Are you seriously considering Instagram influencing as an alternative career plan? Well, have we got deals for you then!

Many retailers are offering entry-level DSLR bundles this year, but we recommend Target’s Nikon D3500 bundle. A great kit for beginners, it includes the camera, an 18-55mm lens, a 70-300mm lens, and a convenient carrying bag for your travels. $400 from Target, originally $850. Online or in-store Thursday through Saturday. 

This one is for all the VSCO girls out there; get ready to snap some pics with your #squad and your scrunchies and Hydro Flasks. The Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera bundle at Kohl’s includes a camera, 10-pack of film, and a case for your newest fave (sksksksk). $50 from Kohl’s, originally $120. Online through Friday, or in-store Thursday through Friday.

MISCELLANEOUS – Other gifts or must-have products to consider this season!

For those of us who are tired of carrying around books all day, the Kindle Paperwhite is a great device to keep all your reading materials in one place. Weighing in at just 6.5 ounces, it holds hundreds of books, magazines, and other files. Plus, the glare-free e-Ink display means you can read comfortably anywhere, from your bed to the beach. $85 from Amazon, originally $130. Online through Monday.

Coffee is life, and the dining halls never seem to have the good stuff. But why spend $5 a day at Starbucks when you can get a wide assortment of quality brews in the comfort of your own dorm? Keurig’s K-Compact is the perfect desktop appliance for your caffeine fix. $59 from Wal-Mart, originally $67. Online through Friday or in-store Friday.