Black Friday 2026: What Is Actually Worth Buying for Your Home Tech
Black Friday is a good time to buy home tech you already need, and a bad time to buy things you do not. This page lists what to look for, what to skip, and the picks from our full guides for each category. We do not list prices or discounts, because they change by the hour: check the price on the store page before you buy.
Quick answer
A no-hype Black Friday checklist for home tech: mesh Wi-Fi, smart plugs, cameras, doorbells, password managers, backups and Ethernet switches. What to look for, what to skip, and our picks.
Where to start
On this page (15 sections)
- Before you buy anything
- Jump to a category
- Mesh Wi-Fi and routers
- Smart plugs
- Security cameras
- Video doorbells
- Password managers
- Backup drives and cloud backup
- Ethernet switches
- Battery backup (UPS) for your router
- Smart thermostats
- Do you need a VPN?
- Things to skip this Black Friday
- Frequently asked questions
- Keep exploring
Disclosure: This page contains labeled affiliate links to Amazon and Proton. As an Amazon Associate, Everyday Tech Guide earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through a link marked “(affiliate link)”, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Products are not independently tested. See our affiliate disclosure.
Before you buy anything
- Only buy what fixes a real problem. Dead zones, a full router, no backups. A deal on something you do not need is not a deal.
- Match the exact model number to the one in our guide. Sale listings sometimes show a different bundle, pack size or older version.
- Check the price on the store page and compare it with recent weeks. A big “was” price is not proof of a good deal.
- Add up subscriptions. Cameras and doorbells can cost more per year in plans than the device itself.
- Check compatibility with the apps you use (Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings) and with your wiring for doorbells and thermostats.
- Check the return window, so you can test it at home.
About these picks: we only link to listings sold new by Amazon.com or the brand’s official store, and the picks are not independently tested. How we pick
Mesh Wi-Fi and routers
Worth it if you have dead zones or a router more than about five years old. If only one room is weak, try the free fixes first.
What to look for
- A system sized for your home: 2 units for most apartments and small houses, 3 for larger or multi-floor homes.
- Wi-Fi 6 is plenty for most homes. Wi-Fi 7 only pays off if your phones and laptops support it.
- Ethernet ports on each unit, so you can wire a TV, console or a second unit later.
- Check whether your internet box is already a router; you may need bridge mode.
What to skip
- Cheap extenders sold as “mesh” that cut speed in half on every hop.
- Buying a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 kit for a small apartment.
- Packs with more units than you have rooms that need them.
Picks from our guide
- Amazon eero 6+ (3-pack): Wi-Fi 6 mesh with two gigabit ports per unit and a built-in Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- TP-Link Deco X55 (3-pack): dual-band Wi-Fi 6 mesh; works best with wired backhaul where you can run it. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Amazon eero 7 (3-pack): Wi-Fi 7 mesh with two 2.5 GbE ports per unit; no 6 GHz band. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- TP-Link Archer BE550: a single tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router with 2.5 Gbps ports, if one router covers your home. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Not sure you need mesh? Read mesh Wi-Fi vs a router and how to fix Wi-Fi dead zones first. For routers, see best Wi-Fi 7 routers.
Smart plugs
The cheapest way into a smart home, and multipacks are a common Black Friday item. Good for lamps, fans and holiday lights.
What to look for
- Matter support, so the plug works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings.
- A compact body that leaves the second outlet free.
- Energy monitoring if you want to see what a device uses.
- For outdoor lights: a plug made for outdoor use with a cover, not an indoor plug in a weatherproof box.
What to skip
- Off-brand plugs with no safety listing (look for UL or ETL on the product).
- Plugs that only work through a phone app you have never heard of.
- Using any smart plug for space heaters or other high-draw appliances unless the maker says it is rated for them.
Picks from our guide
- Kasa Smart Plug Mini EP25 (4-pack): compact Wi-Fi plug with energy monitoring; TP-Link lists HomeKit, Alexa, Google and SmartThings support. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Kasa KP125M Matter smart plug (2-pack): Matter-over-Wi-Fi plug with energy monitoring in the Kasa app. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Kasa EP40M outdoor plug: two separately controlled outlets, IP64, Matter. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
For holiday lights, see best outdoor smart plugs for Christmas lights.
Security cameras
Cameras are heavily promoted around Black Friday, and the camera price is only part of the cost. Check what you pay each month to see and keep your recordings.
What to look for
- Local recording (microSD card or a base station) so you are not forced into a subscription.
- Wired power where you can reach an outlet; battery or solar where you cannot.
- 2K resolution is enough for most front yards and rooms.
- Person and package detection that works without a paid plan, if that matters to you.
What to skip
- Bundles that only record with a paid cloud plan, unless you already want that plan.
- No-name camera brands with no clear update or security policy.
- Buying more cameras than your Wi-Fi reaches. Check signal where each camera will go.
Picks from our guide
- TP-Link Tapo C120: wired 2K indoor/outdoor camera with microSD recording and person, pet and vehicle detection. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Wyze Cam v4: wired 2.5K camera that can record 24/7 to microSD; some smart detection needs a paid plan. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- eufy SoloCam S340: solar dual-lens pan/tilt camera with 8 GB of built-in storage and no monthly fee required. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Going solar? See best solar security cameras. Then follow how to secure your security camera on day one.
Read the full guide: Best security cameras without a subscription →
Video doorbells
A popular gift, but only a good deal if it fits your door wiring and your chime.
What to look for
- Check your existing doorbell wiring and transformer before you buy a wired model.
- Battery or wired: battery is easier to install, wired never needs charging.
- Local storage if you do not want a monthly plan.
- Whether it works with your existing indoor chime or brings its own.
What to skip
- Doorbells whose recorded video needs a subscription you do not want.
- A model that does not match your voltage; it can mean a transformer swap or an electrician.
Picks from our guide
- eufy Video Doorbell E340: battery or wired dual-camera doorbell with 8 GB built-in storage; no subscription needed to record. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Reolink Video Doorbell WiFi: wired doorbell with 24/7 recording to microSD or a Reolink NVR; plug-in chime included. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Tapo D225: built-in battery or 8-24 V wiring; records to microSD (not included); plug-in chime included. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Check fit first with our smart doorbell compatibility guide.
Read the full guide: Best video doorbells without a subscription →
Password managers
A sale is a fine time to set one up for the household, but the free options are already good. Pay only for a feature you will use, such as family sharing.
What to look for
- A free plan or built-in option you can start with today.
- Family or shared vaults if several people need the same logins.
- Passkey support and breach alerts.
- Apps for every phone and computer in the house.
What to skip
- Buying a multi-year plan before you have tried the free version.
- Any manager without 2FA on the account itself.
Picks from our guide
- Free first: Apple Passwords, Google Password Manager and Bitwarden’s free plan are covered in our guide.
- Proton Pass: Proton says the free plan includes unlimited logins and devices, passkeys, a password generator and weak or reused password alerts; Dark Web Monitoring is on a paid plan. See Proton Pass plans on the Proton site (affiliate link) → Check the current price on Proton’s page.
Backup drives and cloud backup
Black Friday is a good reminder to back up the photos on everyone’s phones. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, on 2 kinds of storage, 1 kept somewhere else.
What to look for
- A drive with comfortably more space than the data you are backing up; a common rule of thumb is about twice as much.
- A known drive brand with a clear warranty.
- For a Mac, a drive you can leave for Time Machine; for Windows, one you can use with Windows Backup or File History.
- A cloud service for the offsite copy, if you do not have a second place to keep a drive.
What to skip
- Treating sync (iCloud, OneDrive, Google Drive) as a backup: a deleted or encrypted file syncs too.
- Unbranded high-capacity drives at prices that look too good; some report capacity they do not have.
- Keeping your only backup drive plugged in all the time.
Picks from our guide
- Proton Drive: Proton says it is end-to-end encrypted cloud storage with a 5 GB free plan and automatic photo backups from your phone. It syncs changes, so keep a drive copy too. See Proton Drive plans on the Proton site (affiliate link) → Check the current price on Proton’s page.
We do not pick specific external drives yet; our backup guide covers the free tools (Time Machine and Windows Backup) that use one.
Ethernet switches
Cheap, boring and genuinely useful: one small switch gives a TV cabinet or desk more wired ports.
What to look for
- Port count plus one (one port goes back to the router).
- Gigabit for most homes; 2.5G only if your plan or router is faster than 1 Gbps.
- PoE only if you are powering cameras or access points.
- Fanless and metal for a quiet living room.
What to skip
- Managed switches unless you want VLANs.
- PoE models when nothing you own uses PoE.
Picks from our guide
- TP-Link TL-SG105: fanless metal 5-port gigabit switch; plug and play. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- NETGEAR GS308: fanless 8-port gigabit switch for a crowded TV cabinet or office. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- TP-Link TL-SG105-M2: five 2.5G ports for multi-gig internet plans. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Battery backup (UPS) for your router
Keeps your modem and router running through short outages, so cameras and doorbells stay online.
What to look for
- Enough battery-backed outlets for your modem, router and any mesh unit nearby.
- A size that matches what you plug in; a router and modem draw little power.
- A replaceable battery.
What to skip
- Large UPS units sized for gaming PCs if you only need to keep the router up.
- Surge-only power strips sold as backups.
Picks from our guide
- CyberPower EC650LCD: slim standby UPS with four battery-backed outlets; CyberPower lists routers and modems among typical uses. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- APC Back-UPS BE600M1: compact UPS with five battery-backed outlets and a user-replaceable battery. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Read the full guide: Best UPS battery backups for your modem and router →
Smart thermostats
Can be worth it, but only if it works with your heating and cooling system. Check first, buy second.
What to look for
- Compatibility with your HVAC system and whether you have a C wire.
- Support for the smart home app you already use.
- Local utility rebates, which can matter more than any sale.
What to skip
- Buying before checking your wiring.
- Models that need a hub you do not have.
Picks from our guide
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: HomeKit, Alexa, Google and SmartThings support, with a SmartSensor and Power Extender Kit included. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
- Honeywell Home X2S: Matter-certified Wi-Fi thermostat; C wire required. Check the price on Amazon (affiliate link) →
Do you need a VPN?
VPNs are heavily advertised in November. Most people do not need one at home: it helps on public Wi-Fi, when travelling or for privacy from your internet provider, but it does not secure your home network or make you anonymous. Our honest guide explains when it is worth it and the free option to try first.
Things to skip this Black Friday
- No-name smart devices with no clear security update policy.
- Any camera or doorbell bundle you would only use with a plan you do not want.
- “Wi-Fi boosters” that plug in and promise to fix your whole home.
- The newest Wi-Fi standard if your devices cannot use it yet.
- Long subscription bundles you have not tried on a free or monthly plan.
Frequently asked questions
Are Black Friday home tech deals real?
Some are and some are not. Compare the price on the store page with what the same model sold for in recent weeks, and check that the model number matches the one you researched. We do not list prices because they change often.
What home tech is worth buying on Black Friday?
Things you already need: a mesh system if you have dead zones, smart plug multipacks, a camera or doorbell that records locally, a backup drive, and an Ethernet switch if you are short on ports. Skip anything you would not buy at the normal price.
Do I need a VPN for my home?
Most homes do not. A VPN helps on public Wi-Fi, when travelling, or for privacy from your internet provider, but it does not secure your home network.
Should I buy a camera that needs a subscription?
Only if you want the cloud features. Many cameras record to a microSD card or a base station with no monthly fee. Add up the plan cost over a year or two before you decide.
Is a multi-year password manager deal worth it?
Try the free plan or a built-in option first. If it works for your household and you need a paid feature such as family sharing, a longer plan can make sense.