Wednesday, December 18, 2024

I’m a shopping editor and these are the deals in my cart for Cyber Monday, starting at $5

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As a shopping editor who’s covered Black Friday and Cyber Monday for years, there’s nothing I find more frustrating than discovering product reviews and not knowing what to believe. Culling through reviews is a major part of my job, though, and it’s one I take seriously. I exhaust my resources, regularly tapping teammates for their no-nonsense opinions when I’m researching products (and trust me, we’re an opinionated bunch).

As a team we spend our days trying everything under the sun. From new beauty must-haves to kids’ toys or travel gear and any type of baking utensil you can think of, if you can name it, we’ve likely tried it (and maybe even given it an award). However, just because we’re in a constant cycle of testing new products, we have even more things on our “to buy” lists.

Today, I’m spilling it all and naming names. From the latest tech to gifts and seasonal refreshes, we’re sharing what we’re spending our money on this cyber week and the items we’ve spent time reviewing that we stand by that are still on deal. If you’re nosy like us, read on for our picks below.

Editors’ Cyber Monday 2024 picks

Walnew Clear Case for Kindle Paperwhite

Deputy editorial director Alexandra Deabler is looking to save big with this find that is 64% off right now. For just $5, It’s an easy way to keep her smart tech secure and protected. If you’re curious about other noteworthy deals under $25, click here.

Kong Floppy Knot Fox Dog Toy

Any time I receive a package, my dog has his nose in the box before I’m able to see what’s inside expecting everything is for him and this time, it will be. This is one of his favorite toys that took a few months to destroy (that might be a lifetime in my home) and it’s on deal at Petsmart where I’ll likely pick up more toys for Cyber Monday.

Bath & Body Works Fresh Balsam Candle

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or others, the sale at cult-favorite Bath & Body Works is hard to beat. “I stocked up on Fresh Balsam candles [this weekend,]” says production coordinator Camryn Privette. “It’s my faaaaav Christmas candle that isn’t too overpowering but still puts me in the spirit.”

Command Heavyweight Picture Hanging Strips

Some home improvement projects can be just as easy as hanging up something. But if you’re like us and afraid of damaging walls, this is an easy solution that writer Emma Stessman picked up. She says she’ll likely use them for hanging picture frames and for potential holiday decorations.

After one of my press-on hooks broke recently (not from Command), I swapped it out for this one from Command and it’s been a life-changer that I will also add, is a fraction of the cost of the original one.

NatureLab Perfect Clean Scalp Balancing Sake Rinse

Senior editor Jess Bender has this scalp rinse — which was recognized for being the “best hair treatment” at the 2024 Shop TODAY Beauty Awards — in her cart. The vegan formula is made with balancing, moisturizing ingredients including rice water as well as sake water, and it’s paraben free.

Aloh Hypoallergenic Multi-Purpose Pet Wipes

Another purchase I’m making for my pup Charlie is this set of pet wipes that I use post-walk every day. They help keep his paws clean from the grime of the city so I can feel safe when we come home that no germs are going in past the doorstep.

Sheertex Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights

Bender calls this shopping holiday “tight restocking season” and will be snagging this snag-proof pair. And she’s not the only one to pick up a pair — we’ll be honest and note that half the team wears (and swear by) Sheertex, so I’m confident that several other teammates have a pair in their carts right now.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Associate editor Shannon Garlin just ran out of the Clinique Black Honey lipstick, which showcases the shade that she’s been wearing for years. She’s planning on restocking while it’s on sale! Right now, you can buy the iconic beauty product for $8.

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

We love a good beauty find for under $25 and this one is a refill for partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison. She says that “In the past year, this has become my go-to daytime moisturizer because it doesn’t pill under my makeup (as it turns out, it’s a MUA-favorite for a reason!).”

Rorry Portable Charger

Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach is shopping this portable charger that can be put on your keys so it’s always within hands reach when she’s on the go. It can charge your phone and Apple Watch and takes less than four hours to fully recharge.

TYMO Hair Straightener Brush

Senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi-Zabloudil noticed this TYMO hair-straightener brush was on sale for less than $40, and she decided to buy it for a family member who’s been looking for a “quick way” to style her hair in the morning. Thanks to the ceramic-coated, hairbrush-like design, styling will surely be a breeze.

Lillusory Women’s Mock Turtleneck Sweater Dress

Deabler also shared that she’s looking to snag this dress for the upcoming holiday festivities. While she didn’t say which color she’s picking, considering the discount, she can pick up multiple out of the 12 colors available. I will say, some colors and sizes are discounted further so they’re worth taking a look at.

Passion Planner Weekly 2025 Planner

Our favorite shopping hack is stocking up on things we know we’ll need before we need to actually use them. Writer Jannely Espinal is doing just that by getting her 2025 planner early. She picked up this one after watching hundreds of videos and reading countless reviews because she is extremely picky when it comes to planners.

Athleta Coaster Luxe Recover Waffle Sweatshirt

Athleta Coaster Luxe Waffle High Rise Jogger

Cocchi-Zabloudil is commemorating a major achievement for her mom with this set from Athleta saying “My mom is about to finish her 200-hour yoga certification at age 67, and Athleta is her favorite brand for activewear — so of course we’ve been texting about their Cyber Monday deals all week. I snagged these waffle joggers and the matching sweatshirt for her for Christmas (let’s hope she’s not reading this!).”

Deabler, who has her yoga certification and has taught before also says she will be shopping the Athleta sale because “they make my favorite joggers ever.”

Club Room Cashmere Crew-Neck Sweater

When it comes to shopping for dads, they always say they don’t want or need anything but as their kid, you want to spoil them sometimes. That’s what Deabler plans to do for her dad. She picked up this cashmere sweater to keep him stylish and comfy for the holidays. Hopefully she grabbed the color she wanted because some are selling out quick!

ECCO Chelsea Boot

Shopping Cyber Monday is a great opportunity to cross people off your shopping list. That’s what social commerce editorial assistant Annie Shigo is doing. “I have these on my list for my mom,” she says. “She’s always saying her shoes are not comfy but she hates wearing anything but sneakers. I own a pair of Eccos and love them because they are so comfy for all-day wear. They are also 65% off and double as a sneaker boot!”

Lalo The Play Box

A winner of last year’s Shop TODAY Gifts We Love awards, this play box is on editor Rebecca Brown‘s list. The boxes provide the little ones with screen-free play time and help them develop their curiosity, what’s not to love?

Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels

Espinal is also looking to refresh her towels with this set from Brooklinen. While the white colorway is 25% off, select colors are discounted even further to just under $55.

New Balance 574+

These New Balances are on Bender’s shopping list for Cyber M onday— and for good reasons. Not only are these sneakers build with cozy cushioned midsoles, but they also feature a sleek, yet casual style that’ll pair with numerous outfits. Both shades of the shoe are on sale for 25% off.

Lancome 3-Pc. Beauty Sleep Routine Holiday Skincare Set

Deabler’s mom is going to be spoiled with this set that has a luxe cream and glow-enhancing serum alongside a plush headband so she can do her evening routine comfortably.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Hand Mixer

I recently got this cordless vacuum with a rechargeable battery and am now looking to get more cordless devices to declutter my home space. One in particular that has me excited is this KitchenAid hand mixer that I can use the same battery as my vacuum for in case this one dies out (they’re rechargeable and interchangeable). It also stands upright so that I don’t have to worry about setting it down and unnecessary messes and spills.

Birdsnap PAV — Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

Another staff member shopping for their parents is Stessman who is picking up this smart bird feeder for her dad. He’s recently gotten into making his own bird food and watching birds so she knows this is the right gift for him. It has a camera to watch birds in real time and take photos along with an app that uses AI to help identify the birds he’s watching.

Hoto 20V High Pressure Power Washer

I pride myself on finding my dad a gift he will like and use. My parents are in the process of moving into a new home and this is the type of item my dad is going to be thrilled with. It can help him wash those hard to reach places or detail his motorcycle that he still rides at 77.

Orvis Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

I have a cashmere cardigan from Orvis that I am constantly complimented on and have worn to exhaustion to work so I am picking up another stylish and comfortable pick from the brand. I love how breathable their cashmere is and I love scoring a good fashion deal that I can trust.

Bose SoundLink MAx Portable Speaker

I live in the same building as one of my best friends and it’s become like a sorority house because I know that if I’m missing something, she likely has it. After she fell in love with one of my portable speakers, I decided to gift it to her and opt for an upgrade for myself. This one is portable and waterproof (yes, really) so I can feel safe taking it anywhere once the weather warms up.

Amerisleep AS3 Memory Foam Queen Mattress

Brown is also in the process of moving and with that come many upgrades. One of those much-needed upgrades she says is a new mattress and as a new mom, I think she deserves the deserves the best night’s sleep. This mattress in particular offers balanced comfort, cooling technology and a 20-year warranty.

What we’ve tried and loved on sale for Cyber Monday 2024

Hagibis Cleaning Pen for Airpods

Let’s be honest, you likely haven’t cleaned your earpods case in … well maybe since you got them. At least not thoroughly. Thankfully, one of our favorite cleaning tools, this cleaning pen is on deal for just over $5. One writer used it and notes how well they helped get her AirPods case looking like new

Courtesy Emma Stessman

Puracy Stain Remover Cleaning Spray

We’re quite lucky at the office because nine times out of 10, somebody will have a product for us to borrow if we have an emergency. That’s exactly what happened when Stessman had a nasty coffee spill that was quickly remedied with this stain remover. Don’t believe us? The photos speak for themselves.

Puracy Stain Remover
Puracy Stain RemoverCourtesy Emma Stessman

Kalkehay Fake Detachable Dickey Collar

Another notable product Stessman likes is a hack that we know many can get behind. She found a quick fix to make many looks a little more elevated for work with this detachable collar. She styles it with sweaters, dresses and more and as her colleague, I know I’ve seen her wear this without suspecting a thing.

Surge Protector Power Strip

One editor called this power strip a helpful tool in her small apartment and says that she’s “obsessed” with it for its powerful charging abilities and how sturdy it is. We love it because it’s just under $10.

Laite Hebe Medical Compression Socks

One of the things we know about the holiday season is that it comes with a lot of baggage — courtesy of all the traveling, of course. One tool that a writer always turns to to help with the pain are these compression socks that help with swelling, fatigue and circulation. She boasts that after a day of plane rides, her legs feel rested and she’s able to do more when she arrives at her destination. The socks also come in small/medium and large/extra large so you can find the right fit for you.

Split image of blue and black compression socks
Courtesy Stephanie Gravalese; Courtesy Danielle Murphy

JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

If you’re on the lookout for earbuds for less, this is a quality find that prompted one writer to pick over the more expensive option. They come with a charging case and offer up to 35 hours of listening time.

Loop Quiet 2

Garlin has been wearing Loop earplugs for years and often raves about how much they’ve improved her quality of sleep. From her commute to airplanes, Garlin is likely to be found with a set on her to make her travels easier.

Automet Half Zip Pullover Sweatshirt

Garlin, whose style I would describe as a mix of timeless and tasteful, found this sweatshirt recently and loves how high-quality the fabric feels and how she’s able to style it in a variety of ways. Thanks to the fleece lining, she says she’s not taking it off and will likely be buying another since it’s 55% off right now.

Nestl Duvet Cover Set

We love to see deals under $25, especially on home essentials. If your duvet cover needs a little sprucing up, this is a tried-and-true option that one writer tried also comes with two pillow shams to create a cohesive look.

Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock

If you’re like us and have a hard time getting up in the morning with less sunlight in the winter, Stessman recommends picking up this sunrise alarm clock that she’s been using for years. And if you’re tired of the harsh alarm sounds other clocks (or your phone) make, this one thankfully has more gentle options and can do more than just be used as an alarm clock.

Doset LED Light Facial Massager

If you’ve been hearing a lot of buzz around LED red light therapy devices over the last year, you’re not alone. One writer decided to give this one a try and notes how she felt improvement in blood circulation and how relaxing it was to use.

Doset LED Light Facial Massager
Doset LED Light Facial MassagerCourtesy Cheryl Fenton

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 Rowing Machine

We all have various goals for the new year and if one of yours is to improve your upper body strength and to make working out a little more fun, this could be the way to go. It has 12 adjustable resistance levels and is easy to store says one writer uses this machine for a full-body workout.

Shark FlexStyle Hair Blow Dryer & Multi-Purpose Styler for Curly & Coily Hair

In a comparison of various cutting-edge blow dryers, this one was the top pick for writer Danielle Murphy for its abilities to dry her hair fastest. Not only that but it also won a Beauty Award in 2023 so you know we really stand by this pick.

How we chose

Editor Vivien Moon looked through various deals on the products the Shop TODAY team has reviewed and tested that are on sale for Cyber Monday 2024 to determine the most notable deals during the shopping event. She spoke with other Shop TODAY editors to find out which products they use and would recommend and to share the products they will be purchasing and why. When looking at potential purchases we also consider factors like a high average rating (of over four stars), the amount of verified shopper ratings and specific user feedback.

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