We have arrived at the time of year where everyone becomes obsessed with finding a Black Friday bargain. The National Retail Federation (NRF) revealed in their survey that retailers should expect more than 164 million consumers who are planning to shop over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend in the US alone. TV reporters and journalists will be eager to broadcast the darker side of human nature on Black Friday to fill the sadly familiar narrative. Will we once again shake our heads in disbelief at the sight of bargain hunters queuing for hours and wrestling fellow shoppers to the ground to get their hands on a shiny new TV? However, the annual shopping event is no longer just about buying a new tech gadget, and in many cases, it's the technology behind the scenes that is the real deal on display.

In so many ways, Black Friday is an inescapable evil of cosmic proportions. It is a creeping cloud of want, pulling us resentfully toward deals that we know tempt us at our peril. The advertising boogeymen who have stalked, harassed and victimized us all year rub their fetid little hands and lure us toward pleasure (cool new gadgets) and pain (security threats, privacy demons, pocketbook hangovers). There is a way to be Black Friday's clever Final Girl: Do not partake in privacy or security negligent practices, and study the traps laid by companies who care more about bottom dollars than putting you at risk. Remember How to Adult at Security and shop securely: If a store or website wants you to install an app to make a purchase, they're asking for your data (and private info, like your address book) in exchange.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commissions. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of Black Friday deals here. Use the code BF20 to drop this extremely handy USB battery down to previous lows, which are usually only available a couple times a year. The TravelCard Charger is the top pick for a a truly pocket-sized battery in our guide to the best USB power banks and battery packs.

If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA Today's newsroom and any business incentives. If you're still looking for killer online Black Friday deals but don't want to give Amazon all (or any of) your money, other major retailers like Target, eBay, Best Buy, and Kohl's are your friend. They're offering some serious sales today, and we've rounded up the best ones still available for you. Nintendo Switch with Blue and Red JoyCon--$259.99 on eBay (Save $40): Anyone on your list who enjoys gaming will love unwrapping a Switch this year.

If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from USA TODAY's newsroom and any business incentives. The morning Black Friday rush may seem like ages ago, but if you're just settling in for some evening shopping, there's nothing to fear! Online sales at big box stores like Target and Walmart are still going strong, and here at Reviewed, we've spent the entire day combing through some of their best online offerings and ensuring deals are still available so you can find the perfect gifts (and maybe something extra for you). Class FHD 1080p Smart LED TV--$218 at Walmart (Save $60): This TV is a great buy for the price, but we recommend using an external streaming device instead of the built-in features. You don't often see good TVs at this size, either, so it's perfect for a small room on a budget.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commissions. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of Black Friday deals here. All four colors of these recommended headphones are down to $75, within $5 of the lowest we've seen. The Puro BT2200 Headphones are the top pick in our guide to the best kids headphones.

It makes a fantastic gift, and with Ancestry's more than 10 million members, you might even be able to find a long-lost relative. Brother P-Touch Label Maker--$9.99 on Amazon (Save $15): This is the best price ever on the best-selling label maker on Amazon, which usually sells for $25-$35. I already bought one for myself because these sell out quick during a normal sale and this price is crazy. Google Home Mini Smart Speaker with Google Assistant--$25 at Target (Save $25):We've never seen such a great price on the smallest of Google's smart speakers. Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000--$174.20 on Dermstore (Save $30): This is our favorite hair dryer and is a steal.

If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. However, our picks and opinions are independent from USA Today's newsroom and any business incentives. If you've got your slippers on, coffee in hand, and aren't ready to face the crowds at massive stores like Walmart and Target today, we've got good news--all those great Black Friday deals are available from the comfort of your couch. The team at Reviewed has sorted through all their online offerings to bring you the best deals on the best products. Want to know about all the other Black Friday deals?

On the fourth Friday of November each year, retailers scramble to come up with the best deals to entice shoppers in search of a bargain. This year, some stores have also sought to offer some of the strangest deals for Black Friday 2018. Anyone seeking a weird and wonderful bargain for themselves or a loved one need look no further than our roundup of bizarre Black Friday deals. That's not a combination of words that you see every day and it immediately raises a lot of questions. Surely eggs are more of an Easter thing?

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commissions. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of Black Friday deals here. The first time we've ever seen a deal on these fantastic speakers, and a huge $250 below street price. The KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers are the upgrade pick in our guide to the best bookshelf speakers for most stereos. Chris Heinonen writes, "If you can afford to spend more than $400, take a look at the KEF Q150 bookshelf speaker set, which our panel universally preferred if price was no object.