ElytStyle
ElytStyleWhy you can trust us
We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Experts share their top shopping secret to score Cyber Monday-worthy deals all year long

Julie Tremaine
Julie Tremaine
When you shop refurbished home goods, appliances and electronics from retailers like eBay, you’re tapping into massive savings, even outside of holiday shopping sales. (Photo: Getty)

When you shop refurbished home goods, appliances and electronics from retailers like eBay, you’re tapping into massive savings, even outside of holiday shopping sales. (Photo: Getty)

November and December are, by far, the biggest shopping months of the year. People are searching for the perfect holiday gifts, but they’re also trying to stretch their dollars and save as much money as possible on the best gifts they can give. SpendMeNot.com reports that 30 percent of all retails sales happen between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with over $730 billion spent in the 2019 holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation.

The common thinking is that Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the best day of the year to save big on holiday purchases. Retailers offer enormous discounts on limited quantities of popular gifts in the hopes of snagging the most holiday spending.

But Black Friday is also one of the busiest — if not the busiest — shopping day of the year. As BlackFriday.com describes, “Black Friday is a long day, with many retailers opening up the afternoon of Thanksgiving to hordes of people waiting anxiously outside the windows.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

What if there were a way to get those premium discounts on desirable gifts and not have to be a part of the holiday rush? There is one. When you shop refurbished home goods, appliances and electronics, you’re tapping into massive savings, even outside of holiday shopping sales.

Refurbished items have been purchased and returned, so they can no longer be sold as new. As The Penny Hoarder notes, not every reason for return is due to malfunction: “An item could have been returned due to a faulty or missing part — or it could have just been that a customer realized they couldn’t afford the item.” The site recommends ensuring you’re getting the highest-possible quality for your refurbished items by buying them from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers with good return policies and consumer protections in place, and reading reviews of those refurbished products on the site you’re considering purchasing from.

“There's no reason to be put off just by the label ‘refurbished,’” according to Lifehacker. “Buying refurbished can land you an incredible deal. Just buy it from the manufacturer or reputable dealer and with a long warranty to cover any problems—and enjoy your savings.”

Here are 10 in-demand, refurbished electronics and small appliances that are offered at huge — you might even say Black Friday-level — discounts.

KitchenAid stand mixers are widely regarded as being the kind of quality that can last for decades — but buying one new can be a big investment. This model comes with three attachments: a wire whip, a flat beater and a spiral dough hook. This mixer is certified refurbished by either the manufacturer or a manufacturer-approved vendor, and is offered at $299.99, which is 33 percent off the MSRP.

Robotic vacuums are hot items and they make for excellent gifts too. This ECOVACS Deebot vacuum cleaner features many bells and whistles that’ll appeal to tech lovers, including its ability to scan and map your entire living space, several cleaning modes, compatibility with Smart Home Systems, smartphone app, Alexa and Google Home, as well as, returning to the charger when battery low. Shop this smart vacuum for $259.99, 35 percent off the MSRP.

Advertisement
Advertisement

A smart tablet can be an inexpensive way to stay connected. This Dell Venue 11 Pro Tablet has a large 10.8-inch display and a quad-core processor, and runs on Windows 8. It’s offered at $149 with a 30-day return or replacement policy.

This Apple smart watch seems like it can do it all — it’s cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled and comes with a heart monitor and a 64-bit dual core processor. It’s also water resistant up to 50 meters. This Apple Watch is covered by a one-year limited warranty. At $519, it’s $180 less than the $699 MSRP.

This lightweight bagless vacuum by Bissell is a godsend for pet owners. It works on both carpet and hardwood floors, using a swivel system to maneuver around with ease. It’s dual brush system helps to catch loose hairs and debris via it’s 10-foot hose, and the multi-level filtration and dump and go cup seal the deal on this $163.41 vacuum cleaner.

In today’s work-and-learn-from-home world, it’s essential to have great technology to be as connected as possible. This manufacturer-refurbished MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch display, a 1.1GHz dual core Intel Core i3 processor and ultra-clear retina display. Apple offers a one-year limited warranty and a two-week return window. At $849, it’s $150 less than the $999 MSRP.

Advertisement
Advertisement

One of the great things about KitchenAid stand mixers is the variety of colors you can choose from to match your kitchen. This Pro 600 is in Cinnamon Red, and has 10 mixing speeds. It’s protected by a two-year warranty, and at $349, is 50 percent off the MSRP of $699.

See who’s at your door any time, whether you’re home or not, with a video doorbell system. This Ring Pro video doorbell has a two-way talk system and motion sensors and infrared camera that even work in the dark, and will send footage to your phone. At $119.99, it’s $60 off MSRP, and covered by the seller’s return policy.

This affordable PC laptop comes directly from Dell’s refurbished program and has been reconditioned and certified grade A by the manufacturer. The Latitude 3380 has a 13.3-inch display, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB of hard drive memory. It’s offered by Dell at $569, and has a less expensive grade B option at $519.

The Nintendo Switch is a home video game console system that can “switch” between an at-home console and one that can be played on the go, with up to two players. At home, it sits in a dock that connects to your tv, and on the go, it’s a handheld system. This refurbished model from GameStop is $279, $20 off the MSRP, and is covered by a 30-day return policy.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Vitamix is a big investment, but that’s because it takes the place of several kitchen appliances, like a blender, smoothie maker, and food processor. This Vitamix G-Series is certified refurbished from the manufacturer and comes with a standard five-year warranty, and is offered at $439.95.

Read More from Yahoo Life:

  • The best refurbished laptop deals for college kids — plus more gadgets to help them excel in school

  • The 10 best refurbished vacuums to invest in — including deeply discounted Dysons

  • Want the best affordable headphones and speakers? Get a refurbished set!

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Life's newsletter.

Recommended articles

The best Amazon deals this week: Grab a 2025 Apple MacBook for a new record-low price

The best Amazon deals this week: Grab a 2025 Apple MacBook for a new record-low price

Deals
I pored through hundreds of Walmart's best deals — here's what to add to your shopping cart ASAP

I pored through hundreds of Walmart's best deals — here's what to add to your shopping cart ASAP

Deals
The best Amazon deals this week will save you up to 75% (oh, and AirPods are just $99)

The best Amazon deals this week will save you up to 75% (oh, and AirPods are just $99)

Deals
Walmart's best deals this week include major savings on Shark, LG, Lenovo and more

Walmart's best deals this week include major savings on Shark, LG, Lenovo and more

Deals
The best Amazon sales this week: Score deep discounts on Apple, KitchenAid and more

The best Amazon sales this week: Score deep discounts on Apple, KitchenAid and more

Deals
4 of Yahoo's best-tested sunscreens are on sale for the 4th of July, from $7

4 of Yahoo's best-tested sunscreens are on sale for the 4th of July, from $7

Deals
The best 4th of July sales on Amazon still live, save on Apple, Yeti and more ahead of Prime Day

The best 4th of July sales on Amazon still live, save on Apple, Yeti and more ahead of Prime Day

Deals
These are the best 4th of July mattress sales still available and in stock

These are the best 4th of July mattress sales still available and in stock

Deals
One of the best cordless stick vacuums we've ever tested is down to a record-low $87 for Prime Day

One of the best cordless stick vacuums we've ever tested is down to a record-low $87 for Prime Day

Deals
The best Prime Day supplement deals, according to a registered dietitian

The best Prime Day supplement deals, according to a registered dietitian

Deals
All the best products for people with curly hair are on super sale for Prime Day

All the best products for people with curly hair are on super sale for Prime Day

Deals
The 20+ best Target Circle Week deals on Apple, Dyson, Nespresso and more

The 20+ best Target Circle Week deals on Apple, Dyson, Nespresso and more

Deals
The best Amazon deals this week: Apple AirPods are within $1 of their Prime Day price

The best Amazon deals this week: Apple AirPods are within $1 of their Prime Day price

Deals
The best Amazon deals this weekend: Apple AirPods are within $1 of their all-time low

The best Amazon deals this weekend: Apple AirPods are within $1 of their all-time low

Deals
'Dangerously relaxing': Amazon's No. 1 bestselling water hammock is as low as $12

'Dangerously relaxing': Amazon's No. 1 bestselling water hammock is as low as $12

Deals
I combed through hundreds of Walmart's best deals — here's what to grab right now

I combed through hundreds of Walmart's best deals — here's what to grab right now

Deals
The best Amazon deals this week: Score rare markdowns on Apple AirPods and more

The best Amazon deals this week: Score rare markdowns on Apple AirPods and more

Deals
The best Amazon deals this weekend: Score rare sales on Apple, Waterpik, KitchenAid and more

The best Amazon deals this weekend: Score rare sales on Apple, Waterpik, KitchenAid and more

Deals
I pored through hundreds of Walmart's best weekend deals — here's what to add to your shopping cart ASAP

I pored through hundreds of Walmart's best weekend deals — here's what to add to your shopping cart ASAP

Deals
Thinning hair? Act fast for Prime Day deals on bestselling thickening products

Thinning hair? Act fast for Prime Day deals on bestselling thickening products

Deals