This Early Black Friday Deal Is $40 Off My Favorite Digital Photo Frame, the Aura.
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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I’m a big fan of Aura digital photo frames . They look great and make it easy to view all those photos that might otherwise get lost in the Photos app. Ahead of Black Friday, some stores are selling Aura frames at pretty big discounts. Amazon, for example, has the Aura Carver Mat frame on sale for 22%. That means you can get it right now for $139, down from $179.
There are a couple of things I particularly like about the Aura frame. First, it’s easy to use: you can add photos to the frame through the Aura app, which is convenient when you’re taking new photos. At our house, we usually add new photos after parties, weekends with friends, or long trips. It’s nice to walk into the kitchen and see the photos you just took next to your favorites. If you’ve given the frame to someone, the app lets you add photos to the frame remotely.
The Aura frame simply looks great. You wouldn’t think it was a real photo frame, of course. However, it doesn’t just look like a mini computer screen on your desk. It looks and feels stylish, and the picture quality is excellent. I also love how the backlight compensates for the ambient light in the room: when the sun is bright, the frame gets brighter. As the sun sets, it also dims. And when the lights go out, the frame automatically turns off.
But my favorite feature is the small touchpad at the top of the frame. It’s easy to miss: swipe along the top edge to switch between photos. This is super handy if you want to see a different photo that Aura recently replaced, or skip one you don’t want to look at right now. Plus, it’s hidden, so the frame isn’t cluttered with buttons. Incidentally, the touchpad also doubles as a button when you long-press it. You can choose to remove a photo from the current collection or disable the frame entirely.
While I personally really like my Carver Mat Aura frame, Amazon has early Black Friday deals on a lot of different Aura models if you’re looking for something different.
How long do Black Friday deals actually last?
Black Friday sales officially begin on Friday, November 28, 2025, and will run through Cyber Week—the five-day period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. However, the dates of Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been shifted as retailers compete for shoppers. You can take advantage of the same Black Friday deals early in the season , and we expect the sale to end by December 3, 2025.
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers deals you rarely see the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to favor large retailers and higher-end appliances, while Cyber Monday favored cheaper appliances and gave small businesses a chance to compete online. However, today, this distinction has become virtually meaningless. Every major retailer runs sales on both days, so it’s best to know what you need, use price trackers, or consult guides like our blog , which uses price trackers, and not worry about finding the perfect time.