Black Friday space gifts 2024: Telescope deals, binocular discounts, camera deals and more
Here are the best early Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on space-related gear ahead of the holidays: telescopes, cameras, binoculars, star projectors, Lego, streaming and more.
Black Friday is just weeks away and with Prime Day in October ending we've already found some decent early telescope deals, binocular deals, discounts on star projectors, camera price drops, Lego, drones and more. So for space fans looking for a good deal for Christmas gifts now might be the right time to start shopping, ahead of the holiday season.
We've rounded up the best telescope deals and best space gift ideas for Black Friday along with a host of other bargains on star projectors, binoculars and VR headsets for the space fan in your life.
Early Black Friday deals 2024
Adorama: Save up to $500 on cameras and lenses
Amazon: Hundreds off telescopes, plus binoculars and more
Walmart: Early Black Friday space gift deals
B&H Photo Video: Epic savings on tripods, drones and more
Best Buy: Drones, VR headsets and space gifts all discounted
Lego: Massive discounts on Star Wars, Marvel and space sets
Crutchfield: Prices dropped on cameras and drones
Editor's pick of the best early Black Friday deals November 2024
Save $400 — this hefty saving on a telescope that's normally over $2500 is a good chunk of change for astronomers that want to take their skywatching experience to the next level. We love this telescope so much we gave it 5/5 stars in our Celestron Advanced VX Edge HD review and it features in our best telescopes guide.
The best Black Friday deals 2024 so far
Telescopes
Save over $120 on an excellent telescope that we rate as one of the best out there. The Celestron Astro-Fi 102 makes it into our best telescopes guide and features a 102mm aperture, a 1325mm focal length, a Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design, is smartphone-controlled and comes with two eyepieces and a finder scope.
Save over $185 on a telescope that we rate as the best Go-To for smaller budgets, The Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi With SkyMax 127 is reduced ahead of Black Friday. It features a 111mm aperture, is app controlled and mixes great optics with great technology.
Telescopes for beginners
Save 20% on a telescope that has featured in our best telescopes guide since our hands-on Celestron NexStar 4SE review early in 2023.
Note: The price dropped to $532 recently so if you can afford to wait for a few days you might make a slightly bigger saving.
A generous $500 saving on this beautifully designed smart telescope. Get excellent views of the cosmos fast. We gave it 4.5 stars in our hands-on Unistellar eQuinox 2 review and would even go as far as to say that it is the best smart telescope on the market.
Save over $50 on one of the best beginner telescopes you can buy, reduced ahead of Black Friday. This Celestron telescope caters to beginners and some intermediates due to its 650mm focal length, 307x highest useful magnification and the fact it ships with everything you need to get started, even a tripod.
Note: We have seen it reduced to a little less than this, so you could save even more during Black Friday.
Save 32% on this solid entry-level telescope from Celestron, a well-known brand in the stargazing space. With a five-inch aperture and above-average tripod and mount, the PowerSeeker 127EQ is an excellent buy for anyone looking for their first telescope.
Note: We have seen this scope dip to $149.99 recently so it might pay to keep an eye on the price for a few days.
Save on a telescope that offers the most value to enthusiasts. You can read more about it in our in-depth review.
Note: The 'before' price has been hiked a lot to make it look like a bigger deal than it really is, but the price you pay is still reasonable. It's $499 on Amazon too.
Save 11% on one of the best budget telescopes around, making it an even better buy than ever. The StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ is great for beginners and enthusiasts alike, with excellent computing power and ease of use that injects fun back into stargazing.
Note: We expect this to be discounted further on Black Friday itself. You can also get it from B&H photo with a free gift worth $14.99.
Save $40 on this excellent beginner's telescope from Celestron. It's the entry-level model in the brand's StarSense range, and it uses the fantastic proprietary app that connects the telescope to your phone. Stargazing has never been easier.
The StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is also the same price at Amazon.
Binoculars
Save $60 on these powerful and beefy Celestron stargazing binos to see the cosmos like never before. They provide 25x magnification and let in a staggering amount of light to see stunning star clusters and galaxies. It's like using two telescopes.
Note: There is sometimes an option to apply a $30 coupon to increase savings.
Save a massive 25% on one of the best pairs of binoculars we've ever had our hands on. Leica products are made to be durable and of excellent quality, and these binos are just that.
Note: The before price has been raised to make this look like a better deal than it is. It's usually around $2799.
This is the lowest price in 30 days and a gift worth $29.99! These lightweight binoculars are perfect for anyone who wants a decent pair to take with them wherever they go. They are also available at Amazon for $96.95.
Save over $300 on these highly portable image-stabilizing Canon binoculars. Take in the night sky jitter-free without the need for a tripod.
You can save over 30% on the Nikon Prostaff P3 8x42 binoculars. These are best suited to amateur astronomers, budding birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts. They are also fog-proof and waterproof, which is a huge bonus.
Save over 10% on what we rate as the best binoculars for affordable stargazing. These binoculars offer a wide aperture and powerful magnification, and you can read more in our hands-on review.
Note: We think these will drop to around $190 again as Black Friday draws closer.
Save $109 on a pair of binoculars we rate as the best for daytime use. They feature some high-end glass, and you can check out our review for them. The original price is inflated, but the sale price is still good. You can get them at B&H Photo, too, with a free binocular harness thrown in.
Though not strictly a Black Friday deal, you can get a great low price on these binoculars that we reviewed and we think are the best for moon views. 15x magnifications make far away targets visible while a large aperture and objective lens allow a lot of light in for a clear viewing experience. You can also get the bundle with the Smartphone adapter. Don't forget to apply the $10 coupon.
Star Projectors
Save $25 when you apply the coupon at Amazon on one of the best star projectors. In our Pococo Galaxy Projector review, we loved how vibrant and bright the projections appear and that there are a heap of add-on disks available.
Save 15% on this eye-catching BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve projector, which can turn any room into a starry paradise. In our hands-on review, we loved its color-blending technology. It offers a whole host of cosmic hues, and with the app, you can customize the images to your heart's content.
Cameras
Save $700 on our favorite mirrorless camera when you buy it with the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens, great for a variety of uses from landscape to portraits. This bundle provides a great way to get started with professional photography.
Save $201.99 on this monster of a mirrorless camera. It captures hugely detailed 61MP stills, 4K 30p video footage, and can ramp up its ISO to 102,400 for shooting in the dark. Following our review, we have previously named it the best camera overall, and we still think it is the best for users who shoot photos and videos in equal measure.
You can save well over $1000 on this camera, which, in our EOS R5 review, we rate as Canon's best ever, which is saying something. It features 8K video capabilities and a 45MP sensor combined with a top-of-the-range autofocus system. Some might think some of the specs are overkill, but in truth, this is a great deal on a premium camera.
Note: Stock is a little low, so you'll have to act soon to get this great price.
The same camera is on Amazon for $2799
Save $500 on this excellent mirrorless camera from market leader Canon. The EOS R6 Mark II boasts fantastic performance for both stills and video shooting, and this newer Mark II sports an updated CMOS sensor and more powerful processing power for better-than-ever AF and sharper images. It is the same price on Amazon.
There are huge savings at Walmart—$2888 versus the Amazon price of $3398—but there are only two left.
Save $1000 on this incredible camera while stocks last. In our review, we gave it 4.5 stars out of 5.
Save $200 on a mirrorless camera that we rate as one of the best on the market. It's excellent for snapping on the go and vlogging. It features 4K video capabilities, a 34.4MP sensor, and outstanding autofocus and tracking features.
Note: Stock is low, so you'll have to act soon if you want this deal. This camera is also available at Walmart for less, although it's not technically a deal.
Save $500 on an insanely capable camera this Black Friday. It's still a huge investment but a huge saving for pros who make money from photography and need an impressive all-rounder they can rely on. This is the best price we've ever seen on this camera. It is the same price at B&H Photo.
Save $200 on the Sony A6600, a fantastic little APS-C mirrorless camera that punches well above its weight. It has a 24.2MP sensor, impressive autofocus and in-body image stabilization, which is unusual for a crop-sensor camera.
Save $300 on the Canon EOS R8 with this early Black Friday deal. We think it's one of the best entry-level full-frame cameras out there, rating it 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review last year.
Save almost $1000 on this Nikon Z7 II camera body, with an FTZ II adapter. This full-frame mirrorless camera isn't just a great camera, with 45.7MP resolution and RAW shooting, it's also fantastic for low-light shooting. If you're looking for a great all-rounder with the ability to snap images of deep space, this is the camera to go for. You'll need to purchase a lens separately, but the Nikon Z7 II is still one of the best low-light cameras you can buy.
Drones
Save over $100 on one of our favorite drones, the DJI Air 2S. It's stood the test of time with its fantastic image quality and advanced safety features, making it suit beginners and more advanced flyers.
Save $48 on this Holy Stone drone. When we reviewed the HS720G we found it best suited to beginners with limited budgets.
Note: You must apply the $48 coupon to get this discount.
Save $130 or more on this Ruko F11PRO camera drone bundle. This is a great beginner-level drone, with enough power, thanks to its two included batteries, to keep you flying for an hour.
Note: Maximize the discount by applying the $30 coupon.
Lego
Save over $130 on this seriously impressive 4,049-piece Lego behemoth. It comes with authentic details, including three light-up arc reactors, a fully jointed upper body, and a cockpit for a Tony Stark Lego figure. It also comes with a Tony Stark minifigure and an information plate.
Save 20% and get a good deal on an iconic ship with loads of features. In this set, you get mini figures of Chewbacca, C3-PO, R2-D2, Lando Calrissian, and more. You also get 1,351 pieces, a spring-loaded shooter, an opening cockpit, and a lowering ramp.
Save 20% on this entertaining, educational and interactive solar system LEGO space set. This is the lowest price we've seen this educational LEGO set since July 2024.
Lightsabers
Save over $20 and get an excellent lightsaber. It's a replica of Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from "Return Of The Jedi" and features a host of sound effects, LED lighting and a display stand.
Streaming
Disney Plus is the home of both the Star Wars and Marvel cinematic universes. You can save 44% by getting the basic bundle which also gives you Hulu, home to Futurama, Alien and more.
You get a Paramount Plus Essential plan for free with Walmart Plus sign-ups.
Save 50% on your first month of Paramount Plus when you get it from Sling. Paramount Plus is home to Star Trek ranging from the Original Series through to the Kelvin Timeline and a host of originals as well. You can also stream the Halo series, based on the immensely popular video game.
Save $4 on your first month of AMC Plus, the deal is available on Sling's website, but you don't need to have a Sling subscription to make the most of this deal.
VR Headsets
Save $150 on the Meta Quest 3 (check out our Meta Quest 3 review for a more detailed look) which sits at the top of our best VR headsets guide. It's a great all-rounder and it's more affordable than most, especially with this deal.
Black Friday Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we call Black Friday Black Friday?
It's thought that the term Black Friday was used as early as the 1950s by workers who call in sick to work the day after Thanksgiving in order to to accrue a four-day weekend but there is speculation that it also refers to sales by companies moving from being 'in the red' to 'in the black'.
When is Black Friday 2024?
Black Friday starts at midnight on Friday 29 November 2024 and continues over the weekend, changing to Cyber Monday on Monday 2 December 2024. But early Black Friday sales start as early as late October each year.
Should I wait for Black Friday deals?
Yes, if you're reading this in September or October and need to save money on your purchase. Black Friday often gives big discounts on certain products but there's no knowing for sure if the product you want will be on sale.
Amazon Prime Day is usually around 10 July and usually a second Prime Day occurs around 10 October each year, and other sites run competing sales events during this summer and fall period.
However, if you're reading this any time outside of those periods, it might be worth just shopping for the best deal and purchasing when it suits you, unless you're happy to wait until a peak trading event like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Black Friday sales run from the friday and over the weekend. On the monday after the name flips to Cyber Monday where you can expect to see some Black Friday deals continue and other products may also be discounted.
How we test the best space gifts
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best space gifts to buy, here at Space.com we make sure to put every product we can get our hands on through a rigorous review to fully test each product. Each product is reviewed based on many aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions and its performance in the field.
While not every product in our Black Friday and Cyber Monday round-up may have been tested, we'll only recommend a product if it's similar to another which we've independently reviewed and verified to be a decent and worthwhile purchase.
For products that we have reviewed, each item is carefully tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each device and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.
We look at how easy each camera is to operate, whether it contains the latest up-to-date imaging technology, whether the cameras can shoot high-quality stills photos and high-resolution video, and also suggest if a particular camera would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best viewing experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com is here to ensure you get the best buying advice on cameras, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
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Jase Parnell-Brookes is the Managing Editor for e-commerce for Space and Live Science. Previously the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space, Jase has been an editor and contributing expert across a wide range of publications since 2010. Based in the UK, they are also an award-winning photographer and educator winning the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Masters degree in 2011 and qualifying as a teacher in 2012, Jase has spent the last two decades studying and working in photography and publishing in multiple areas, and specializes in low light optics and camera systems.
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