**ZDNET’s Approach to Tech Recommendations and Black Friday Shopping**
As the holiday season approaches, tech shoppers are gearing up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday—two of the biggest shopping events of the year. With an overwhelming number of deals flooding the market, making informed choices can be a challenge. That’s where ZDNET comes in. Known for its rigorous product recommendations and trustworthy reviews, ZDNET aims to help consumers navigate the holiday sales with confidence. But what does the “ZDNET Recommends” label really mean, and how does the editorial team ensure its advice is both reliable and unbiased? Here’s what you need to know about how ZDNET evaluates products, selects deals, and helps readers make smarter buying decisions, especially during the busy holiday shopping season.
**ZDNET’s Review Process: How Recommendations Are Made**
ZDNET’s product recommendations are the result of meticulous research, hands-on testing, and thorough comparison shopping. The editorial team spends countless hours gathering data from reputable sources, including vendor and retailer listings, as well as independent review sites. Customer feedback plays a significant role too: by analyzing real-world user reviews, ZDNET learns what matters most to people who have already purchased and used the products in question.
Transparency is a core value for ZDNET. When readers click through to a retailer from the site and make a purchase, ZDNET may earn an affiliate commission. However, this does not influence what the editorial team covers or how products are reviewed. The price readers pay remains unaffected, and neither the publication nor its authors receive direct compensation for positive reviews. Strict editorial guidelines ensure that content is independent, and advertisers have no say in the review process.
Every article goes through a rigorous review and fact-checking process to meet high editorial standards. If an error or misleading information is identified, the team promptly corrects or clarifies the article. Readers are encouraged to report inaccuracies directly, underscoring ZDNET’s commitment to accuracy and accountability.
**Early Black Friday and Cyber Monday Tech Deals**
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner—this year falling on November 28 and December 1, respectively—shoppers can expect substantial discounts across nearly every product category. ZDNET’s editorial team tests top tech all year round, positioning them to spotlight the best early offers from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Whether you’re looking for laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, tablets, or smart home devices, ZDNET curates the deals that provide genuine value.
Notable early deals include Apple’s AirPods 4 at one of their lowest prices to date, single AirTags for just $18, and significant discounts on the new Watch SE 3 and Nintendo Switch (even as the newer Switch 2 hits shelves). For families, Amazon’s Fire Kids lineup is recommended over iPads, thanks to current deep discounts and robust features.
In the world of TVs, ZDNET highlights the Hisense U8Q