Looking for the best deals before your next trip to Kohl’s? We’ve identified some of the best product categories that you can find on sale at Kohl’s as well as some of the worst that you will want to avoid. These picks are based on average discounts as well as the potential for additional coupons used in the transaction.

Five Best:

1. Small Kitchen Appliances (Magic Bullet, Waffle Makers, Keurig)

More focused with online sales rather than in-store savings, this is the product category we on sale most often on Ben’s. Kohl’s typically offers greater discounts than other retailers.

Look to stack coupons on these items and add bonus savings with a rebate (Example: 20% off any order coupon + $10 off $30 or more Home coupon + a $20 rebate.)

2. Towels, Bedding, Rugs, Linens, General Home Decor

Look for the best sales on Kohl’s store brand products, then combine those sales with stacked coupons with dollar-off codes on the Home category.

Consider purchasing multiple items to reach the dollar-off coupon minimums. (Example, a recent deal offered 16 of Kohl’s “Big One” bath towels for $36 using stacking coupons; just over $2 per towel.)

3. Outdoor Kids’ Items (Mini-Pools, Inflatable Water Parks)

Similar to small kitchen appliances, these deals are more plentiful online rather than in-store. Look for the bonus addition of Kohl’s Cash on the higher-priced items, ideal for your next trip to Kohl’s.

4. Adult Apparel (Logo t-shirts, Work Clothes)

While we recommend avoiding adult apparel at regular retail prices, the savings in the clearance section when combined with coupons is tremendous.

Specifically, look for the best deals on men’s graphic t-shirts, Dockers slacks and Big & Tall sizes for men as well as women’s underwear / lingerie.

5. Apparel Accessories (Purses, Sterling Jewelry, Gloves)

As long as you aren’t a brand snob, Kohl’s offers excellent prices on quality purses and gloves (often made from real leather). You are also going to find more aggressive sales on sterling silver jewelry when compared to competitors like Macy’s or JC Penney.

Five Worst:

1. Kid’s Toys / Apparel

Unfortunately, Kohl’s is one of the worst retailers to find a significant discount on toys. Retail prices are inflated on toys; thus coupons don’t have much of an impact. Look to Target and Walmart for better deals in-store as well as Amazon for online deals.

The same advice applies to children’s apparel as the base MSRP starts too high for solid sales. For example, Kohl’s sell Carter’s brand of baby and toddler clothing. You are better off going directly to Carter’s for significantly cheaper prices during sale periods.

2. Electronics (TVs and Small Electronics)

Likely an attempt to become more relevant around the Black Friday shopping period, Kohl’s does carry some electronics. Unfortunately, the quality of the off-brand TV models is poor and Kohl’s doesn’t often allow coupons on other small electronics. Prices are usually better at any number of electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.

3. Shoes

While Kohl’s occasionally offers decent sale prices on lower-end Nike sneakers, these cheaper models are usually poorer quality than models that can be found in a specialized shoe store.

In addition, other brands that Kohl’s carries are lacking in quality. You are typically better off shopping at retailers like Nordstrom Rack and 6pm.

4. Furniture

Retail prices on Kohl’s furniture offerings are usually too high for coupons to have a significant impact on dropping the cost for the consumer. In addition, shipping charges are exorbitant on oversized items, pushing the price tag up even more. Alternatively, look to retailers like Target, IKEA and Walmart for better prices on furniture that’s of similar quality.

5. Wrapping paper, Greeting Cards, Gift Bags

In general, it’s never a good idea to purchase these items at retailers like Kohl’s. You will be paying a premium for these items simply due to the convenience. As long as you have time, hit up a dollar store for significantly better prices.

Check out our latest Deals from Kohl’s

Five Best & Five Worst Things to Buy at Kohl’s

Testing out a new service in 82 brick & mortar locations, Kohl’s will be accepting Amazon returns for free starting in October. This service is rolling out in Los Angeles and Chicago first, possible looking at the feasibility before going nationwide with the service. Kohl’s will package and transport all returned items to Amazon return centers.

In addition, these 82 stores will create designated parking spots near the store entrance for dropping off an Amazon return. Launching next month, it should be interesting to see how many Amazon customers will prefer to visit a Kohl’s location to return something rather than boxing / shipping an item back to Amazon.

This is an expansion of an earlier partnership between Amazon & Kohl’s; specifically creating an Amazon Smart Home experience within 10 Kohl’s stores in the same two cities. At those pop-up locations, customers can schedule an Amazon expert to come to their home, evaluate their needs and install smart home products.

Hypothetically, Amazon could use this test with Kohl’s as a template applied to all 400+ Whole Foods locations. Basically, they can work out the kinks of such a return system, then offer the same service at Whole Foods. Amazon customers wouldn’t need to both with shipping packages back at some point, assuming there’s a retail location nearby. And if Amazon continues it with Kohl’s, it can be expanded out to the remaining 1,100 locations.

Kohl’s will start accepting Amazon returns at some locations

The 2015 Kohl’s ad just broke and we’ve picked out our top five deals from the ad. You can see the full ad here as well. Keep in mind, every $50 you spend at Kohl’s this Black Friday will result in $15 in Kohl’s Cash (gift card) earnings. That’s up from the normal $10 in earnings.

Check out our Top 5 Kohl’s Black Friday Deals below:

1. 49-inch LG HGTV ($369.99)

The price alone on this television isn’t particularly exciting at it’s similar to previous deals. However, the ability to earn an additional $105 on Kohl’s cash is interesting. That brings the price down to $265, more or less, when you factor in the Kohl’s Cash earnings.

2. Xbox One / PS4 Bundles ($299.99)

Similar to the television above, the price alone on the 500GB LEGO Movie Xbox One bundle and the 500GB PS4 Uncharted bundle isn’t super compelling. However, the ability to earn an additional $75 on Kohl’s cash is awesome. That brings the price down to $225 when you factor in the Kohl’s Cash earnings.

3. Frozen Barbies ($6) / Star Wars Action Figures ($15)

Ranging between $15 to $22 regular price, the Frozen barbies are an excellent deal at Kohl’s. In addition, the 20-inch Star Wars figures regularly retail for $32, slightly more than a 50% discount on the figures. It’s a great toy deal that you don’t normally see on Black Friday. You usually have to wait until early to mid-December to get such a good deal.

4. Citizen / Seiko Watches ($90)

While this sale is highly dependent on the models offered, the potential for a solid Citizen or Seiko watch deal is highly possible. Add in the $15 in Kohl’s Cash you will earn on the watch purchase and that knocks the price down to $75.

5. Croft & Barrow Dress Shirts ($9)

This actually beats our best deal on these shirts, a deal for three shirts at a $30 price. This deal brings the shirts down to $9 a pop. Purchase 6 shirts and the price falls even more to less than $7 (when factoring in the $15 of Kohl’s Cash).

Check for more Kohl’s Deals in the Ben’s feed.

Kohl’s Black Friday 2015 Ad Has Been Released