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Tag: Amazon Prime Day

  • The best Labor Day sales for 2025: Tech from Apple, Dyson, Sony and others is up to 50 percent off

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    Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer as the weather starts to get crisper and students head back to school for the new semester. It also marks a good time to check out the tech deals available across the web. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day are not the boon for tech sales that shopping events like Amazon Prime Day are, they can present good opportunities to save on things like laptops, tablets, smart home gear and more.

    Here, we’ve curated the best Labor Day sales on tech we could find this year. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now’s the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them — student ID not required.

    Best Labor Day sales: Engadget’s top picks

    Apple

    Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, M4) for $799 ($200 off): Apple’s latest MacBook Air is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops, and it earned a score of 92 in our review. The M4 model isn’t a major refresh overall, but that’s not a bad thing — the design remains exceptionally thin, light and well-built, with long battery life and a top-notch keyboard and trackpad. Now it’s a bit faster thanks to the updated chipset.

    Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple’s entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

    Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The latest iPad Air is a relatively minor update; the only big addition is a more powerful M3 chip. However, we still recommend this iPad over the base model in our iPad buying guide: Its display is more color-rich and better at fending off glare, its speakers are more robust, it works with Apple’s best accessories and its performance should hold up better in the years ahead.

    Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers, this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button.

    Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones for $38 (46 percent off): Sony makes headphones at all price ranges, and the WH-CH520 provides good sound quality and long battery life at an affordable price. They support custom EQ with Sony’s mobile app, multipoint connectivity, a built-in microphone and up to 50 hours of battery life.

    Anker MagGo Qi2 10K power bank for $70 (22 percent off): Our current favorite power bank for iPhones, this 10K portable battery attaches magnetically to iPhones and powers them up quickly thanks to Qi2 technology. The built-in kickstand makes it easy to prop up your phone while it’s recharging, and the LCD display handily shows you how much power is left in the bank itself.

    Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K, 100W) for $95 (30 percent off): One of our top picks for the best power banks, this 25K brick from Anker has two built-in USB-C cables so you never have to remember to bring one with you. It has a durable build and delivers a speedy charge to all devices, and as the name implies, it can handle powering up items as big as a laptop.

    Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 ($500 off): Dyson made one of the most impressive robovacs with the 360 Vis Nav. It has some of the strongest suction power of any robot vacuum I’ve tried, and its impressive obstacle avoidance allows it to move around furniture and other objects with basically not intervention from humans necessary.

    Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule.

    Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $159 (43 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking.

    Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You’ll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card.

    Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) for $220 ($30 off): This is the latest version of Amazon’s color ereader that has half of the storage of the original model, but otherwise functions the same. That makes it a little cheaper to start off, but you’re still getting a 7-inch color e-paper display, full access to the Kindle shop and a waterproof design. We also appreciate that the Colorsoft comes with no lockscreen ads by default.

    Amazon Kindle (16GB) for $90 (18 percent off): The latest entry-level Kindle has a lightweight, compact design, a six-inch screen with adjustable front light, up to six weeks of battery life and gives you access to the entire Kindle ebook store.

    Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras, Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they’re totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside.

    ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPN’s new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, you’re essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer.

    NordVPN deal — Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN’s two-year plans are on sale right now. You’ll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term.

    MasterClass deal — Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports.

    Best Labor Day sales on tech

    More Labor Day sales

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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    Valentina Palladino

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  • The best Labor Day sales for 2025: Get up to 50 percent off tech from Apple, Anker, Shark and others

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    Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer as the weather starts to get crisper and students head back to school for the new semester. It also marks a good time to check out the tech deals available across the web. While seasonal holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day are not the boon for tech sales that shopping events like Amazon Prime Day are, they can present good opportunities to save on things like laptops, tablets, smart home gear and more.

    Here, we’ve curated the best Labor Day sales on tech we could find this year. Since this time of year does overlap with the back-to-school season, students should be first in line to check out these deals. If you need some new gadgets for college, or refreshed tech to help you out in your first job after graduating, now’s the time to see if you can get it for less. Student discounts are handy and exclusive to those who can prove their student status, but the good thing about Labor Day sales is that anyone can take advantage of them — student ID not required.

    Best Labor Day sales: Engadget’s top picks

    Apple

    Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 (32 percent off): The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best set of wireless earbuds for now, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid, though their six-hour battery life still isn’t the best, and you should only get them if you’re all-in on Apple hardware. But if that’s the case, we consider them the best wireless earbuds for iPhone owners.

    Apple iPad (11-inch, A16) for $299 ($50 off): Apple’s entry-level iPad is, unsurprisingly, the best iPad option for those on a budget. It has solid performance thanks to the A16 chipset, 128GB of storage in the base model and good battery life.

    Apple Mac mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): The newest version of Apple’s tiny desktop PC has a smaller overall footprint, a faster M4 chip, 16GB of RAM as standard, two front-facing USB-C ports, an extra Thunderbolt 4 port and the ability to drive three external displays. We gave the M4 Pro model a review score of 90.

    Google Pixel 10 smartphone + $100 Amazon gift card for $799 ($100 off): More of a pre-order deal than a Labor Day deal, this bundle includes a free gift card when you order the latest Google Pixel phone in advance. You’ll find different gift card deals at Amazon depending on which phone you go with: the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a $200 gift cards included, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a free $300 gift card.

    Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum for $150 (46 percent off): This model is one of our favorite budget robot vacuums thanks to its slim design that lets you get underneath furniture more easily and strong suction power for its size. Note that it does not have Wi-Fi connectivity, but it comes with a remote that lets you control the robot to your liking.

    Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum for $298 (50 percent off): This Shark robot vacuum is a version of one of our favorites and it comes with a auto-empty base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. It has strong suction power and home mapping capabilities, so you can tailor cleaning jobs to your liking in addition to putting the robot on a cleaning schedule.

    Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras (3 camera system) for $100 (47 percent off): Some of our favorite security cameras, Blink Outdoor 4 devices support 1080p video, two-way talk, motion alerts and night vision. The most convenient thing about these is that they’re totally wireless and run on AA batteries that can last up to two years before you need to replace them. That combined with their weather-proof design allows you to place them both inside and outside.

    Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): One of our picks for the best air fryers, this Cosori model has a spacious six-quart cooking basket and nine prep modes to choose from. In our testing, it consistently crisped up all kinds of foods, from frozen appetizers to raw proteins, and it has a nifty safety feature with its built-in basket release button.

    HORI Piranha Plant camera for Switch 2 for $40 (33 percent off): If you plan on taking advantage of the Switch 2’s video and group chat feature, there’s no cuter way to do it than with this Piranha Plant camera. In addition to using it with the pot as a stand, the plant itself detaches from the pot so you can use the camera in portable mode with the USB port on the new console.

    ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for $30/month ($6/month off): ESPN’s new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, you’re essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer.

    NordVPN deal — Get up to 77 percent off two-year plans: Most of NordVPN’s two-year plans are on sale right now. You’ll get 77 percent off the Prime tier, bringing the price down to $189 for 27 months of service (Nord throws in an extra three months for free). Arguably the best plan for most people is the Plus tier, which is 73 percent off and down to $108 for the 27-month term.

    MasterClass deal — Get 50 percent off one-year subscriptions: You can sign up for one year of MasterClass access for as low as $5 per month thanks to this sale that runs through September 1. A subscription lets you watch hundreds of online video classes taught by experts in their fields, and subject matter ranges from writing to cooking to sports.

    Best Labor Day sales on tech

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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    Valentina Palladino

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  • 10 Bedroom Essentials for a More Comfortable Sleep – POPSUGAR Australia

    10 Bedroom Essentials for a More Comfortable Sleep – POPSUGAR Australia

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    As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you’ll like too. POPSUGAR has affiliate and advertising partnerships so we get revenue from sharing this content and from your purchase.

    A comfortable and cosy bedroom is key to a rock-solid sleep. This Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, upgrade your bedding essentials and spruce up your bedroom without blowing your budget. 

    From luxurious quilts to supportive pillows, we’ve gathered the best bedding deals to transform your sleep sanctuary. Save big on bedroom must-haves and improve your sleep quality for a healthier lifestyle.

    These deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Join Prime for a 30-day free trial here and enjoy exclusive offers, free shipping, and Amazon Prime Video. Check out these top deals on bedding and linen during Prime Big Deal Days.

    Best Bedding Deals

    Woolcomfort Australian-Made Merino Wool Doona (now $79.20, was $99)

    Amazon

    There’s nothing quite like snuggling up under a luxurious quilt on a chilly night. This dreamy offering from Woolcomfort is made from 100% Australian Merino wool, which is naturally breathable and temperature-regulating. So, no more waking up in a sweaty mess!

    WONDERPEDIC Memory Foam Orthopedic Bed Pillow (now $138.99, was $179)

    WONDERPEDIC Memory Foam Orthopedic Bed Pillow, best bedding deals
    Amazon

    Does back pain have you tossing and turning all night? WONDERPEDIC orthopedic bed wedge pillow could be your saving grace. The ergonomic design helps elevate your upper body and legs to improve circulation and reduce aches and pains. It also comes with a handy massage function to melt away that tension.

    LINENOVA Bamboo Sheets (now $71.99, was $89.99)

    LINENOVA Bamboo Sheets, best bedding deals
    Amazon

    Hot sleeper? These bamboo sheets from LINENOVA are your new best friends. Bamboo is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, so you can say goodbye to night sweats and hello to a cool, comfortable sleep.

    Luxton All Seasons Bamboo Doona (now $46.70, was $54.95)

    Luxton All Seasons Bamboo Doona, best bedding deals
    Amazon

    Looking for a quilt that will keep you comfy all year round? Luxton All Seasons Bamboo Doona is your best bet. The breathable bamboo filling is perfect for summer nights, while the microfibre layer provides extra warmth for winter. Plus, it’s machine washable, so you can keep it clean with minimal effort.

    Franco Kids Micro Raschel Barbie Throw (now $50, was $65.33)

    Franco Kids Micro Raschel Barbie Throw, best bedding deals
    Amazon

    This adorable Barbie throw blanket is the perfect way to add a touch of fun to your little one’s bedroom. It’s soft and cuddly, ideal for snuggle sessions or movie nights. And as we know it a happy kid means a better night’s sleep for everyone.

    Luxor Australian-Made Mattress Protector (now $19.95, was $27)

    Amazon

    Protect your mattress and keep dust mites at bay with this handy mattress protector from Luxor. It’s made from cotton, which is breathable and comfortable, and the quilted design adds an extra layer of protection. 

    Anjee Sherpa Weighted Throw Blanket (now $53.45, was $120.99)

    Amazon

    Feeling stressed? A weighted blanket can be a great way to relax and unwind before bed. This option from Anjee is made from sherpa fleece on one side and soft flannel on the other, so you can choose the fabric that feels most comfortable against your skin. The weight helps to provide a sense of security and calm, making it easier to drift off to sleep.

    Dreamaker HealthGuard Electric Blanket (now $110.46, was $129.95)

    Amazon

    For those who feel the cold at night, an electric blanket can be a lifesaver. Dreamaker HealthGuard Electric Blanket features eight heat settings so you can find the perfect temperature for you. Its anti-bacterial and anti-dust mite materials let you sleep soundly knowing your bed is clean and hygienic.

    Luxor Australian-Made Pillows (now $45.95, was $61.18)

    Amazon

    A good pillow is essential for a comfortable night’s sleep. These Australian-made pillows from Luxor are designed to provide the ultimate comfort and support. They’re available in both medium and firm options, so you can choose the one that suits your preferences.

    Zinus Memory Foam Mattress Topper (now $51.75, was $99)

    Amazon

    Add a layer of comfort to your mattress with this memory foam topper from Zinus. This topper features a cooling gel layer and a convoluted design to promote airflow and prevent heat buildup. It’s perfect for those who want to improve their sleep quality and reduce back pain.

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    Chennon Kyle Santaren

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  • The Best 75 October Prime Day Deals You Can Still Snag

    The Best 75 October Prime Day Deals You Can Still Snag

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    Prime Day is over. We spent weeks prepping for Amazon’s semiannual sale and two full days tracking discounts. Now all that’s left is watching for packages and moving some money around in your bank accounts. Unless …

    Yes, there are still a few Prime Day deals ticking. As always, WIRED’s picks for the best leftover Prime Day deals include only products someone from our team has personally tested and reviewed. We’ve linked our reviews and buying guide throughout to help you make fully informed buying decisions. Some of the products on our original list are still discounted, but if the price has increased from yesterday we’ve removed them. You can shop these deals with confidence that today’s price is, in fact, yesterday’s price, if not tomorrow’s. Also, don’t fret if you missed out. Black Friday is just six weeks away.

    The Best of the Leftovers

    We test products year-round and handpicked these Prime Day deals. Operations manager Scott Gilbertson has covered 15 multiday sale events—including Prime Day and Black Friday—over the past five years, as have many of the members of WIRED’s Gear team. We’ll update this guide regularly throughout Prime Day by adding fresh deals and removing dead deals.


    Best Tech Deals

    Photograph: Asus

    A buck cheaper than it was during Prime Day! Listed in our Best Routers guide as the best option for folks looking to try Wi-Fi 6E, this hexagonal Asus router performed well in my tests. It is a tri-band router, adding the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz. The new band allows for much faster speeds but is relatively low range and doesn’t penetrate through walls very well. This router has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, a second 1-Gbps WAN/LAN, and three gigabit LANs. Asus also provides free security and parental controls and tons of options in the mobile app and browser interface, including band-splitting, prioritization for different activities, guest network, VPN support, and the list goes on. —Simon Hill

    Rode Wireless Mic Go II microphone

    RØDE Wireless Go II

    Photograph: Rode

    This set of wireless microphones from Australian audio brand RØDE works well if you’re always filming on the go. You just clip each mic to the lapel of the person you want to record, and it records wirelessly for you to use later. It’s a really simple solution that makes it so you don’t have to mess with traditional (and often annoying) Lavalier microphone setups like you’ve seen on late-night TV. —Parker Hall

    The Western Digital WD Black SN770 is our favorite bare drive, whether you’re putting it in your laptop or PC or sticking it in an external case to use as a portable drive. The SN 770 is an M.2 2280 drive (check your PC’s specs to see if that fits) and achieved speeds of 5,100 Mbps in my testing, which is blazing fast. If you’re doing a lot of drive-intensive tasks, like editing video or gaming, this drive is well worth the money. —Scott Gilbertson Farrell

    I’m a big fan of Lifx bulbs for Apple Home users, since the bulbs will be ready for HomeKit setup when you initially unbox them. Not an Apple Home user? No problem—just wait 15 minutes and you can set these bulbs up to work without Apple and can instead link them to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Right now I control both my Lifx bulb and my Lifx Beam (7/10, WIRED Recommends) with Google Assistant, and it’s just as seamless as using it with Apple. The app is intuitive to navigate and comes with tons of colors and premade scenes you can use, and Lifx doesn’t require a hub of any kind to work. They’re easy to add onto any smart home, or to use as your exclusive smart home bulb, especially since they’re on sale right now. The 800-lumen A19 bulb is on sale, and while it’s not as bright as Lifx’s higher-lumen bulbs, it’s still plenty bright to use in a living room lamp alongside another light. —Nena Farrell

    The Aura Carver is our top pick for digital photo frames, but right now you can get the upgraded Carver Mat for the same price you’d get the regular model for. The Carver Mat upgrades the 10.1-inch digital photo frame’s look to give it a mat-style frame job, and looks much more than just a $30 upgrade. And right now that $30 extra is gone, thanks to Amazon Prime Day. Aura’s a fantastic brand for digital photo frames thanks to how easy the frames are to set up and manage with the app, letting you easily add photos from your camera roll or Google Photos. You can even scan your kid’s drawings with the Aura app to then display. —Nena Farrell

    Digital lock and remote on beige fabric

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    The Abode Lock (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of my favorite smart locks I’ve tested. This retrofit lock is easy to install, fairly quiet, and comes with a keypad and fingerprint reader. It only replaces the back of your deadbolt, making it a good pick for renters or households who want to keep using their existing keys. It doesn’t require a hub, but adding the Abode Hub does give you smart home connectivity. The hub only comes in Abode’s bundles, but you can get the Abode Security Kit for $40 ($120 off) right now. You’ll also want one of Abode’s monthly subscriptions (I did the $7/month Standard Plan) to get detailed notifications. I know it sounds like a lot, but you’ll be able to build onto this setup as much (or as little!) as you want after getting both the lock and hub for such a good price. —Nena Farrell


    Jump to a topic: Best Tech Deals, Best Home Deals, Best Kitchen Deals, Best Coffee Deals, Best Apple Deals, Best Smartwatch Deals, Best TV Deals, Best Laptop and Tablet Deals, Best Soundbar Deals, Best Headphone Deals, Best Speaker Deals, Best Gaming Deals, Best Charging Deals, Best Outdoor Deals, Best Camera Deals


    Best Home Deals

    Dyson v15 vacuum with display shown

    Photograph: Dyson

    This V15 Detect continues to hold the top spot in our guide to Best Dyson Vacuums. At just under 7 pounds, it’s lightweight, making it easy to maneuver and handle. It also comes equipped with a green laser that shoots out the front of the motorized head, illuminating microscopic dust particles that are typically tough to see. There’s a sensor inside the vacuum as well, which counts the number and determines the size of the particles it’s sucking up—all of which you can see on the LCD. In terms of battery life, you’ll get a 60-minute run time with a battery that takes up to 4.5 hours to fully charge. It’s expensive, but it’s an excellent option if you’re looking for a high-performing stick vacuum. —Brenda Stolyar

    Dyson’s Ball Animal 3 vacuum (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is great for unruly pet hair. It has more bin capacity than the previous version and comes with a Motorbar cleaner head with detangling hair-removal vanes. It has three different power modes to choose from: one for deep- and medium-pile carpets, another for low-pile carpets and large debris, and one for ground-in dirt and hardwood floors. It’s easy to maneuver, especially around awkward spaces and tight corners, and the bin never clogs up with fur. It is heavy and loud, though. But aside from that, it’s an excellent corded vacuum for pet owners. —Brenda Stolyar

    The Matrix is the newest version of the Shark AI Ultra, the 2-in-1 mopping vacuum that earned a “Most Improved Award” from me in 2022. Like most companies that purport to offer maximum value for minimum price, Shark has products that can be hit or miss. Happily, however, the Matrix is one of the hits, as I found it to be a reliable cleaning companion with quick and accurate mapping, multifunctional mopping, and vacuuming. It doesn’t need replacement dust bags—which is both a blessing and a curse, as the self-emptying dustbin sometimes doesn’t empty quite all the way. —Adrienne So

    When I included the rocket-shaped Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max in WIRED’s lineup of the Best Air Purifiers of 2024, I recommended it as the ideal gift for your dorm-bound loved ones. Standing just under 2 feet tall, the NeverChange can be placed as close as 3 inches from a wall, making it a good fit for crowded spaces. The average American dorm room is around 230 square feet, and the Shark NeverChange succeeds at exchanging the air the five recommended times per hour—perfect for a multiple-person dorm room. One caveat: To achieve that level of air purification, the NeverChange must be at its highest setting, which is to say its loudest setting. The NeverChange HEPA filter captures fine particles along with an activated carbon filter to trap odors and gases. It also includes Shark’s own “Odor Neutralizer Technology,” a small cartridge filled with an “Ocean Breeze” fragrance pod that looks like solid perfume. I would skip this, as I didn’t care for the scent. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    This is our top pick in our Best Pillows guide, and it’s not hard—in fact, it’s rather soft and squishy—to see why. I live in Texas, where it’s summer nine months out of the year, and this pillow still manages to stay cool throughout the night. It features a multilayer structure with a sturdy foam core to keep its shape, flanked by softer memory core layers to cushion your head. No matter how many pillows I test, I keep finding myself reaching for this one when I need a really good nap. —Eric Ravenscraft

    This is one of the best indoor security cameras you can buy because it’s capable of recognizing faces, so it can tell you when your kids come home. I also like the understated style. With HDR, the 1080p video quality is clear at 30 fps, with automatic night vision when it’s dark. There’s also decent two-way audio, and enforced two-factor authentication, which is important for an indoor camera. The big downside is that you need a Nest Aware subscription costing $8 per month ($80/year) for 30 days of event video history and familiar face alerts, but that does cover all your Nest devices. —Simon Hill

    White discshaped indoor security camera sitting on wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    The perfect outdoor security camera for Google households, Nest Cam Outdoor has a handy magnetic mount that makes it easy to angle the camera. It has an expansive 130-degree field of view, captures sharp 1080p video with HDR and night vision, and boasts a clear speaker and microphone. You only get three hours of free event history, but you can add a Nest Aware subscription ($8 a month, or $80 for the whole year) to get 30 days of event history and face recognition, which is super handy. —Simon Hill

    Purina’s Petivity (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a more affordable way to monitor your cat’s health without having to fork over $700 for an automatic litter box. The Petivity sits underneath a standard litter box and, once connected to the app, tells you which cat visited the box at what time, how much they weigh, and if they went number one or two. This tool is perfect for the helicopter pet parent, so you can track any differences in their litter box usage and if something seems off, take them to the vet before the issue becomes bigger and more costly. Right now the Petivity is the lowest price we’ve seen for an expensive pet health monitoring tool—less than half of what it usually costs. —Molly Higgins

    Cordless drill battery charger and carrying bag

    Photograph: Lowe’s

    A good drill is essential for your home tool kit, and this is the best one we’ve tested. It’s got more than enough torque for most tasks—and ’tis better to have more torque and not need it than to need it and not have it. The bundle includes two batteries and a charger, and the chuck will accept every bit you’ll end up using. The included batteries can be swapped with other DeWalt power tools as well. —Louryn Strampe

    The Nuzzie Ice Knit weighted blanket is one of my top weighted blanket picks, and a great alternative to the popular Bearaby Tree Napper if you want something extra soft or have a specific weight you’re looking for. It’s a similar open-knit design, and both use weighted fabric as filler rather than beads, but the Nuzzie uses bamboo material to give it a silkier, cooling touch. It has different weight options than the Bearaby Tree—the Nuzzie comes in 12, 16, 22, and 28 pounds—and I personally found those offerings closer to 10% of my weight. I just had a friend come over and they immediately commented on how nice the Nuzzie was to sit under while watching a movie. —Nena Farrell


    Jump to a topic: Best Amazon Device Deals, Best Tech Deals, Best Home Deals, Best Kitchen Deals, Best Coffee Deals, Best Apple Deals, Best Smartwatch Deals, Best TV Deals, Best Laptop and Tablet Deals, Best Soundbar Deals, Best Headphone Deals, Best Speaker Deals, Best Gaming Deals, Best Charging Deals, Best Outdoor Deals, Best Camera Deals


    Best Kitchen Deals

    Cookie season is just around the corner. We swear by these baking sheets from Nordic Ware. They’ve lasted our reviewer over a decade so far, with zero warps or other issues. Right now you can literally get two for the price of one, so if you’re baking on secondhand sheets that just aren’t cutting it, it’s a good time to invest in this upgrade. —Louryn Strampe

    Ninja Air Fryer Max

    Photograph: Ninja

    In a world where appliances are constantly vying for countertop space, the Ninja Max XL has a nice compact footprint that should make it fit in neatly with whatever else is currently residing there. It boasts a few different settings including roasting, baking, and crisping—so whether you’re whipping up some curly fries or you’re crafting a birthday cake, this gadget can still be useful. Read more about it in our air fryer buying guide. —Louryn Strampe

    Instant Pot Vortex 9 quart air fryer

    Photograph: Instant Pot

    This little gadget is one of our favorite air fryers, partially because it’s actually not so little. The 6-quart capacity can make up to six servings of food at once, so it’s great for larger households. You’ll get six cooking modes, including fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. The best part is the large viewing window, which lets you check the progress of your food without having to drop the internal temperature. The air fryer has a wide temperature range, and there are built-in filters that help cut down on any odors. Though I, for one, wouldn’t be mad if my kitchen smelled like steak bites all the time. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Coffee Deals

    Breville Barista Express

    Breville Barista Express

    Photograph: Breville

    Our top pick in our Best Espresso Machines guide, this is the machine to buy if you’re looking for a step up from a Keurig. I have been using mine since 2018 and it has served me well for more than six years. It’s quick to turn on, has a built-in grinder, a tamper that stores magnetically, and there’s a steam wand that can froth milk for a latte, though it takes a while. —Julian Chokkattu

    The Barista Express Impress (6/10, WIRED Review) is a more feature-rich version of our favorite espresso machine above. It has more grind and dosage settings, and it automates some of the more complex parts of brewing espresso, such as getting just the right amount of grounds per shot. Otherwise, it’s largely the same. It’s got a built-in grinder, an adjustable steam wand, and a sturdy construction. We see this deal on a regular basis, but the discount is still good. —Louryn Strampe

    This very fancily named espresso machine made our list of the very best. It’s a two-in-one machine with a built-in grinder and a slim form factor compared to similar machines. It has a couple of quirks—like the stepstool for your mug to prevent splashing—but overall it’s a joy to use and if you’re spending money like crazy on artisan coffee drinks at your local shop, the investment will pay off. We’ve seen it drop as low as $500 before, but it rarely drops below $550, so we still think this is a decent deal. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Apple and Apple Accessory Deals

    iPad

    Photograph: Apple

    Even though we don’t consider the 9th Gen iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) the best for most people—mainly because it’s three years old and packs an older, A13 Bionic chip—it’s still a solid option if you’re in the market for a budget tablet. It’s affordable and comes with a ton of great features like a physical Touch ID-enabled home button, 64 GB of storage on the base model, a 12-megapixel rear camera (with support for Center Stage), and a True Tone display. It’s also compatible with accessories like the 1st Gen Apple Pencil and Apple’s Smart Keyboard. —Brenda Stolyar

    This is the latest iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It now comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. The latter is bigger and brighter, making it excellent to use as a secondary display to work off of or watch TV on. It also comes equipped with an M2 processor (the same one that powers the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from 2022) that delivers smooth performance even with multiple apps running simultaneously. Apple also moved the front-facing 12-megapixel camera to landscape orientation. As with the previous version, it also has a USB-C port, slim bezels, and Touch ID built into the top power button. —Brenda Stolyar

    The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite tablet to travel with. The 8.3-inch display is great for watching movies, sketching, notetaking, and reading ebooks. It also has Touch ID built into the power button, a front-facing camera with Center Stage, and an A15 Bionic processor (as seen on the iPhone 13) that can handle taxing apps or games. It’s worth noting this model came out in 2021, and Apple is expected to announce the next-generation version either in November or early 2025. I recommend waiting if you can. —Brenda Stolyar

    ipad 10th generation blue front and back

    Apple iPad (10th Generation)

    Photograph: Apple

    The iPad (10th Gen) (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite iPad for most people. It comes with a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) display, a touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and a 12-megapixel rear camera (an upgrade from the eight megapixels). The 12-MP selfie camera has also been moved to the center of the iPad, so you’ll no longer have to awkwardly stare to the side during video calls. Under the hood is also an A14 Bionic chip, which delivers slightly faster performance and a bump in graphics over its predecessor. —Brenda Stolyar

    This is the latest and more feature-packed Apple Pencil. It comes with a few noteworthy features including a “squeeze” capability that triggers the tool palette (but you can still use double-tap) along with a haptic engine inside that delivers feedback when you squeeze the stylus. There’s a built-in gyroscope sensor too, which allows you to change the orientation of the tools as you twist it for finer control. It also comes with support for Apple’s Find My Network in case you lose it. It’s worth noting, however, that it only works with the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4). —Brenda Stolyar

    MacBook Air M3

    MacBook Air 13-Inch Laptop

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    Although M4-powered MacBooks are imminent, the MacBook Pro with M3 launched just a year ago—so it’s still an excellent choice. It packs a brighter display with mini LED and a 120-Hz refresh rate, along with a 1080p webcam. It packs plenty of ports too, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a MagSafe charging port, a high-impedance headphone jack, and an SD card slot. We recommend it if you’re looking for a MacBook Pro without spending $2,000 or more. —Brenda Stolyar


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    Best Smartwatch Deals (Plus Fitness Trackers)

    Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    The best smartwatch for Samsung fans, the Galaxy Watch7 is a very nice companion for a Galaxy phone. It is packed with features, offers notifications from your phone, and allows you to control your smart home from your wrist. It even boasts artificial intelligence algorithms to improve your health tracking data. But the battery life could be better and it doesn’t add much over the much cheaper, older Watch6. —Simon Hill

    Discounts on Oura’s biohacking smart rings are rare, but the Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon (6/10, WIRED Review) is currently on sale for Prime Day (no doubt because the Oura Ring 4 is about to land). This smart ring is our favorite sleep tracker and does a solid job of tracking your activity and stress levels. It packs three hospital-grade sensors: infrared photoplethysmography sensors for heart rate and respiration, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor for body temperature, and a 3D accelerometer for movement. The app is easy to use, but you must factor in Oura’s $6-per-month membership, which is essential to get the most from this gadget. —Simon Hill

    Withings ScanWatch 2

    Withings ScanWatch 2

    Photograph: Withings

    If you prefer a traditional analog-looking watch but want some of the features of a smartwatch, then the Withings ScanWatch 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) would like a word. With a classy design, comprehensive health and sleep tracking, and long battery life, this is one of the best smartwatches you can buy. It tracks your temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels, and has an ECG feature. The screen is tiny, so you can’t do much on it, but you can get notifications from your phone ticker-tape-style if you want. —Simon Hill

    Mobvoi’s Ticwatch smartwatches have long been a bit bland but they also deliver some of the best battery life on a feature-rich smartwatch. That’s because they use two kinds of displays, one low-power screen for when you’re not staring at the watch, and then an OLED for when you’re interacting with it. This watch performs well and lasts four days on a charge, but Mobvoi has a spotty record when it comes to software updates, so just know that you may not get the latest Wear OS features for months, if not a year. —Julian Chokkattu

    OnePlus’s first Wear OS watch is excellent (7/10, WIRED Recommends). Similar to the Ticwatch, it employs a hybrid architecture running two operating systems and two processors—one handles all the graphics-intensive Wear OS tasks, and the other sips on power for mundane step tracking and the like. I got three days of juice on a single charge, though you can stretch this if you optimize the watch and conserve power. It’s not as well-rounded in the health and fitness tracking department, but it’s adept at controlling smart home devices, notifications, and music playback. —Julian Chokkattu


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    Best TV Deals (Plus Streaming Devices)

    A large screen tv with the screen showing a bird emerging out of water in slow motion

    Samsung 65-inch S95D

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

    LG’s C-series OLED models are consistently among our favorite TVs of the year. The C3 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is another stunner thanks to its perfect black levels and nearly infinite contrast, bright and naturalistic colors, and excellent clarity and detail. As a 2023 model, the C3 isn’t quite as bright as the current version, but it’s still well worth grabbing on a good sale. Along with its fabulous picture quality, the TV provides four HDMI 2.1 ports for high-end gaming features on any input, a snappy (if a bit stodgy) webOS interface, and a stylish and refined aesthetic. You’ll want to check out the C4’s sale price too, but I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up the C3 on clearance. In fact, that’s exactly what I did when I purchased my year-old LG C1 a few years back, and I haven’t regretted that decision for a second. —Ryan Waniata

    We like TCL Q Class TVs though we prefer the Q6 which we have named Best TV overall. But this is a nice savings on a 55-inch one step down. —Martin Cizmar

    LG’s C4 OLED is one of the prettiest TVs I have ever seen (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has perfect contrast, a great interface, and a 144hz refresh rate that makes it great even for PC gaming. It’s an OLED TV that is finally bright enough to watch in rooms with lights on, and it supports Dolby Vision high dynamic range, which comparable Samsung models do not. If you’ve been in the market for a high-end TV, this deal makes now a good time to buy. —Parker Hall

    Hisense’s middle-tier min LED TV (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a fantastic value, especially at this price which is the lowest we’ve seen all year. Those after sparkling brightness matched by excellent contrast will find this TV delivers, thanks to rich and deep black levels with very little blooming. You’ll also get expansive quantum dot colors and great gaming features like a dedicated gaming mode and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) in 4K at up to 144 Hz thanks to HDMI 2.1 support across two of its four HDMI ports. It finishes things off with an inviting Google TV interface for an excellent all-around experience. At this price, it’s honestly hard to go wrong, which is why it’s currently our pick as the best TV for most people. —Ryan Waniata

    Samsung’s S95D QD-OLED, the third model in the company’s return to OLED displays, is a different animal than its predecessors. It’s the first to offer a new matte screen that reduces direct and indirect reflections with impressive efficacy. That makes it great for those with sunny rooms or lots of reflective lighting, though it can create a slight loss in perceived picture depth for dark content in bright lighting. Still, as one of the brightest OLED TVs you can buy, it absolutely sizzles with HDR content day or night, while its excellent picture processing and quantum dot colors burst to life in everything you watch. It’s loaded with extras, including support for the top gaming features across all inputs, but like all Samsung TVs, it doesn’t support Dolby Vision HDR. This won’t be the perfect fit for everyone, but if you’re after phenomenal OLED performance that keeps reflections at bay, the S95D is a great buy—especially on sale. —Ryan Waniata

    Hisense’s 65-inch U8N (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the brightest TVs I’ve ever seen, with only the masterful Bravia 9 matching its wattage in our test pile so far. This baby will blow the doors off your last TV, but just as important as those blistering highlights are its fantastic black levels and rich colors for well-rounded spectacle in HDR and even dimmer SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) content. It matches its punchy picture with top-tier gaming features, a solid Google TV interface that’s easy to setup and use, and some features you might not expect like an adjustable optical audio port that automatically lets you control the volume of older audio systems with your TV remote. If you’re after the best TV experience you can get for under $1,000, the U8N drops the hammer. —Ryan Waniata

    Sony’s all-in-one Quad home theater system (8/10, WIRED Recommends) provides the best surround sound immersion I’ve heard in a single-box solution. Even more intriguing, the four fabric-lined cubes and small control box are brilliantly discreet, mounting to the wall and requiring only power outlets and a single HDMI connetion to your TV. That makes the setup great for those who want to bring the theater experience home without all the clutter. You’ll likely want to add one of Sony’s wireless subwoofers so the end cost is certainly steep, but this price drop makes the Quad seriously enticing for those after a stealthy setup that brings the goods. —Ryan Waniata

    Roku Ultra with remote and headphones

    Photograph: Roku

    Of the many, many options in the Roku lineup, Roku Ultra is the fanciest. It has the strongest dual-band Wi-Fi you can get in a Roku, plus an Ethernet port if you prefer wireless connections. We don’t really think that’s necessary, but if you care, the option is there. The remote has an option for hands-free voice controls as well as a headphone jack. Roku even throws a free pair of earbuds in, and they’re surprisingly decent—and you won’t wake up your sleeping partner while you binge the newest season of What We Do in the Shadows. Another neat feature is that if you have hands-free voice controls turned on, you can speak into the void and ask your remote to beep. We truly live in the future. —Louryn Strampe

    The Roku Express 4K+ is similar to the one we recommend in our guide. The main difference is that this slightly cheaper model doesn’t have a Voice Remote Pro, therefore it doesn’t have a headphone jack. If you don’t care about using voice controls or listening to your TV via headphones but want a capable streaming stick with loads of free channels and a dead-simple interface, this is a good model to get to save some cash. We’ve seen this drop to $25 before, but $27 is still a good deal since it usually bounces between that and $40. —Louryn Strampe

    Roku’s simple and easy-to-use interface is probably my favorite in all of streaming TV land. It has virtually every app you can fathom, excellent voice search, and pumps out surprisingly great video quality from a device the size of a gum packet. I’d still go for a higher-end streamer for my main TV, but if you have an older screen that needs a streaming upgrade or has an interface you hate, this is one of our favorite streaming devices. —Parker Hall

    If you don’t have a 4K TV, you don’t need to pay extra for a 4K streaming stick. The Roku Express is the cheapest in the lineup, but it’s perfectly capable. It’s a bare-bones device that doesn’t have any fancy extra features like voice or TV controls, but you’ll still get the beloved Roku interface and access to all of your usual streaming networks. Lots of other Roku devices are on sale for Prime Day, though, so if you plan on upgrading your TV over the next few years, it might be worthwhile to just spend the extra cash on a more future-proof device now. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Laptop and Tablet Deals

    Front view of a laptop sitting on a wooden desk with the image of an island on the screen

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    This is the first major discount we’re seeing on Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop (which is also a Copilot+ PC, which we explain in this story). It’s a perfectly fine machine (7/10, WIRED Recommends) but was too expensive out of the gate. This price is a little more reasonable, especially since this is the version with the Snapdragon X Elite chipset, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1-terabyte solid state drive. You also get a 14-inch touchscreen with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate. Performance is great for everyday tasks with good battery life, just take a grain of salt with all the “AI” features. Also remember that since this is a Qualcomm-powered PC, there may be some app compatibility issues. —Julian Chokkattu

    Black laptop open with app icons on the screen

    Photograph: Best Buy

    Gaming on a Chromebook? It’s not something you immediately think of on these machines that revolve around the Google Chrome browser. Still, the 516 GE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the more powerful Chromebook Plus laptops out there with battery life that will get you through a workday just fine. It’s billed as a cloud gaming machine, allowing you to stream games through services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now. There’s Wi-Fi 6E support or an Ethernet port to maximize internet speeds. Plus you get a 16-inch screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate. —Julian Chokkattu


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    Best Soundbar Deals

    Sonos Ray

    Photograph: Sonos

    The Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an intriguing offering from Sonos, a brand that’s helped redefine the soundbar landscape. It doesn’t connect over HDMI ARC like most modern soundbars, using an optical input instead. That means it’s tougher to control it with your TV remote, though it’s programmable for many modern TVs which is important since it oddly doesn’t come with its own remote. The tradeoff is advanced networking features like Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and the ability to connect with other Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio system. Most important, this compact bar sounds very good for its size, with more bass and overall punch than you’d believe when you unpack it. The Ray isn’t for everyone, but if it fits your needs, it’s a hot attraction at a cool price. —Ryan Waniata

    The Sonos Beam Gen 2 sits in the middle of the company’s current lineup, offering a balanced blend of sound quality and features. It’s not particularly punchy in the bass, but its compact size serves up clear dialogue and surprisingly expansive effects sound thanks to acoustic trickery that includes virtual Dolby Atmos support. Like other Sonos speakers, it offers advanced networking features, including a variety of supported streaming services, AirPlay 2, and the ability to connect to other Sonos speakers over Wi-Fi for a multi-room or surround sound setup. Its minimalist design disappears on your console, and the HDMI ARC connection makes it simple to control with your TV remote. Those who want bigger sound may want to step up to the Arc, but the Beam is a solid compact system with loads of features. —Ryan Waniata

    Speaker system including long flat speaker 2 angular speakers and one rectangular speaker

    Photograph: Amazon

    Dolby Atmos Soundbar systems are frowned upon by the nerds on Reddit, but I actually have found that recent generations do compete pretty well with traditional receiver-and-speakers setups. This one from LG is usually a bit expensive for most buyers, but at under a thousand bucks for a setup with two rear surround speakers with upfiring drivers and a wireless subwoofer, it’s hard to argue with this deal. It even has Dolby Vision and 120hz 4K passthrough, which means you can connect your latest consoles and not worry that it’s throttling the video. —Parker Hall

    Sonos’ indomitable Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) helped change how we think about soundbars. At nearly $900 list, its lack of extras like a subwoofer or surround speakers seemed like a serious hindrance. Instead, the tubular device proved that a single bar is all you need for thrilling home theater audio, with solid bass response and powerful speakers that bounce sound all around your room. Its Dolby Atmos height speakers are particularly impressive, submerging you in sound with supported content. Of course, if you want more, the Arc happily obliges by connecting wirelessly with other Sonos speakers in a multiroom audio system, or a full 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setup. It’s got plenty of other features, including a built-in microphone for smart commands and the ability to stream over Wi-Fi from multiple services. It doesn’t offer Bluetooth or even a spare HDMI input, but if you’re looking for a topline, all-in-one sound system, it’s one of the best soundbars out there. —Ryan Waniata


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    Best Headphone Deals

    Light grey headphones with black strap placed partially on a puzzle

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    Many of us thought the AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was getting a refresh at the most recent Apple event, but all we got was a USB-C version fit for European consumption. That means this discounted model is still Apple’s top of the pops, and indeed it still stands tall in the noise-canceling headphones lexicon. You’ll get a solid aluminum design that feels posh, great sound, good noise canceling, and transparency mode that brings in the world around you in and incredibly natural way. You’ll also get good Apple-centric features like the ability to seamlessly swap between iCloud devices These headphones are rather heavy and don’t come with a travel case, but otherwise they’re still an excellent buy, especially now that the price has crept down drastically from their original $600 MSRP. —Ryan Waniata

    The Beats Studio Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are a super solid pair of headphones that cost just a bit too much at full price for them to rise to my exclusive list of top favorites. That’s why they’re so enticing on a great sale. These headphones offer excellent audio performance and noise canceling, natural sounding transparency mode, some good Apple-centric features (since Apple owns the Beats brand), and even trendy tricks like 360 audio with head tracking that puts you in the center of your sound. I wish they had auto-pause, something I expect in a pair of top-tier headphones, and the build is less premium than other headphones in their class but at this price, they’re nothing less than a killer deal. —Ryan Waniata

    These are our favorite AirPods alternatives. They have noise cancellation, support for spatial audio, and transparency mode. Although they aren’t the most comfortable earbuds we’ve tested, they’re very easy to use, thanks to the physical buttons on the outside of each earbud. We also like that they’re super stylish and come in colors like ivory, silver, black, and transparent. —Brenda Stolyar

    The Beats Fit Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is best for the gym, due to its ergonomic design. They have squishy fins for better stability, soft silicone tips, and a fit test to make sure the buds sit properly in your ears. The outside of each bud also has a clicky button used for controls. In terms of sound, they also deliver a detailed and punch sound signature, excellent noise cancelation, and reliable microphones for calls. —Brenda Stolyar

    Sony’s WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are the brand’s top wireless pair, offering excellent noise canceling, great sound, and tons of advanced features. Even with a couple of years under their belt, the XM5 do well to fend off fresh rivals like the Sonos Ace. They can’t match the Bose Ultra when it comes to noise canceling, but I generally prefer their sound quality, especially after taming their taut bass with Sony’s multi-band EQ. There’s not a major feature the XM5 don’t offer, from auto pausing when you speak to letting in the world around you with a cupped hand on the right earcup. Perhaps their best feature is usability, with everything from their touch controls to their app working flawlessly. Their 30 hours of battery life is enough for even trips off the grid. Their only real knock is a longer travel case than their predecessor, the WH-1000XM4 that’s harder to pack. The XM5 are among the best wireless headphones out there, and they’re all the more tempting on a good sale. —Ryan Waniata

    With so much marketing hype in consumer electronics, it’s nice to see a product that lives up to its name. When Bose says “Ultra” in this case, the company means it. You won’t find a pair of earbuds with noise canceling this powerful or comprehensive anywhere on the market right now. Others may come close, but when it comes to strangling as much of the ambient audio around you as possible, these buds stand alone. They add to their cancellation prowess with clear and vibrant sound performance, solid battery life, and extras like adaptive transparency mode to keep sudden loud noises at bay and 3D audio with head tracking to immerse you in your tunes and videos. If you’ve been waiting for a good sale on the ultimate noise cancellers, now is your moment. –Ryan Waniata

    Sony’s WF-1000XM5 (7/10 WIRED Recommends) are every bit a flagship pair of Sony earbuds. They don’t have the best noise canceling or arguably even the best sound for the money, but their mix of top-tier versions of each alongside a wide suite of useful features and technologies makes them an excellent sonic companion even at their high price. Their design is more compact and ergonomic than many competitors, fitting nimbly in your pocket and your ears. Their touch controls are simple to use, and their 8 hours of battery life per charge (and multiple case recharges) is among the best in class. It all adds up to a well-rounded package that’s especially tempting on sale. —Ryan Waniata

    This comes with the major caveat that Shokz recently released the update to these longtime favorite headphones, the OpenRun Pro 2, which have, among other things, USB-C charging so you’re not constantly looking for Shokz’s proprietary charger. However, the older version is still great—it’s smaller, the battery life is slightly better, and the sound quality is also just a tiny bit better. There’s also a mini version for those of us with tiny, tiny necks. —Adrienne So

    Black inear earbuds

    Sony Linkbuds S

    Photograph: Amazon

    Sony’s Linkbuds S don’t seem to have much in common with their namesake, the original Linkbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The latter have a hole in the middle to eternally let in the outside world, while the Linkbuds S are more like traditional earbuds, offering both transparency mode and noise canceling, allowing you to let in or suppress environmental sounds respectively. This makes them more of a philosophical follow-up, but they’re still a solid pair of midrange earbuds. Their best feature may be their minuscule size, making them comfy and easy to wear for hours at a time. You’ll also get plenty of features, including a multi-band EQ and a speak-to-chat feature that pauses sound when you talk. It’s a good package, especially at their reduced price, making these a worthy buy for those after Sony quality without shelling out for a flagship pair. —Ryan Waniata

    If you’re getting headphones for your kids you should always make sure they are volume-limited to ensure they don’t damage their hearing. This pair from Altec Lansing are limited to 85 decibels but also have active noise cancellation to block out background noise. They come in various fun color combos, are wireless, and work for up to 15 hours when fully charged. My kids tested these and my wife uses them at school (she’s a teacher) and the students find them comfy. They also score an IPX4 rating and wipe clean easily. —Simon Hill


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    Best Speaker Deals

    2 round white speakers with gold centers

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    Speakers this cute—and cheap!—sound like a recipe for poor performance. Luckily, Creative’s pint-sized Pebble V3 speakers can deliver great sound quality for all my gaming and meeting needs. Midrange and bass notes come through nicely, and there’s a single gain switch you can flip on too. The speakers connect via USB-C, Bluetooth, or the included 3.5-mm audio cable. All three work great, but the audio cable is my favorite for switching back and forth between my work laptop and gaming computer. Want a subwoofer? Creative also has the Pebble Plus 2.1 set on sale for $37 which adds a little subwoofer to pump up your sound with the two adorable Pebble speakers. —Nena Farrell


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    Best Gaming Deals

    Two images of two video game consoles side by side. The left image shows the front and the right image shows the back...

    Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

    The PlayStation 5 Slim is the new smaller version of the popular Sony console. You can read about the differences here. You may want to save for the PS5 Pro coming next month. —Martin Cizmar

    The Corsair k65 keyboard in black with RGB lights on a wood surface.

    The Corsair K65 Plus is one of our favorite keyboards, especially if you want to take it on the go. The 75 percent layout keeps the dedicated arrow keys, but cuts off most of the other less-than-necessary keys to help keep it low-profile. It has a stylish volume knob, and connects via Bluetooth, USB-C, or a wireless dongle that you can store in the keyboard itself. —Eric Ravenscraft

    If you’re looking for an upgrade over the typical Xbox controllers, the Scuf Instinct Pro is our top choice. It has a comfortably grippy matte black finish and a stylish color palette. On the rear, there are four hair-trigger paddles that can be mapped to any button, making it easier to juggle abilities in complex, fast-paced games like Overwatch 2 or Destiny 2. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Desktop monitor with silver stand showing the titlescreen of an online game

    Samsung Odyssey G6 OLED Gaming Monitor

    Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

    There’s a lot to love about the Samsung Odyssey G6 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), from its gorgeous OLED panel to its highly accurate DCI-P3 color coverage. But the one feature that stood out to me when I reviewed it was the absolutely ludicrous 360Hz refresh rate. That’s so many frames per second that it effectively ensures your monitor will never be the bottleneck on the road to smooth gameplay. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Popular with Twitch streamers, this translucent purple deck offers a console of 15 buttons you can program to get things done. We have Elgato Stream Deck tips if you need ideas about what and how to automate. The faceplate is swappable and there’s a detachable stand. Also on sale, the Elgato Stream Deck Plus ($170) switches some buttons for dials. Both are at all-time lows. —Simon Hill


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    Best Charging Deals

    Black rectangular charger with ports on the front

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    With an irresistible cute wee robot face that doubles as a display for charging stats, this is one of our favorite power banks. It is also a zippy performer with a USB-C port that can deliver up to 100 watts and boasts support for just about every fast charging protocol under the sun. There is also a USB-A that’s good for up to 15 watts. The 12,000 mAh capacity is enough to charge most phones at least twice. —Simon Hill


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    Best Outdoor Deals

    I freaking love this humble little electric pizza oven, which has zero pretensions but is one of the most versatile additions to my outdoor kitchen. The “woodfire” in the name is a bit of a stretch, given that it just has a tiny trapdoor with which to add pellets to give a smoky flavor to your food. But it’s so easy to use that over the past year, I’ve ended up using it every day. Just punch in what style of pizza you want, let it preheat, and pop it in. I’ve also used it to make muffins, ribs, and macaroni and cheese. —Adrienne So

    Segway E2 Plus electric scooter

    Segway Ninebot E2 Plus

    Photograph: Segway

    The E2 Plus is a 32-pound electric scooter with a range of roughly 10 miles. (I tested it as a 6’4” man—most people will be able to go a little farther.) It’s easy to fold up and carry around, and the 15-mph top speed is beginner-friendly. Don’t expect it to go up steep hills with the 300-watt motor, but it’s a great affordable scooter for grocery runs or quick trips to the deli. —Julian Chokkattu


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    Best Camera Deals (Plus Binoculars)

    Sony A7RV Mirrorless Camera

    Sony Alpha 7R V

    Photograph: Sony

    Our top pick for max megapixels, Sony’s flagship full-frame mirrorless camera features a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, which is largely unmatched in its class (if you want more megapixels you’ll need to get a medium-format camera). If that’s not enough, there’s a 16-shot, high-resolution mode that can create 240-MP images (so long as your subject is static, e.g., a landscape). The dynamic range is outstanding and the autofocus is plenty snappy. —Scott Gilbertson

    We think this is the best mirrorless camera for most people. Sony’s A7 IV (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a 33-megapixel, full-frame camera capable of incredibly sharp images, with excellent dynamic range and the best autofocus system on the market. It’s compact and light enough to carry all day without back strain, and the grip is comfortable. The five-axis image stabilization means you can hand-hold it in lower light, and the wide range of 4K video options makes it the best all-around video-and-stills combo on the market. —Scott Gilbertson

    The new Hero 13 Black brings interchangeable lenses and other features, but last year’s Hero 12 Black (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is still a great camera, especially at this price. It’s our favorite GoPro on sale, and on sale it is. For $300 you’d be hard-pressed to get a better action camera. There’s good, smart stabilization, support for Log video, wireless mic support, and a tripod mount. The one downside is there’s no GPS support in the Hero 12 (that’s good for battery life, but if you liked GPS, this is not the camera to get). —Scott Gilbertson

    Overhead view of black film camera on top of printed out photos laid out in a grid

    Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

    This isn’t a huge deal, but we rarely see Fujifilm’s nicer Instax cameras go on sale. We think this is the best camera that uses the square Instax film. The SQ40 is about as simple as it gets, twist the lens barrel to turn it on, frame your shot, hit the shutter button, and voilà out comes your image, which develops in about 90 seconds. There’s a film counter near the bottom left side of the back to let you know how many images you have left. The only other option is a selfie mode, designed for close-ups.


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    When Is Amazon Prime Day?

    Amazon’s big sale event runs from Tuesday, October 8, through Wednesday, October 9, 2024. It ends at 2:59 am ET on October 9 (11:59 pm PT).

    Will You Need a Prime Membership?

    Yes, this event is for Amazon Prime members, meaning most of these Prime Day deals are for subscribers only. If you want to take the ride you need to buy the ticket. In this case, the ticket is $15 a month, and you get free two-day shipping. There are a whole bunch of other Prime Day perks you can take advantage of as well. You can also sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial. Just register before the event and cancel right when the trial ends so you can take advantage of these deals. That said, there are a lot of discounted products available to folks who are not Prime subscribers. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are also price-matching some items or throwing their own competing sales.

    What Are Invite-Only Deals?

    Last year Amazon introduced invite-only deals—a system to help make it easier for Prime members to access deals that are expected to sell out quickly—and the company has brought it back for Prime Big Deal Days. The feature is only available for select products but it has spread across a variety of categories and price points.

    If a specific product is part of the Invite-Only Deals system, you’ll see a “Request Invite” button on the right-hand side. All you have to do is click it for a chance to buy the product at that sale price. However, it’s important to note that there’s no guarantee you’ll receive the invite. You can learn more about the program and how it works in our story on How to Shop Like a Pro During Amazon Prime Day.

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    Scott Gilbertson, Gear Team

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  • 9 Best Prime Day Kindle Deals and Accessories

    9 Best Prime Day Kindle Deals and Accessories

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    As Prime Day nears its end for 2024, now is a great time to buy a Kindle. At WIRED, we’re big fans of them. It’s an excellent solution for bookworms who always want access to tons of books on the go in a compact, lightweight form factor. But they can be expensive. If you’ve been holding off on buying one, you’re in luck, because there are Amazon Prime Day Kindle deals on many of our favorite models.

    As a reminder, we don’t recommend anything we don’t test, and we test year-round. If you don’t see Prime Day Kindle deals you like here, don’t forget to check out our Best Kindles, Best Ebook Readers, and Best Ebook Subscriptions guides. As always, you need an Amazon Prime membership to get the deal price, but you can sign up for a free trial and Prime offers plenty of perks and then head over to our guide to the absolute best Prime Day deals.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Kindle Deals

    Kindle Paperwhite

    Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images

    This is currently our favorite Kindle. It packs a 6.8-inch display with small bezels, adjustable warm lighting, and 16 gigabytes of storage. It also comes with a USB-C port for wireless charging. We also suggest spending the extra $20 to get rid of lock-screen ads. We are seeing rumors that new Kindles are coming, and Amazon does upgrade the Paperwhite regularly. However, this model still performs very well.

    Black tablet propped up on kitchen counter with drawing of a coffee cup and rocket on the screen and digital pens in front

    Kindle Scribe

    Photograph: Jaina Grey

    We recommend the Scribe (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for note-taking and drawing. Because it’s a Kindle, the reading experience is still seamless, but the large 10.2-inch screen is ideal for taking notes, marking up PDFs, and illustrating. However, we don’t recommend it for professional artists who want something a bit more complex. You also can’t write on book pages (for those who like to annotate while reading), and it isn’t waterproof. Right now only the 16-gigabyte version is still in stock. The Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle is also on sale for $300 ($140 off) which nets you the pen and a swanky leather cover.

    This is our favorite Kindle for kids. It comes with a kid-friendly content library, parental controls, a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a two-year warranty. It also has a high-resolution 300-ppi display and can switch between light and dark modes. We’ve seen it dip slightly lower in the past, between $105 and $110, but this is still a solid deal. If your kid breaks it, there’s a two-year worry-free guarantee, and Amazon will replace your device for free.

    Kindle Accessory Deals

    Strapsicle Kindle Case on a Kindle

    Strapsicle E-Reader Hand Straps

    Photograph: Amazon

    The purpose of the cover is to protect your Kindle. My old one served its purpose, because my puppy ate it. The Kindle is safe, so now I need a new cover and that’s why I’m including this.

    This is a great accessory if you’re looking for a more comfortable way to hold your Kindle. The soft silicone straps attach to the back of the e-reader and provide you with a better spot to rest your hands. It’s available in multiple sizes depending on the type of e-reader you have.

    WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tested this and said it makes for a super convenient and comfortable experience, especially if you have any sources of chronic pain in your hands and wrists. The clamp is easy to attach to bed frames and side tables. and it’s lightweight enough to use anywhere (with enough resistance to the neck that it won’t fall forward or out of the position you place it in). The floor stand version ($60) is also on sale for $10 off if you’d rather not attach it to your furniture.

    A book opened on a wooden nightstand with a thin twosided light clipped to the book

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    This is our top pick in our guide to The Best Reading Lights. It’s a clip-on with an adjustable gooseneck and two swiveling light bars that pack seven LEDs each. You can also cycle through five levels of brightness and three color temperature modes, as well as six brightness settings.

    This is my favorite reading light. It looks a little silly, but it’s an excellent alternative to a clip-on reading light. It’s adjustable, lightweight, and comes with three color temperature modes as well as six brightness settings. It’s rechargeable too, with up to 80 hours of battery life when on the dimmer settings.

    What is a Prime Day without a ton of Kindle e-books on sale? Most of these are not, er, WIRED-recommended. However, we spotted a few of our favorites, including Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations ($2) and Penny Reid’s Grin and Beard It ($3) (I am an eclectic person with eclectic tastes.) For more information on how to get ebooks, check our Best Ebook Subscriptions guide.

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    Brenda Stolyar

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  • The Best Amazon Prime Day Toy Deals

    The Best Amazon Prime Day Toy Deals

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    If you’ve ever battled crowds to get a coveted toy you know that early October is the perfect time for parents to start holiday shopping. Amazon knows this, which is why the company is holding a second Prime Day sale event—which ends tonight—featuring some great Prime Day toy deals. You can find all the best Prime Day deals here. But if your kids are like my kids, they’re already working on their wish lists. If you say you haven’t already started budgeting, you are either lying, financially irresponsible, or your children are much less demanding than mine are (I know, it’s my fault).

    We test and write about toys year-round, cross-reference our own recommendations, and then use price-tracking software to make sure what we’re recommending is actually a good deal. These are all toys that we, and our kids, have tested and loved. You need an Amazon Prime membership to get the Prime Day deal price, but you can sign up for a free trial, and Prime offers plenty of perks.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Toy Deals

    Photograph: Particula 

    If you have a kid who is easily frustrated, then I can’t recommend the GoCube enough (in fact, I recommended it in our gift guide to Smart STEM Toys). A regular Rubik’s Cube just leaves you alone to stew in your own incompetence, but a Bluetooth-connected Rubik’s Cube has glowing edges and a beautiful app to walk you through how to solve one. Once you’ve done that, you can learn all the different algorithms to get your solve time down, and even compete with friends! This price is for the gift pack with the charging stand, cable, and carrying pouch so your kid can even play with it on the car ride home.

    Prime Days are always the best time to stock up on Lego sets because the company usually runs a bunch of promotions for around 30 percent off. These bricks are amazing but also expensive (the tolerances are so precise!), so try not to buy them full price, if possible. This is a great price for a basic box of colors. However, if you want to work on a kit, you have a few more options.

    It’s seasonal! If you’re taking your kids to a real pumpkin farm this weekend, why not get a Lego one for them to build afterwards? This is a perfect seasonal set with 257 pieces, for kids ages 8 and up.

    CubicFun 3D Puzzle of Notre Dame

    Photograph: Amazon

    This 3D puzzle is one of the best analog gifts. Once completed, the puzzle can be opened 180 degrees to reveal the detailed interior. There are 293 pieces, which should give you a nice, long break from your screens. If the Notre Dame isn’t your favorite beautiful building, there are many other options to choose from, all with overall positive Amazon reviews. —Louryn Strampe

    3rd Gen Carousel

    Photograph: Yoto

    Multiple friends have purchased the Yoto Player (7/10, WIRED Recommends) so that their kids can play media without having to interact with a screen. The pixelated light-up clock is cute, so it can sit on a nightstand and tell kids when to get up, and you can play audiobooks with insertable cards (you can even create your own content with blank cards). The smaller Yoto Mini ($55) is also on sale.

    Tonies Toniebox speaker

    Photograph: Tonies

    This squishy kid’s speaker is great for young kids aged 3 to 7 years because it can withstand drops, spills, and other mishaps. You get five character figures with the speaker (including Spider-Man and Playtime Puppy) and when they are placed on top they trigger related songs or stories. The content is usually under an hour, sometimes much shorter, but you can buy extra characters for all kinds of content, including Paddington Bear, Disney, and Pixar movies. —Simon Hill

    Bag of Kinetic Sand

    Photograph: Kinetic Sand

    My children spent a good three to four years totally obsessed with kinetic sand, which is a good return on investment for an affordable stocking stuffer. As my colleague Simon Hill notes (who has similarly obsessed kids), kinetic sand behaves like wet sand, except it looks, feels, and smells nice and isn’t wet. With the caveat that you will have to confine it to a table or play area and/or invest in a robot vacuum, your kid will be able to mold and shape it to their heart’s content.

    Green and brown helmet with rust marks and scratches sitting on wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    I’m a big kid and this is one of the best Star Wars gifts I ever got, but any fan will love it. These helmets look good enough to satisfy collectors but are way cheaper than high-end movie replicas, so your kids can play with them. Looks like Amazon has discounts on a bunch of other Black Series helmets, including the Scout Trooper ($72) and The Mandalorian ($70). —Simon Hill

    Kanoodle Pyramid toy

    Photograph: Amazon

    This clever logic puzzle challenges you to fit Tetris-pieces into a three-dimensional puzzle board. With 100 3D puzzles that require spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills to beat, this will keep kids aged 8 and up busy for quite a while. They get tougher as you progress, but never too hard. Maker Educational Insights offers a bunch of other brain teasing puzzles specifically for younger kids, including Kanoodle Genius (also on sale). —Simon Hill

    Rock Tumbler

    Photograph: Amazon

    My kids were obsessed with this rock tumbler. (It’s also in our Best STEM Toys guide.) For years, it ran more or less constantly, polishing all the little rocks that they filled their pockets with on our hikes and river walks. It doesn’t feel like a toy, despite the packaging and the affordable price.

    This was also in our STEM Toys guide before it got replaced with fresher picks. Nevertheless, my daughter used this for several years (we bought ours in 2022). We may have to upgrade to a nicer 3D printer soon, but as a first- and second-grader, she really loved being able to create her own tiny flower gardens and spoons for her stuffies.

    Regardless of how much my Furby creeped me out as a kid back in the 90s, I believe owning one is a rite of passage. This is the latest version, which comes with over 600 responses, color-changing lights, dance moves, and more. It also comes with voice activation, which unlocks five different commands (without the need to connect to the internet). —Brenda Stolyar

    If you remember these digital pets from the ’90s you might fancy giving one to your kid. Let them get a taste of what it’s like to care for something, feed, clean, and play with it, and never get any thanks! Be warned, though, when I got one for my daughter, she started insisting I look after it when she was at school. —Simon Hill

    Gaming Deals

    Box for a boardgame on wooden surface. Front says Catan and is a scene of travelers looking down a long road and a town...

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Originally called Settlers of Catan, this immersive strategy game is all about gathering and trading resources to build roads, settlements, and cities on a randomly generated board of hexagonal tiles. To collect enough points for a victory requires the right strategy and some luck with dice rolls. My kids love the trading and the robber mechanic, which allows you to steal cards from your opponents and block their resources (though it can cause fall outs). The game is perfect for three or four players and usually lasts around an hour. There are various expansions and a new version called Catan: New Energies (7/10, WIRED Recommends) if you ever want more. —Simon Hill

    If I were to guess where my anxiety disorder stems from, I’d point back to this game. The whole point is to make your way past different obstacles to get to the fridge for a midnight snack, without waking up Dad—all of which depends on the amount of times you click the included alarm clock. Since it’s randomized, you’re holding your breath hoping he won’t shoot up out of bed and send you back to your room. —Brenda Stolyar

    Blue and white box for a board game showing people and animals on a deserted island

    Photograph: Amazon

    If you just can’t get enough of Catan (formerly known as Settlers of Catan), and now your kids want to join in, there is now a junior version for kids as young as 5. Your swashbuckling kindergartener can learn how to trade with—and rob—people by playing as miniature pirates on the high seas. They will also learn how to argue. A lot.

    Decorative tile themed board game contents scattered on wood table. Left Packaging holding circular pieces. Back Box and...

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    You must decorate the royal palace for the King of Portugal using colorful, decorative tiles, inspired by the Moorish designs in the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain. Pick tiles each round to fill your game board, but plan carefully to get high scoring sets and patterns. Like many of the best family board games, it’s quick to learn but has real strategic depth. —Simon Hill

    My children have this. Like most elementary-school aged children, they’re obsessed with Squishmallows of all sizes. I just like having a place to put them that’s not in my shoes, torn up by the dog’s teeth, or in the dryer chute.

    I have fond memories of playing Pretty Pretty Princess growing up. Whenever my older brother would babysit me as a kid, I’d force him to play with me. By the end of the game, he’d be sporting clip-on earrings, necklaces, and even the crown. I had the traditional version, but younger Brenda would’ve loved this Disney Princess edition, which comes with characters like Belle, Jasmine, Tiana, and Aurora. —Brenda Stolyar

    Contents of the Labyrinth board game on a wooden surface. In the back is the game box center is the board with...

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    One of the best family board games for young kids, Labyrinth is simple enough for anyone to grasp. The game board is a maze, and your challenge is to collect a set of treasures dictated by the cards you are dealt. This game was designed by a German psychologist, and the fun comes from the ability to change the maze by pushing a tile onto the board, which displaces another each turn. You can carve out a route for yourself, but it is also worth thinking about how to block your opponents, and the best moves do both. —Simon Hill

    This is another game that definitely fueled my anxiety as a kid, but I look back and laugh at all the fun I had with my friends while playing it as a kid. When you start the timer, you have to fit all the shapes into the matching spots as quickly as possible. Once you’re done, have to turn the switch off. But if you don’t get to all the shapes in time, the tray pops up and the pieces fly everywhere. —Brenda Stolyar

    Steam train themed board game box on wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    This classic board game has lovely steam engine styling and rules even young kids can quickly grasp, making it an ideal introduction to more complex board games. The aim is to claim railway routes across the US and Canada using your colorful plastic rail cars. You spend cards to claim routes, and there are bonus points for connecting certain destinations, but you can get blocked by other players. If you’ve played and liked the original, Ticket to Ride Europe ($28) is also on sale.

    This continues to be my all-time favorite board game. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve always been incredibly nosey (even as a kid) and loved asking questions or if it’s that the concept is simple to grasp. Simply choose a character from the stack of cards, ask yes or no questions about the character, and turn over the cards that don’t match the answer to guess who the opponent picked.—Brenda Stolyar

    Clixo STEM toys

    Photograph: Clixo

    This irresistible construction kit made our Best STEM Toys guide and is a fantastic gift for kids of all ages. Clixo’s colorful, versatile, magnetic pieces snap together, enabling you to build all kinds of three-dimensional shapes, from crowns to cats. The pieces stack neatly and are very compact when packed away. They are also durable and washable, and you can play with them anywhere—you don’t need a table. Clixo kits are suitable for kids aged 4 and up, but teens and even adults will get a kick out of these too. —Simon Hill

    Orzly Nintendo Switch hard case

    Photograph: Orzly

    If your kids also love playing on the Nintendo Switch, it’s a good idea to have a case when they carry it to and fro. We like this one because it’s affordable and has extra pockets for an extra controller or cables and a sleeve for game cartridges. It also comes in a wide variety of fun colors.

    Toy cleaning set with mop broom duster dustpan and more

    Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images

    If your kid loves to clean like mine does, and is begging you to let him use the broom twice his size, this Melissa & Doug set can make after-dinner cleaning way easier by giving them a set that’s their size. It includes a miniature broom, mop, duster, a hand broom, a dust pan, and a stand to hold all these handy cleaning toys. They really do work—when my son decides he still absolutely needs the real-sized broom, I borrow his set to get the job done.

    Polymer Clay set

    Photograph: Amazon

    Get the kids into art and sculpture early with this mold-and-bake polymer clay set. It includes 57 different colors for them to play with, and opens up a world of creativity for your kiddos. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson says the things his kids built with this set didn’t always hold up, but that’s not a bad thing—it’s just part of the learning process.

    This non-toxic modeling gunk is endless fun and comes in a multitude of colors, though you know it will end up as a multicolored ball eventually. There is nothing in Play-Doh to worry about, so you can let your wee ones get as mucky and creative as they like. This is a decent deal for 36 three-ounce pots in different colors. —Simon Hill

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    Adrienne So

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  • 26 Best Prime Day Deals Under $30

    26 Best Prime Day Deals Under $30

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    amazon’s prime day deals event is coming to a close, but there are still thousands of deals out there. If you’re not looking to spend a ton of money, but still want to take advantage of the sale, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve gathered all the best deals under $30—ranging from smart speakers and security cameras to headphones and kitchen gear.

    We test year-round and cross-checked all of these prices with third-party software. These are the best discounted machines available, from Windows models and Chromebooks to MacBooks. As always, you need an Amazon Prime membership to get the deal price, but you can sign up for a free trial and Prime offers plenty of perks.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Smart Home Deals

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Amazon’s Blink Mini 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) captures crisp 1080p HD video and captures motion reliably. It’s also weather-resistant, but if you want to use it outdoors you’ll need to buy the version with a weather-resistant adapter ($30 on Prime Day sale) to use it safely. However, for features like person detection, live view recording, video sharing, and cloud recording with a 60-day video history, you’ll need a subscription.

    Click the coupon button to see the discount at checkout. This is a great smart plug for those who love Siri. It works with Google and Alexa too, but it’s one of the few that play nice with Apple. It’s also petite and fits into an outlet without blocking the other outlet. This pack also comes with four plugs.

    Yellow tinted lightbulb with spiral filament inside. Background Dimpled bronze texture.

    Photograph: Philips; Getty Images

    This is a stunning Edison-style bulb that works via Bluetooth or a Philips Hue Bridge ($60). That way, you can control it remotely or set up a hub to control it from a distance and also set up automated routines. It doesn’t change colors like other smart blurbs, but you can adjust the brightness.

    The Kasa smart plug is ideal if you want to turn almost anything into a smart device (including a lamp, coffee maker, or TV). It’s nice and small, so it won’t block neighboring outlets. Using the companion app, you can make routines and scenes like you would with other smart lights. This one also comes as a four-pack.

    Click the coupon to see the discount at checkout. These water sensors are quick and easy to install, and you’ll also receive push notifications and emails to warn you when there’s a leak. At 100 decibels, the siren is also very loud so you’ll certainly hear them go off if you’re at home—at which point you can shut off the sound from the app. You’ll have to use the sensors with the included Govee Wi-Fi hub though, which needs a power outlet.

    Audio Deals

    JLab JBud Mini Earbuds attached to a keychain

    Photograph: JLab

    These tiny earbuds are our best earbuds for small ears. They come on a keychain, so you can hook them onto your tote, gym bag, or anywhere you might need to keep a pair of earbuds on hand. Our only grip is the battery life—because they’re so small, you’ll only get about 5.5 hours of juice.

    Even though this speaker is small, its sound is shockingly detailed and it also has a solid amount of bass. It’s also currently the best Amazon speaker you can get for the price. So, with this discount, it’s technically a steal.

    The Amazon Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the latest additions to Amazon’s speaker lineup. The half-moon devices come in fun colors and are a perfect fit for a colorful office or dorm room. It doesn’t sound as robust as the Echo Dot, but it’s still a solid choice for casual listening.

    If you’re shopping for headphones for your kids, it’s important to make sure they’re volume-limited so they don’t damage their hearing. The Altec Lansing’s are limited to 85 decibels but also come with active noise cancellation to block out background noise. They’re also wireless and have up to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge.

    2 round white speakers with gold centers

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    Creative’s small Pebble V3 speakers deliver great sound quality, especially for both gaming and meetings. The midrange and bass notes come through nicely and there’s also a single gain switch you can flip on. The speakers connect via USB-C, Bluetooth, or the included 3.5-mm audio cable.

    These wireless buds aren’t the most feature-packed, especially compared to the 2nd Gen Echo Buds, which come with active noise canceling. But they’re affordable and come with Alexa built in. It’s a solid choice if you want a pair that you don’t have to treat with too much care.

    This tiny Bluetooth mic is one of our favorite gifts for music lovers. It pairs with your phone and comes with built-in reverb and delay. The speaker is baked into the handle too, so you don’t need any additional equipment to host a karaoke night with your friends.

    Home and Kitchen Deals

    Small cylindershaped speaker in a person's hand with a cat to the right

    Photograph: Medea Giordano

    Looking for a super-small sound machine? The Restnature is great for a trip or if you don’t want to take up precious space on your nightstand. It’s palm-sized and can easily fit into a pocket, but still delivers a variety of 16 different sounds to choose from, along with 30-, 60-, and 90-minute timer options.

    The HealthSmart humidifier lamp is an LED lamp that gives off gentle multicolored light to help you wind down before you go to bed. But it also doubles as a humidifier if your nose is stuffy or you’re a little sick. And, if that’s not enough, you can use it to diffuse essential oils too. There’s also a smart touch panel to control the lighting, mist modes, and a timer.

    Simply place this lamp on the floor, plug it in, and aim it toward the wall to create a halolike effect with pops of color. It’ll make your space feel super cozy. Unfortunately, it comes with a short cord, so you’ll have to plug it into a power strip if you want to place it in a desired spot.

    If you’re looking for an affordable body pillow, this is one of our favorite options for side sleepers. It’s filled with plush polyester fiber and can be contorted to fit whatever position you’re comfortable in. At 20 inches by 54 inches, it’s also a fairly large pillow for this price point.

    Rectangular alarm clock on a wooden surface and is attached to a vibrating device

    Photograph: Molly Higgins

    The Super Loud Vibrating Alarm Clock is the top pick for those who are hard of hearing in our guide to The Best Extreme Alarm Clocks. It’s semi-customizable, with a buzzer that reaches up to 106 decibels and a bed shaker that you can use separately or with the alarm. The vibrations offer a more subtle way to wake up if you don’t want to hear jarring alarm sounds while the escalating pattern of the buzzing eases you into wakefulness.

    This body pillow is super soft, very huggable, and has a stretchy smooth fabric that feels like velvet. It’s great for side sleepers—particularly those who are fans of cats. If not, you can get an axolotl, cow, fox, penguin, or panda instead. This is also the lowest price we’ve seen yet.

    The Primula Burke Cold Brew Maker won honorable mention in our cold brew maker buying guide. It’s affordable and produces smooth-tasting coffee complete with that signature mellowed cold brew flavor. Since the filter is quite fine, you also don’t have to worry about finding a lot of sediment in your coffee. It’s also dishwasher safe and fits in most refrigerator doors.

    This is an adorable lunchbox that comes with a reusable ice pack that fits in between the layers of the tray. It’s incredibly useful if you want to keep things cold during an outing. It’s dishwasher safe too, so cleanup is easy.

    Large black and silver digital scale with a metal bowl of flour and an additional container on top sitting on a kitchen...

    Photograph: Tyler Shane

    The KitchenAid Platform Digital Scale is our top pick in our guide to Best Kitchen Scales. The two-in-one model comes with a smaller scare that can weigh down to 0.1 grams, along with the ability to weigh two ingredients simultaneously. The large display is also backlit for readability and the stainless steel platforms deliver a sleek look in any kitchen.

    With cookie season approaching, you’ll need a solid baking sheet. We love these by Nordic Ware. They’ve lasted us over a decade so far, with zero warps or hiccups. Currently, you can get two for the price of one. That way, you can stock up.

    Self-Care Deals

    Bitvae Sonic Toothbrush

    Photograph: Bitvae

    The Bitvae electric toothbrush is already our favorite cheap option, and now it’s on sale. It does a good job cleaning, comes with eight replacement heads, and is available in a handful of colors. The only downside is the charger isn’t all that convenient.

    In-office teeth whitening treatments are expensive. But these Crest 3D Whitestrips are as close as you can get without breaking the bank. Although the sticky strips aren’t the most pleasant to use (you can’t eat or drink for an hour and they also tend to bunch up in foamy, sticky protuberances), we saw visible results after using them.

    This lip-sleeping mask went viral on TikTok for good reason. The balm melts quickly and sinks into your skin, allowing you to wake up with the softest lips ever. The scent is also super pleasant and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

    These are an affordable, slim pair of earplugs that are great to take to shows if you don’t want to be judged for them. They have clear stems and tips that go into your ear canal and lower sounds by an average of 22 decibels. They also do a solid job of being relatively flat.

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  • Our 22 Best Prime Day Laptop Deals Are Just a Click Away (2024)

    Our 22 Best Prime Day Laptop Deals Are Just a Click Away (2024)

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    if you’re in the market for a laptop but want to spend money wisely, you’ve come to the right place at the right time. Amazon’s Prime Day deals end today but you’ll still find a number of our favorite laptops and accessories on sale. Not sure how to pick out which one is best for you? We have a complete guide to buying one, as well as guides to the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best MacBooks, and Best Chromebooks.

    We test year-round and cross-checked all of these prices with third-party software. These are the best discounted machines available, from Windows models and Chromebooks to MacBooks. As always, you need an Amazon Prime membership to get the deal price, but you can sign up for a free trial and Prime offers plenty of perks.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Best Laptop Deals

    Photograph: Christopher Null; Getty Images

    The best Prime Day laptop deal isn’t available at Amazon, but Best Buy. It’s Samsung’s new Copilot+ PC, a svelte machine that, in our tests, performed the best out of the massive wave of Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered laptops that arrived this past summer. The Book4 Edge (8/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t for anyone into gaming or anyone who needs the power of a graphics processor for heavy-duty tasks like video editing. There are also some app compatibility issues with the ARM architecture CPU on Windows. But for most people, it will do a stunning job with everyday apps and tasks with excellent performance, a large 15.6-inch screen, and impressive battery life.

    This is the first major discount we’re seeing on Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop (which is also a Copilot+ PC, which we explain in this story). It’s a perfectly fine machine (7/10, WIRED Recommends) but was too expensive out of the gate. This price is a little more reasonable, especially since this is the version with the Snapdragon X Elite chipset, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1-terabyte solid state drive. You also get a 14-inch touchscreen with a 120-Hz screen refresh rate. Performance is great for everyday tasks with good battery life, just take a grain of salt with all the “AI” features. Also remember that since this is a Qualcomm-powered PC, there may be some app compatibility issues.

    MacBook Air M3

    MacBook Air 13-Inch Laptop

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    The M3-powered MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t all that different than the M2 model, but it’s a great choice, specifically if you want a reliable laptop for everyday tasks and slightly more. It has an attractive 13.6-inch LCD screen and a notch with a 1080p webcam. Meanwhile, the M3 will give you a nice boost in performance compared to the original M1. You can also use it with two external displays, which is an upgrade from the single external display support with the older chips.

    If you want a MacBook with a large screen, the 15-inch Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great option. It has all the same features as the smaller version, including a modern design and 1080p webcam, along with an M3 chip under the hood. With an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU on the base model, it can easily handle various tasks. We do, however, recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of memory to make sure it can handle a bunch of apps and tabs simultaneously and smoothly.

    According to rumors, M4-powered MacBooks could be coming as soon as this month. But the MacBook Pro with M3 launched just a year ago—so it’s still a great option. It packs a brighter display with mini LED and a 120-Hz refresh rate, along with a 1080p webcam. It comes with plenty of ports too, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a MagSafe charging port, a high-impedance headphone jack, and an SD card slot. We recommend it if you’re looking for a MacBook Pro without spending $2,000 or more.

    Left Closed black laptop with green emblem on the case. Center Side view of slim black laptop with firstperson...

    Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

    The Razer Blade 18 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) delivers raw power in a gorgeous build—complete with a huge 18-inch Mini LED display with a 300-Hz screen refresh rate and G-Sync compatibility. It also packs Nvidia’s RTX 4070 graphics card and a Thunderbolt 5 port for faster data transfer speeds.

    This is our favorite 15-inch budget laptop. It packs an Intel Core i5 (or AMD 5000 series chip), 8 GB of RAM, a 15.6-inch IPS display (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), and plenty of ports including an Ethernet, USB, USB-C, HDMI, and headphone jack. It also has a decent keyboard and, at 4 pounds, it’s super lightweight. It’s certainly great for most everyday tasks too.

    Image may contain Computer Electronics Laptop Pc Computer Hardware Hardware Monitor Screen and Plant

    This is a solid 2-in-1 Chromebook that’s great for traveling. The 14-inch IPS LCD panel (with 1,920 X 1,200-pixel resolution) is sharp, the speakers sound decent and get surprisingly loud, and the Intel Core i3 delivers snappy performance. It doesn’t have the best battery life, but you’ll still get through a full workday on one charge.

    This Chromebook (7/10, WIRED Recommends) holds the title of “Best Battery Life” in our Best Chromebooks guide. We got 10 to 11 hours of juice consistently. It does come with a few trade-offs. For example, it has a low-end MediaTek 520 processor and only 4 GB of RAM, so it struggles to keep up with certain tasks (including keeping more than a couple of tabs open at once). The display isn’t great either, and the 64 GB of storage is stifling. But if all you care about is not having to constantly plug it into a charger or breaking the bank, it’s a solid choice—especially at this price. It’s best for simple web-based tasks and word processing.

    Gaming on a Chromebook? It’s not something you immediately think of on these machines that revolve around the Google Chrome browser. Still, the 516 GE (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the more powerful Chromebook Plus laptops out there with battery life that will get you through a workday just fine. It’s billed as a cloud gaming machine, allowing you to stream games through services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or Nvidia GeForce Now. There’s Wi-Fi 6E support or an Ethernet port to maximize internet speeds. Plus you get a 16-inch screen with a 120-Hz refresh rate.

    Left to right silver exterior of a tablet tablet connected to a keyboard and set up like a laptop and side view of...

    Microsoft Surface Pro

    Photograph: Christopher Null; Getty Images

    The Surface Pro (6/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite 2-in-1 Surface, but it is expensive. It performs well as a tablet, but we do recommend opting for the Flex Keyboard to make for an even more comfortable experience overall. We don’t suggest buying it for full price, though, so if you’ve been eyeing it for a while, then you should certainly snag it while it’s on sale.

    The Acer Nitro V (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has been replaced in our guides by newer, fresher picks, but we still think it’s a great laptop. It’s not the highest-end gaming laptop out there, but it packs more than enough power to handle most games you can play on it. This version is more upgraded than the model we tested, with an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a 144-Hz 1080p display.

    The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) holds the title of “Best-Looking Chromebook” in our guide to Best Cheap Laptops. In addition to the beautiful white design, the Core i5 CPU under the hood offers plenty of performance that can handle multiple tabs and apps. Although it doesn’t have a backlit keyboard and the 16:19 display feels dated, it does come equipped with a great webcam for this price point.

    Tablet Deals

    Do you need a laptop? Really? Really, really? There are some great tablets out there that might be good enough for most of us.

    Tablet connected to detachable keyboard sitting on a pink cushioned pad on a desk

    OnePlus Pad 2

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    This is the best Android tablet you can buy. OnePlus Pad 2 has nice spec updates across the board compared to the first-gen model, like a slightly larger 12.1-inch LCD screen that’s a touch brighter and sharper. It’s now powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the flagship processor in most 2024 Android phones, with double the RAM and internal storage. It no longer comes in green, which is disappointing, and there’s no biometric authentication, but otherwise, this is a great Android tablet. Its Open Canvas feature lets you multitask with three apps side by side (or two side by side and the third below); it’s a much more intuitive interface than many split-screen experiences on competing devices.

    For the money, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Android tablet than this. The original OnePlus Pad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is still a great buy. For $350 you get an 11.61-inch LCD screen with a 144-Hz refresh rate, a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset for smooth performance, and best of all, OnePlus’ excellent software.

    5 stacked tablets spread out like cards with the top one screenside up and the other 4 facedown in a variety of colors

    Apple iPad (10th Generation)

    Photograph: Apple; Getty Images

    Want an Apple slate? Those are on sale too, including the latest 10th-gen iPad (7/10, WIRED Review), which is our top pick for most people. It has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) display, a touch-ID sensor integrated into the power button, a USB-C port (welcome to the future Apple), and a 12-megapixel rear camera. It’s powered by an A14 Bionic chip, which can handle pretty much anything you’re likely to do with a basic tablet like this. It would be remiss of us not to mention that there are rumors of more iPads coming later this year, but even if there are, this will remain a capable tablet that’s a good deal at this price.

    If you’re looking for a cheap tablet, the 2021 entry-level iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) remains a good option. It is three years old and uses the older, A13 Bionic chip, but it’s affordable and is enough for casual tablet use. The base model has 64 GB of storage, a 12-megapixel rear camera (with support for Center Stage), a physical Touch ID-enabled home button, and a True Tone display. It’s also compatible with various accessories including the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple’s Smart Keyboard.

    The latest iPad Pro tablet (6/10, WIRED Review) comes with a ton of upgrades, including a bigger and brighter display, a front-facing camera that’s now in landscape mode, and an updated OLED screen. Powering it is the latest M4 chip, which delivers snappy and smooth performance. If you don’t need the Pro but still want a larger display, the 13-inch iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) with M2 is also on sale for $749 ($50 off).

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series tablets

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+

    Photograph: Samsung

    The Tab S9+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) has a 12.4-inch screen, 120-Hz OLED refresh rate, snappy performance, and an IP68 rating for water resistance. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a tablet that’s powerful enough to get work done during the day and stream content at night. The smaller Tab S9, which packs the same features (aside from a smaller screen) is also on sale for $684 ($116 off). Samsung just announced the Tab S10 series, but there’s not a huge improvement, so you’re getting better value with the S9+.

    Laptop Stand Deals

    Nnewvante Laptop Stand

    Photograph: Amazon

    The Nnewvante laptop stand is an excellent choice for lazier days when you want to work from your bed or couch. You can’t adjust the height, but you can raise the base to an angle that’s more suitable to whatever you’re doing (like typing on a laptop, sketching, or eating breakfast), and the built-in stopper keeps things from sliding off of it. there’s a drawer too, so you can store all your fun knickknacks.

    This is a great option for tablets—the minimal stand raises it by 18 inches. It’s also ideal if you regularly draw or work off of it. But you can also use it with a laptop too. It’ll help angle the machine to a more comfortable typing position.

    This is one of our top picks in our guide to Best Laptop Stands. The particleboard isn’t the sturdiest material, but it’s strong enough to hold multiple monitors and a laptop. You can also adjust the angle or remove the sides. There’s also space underneath to store your keyboard, notebooks, and other accessories.

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  • JW PEI bags – loved by Megan Fox, Gigi Hadid & Hailey Bieber – are majorly discounted for Amazon Prime Day

    JW PEI bags – loved by Megan Fox, Gigi Hadid & Hailey Bieber – are majorly discounted for Amazon Prime Day

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    And, good news for you, while it’d usually set you back by £89 (still a great price if you ask us), it’s currently discounted by 20% in the Amazon Prime Day fashion deals. Which means you can be the proud owner of one for £71.20. Don’t say we didn’t tell you to run.


    If you’re not familiar with JW PEI, let us acquaint you: they’re an independent Los Angeles-based brand founded back in 2016 by a husband and wife duo (Yang Pei and Stephanie Li), which has quickly become a cult favourite. Take fashion week, for example, there wasn’t a single show where a JW PEI bag didn’t make an appearance.

    And as if you needed another reason to invest, the brand also has a strong focus on sustainability. Their bags are made from vegan leather and recycled plastic, so you don’t have feel guilty about your purchase. Win, win, win.


    Keep scrolling to shop more of our favourite JW PEI Amazon Prime Day bags.

    For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.

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  • The Best Amazon Prime Day Hair Tool Deals to Shop Right Now

    The Best Amazon Prime Day Hair Tool Deals to Shop Right Now

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    Looking for some decent Prime Day hair deals? You’ve come to the right place. A good-quality hair tool can not only make short work of your morning routine, it’s usually better for your hair, too. Unfortunately, some of the more popular high-end appliances can run anywhere from $100 up to almost $700, so events like Amazon Prime Day—happening for a second time in 2024 on October 8 and 9—are some of the best times of the year to grab one for yourself or for a gift.

    Each tool listed here has been vetted for our Best Hair Straighteners, Best Hair Dryers, and Best Curling Irons guides and deemed worthy of purchase by our Gear team of testers, as well as tracked over the previous weeks to ensure the sale is a legitimate one. However, be aware you do need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of these deals—for more information on whether it’s worth it for you or not, check out our primer on membership perks.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Hair Straightener Deals

    Photograph: Kat Merck

    As I describe in our Best Hair Straighteners guide, this is one of the only flat irons I’ve ever tried that can straighten my difficult curls in a single pass and keep them that way. The titanium plates—which heat up in around 23 seconds to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—feature a small inlaid infrared strip, which Sutra says helps to seal the hair cuticle. This is the first time I’ve seen this iron on sale, so it’s a great buy if you have thick, unruly hair like I do and are ready for an iron that can take care of business in just a pass or two. Just make sure you also pick up a heat protectant if you don’t already have one—we recommend Curlsmith Miracle Shield.

    If you have straight or wavy hair and already know a blow-dryer brush works for your texture, Shark’s FlexStyle is a worthy upgrade that combines a hair dryer, two brushes, and two auto-wrap hair curlers in one—designed to cut a significant amount of time and storage space. It may seem pricey, but as our Gear Team testers mention in our Best Hair Straighteners guide, this is basically a perfect dupe of the enduringly popular Dyson Airwap multi-styler (see below), which is twice the price—making the highly rated FlexStyle an even better deal at its sale price of $235.

    The Tymo Airflow is a great hair straightener that can double as a curler, too, thanks to the rounded barrel. I like a smooth undercurl when I straighten my hair, and the Tymo Airflow is perfect to achieve that for me. I’ve especially loved using it with short hair, but it worked well for my long hair too. The heat settings range from 284 degrees to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, and Tymo includes a little guide on which heat setting to use based on your hair type. While it looks more like a curler, it performs best as a straightener. It did give my hair some soft curls when I used it curling-iron style, though. —Nena Farrell

    Hand holding a thin white hair straightener showing a pearl colored panel on the inside of one of the clamps

    T3 SinglePass Smooth X

    Photograph: Kat Merck

    One of the better Prime Day hair deals, this icy-pink straightener not only looks stylish, its plates are longer (4½ inches, compared with the 4 inches on most irons) but still narrow at 1 inch, allowing for more surface area without sacrificing maneuverability. Nine heat settings with an internal microchip to control fluctuations and a special finish to add shine round out the features. I didn’t have a ton of success using this on my curls, but my mom has fine waves and this is her favorite flat iron.

    The StyleMax has a number of factors that are similar to its sibling above, like the same rose-gold accents and proprietary CeraGloss plates. It does have a much wider range of temperature control options, which is great if you have fine or delicate hair and are especially worried about damage. Just be sure to keep the manual so you can make sure you know what, er, all of the lights mean.—Adrienne So

    My favorite flat iron for touch-ups, this was the top overall pick in our Best Hair Straighteners guide. The 1-inch ceramic plates top out at 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and the compact body is easy to maneuver in the event you want to add some waves. If you want a higher-end straightener but are put off by the idea of spending upwards of $150, this is both a great iron and a great deal at under $100.

    CHI Original Ceramic Flat Iron

    Photograph: Amazon

    This Chi is not only a perpetual Amazon bestseller, it’s beloved by both former WIRED contributor Victoria Woollaston-Webber and myself. I had one for more than a decade, and it somehow still made short work of my 3a curls, despite its max temperature being only 392 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’ve been working with $20 drugstore models, as I myself did during much of my twenties, this is a worthy investment and excellent entry into the world of more upscale hair straighteners.

    I’ve been using Dyson’s Airstrait (8/10, WIRED Recommends) exclusively on my hair for over a year now. It has the same form factor as a standard flat iron, but it uses airflow to dry and straighten your hair simultaneously instead of hot plates. You can also pick between two main styling modes (wet and dry) as well as three temperature settings. Whenever I wash my hair, I’ll set it to wet mode to fully dry it and then switch to dry mode to flatten out any puffiness. It’s allowed me to cut my full hair routine from 45 minutes to 15 minutes. —Brenda Stolyar

    Image may contain Ceiling Fan Appliance Blade Weapon Razor and Weaponry

    Photograph: T3

    This straightener is expensive, but it’s a great option if you’re worried about hair damage. It comes with a proprietary temperature-finding feature called HeatID Technology. On the iron’s handle, you can select your hair features, length, and whether your hair is color-treated. It will then suggest the appropriate heat level to straighten your hair. We also love the Refresh mode feature, which touches up your hair at a lower temperature based on previous settings. —Brenda Stolyar

    The Double Straight is a bit unique since it has a four-plate design. The first two plates straighten your hair, while the second two “reinforce” the style. This allows you to make two passes simultaneously, which reduces the time it takes to style your hair and the risk of heat damage. It also comes with the most temperature settings of any straighteners we’ve tested—you’ll have 10 to choose from, ranging from 85 degrees Fahrenheit (140 Celsius) up to 455 degrees Fahrenheit (235 Celsius). —Brenda Stolyar

    Hair Dryer Deals

    A closed and open view of a gold hair dryer on top of a grey furry blanket

    Photograph: Medea Giordano

    Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano was quite impressed by this dryer, which is more powerful than it looks and folds up small enough to fit in a purse. Though she didn’t love using it on her curly hair, as she points out in our guide to Best Hair Dryers, she still thought it was perfect for those with straight or wavy hair, or as a travel dryer.

    As featured in our guide to Best Hair Dryers, this compact dryer features accessories that magnetically attach to the dryer body, including a comb and a diffuser for styling curly hair, plus a handy digital display on the back that shows the exact temperature. In fact, the only downside our tester could find was the price, so this is a great grab at $60 off.

    Even though former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano points out (not incorrectly) that everything about the Bed Head brand screams ’90s, she liked this purple-and-neon-yellow hair dryer for its ability to dry her curls without disrupting their pattern. She also liked that it was lightweight with an unusually large 4-inch-wide mouth. Granted, $4 off isn’t exactly a groundbreaking sale, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive hair dryer specifically for curls, this is a decent option.

    White hair dryer white hair brush with ovalshaped head and white and gold hair brush with cylindrical barrel

    Photograph: Amazon

    T3 is a popular brand in the hair tool space for good reason, and this white-and-rose gold ionic hairdryer was one of our top picks in our Best Hair Dryers guide. The Gear team testers loved how it felt lightweight and effortless to use, and the fact that it comes with its own flat and round brushes for styling makes this an even more impressive deal than it already is.

    T3’s Featherweight StyleMax really is lightweight—my arms don’t ache as I dry my hair with this one. It’s made of plastic to keep it lightweight, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. It also comes with a nice set of attachments, including a diffuser that I love using, plus two concentrators and a smoothing comb. It’s a great blow dryer if you alternate between diffusing your hair and doing a classic blowout. —Nena Farrell

    Many people with curly hair are familiar with diffusers that attach to hair dryers, but they may not have seen a hair dryer that itself is actually shaped like a diffuser—this unique tool combines them both in one trendy-looking gold package. Despite the Diffon’s having no handle, former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano describes it as being comfortable to use, and in our Best Hair Dryers guide, she said it styled her curls well without adding frizz or puffiness. The gentle airflow settings may take some extra time to dry thick or voluminous hair, as was the case for Medea, but this could be an excellent solution for those with thinner or finer hair, especially if it’s on sale.

    This is one of our favorite hair dryers for reducing frizz. It comes with two air concentrator nozzles that help distribute heat and airflow, so it doesn’t overdry the hair. Instead, the attachments help to create a shiny and smooth look. The hottest heat setting doesn’t feel like it’s burning your scalp either. —Brenda Stolyar

    Curling Iron Deals

    T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio Curling Wand

    Photograph: T3

    We love this curling iron for its versatility. In addition to the styler handle, it comes with three attachments, including a 0.5-inch barrel for tight, defined curls; a 1.25-inch barrel for soft, natural curls; and a 1.5-inch barrel for larger curls and waves (which comes with a clip to help keep hair in place). Although you can pick a specific temperature, it does come with nine different heat settings that range from 260° to 410° Fahrenheit. It’s a great option for a variety of hair types and is super easy to use.—Brenda Stolyar

    As our tester notes in our guide to Best Curling Irons, this budget iron is infused with argan oil and keratin for extra shine. We also appreciated the inclusion of a heat glove, as well as a tapered barrel, 10 heat settings with a digital display, and longer handle for added maneuverability. It comes in three sizes, but for larger, looser curls and waves, our tester recommends the 1-1.5 inch size.—Brenda Stolyar

    GHD Curve Classic Tong curling wand

    Photograph: GHD

    We recommend this one for long-lasting curls. With a 1-inch ceramic barrel, it’s small enough for short hairstyles but large enough for creating curls in longer, thicker hair. The clamp and easy-to-use handle also keep the hair in place as you twist it and the cool tip is larger than other curlers we’ve tried. It’s tapered too, which helps you know how close you are to the hot metal barrel while creating curls—if your fingers are on the thin end, you’re further away; grabbing the thicker end means you have a higher risk of accidentally burning yourself.—Brenda Stolyar

    The Dyson Airwrap (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the multi-tool that can do it all—a simple wand that comes with six attachments ranging from different-sized curling barrels to brushes. It creates a vortex of air (called the Coanda effect) to draw hair to the wand for effortless drying, smoothing, and curling. Our reviewer loved how it cut down the time she spent on her styling routine. Though the Airwrap is notoriously expensive, this is a legitimate sale, so if you’ve been on the fence, this might be a good time to try it out.—Brenda Stolyar

    Other Tools

    Tymo Ring hair straightener

    Tymo Ring

    Photograph: Tymo

    Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano likens this trendy 2-in-1 styling tool to a combination hot comb and straightening iron, saying the idea is for users to be able to get closer to their roots without burning themselves than they otherwise would with a classic hot comb. It may not be the best option for those with super-curly hair, as Medea still had to use a flat iron afterward, but people with easier-to-straighten hair who are worried about the potential damage inflicted by traditional flat irons might do well to give this one a try while it’s on sale.

    Blow-dry brushes have become my holy grail product since becoming the mom of a toddler. Whether my hair was long or short, I found myself grabbing a blow dry brush to help dry my hair and style it enough to resume wrangling my kiddo. My favorite so far is the T3 AireBrush Round, which has a 2.5-inch brush that’s small enough for my short hair and can get it dry and styled in a matter of minutes. There are three different heat settings (I like the coolest setting for my fine hair) and two speed settings to use. It’s a great brush I find myself grabbing on days I want a blowout. There’s also an oval version that’s on sale too if you prefer the hairbrush shape over the round. —Nena Farrell

    For those with easy-to-straighten hair who can create sleek styles with just a blow dryer, this budget blow-dry brush is recommended in our Best Hair Straighteners guide as a way to revive second-day hair. It’s a classic round (well, oval in this case) brush with the hair dryer built right in—you can save a step in your blowout process for less than half the price of more popular models. If you’ve been wanting to try a blow-dry brush but aren’t ready to commit to shelling out for one of the trendier, more expensive models, this is the perfect chance to see if it’s the tool for you.

    On the scale of intimidating hair tools, this one admittedly ranks near the top. Clamping a giant waffle iron-looking contraption close to your scalp? Clips? Mysterious sizzling noises? However, if you want to add first-day volume back into second-, third-, or even fourth-day (don’t judge) hair, this is the way to do it. Though Voloom insists throughout its literature that it’s not a crimping iron, it does work in much the same way, just with a proprietary plate pattern designed to lift your hair off your scalp at the root. I’m honestly not sure how I lived without this thing, but it’s certainly not inexpensive at its full price—if you’ve been wanting to give it a try, today is your chance while it’s still $28 off.

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    Kat Merck, Gear Team

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  • ‘Like new’ PlayStation Portals are $60 off through Amazon for Prime Day

    ‘Like new’ PlayStation Portals are $60 off through Amazon for Prime Day

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    Discounts on the PlayStation Portal, Sony’s remote player for the PS5 with an 8-inch screen, are nearly impossible to come by. We’re surprised that Amazon has one for October Prime Day, but there’s a catch. The company has a large stock of “like new” units that were returned, and it’s clearing out its stock at the more reasonable price of $141 (these are normally $199.99 new) for Prime members. All you need to do to get this discount is add it to your cart, then watch the list price of $176.52 fall to $141.

    We normally don’t feel comfortable recommending used products that are purchased sight unseen, but Amazon’s Renewed lists some important assurances, such as that its “screen is like new with no visible scratches,” and that it will come in its original packaging. That still might not be enough for you to take a chance, but at nearly $60 off the new price, some may feel comfortable taking a chance since $60 is money that could go toward a new game. Also, Amazon offers free returns, so there’s little in the way of risk with the exception of possibly wasting your time running to the mail center if things don’t work out.

    Looking for more deals? Check out all of Polygon’s favorite October Prime Day 2024 deals right here, and subscribe to our newsletter below to get great deals delivered to your inbox every week.

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    Cameron Faulkner

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  • The Best Amazon Prime Day Hair Tool Deals to Shop Right Now

    The Best Amazon Prime Day Hair Tool Deals to Shop Right Now

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    Looking for some decent Prime Day hair deals? You’ve come to the right place. A good-quality hair tool can not only make short work of your morning routine, it’s usually better for your hair, too. Unfortunately, some of the more popular high-end appliances can run anywhere from $100 up to almost $700, so events like Amazon Prime Day—happening for a second time in 2024 on October 8 and 9—are some of the best times of the year to grab one for yourself or for a gift.

    Each tool listed here has been vetted for our Best Hair Straighteners, Best Hair Dryers, and Best Curling Irons guides and deemed worthy of purchase by our Gear team of testers, as well as tracked over the previous weeks to ensure the sale is a legitimate one. However, be aware you do need an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of these deals—for more information on whether it’s worth it for you or not, check out our primer on membership perks.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Hair Straightener Deals

    Photograph: Kat Merck

    As I describe in our Best Hair Straighteners guide, this is one of the only flat irons I’ve ever tried that can straighten my difficult curls in a single pass and keep them that way. The titanium plates—which heat up in around 23 seconds to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—feature a small inlaid infrared strip, which Sutra says helps to seal the hair cuticle. This is the first time I’ve seen this iron on sale, so it’s a great buy if you have thick, unruly hair like I do and are ready for an iron that can take care of business in just a pass or two. Just make sure you also pick up a heat protectant if you don’t already have one—we recommend Curlsmith Miracle Shield.

    If you have straight or wavy hair and already know a blow-dryer brush works for your texture, Shark’s FlexStyle is a worthy upgrade that combines a hair dryer, two brushes, and two auto-wrap hair curlers in one—designed to cut a significant amount of time and storage space. It may seem pricey, but as our Gear Team testers mention in our Best Hair Straighteners guide, this is basically a perfect dupe of the enduringly popular Dyson Airwap multi-styler (see below), which is twice the price—making the highly rated FlexStyle an even better deal at its sale price of $235.

    The Tymo Airflow is a great hair straightener that can double as a curler, too, thanks to the rounded barrel. I like a smooth undercurl when I straighten my hair, and the Tymo Airflow is perfect to achieve that for me. I’ve especially loved using it with short hair, but it worked well for my long hair too. The heat settings range from 284 degrees to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, and Tymo includes a little guide on which heat setting to use based on your hair type. While it looks more like a curler, it performs best as a straightener. It did give my hair some soft curls when I used it curling-iron style, though. —Nena Farrell

    Hand holding a thin white hair straightener showing a pearl colored panel on the inside of one of the clamps

    T3 SinglePass Smooth X

    Photograph: Kat Merck

    One of the better Prime Day hair deals, this icy-pink straightener not only looks stylish, its plates are longer (4½ inches, compared with the 4 inches on most irons) but still narrow at 1 inch, allowing for more surface area without sacrificing maneuverability. Nine heat settings with an internal microchip to control fluctuations and a special finish to add shine round out the features. I didn’t have a ton of success using this on my curls, but my mom has fine waves and this is her favorite flat iron.

    The StyleMax has a number of factors that are similar to its sibling above, like the same rose-gold accents and proprietary CeraGloss plates. It does have a much wider range of temperature control settings, which is great if you have fine or delicate hair and are especially worried about damage. Just be sure to keep the manual so you can make sure you know what, er, all of the lights mean.—Adrienne So

    My favorite flat iron for touch-ups, this was the top overall pick in our Best Hair Straighteners guide. The 1-inch ceramic plates top out at 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and the compact body is easy to maneuver in the event you want to add some waves. If you want a higher-end straightener but are put off by the idea of spending upwards of $150, this is both a great iron and a great deal at under $100.

    This Chi is not only a perpetual Amazon bestseller, it’s beloved by both former WIRED contributor Victoria Woollaston-Webber and myself. I had one for more than a decade, and it somehow still made short work of my 3a curls, despite its max temperature being only 392 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’ve been working with $20 drugstore models, as I myself did during much of my twenties, this is a worthy investment and excellent entry into the world of more upscale hair straighteners.

    I’ve been using Dyson’s Airstrait (8/10, WIRED Recommends) exclusively on my hair for over a year now. It has the same form factor as a standard flat iron, but it uses airflow to dry and straighten your hair simultaneously instead of hot plates. You can also pick between two main styling modes (wet and dry) as well as three temperature settings. Whenever I wash my hair, I’ll set it to wet mode to fully dry it and then switch to dry mode to flatten out any puffiness. It’s allowed me to cut my full hair routine from 45 minutes to 15 minutes. —Brenda Stolyar

    Hair Dryer Deals

    A closed and open view of a gold hair dryer on top of a grey furry blanket

    Photograph: Medea Giordano

    Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano was quite impressed by this dryer, which is more powerful than it looks and folds up small enough to fit in a purse. Though she didn’t love using it on her curly hair, as she points out in our guide to Best Hair Dryers, she still thought it was perfect for those with straight or wavy hair, or as a travel dryer.

    As featured in our guide to Best Hair Dryers, this compact dryer features accessories that magnetically attach to the dryer body, including a comb and a diffuser for styling curly hair, plus a handy digital display on the back that shows the exact temperature. In fact, the only downside our tester could find was the price, so this is a great grab at $60 off.

    Even though former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano points out (not incorrectly) that everything about the Bed Head brand screams ’90s, she liked this purple-and-neon-yellow hair dryer for its ability to dry her curls without disrupting their pattern. She also liked that it was lightweight with an unusually large 4-inch-wide mouth. Granted, $4 off isn’t exactly a groundbreaking sale, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive hair dryer specifically for curls, this is a decent option.

    White hair dryer white hair brush with ovalshaped head and white and gold hair brush with cylindrical barrel

    Photograph: Amazon

    T3 is a popular brand in the hair tool space for good reason, and this white-and-rose gold ionic hairdryer was one of our top picks in our Best Hair Dryers guide. The Gear team testers loved how it felt lightweight and effortless to use, and the fact that it comes with its own flat and round brushes for styling makes this an even more impressive deal than it already is.

    T3’s Featherweight StyleMax really is lightweight—my arms don’t ache as I dry my hair with this one. It’s made of plastic to keep it lightweight, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. It also comes with a nice set of attachments, including a diffuser that I love using, plus two concentrators and a smoothing comb. It’s a great blow dryer if you alternate between diffusing your hair and doing a classic blowout. —Nena Farrell

    Many people with curly hair are familiar with diffusers that attach to hair dryers, but they may not have seen a hair dryer that itself is actually shaped like a diffuser—this unique tool combines them both in one trendy-looking gold package. Despite the Diffon’s having no handle, former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano describes it as being comfortable to use, and in our Best Hair Dryers guide, she said it styled her curls well without adding frizz or puffiness. The gentle airflow settings may take some extra time to dry thick or voluminous hair, as was the case for Medea, but this could be an excellent solution for those with thinner or finer hair, especially if it’s on sale.

    Curling Iron Deals

    T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio Curling Wand

    Photograph: T3

    We love this curling iron for its versatility. In addition to the styler handle, it comes with three attachments, including a 0.5-inch barrel for tight, defined curls; a 1.25-inch barrel for soft, natural curls; and a 1.5-inch barrel for larger curls and waves (which comes with a clip to help keep hair in place). Although you can pick a specific temperature, it does come with nine different heat settings that range from 260° to 410° Fahrenheit. It’s a great option for a variety of hair types and is super easy to use.—Brenda Stolyar

    As our tester notes in our guide to Best Curling Irons, this budget iron is infused with argan oil and keratin for extra shine. We also appreciated the inclusion of a heat glove, as well as a tapered barrel, 10 heat settings with a digital display, and longer handle for added maneuverability. It comes in three sizes, but for larger, looser curls and waves, our tester recommends the 1-1.5 inch size.—Brenda Stolyar

    We recommend this one for long-lasting curls. With a 1-inch ceramic barrel, it’s small enough for short hairstyles but large enough for creating curls in longer, thicker hair. The clamp and easy-to-use handle also keep the hair in place as you twist it and the cool tip is larger than other curlers we’ve tried. It’s tapered too, which helps you know how close you are to the hot metal barrel while creating curls—if your fingers are on the thin end, you’re further away; grabbing the thicker end means you have a higher risk of accidentally burning yourself.—Brenda Stolyar

    The Dyson Airwrap (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the multi-tool that can do it all—a simple wand that comes with six attachments ranging from different-sized curling barrels to brushes. It creates a vortex of air (called the Coanda effect) to draw hair to the wand for effortless drying, smoothing, and curling. Our reviewer loved how it cut down the time she spent on her styling routine. Though the Airwrap is notoriously expensive, this is a legitimate sale, so if you’ve been on the fence, this might be a good time to try it out.—Brenda Stolyar

    Other Tools

    Tymo Ring hair straightener

    Tymo Ring

    Photograph: Tymo

    Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano likens this trendy 2-in-1 styling tool to a combination hot comb and straightening iron, saying the idea is for users to be able to get closer to their roots without burning themselves than they otherwise would with a classic hot comb. It may not be the best option for those with super-curly hair, as Medea still had to use a flat iron afterward, but people with easier-to-straighten hair who are worried about the potential damage inflicted by traditional flat irons might do well to give this one a try while it’s on sale.

    Blow-dry brushes have become my holy grail product since becoming the mom of a toddler. Whether my hair was long or short, I found myself grabbing a blow dry brush to help dry my hair and style it enough to resume wrangling my kiddo. My favorite so far is the T3 AireBrush Round, which has a 2.5-inch brush that’s small enough for my short hair and can get it dry and styled in a matter of minutes. There are three different heat settings (I like the coolest setting for my fine hair) and two speed settings to use. It’s a great brush I find myself grabbing on days I want a blowout. There’s also an oval version that’s on sale too if you prefer the hairbrush shape over the round. —Nena Farrell

    For those with easy-to-straighten hair who can create sleek styles with just a blow dryer, this budget blow-dry brush is recommended in our Best Hair Straighteners guide as a way to revive second-day hair. It’s a classic round (well, oval in this case) brush with the hair dryer built right in—you can save a step in your blowout process for less than half the price of more popular models. If you’ve been wanting to try a blow-dry brush but aren’t ready to commit to shelling out for one of the trendier, more expensive models, this is the perfect chance to see if it’s the tool for you.

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    Kat Merck, Gear Team

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  • 10 Best Prime Day Kindle Deals and Accessories

    10 Best Prime Day Kindle Deals and Accessories

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    At WIRED, we’re big fans of Kindles. It’s an excellent solution for bookworms who always want access to tons of books on the go in a compact, lightweight form factor. But they can be expensive. If you’ve been holding off on buying one, you’re in luck, because there are Amazon Prime Day Kindle deals on many of our favorite models.

    As a reminder, we don’t recommend anything we don’t test, and we test year-round. If you don’t see Prime Day Kindle deals you like here, don’t forget to check out our Best Kindles, Best Ebook Readers, and Best Ebook Subscriptions guides. As always, you need an Amazon Prime membership to get the deal price, but you can sign up for a free trial and Prime offers plenty of perks and then head over to our guide to the absolute best Prime Day deals.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Kindle Deals

    Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images

    This is currently our favorite Kindle. It packs a 6.8-inch display with small bezels, adjustable warm lighting, and 16 gigabytes of storage. It also comes with a USB-C port for wireless charging. We also suggest spending the extra $20 to get rid of lockscreen ads. We are seeing rumors that new Kindles are coming, and Amazon does upgrade the Paperwhite regularly. However, this model still performs very well.

    This is the base Kindle and the smallest option. Coming in at 6.2 inches tall and 4.3-inches wide, it’s a great choice if you find the Kindle too unwieldy to hold with one hand. The 6-inch screen also comes with 300 pixels per inch—an increase from the 197 ppi on its predecessor. Other updates include an increase from 8 gigabytes to 16 and a USB-C port for charging. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with warm lighting or auto-adjusting brightness, and it isn’t waterproof.

    Black tablet propped up on kitchen counter with drawing of a coffee cup and rocket on the screen and digital pens in front

    Photograph: Jaina Grey

    We recommend the Scribe (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for note-taking and drawing. Because it’s a Kindle, the reading experience is still seamless, but the large 10.2-inch screen is ideal for taking notes, marking up PDFs, and illustrating. However, we don’t recommend it for professional artists who want something a bit more complex. You also can’t write on book pages (for those who like to annotate while reading), and it isn’t waterproof. Right now only the 16-gigabyte version is still in stock.

    This is our favorite Kindle for kids. It comes with a kid-friendly content library, parental controls, a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a two-year warranty. It also has a high-resolution 300-ppi display and the ability to switch between light and dark modes. We’ve seen it dip slightly lower in the past, between $105 and $110, but this is still a solid deal.

    Kindle Accessory Deals

    Strapsicle Kindle Case on a Kindle

    Photograph: Amazon

    This is a great accessory if you’re looking for a more comfortable way to hold your Kindle. The soft silicone straps attach to the back of the e-reader and provide you with a better spot to rest your hands. It’s available in multiple sizes depending on the type of e-reader you have.

    The standard Amazon fabric cover isn’t on sale, but if you want to protect your Kindle from damage, we recommend a cover. These open like a book and come in various colors, including blue, pink, green, and black. They’re also made from post-consumer recycled fabric. This is for the basic Kindle, but it’s also available for the Paperwhite.

    WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell tested this and said it makes for a super convenient and comfortable experience, especially if you have any sources of chronic pain in your hands and wrists. The clamp is easy to attach to bed frames and side tables. and it’s lightweight enough to use anywhere (with enough resistance to the neck that it won’t fall forward or out of the position you place it in). The floor stand version ($60) is also on sale for $10 off if you’d rather not attach it to your furniture.

    A book opened on a wooden nightstand with a thin twosided light clipped to the book

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    This is our top pick in our guide to The Best Reading Lights. It’s a clip-on with an adjustable gooseneck and two swiveling light bars that pack seven LEDs each. You can also cycle through five levels of brightness and three color temperature modes, as well as six brightness settings.

    This is my favorite reading light. It looks a little silly, but it’s an excellent alternative to a clip-on reading light. It’s adjustable, lightweight, and comes with three color temperature modes as well as six brightness settings. It’s rechargeable too, with up to 80 hours of battery life when on the dimmer settings.

    Of course, what is a Prime Day without a ton of Kindle e-books on sale? Most of these are not, er, WIRED-recommended. However, we spotted a few of our favorites, including Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations ($2) and Penny Reid’s Grin and Beard It ($3) (I am an eclectic person with eclectic tastes.) For more information on how to get ebooks, check out our guide to the Best Ebook Subscriptions.

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    Brenda Stolyar

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  • The Best Prime Day Apple Deals

    The Best Prime Day Apple Deals

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    On its own, Apple isn’t a fan of discounts. Thankfully, you can rely on third-party retailers to hold sales on all of its devices. That’s where Amazon comes in. Amazon’s Prime Day sale runs October 8 to 9, and you’ll find a variety of Prime Day Apple deals on MacBooks, AirPods, iPads, and more.

    We don’t recommend anything we haven’t tested, and we test year-round. Want to read the full reviews? Check out our guides to the Best MacBooks, Best AirPods, Best iPads, and Best Apple Watches. You have to be a Prime member to access the deals during the sale, which is technically called Big Deals Days, but you can get a free trial, and Prime offers a lot of fun perks. Below, we’ve gathered all of the best discounts on our top-rated devices.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    MacBook Deals

    Photograph: Apple

    According to rumors, M4-powered MacBooks could be launching as soon as this month. But the MacBook Pro with M3 launched just a year ago—so it’s still a great choice. It packs a bright display with a mini LED panel and a 120-Hz refresh rate, along with a 1080p webcam. It comes with plenty of ports too, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a MagSafe charging port, a high-impedance headphone jack, and an SD card slot. We recommend it if you’re looking for a MacBook Pro without spending $2,000 or more.

    The M3-powered MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t all that different from the M2 model, but it’s a great option—especially if you want a reliable laptop for everyday tasks and slightly more. It has a 13.6-inch LCD screen and a notch with a 1080p webcam, while the M3 also provides a nice boost in performance compared to the original M1. You can also use it with two external displays, which is an upgrade from the single external display support with the older chips.

    Slim silver laptop open on a wooden surface with a countryside as the screen background

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    The 15-inch MacBook Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great choice if you want a larger screen, but don’t want to spend money on a MacBook Pro. It packs all the same features 13-inch MacBook Air, including a modern build and a 1080 webcam, along with an M3 chip. The base model comes equipped with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU which handles tasks with ease. We recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of unified memory to ensure that it can smoothly handle dozens of apps and tabs running at the same time.

    If you’re looking for an external display to pair with your MacBook, the Studio Display (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great choice. It has a large 27-inch screen that’s great for showcasing multiple apps simultaneously, and the sharp screen delivers accurate colors. There’s also a 12-megapixel camera, along with built-in mics and speakers, making it ideal for video calls. It doesn’t have HDR—so colors look slightly more saturated and contrasty to the neutral tones you’ll find on Apple’s Pro Display XDR—but the 5K resolution is stunningly sharp.

    iPad Deals

    2 tablets sidebyside with abstract designs on each screen

    Photograph: Apple

    This is Apple’s latest iPad Pro tablet (6/10, WIRED Review). It comes with the largest number of upgrades in a while, including a bigger and brighter display, an upgraded OLED screen, and a front-facing camera that’s been moved to landscape mode. It’s also powered by the M4 chip (which launched in May), which delivers smooth and snappy performance. It’s not all that different than the M2-powered tablet, so if you don’t need the latest version, we still highly recommend its predecessor if it’s also on sale.

    This is the latest iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which came out back in May. It comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. The latter is not only bigger but also brighter, making it excellent to use as a secondary display for work or to watch TV. It also comes equipped with an M2 processor (the same one that powers the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from 2022), that delivers smooth performance. Apple moved the front-facing 12-megapixel camera to landscape orientation, so it’s less awkward to use on video calls. It has a USB-C port, slim bezels, and Touch ID built into the top power button.

    5 stacked tablets spread out like cards with the top one screenside up and the other 4 facedown in a variety of colors

    Photograph: Apple; Getty Images

    The iPad (10th-gen) (7/10, WIRED Review) is our top pick for most people. It comes with a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) display, a touch-ID sensor integrated into the power button, a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and a 12-megapixel rear camera (an upgrade from the 8-megapixels). The 12-MP selfie camera has been moved to the center of the iPad. It’s powered by an A14 Bionic chip, which delivers slightly faster performance and a bump in graphics over its predecessor.

    We no longer think the ninth-generation iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best for most people (mainly because it’s three years old and packs an older, A13 Bionic chip). But it’s still a solid option if want a budget tablet. It’s affordable and comes with a ton of great features like 64 GB of storage on the base model, a 12-megapixel rear camera (with support for Center Stage), a physical Touch ID-enabled home button, and a True Tone display. It’s also compatible with various accessories including the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple’s Smart Keyboard.

    iPad Mini

    iPad MiniPhotograph: Apple

    Apple is expected to announce a new iPad Mini in November or early next year, so I recommend waiting on this one if you can. But if you can’t, this is still a great tablet. The 8.3-inch display is great for sketching, notetaking, reading ebooks, and watching movies. It also has Touch ID built into the power button, a front-facing camera with Center Stage, and an A15 Bionic processor (as seen on the iPhone 13) that can handle taxing apps or games.

    This is the latest and more feature-packed Apple Pencil. It comes with a “squeeze” capability that triggers the tool palette (but you can still use double-tap), a haptic engine inside that delivers feedback when you squeeze the stylus, and a built-in gyroscope sensor that allows you to change the orientation of the tools as you twist it for finer control. It also comes with support for Apple’s Find My Network in case you lose it. However, it only works with the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4).

    The second-generation Apple Pencil is a step below the newer Apple Pencil Pro. It comes with tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, handwriting support, and a double-tap feature that lets you switch quickly between tools by tapping the stylus twice. It also has support for wireless pairing and wireless charging—which means it automatically charges magnetically when attached to the top edge of supported iPads. As for compatibility, it works with the iPad Mini (6th Gen), iPad Air (4th Gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (3rd Gen and later).

    AirPods Deals

    White earbuds floating above a white opened ovalshaped case. Decorative background red pink and blue smoke clouds.

    Photograph: Apple; Getty Images

    In addition to above-average sound quality—with crisp highs, authoritative bass, and excellent noise cancellation—the AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) come with a ton of useful features. There’s Conversation Awareness, which lowers your music and background noise when it detects you’re having a conversation, along with Adaptive Transparency mode that combines noise cancellation and transparency to adjust audio. Thanks to the U1 chip, they also have support for the Find My app in case you lose the buds.

    Apple’s AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends) deliver rich bass, fantastic noise cancellation, and a massive soundstage. They have great build quality too, with soft fabric earcups (that are replaceable) and a springy mesh headband. They integrate with iOS devices seamlessly, with the ability to automatically switch back and forth between iOS devices. Last month, Apple launched a USB-C version. They’re identical to the Lightning version aside from the charging port. Those are also on sale in select colors.

    Apple Watch Deals

    Black and gold smartwatches with large digital screens

    Apple Watch Series 10

    Photograph: Apple

    The Series 10 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has been out for only a month, but it’s already on sale. It’s our top pick of all the Apple Watches. It’s thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and it has fast charging and support for watchOS 11, so you’ll have access to features like Vitals (to check whether you’re off your baseline each morning) and Training Load (where you can see how your workouts impact your fitness). The standout feature, however, is Breathing Disturbances, which utilizes the built-in accelerometer to notify you if you have sleep apnea.

    The Ultra 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite smartwatch for outdoor sports. It has onboard precision dual-frequency GPS, offline maps (you’ll have to download them to your iPhone though), and the ability to see your cycling session as a Live Activity on your iPhone. It also has an Action button, which you can use to start Backtrack (Apple’s navigation feature that creates virtual breadcrumb trails on the Compass app that you can follow back home). It’s powered by the S9 chip for performance, along with an ultra-wideband chip with enhanced precision finding.

    Apple Accessory Deals

    Black stand with 2 extending arms to hold devices

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    If you already work on a MacBook and have an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, then you probably need a tidy 3-in-1 charger for your desk or nightstand. This is our favorite one, and it can charge your iPhone at the fastest speed that Apple allows and also fast-charge your Watch Series 7 or newer. Look for a charger with Qi2 certification, which allows for faster, more efficient magnetic charging.—Adrienne So

    This is the best charger if you have other MagSafe accessories that you want to store, like a wallet or tripod (it will not charge your power bank). It’s also relatively compact, and Spigen’s accessories are reliable.—Adrienne So

    This is the best 3-in-1 charger for traveling, since it folds up very compactly and allows you to fast-charge your Qi2-certified iPhone. You have to fold out the Apple Watch charger.—Adrienne So

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    Brenda Stolyar

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  • AMAZON PRIME DAY IS HERE!

    AMAZON PRIME DAY IS HERE!

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    I hope your wallets are ready, because Amazon Prime Day is here with a bunch of new deals that are hard to resist. From October 8-9, 2024, you’ll be able to shop deals on basically everything that Amazon offers. That means you can start your Christmas shopping early, or get yourself a gift just because.


    I use Prime Day to save money on appliances and big items that I don’t want to pay full price for. Since I moved this year, that means I want a new vacuum. And luckily, Amazon has big brands like Shark on sale for almost a 50% discount.

    Not only that, but Prime Day is the perfect time to stock up on your beauty favorites. Similar to the Sephora Sale, you won’t find better prices than on Amazon for brands like Paula’s Choice, L’Occitane, and O’Sea. Or, if you’ve always been dying to try a facial steamer or water pick, now is your chance to do so without spending too much money.

    Whether you’re in the market for a new skincare routine, a new coffee maker, or just something to get your family for the upcoming holiday season…now’s the best time to save some money and get some shopping off your chest. Since there’s about a trillion deals going on right now, here are some of my picks for best Prime Day deals 2024:


    Ninja Creami- $159.99 

    @courtneyycahoon THE BEST RECIEPE so i made it for the whole week 🥹🥹 310 cals and 40 grams of protein and DELICIOUS 🤍 #ninjacreami #proteinicecream #weeklyrestock #restock #mealprep ♬ original sound – CourtneyCahoon

    I know multiple Ninja Creami owners who now turn up their noses to store bought ice cream. I normally wouldn’t bite with these kind of contraptions, but my mom bought one and now my life is changed. Make any açaí bowl, smoothie bowl, gelato, ice cream, and more with this 7-in-1 appliance.

    The options are truly endless, and there’s a specific side of TikTok devoted to Ninja Creami recipes. It’s worth the money, especially if your family goes through ice cream like it’s nothing. Plus, with multiple pint containers included, you can stock up on flavors for later!


    Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum – $47.60

    @eepardy Sometimes I forget how short my lashes used to be… @Grande Cosmetics #grandelash #grandelashserum #grandelashmd ♬ original sound – bkladk

    I don’t know how many people I’ve begged to get this product at this point. I’ve been a supporter of Grande Cosmetics for almost a decade at this point and it’s the reason I still have eyelashes. No matter how much I’ve put my lashes through: sleeping in mascara, tugging at them, clamping down with a curler too hard, losing clumps at a time…Grande Lash has saved them.

    In fact, I often get asked if I’m wearing fake lashes. Yes, I’m going to brag here because it’s necessary. I have great eyelashes and it’s not because I was genetically blessed…it’s because years ago my friend introduced my to Grande Lash and now I use it daily. You’re welcome.


    Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock – $144.49

    @eliedelaney Replying to @Alexa Weishaar Reviewing my hatch alarm clock after 1 week! I have mine set so light starts waking me up 20 minutes before the sound starts. Some mornings I’ve naturally woken up to the light, but the sound is not jarring at all if I sleep up to the sound. I sleep with the brown noise or calm ocean waves and wake up to forest birds! I think it would be a great addition to a Christmas list because it is an investment in your sleep! Not affiliated with the brand! #honestreview #hatchalarmclock #hatchalarmclockreview #hatchrestore #hatchrestore2 #hatchrestorereview #naturalalarmclock ♬ Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

    I honestly wasn’t sold on alarm clock changing your life…until my friends influenced me to get a Hatch Alarm Clock. The neutral design fits perfectly in any room, and it’s helped me get into a real sleep routine. You can control it from an app on your phone, and set up sounds and lights to help you go to sleep and wake up.

    It’s an alarm clock that does it all, and right now it’s $25 off with Prime Day deals. Now, waking up isn’t as daunting as that incessant iPhone alarm sound that blares from your phone every morning. In fact…I actually look forward to it.


    Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle – $134.97

    @kendallsreads What kindle to buy in 2024! Let me know what questions you still have! Breaking down the differences between kindles available today and sharing which one I would personally buy and why. You can’t go wrong with your choice, any kindle will provide and amazing reading experience! Just depends on what you plan to use it for and what your budget allows🫶🏼📚 #kindle #kindlepaperwhite #kindlescribe #kindleoasis #kindlebasic #kindletok #kindlegirlie #kindlehacks #booktok #amazonkindle ♬ Vlog – Gaspar

    Although I prefer a physical book, I’m genuinely impressed at how the Kindle has recently got more people into reading. My roommate now totes hers around and constantly talks about the books she reads. If you’re looking to get anyone in your life into books, the Kindle is a great start.

    Plus, it’s 34% off right now…so there’s a perfect Christmas gift for you that’s normally over $200! And since the weather is getting colder, there’s no better time to start reading and staying inside.

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    Jai Phillips

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  • Best Prime Day Mattress Deals Plus Epic Bedding Sales

    Best Prime Day Mattress Deals Plus Epic Bedding Sales

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    My life changed after getting better bedding. I’m sleeping better thanks to sheets that keep me cool at night, and my back pain was erased after getting a more supportive mattress. If you aren’t sleeping well, I’m here to tell you that it can be fixed. It can cost a pretty penny, though, which is why sale events for mattresses and bedding are so exciting. A little savings can go a long way to making better sleep something all of us can afford, and make it easier to splurge on the upgrades you really need for better sleep.

    While Amazon Prime Day isn’t usually popular for bedding—you probably think of things like Wi-Fi routers and TVs, both of which are already on sale—there are a surprising number of mattresses, sheets, and even pillow sales happening right now. We’ve vetted every sale we could find that featured a product we recommend, and rounded up the best ones to shop for Amazon’s very own holiday. All prices are for queen sizes.

    WIRED Featured Deals

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    Table of Contents

    Best Prime Day Mattress Deals

    Photograph: Birch by Helix; Getty Images

    Birch

    Birch is the organic sister brand to Helix, and like Helix, it makes some of our favorite organic mattresses. Birch is also running a Fall Into Bed Sale from now until October 7, just like Helix, and has 20 percent off sitewide with the code FALLSALE20. However, Birch’s sale includes two free pillows with every mattress purchase, making it a better deal. It is the brand’s discontinued Eco-Rest pillows, though, rather than any of the newer options. It’s not as good a sale as we saw during Labor Day or other summer sales, but Birch’s mattresses and mattress toppers are ones we seriously love.

    Leesa

    Leesa makes great mattresses—its Sapira Chill is one of the few to rival our longtime favorites, and the Leesa Legend Chill is one of the best cooling mattresses we’ve tried. Leesa is running a Fall into Savings Sale for the majority of the month, with 20 percent off select mattresses (plus two free pillows) and 25 percent off bedding and bases. All of our favorite models managed to make the cut for the sale.

    Casper

    Casper’s well known for kick-starting the mattress-in-a-box style of shopping we’ve come to know and love. The brand recently redesigned its entire line, and the new base model, the One, has become a quick favorite of ours for its breathable, squishy design that still manages a medium-firm feel. Casper also makes our favorite pillow, the Hybrid Snow. Casper has the pillow on sale on Amazon for Prime Day, but it has the mattress and a better pillow deal (20 percent off if you’re buying more than two, but just one pillow will be 10 percent off, same as Amazon) on its own site, where it’s running the Casper Friends & Family sale. The sale starts today but will run until October 23.

    Brooklyn Bedding

    Brooklyn Bedding makes a great array of firm mattresses, like the Plank and Plank Natural. We love these models, especially since they’re flippable with a firm and medium-firm side on each. The Planks aren’t the only ones we like, either—the Aurora Luxe Cooling Mattress is a nice in-between if you want something firm-ish, and it has a pillow top you can add on (great for side sleepers!) All three mattresses are on sale right now for 30 percent off with the code FLASH30, which is a good discount.

    Tempur-Pedic

    Tempur-Pedic is running a sale all of October on a handful of mattress toppers, pillows, and the Tempur-Cloud mattress. We haven’t tested the Tempur-Cloud or Tempur-Pedic’s pillows yet, but our editors are fans of the Tempur-Adapt Topper that’s 40 percent off right now with the code TOPPERS40. Our editor says the Tempur-Adapt has been great to pair with an extra firm mattress to make it nice and soft, and has good cooling technology built into the layers. It’ll be featured in our upcoming guide to mattress toppers.

    Best Prime Day Bedding Deals

    Fluffy white comforter folded. Decorative background pink and purple swirls.

    Photograph: Buffy

    Buffy

    Buffy’s been running a 20 percent off sale for the past few weeks on its site and plans to continue the sale through Amazon Prime Day. While it’s not a new sale, it’s still a chance to get some of our team’s favorite sleep gear at a better price than usual. Our team loves both their Breeze and Cloud comforters for how breathable and comfortable they are all year long, and their sheets have been mainstay picks in our sheets guide. They’re also making eco-friendly materials choices, using things like lyocell Tencel and fabric made from plastic bottles to make their bedding.

    Cozy Earth

    Cozy Earth is known for its super soft sheets and even hoodies, and the company is running an on-site sale the same time as Amazon Prime Day. Cozy Earth’s Cozy Days sale has everything 30 percent off, but with the code WIRED you can get 35 percent off the entire site. Cozy Earth has some things for sale on Amazon too, but the sale is better on Cozy Earth’s own site.

    1. ★ The softest bamboo sheets you’ll ever sleep on: Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set for $215 ($116 Off)—Use Code WIRED
    2. A jersey version of bamboo sheets: Cozy Earth Bamboo Jersey Sheet Set for $193 ($104 Off)—Use Code WIRED
    3. A great lounging (or casual workout!) hoodie: Cozy Earth Bamboo Hoodie for $101 ($54 Off)—Use Code WIRED

    Brooklinen

    There are a lot of great things to love at Brooklinen, and good news: Its entire Amazon storefront is 20 percent off. Brooklinen runs a lot of sales, but these are still good prices, since usually Brooklinen runs 15 percent off sales. We’re fans of lots of sheets from Brooklinen (especially its percale, organic cotton, and sateen), and its towels are fantastic too. You’ll need to click the coupon to get the 20 percent off on Amazon, and you won’t see the updated price until you’re in the last stage of your cart. Brooklinen will also run some flash sales over the next two days, so keep an eye out for those too.

    Avocado

    Avocado’s Autumn Slumber Sale is running from now until mid-October, and while we like both Avocado’s mattresses (the Avocado Green is our favorite organic mattress), the sale is better in the sheets department than the mattresses. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson recommends both Avocado’s organic cotton and linen sheet sets, but the linen is currently out of stock.

    Other Prime Day Mattress and Bedding Sales

    Helix Sleep Midnight Luxe Hybrid

    Photograph: Helix Sleep

    Not all sales are great deals, unfortunately (though it’s not to say it’s a terrible price!). Here are some of the live sales we’ve vetted so far.

    Helix

    Helix has kick-started October sale season already with its Fall Into Bed Sale that runs all month, but for the next two days it’s running the Deal Day Sale, with 25 percent off everything on its site with the code PRIMETIME25. It’s a price we often see and what we recommend buying it for, but not a great sale price, since you can often find it around this price. Still, Helix makes some of our favorite mattresses, so it’s a good chance to grab these at the ideal price point.

    Bear

    Bear, the maker of our favorite side sleeper mattress, is also running a sale during Prime Day. It’s got 35 percent off sitewide with the code PRIME, plus two free pillows with any mattress purchase. It brings the mattress to the price we usually see it available for, though the $150 worth of pillows makes it a bit of a discount.

    Nolah

    Nolah already started off October with its Fall Sale, and now the Prime Sale for the next two days has the same discount: 35 percent off everything on the site, plus two free pillows with any mattress purchase. The 35 percent off gets it to the price we usually see for it, but the added pillows make it a bit of a deal. The Nolah Fluffy Pillows are a pillow you can only get with a mattress purchase, but there’s no set price to see how much added value you’re getting. It’s the price we normally recommend buying this mattress for.

    Nectar

    Nectar’s Flash Sale starts today and runs until October 14, so you have a little extra time with this one beyond Prime Day. You can get up to 50 percent off mattresses, but our favorite Nectar Mattress—the Nectar Luxe, renamed from the Nectar Premiere Copper—is still only available for the regular price we usually find it for. It’s a great mattress for side sleepers and pressure relief if you’re in the market for that, though.

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    Nena Farrell

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  • 234 Best Prime Day Deals, Tested and Tracked By Our Team

    234 Best Prime Day Deals, Tested and Tracked By Our Team

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    Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale event—better known as Prime Day Part II—is off and running. It’s never too early to jump on that holiday gift shopping. We’ve combed through the deals and found the best ones, based on our years of testing and reviewing. WIRED’s picks for the best Prime Day deals only include products someone from our team has personally tested and reviewed. We track prices using several tools to avoid falling for fake discounts. There are no shoddy knockoffs or overpriced products among our recommendations, just good deals on good stuff. We’ve linked our reviews and buying guide throughout to help you make fully informed buying decisions.

    WIRED Featured Deals


    Table of Contents


    We test products year-round and handpicked these Prime Day deals. We’ll update this guide regularly throughout Prime Day by adding fresh deals and removing dead deals.

    Product Reviewers: Scott Gilbertson, Simon Hill, Julian Chokkattu, Ryan Waniata, Louryn Strampe, Parker Hall, Nena Farrell, Adrienne So, Brenda Stolyar, Martin Cizmar, Eric Ravenscraft, Kat Merck, Molly Higgins, Pete Cottell, Lisa Wood Shapiro

    Best Tech Deals

    Asus ZenWiFi XT8

    Photograph: Asus

    As the top pick in our best mesh routers guide for the past few years, this tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router two-pack comes pre-paired for easy setup. It scored consistently high for speed and stability, and will cover the average home. You get Wi-Fi on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, with an extra 5-GHz band for wireless backhaul (traffic between the main router and the node). Asus mesh systems are great because they come with free, comprehensive security software and parental controls (no subscription required). The XT8 is also highly customizable, boasts a guest network, and offers traffic prioritization for specific activities, such as video calls, gaming, and more. —Simon Hill

    This router is at the top of our best routers guide and is affordable even when it’s not discounted for Prime Day. It’s a dual-band (2.4-GHz and 5-GHz) router that should be plenty fast for most families and offers suitable coverage for an average-sized home with an internet connection of 1 Gbps or less. Connectivity is generous, with four gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a single gigabit WAN port, and a USB 3.0 port. Set up is super simple, TP-Link’s Tether app is very accessible, and basic security and features like QoS (Quality of Service) are included. Unfortunately, enhanced security and parental controls require subscriptions (Security+ is $5 a month or $36 a year and Advanced Parental Controls costs $3 a month or $18 a year). This router is frequently discounted, but this is a good price. —Simon Hill

    TPLink Deco X20 mesh WiFi system

    Photograph: TP-Link

    The TP-Link Deco X20 is a Wi-Fi 6 dual-band (2.4-GHz and 5-GHz) mesh system that provides reliable Wi-Fi on a budget. It’s not the fastest mesh, but it is easy to set up and performed consistently well in my tests. If your internet connection is 500 Mbps or less, this mesh is likely enough for you. Each router has two gigabit Ethernet ports, and the vaselike design blends in easily in any room. For enhanced security and parental controls, you must subscribe (Security+ costs $5 a month or $36 a year, and Advanced Parental Controls costs $3 a month or $18 a year). But, even with the subscriptions, the X20 is a relatively affordable way to up your Wi-Fi game. —Simon Hill

    This tri-band mesh system (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) scored some of the fastest speeds we have recorded, delivered consistently wide coverage, and blew away all the competition at close range. It only made the honorable mentions of our best mesh routers guide because it was so expensive when it was first tested. At this price, it’s worth a look. It uses the 6-GHz band for backhaul, so the routers ideally need line of sight (or better, Ethernet cable connection). The simple app offers most features you will need, but there’s no internet speed test, and subscriptions are required for real-time security and proper parental controls. —Simon Hill

    This is our favorite wearable reading light, and it also makes an excellent gift for bookworms. It might look a little silly, but it performs well, and you won’t have to clip it anywhere. It’s very lightweight and comfortable even during long reading sessions. There are three color temperature modes and six brightness settings, and the rechargeable light offers up to 80 hours of battery life per charge. There are a few different colors to choose from. —Louryn Strampe

    Click the coupon button to see the discount at checkout. This little Bluetooth mic is one of our favorite gifts for music lovers and favorite pieces of gear for less than $30. The mic pairs with your phone and has built-in reverb and delay, so you’ll sound like a pop-starrier version of yourself. It’s also available in a kaleidoscope of different colors. The speaker is baked right into the handle so you won’t need any special equipment to host a karaoke gathering with your friends. Or yourself. You do you. —Louryn Strampe

    side and rear view of HyperX QuadCast S Microphone

    Photograph: HyperX

    This flashy LED-lit microphone from HyperX (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a clever gain control knob that makes it easy to set your levels, and has an easy tap-to-mute button that makes sure your team isn’t hearing you ask your Mom for more tendies. It sounds much better than the cheap mic that’s built into your laptop, and can work super well whether you’re in need of a mic for Zoom meetings or late-night WoW raids. —Parker Hall

    This set of wireless microphones from Australian audio brand RØDE works well if you’re always filming on the go. You just clip each mic to the lapel of the person you want to record, and it records wirelessly for you to use later. It’s a really simple solution that makes it so you don’t have to mess with traditional (and often annoying) Lavalier microphone setups like you’ve seen on late-night TV. —Parker Hall

    As the most secure pick in our best USB flash drives guide, the Kingston IronKey is packed with security features. Run Kingston’s software to set up a password or passphrase, use the virtual keyboard to guard against keyloggers, and rest assured the contents will be automatically erased after 10 wrong attempts. It is FIPS 197 certified and has 256-bit AES-XTS encryption, offers protection against brute-force attacks and BadUSB, and is manufactured in the US so is TAA compliant. In other words, this drive is as secure as they come. —Simon Hill

    The Western Digital WD Black SN770 is our favorite bare drive, whether you’re putting it in your laptop or PC or sticking it in an external case to use as a portable drive. The SN 770 is an M.2 2280 drive (check your PC’s specs to see if that fits) and achieved speeds of 5,100 Mbps in my testing, which is blazing fast. If you’re doing a lot of drive-intensive tasks, like editing video or gaming, this drive is well worth the money. —Scott Gilbertson

    Silver squareshaped Crucial X9 external hard drive with angled corner edges sitting on dark wood surface

    Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

    Crucial’s X9 Pro is our pick for photographers because it hits the sweet spot of speed and portability, making it great for backups in the field. The X10 featured in this deal is even faster than the X9 if your PC supports USB 2X2. (The latest Intel chips support this spec, but Apple does not, so there’s no point in buying the X10 Pro if you have a Mac.) In my testing I got up to 2,050 Mbps transfer speeds, which are some of the fastest on the market. If your hardware supports it, the X10 Pro is worth the extra money. —Scott Gilbertson

    The Anker 778 is one of our older picks for the Best Laptop Docking Stations, and it’s still a great choice when it goes on sale. It can support up to four 4K displays at once, has six USB ports for connecting all your peripherals, and offers up to 100W of pass-through charging for all your devices. —Eric Ravenscraft

    The Elegoo Saturn 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of my personal favorite gadgets. Just, in general. It’s unbelievably cool to download a little file, fire up this 3D printer, and watch a physical object slowly emerge out of a basin of goo. It’s the most sci-fi thing in my life, and the Saturn 3 Ultra is one of the best tools I’ve used for the job. It has a generous print volume, Wi-Fi printing, and an insanely detailed 12K screen, meaning you can get a ton of intricate detail in very small models, all without noticeable print lines. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Large rounded squareshaped device with a camera inset. Background light blue garage door with square pattern.

    Since moving into my new house, my favorite smart home gadget has been the Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener, which lets me control my garage door from anywhere. Between my two-year-old stealing the physical button the builders gave me and my husband previously turning around to check if he really closed the garage door, the Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has made an immediate improvement in our lives. It replaces the garage door opener with one you can control remotely over Wi-Fi and has a built-in camera too. No more fighting my kid for the magic button, or insisting my husband definitely did close the garage: now we open the MyQ app and solve these problems immediately. I also like having alerts if I leave the garage door open too long, and the built-in camera lets you check on things, too. Pair it with the MyQ Video Keypad ($55) to have a video doorbell and entry code for your smart garage. —Nena Farrell

    If you’re looking to upgrade your garage door without replacing the opener, never fear: there’s a way to do that, too, and it’s on sale. Chamberlain’s Smart Garage Control is a gadget you can add onto your existing garage door opener to make it Wi-Fi controlled. You won’t get extras like the built-in camera, but you’ll be able to control it the same way over the MyQ app like you would with the full on garage door replacement. Might be good to add on the MyQ Smart Garage Camera ($30) to control in the same MyQ app if you’re wishing for a video feed, though. —Nena Farrell

    smart lightbulb

    Photograph: Cync

    Cync, made by appliance and electronics brand GE, makes fantastic smart bulbs. So fantastic, that the Full Color Direct Connect line is our favorite smart bulb ever. They’re colorful, vibrant, easy to set up, and work with both Alexa and Google’s voice assistants. This two-pack is almost half off, so you’re getting one bulb basically for free. (A little bit of girl math there, but you get me.) Stock up on a few packs and deck out the whole house in these well-priced, easy-to-use bulbs. —Nena Farrell

    Smart plugs are pretty darn handy to turn almost anything into a smart device without changing anything about the device itself. They’re best on lamps, but can also be used on Christmas lights, TVs, coffee makers, or even your router (no more hunting it down to reset it, just turn the smart plug off and then back on after 30 seconds!) TP-Link makes a variety of great smart plugs, including the Kasa Smart line.

    The Kasa Smart Plug Mini is nice and small, making it easy to use without blocking a neighboring outlet. Use the app to make routines and scenes like you would smart lights, so that your house comes to life for you, or to act like you’re home when you aren’t. This four-pack is a great deal to upgrade multiple lamps and devices around your home. If you want just one, individuals are on sale too for $7 each. —Nena Farrell

    Hand holding white plug with 2 vertical opening and one semicircle opening

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    Click the coupon button to see the discount at checkout. For my Siri-loving friends, this is the smart plug for you. Meross makes some of the more expensive smart plugs, but they’re one of the few that play nice with Apple, making sale season a perfect time to score some of your own. It still can work with Google and Alexa, too, if you think you might change your voice assistant of choice down the line. The Meross Wi-Fi Smart Plug Mini is a nice petite size to fit into an outlet without blocking the other outlet. You’ll also score four smart plugs with this on-sale pack, making the price tag for each one a little closer to its cheaper, non-Apple-compatible competitors. —Nena Farrell

    This gorgeous Edison-style bulb from Philips has been in my bedroom sconces for five years now, and I have no plans to change it. It works via Bluetooth or a Philips Hue Bridge ($54) so I can either control it remotely when I’m in my room, or set up a hub to control it from afar and set up automated routines. While it can’t do colors like other smart bulbs, you can adjust the brightness of the bulb, dimming or brightening the filament inside of it. It’s bright enough to fill a master bedroom, and downright beautiful to have peeking out of my bedside lights. —Nena Farrell

    The most iconic smart light bulb is easily the Philips Hue. The bulb has been around for ages, and the bulbs usually require a Philips Hue Bridge ($54) to make it work. Philips Hue also makes tons of accessories, and sells their bulbs in bundles with the hub, a couple bulbs, and sometimes extra accessories. Several solid bundles are on sale. The classic is the two-bulb starter kit with a hub that’s on sale for $90, but you can also score a kit with a third bulb and a smart switch discounted to $126, or get a dimmer switch with your two bulbs on sale for $120. The choice is yours—just make sure to count how many bulbs you need to make sure you buy the right size kit. —Nena Farrell

    Black digital picture frame with white interior border and screen showing a view from behind of two people pushing baby...

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    The Skylight Frame is an honorable mention from our guide to the best digital picture frames. It looks great on your shelf, and it’s easy to zoom in on a photo using the frame’s touchscreen. It’s not quite as high resolution as our other recommendations, but if you aren’t planning to look too closely or want a digital frame for a nice discount, this one is great to grab. The Skylight can display in either landscape or portrait mode, and comes with a wall mounting kit if you don’t want to prop it up on a shelf or table. There’s a subscription level, but we don’t think you need it. —Nena Farrell

    The Aura Carver is our top pick for digital photo frames, but right now you can get the upgraded Carver Mat for the same price you’d get the regular model for. The Carver Mat upgrades the 10.1-inch digital photo frame’s look to give it a mat-style frame job, and looks much more than just a $30 upgrade. And right now that $30 extra is gone, thanks to Amazon Prime Day. Aura’s a fantastic brand for digital photo frames thanks to how easy the frames are to set up and manage with the app, letting you easily add photos from your camera roll or Google Photos. You can even scan your kid’s drawings with the Aura app to then display. —Nena Farrell

    Many of our favorite smart lighting devices are made by Govee, including this colorful, bright, segmented light strip that is perfect for recessed spots, under beds, or behind furniture. This light strip doesn’t just change color and brightness, it can also be animated, sync with music, and be voice-controlled through Google or Alexa. It can be fiddly to install the adhesive-backed strip, so plan carefully, measure first, and try to hide it so you get the splashed light but don’t see the strip directly. The 100-foot strip on sale here comes in two 50-foot rolls. —Simon Hill

    The Govee smart light system is one of the more affordable smart light systems out there and we have a whole guide to the best lights in just this one ecosystem. The Envisual T2 set is Govee’s go at ambient TV lighting that complements what’s on your screen, helping your movies and shows pop more. —Eric Ravenscraft


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    Best Home Deals

    Dyson Ball Animal 3 Vacuum

    Photograph: Dyson

    Dyson’s Ball Animal 3 vacuum (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is great for unruly pet hair. It has more bin capacity than the previous version and comes with a Motorbar cleaner head with detangling hair-removal vanes. It has three different power modes to choose from: one for deep- and medium-pile carpets, another for low-pile carpets and large debris, and one for ground-in dirt and hardwood floors. It’s easy to maneuver, especially around awkward spaces and tight corners, and the bin never clogs up with fur. It is heavy and loud, though. But aside from that, it’s an excellent corded vacuum for pet owners. —Brenda Stolyar

    Roborock Q5 Pro  vacuum

    Photograph: Roborock

    For two years, Roborock’s Q5 line was our top pick for Best Robot Vacuum. Roborock has since enlarged its lineup, and the Q5 is now the entry-level vac (the Pro refers to increased suction, and the + refers to the docking station). However, the Q5 Pro+ still has a self-emptying bin, dual vacuum/mop capabilities, and solid lidar navigation controlled by a simple app. For reliable, hassle-free cleaning (and now for a very good price), it’s hard to do better than a Roborock. —Adrienne So

    The Matrix is the newest version of the Shark AI Ultra, the 2-in-1 mopping vacuum that earned a “Most Improved Award” from me in 2022. Like most companies that purport to offer maximum value for minimum price, Shark has products that can be hit or miss. Happily, however, the Matrix is one of the hits, as I found it to be a reliable cleaning companion with quick and accurate mapping, multifunctional mopping, and vacuuming. It doesn’t need replacement dust bags—which is both a blessing and a curse, as the self-emptying dustbin sometimes doesn’t empty quite all the way. —Adrienne So

    This is Yeedi’s higher-end mopping robot vacuum, and Yeedi has won another “Most Improved” award from us. I found this to be a reliable cleaning companion, and it even has an extendable arm for exploring nooks and crannies. The clean/dirty water tanks are also enormous. At the original $900 price, the Eufy options are better, but this is a great price for a mopping robot vacuum that you won’t have to refresh nearly so often. —Adrienne So

    The Eufy X10 Pro Omni (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is so much better than its predecessor that I can hardly believe it, and it doesn’t cost $1,400 (and it’s even cheaper on Prime Day). Now with a self-emptying bin, and a hilarious AI obstacle recognition system that errs on the side of caution and tends to identify a lot of non-poop-related items as poop. Mapping is seamless and includes the ability to save multiple floors; mopping is excellent, and the dirty and clean water bins click into the top without wasting space with unnecessary housing. It is great, and now it’s even more affordable. —Adrienne So

    Kohler C3 455 Bidet

    Kohler Purewash Bidet

    Photograph: Kohler

    This Kohler bidet attachment is our pick as the best bidet for most people, narrowly edging out better-known offerings from Toto, the Japanese company that invented the attachable bidet seat. The C3 is easy to install (expect to spend about a half hour unless your toilet is wedged into a corner where it’s hard to reach the valves), has a sleek look, and is normally a few hundred bucks cheaper than the Toto with the same features, which include backup buttons on the seat itself (in case the remote dies) and a UV sanitization light. Right now it’s a steal at below $600. —Martin Cizmar

    Tall cylindrical white air purifier

    Photograph: Amazon

    The Homedics Large Room Tower Air Purifier can complete the recommended air exchange in a 349-square-foot room every 12.5 minutes; this is a slightly larger area than the Homedics Smart Air Purifier T200 that I included in our Best Air Purifiers guide. At under $300, the Tower Air has a UV-C light that can deactivate viruses and bacteria, a HEPA, an activated Carbon Odor Filter for VOCs, and a prefilter that captures larger airborne particles. While it’s not Wi-Fi-enabled to work with an app or voice-activated assistant, it has a color-coded particle sensor that can automatically adjust the fan speed depending on indoor air quality. And like its smaller sibling, the T200, the Tower Air has a tray for essential oils that do not impact indoor air quality like air-polluting room air freshener sprays or plug-in air fresheners. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    When I included the rocket-shaped Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Max in WIRED’s lineup of the Best Air Purifiers of 2024, I recommended it as the ideal gift for your dorm-bound loved ones. Standing just under 2 feet tall, the NeverChange can be placed as close as 3 inches from a wall, making it a good fit for crowded spaces. The average American dorm room is around 230 square feet, and the Shark NeverChange succeeds at exchanging the air the five recommended times per hour—perfect for a multiple-person dorm room. One caveat: To achieve that level of air purification, the NeverChange must be at its highest setting, which is to say its loudest setting. The NeverChange HEPA filter captures fine particles along with an activated carbon filter to trap odors and gases. It also includes Shark’s own “Odor Neutralizer Technology,” a small cartridge filled with an “Ocean Breeze” fragrance pod that looks like solid perfume. I would skip this, as I didn’t care for the scent. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    White Coway Airmega Mighty air purifier sitting on a hardwood floor in a square shape with rounded edges and a large...

    Photograph: Lisa Wood Shapiro

    The Mighty from air purifier stalwarts Coway might have the best bang for your buck when it comes to getting good air. It made our list of WIRED’s Best Air Purifiers of 2024, and at under $250, the Mighty can handily clean a 361-square-foot room, exchanging the air the recommended 4.8 times per hour. Note that this is based on running the Mighty at its highest and loudest setting at 53 decibels. As I’ve written before, you most likely won’t want that kind of white noise 24/7, so I suggest fitting the Mighty in a room around 200 square feet or smaller to run it at a quieter setting while still benefiting from a high air exchange rate. The Mighty has a built-in air sensor and air quality light with Coway’s color system that is sometimes confusing, as it’s the same as the US Air Quality Index standards of green for good, red for unhealthy, and purple for very unhealthy. At just over 12 pounds, the boxlike Mighty feels lighter than that with its easy-to-grab back handle. It isn’t compatible with Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa, nor does it have a remote or app. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    The Coway Airmega ProX is the monolith your high-ceilinged home needs. If you’re living in an A-frame, loft, or any home with a ceiling higher than 8 feet, then the Coway Airmega ProX is for you. The ProX reminds me of the TARS robot from Interstellar crossed with a giant stereo speaker. It’s blend-into-the-room-beige and can clean the air four times per hour in a 1,000-foot-space running at its highest setting. And even at its highest setting, the ProX delivers its maximum air cleaning power at 46 decibels, slightly quieter than rain, making it one of the quieter large tower air purifiers I’ve tested. The control panel features Coway’s real-time air quality indicator light that goes from blue to purple, along with the PM 2.5 number that’s sometimes difficult to read depending on the angle. There are three customizable airflow speeds. I prefer to leave it on auto mode, as its air sensor adjusts the fan speed. I was able to move the 50-pound ProX by its handle and built-in wheels. While the ProX is one of the more expensive models I’ve tested, the five-year warranty puts it in the wise investment category. —Lisa Wood Shapiro

    The HealthSmart humidifier lamp is an LED lamp that sheds gentle multicolored light, which can help you wind down at bedtime. It’s one of our picks in our guide to Gifts for People Who Just Need a Good Night’s Sleep, and right now it’s on sale for almost half its original price. The humidifier inside plays two roles to help bring on the Zzzs. First, if you’re stuffy or a little sick, a humidifier can help keep your nasal passages from getting too inflamed while you sleep. It can also be used to diffuse essential oils for a little aromatherapy or to just freshen a room. (Just know that some essential oils can be dangerous to pets.) This humidifier lamp also features a smart touch panel to control the lighting (which has seven different colors that can cycle or stay on one), mist modes, and a timer. —Molly Higgins

    The best smart shades can be expensive, but if you already have a roller blind you can make it smart with this clever retrofit gadget from Eve. Check compatibility by measuring the circumference of the tube inside your existing roller shade. This kit works with Matter, so you can use it with your platform of choice, but you will also need a home hub (with Apple HomeKit, for example, that is a HomePod mini, HomePod, or Apple TV) if you want to schedule it to open and close automatically or use voice commands. Mine works great and I love the handy pull chain as a simple control backup, but it is a bit noisy. —Simon Hill

    Philips Hue Starter Kit

    Photograph: Philips

    The most iconic smart light bulb is easily the Philips Hue. The bulb has been around for ages, and the bulbs usually require a Philips Hue Hub to make it work. Philips Hue also makes tons of accessories, and sells their bulbs in bundles with the hub, a couple bulbs, and sometimes extra accessories. Several solid bundles are on sale. The classic is the two-bulb starter kit with a hub that’s on sale for $90, but you can also score a kit with a third bulb and a smart switch discounted to $126, or get a dimmer switch with your two bulbs on sale for $120. The choice is yours—just make sure to count how many bulbs you need to make sure you buy the right size kit. —Nena Farrell

    Every Nectar mattress I’ve tested (three now) has been on the soft side for my taste, which is why Nectar is not ranked highly on our guide to the Best Mattresses. But this bed-in-a-box company has a loyal following. If your top priority is pressure relief, this gel memory foam mattress offers a very soft and cloudlike sleeping surface with lots of sink. If you don’t like it, Nectar also offers a 365-day return window. —Martin Cizmar

    Nectar Premier Mattress

    Photograph: Nectar

    The main differences between the regular Nectar above and this upgrade are that the Premier is a little softer and offers a cooling cover. It’s even better for pressure relief and motion transfer if those are your priorities. —Martin Cizmar

    This is our top pick in our Best Pillows guide, and it’s not hard—in fact, it’s rather soft and squishy—to see why. I live in Texas, where it’s summer nine months out of the year, and this pillow still manages to stay cool throughout the night. It features a multilayer structure with a sturdy foam core to keep its shape, flanked by softer memory core layers to cushion your head. No matter how many pillows I test, I keep finding myself reaching for this one when I need a really good nap. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Withings Sleep Tracking Mat next to iPhone displaying Withings app

    Photograph: Amazon

    Many folks find watches and other wearables uncomfortable when they’re trying to sleep, so this clever sleep tracking mat that goes under your mattress is a nice alternative. Easy to set up and use, it tracks your heart rate, breaks your sleep cycle down into phases, and can detect snoring. The mat syncs with the Withings Health Mate app to show your data each morning. It appears in our best sleep gadgets and best sleep trackers guides. —Simon Hill

    This 57-inch pillow combines popular body- and pregnancy-pillow U and C shapes for a unique form that provides all-around support to your back and stomach. It’s perfect for side sleepers and is like having three pillows in one—it conforms to both your back and belly while supporting the head, and the bottom part is long enough to support the legs, knees, and hip joints. This unique shape even curls for ankle support, ensuring that no joint goes unsupported. It strikes a perfect balance between softness and support and retains its shape without too much fill movement. Bonus: It comes in multiple cover types, so you can opt for a lighter cotton fabric cover if you sleep hot. —Molly Higgins

    The Zinus Abel bed frame is one of our top picks. WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell has successfully used it in three different apartments. It’s easy to break down into several metal rods, and it’s fast to rebuild once you’ve settled in. The bed frame has room underneath for storage bins (or piles of laundry that you just don’t want to think about yet.) If you’re in the market for a mattress too, here are some recommendations. —Louryn Strampe

    This Roxicosly clock is one of the most reviewed nontraditional alarm clocks on Amazon and is one I tested for my guide to the best extreme alarm clocks. It’s semi-customizable, as the buzzer goes up to 106 decibels with a bed shaker that can be used separately or together with the alarm. The vibrations provide a more subtle way to wake up by forgoing the jarring alarm sounds, and the escalating pattern of the buzzing helps ease the snoozer into wakefulness. The vibrations, along with the noise and adjustable intensity, helped me wake up easily—without making me feel like I needed to immediately turn it off so I didn’t have a cardiac event. I woke up without hitting the snooze button too much or turning off the alarm altogether. I’ll count that as a win. —Molly Higgins

    Oval shaped indoor security camera by Arlo with white base and black front sitting on wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Arlo ticks all the boxes with this security camera, including crisp 2K video at 24 frames per second, two-way audio, and a compact design that includes a privacy shutter. The Arlo app is swift to load, offers excellent notifications, and supports two-factor authentication, so you can log in with your fingerprint or face, phone permitting. Sadly, you need a pricey subscription (Arlo Secure costs $8 per month for one camera or $13 per month for unlimited cameras) for subject recognition, smart alerts, and cloud storage. This is the upgrade pick in our best indoor security cameras guide. —Simon Hill

    This is one of the best indoor security cameras you can buy because it’s capable of recognizing faces, so it can tell you when your kids come home. I also like the understated style. With HDR, the 1080p video quality is clear at 30 fps, with automatic night vision when it’s dark. There’s also decent two-way audio, and enforced two-factor authentication, which is important for an indoor camera. The big downside is that you need a Nest Aware subscription costing $8 per month ($80/year) for 30 days of event video history and familiar face alerts, but that does cover all your Nest devices. —Simon Hill

    Nest security camera

    Photograph: Nest

    The perfect outdoor security camera for Google households, Nest Cam Outdoor has a handy magnetic mount that makes it easy to angle the camera. It has an expansive 130-degree field of view, captures sharp 1080p video with HDR and night vision, and boasts a clear speaker and microphone. You only get three hours of free event history, but you can add a Nest Aware subscription ($8 a month, or $80 for the whole year) to get 30 days of event history and face recognition, which is super handy. —Simon Hill

    There’s something to be said for a two-camera kit with a home hub, like this one from Eufy, which is our upgrade pick for folks seeking a local, subscription-free system in our best outdoor security cameras guide. The EufyCam 3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has built-on solar for battery top-ups, video resolution goes all the way up to 4K, and there’s 16 GB of local storage (expandable up to 16 TB) on the connected HomeBase 3 hub. You also get on-device people, pet, and vehicle recognition, and this system can even recognize familiar faces, though it’s not as good as Google’s Nest cams at that trick. —Simon Hill

    If you get loads of packages delivered, you might appreciate Eufy’s dual camera doorbell, as it affords you a view of your porch floor and front step, alongside the usual picture of whoever is standing there. This is the best subscription-free option in our best video doorbells guide, as it has 8 GB of built-in storage for local recording (you can connect to a HomeBase 3 hub for more). The 2K footage is crisp and clear and there’s on-device people, package, and even face detection, though it’s not always accurate and this doorbell can be laggy when connecting away from home. —Simon Hill

    Balkwan Sunset Lamp

    Photograph: Amazon

    This gadget helps transform the vibe of any room. Simply place it on the floor, plug it in, and aim it toward the wall to create a halolike effect with pops of rainbow colors. It’ll make your space feel super cozy. My only gripe is that it comes with a short cord, so you’ll have to plug it into a power strip if you want to place it in a desired spot. It’s easy to accidentally knock over too, so I wouldn’t put it anywhere with a lot of foot traffic. —Brenda Stolyar

    Smart plugs are pretty darn handy to turn almost anything into a smart device without changing anything about the device itself. They’re best on lamps, but can also be used on Christmas lights, TVs, coffee makers, or even your router (no more hunting it down to reset it, just turn the smart plug off and then back on after 30 seconds!) TP-Link makes a variety of great smart plugs, including the Kasa Smart line. The Kasa Smart Plug Mini is nice and small, making it easy to use without blocking a neighboring outlet. Use the app to make routines and scenes like you would smart lights, so that your house comes to life for you, or to act like you’re home when you aren’t. This four-pack is a great deal to upgrade multiple lamps and devices around your home. If you want just one, individuals are on sale too for $7 each. —Nena Farrell

    White Govee wifi water sensor device with a rectangular bottom and semicircular top sitting on wooden surface.

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Click the coupon to see the discount at checkout. These affordable Govee Wi-Fi water sensors are quick and easy to install, and send alerts as push notifications and emails to warn you when there’s a leak. With a very loud siren (100 decibels) you will hear them if you are home, and you can shut off the sound from the app. The sensors are compact with drip detection on top and metal feet for leak detection beneath. Alerts triggered within a few seconds in my tests, earning them a place in our best water leak detectors guide. The app is basic but works well and gives you an alert history. The sensors do require a Govee Wi-Fi hub (included), which needs a power outlet, and it’s big enough that it may block an adjacent outlet. Each sensor also needs two AA batteries (provided). —Simon Hill

    Nanit Pro Baby Monitor

    Photograph: Nanit

    The Nanit Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has everything a data nerd parent could ever want in a smart baby monitor: customizable alerts, recaps of how baby’s night was (like how often they wake up or get out of the crib), and even the ability to track baby’s breathing and height if you get the compatible accessories. The Nanit is also sleek and easy to set up and uses Wi-Fi to both analyze the video feed and alert your phone. There’s no handheld console, just your smartphone, which you can turn into a constant monitor or just get alerts if the baby makes a lot of noise or wakes up. Nanit’s coolest tricks require accessories like its Breathing Band to track a baby’s breathing rate, or Nanit’s Smart Sheets to log the baby’s height. But even without these accessories, the Nanit is an impressive monitor that gives you quick alerts, informative recaps, and is easy to use whether you’re monitoring your baby from home or afar. —Nena Farrell

    Cheap sheets often aren’t great. There’s a reason the majority of sheets we recommend are over $100. But Bedsure’s Bamboo Sheets are one of the few affordable sheet sets we love. It’s silky and cool to the touch, especially for the price point. What makes them a little cheaper than other bamboo sheets is they’re made from bamboo rayon, rather than viscose, which is better for the environment. Bedsure’s prices vary based on which color sheets you choose, but most of the sheets usually retail for $60, so you can get a nice little discount right now for Prime Day. —Nena Farrell

    Enter code WIRED at checkout to see the full discount. Head off from Amazon to find Cozy Earth’s Cozy Days sale. The sale includes the Bamboo Sheet Set, some of the softest sheets I’ve ever slept on (and I sleep on sheets for a living!) They’re incredibly cool to the touch and silky soft, but warm up as you lay in bed to become super cozy. The sheets are made with 100 percent bamboo viscose, which is a better choice than cheaper bamboo rayon, and fold down super small, too. It’s a great luxurious sheet set that usually feels a little too expensive to casually buy, so don’t miss this sale price. —Nena Farrell

    Eufy SpaceView Baby Monitor

    Photograph: Amazon

    If you’re looking for a baby monitor that will keep Wi-Fi and recorded video clips out of your baby’s nursery, this is the baby monitor for you. The Eufy Spaceview Baby Monitor (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a radio-based monitor, meaning it uses radio signals to send the video feed to only the included handheld monitor and nowhere else. There’s no recording or rewinding, but it’s a perfect low-maintenance monitor for most parents. It tends to be a split second faster than Wi-Fi monitors, too, since it doesn’t have to send video to the cloud and then alert your phone, it’s a truly live feed. The camera is adjustable from the monitor controls, so you can move it around to see your kid if they wiggle into a weird corner of the crib, and there’s a two-way microphone. —Nena Farrell

    Medela has been in the breast pump game for a while, but one of their latest breast pump is the Freestyle (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which has wearable cups and a separate motor you can wear around your wrist or stick in your pocket while you pump. My favorite thing about the Medela Freestyle is how few parts it is to clean—each cup has three pieces to clean, six pieces total. That’s it! Other pumps I’ve tried have had five or six items per pump, and the Medela’s pieces are easier to clean and put together, too. It’s super lightweight, too, since the heavy motor isn’t sitting in your shirt. And with such a big discount, there’s no better time to grab the Freestyle for yourself. —Nena Farrell

    Semicircle shaped clock with linen covered face sitting on wooden bedside table

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    The Hatch Restore 2 is one of the prettiest sunrise alarm clocks and sound machines you can find, and it has a nice range of both colorful lights and sounds it can play. The sleek half-circle has two buttons at the top to activate the Rest and Rise routines that you’ll set up in the Hatch app for your perfect bedtime and wake-up sound and light combinations. The Hatch isn’t quite bright enough to double as a bedside lamp, but it makes for a great companion to lull yourself to sleep. —Nena Farrell

    If you want a truly tiny sound machine—maybe for a trip to help you sleep without taking up precious cargo space, or your bedside table is already too cluttered for your own good—the Restnature Sound Machine fits the bill. The itty bitty sound machine is palm-sized and could easily fit into a pocket, but even with such a petite size it still has a variety of 16 different sounds to choose from, plus 30-, 60-, and 90-minute timer options. It’s already a cheap sound machine, but it’s extra cheap right now. —Nena Farrell

    The Snooz Smart White Noise Machine isn’t smart because of the noises it has—it just has a single whirring fan noise, generated by the real fan inside of it. What makes it smart is the connected app that lets you create schedules and control it remotely. Or, skip the app entirely and use the on-device controls. While there’s just the one sound, there are 10 different volume levels and options to have the fan sound fade in or out. It’s a bit pricey for a sound machine that only offers one sound, making this sale a good time to go for it. —Nena Farrell

    Long narrow polelike stand with a circular base at the bottom holding a tablet at the top

    Photograph: Amazon

    I love reading with my Kindle in bed, but my wrists hate it. There’s an easy solution, though: the Lamicall Tablet Holder, which works for most tablets, Kindles, and even a Nintendo Switch. I have the arm clip version, but the floor mount is great if you want to easily move it from room to room without needing to secure it on furniture, or have delicate furniture you don’t want to damage. It’s usually pretty pricey, making this sale a perfect tie to snag it. —Nena Farrell

    Adding a bidet sounds expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. The Tushy Classic 3.0 is an attachment you can add onto any existing toilet, and it doesn’t require an electric power line, so no need for a nearby outlet or cord running through your bathroom to use it. It’s a great bidet with plenty of water power. It’s an easy option for renters to use and bring along to their next address, or homeowners who want to try out a bidet without making a big investment. —Nena Farrell

    The baby stage is filled with tummy time and floor play, but you might not just want to plop your baby on the ground. Instead, we like Regalo’s Play Mat for a safe crawl and tummy time space. It’s reversible and waterproof, so you can switch up designs to stimulate your kiddo’s growing brain, and it can survive spit-up moments. It’s got a travel strap so you can wrap it up and bring it to a different room or even grandma’s house. —Nena Farrell

    Head off of Amazon to find Cozy Earth’s Cozy Days sale. The sale includes the Bamboo Sheet Set, some of the softest sheets I’ve ever slept on (and I sleep on sheets for a living!) They’re incredibly cool to the touch and silky soft, but warm up as you lay in bed to become super cozy. The sheets are made with 100 percent bamboo viscose, which is a better choice than cheaper bamboo rayon, and fold down super small, too. It’s a great luxurious sheet set that usually feels a little too expensive to casually buy, so don’t miss this sale price, or a chance to get it a little cheaper with our code WIRED for 35% off. —Nena Farrell

    A lot of reviewers here at WIRED like Owala’s reusable water bottles for humans, and we’re also a fan of the brand’s water bowls for pets. The Owala pet bowl has a rubbery grip on the bottom to stop it from slipping around, and the stainless steel holds up after many dishwasher runs. Most vets and cat experts will tell you to use stainless steel or glass bowls for your pet’s food and water because plastic holds onto bacteria, which can result in cat acne. This bowl comes in both 24- and 48-ounce sizes and is durable enough to be used for food or water, is dishwasher safe, and even keeps water colder for longer because of the insulated stainless steel design. —Molly Higgins

    basepaws dna kit

    Photograph: Basepaws

    Dog DNA tests have grown in popularity for those wanting to identify the breed(s) of their mutts or rescues (though a study found many tests to be less than accurate for this purpose), but what about cats, for which there are fewer breeds? As detailed in our guide to the Best Cat Toys, Litter Boxes and Supplies, the true value of Basepaws’ cat DNA test is in its keys to your cat’s health—our Gear team reviewers received a 70-page PDF measuring their cats’ results against 114 markers including whether they were carriers, at regular risk, or at high risk of many disorders, as well as their blood type, all of which could be useful in making critical health decisions. —Kat Merck

    As a fan of merino wool, I’ve found out the hard way that you need to keep your wool safe from moths (actually it’s the larvae that eat wool, but whatever). You can use mothballs if you want to smell like the 1950s. Or you can use compression bags like these. This deal gets you eight bags, which is more than enough to store a wardrobe full of wool. —Scott Gilbertson

    Purina’s Petivity (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a more affordable way to monitor your cat’s health without having to fork over $700 for an automatic litter box. The Petivity sits underneath a standard litter box and, once connected to the app, tells you which cat visited the box at what time, how much they weigh, and if they went number one or two. This tool is perfect for the helicopter pet parent, so you can track any differences in their litter box usage and if something seems off, take them to the vet before the issue becomes bigger and more costly. Right now the Petivity is the lowest price we’ve seen for an expensive pet health monitoring tool—less than half of what it usually costs. —Molly Higgins

    Cordless drill battery charger and carrying bag

    Photograph: Lowe’s

    A good drill is essential for your home tool kit, and this is the best one we’ve tested. It’s got more than enough torque for most tasks—and ’tis better to have more torque and not need it than to need it and not have it. The bundle includes two batteries and a charger, and the chuck will accept every bit you’ll end up using. The included batteries can be swapped with other DeWalt power tools as well. —Louryn Strampe

    Sometimes a standard screwdriver just isn’t going to cut it. And the thing about tiny screws is you really can’t substitute a butter knife or coin. Be prepared with this itty-bitty screwdriver set, which we recommend for all households. The tapered handles and smooth-turning caps make it easier to work in tight spaces, and you’ll get enough size variety that every task should be covered. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Kitchen Deals

    Image may contain Appliance Cooker Device Electrical Device Slow Cooker and Disk

    This is the base Zojirushi 3-cup model. For years, Zojirushi has offered a few rice cookers in this price category that have minor differences in the settings, or have a retractable cord or not. However, they all rely on Zojirushi’s “microcomputer” technology to make sure all grains, like short or brown rice, come out flawless and fluffy, not scorched or burned. This is a reliable daily grain cooker that will serve you well for years and years—our reviewer has owned his for 12 years and counting. Zoji’s range extends higher upward, but your average grain enthusiast probably doesn’t need anything more than this. —Adrienne So

    Stainless steel frying pans have a bit of a learning curve, but so long as you have patience, they’re absolutely worth adding to your kitchen arsenal. All-Clad makes fantastic pots and pans that are backed by a lifetime warranty. This set includes a 10-inch and a 12-inch pan. These heat evenly, they retain heat well, their handles stay cool to the touch, and most important, they will last for years. —Louryn Strampe

    Cookie season is just around the corner. We swear by these baking sheets from Nordic Ware. They’ve lasted our reviewer over a decade so far, with zero warps or other issues. Right now you can literally get two for the price of one, so if you’re baking on secondhand sheets that just aren’t cutting it, it’s a good time to invest in this upgrade. —Louryn Strampe

    Reusable silicone bags and containers

    Photograph: Amazon

    Your single-use plastic bags could be so much more environmentally friendly. These Stasher bags are some of our favorite reusable products. They’re freezer- and microwave-safe, and once you’re done with lunch you can put them in the dishwasher. This starter kit includes six different sizes ranging from the itty-bitty (great for toddler snacks) to a half-gallon (great for adult snacks). The colors are a whole lot cuter than your average sandwich bag, too. —Louryn Strampe

    Click the coupon on the page to see the discount at checkout. The Typhur Dome’s sleek and modern design and promise piqued my interest, but this air fryer’s work on wings won me over. This air fryer promises speedy cooking times, and was the fastest air fryer I’ve used in my month of testing on pierogi, poppers, wings, and frozen french fries. Wings take 14 minutes, or 16 if you prefer them “fried hard” like I do. You can have them sauced in a mixture of Frank’s and butter and on the table within 20 minutes. The Typhur stores easily thanks to its low-profile design and has a helpful self-cleaning mode, though I use soap and water on the basket. —Martin Cizmar

    This is the best smart air fryer we’ve tested. You can monitor and control it via an app on your smartphone or tablet, but of course there are manual controls on the air fryer itself. The app also has a bevy of air fryer recipes to check out. There are 12 preset cooking modes and the drawer is deep and wide enough to make larger portions if you’re cooking for multiple people. —Louryn Strampe

    Ninja Air Fryer Max

    Photograph: Ninja

    In a world where appliances are constantly vying for countertop space, the Ninja Max XL has a nice compact footprint that should make it fit in neatly with whatever else is currently residing there. It boasts a few different settings including roasting, baking, and crisping—so whether you’re whipping up some curly fries or you’re crafting a birthday cake, this gadget can still be useful. Read more about it in our air fryer buying guide. —Louryn Strampe

    Deemed the best dual-platform kitchen scale in our guide to Best Kitchen Scales, this two-in-one model is a favorite of WIRED contributor and chocolatier Tyler Shane, who likes not only that there’s a smaller scale that can weigh down to .01 grams, but that she can weigh two ingredients at the same time, like flour and sea salt. The large display is backlit for readability, and the stainless steel platforms lend a sleek look to any kitchen. Says Shane: “While I was scaling for my banana bread, it felt like a stunner piece of equipment that took my baking game to an advanced level.” Grab it for yourself or a baker friend while it’s five bucks off. And if you miss the Prime Day sale, check out our exclusive coupon for 15 percent off all regularly priced KitchenAid items. —Kat Merck

    Looking to make your own clean, additive-free nut, seed, or oat milk without having to resort to messy blenders and mesh bags? We’ve got an upcoming refresh to our Best Nut Milk Makers guide, but in the meantime, WIRED contributor and beverage expert Andrew Watman recommends this Growup as a solid option. He was able to make 3 1/2 cups of cashew milk in just six minutes and 10 seconds and gives extra props to the machine’s automatic cleaning cycle. —Kat Merck

    WIRED contributor and award-winning wine writer Jordan Michelman deemed this sleek, easy-to-use cylinder the best electric option in his guide to the Best Corkscrews. It’s rechargeable via USB—charging to full power in just four hours—and can pull 30 corks before needing to be plugged back in. It’s not only quiet, it can sense when it’s been placed on a cork, pulling and ejecting it without the need to press extra buttons. It comes in a range of colors including gold, red, and navy and would make a great gift for even the most die-hard defenders of non-electric corkscrews. —Kat Merck

    Instant Pot Vortex 9 quart air fryer

    Photograph: Instant Pot

    This little gadget is one of our favorite air fryers, partially because it’s actually not so little. The 6-quart capacity can make up to six servings of food at once, so it’s great for larger households. You’ll get six cooking modes, including fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. The best part is the large viewing window, which lets you check the progress of your food without having to drop the internal temperature. The air fryer has a wide temperature range, and there are built-in filters that help cut down on any odors. Though I, for one, wouldn’t be mad if my kitchen smelled like steak bites all the time. —Louryn Strampe

    A foray into the crowded energy drink market is a logical evolution for Sparkling Ice, the zero-cal carbonated beverage with a devoted cult following and almost 20 flavors on offer. The inoffensive tropical flavor of Maximum Mango is a safe port of entry for fans of the original who need something extra every now and then, now at an enticing price of $18 through the Amazon Prime Day promotion. The artificial sweetener flavor is barely noticeable under the burst of carbonation, and the slurry of B vitamins, electrolytes, and 160 milligrams of caffeine provides a smooth bump of energy that’s great for hangovers or the mid-afternoon doldrums. —Pete Cottell

    If you don’t mind its plastic construction, this Mueller mandoline is a great multifunctional kitchen tool. We say as much in our Chef Knife Buying Guide. Mandolines can help you precisely slice vegetables like tomatoes or cucumbers (please tell me I’m not the only one with a cucumber-crazy TikTok algorithm). This one includes five different blades for slicing, shredding, grating, and more, as well as a box in which to store everything. There’s also a finger guard that you should definitely use. Pop everything in the dishwasher when you’re done for easy cleanup. —Louryn Strampe

    Small blender with black base sitting beside ingredients and an extra container all on a black kitchen counter

    Photograph: Emily Peck

    This personal-size Nutribullet blends both thoroughly and quickly. It’s one of our favorite blenders. It has 1,200 watts of power so it can crank through your morning smoothies, and there’s a separate pulse setting in case your ingredients are particularly chunky. It can get a little loud, and you’ll need to ensure that you use enough liquid if you want the blender to perform efficiently. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a worthwhile countertop companion. This price is the lowest we’ve tracked. —Louryn Strampe

    In a world full of tumblers, the BrüMate Era is our top pick. It keeps drinks cold and it doesn’t spill. The straw is silicone on the top half and stainless steel on the lower half inside the tumbler body. The lid locks with a simple twist, which fully seals off the straw hole—even if you hold the tumbler upside down. There are tons of cute colors available. —Louryn Strampe

    The Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 (7/10, WIRED Review) is the OG kitchen compost bin. We like it because it’s more affordable than many similar products, especially right now. The chamber holds about a cubic foot of food waste, and there’s a carbon filter included to help cut down on any nefarious stenches. Vitamix says you can toss just about anything in, except for oil or grease (though we advise against including meat or bones). Pet food, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, and other food waste are all fair game. When the container is full, start the device, and in a few hours you’ll have a dry and crumbly compost mixture. —Louryn Strampe

    KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

    Photograph: Amazon

    Part status symbol, part baking tool, part kitchen decor, few appliances have captured the public imagination quite like the KitchenAid stand mixer. The Artisan head-tilt is the most affordable base model and works just fine for cookies, meringues, and other light-duty tasks, though if you’ll be working with stiff or heavy doughs you’d be better off springing for one of the heavier-duty bowl-lift or commercial models. This bundle comes with two beater attachments, a dough hook, and a wire whip, which is pretty much all you’ll need for the full gamut of holiday baking. There are flashier colors and styles than the ones featured in the sale, like the hibiscus-colored model seen in our guide to the Best Stand Mixers, or the new Evergreen Design Series (be on the lookout for our upcoming review). However, I’ve owned a basic onyx black Artisan for more than 15 years and I appreciate how it’s complemented every kitchen I’ve had it in. If you miss the Prime Day sale, check out our exclusive coupon for 15 percent off all regularly priced KitchenAid items. —Kat Merck


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    Best Coffee Deals

    Breville Barista Express

    Breville Barista Express

    Photograph: Breville

    Our top pick in our Best Espresso Machines guide, this is the machine to buy if you’re looking for a step up from a Keurig. I have been using mine since 2018 and it has served me well for more than six years. It’s quick to turn on, has a built-in grinder, a tamper that stores magnetically, and there’s a steam wand that can froth milk for a latte, though it takes a while. —Julian Chokkattu

    The Barista Express Impress (6/10, WIRED Review) is a more feature-rich version of our favorite espresso machine above. It has more grind and dosage settings, and it automates some of the more complex parts of brewing espresso, such as getting just the right amount of grounds per shot. Otherwise, it’s largely the same. It’s got a built-in grinder, an adjustable steam wand, and a sturdy construction. We see this deal on a regular basis, but the discount is still good. —Louryn Strampe

    The Primula Burke earned an honorable mention in our cold brew maker buying guide. It’s supremely affordable, and it produces smooth-tasting coffee with that signature mellowed flavor that cold brew is known for. The filter is quite fine, so your coffee won’t have a lot of sediment in it. The six-ounce brewer is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup and it’ll fit in most refrigerator doors. If you prefer coffee with a bit more body, our guide has plenty of recommendations. But if you just want some tasty cold brew without too much pomp and circumstance, this is a great option. —Louryn Strampe

    Two coffee makers side by side both with cylindrical containers sitting on top of clear mugs as coffee drips down inside

    Photograph: Amazon

    There are a whole bunch of different AeroPress brewers, but the Clear is our favorite for gifting. (And yes, you can gift it to yourself.) The transparent housing shows you exactly what is going on in the brewing chamber, but that doesn’t mean it has to look boring—there are several color options in the clear lineup. It’s safe to expect the quintessential AeroPress experience from this brewer: Add your grounds, add your water, and plunge for an excellent cup of joe. —Louryn Strampe

    This is our very favorite cappuccino machine. It’s easy to use and it’s affordable compared to many of its counterparts, especially thanks to this deal. You can use it to make straight espresso shots, but there’s also a built-in milk reservoir that’ll automatically make you a cappuccino or latte if you so desire. It’s not fully automated since you’ll still have to load up and twist on the portafilter, but even the groggiest of us can manage that task in the morning. And it isn’t too picky about fancy beans or grinds—our tester managed to make an espresso-like-substance from Maxwell Coffee. —Louryn Strampe

    coffee grinder

    Photograph: Oxo

    This is the best budget-friendly coffee grinder on the market. The conical burr grinding is precise, and no matter whether you’re a French press person, a pour-over person, or an espresso person, it’ll have your morning brew covered. The design is a bit on the tall side, coming in at 16 inches, but the overall footprint is slim and won’t take up too much space on your countertop. The grinder is durable, too—after more than a year of daily use, it still works great. It doesn’t drop below this price very frequently. —Louryn Strampe

    This is our favorite latte and cappuccino machine for under $200. It can make pure espresso or whip up a creamy latte or cappuccino. The integrated milk container is nice, but you’ll have to refrigerate it and keep it clean. Luckily, the cleaning process is easy, and so is the brewing process. The touch of a button will have your preferred morning beverage brewed in just a few minutes. We also appreciate the slide-out booster for when you’re using smaller glasses. —Louryn Strampe

    This very fancily named espresso machine made our list of the very best. It’s a two-in-one machine with a built-in grinder and a slim form factor compared to similar machines. It has a couple of quirks—like the stepstool for your mug to prevent splashing—but overall it’s a joy to use and if you’re spending money like crazy on artisan coffee drinks at your local shop, the investment will pay off. We’ve seen it drop as low as $500 before, but it rarely drops below $550, so we still think this is a decent deal. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Amazon Device Deals

    Black ereader with the screen showing rolled up newspapers

    Photograph: Medea Giordano

    This is our favorite e-reader. You’ll have the choice between the base Paperwhite and the Signature Edition (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which comes with 16 gigabytes and 32 gigabytes of storage, respectively. They also come with auto-adjusting backlight and wireless charging. We also recommend paying the extra $20 to get rid of lockscreen ads. It’s worth noting Amazon hasn’t updated the Paperwhite since 2021, but this one still performs super well. —Brenda Stolyar

    With a 10.2-inch screen, the Scribe (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is great for both writing and drawing. Since it’s a Kindle, reading on it is still seamless and you won’t experience a lag when writing. However, we don’t recommend it for professional artists who want something a bit more elevated. You also can’t write on book pages and it isn’t waterproof. —Brenda Stolyar

    If you’re looking for the best smart display in Amazon’s every-growing ecosystem, this is it. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the perfect size with an eight-inch screen to see the weather, follow a recipe, or even join a video call, without being too large or obtrusive in your home. It’s got a camera cover and mute button for the moments when you need privacy, and has great speakers for blasting your playlist of choice. The Show 8 has been our favorite Alexa smart display for three generations in a row, so don’t miss your chance to get it on sale. —Nena Farrell

    Amazon Echo Pop

    Photograph: Amazon

    The Amazon Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the newest additions to Amazon’s speaker lineup. The half-moon speaker comes in a couple of fun colors—the others are only available in black and sometimes white—and feels like a perfect fit for a dorm room or colorful office. The sound isn’t as robust as the Echo Dot, with a weaker bass, but it’s still solid for casual listening and pop music. There’s also a kid’s version ($23) that has Disney or Marvel covers on it. —Nena Farrell

    The best Amazon Echo is the Echo itself. The fourth-generation Amazon Echo has left behind its tower-like design of earlier generations and now has a fully rounded form, with a better sound experience to use as a speaker in your home as well as a handy assistant. The Echo responds quickly and does all the tricks you’d want it to: tells you the weather! controls your smart home! can act as a smart home hub! It’s large enough for great sound power, but isn’t so large that you can’t fit it onto a small shelf. —Nena Farrell

    Black tabletlike device on purple stucco

    Photograph: Amazon

    The Amazon Echo Show 5 can do everything the larger Amazon smart displays can, but with a much smaller screen. It’s an ideal size for a bedside table, minus the built-in camera (there’s a camera cover luckily, which I recommend using if it’s in your bedroom!) or very small side tables where you want to have a clock face and read the weather, but don’t need to follow a recipe or see anything in major detail. It still can do these things, it’s just not a great screen size for it. —Nena Farrell

    If you’re looking for the best smart display in Amazon’s every-growing ecosystem, this is it. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the perfect size with an eight-inch screen to see the weather, follow a recipe, or even join a video call, without being too large or obtrusive in your home. It’s got a camera cover and mute button for the moments when you need privacy, and has great speakers for blasting your playlist of choice. The Show 8 has been our favorite Alexa smart display for three generations in a row, so don’t miss your chance to get it on sale. —Nena Farrell

    The best Amazon Echo is the Echo itself. The fourth-generation Amazon Echo has left behind its tower-like design of earlier generations and now has a fully rounded form, with a better sound experience to use as a speaker in your home as well as a handy assistant. The Echo responds quickly and does all the tricks you’d want it to: tells you the weather! controls your smart home! can act as a smart home hub! It’s large enough for great sound power, but isn’t so large that you can’t fit it onto a small shelf. —Nena Farrell

    Grey sphere device with blue light illuminating from the base while sitting on a wooden nightstand

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    I like to imagine the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is the regular Echo hit with a shrink ray. It’s got the same form factor and design, just miniaturized. While the sound isn’t quite as robust, the little speaker’s sound is surprisingly detailed for the small size, and even has a solid amount of bass. Even before the sale, it’s the best Amazon speaker you can get for the price, making it a near steal right now. I also really like the Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock, both for a bedside table and a clock anywhere in the house, but it’s been sold out. If you spot it, though, grab it: it’s great too. —Nena Farrell

    Amazon’s Echo Spot (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is back. The rounded speaker was discontinued back in 2019, but has been revived with an updated look. With a square screen surrounded by a half-circle bezel and a mostly-rounded form factor, it looks like the Echo Pop if you added a screen to the top half of the front. But it’s surprisingly great: the screen is just enough to show you the weather and the name of the song you’re playing, or minor details about your calendar, and just the time otherwise. While I love a good smart display, the moving slideshows can be distracting, so the second-gen Echo Spot is a nice choice if you want to see some details without an entire extra screen in your home. There’s no camera, so it’s a great pick for your bedside clock. The only downside is the price, so a sale is the best time to grab the Spot for yourself. —Nena Farrell

    Hand holding white plug with 2 vertical opening and one semicircle opening

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    Amazon’s Smart Plug works exactly as you expect it to: You plug something into it and remotely control the power. Amazon’s smart plug is nice for Alexa loyalists since you can set it up within the same app your other Amazon products, like an Echo speaker. The smart plug works well and is my recommendation if you’re tied to the Amazon ecosytem. —Nena Farrell

    Amazon’s Blink Mini 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is capable of capturing crisp 1080p HD video and reliably capturing motion. It’s weather-resistant if you want to use it indoors or outdoors, though you’ll need to purchase the version with a weather-resistant adapter ($30 on Prime Day sale) to safely use it outside. You’ll need a subscription to get all the features, including person detection, live view recording, video sharing, and cloud recording with 60-day video history (30 days in the UK and Europe). —Nena Farrell

    The 2021 Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the older version of Amazon’s Bluetooth earbuds but have wireless charging, active noise canceling, good overall sound with 5.7-mm drivers, and a great app experience. It’s easy to summon Alexa for various commands like setting timers and checking your calendar. This is one of the best experiences you can get for this price, especially on sale. —Nena Farrell

    2 black inear earbuds hovering over a small white case

    Photograph: Amazon

    Last year’s Echo Buds are always an affordable set of earbuds at $50, and Prime Day brings them down to half that. These wireless earbuds don’t have all the features of the more expensive 2nd Gen Echo Buds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) including a lack of active noise canceling and we don’t like the form factor as much. But they’re super affordable and have Alexa built-in. —Nena Farrell


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    Best Beauty Deals

    Hand holding a thin silver hair straightener showing a black colored panel on the inside of one of the clamps

    Photograph: Kat Merck

    This 1-inch ceramic flat iron with proprietary ion technology was both former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano’s and my favorite that we tested for our guide to the Best Hair Straighteners. It heats up to a maximum of 410 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to get the job done without inflicting too much damage. Medea has been using one since she was in college, and it’s my favorite iron for touch-ups. I like that it feels solid yet is still compact enough for easy maneuverability. This is the lowest price I’ve seen, so it’s definitely a worthwhile buy if you’re looking for a good-quality yet still relatively affordable straightener. —Kat Merck

    For those with fine or easy-to-straighten hair, this pretty pink ceramic-plated number is one of the better flat irons on the market. As I mention in our guide to the Best Hair Straighteners, the Smooth X’s 4 1/2-inch plates are extra long—about half an inch longer than most irons’—to provide more surface area for straightening. Other highlights include nine proprietary heat settings with an internal microchip that controls heat fluctuations, a max temperature of 410 degrees Fahrenheit, and a “CeraGloss” finish on the plates meant to increase shine. I didn’t see a ton of benefit from the CeraGloss, but my 73-year-old mother swears by this iron and the consistency of its heat settings, and at $45 off, this is an unusual deal—definitely a worthwhile grab for the upcoming gifting season. —Kat Merck

    Braun Series 9 Beard Trimmer

    Photograph: Braun

    This is our top pick in our Best Beard Trimmers guide with our reviewer praising the unique control dial, the quality of the included accessories, and the battery life. We’ve seen this dip as low as $83 so this Prime Day deal is not a top-tier discount but it’s cheaper than normal. —Martin Cizmar

    This lip mask goes on sale during every shopping holiday, and I’d buy it every time, except one jar lasts for over a year and I don’t need any more just yet. It went viral on TikTok for good reason. The thick balm melts down quickly and sinks into your skin, and you wake up with the softest lips of your life. I’ve tested it during multiple Illinois winters and can confirm that even Jack Frost can’t circumvent whatever magic Laneige uses during manufacturing. I also like that the scents fade quickly—they’re pleasant, but they don’t overstay their welcome. —Louryn Strampe

    This white-and-rose gold ionic hair dryer was a favorite of testers for our guide to the Best Hair Dryers, who noted that its plastic construction made it feel lightweight and effortless to use. (“Oh, how I love this dryer,” rhapsodized one Gear team member.) T3 says its proprietary “RapidAire IQ Technology” cuts dry time in half while retaining hair’s moisture, and while we can’t speak to that feature’s efficiency, we can confirm this Prime Day deal is an excellent one for a brand that doesn’t often go on sale. Plus, it comes with its own brush set for styling. —Kat Merck

    Image may contain Electrical Device Microphone Appliance Blow Dryer and Device

    The Dyson Airstrait (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has been my go-to hair tool for over a year now. It has the same form factor as a traditional flat iron, but rather than hot plates, it uses airflow to dry and straighten your hair at the same time. Using one focused jet of air that moves downward, it dries your hair while also delivering a smooth and natural finish. You’ll also have the choice between two main styling modes—wet and dry—as well as three temperature settings for each. I use it after washing my hair so I’ll set it to wet mode to fully dry my hair and switch to dry mode to flatten out any residual puffiness. The entire process takes only 15 minutes, which is a huge difference from the 45 minutes it usually takes me when I use a hair dryer followed by a flat iron. —Brenda Stolyar

    White brush with cylindrical barrel

    Photograph: Amazon

    Blow-dry brushes have become my holy grail product since becoming the mom of a toddler. Whether my hair was long or short, I found myself grabbing a blow dry brush to help dry my hair and style it enough to resume wrangling my kiddo. My favorite so far is the T3 AireBrush Round, which has a 2.5-inch brush that’s small enough for my short hair and can get it dry and styled in a matter of minutes. There’s three different heat settings (I like the coolest setting for my fine hair) and two speed settings to use. It’s a great brush I find myself grabbing on days I want a blowout. There’s also an oval version that’s on sale too if you prefer the hairbrush shape over the round. —Nena Farrell

    T3’s Featherweight StyleMax really is lightweight—my arms don’t ache as I dry my hair with this one. It’s made of plastic to keep it lightweight, but doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. It also comes with a nice set of attachments, including a diffuser that I love using, plus two concentrators and a smoothing comb. It’s a great blow dryer if you alternate between diffusing your hair and doing a classic blowout. —Nena Farrell

    Hand holding a black hair straightener in front of a white all

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    The Tymo Airflow is a great hair straightener that can double as a curler, too, thanks to the rounded barrel. I like a smooth undercurl when I straighten my hair, and the Tymo Airflow is perfect to achieve that for me. I’ve especially loved using it with short hair, but it worked well for my long hair, too. The heat settings range from 284 degrees to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, and Tymo includes a little guide of which heat setting to use based on your hair type. While it looks more like a curler, it performs best as a straightener, but did give my hair some soft curls when I used it curling-iron style. —Nena Farrell

    Our favorite cheap electric toothbrush is already steal when it isn’t on sale, and it’s even more of a great purchase right now. It not only does a good job cleaning, but comes with eight replacement heads. There’s a handful of fun colors, too. The only downside is the charger isn’t as convenient as we’d like. It’s often available for around $19, but it’s $15 right now, which is lower than its usual sale price of $16. —Nena Farrell

    Sonicare made the first sonic toothbrush, which vibrates gently and quietly with side-to-side bristle motion rather than rotating and pulsing like a standard electric toothbrush. We love the Sonicare 4100, but the ProtectiveClean 5300 is on sale right now to bring it almost to the same price. You get more brushing modes with the 5300, and both have a pressure sensor, two week battery life, and a two-minute timer. —Nena Farrell


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    Best Apple and Apple Accessory Deals

    iPad

    Photograph: Apple

    Even though we don’t consider the 9th Gen iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) the best for most people—mainly because it’s three years old and packs an older, A13 Bionic chip—it’s still a solid option if you’re in the market for a budget tablet. It’s affordable and comes with a ton of great features like a physical Touch ID-enabled home button, 64 GB of storage on the base model, a 12-megapixel rear camera (with support for Center Stage), and a True Tone display. It’s also compatible with accessories like the 1st Gen Apple Pencil and Apple’s Smart Keyboard. —Brenda Stolyar

    This is the latest iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It now comes in two sizes: 11 inches and 13 inches. The latter is bigger and brighter, making it excellent to use as a secondary display to work off of or watch TV on. It also comes equipped with an M2 processor (the same one that powers the 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro from 2022) that delivers smooth performance even with multiple apps running simultaneously. Apple also moved the front-facing 12-megapixel camera to landscape orientation. As with the previous version, it also has a USB-C port, slim bezels, and Touch ID built into the top power button. —Brenda Stolyar

    The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite tablet to travel with. The 8.3-inch display is great for watching movies, sketching, notetaking, and reading ebooks. It also has Touch ID built into the power button, a front-facing camera with Center Stage, and an A15 Bionic processor (as seen on the iPhone 13) that can handle taxing apps or games. It’s worth noting this model came out in 2021, and Apple is expected to announce the next-generation version either in November or early 2025. I recommend waiting if you can. —Brenda Stolyar

    ipad 10th generation blue front and back

    Apple iPad (10th Generation)

    Photograph: Apple

    The iPad (10th Gen) (7/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite iPad for most people. It comes with a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina (IPS LCD) display, a touch ID sensor integrated into the power button, a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and a 12-megapixel rear camera (an upgrade from the eight megapixels). The 12-MP selfie camera has also been moved to the center of the iPad, so you’ll no longer have to awkwardly stare to the side during video calls. Under the hood is also an A14 Bionic chip, which delivers slightly faster performance and a bump in graphics over its predecessor. —Brenda Stolyar

    The 2nd Gen Apple Pencil is a step below the newer Apple Pencil Pro. It comes with tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, handwriting support, and a double-tap feature that lets you switch quickly between tools by tapping the stylus twice. It also has support for wireless pairing and wireless charging—it automatically charges magnetically when attached to the top edge of supported iPads. In terms of compatibility, it works with the iPad Mini (6th Gen), iPad Air (4th Gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (3rd Gen and later). —Brenda Stolyar

    This is the latest and more feature-packed Apple Pencil. It comes with a few noteworthy features including a “squeeze” capability that triggers the tool palette (but you can still use double-tap) along with a haptic engine inside that delivers feedback when you squeeze the stylus. There’s a built-in gyroscope sensor too, which allows you to change the orientation of the tools as you twist it for finer control. It also comes with support for Apple’s Find My Network in case you lose it. It’s worth noting, however, that it only works with the iPad Air (M2) and iPad Pro (M4). —Brenda Stolyar

    MacBook Air M3

    MacBook Air 13-Inch Laptop

    Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

    The M3-powered MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t all that different from the MacBook Air with M2, but it’s a great option if you want a reliable laptop for everyday tasks and slightly more. As with the previous version, it has a 13.6-inch LCD screen and a notch with a 1080p webcam. The M3 also provides a nice boost in performance compared to the original M1. You can also use it with two external displays, which is an upgrade from the single external display support with the older chips. —Brenda Stolyar

    The Studio Display Display (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has a large, 27-inch screen that’s great for showcasing multiple apps simultaneously. It doesn’t have HDR—so colors look slightly more saturated and contrasty to the neutral tones you’ll find on Apple’s Pro Display XDR—but the 5K resolution is stunningly sharp. It’s expensive, but it’s a great monitor if you want a sharp screen with accurate colors. With a 12-megapixel camera, along with built-in mics and speakers, it’s ideal for video calls too. —Brenda Stolyar

    Belkin 3in1 Charging Stand for Apple Devices

    Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

    Photograph: Belkin

    We recommend this charger for anyone who owns multiple Apple devices. The T-shaped design suspends two of your gadgets in midair, including your iPhone (at the fastest 15-watt charging speed Apple allows) and your Apple Watch (Series 7, 8, 9, and Ultra). The base, meanwhile, can be used to charge your AirPods Pro or AirPods (if you have a wireless charging case). We’re also fans of the newer version ($150) with Qi2 certification—the latest wireless charging standard, which you can learn more about in our explainer here. —Brenda Stolyar

    Tablets like the iPad Pro are capable enough to replace a proper laptop for some people, except for the lack of ports. That’s where the Twelve South StayGo Mini comes in. This little adapter is low-profile enough to plug directly into a tablet, while giving you an array of outputs, including an HDMI port, USB-A connector, and a headphone jack. It’s the perfect accessory to turn your slate into a portable workstation.  —Eric Ravenscraft


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    Best Mobile Phone Deals (Plus Accessories)

    Google Pixel 8 smartphones in various colors on a table

    Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    This is a great price on the previous-generation Google Pixel 8 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) smartphone. Pixels are some of our favorite Android phones because they have great cameras, plenty of useful software features, and all the other bells and whistles like wireless charging and IP68 water resistance. The Pixel 8 is decently compact, but if you want a larger screen, slightly better battery life, and a 5X optical zoom camera, go for the Pixel 8 Pro, which is also on sale for $719 ($280 off). —Julian Chokkattu

    You really do not need to spend close to $1,000 for a great phone these days. The Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top smartphone recommendation for most people because it has a little bit of everything: smart features, a bright and sharp screen, and great performance. Battery life isn’t amazing, but it even packs high-end features like wireless charging and will receive seven years of software updates. At this discount, the Pixel 8A is a no-brainer. There simply isn’t a phone like it in this bracket. —Julian Chokkattu

    Do not buy the Pixel Fold unless you have the cash to burn (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s a good phone—Google’s first folding device—but it’s more than a year old and its successor improves on the build quality in many ways. The OG Fold feels more like a plaything at this point, something to buy if you want to dip your toes in the world of folding phones, especially since it’s clear these book-like folding devices aren’t getting cheaper anytime soon. The idea is that your phone can turn into a mini tablet at a moment’s whim. —Julian Chokkattu

    Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra displaying the Call Assist feature

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Every model in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) lineup is on sale right now. That’s probably because a successor is around the corner—the Galaxy S25 will likely land in January 2025. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to pick up this phone at a solid discount. You get all the bells and whistles you’d want in a flagship phone, like a triple-camera setup, 120-Hz AMOLED screens, seven years of software updates, and great performance. The S24 is the smallest of the devices, the S24+ is in the middle, and the S24 Ultra is the biggest, but it also adds the S Pen stylus and the additional 5X optical zoom camera. —Julian Chokkattu

    Take it from me—an Apple guy who uses an Android for my work phone since our company’s various systems play much better with the Google ecosystem—OnePlus phones are best-in-class thanks to their smooth interfaces and impressive performance. You could also take it from WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu who gave this device an 8/10 in a rave review, which dinged it for the curved screen I love. I used to have a Samsung Galaxy and this was a major step up with noticeably snappier performance and a battery that charges in the blink of an eye and lasts two days. —Martin Cizmar

    OnePlus 12R smartphone

    OnePlus 12R

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    The OnePlus 12R is a slightly lesser version of the company’s flagship phone of the year, the OnePlus 12 (also on sale for $700). That means it has a previous-gen processor to power it, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and loses its luster in other areas like the lack of wireless charging, a limited IP64 water-resistance rating, and the promise of only two more Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates. Still, it makes up for those flaws with an excellent 120-Hz AMOLED display, snappy performance, nearly two-day battery life, and speedy recharging (with the included charger). While I think the Pixel 8A is better value, the OnePlus 12R is still a great buy at this price, especially for anyone who games heavily. —Julian Chokkattu

    You’re not going to find an affordable phone with a built-in stylus outside of Motorola’s Moto G Stylus series. This year’s model is very similar to the Moto G Power above. Performance is smooth with some hiccups here and there, and the stylus comes in handy if you need to jot down some notes or sign a document. I even got slightly better battery life out of this model over the Power, and you still get accouterments like a headphone jack and wireless charging. —Julian Chokkattu

    I’m testing the Galaxy S24 FE (Fan Edition), but that doesn’t mean last year’s S23 FE is past its prime. This phone employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which was the flagship processor for 2022’s smartphones, and it means that this is a great-performing handset for the $450 price. You even get a similar triple-camera system as the Galaxy S23, including a 3X optical zoom camera, and it will get several more software updates to keep it relevant and secure. —Julian Chokkattu

    Samsung Z Fold6

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    This is the lowest price we’ve tracked on Samsung’s newest flagship folding phone, the Z Fold6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). This booklike fold is more polished than ever, with a wider front screen that emulates a normal smartphone, and a spacious 7.6-inch tablet-sized screen when you unfold it. The cameras are great, and since Samsung has been making folding phones for a while, it has some of the best durability and repairability in case something goes wrong. —Julian Chokkattu

    The Flip6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a tiny smartphone that can be opened up to look and feel like a normal, rectangular phone. The external screen isn’t as large as the Motorola Razr+, so it’s a bit limited in what you can do before unfolding the device, but it’s otherwise the perfect companion for anyone who hates stuffing a big bulky device into a pocket or purse. —Julian Chokkattu

    It doesn’t have many of the perks of Google’s Pixel 8A, nor does it have the performance chops of the OnePlus 12R. Still, the Galaxy A35 is worth considering, especially if you prefer Samsung phones. Performance is OK, there are still some stutters here and there, and battery life is nothing to write home about. But you get a bright 120-Hz screen, good cameras, long software support, and a MicroSD card slot to expand on the built-in storage. —Julian Chokkattu

    Motorola Moto G Play 2024

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Want to spend as little as possible on a phone? Don’t expect much, but the Moto G Play is one of the best values for close to $100. It connects via 4G LTE (not 5G) and doesn’t have NFC, so you can’t make contactless payments. But the performance is reasonably OK and the 6.5-inch LCD gets bright enough to view on sunny days (it even has a 90-Hz refresh rate). —Julian Chokkattu

    Motorola stepped things up with its budget Moto G smartphone lineup this year. The Moto G Power 2024 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) feels twice its price, with a nice vegan leather textured back and an elegant design. Performance is pretty smooth thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset, and you get a fingerprint scanner, headphone jack(!), and even wireless charging. That’s a rare combo of features nowadays. Sadly, it will only get one Android update to Android 15. —Julian Chokkattu

    Folding flip phones are great because they’re so tiny. Yet open them up and you get a screen that’s as big if not slightly bigger than your current phone. The Razr+ 2024 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is my current top pick if you’re interested in this design. Motorola offers one of the largest external displays of all the flip-style phones, making it more useful when folded up. The cameras are good, though they take more time than I’d like for processing, and it has features like an IPX8 water resistance rating, wireless charging, and a 165-Hz OLED screen. You can also save some cash and go with the standard Razr (2024) for $600 ($100 off). It doesn’t have as large of an external screen and performance is a little sluggish, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a folding phone at a lower price (save for the 2023 Razr). —Julian Chokkattu

    Back view of the Motorola Edge a slim black mobile phone showing the cameras.

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Motorola phones typically don’t get too many software updates, limiting their shelf life, but this one will at least get two Android OS updates (up to Android 16) and three years of security updates. It’s a svelte and good-looking device, especially at this sale price, with a roomy 6.6-inch AMOLED screen and a 144-Hz refresh rate. Performance is snappy thanks to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. I just wish the screen didn’t have a waterfall display, where the glass curves into the edges. —Julian Chokkattu


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    Best Smartwatch Deals (Plus Fitness Trackers)

    Google Pixel Watch 2

    Photograph: Google

    Last year’s Pixel Watch 2 was everything that WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu wanted from the Pixel Watch when it first debuted. It’s a year older now, but it has pretty much everything you need, like fall detection, reliable activity and heart rate tracking, and a revamped Fitbit app. If you have the cash, you should shell out for the bigger 45-mm version of this year’s Pixel Watch 3, which will have the Loss of Pulse feature. But Loss of Pulse isn’t currently available in the United States, and the Pixel Watch 2 is much cheaper and just as pretty. We say: Go for it. —Adrienne So

    If you want a smart ring to track your activity and sleep but not a subscription, the Ultrahuman Ring Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) could be just what you need. It is lightweight and comfortable, offers solid sleep tracking and useful health tips, and doesn’t require a subscription to access your stats. The battery life is pretty decent, too (about four days). The app is not as nice as Oura’s, and my black ring was quickly scuffed (so maybe opt for gold or raw titanium instead). Ultrahuman has been steadily adding features, most recently AFib detection. —Simon Hill

    Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor

    Photograph: Polar Electro

    Even as wrist- and finger-worn fitness trackers become ubiquitous, the most accurate heart rate measurements are still from a chest strap (fingers are cool, but a chest strap goes right over your heart). The Polar H10 has a special buckle-style connector and small silicone dots to make sure it stays put and is comfortable during hard aerobic exercise. It also has built-in memory storage and ANT+ connectivity so you can link your trainer. You can even swim in it! —Adrienne So

    Garmin’s Instinct line is one of its most popular lines, because it has all the rugged sports tracking, navigation capabilities, and outstanding battery life that you’d want or need in the backcountry, without the frankly insane price tags of the Epix or Fenix lines. There are a ton of variations (my personal favorite is the Instinct 2), but if you miss a classic analog watch face, then the one you want is the Crossover. I did find this a little harder to use than the regular Instinct, which is in and of itself not always intuitive. But it’s very good-looking, it works with both Android and iOS, and the battery lasts forever. —Adrienne So

    Mobvoi’s Ticwatch smartwatches have long been a bit bland but they also deliver some of the best battery life on a feature-rich smartwatch. That’s because they use two kinds of displays, one low-power screen for when you’re not staring at the watch, and then an OLED for when you’re interacting with it. This watch performs well and lasts four days on a charge, but Mobvoi has a spotty record when it comes to software updates, so just know that you may not get the latest Wear OS features for months, if not a year. —Julian Chokkattu

    Best TV Deals (Plus Streaming Devices)

    A large screen tv with the screen showing a bird emerging out of water in slow motion

    Samsung 65-inch S95D

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

    Samsung’s S95D QD-OLED, the third model in the company’s return to OLED displays, is a different animal than its predecessors. It’s the first to offer a new matte screen that reduces direct and indirect reflections with impressive efficacy. That makes it great for those with sunny rooms or lots of reflective lighting, though it can create a slight loss in perceived picture depth for dark content in bright lighting. Still, as one of the brightest OLED TVs you can buy, it absolutely sizzles with HDR content day or night, while its excellent picture processing and quantum dot colors burst to life in everything you watch. It’s loaded with extras, including support for the top gaming features across all inputs, but like all Samsung TVs, it doesn’t support Dolby Vision HDR. This won’t be the perfect fit for everyone, but if you’re after phenomenal OLED performance that keeps reflections at bay, the S95D is a great buy—especially on sale. —Ryan Waniata

    Sony’s all-in-one Quad home theater system (8/10, WIRED Recommends) provides the best surround sound immersion I’ve heard in a single-box solution. Even more intriguing, the four fabric-lined cubes and small control box are brilliantly discreet, mounting to the wall and requiring only power outlets and a single HDMI connetion to your TV. That makes the setup great for those who want to bring the theater experience home without all the clutter. You’ll likely want to add one of Sony’s wireless subwoofers so the end cost is certainly steep, but this price drop makes the Quad seriously enticing for those after a stealthy setup that brings the goods. —Ryan Waniata

    Roku’s simple and easy-to-use interface is probably my favorite in all of streaming TV land. It has virtually every app you can fathom, excellent voice search, and pumps out surprisingly great video quality from a device the size of a gum packet. I’d still go for a higher-end streamer for my main TV, but if you have an older screen that needs a streaming upgrade or has an interface you hate, this is one of our favorite streaming devices. —Parker Hall

    Roku Ultra with remote and headphones

    Photograph: Roku

    Of the many, many options in the Roku lineup, Roku Ultra is the fanciest. It has the strongest dual-band Wi-Fi you can get in a Roku, plus an Ethernet port if you prefer wireless connections. We don’t really think that’s necessary, but if you care, the option is there. The remote has an option for hands-free voice controls as well as a headphone jack. Roku even throws a free pair of earbuds in, and they’re surprisingly decent—and you won’t wake up your sleeping partner while you binge the newest season of What We Do in the Shadows. Another neat feature is that if you have hands-free voice controls turned on, you can speak into the void and ask your remote to beep. We truly live in the future. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Laptop and Tablet Deals

    Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop

    Acer Nitro V

    Photograph: Acer

    The Acer Nitro V (8/10, WIRED Recommends) used to be one of our top picks, and it’s still a great gaming laptop. This is a slightly upgraded version of the model we’ve tested, packing an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and sporting a 144-Hz 1080p display. It’s not the highest end gaming laptop around, but it’s more than powerful enough to handle most games you can play on it. —Eric Ravenscraft

    OnePlus Pad tablets with keyboards attached

    Photograph: OnePlus

    For the money, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Android tablet than this. Yes, OnePlus has a successor called the OnePlus Pad 2, but it’s bigger and more expensive. The original OnePlus Pad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is still a great buy, and at this price, you’re getting an 11.61-inch LCD screen with a 144-Hz refresh rate, a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset for smooth performance, and best of all, OnePlus’ excellent software. Its Open Canvas feature lets you multitask with three apps side by side (or two side by side and the third below); it’s a much more intuitive interface than many split-screen experiences on competing devices. —Julian Chokkattu

    The best smart display turns out not to be a smart display at all. Instead, it’s a tablet—the Google Pixel Tablet (7/10, WIRED Recommends) to be exact. Google’s latest tablet comes with a charging base that has built-in speakers, so you can place it onto the base to act as a smart display or pop it off and use it as a tablet. So instead of having one smart display you use sometimes, and a tablet you use sometimes, now you can just have one device that can transform back and forth into the gadget you need at that moment. I like keeping my Charging Dock in the kitchen as my home base, so that it’s easy to voice command my lights from the dining room or living room couch, and can be used for following an on-screen recipe. You can also buy the tablet by itself for $299 ($100 off). Nena Farrell

    Samsung just announced the Tab S10 series, but weirdly, it nixed the base model in this lineup, which consists of the Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra. The changes in these tablets are also fairly minimal, so you’re not missing much by sticking with the older generation. This sale is on the Tab S9+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is the 12.4-inch slate, but you can also snag discounts on the smaller Tab S9. Both have 120-Hz OLED screens, snappy performance, and even an IP68 rating for water resistance. They’re excellent and powerful tablets whether you want to watch Dune II or catch up on some work. —Julian Chokkattu

    Microsoft Surface Pro tablet connected to detachable keyboard sitting on wooden floor.

    Photograph: Christopher Null

    The Surface Pro (6/10, WIRED Review) is our favorite 2-in-1 Surface, but it is pricey. It performs well as a tablet, and the Flex Keyboard makes it pretty comfortable to use on a desk. But its normal price is just asking too much, which is why we’re glad to see it on sale here. —Eric Ravenscraft


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    Best Soundbar Deals

    Sonos Ray

    Photograph: Sonos

    The Ray (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an intriguing offering from Sonos, a brand that’s helped redefine the soundbar landscape. It doesn’t connect over HDMI ARC like most modern soundbars, using an optical input instead. That means it’s tougher to control it with your TV remote, though it’s programmable for many modern TVs which is important since it oddly doesn’t come with its own remote. The tradeoff is advanced networking features like Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and the ability to connect with other Sonos speakers for a whole-home audio system. Most important, this compact bar sounds very good for its size, with more bass and overall punch than you’d believe when you unpack it. The Ray isn’t for everyone, but if it fits your needs, it’s a hot attraction at a cool price. —Ryan Waniata

    This slim soundbar with wireless subwoofer from Polk (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a cheap and great option if you’re looking to bolster the tinny sound of your flatscreen. Believe it or not, even a cheap combo kit like this can elevate your experience, and I particularly liked how easy to set up this is, along with the nondescript design (it blends well into the background). —Parker Hall

    Speaker system including long flat speaker 2 angular speakers and one rectangular speaker

    Photograph: Amazon

    Dolby Atmos Soundbar systems are frowned upon by the nerds on Reddit, but I actually have found that recent generations do compete pretty well with traditional receiver-and-speakers setups. This one from LG is usually a bit expensive for most buyers, but at under a thousand bucks for a setup with two rear surround speakers with upfiring drivers and a wireless subwoofer, it’s hard to argue with this deal. It even has Dolby Vision and 120hz 4K passthrough, which means you can connect your latest consoles and not worry that it’s throttling the video. —Parker Hall

    Sonos’ indomitable Arc (9/10, WIRED Recommends) helped change how we think about soundbars. At nearly $900 list, its lack of extras like a subwoofer or surround speakers seemed like a serious hindrance. Instead, the tubular device proved that a single bar is all you need for thrilling home theater audio, with solid bass response and powerful speakers that bounce sound all around your room. Its Dolby Atmos height speakers are particularly impressive, submerging you in sound with supported content. Of course, if you want more, the Arc happily obliges by connecting wirelessly with other Sonos speakers in a multiroom audio system, or a full 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setup. It’s got plenty of other features, including a built-in microphone for smart commands and the ability to stream over Wi-Fi from multiple services. It doesn’t offer Bluetooth or even a spare HDMI input, but if you’re looking for a topline, all-in-one sound system, it’s one of the best soundbars out there. —Ryan Waniata


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    Best Headphone Deals

    Sony WH1000MX5 headphones

    Sony WH-1000MX5Photograph: Sony

    Sony’s WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are the brand’s top wireless pair, offering excellent noise canceling, great sound, and tons of advanced features. Even with a couple of years under their belt, the XM5 do well to fend off fresh rivals like the Sonos Ace. They can’t match the Bose Ultra when it comes to noise canceling, but I generally prefer their sound quality, especially after taming their taut bass with Sony’s multi-band EQ. There’s not a major feature the XM5 don’t offer, from auto pausing when you speak to letting in the world around you with a cupped hand on the right earcup. Perhaps their best feature is usability, with everything from their touch controls to their app working flawlessly. Their 30 hours of battery life is enough for even trips off the grid. Their only real knock is a longer travel case than their predecessor, the WH-1000XM4 that’s harder to pack. The XM5 are among the best wireless headphones out there, and they’re all the more tempting on a good sale. —Ryan Waniata

    With so much marketing hype in consumer electronics, it’s nice to see a product that lives up to its name. When Bose says “Ultra” in this case, the company means it. You won’t find a pair of earbuds with noise canceling this powerful or comprehensive anywhere on the market right now. Others may come close, but when it comes to strangling as much of the ambient audio around you as possible, these buds stand alone. They add to their cancellation prowess with clear and vibrant sound performance, solid battery life, and extras like adaptive transparency mode to keep sudden loud noises at bay and 3D audio with head tracking to immerse you in your tunes and videos. If you’ve been waiting for a good sale on the ultimate noise cancellers, now is your moment. –Ryan Waniata

    The Pixel Buds A Series (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are a great cheap pair of earbuds that pair perfectly with Android phones. They’re IPX4 water resistant, which makes them great for runs, as does their small and ergonomic shape. I like their balanced, detailed sound, but dislike that they have only an AirPods-matching five hours of battery life. Still, it’s hard to say no to name-brand wireless earbuds that we once called the best cheap earbuds at twice the price. —Parker Hall

    Image may contain Art Porcelain Pottery Electronics and Plate

    This is one of the last pairs of consumer headphones that Jabra will make, and it bums me out because these are our favorite workout buds. I like pretty much everything about them—the fit is the best, the app is easy to use and fully featured and pings the buds when you lose them, you can customize the ambient noise level, et cetera. I even like the pleasingly matte texture of the case and the way the buttons click. You can even use the case as a wireless transmitter to listen to movies with your headphones in.—Adrienne So

    I took a recent cross-country flight with the Soundcore Life Q30, and found myself continuously surprised at how well they hold up to high-end options that cost three or four times as much. Are these going to beat out the best noise canceling headphones? Absolutely not. But the Q30’s $80 price point seems drastically low for what you get, making any sale a time to strike. Their sound is clear and full, their noise canceling and isolation are both better than you’d expect, and they have plenty of top-flight features. Battery life is impressive at up to 40 hours per charge, they pack well, and look pretty good too. Their build quality is solid, but they’ll scratch easily so you’ll want to be more careful than with flagship pairs from Sony or Bose, let alone Apple’s AirPods Max. But at this price, can you really complain? —Ryan Waniata

    These are our favorite workout buds for tweaking the active noise cancellation. While most buds have two modes—noise-canceling is either on or off—you can adjust the level of noise-canceling that’s applied within JBL’s Headphones app. You can even turn on adaptive noise-canceling, which will adjust the level on its own depending on how noisy an environment you’re in at the moment. It’s definitely a nice feature to have when you’re in a gym and want to be able to concentrate on your lifting or podcast, without worrying that someone will sneak up behind you and drop something on your foot. —Adrienne So

    Black rounded rectangular case behind the Anker Soundcore Aerofit Pro headphones which are open and sitting on concrete.

    Photograph: Adrienne So

    I love these workout headphones. They cover the best of both worlds. When you open the case, they’re comfortable open earbuds that come in a charging case to extend the battery life. When it’s time for more strenuous activities, you pop on the adjustable titanium memory wire to fit around the back of your neck. Unlike a pair of Shokz neck buds, I can go more than two weeks without charging them, and an adjustable fit means that I can get the bud perfectly into my ear so that they sound rich and full. —Adrienne So

    This comes with the major caveat that Shokz recently released the update to these longtime favorite headphones, the OpenRun Pro 2, which have, among other things, USB-C charging so you’re not constantly looking for Shokz’s proprietary charger. However, the older version is still great—it’s smaller, the battery life is slightly better, and the sound quality is also just a tiny bit better. There’s also a mini version for those of us with tiny, tiny necks. —Adrienne So

    Black inear earbuds

    Sony Linkbuds S

    Photograph: Amazon

    Sony’s Linkbuds S don’t seem to have much in common with their namesake, the original Linkbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The latter have a hole in the middle to eternally let in the outside world, while the Linkbuds S are more like traditional earbuds, offering both transparency mode and noise canceling, allowing you to let in or suppress environmental sounds respectively. This makes them more of a philosophical follow-up, but they’re still a solid pair of midrange earbuds. Their best feature may be their minuscule size, making them comfy and easy to wear for hours at a time. You’ll also get plenty of features, including a multi-band EQ and a speak-to-chat feature that pauses sound when you talk. It’s a good package, especially at their reduced price, making these a worthy buy for those after Sony quality without shelling out for a flagship pair. —Ryan Waniata

    Sony’s WH-1000XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) have been some of the best wireless headphones in the landscape for going on five years now. You might think that means they’re woefully behind competitors, but on the contrary, they’re still among the best noise canceling headphones you can buy. Made from durable plastic shells with plush padding, they’ve got a warm but brilliantly detailed sound signature and a heap of customizable features built in. They easily fold up into their compact travel case, unlike the larger WH-1000XM5, and they’re still among the most comfy pairs on the market. You wouldn’t want to pay full price at this point, but you’ll rarely have to, and this time of year they’re a bona fide bargain that still ranks highly in an increasingly crowded field. —Ryan Waniata

    Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs in a box

    Photograph: Vibes

    These are a cheaper, slimmer pair of earplugs that I like to take to shows where I don’t want to be judged as the old person wearing earplugs. They have clear stems and tips that go deep into your ear canal, and they lower sounds by an average of 22 decibels. They do a good job of being relatively flat and even, which I can’t say for other cheap earplugs I’ve tested. —Parker Hall

    Hearing protection is one of the most important things you can carry with you everywhere, and the Earpeace Music Pro come in a small metal tube that can easily clip to your keychain or the zipper of a backpack. I keep them with me always, and they come in handy more often than I’d think; from live concerts at stadiums to when I randomly decide to break out my lawn mower. —Parker Hall


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    Best Speaker Deals

    Black portable speaker with handle on top

    Photograph: Amazon

    Soundcore’s boom box-style portable provides plenty of punch for the money, with big and boisterous audio, a handy handle on top, and rainbow lights for extra style. It’s dunkable and floatable, so you won’t lose it in the pool or even on the lake, and offers up to 24 hours of battery life for extra time off the grid. It’s not the most nuanced or detailed speaker at its price point, but it provides plenty of power to rise above the crowd at your next barbecue or beach party. —Ryan Waniata

    Regardless what generation you’re shopping for, everyone loves a boom box. This sleek, handled option from Bose (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is super loud and small enough to fit in any medium-sized backpack. It’s IP67 rated, which means it can survive virtually any situation you’ll have it in outside (just don’t go scuba diving with it), and it has 20 hours of battery life on a single charge. —Parker Hall

    The Ultimate Ears Megaboom 4 takes everything we love about the mid-size Boom up a notch, with bigger bass, fuller and more expansive sound, and a swelled-up profile that’s equal parts portable speaker and log. This baby is big and tough, with IP67 dust resistance and drop testing that ensures its worthiness as a weapon. Seriously, you could take out somebody’s legs without missing a beat in your favorite tunes. You’ll also get great features, including an in-app EQ and the ability to stereo pair with other Megaboom 4s or a host of Ultimate Ears speakers. The Megaboom’s size means it’s tougher to take along than its smaller sibling, but if you’re looking for a killer speaker to really pump up the party, the Megaboom rules. —Ryan Waniata

    Ultimate Ears Hyperboom speaker

    Photograph: Ultimate Ears

    With 24 hours of battery life, and massively powerful speakers capable of delivering 100 decibels, this is perhaps the ultimate party speaker. The only downside is the cost. Though a $20 discount might not be as steep as you’ll see on other speakers, you rarely see discounts at all on Ultimate Ears’ excellent options, and this one is sure to hold up to years of use and abuse; I still have a well-functioning review unit from 2020 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). —Parker Hall

    This large boom box from Sony has big bass ports on each side that bump when you blast your music. It’s normally too expensive for me to recommend, but at this price this is a great option for folks who like to have dance parties in the yard or at the campsite. It’s surprisingly durable; I have left a review unit outside for years and it still works great, minus a bit of fading on the fabric. —Parker Hall

    The Tribit StormBox 2 a black cylindrical portable speaker sitting horizontally on a wooden picnic table in the woods

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

    Click the coupon button on the page to see the discount at checkout. Tribit’s Stormbox Flow (7/10, Wired Recommends) does a winning impression of pricier Bluetooth speakers, namely Bose’s Soundlink Flex, at a much lower price point. On sale, it’s a bargain that’s pretty tough to pass up. The sound is edgier and less detailed than what you’lljbl so get in pricier Bluetooth speakers, but it’s still lively and clear, and you can change the vibe with a custom EQ from Tribit’s app. Apart from its stylish, almost posh design, the speaker’s biggest brag is its 30-hour battery life, among the best we’ve ever tested. It even offers dual stand positions for versatile playback options. It’s not the easiest speaker to bring along due to its large size, but for jamming at home, it’s a great audio companion at an even better price. —Ryan Waniata

    Lantern-shaped speakers like this one from Bose are great to place on the center of a table and project sound in all directions when outdoors. I really like the sleek aesthetics of this Bose model, which has 17 hours of battery life and the ability to pair with other Bose speakers. The 360-degree nature of the speaker means you’ll hear sound all over your space, which makes this great for larger get-togethers. —Parker Hall

    Click the coupon button on the page to see the discount at checkout. Tribit’s Stormbox Micro 2 is one of our favorite Bluetooth speakers due to its excellent punch for its size. It’s fantastically easy to bring along, especially well suited for biking, with a strap that wraps around your bike’s handlebars. Its IP67 dust and water resistance rating makes it perfect for taking on the elements, and its battery life of up to 12 hours means plenty of ride time between charges. Bose’s Soundlink Micro is a great alternative if you’ve got more dough, but those on a budget will be pleased as punch at how close this speaker gets for the money. —Ryan Waniata


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    Best Gaming Deals

    Logitech G Pro headphones on a thin stand. The headphones have a black cushioned band. There is a blue couch and...

    Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

    This is an older version of our top gaming headset, but it’s still a fantastic choice for most people. The Logitech G Pro X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a stylish design, crystal-clear sound, and comfortable ear cups that I wear for long gaming sessions. The newer version features Logitech’s Lightspeed low-latency connector, but if you can live without that, these are a great deal at this price. —Eric Ravenscraft

    The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our top pick for multi-platform gaming headset. It’s fairly uncommon to find a headset that works wirelessly with both PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but the 5X comes with a USB dongle that has a physical switch to swap between both. It also supports Bluetooth, so there are very few devices you can’t connect this one to.— Eric Ravenscraft

    The Cloud III Wireless is a less expensive variation of the Cloud Alpha, but it’s still no slouch in the battery department. Its 120+ hours of life is still more than enough to go days, if not weeks, without a charge. The headset is comfortable, with a minimal dark design. It’s not the flashiest headset around, but for the price, it’s a solid option. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Sabrent Steam Deck Dock

    Photograph: Sabrent

    This dock from USB accessory manufacturer Sabrent lets you connect your Steam Deck to a TV or monitor, much like the Nintendo Switch does. Valve has its own first-party dock, but this one comes in at less than half the price, and now it costs even less. It provides one HDMI port, plus four USB ports (two USB-A, two USB-C) to connect all your peripherals. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Orzly Nintendo Switch hard case

    Photograph: Orzly

    With a console as portable as the Switch, it’s a good idea to carry it around in a case. This one from Orzly is one of the most inexpensive options out there without feeling cheap, which makes it one of my favorite Switch accessories. It has a rigid outer shell to protect your handheld, pockets for extra controllers and cables, and a sleeve for game cartridges. It fits the original Switch as well as the Switch OLED, and you can pick from a wide variety of colors. —Eric Ravenscraft

    The base storage in the Xbox Series X and S is adequate, but after a few AAA game downloads, it can start to feel pretty stifling. Fortunately, this expansion card from Seagate is a dead-simple way to upgrade your console. Just pop it into the slot in the back and double (or more) your space. —Eric Ravenscraft

    I’ve been using an MMO mouse for well over a decade, and not just for gaming. The dozen extra buttons under the thumb can be customized with key remaps, macros, or any other shortcuts you need. That convenience can mean the difference between life and death in competitive games, and that same efficiency can transform your work if you set it up properly. —Eric Ravenscraft

    The Corsair k65 keyboard in black with RGB lights on a wood surface.

    The Corsair K65 Plus is one of our favorite keyboards, especially if you want to take it on the go. The 75 percent layout keeps the dedicated arrow keys, but cuts off most of the other less-than-necessary keys to help keep it low-profile. It has a stylish volume knob, and connects via Bluetooth, USB-C, or a wireless dongle that you can store in the keyboard itself. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Until relatively recently, I was using the same Logitech speakers for more than 20 years, which goes to show how solid this company’s hardware is. The Logitech G560 speaker system is the modern equivalent of the speakers I grew to love. This is a 2.1 system with the company’s Lightsync RGB LEDs built into the rear. The 240W subwoofer cranks out booming bass. —Eric Ravenscraft

    If you’re looking for an upgrade over the typical Xbox controllers, the Scuf Instinct Pro is our top choice. It has a comfortably grippy matte black finish and a stylish color palette. On the rear, there are four hair-trigger paddles that can be mapped to any button, making it easier to juggle abilities in complex, fast-paced games like Overwatch 2 or Destiny 2. —Eric Ravenscraft

    Desktop monitor with silver stand showing the titlescreen of an online game

    Samsung Odyssey G6 OLED Gaming Monitor

    Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

    There’s a lot to love about the Samsung Odyssey G6 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), from its gorgeous OLED panel to its highly accurate DCI-P3 color coverage. But the one feature that stood out to me when I reviewed it was the absolutely ludicrous 360Hz refresh rate. That’s so many frames per second that it effectively ensures your monitor will never be the bottleneck on the road to smooth gameplay. —Eric Ravenscraft

    M.2 SSDs are one of the fastest, easiest ways to add more storage to your PC or console. This WD drive packs 1TB of storage into an M.2 2280 profile, which you can slot directly into a PS5. It gets ultrafast speeds, which can significantly cut down on load times if you don’t already have super fast storage in your PC. —Eric Ravenscraft


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    Best Toy and Game Deals

    settlers of catan game box

    Photograph: Amazon

    Originally called Settlers of Catan, this immersive strategy game is all about gathering and trading resources to build roads, settlements, and cities on a randomly generated board of hexagonal tiles. To collect enough points for a victory requires the right strategy and some luck with dice rolls. My kids love the trading and the robber mechanic, which allows you to steal cards from your opponents and block their resources (though it can cause fallouts). The game is perfect for three or four players and usually lasts around an hour. There are various expansions and a new version called Catan: New Energies (7/10, WIRED Recommends) if you ever want more. —Simon Hill

    There is no point saving a few bucks on a cheap Lego set when you could save over $20 bucks on something much bigger and more exciting! Star Wars is very big around my house right now and I am very much considering this as a family holiday present. The large figure is posable and it even comes with a matching minifig for inclusion with your other Star Wars sets. —Adrienne So

    Multiple friends have purchased the Yoto Player (7/10, WIRED Recommends) so that their kids can play media without having to interact with a screen. The pixelated light-up clock is cute, so it can sit on a nightstand and tell kids when to get up, and you can play audiobooks with insertable cards (you can even create your own content with blank cards). —Adrienne So

    CubicFun 3D Puzzle of Notre Dame

    Photograph: Amazon

    This 3D puzzle is one of the best analog gifts. Once completed, the puzzle can be opened 180 degrees to reveal the detailed interior. There are 293 pieces, which should give you a nice, long break from your screens. If the Notre Dame isn’t your favorite beautiful building, there are many other options to choose from, all with overall positive Amazon reviews. —Louryn Strampe

    This irresistible construction kit made our best STEM toys guide and is a fantastic gift for kids of all ages. Clixo’s colorful, versatile, magnetic pieces snap together, enabling you to build all kinds of three-dimensional shapes from crowns to cats. The pieces stack neatly and are very compact when packed away, they are also durable and washable, and you can play with them anywhere—you don’t need a table. Clixo kits are suitable for kids aged 4 and up, but teens and even adults will get a kick out of these too. —Simon Hill

    Contents of the Labyrinth board game on a wooden surface. In the back is the game box center is the board with...

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    One of the best family board games for young kids, Labyrinth is simple enough for anyone to grasp. The game board is a maze, and your challenge is to collect a set of treasures dictated by the cards you are dealt. This game was designed by a German psychologist, and the fun comes from the ability to change the maze by pushing a tile onto the board, which displaces another each turn. You can carve out a route for yourself, but it is also worth thinking about how to block your opponents, and the best moves do both. —Simon Hill

    There’s a worldwide pandemic and you must work together for the survival of mankind by jetting around the board and acting to stem the spread. Each player assumes a role, like a scientist or medic, with unique special powers, and you must strategize and coordinate to emerge alive. Several of the best family board games are cooperative, so you can avoid those arguments that sometimes lead to board flipping and huffs. —Simon Hill

    Click the coupon button to see the discount at checkout. As a household of big Star Wars fans, this board game is a family favorite. Beautifully themed, it casts players as villains from the Star Wars universe, such as Darth Vader and Moff Gideon. If you’ve played other games in the Villainous series, you’ll know every character gets a unique set of victory conditions, and you can meddle with the other players’ attempts to win. There’s a definite learning curve, and some characters are easier to win with than others. This game is best for four players aged 10 years and up. —Simon Hill


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    Best Charging Deals

    The Anker 662 is an angular black phone charger here pictured on a wooden surface.

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    If your iPhone often runs out of juice before the end of the day, a power bank might be just the thing to boost its stamina. This is our top pick in the best MagSafe power banks guide, and it can stick to the back of your iPhone to wirelessly charge its battery. It is very slim and light, so easy to slip into a pocket or bag, and the 5,000 mAh capacity is enough to keep your iPhone going until bedtime. You can get the Anker 622 MagGo in a few fun colors, and it also has a neat foldable stand to prop your iPhone up in portrait or landscape orientation. —Simon Hill

    The best portable chargers keep your gadgets running when you are unable to plug into an outlet, and this beast from UGreen is great for charging up in a hurry. With a hefty 25,000-mAh battery inside and the ability to charge at 100 watts from one USB-C port and 45 watts from the other, it can boost the batteries of phones, tablets, and even laptops. An LED on the side shows remaining power as a percentage, and there’s also a USB-A port, but it is quite hefty at 1.1 pounds. —Simon Hill

    The Anker 737 has an enormous 24,000 mAh capacity and can charge just about anything, which is why it is the upgrade pick in our best portable chargers guide. With support for power delivery 3.1, it can send or receive up to 140 watts. It is quite heavy at nearly 1.4 pounds, but also compact considering how much power it packs. There is a handy smart digital display showing remaining battery percentage, and you can tap the power button to cycle through stats, including the temperature, total output, and more. This versatile power bank fast-charged everything I tested and can easily juice up three devices at once. —Simon Hill

    The Shargeek 170 is a long tubeshaped device with clear case that shows the internal pieces and has an external facing...

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    If you loved the clear craze that sparked a wave of translucent electronics in the 1990s, then you will want this power bank. The see-through case provides a clear view of the ports, chips, and bundled rechargeable Samsung Li-ion batteries inside. This was supplanted by an even better Shargeek (now Sharge) device but was in our best portable chargers guide for a long time and is still great. The color display offers a detailed readout of the voltage, current, and power flowing in or out, and you can dig into stats showing temperature, cycles, and more. The unusual DC barrel port lets you specify the voltage and current for different devices and goes up to 75 watts. The first USB-C supports PD PPS and can go up to 100 watts, the second offers 30 watts and supports PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 4 standards, and the USB-A port is QC 3.0 and puts out 18 watts. In short, this power bank will fast-charge anything. —Simon Hill

    Ready to upgrade to the Qi2 wireless charging standard? It was developed in partnership with Apple and features MagSafe-like magnetic alignment and speedier charging rates of up to 15 watts. This power bank can also charge other Qi2 devices (when they appear) and existing Qi devices (just more slowly). It is compact with a handy kickstand, a two-way USB-C port, and an LED display showing remaining power and time to charge. It can support MagSafe iPhones in portrait or landscape orientation, and it works with Apple’s StandBy mode, making it one of the best MagSafe power banks. —Simon Hill

    If you have a smartphone that supports wireless charging (most do nowadays), then this car mount and charger is right up your alley. The cradle closes automatically around your phone and has adjustable feet, a rotating ball joint for angle adjustments, and a quick-release bar poking out either side. It supports Qi wireless charging, providing up to 10 watts for an Android phone or 7.5 watts for an iPhone. Plug the supplied cable into your car’s power socket, connect to the MicroUSB port on the bottom of the mount, and your phone automatically charges when you start the car. The car-socket end also has a second USB-A port for charging another device. —Simon Hill


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    Best Travel Deals

    A large electric plug and several adapters

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Heading up our best travel adapters guide, this compact adapter enables you to juice up all your devices in more than 200 countries. The slider design enables you to push out EU, UK, and US plugs, and you can rotate the pins for sockets in Australia and China. The plugs lock in place securely, and only the side button can retract them. This adapter gives you a universal input socket, and Ceptics has included three USB-A ports on the bottom and two USB-C ports on the side. The USB-A ports go up to 15.5 watts, while the USB-C ports offer up to 18 watts (one PD and one QC 3.0). It’s not grounded, so small gadgets only. —Simon Hill

    Many of the best travel adapters have sliding pins and moving parts that can be stiff and prone to breaking, but this sturdy, compact plug adapter is a fixed design and it stays put in the outlet. There are various versions (Type C, Type E/F, Type G), and the Type G model for the UK plugs into a single outlet to give you three US outlets, a USB-C port (15 W), and two USB-A ports (12 W). The adapter is grounded and has various safety features, but using all the outlets simultaneously can be tricky, because larger plugs, like the MacBook power adapter, can block one of the other US outlets. —Simon Hill

    There are a ton of reasons why you pick the right carry-on for you, like looks, durability, or features like locking wheels. However, for the price, it’s hard to beat this budget suitcase, which is now even cheaper. At 5.4 pounds, it is much lighter than some of our other picks, and the external toiletry pocket is helpful for when you’re going through security. In our testing, the wheels rolled nicely and the zippers didn’t malfunction. The aluminum extendable handle did, however, get stuck sometimes. —Adrienne So

    Performance Tools Deluxe Roadside Emergency Kit

    Photograph: Amazon

    It’s always a good idea to have emergency gear in your car. We have plenty of recommendations, but if you just want a good all-purpose kit, this is the one to buy. It’s got jumper cables, reflective traffic triangles, a flashlight, a tire gauge, a first-aid kit, and a few other odds and ends. And it all packs down into the included carrying case, so you can just stash it in your trunk—or in your kid’s trunk—for added peace of mind. Now you just have to make sure everyone in the house remembers where the cables go on the engine. —Louryn Strampe

    This giant wall map is one of our favorite gifts for frequent travelers. It’s got nice little details, like marked major cities and topography. Scratch off the places you’ve been for a visual reminder of your adventures over the years. The gold topcoat reveals colorful mapping so it’ll look nice no matter how much or little you’ve scratched off. —Louryn Strampe


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    Best Outdoor Deals

    Narrow tube with carrying straps

    Photograph: Amazon

    Whether you’re a prepper or just want a lightweight backup filter for hiking, the Lifestraw is one of our favorites. The Lifestraw filters contaminated water without batteries or other accessories, eliminating 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria for up to 1,000 gallons of water. This price matches the lowest we usually see this time of year. —Scott Gilbertson

    The Ooni Karu 16 is one of the best and most versatile pizza ovens that I’ve tried. It’s designed to use charcoal or wood (you can buy a separate gas attachment too). Unlike previous iterations, it has a door that you can latch shut so it doesn’t lose heat, and an integrated digital thermometer so you can check the temperature. The highest recommendation of all? It’s the only backyard pizza oven to be certified by the AVPN—the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the world authority on Neapolitan-style pizza. —Adrienne So

    Mophie Powerstation line of chargers are bulky, nondescript devices with USB-C and USB-A ports. They rated well in our testing, and there are LEDs to indicate remaining battery life, but there’s otherwise nothing special about these. This deal is for the 10,000 mAh model, though the larger models are also on sale. WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu used the XL during his trip to Japan and had no trouble keeping his Switch Lite and Pixel 7 Pro topped up. —Scott Gilbertson

    The Bluetti AC200L is one of our top power stations. It’s got a 2,048-watt-hour LiFePO4 battery and plenty of ports to charge just about any device you can think of; it’s big enough to even power your fridge or TV. It is also expandable, up to 8,196 watt-hours, with Bluetti’s B210, B230, or B300 batteries. It runs very quiet and has plenty of power to back up your home during a weekend power outage. —Scott Gilbertson

    Ben Johns Persus 14mm pickleball paddle

    Photograph: Joola

    The signature paddle of longtime No. 1-ranked pro Ben Johns is our pick for power-hungry players in our guide to the Best Pickleball Paddles. This paddle is thermoformed, meaning it’s heat-pressed together, which results in a paddle that delivers exceptional pop (it’s the poppiest paddle of the 50-plus paddles I’ve tested), though it’s not especially forgiving with a relatively small sweet spot toward the top of the paddle face. These paddles are very popular and are often sold out at the typical Amazon price of $200, so this is a great deal. If you have a pickleball player on your gift list, ask them what they like in a paddle and if it’s power, this is what to buy them. —Martin Cizmar

    These affordable running socks from Saucony are a good option if you’re always misplacing higher-end socks. I like the lower ankle-hugging design, which keeps all parts of my running shoes from rubbing. I also like that they come with multiple bright colors as highlights, which makes them stand out when you’re getting dressed in the dark, or looking through a dark gym bag for your socks. —Parker Hall

    I freaking love this humble little electric pizza oven, which has zero pretensions but is one of the most versatile additions to my outdoor kitchen. The “woodfire” in the name is a bit of a stretch, given that it just has a tiny trapdoor with which to add pellets to give a smoky flavor to your food. But it’s so easy to use that over the past year, I’ve ended up using it every day. Just punch in what style of pizza you want, let it preheat, and pop it in. I’ve also used it to make muffins, ribs, and macaroni and cheese. —Adrienne So

    Segway E2 Plus electric scooter

    Segway Ninebot E2 Plus

    Photograph: Segway

    The E2 Plus is a 32-pound electric scooter with a range of roughly 10 miles. (I tested it as a 6’4” man—most people will be able to go a little farther.) It’s easy to fold up and carry around, and the 15-mph top speed is beginner-friendly. Don’t expect it to go up steep hills with the 300-watt motor, but it’s a great affordable scooter for grocery runs or quick trips to the deli. —Julian Chokkattu

    If you have a desk-sitting job, you would be lying if you’ve never thought once about getting a tiny treadmill to put in some steps while in an interminable meeting or never-ending PowerPoint presentation. We said that the Egofit Walker just made working out way too easy. It’s small, quiet, and easy to move. You can control it via either a remote or the proprietary app, and it even fits under our tester’s desk. —Adrienne So

    Ladder toss is a fun outdoor game, and with many parts of the US beginning to experience colder weather, it’s a good time to get a small discount on next year’s outdoor fun. This Amazon model works just fine, and stores really easily in a bag for between lawn game seasons. —Parker Hall

    You may not see this deal available in your region. This is our pick for a lightweight, stowable shovel in our overlanding guide. It collapses down nice and small (easily fitting under the seat in my jeep), and is still a totally usable, effective shovel when you unfold it. (Except that saw blade part; that’s mostly useless.) If you spend any time off-road, you’re going to get stuck, and when you do, you’ll be glad you have something to dig with. —Scott Gilbertson


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    Best Home Office Deals

    Branch ergonomic office chair

    Photograph: Branch

    Branch’s Ergonomic Chair has been the top pick in my Best Office Chairs guide for a few years. It has the best blend of adjustability, build quality, and comfort at a reasonable price. It is also great for people of varying heights. I found it comfy as a 6’4” man, but my 5’1” wife also enjoyed sitting on it. This is one of the lower prices we’ve tracked, though it did dip to $279 during Prime Day in July. It’s worth noting that Branch recently announced the Ergonomic Chair Pro, which upgrades this chair in every way, but we haven’t tested it yet, and it also has a higher MSRP. —Julian Chokkattu

    If you frequently run hot in your office chair, there likely isn’t much airflow. Get an all-mesh chair instead. The Nouhaus Ergo3D is an affordable all-mesh option that does the job. It doesn’t trap body heat and is plenty adjustable to fit your body. It even comes with two sets of wheels (casters or rollerblades) to suit your floor. —Julian Chokkattu

    This is our favorite budget standing desk, and it’s a steal at this price. This deal is specifically on the 55 X 28-inch version, which comes with a desk clamp power strip and cable management in the white top and white frame. It wasn’t the easiest to assemble, but the motors do a good job of moving up and down fairly quickly and quietly, even with a heavy load on top. —Julian Chokkattu

    Alienware AW3423DW monitor

    Photograph: Dell

    The Alienware AW3423DW (9/10, WIRED Recommends) might be a gaming monitor, but we love it for working from home. This ultrawide monitor has plenty of space for multiple side-by-side windows so you can make your workflow extra efficient. The QD-OLED panel is gorgeous, with rich, vivid HDR support. If you do decide to game on it, the 175Hz refresh rate can provide super smooth motion in most games. —Eric Ravenscraft

    This bare-bones mechanical keyboard employs Cherry’s new MX2A switches, which improves on the company’s classic MX keyboard switch line in every way. It’s not customizable or programmable, but this keyboard is durable and reliable and will be enjoyable to type on for years. It’s pretty great value for the money. You can even choose a switch variant—Silent Red or Brown switches, the latter offering more tactile experience. —Julian Chokkattu

    This riser from SuperJare is one of our top picks for Best Laptop Stands. It’s made of particleboard, which isn’t the sturdiest material, but it was strong enough to hold multiple monitors and a laptop in our testing. You can adjust the angle or even remove the sides entirely, plus there’s plenty of space underneath for notebooks, your keyboard, and other office accessories. —Eric Ravenscraft

    If you love taking notes on paper but wish it was easier to save them digitally—and wish you didn’t have to keep buying a new notebook!—Rocketbook is the notebook for you. Rocketbook’s lineup of notebooks look like a normal notebook, but have pages that feel like incredibly thin whiteboard you can write on and then wipe off. Each Rocketbook comes with an erasable Pilot Frixion Pen, but you’ll need a little water and the included microfiber cloth to wipe the words away. A variety of colors from the Core notebook are on sale for Prime Day, each with slightly different pricing but all ranging from about $8-$12 off. —Nena Farrell


    Jump to a topic: Best Tech Deals, Best Home Deals, Best Kitchen Deals, Best Coffee Deals, Best Amazon Device Deals, Best Beauty Deals, Best Apple Deals, Best Mobile Phone Deals, Best Smartwatch Deals, Best TV Deals, Best Laptop and Tablet Deals, Best Soundbar Deals, Best Headphone Deals, Best Speaker Deals, Best Gaming Deals, Best Charging Deals, Best Toy Deals Best Travel Deals, Best Outdoor Deals, Best Home Office Deals, Best Camera Deals


    Best Camera Deals (Plus Binoculars)

    Sony A7RV Mirrorless Camera

    Sony Alpha 7R V

    Photograph: Sony

    Our top pick for max megapixels, Sony’s flagship full-frame mirrorless camera features a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor, which is largely unmatched in its class (if you want more megapixels you’ll need to get a medium-format camera). If that’s not enough, there’s a 16-shot, high-resolution mode that can create 240-MP images (so long as your subject is static, e.g., a landscape). The dynamic range is outstanding and the autofocus is plenty snappy. —Scott Gilbertson

    Canon Selphy QX10 printer

    Photograph: Amazon

    The Canon Selphy CP1500 prints out 4 x 6 photos right from your phone (though it can also be used with SD cards and USB drives). You can make bookmarks or custom gallery-style images, and the app allows for further personalization—like adding QR codes or filters. And more importantly, you’ll finally get those photos off of your phone and onto your walls, in your photo albums, or on your family members’ refrigerators. —Louryn Strampe


    Jump to a topic: Best Tech Deals, Best Home Deals, Best Kitchen Deals, Best Coffee Deals, Best Amazon Device Deals, Best Beauty Deals, Best Apple Deals, Best Mobile Phone Deals, Best Smartwatch Deals, Best TV Deals, Best Laptop and Tablet Deals, Best Soundbar Deals, Best Headphone Deals, Best Speaker Deals, Best Gaming Deals, Best Charging Deals, Best Toy Deals Best Travel Deals, Best Outdoor Deals, Best Home Office Deals, Best Camera Deals


    When Is Amazon Prime Day?

    Amazon’s big sale event runs from Tuesday, October 8, through Wednesday, October 9, 2024. It ends at 2:59 am ET on October 9 (11:59 pm PT).

    Will You Need a Prime Membership?

    Yes, this event is for Amazon Prime members, meaning most of these Prime Day deals are for subscribers only. If you want to take the ride you need to buy the ticket. In this case, the ticket is $15 a month, and you get free two-day shipping. There are a whole bunch of other Prime Day perks you can take advantage of as well. You can also sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial. Just register before the event and cancel right when the trial ends so you can take advantage of these deals. That said, there are a lot of discounted products available to folks who are not Prime subscribers. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are also price-matching some items or throwing their own competing sales.

    What Are Invite-Only Deals?

    Last year Amazon introduced invite-only deals—a system to help make it easier for Prime members to access deals that are expected to sell out quickly—and the company has brought it back for Prime Big Deal Days. The feature is only available for select products but it has spread across a variety of categories and price points.

    If a specific product is part of the Invite-Only Deals system, you’ll see a “Request Invite” button on the right-hand side. All you have to do is click it for a chance to buy the product at that sale price. However, it’s important to note that there’s no guarantee you’ll receive the invite. You can learn more about the program and how it works in our story on How to Shop Like a Pro During Amazon Prime Day.

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    Scott Gilbertson, Gear Team

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  • 28 Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals On Gear We’ve Tested

    28 Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals On Gear We’ve Tested

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    Another Amazon Prime Day event will start tomorrow and run through midnight Wednesday, but you don’t have to wait another week to bag a bargain. After trawling the world’s favorite online store, aisle by digital aisle, we’ve found the best early Prime Day deals for those looking to get a jump on their shopping.

    Since it’s not even Prime Day proper yet, we’re being extra choosey with this list. We aimed to include only deals at or very close to their best price ever. We have not seen these products ever sold on Amazon for cheaper unless stated. We do expect that most of these picks will likely remain at these prices through the Prime Big Deal Days event on October 8 and 9. Throughout our Prime Day deals coverage, we only recommend products that someone on our team has personally tested and would recommend buying. As always, you may need an Amazon Prime membership to get some of these discounts, but you can sign up for a free trial, and Prime offers plenty of perks.

    Updated October 7: We’ve added deals on the ASUS RT-AXE7800, Govee Neon Rope Light 2, Slice Ergonomic Box Cutter, Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, MacBook Air 15-Inch Laptop, MacBook Pro 14-inch Laptop, and iPad Mini. We also removed expired deals.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Deals on Amazon Tech

    Photograph: Nena Farrell

    The latest version of the Echo Spot (7/10, WIRED Review) is a lovely wee speaker with a handy display to show basics like the time, weather, music track, or audiobook you are listening to. Alexa is onboard and ready for your queries or to set an alarm for the morning. The sound quality is limited, but this works well as a bedside clock—the screen dims at night and shows you the time and when your alarm is set. This is the deepest discount Amazon has offered so far.

    Not only are Amazon’s Eero mesh systems among the easiest to set up and use, they also double as smart home hubs with support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. The Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a triband mesh that adds the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. If you have a busy household with devices galore and a 1-Gbps or faster connection, this could be the ideal mesh system for you. It performed extremely well in my tests. Just bear in mind that the 6-GHz band is short-range. The pricey Eero Plus subscription is an extra $10 per month or $100 per year, but it adds a lot of value with parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and even a password manager and VPN service.

    For folks with smaller homes and connections up to 500 Mbps, the Eero 6 (3-Pack) is also on sale at $150 ($50 off), but we recommend stretching for the more heavily discounted Eero 6+ (3-Pack) at $195 ($105 off) if you can. That’s a great deal for an excellent mesh system.

    It may not be a great tablet, but the Fire HD 8 (6/10, WIRED Review) is the best-value option in Amazon’s line-up, and this is the deepest discount we have ever seen on it. Performance is reasonably snappy, the screen is OK, and you get hands-free Alexa, stereo sound, USB-C, and nearly 12 hours of battery life. If you want something for reading ebooks, watching movies, or commanding Alexa, this is a cheap way to tick all those boxes.

    Rectangular cylindrical security camera sitting on a wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    If you already have a Ring doorbell and need something inside the home, this camera lets you keep everything in one app. The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen) records crisp 1080p footage at 24 frames per second, boasts color night vision, and has a privacy shutter you can swivel around. You get motion alerts, preroll captures a few seconds before each event, two-way audio, and there’s even a built-in siren. Just remember that you need a Ring Protect Plan ($5 per month for one camera or $10 per month for all your cameras and doorbells) for all the best features and cloud storage.

    More and more good-quality, affordable security cameras are hitting the market, and the Blink Mini 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of our favorites. It can record 1080p footage at up to 30 frames per second, offers decent low-light performance, and boasts on-device person detection. The catch is the subscription at $3 per month or $30 per year for a single camera, but it nets you a generous 60-day unlimited cloud video history. This camera is ideal for sitting unobtrusively on a shelf and keeping an eye on your home when you are away.

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max next to a bowl of popcorn

    Photograph: Amazon

    We recommend this device in our Best 4K Streamers guide for folks who watch loads of Amazon Prime shows and movies. It is very easy to set up and use, supports Wi-Fi 6E for fast and stable streaming, and packs 16 GB of storage. Alexa is built into the remote to help you find content or answer questions about what you’re watching. The picture-in-picture mode is handy for showing security cameras or controlling other smart home devices. There’s also “Ambient Experience,” which cycles through art or nature scenes on your TV when you’re not watching something.

    While it’s not our favorite smart plug, the Amazon Smart Plug is a good pick for folks who use Alexa. It is easy to set up timers, schedules, and routines in the Alexa app, and you can power on or off any connected gadgets like lamps and fans with a simple voice command. There’s also Alexa Guard, which turns things off and on automatically to make it look like you’re home when you are away on vacation. It has been a year since we’ve seen the price this low.

    Apple Deals

    2023 Apple MacBook Pro M3

    Photograph: Apple

    Although M4-powered MacBooks are imminent, the MacBook Pro with M3 launched just a year ago—so it’s still an excellent choice. It packs a brighter display with mini LED and a 120-Hz refresh rate, along with a 1080p webcam. It packs plenty of ports too, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI, a MagSafe charging port, a high-impedance headphone jack, and an SD card slot. We recommend it if you’re looking for a MacBook Pro without spending $2,000 or more. —Brenda Stolyar

    The 15-inch MacBook Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great choice if all you want is a bigger screen, but don’t want to splurge on a MacBook Pro. It packs all the same features 13-inch MacBook Air, including a modern build and a 1080 webcam, along with an M3 chip. The base model comes equipped with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU which handles tasks with ease. I do, however, recommend upgrading to at least 16 GB of unified memory, to ensure that it can smoothly handle dozens of apps and tabs running at the same time. —Brenda Stolyar

    The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite tablet to travel with. The 8.3-inch display is great for watching movies, sketching, notetaking, and reading ebooks. It also has Touch ID built into the power button, a front-facing camera with Center Stage, and an A15 Bionic processor (as seen on the iPhone 13) that can handle taxing apps or games. It’s worth noting this model came out in 2021 though, and Apple is expected to announce the next-generation version later this year. So, I recommend waiting if you can. —Brenda Stolyar

    Tech Deals

    Side view of large screen tv with app thumbnails on the screen

    Photograph: Parker Hall

    Home cinephiles willing to drop some cash for one of the best TVs this year will struggle to find a better option than the LG C4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It boasts perfect contrast, fantastic highlights, and vibrant color, and it gets bright enough for well-lit rooms. It supports a 144-Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync for gamers, and there’s Dolby Vision for movie fans. We also love the LG Magic Remote, which makes it easy to navigate LG’s relatively good tvOS interface. This TV has been steadily dropping from its original $1,600 RRP, but this is the lowest price yet. You can also find discounts on some of the other sizes of this top-notch TV.

    With an unrivaled 30 hours of max battery life, Tribit’s Stormbox Flow (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a Bluetooth speaker with serious stamina. It also boasts an elegant, weatherproof design, tons of EQ options, a feature-packed app, and delivers clear and punchy audio with thumpy bass to match. The biggest battery pick in our Best Bluetooth Speakers guide, this is a good deal at its usual price, so this discount makes it irresistible. You might even consider snagging a couple and pairing them for stereo sound.

    The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a comfy smartwatch that offers two-day battery life, a ton of health and fitness features, and plenty of handy apps that run on Wear OS 4. There is also 5-ATM and IP68 water resistance and built-in GPS support. We like the workout autodetect and autopause; this is a good choice for Samsung phone owners. It has been steadily dropping in price, but this is the lowest we have seen it.

    The high-capacity pick in our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide, this Baseus charger has an ample 10,000-mAh capacity and a gently curved body that’s soft to the touch. It sticks easily to your iPhone and will provide a full charge with change. Wireless charging is 7.5 watts, but there is also a built-in USB-C cable for up to 30-watt wired charging, which is handy for folks with an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (or even an Android phone).

    Small white security camera with a discshaped top and small circular base sitting on a wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    The top pick in our Best Indoor Security Cameras guide, the Tapo C120 from TP-Link records video at up to 2K resolution, supports two-way audio (with a slight lag), and supports up to 512-GB microSD cards for local recording. The starlight sensor offers impressive color night vision, there is on-device smart detection (people, pets, and vehicles) without a subscription, and it even has an IP66 rating, which means you can also use it outdoors (provided you can run the power cable). We like this camera at its usual price (it hovers around $35), so this is a deal worth bagging.

    This battery-powered wire-free camera was the runner-up in our Best Outdoor Security Cameras guide. It can record video at up to 2K and 30 fps, has a 150-degree field of view, and connects directly to your Wi-Fi. The magnetic mount makes it easy to angle, it offers two-way audio, and the notifications are swift and reliable. You can record locally on a microSD card or opt for a Tapo Care subscription ($3.50/month or $35/year for one camera) for cloud storage (30-day video history), rich notifications with snapshots in them, and video filtering.

    Govee’s Neon Rope Light Strip 2 is one of our favorite Govee smart lights. This diffused light strip can be shaped and works as both art and light on just about any wall. Since it is diffused, there’s no need to tuck it behind a TV or furniture of some kind. You get adhesive-backed metal brackets, screws, and bendable clips, and it’s flexible enough to shape into just about whatever you want. The Neon Rope Light 2 works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and you can connect it with Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings via Matter.

    Image may contain Computer Hardware Electronics Hardware Monitor Screen TV Person and Adult

    There’s no escaping the fact this is a pricey purchase, even with the discount, but the Alienware AW3423DW (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is quite simply stunning. This highly responsive Quantum Dot OLED displays gorgeous colors, boasts excellent HDR, and has superb contrast. I had to tweak the settings to get it looking right, the fan is often audible, and it’s not an ideal choice for bright rooms (avoid direct light on the screen), but with the right setup, this is easily one of if not the Best Computer Monitors for gaming.

    This deck tops our Best Keyboards guide with vibrant RGB LED backlit keys, a choice of clicky, tactile, or linear switches, and Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless adapter for competitive gaming-level response time. The build quality is excellent, and it is relatively compact (TKL stands for tenkeyless, so there’s no number pad). The adapter also lets you pair multiple Logitech gadgets, which is very handy.

    Listed in our best routers guide as the best option for folks looking to try Wi-Fi 6E, this hexagonal Asus router performed well in my tests. It is a tri-band router, adding the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz. The new band allows for much faster speeds, but it is relatively low range and doesn’t penetrate through walls very well. This router has a 2.5-Gbps WAN/LAN port, a second 1-Gbps WAN/LAN, and a further three gigabit LANs. Asus also provides free security and parental controls and tons of options in the mobile app and browser interface, including band-splitting, prioritization for different activities, guest network, VPN support, and the list goes on.

    Home Deals

    Closeup of the tools inside of the Radius Outfitters Tool Roll

    Photograph: Radius Outfitters

    This is the tool roll pick in our Best Overlanding Gear guide, and WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson raves about it. Forget digging around in boxes and bins for the wrench you need, because all your tools are wrapped up in this durable roll made of 1680D Cordura, with heavy stitching (bar-tack stitching to reinforce seams). It offers three levels of tool sleeves on the inside of the roll that fit up to 14-inch tools and also has regular and zipper pouches.

    I could write an entire novel about how much I love this box cutter. It’s featured in our list of the best gear under $30 and also at the forefront of my heart. Approximately one quarter of my time spent as a product reviewer has been spent opening up and breaking down cardboard boxes. This cutter is supremely easy to hold, and the ceramic blade is finger-safe. Try as I might, I’ve never managed to cut myself with the thing. It’s a simple, brilliantly designed gadget that delights me every time I use it, which is roughly every 2-3 days. —Louryn Strampe

    Class Tracker makes the best paper planners for students, and its specialized college version is on sale. There are monthly calendars, but the weekly pages shine. Each day sports a section for things to remember, tests, papers, or projects due, and larger spots for assignments and a daily plan. A Self-Care Corner gives you space for nonschool things to focus on and a countdown box for something you’re looking forward to. If you or the student in your life is struggling to get organized, this planner could help.

    Breville Barista Express

    Photograph: Breville

    Our top pick in our Best Espresso Machines guide, this is the machine to buy if you’re looking for a step up from a Keurig. I have been using mine since 2018 and it has served me well for more than six years. It’s quick to turn on, has a built-in grinder, a tamper that stores magnetically, and there’s a steam wand that can froth milk for a latte, though it takes a while. —Julian Chokkattu

    With a 1.5 liter capacity and the ability to set a precise temperature for your water, this kettle is the pro choice in our Best Electric Kettle guide. This kettle is built like a tank (with a five-year warranty), is very easy to clean, sports a double-walled stainless steel body, and feels great to pick up and pour. Temperature controls go from 95 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. You can set it to keep water warm for up to an hour after boiling. Even the discounted price is steep for a kettle, but if you need your brew at the right temperature, it’s gonna cost you.

    As our top pick of the best window air conditioners, Midea’s U-shaped AC (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a bracket that balances the unit’s weight by leaning against the exterior wall so you can open the window without worrying the AC will fall out. The notch design also helps you reduce gaps to prevent air and noise from leaking. This AC is relatively quiet, can cool a room quickly, and works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for automation or voice controls.

    Cosori Pro III Dual Blaze air fryer

    Photograph: Cosori

    The Best Air Fryers help you cook quickly and potentially with less fat or oil. These compact convection ovens heat up fast to make stuff like crispy chicken, fries, and donuts. This Cosori model is our favorite smart air fryer because it can be controlled remotely using a smartphone or tablet (it has a digital control panel too). The slick black, classy design is great, the cooking drawer has a smooth action, and the handle stays cool. The sides can get a little hot, though, so it needs plenty of space. Temperature options range from 175 degrees Fahrenheit to a powerful 400, and there are 12 handy preset cooking modes.

    It’s great timing to score a discount on a Lego advent calendar ahead of the holidays, and this adorable Christmas-themed Lego City calendar includes Santa and Mrs. Claus minifigures. The Best Advent Calendars are a lovely way to count down the days, and this one has universal appeal. But my top pick would be the Lego Star Wars 2024 Advent Calendar at $36 ($9 off).


    More Amazon Prime Day Stories

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    Simon Hill, Gear Team

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  • 23 Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals

    23 Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals

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    Another Amazon Prime Day event is set to run on October 8 and 9, but you don’t have to wait another week to bag a bargain. After trawling the world’s favorite online store, aisle by digital aisle, we’ve found the best early Prime Day deals for those looking to get a jump on their shopping.

    The WIRED Reviews team tests products year-round and uses multiple price-tracking tools to filter the noise. Our deals coverage is different because we begin by cross-referencing our buying guide recommendations. Throughout our Prime Day deals coverage, we only recommend products that someone on our team has personally tested and would recommend buying.

    Since its not even Prime Day proper yet, we’re being extra choosey with this list. We aimed to include only deals at or very close to their best price ever. We have not seen these products ever sold on Amazon for cheaper unless stated. We do expect that most of these picks will likely remain at these prices through the Prime Big Deal Days event. As always, you may need an Amazon Prime membership to get some of these discounts, but you can sign up for a free trial, and Prime offers plenty of perks.

    Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

    Deals on Amazon Tech

    Photograph: Eero

    Not only are Amazon’s Eero mesh systems among the easiest to set up and use, they also double as smart home hubs with support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. The Eero Pro 6E (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a tri-band mesh that adds the 6-GHz band to the familiar 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. If you have a busy household with devices galore and a 1-Gbps or faster connection, this could be the ideal mesh system for you. It performed extremely well in my tests. Just bear in mind that the 6-GHz band is short-range. The pricey Eero Plus subscription is an extra $10 per month or $100 per year, but it adds a lot of value with parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, and even a password manager and VPN service.

    For folks with smaller homes and connections up to 500 Mbps, the Eero 6 (3-Pack) is also on sale at $150 ($50 off), but we recommend stretching for the more heavily discounted Eero 6+ (3-Pack) at $195 ($105 off) if you can. That’s a great deal for an excellent mesh system.

    It may not be a great tablet, but the Fire HD 8 (6/10, WIRED Review) is the best-value option in Amazon’s line-up, and this is the deepest discount we have ever seen on it. Performance is reasonably snappy, the screen is OK, and you get hands-free Alexa, stereo sound, USB-C, and nearly 12 hours of battery life. If you want something for reading ebooks, watching movies, or commanding Alexa, this is a cheap way to tick all those boxes. The Fire HD 8 was once $5 cheaper than this, but not for months.

    More and more good-quality, affordable security cameras are hitting the market, and the Blink Mini 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of our favorites. It can record 1080p footage at up to 30 frames per second, offers decent low-light performance, and boasts on-device person detection. The catch is the subscription at $3 per month or $30 per year for a single camera, but it nets you a generous 60-day unlimited cloud video history. This camera is ideal for sitting unobtrusively on a shelf and keeping an eye on your home when you are away.

    Rectangular cylindrical security camera sitting on a wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    If you already have a Ring doorbell and need something inside the home, this camera lets you keep everything in one app. The Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) records crisp 1080p footage at 24 frames per second, boasts color night vision, and has a privacy shutter you can swivel around. You get motion alerts, preroll captures a few seconds before each event, two-way audio, and there’s even a built-in siren. Just remember that you need a Ring Protect Plan ($5 per month for one camera or $10 per month for all your cameras and doorbells) for all the best features and cloud storage.

    Apple Deals

    9th Generation iPad

    Photograph: Apple

    The ninth-generation iPad (8/10, WIRED Recommends) may be getting long in the tooth, but it is still a great tablet. It has a 10.2-inch display, the classic Home button with Touch ID, the A13 Bionic chip that debuted on the iPhone 11, support for True Tone, and a 12-megapixel front-facing camera (with Center Stage). It is also compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple’s Smart Keyboard. We recommend its successor in our iPad guide, but this iPad is much more affordable.

    For outdoor types who use iPhones, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is one of the best smartwatches available (probably the best). It is uber-durable, packs a big battery that can go nearly four days with normal use, and features precise GPS to better track your hikes and steer you home again. It also has a customizable Action button, and the screen can get crazy bright so you can read it even in direct sunlight. It is very pricey, but if you’ve been thinking about getting one, this discount might be the push you need (we have never seen it cheaper).

    Tech Deals

    Side view of large screen tv with app thumbnails on the screen

    Photograph: Parker Hall

    Home cinephiles willing to drop some cash for one of the best TVs this year will struggle to find a better option than the LG C4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It boasts perfect contrast, fantastic highlights, and vibrant color, and it gets bright enough for well-lit rooms. It supports a 144-Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync for gamers, and there’s Dolby Vision for movie fans. We also love the LG Magic Remote, which makes it easy to navigate LG’s relatively good tvOS interface. This TV has been steadily dropping from its original $2,700 RRP, but this is the lowest price yet. You can also find discounts on the other sizes of this top-notch TV.

    With an unrivaled 30 hours of max battery life, Tribit’s Stormbox Flow (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a Bluetooth speaker with serious stamina. It also boasts an elegant, weatherproof design, tons of EQ options, a feature-packed app, and delivers clear and punchy audio with thumpy bass to match. The biggest-battery pick in our Best Bluetooth Speakers guide, this is a good deal at its usual price, so this discount makes it irresistible. You might even consider snagging a couple and pairing them for stereo sound.

    Doorbells don’t get smarter than this, and the Nest Doorbell tops our Best Video Doorbells guide. Many newer doorbells tout higher resolutions than the Nest’s 1080p, but Google’s doorbell has a higher frame rate at 30 frames per second and HDR support, which generally results in better-quality footage. You also get smarts like face recognition, so you know whether the kids are home or a stranger is lurking on your porch. You do need a Nest Aware subscription at $8 a month ($80/year), but that covers all your Nest cameras.

    Hand holding up a mobile phone showing the backside cameras and details

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    With much of what makes Google’s Pixel range enticing, the Pixel 8A (8/10, WIRED Recommends) deservedly tops our Best Android Phones list. It has a fun design, offers excellent performance, and has nice cameras, a bright, smooth display, and some of the smartest software features you will find in a phone today. Throw in wireless charging, IP67 water resistance, and seven years of support, not to mention secure face unlock, and you’ll see that Google cut no corners, despite this being its entry-level phone. Why spend more?

    The high-capacity pick in our Best MagSafe Power Banks guide, this Baseus charger has an ample 10,000-mAh capacity and a gently curved body that’s soft to the touch. It sticks easily to your iPhone and will provide a full charge with change. Wireless charging is 7.5 watts, but there is also a built-in USB-C cable for up to 30-watt wired charging, which is handy for folks with an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (or even an Android phone).

    Some of the best wireless chargers are cheap, like this handy stand from Anker. It will work with any Qi phone, including Apple’s iPhones, Google’s Pixels, and Samsung’s Galaxy S range. It can provide up to 10 watts, and it props your phone in portrait view, which is handy for video calls. The light on the front is a tad annoying if you plan to use this on the nightstand, and it has a MicroUSB port when USB-C would be better. You get a 3-foot cable in the box, but you’ll need a wall charger.

    Small white security camera with a discshaped top and small circular base sitting on a wooden surface

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    The top pick in our Best Indoor Security Cameras guide, the Tapo C120 from TP-Link records video at up to 2K resolution, supports two-way audio (with a slight lag), and supports up to 512-GB microSD cards for local recording. The starlight sensor offers impressive color night vision, there is on-device smart detection (people, pets, and vehicles) without a subscription, and it even has an IP66 rating, which means you can also use it outdoors (provided you can run the power cable). We like this camera at its usual price (it hovers around $35), so this is a deal worth bagging.

    The Nimble Champ has topped our Best Portable Chargers guide for a few years. The middle option packs a decent 10,000-mAh capacity, is smaller than a deck of cards, and can deliver 20 watts to charge two devices at once via USB-C ports on either end. We like the speckled color finishes and the bright lanyard loop, but what really sells these power banks is the 90 percent certified recycled plastic construction and fully biodegradable packaging. You get a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable in the box.

    There’s no escaping the fact this is a pricey purchase, even with the discount, but the Alienware AW3423DW (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is quite simply stunning. This highly responsive Quantum Dot OLED displays gorgeous colors, boasts excellent HDR, and has superb contrast. I had to tweak the settings to get it looking right, the fan is often audible, and it’s not an ideal choice for bright rooms (avoid direct light on the screen), but with the right setup, this is easily one of, if not the best computer monitors for gaming.

    Home Deals

    Cosori Pro III Dual Blaze air fryer

    Photograph: Cosori

    The best air fryers help you cook quickly and potentially with less fat or oil. These compact convection ovens heat up fast to make stuff like crispy chicken, fries, and donuts. This Cosori model is our favorite smart air fryer because it can be controlled remotely using a smartphone or tablet (it has a digital control panel too). The slick black, classy design is great, the cooking drawer has a smooth action, and the handle stays cool. The sides can get a little hot, though, so it needs plenty of space. Temperature options range from 175 degrees Fahrenheit to a powerful 400, and there are 12 handy preset cooking modes.

    This may seem like a weird pick, but hear me out. My daughter is crazy about cats and has enough teddies and plushies to fill a swimming pool, but “squishy cat” has always been her favorite. Seriously, this super soft pillow is the most huggable thing ever. We have bought a few over the years and given them as gifts, and anyone who ever cuddles up with one of these cats falls in love. This is also the cheapest price I have ever seen.

    This is the tool roll pick in our Best Overlanding Gear guide, and WIRED senior writer Scott Gilbertson raves about it. Forget digging around in boxes and bins for the wrench you need, because all your tools are wrapped up in this durable roll made of 1680D Cordura, with heavy stitching (bar-tack stitching to reinforce seams). It offers three levels of tool sleeves on the inside of the roll that fit up to 14-inch tools and also has regular and zipper pouches.

    Black leather office chair with green design accents and angular backrest in a room with red walls

    Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

    Although we are not generally keen on gaming chairs, the Razer Iskur V2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is our pick for the best gaming chair in our Best Office Chair guide. It is comfy, not too garish, and has that all-important adaptive lumbar support. Like most gaming chairs, your lower back will get warm, and it lacks breathability. There’s also no seat depth adjustment, and the casters don’t move that well, but you can recline up to 152 degrees, and it is far more affordable than many of our office chair picks.

    Class Tracker makes the best paper planners for students, and its specialized college version is on sale. There are monthly calendars, but the weekly pages shine. Each day sports a section for things to remember, tests, papers, or projects due, and larger spots for assignments and a daily plan. A Self-Care Corner gives you space for nonschool things to focus on and a countdown box for something you’re looking forward to. If you or the student in your life is struggling to get organized, this planner could help.

    As our top pick of the best window air conditioners, Midea’s U-shaped AC (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a bracket that balances the unit’s weight by leaning against the exterior wall so you can open the window without worrying the AC will fall out. The notch design also helps you reduce gaps to prevent air and noise from leaking. This AC is relatively quiet, can cool a room quickly, and works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for automation or voice controls.

    Wolf Gourmet kettle

    Photograph: Wolf Gourmet

    With a 1.5 liter capacity and the ability to set a precise temperature for your water, this kettle is the pro choice in our Best Electric Kettle guide. This kettle is built like a tank (with a five-year warranty), is very easy to clean, sports a double-walled stainless steel body, and feels great to pick up and pour. Temperature controls go from 95 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. You can set it to keep water warm for up to an hour after boiling. Even the discounted price is steep for a kettle, but if you need your brew at the right temperature, it’s gonna cost you.


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  • When is the next Prime Day? Here’s when to expect the next Amazon sales event

    When is the next Prime Day? Here’s when to expect the next Amazon sales event

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    Amazon


    Amazon Prime Day 2024 was a blast, but now it’s come and gone. For two days (July 16 and July 17), the savings event brought us a variety of can’t-miss deals across tons of categories, from electronics to home essentials. Now that the event has ended, it’s natural to start wondering when the next Prime Day will roll around, especially if you missed out in July.

    If you’re already trying to plan next year’s deal-buying budget or just want to know when you might be able to see more sales pop up, we’re ready to share everything we know about Prime Day scheduling. And don’t forget about the other special Amazon sales coming up that you can think about saving up for as well. Amazon’s October Prime Day-like sale was just announced.

    You never know when you might have some extra cash to burn — and why not spend it at Amazon, where you can save some serious cash? Get the lowdown on the next Amazon Prime Day, plus October Prime Day ahead.


    When is the next Prime Day?

    Prime Day, Amazon’s annual two-day sale event, typically happens in July. The exact dates for Prime Day 2025 have not been officially announced, as Amazon usually confirms the dates a few weeks before the event. 

    Based on previous Prime Day sales, we can make an educated guess about when Prime Day 2025 might occur. Historically, Prime Day has been held in July. In 2023, Prime Day took place on July 11 and 12. So far, Amazon has scheduled Prime Day events to avoid overlapping with major U.S. holidays like the Fourth of July. 

    Amazon could choose to deviate from this pattern. But as soon as the dates are locked in, we’ll let you know about it.


    Will Amazon have another deal day in 2024?

    Outside of the annual Prime Day event that just ended, Amazon has introduced other deal days throughout the year in the past. One example is Prime Big Deal Days, which debuted in October 2022 and is on again this year. Prime Big Deal Days 2024, also known as October Prime Day, has been announced for October 8 and 9, 2024.

    It’s a two-day event that serves up exclusive deals to Prime members and serves as a kick-off to the holiday shopping season. 

    Amazon occasionally offers other limited-time promotions and flash sales throughout the year, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, which provide customers with additional opportunities to save on their purchases. There are also opportunities for additional sales to pop up, like the Amazon Big Spring Sale we saw in March.

    Keep an eye on Amazon as well as its promotional emails and communications to learn more about when you can expect to see deal days come around. We’ll keep you abreast of all the new developments as well, so be sure to keep checking back here.  


    Do you need to be an Amazon Prime Member to shop Prime Day sales?

    Yes. Like Prime Day, the best deals at the Prime Big Deal Days sales event will also be exclusive to Amazon Prime members.

    Don’t have Prime? We highly encourage you to try the service. In our opinion, Amazon Prime is worth it. Amazon Prime is popular for a reason — not only do you get fast free shipping (two-day, one-day or even same-day shipping, depending on the products ordered), but you also get access to Prime Video, where you’ll find a plethora of award-winning movies and TV shows, “Thursday Night Football,” discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, free Kindle downloads and more.

    If you’ve never tried Amazon Prime before, the retailer will likely offer you a 30-day free trial to test out the service (your trial offer may differ). And if you’re a college student or a shopper between the ages of 18 and 24, you can try out Prime for six months free, then afterward pay a discounted rate of $7.49 per month.

    An Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you choose to pay annually (the monthly rate for that is about $11.50). But right now, Amazon is offering a special Prime deal: You can get three months of Prime for just $7.49.


    Early October Prime Day deals you can shop now

    There’s no need to wait until October. There are already some great deals on tech, home goods, skincare and more at Amazon now.


    How often does Amazon have deal days like Prime Day?

    Amazon typically hosts several major deal events throughout the year, with Prime Day being the most well-known. On average, Amazon tends to have at least two to three major deal events that are similar to Prime Day per year. But there are plenty of opportunities to shop that pop up beyond Prime’s usual summer schedule. Here’s a brief look at some of the deal days you can expect to see scheduled throughout the year. 

    Prime Day: This is Amazon’s biggest and most popular deal event, held annually (usually in July). Prime Day is a two-day sale featuring exclusive discounts and lightning deals for Amazon Prime members. It’s been a yearly occurrence since 2015, with the exception of 2020 when it was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    October Prime Day: Introduced in 2022, October Prime Day, also called Prime Big Deal Days, is another two-day event that kickstarts the holiday shopping season. Like Prime Day, it offers exclusive deals to Prime members. This year it’s on October 8 and 9.

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Amazon actively participates in these traditional holiday shopping events, offering a wide range of deals and discounts. These sales typically occur in late November, with Black Friday falling on the day after Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday following a few days later.

    Miscellaneous seasonal and flash sales: Throughout the year, Amazon typically has plenty of sales tied to specific holidays or themes. There are even sales intended for you to Stuff Your Kindle with cheap or free books. Add on Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and other holidays, and you never know exactly what Amazon will have up its sleeve.


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