Prime Day Deals: Snag Amazing Prices Before the Official Rush Begins!
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are just around the corner, promising a whirlwind of discounts. But savvy shoppers don’t need to wait! Many incredible deals are already live on Amazon, offering a head start on your holiday shopping (or just some well-deserved self-indulgence). This article dives deep into some of the best early Prime Day deals, focusing on items personally tested and recommended by the WIRED team. These deals represent prices at or very near their historical lows, unless otherwise noted. We anticipate many will persist through the official October 8th and 9th Prime Big Deal Days event. Remember, you may need an Amazon Prime membership to access these discounts, but a free trial is readily available.
Note: Prices and availability are subject to change, so act fast!
Amazon Tech Deals: Smart Home and Entertainment Upgrades
Echo Spot (5th Gen): This compact smart speaker with a display is perfect as a bedside clock or a convenient way to access Alexa. It displays the time, weather, currently playing music, or audiobook. While sound quality is limited, its nighttime dimming feature and alarm functionality make it a highly practical addition to any bedroom. This is the best price we’ve ever seen on this model. WIRED Rating: 7/10
Eero Mesh Wi-Fi Systems: Eero systems are known for their user-friendly setup and robust performance. The Eero Pro 6E (3-Pack), a tri-band mesh system utilizing the 6GHz band in addition to 2.4GHz and 5GHz, offers exceptional speed and reliability, especially in homes with many connected devices and high-speed internet (1Gbps or faster). Keep in mind the 6GHz band has a shorter range. While the Eero Plus subscription ($10/month or $100/year) is optional, it significantly enhances the system with features like parental controls, advanced security, ad blocking, a password manager, and a VPN. WIRED Rating: 7/10 (Eero Pro 6E)
For smaller homes and internet speeds up to 500Mbps, the Eero 6 (3-Pack) is also discounted at a substantial price. However, if your budget allows, the Eero 6+ (3-Pack) offers even better value and improved performance at its discounted price.
Fire HD 8 Tablet: Although not a top-of-the-line tablet, the Fire HD 8 offers impressive value for its price. It delivers reasonably snappy performance, a decent screen, hands-free Alexa, stereo sound, USB-C connectivity, and nearly 12 hours of battery life. This is indeed the deepest discount ever observed on this model, making it an excellent choice for tasks such as reading ebooks, watching movies, or controlling smart home devices via Alexa. WIRED Rating: 6/10
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen): If you already have a Ring security setup, this indoor camera integrates seamlessly with your existing app. It features crisp 1080p video recording at 24fps, color night vision, a privacy shutter, motion alerts, pre-roll recording, two-way audio, and a built-in siren. Note that a Ring Protect Plan (subscription) is required for cloud storage and access to all features.
Blink Mini 2: This compact security camera is a favorite due to its 1080p video recording at up to 30fps, decent low-light performance, and on-device person detection. While a subscription ($3/month or $30/year) unlocks 60-day unlimited cloud video history, it’s a worthwhile investment for peace of mind. Its unobtrusive design makes it ideal for discreet home monitoring. WIRED Rating: 7/10
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: This streaming device is perfect for high-quality streaming of Amazon Prime Video content, offering easy setup, support for Wi-Fi 6E for fast and stable streaming, and 16 GB of storage. Features like Alexa integration via remote control, picture-in-picture mode, and Ambient Experience add to its convenience.
Amazon Smart Plug: A simple yet effective smart plug, this device integrates easily with Alexa, letting you control connected devices via voice commands, timers, schedules, and routines. Alexa Guard adds an extra layer of security, mimicking home occupancy while you are away. This is the lowest price we’ve seen in a year.
Apple Deals: Premium Performance at Discounted Prices
MacBook Pro (M2): While the M3-powered MacBooks are approaching, the current M2 MacBook Pro remains a stellar choice, combining bright mini-LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 1080p webcam, and an array of ports including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, MagSafe, headphone jack and SD card reader. It’s an excellent option for those seeking high performance without the premium price tag of higher-end models.
MacBook Air (15-inch): If all you need is a larger screen without the Pro’s extra features, the 15-inch MacBook Air is an ideal choice. It boasts the M2 chip, offering a smooth user experience with the 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. We recommend upgrading the RAM to at least 16GB for optimal multitasking performance. WIRED Rating: 8/10
iPad Mini (2021): This compact tablet is great for travel and everyday use, featuring an 8.3-inch display, Touch ID integration, Center Stage-enabled front camera, and an A15 Bionic processor for efficient performance. Considering a new generation is expected soon, waiting might be advisable if you can, but this is a good price for this model. WIRED Rating: 8/10
Top Tech Deals Outside of Apple and Amazon Ecosystems:
LG C4 OLED TV: For those with a higher budget and a desire for top-of-the-line picture quality, the LG C4 OLED TV is exceptional. It offers perfect contrast, stunning highlights, vibrant colors, a 144Hz refresh rate, Nvidia G-Sync, Dolby Vision, and a user-friendly interface. This is currently the lowest price ever seen.
Tribit Stormbox Flow Bluetooth Speaker: Boasting an unmatched 30-hour battery life, this portable speaker offers excellent audio quality with punchy bass, attractive design, weather resistance, detailed EQ options, and a well-designed accompanying app. Its usual price is already good, the discounted price makes it a steal. WIRED Rating: 7/10
Samsung Galaxy Watch6: A comfortable smartwatch with two-day battery life, numerous health and fitness tracking functionalities, Wear OS 4 support, 5ATM and IP68 water resistance, and built-in GPS. The workout auto-detect and auto-pause features are significant highlights. While consistently dropping in price, this is the lowest price observed so far.
Baseus MagSafe Power Bank: With a generous 10,000mAh capacity and handy wireless and 30W wired charging, this power bank is convenient for charging iPhones (and Android devices), securely attached via MagSafe.
TP-Link Tapo C120 Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera: A versatile camera that records up to 2K resolution video, features two-way audio, local storage via microSD card support (up to 512GB), and impressive color night vision using a starlight sensor. The camera also offers on-device smart detection without a subscription, and also IP66 rating for outdoor use (with consideration for power cable requirements).
Tapo C320WS Outdoor Security Camera: This battery-powered, wireless security camera features 2K recording at 30fps, a 150-degree field of view, easy Wi-Fi connectivity, a magnetic mount, two-way audio, and reliable notifications. A Tapo Care subscription adds cloud storage, enhanced notifications, and video filtering.
Govee Neon Rope Light Strip 2: This versatile smart light strip is flexible, stylish, and capable of providing both mood lighting and artistic accents. Its diffused light eliminates the need for careful placement, and it’s compatible with numerous smart home ecosystems via Matter.
Alienware AW3423DW Gaming Monitor: A premium monitor boasting Quantum Dot OLED technology for stunning color, HDR, and excellent contrast. It features a responsive panel suitable for discerning gamers. While pricey even on sale, its exceptional picture quality makes it a top choice. WIRED Rating: 9/10
Logitech G915 TKL Wireless Mechanical Keyboard: A high-quality mechanical keyboard with vibrant RGB backlighting, a choice of switch types (clicky, tactile, or linear), and Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology for low-latency performance. The compact tenkeyless design and robust build quality make it a worthwhile investment.
ASUS RT-AXE7800 Wi-Fi 6E Router: A high-performance tri-band router that delivers exceptionally fast Wi-Fi 6E speeds, though its 6 GHz band is more limited in range. The router’s features include a 2.5Gbps WAN/LAN port, robust security, parental controls, and a highly configurable mobile app.
Home and Lifestyle Deals
Radius Outfitters Tool Roll: A durable and well-organized tool roll for keeping your tools neatly stored and easily accessible. The 1680D Cordura construction and bar-tack stitching ensures lasting durability.
Slice Ergonomic Box Cutter: A uniquely designed and exceptionally safe box cutter, featuring a ceramic blade that reduces the chance of accidental injury.
Class Tracker College Planner: A student planner carefully designed to help students stay organized, with features like specialized sections for daily tasks, projects, tests, and self-care.
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine: A high-quality espresso machine that combines a built-in grinder, easy-to-use interface, and a steam wand for milk frothing, making it ideal for those who want to elevate their coffee game.
Cuisinart PerfecTemp 1.5 Liter Electric Kettle: A precise temperature-controlled electric kettle, built to last with a five-year warranty, featuring a stainless steel double-walled body, and easy-to-clean design.
Midea U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner: Our top window air conditioner pick for its unique U-shape design, ensuring easy installation and superior noise reduction. It also features quick cooling capabilities and works well with smart home assistants. WIRED Rating: 8/10
Cosori Pro III Dual Blaze Air Fryer: A smart air fryer offering fast heating, multiple preset cooking modes, and remote control functionality via a smartphone or tablet. Its sleek design and easy-to-use interface make it pleasing to use in any kitchen.
Lego City Advent Calendar: An ideal addition to the holiday season, this Lego advent calendar is filled with festive builds, and features Santa and Mrs. Claus minifigures. The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar is also recommended.
This curated list offers a valuable preview of upcoming Prime Day deals. Remember to check Amazon regularly for the latest updates and prices for any items that catch your eye. Happy shopping!
