Technology

23 Best Early Prime Day Deals on Products We’ve Tested (2024)

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.


More Amazon Prime Day Stories


Source link

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button