The 17 Prime Day discounts were the best of the bunch

The Kindle Scribe: Smart Pencils on a Paperwhite and a 10.2-inch, 300 Pixel-per-inch Ebook

The Kindle Scribe looks like a standard Kindle at first glance, but there are some key features that set it apart from the pack. For starters, it’s big, packing what Amazon calls the world’s first 10.2-inch, 300 pixels-per-inch Paperwhite display (the Kindle Oasis and Kindle Paperwhite feature 6-inch and 6.8-inch displays, respectively). It makes sense given that this is the first ebook you can actually write on using a stylus.

If you pick up the Scribe bundle, you can get leather, fabric, and premium leather covers at a discount.

Amazon says to expect up to 12 weeks of battery life with everyday use. The device can fully charge in 2.5 or 7 hours, depending on whether you use a 9W usb-c or basic cable.

Deals on Amazon Fire Tablets and Smart Displays During the Second Prime Day: A Closer Look at the Amazon Early Access Sale and the Echo Show 8

If you are planning on buying a new Fire tablet right this minute, you should hold off. During the second Prime Day on October 11, Amazon will have a 30 percent discount on their line of tablets. Sure, these slates are cheap compared to others, but you can save more. It’s worth the wait.

Updated October 2022: We added notes about the Fire 7, mentioned the new Fire HD 8, and listed some upcoming Prime Day deals.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). The work we do every day is funded by subscriptions.

The Amazon Echo Show 8 is powered by the voice assistant, Alexa. The 8-inch screen is a great size for watching movies, reading recipes, and making video calls (it has an auto-pan and zoom feature to keep you in frame). Its compact size makes it a great addition to your kitchen counter or nightstand too. It’s a $5 cheaper than it was on Prime Day.

You can choose between a 32-gigabyte or a 64-gigabyte model (with a MicroSD slot on both so you can add up to 1 TB of storage down the road if you need more space). Whichever you choose, Amazon will serve up advertisements on the lock screen. To get rid of that, you’ll need to spend $15 more for the version without “special offers.”

Other stores have started to compete with each other with deals that do not require an Amazon Prime membership. Here’s a list of merchants that may be getting in on the action.

We have some good news if any of the Amazon devices make it onto your gift list. With Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale, you can take advantage of great sales on everything from an Echo smart display to a Fire tablet during the two-day event—saving you money and allowing you to get ahead on some shopping. We’ve rounded up all the great deals on WIRED-approved gadgets below.

Right now, you can buy the Echo Show 8 for $74.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is $5 off the regular price. The eight-inch smart display is our favorite in the Amazon lineup and this price is the second-best we have seen. The smart display is capable of performing a range of Alexa-enabled tasks, including controlling other smart home devices like lights, playing music, delivering the news, setting alarms, and even streaming shows. You can even use it to make Zoom calls and do so while, say, cleaning or preparing dinner as it can keep moving subjects centered in the frame. We have a review.

The price we tracked for the Echo Glow is the best we have seen so far. It’s a bad sunrise alarm, but it’s a decent nightlight. It can work in a guest room, especially given the fact that the speakers of the smart home devices can double as sound machines. The lamp can be controlled with either an accessory or an app.

The Amazon Echo Show 8 is our favorite Alexa-powered smart display, and this price brings it down to $5 cheaper than we saw during this past Prime Day—a historic low. The display size is nearly all that is useful for checking the weather or following a recipe. A camera with automatic zoom and pan capabilities is included in the package. Read our Best Smart Displays guide for more recommendations.

WIRED Optimization of the Z Flip4 Foldable Smartphone and Apple’s 2021 iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommendations)

The Best Cheapphone was chosen by WIRED because it is the best phone, and it is the one we like the most. This deal is a match of the best discount we’ve seen. Even when it’s not on sale, the Pixel 6A offers incredible value, with great performance, excellent cameras, impressive battery life, and a nice display. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal than this.

The smaller of Samsung’s folding phones, the Z Flip4 feels like a “normal” phone when it’s unfolded, but fold it up and it’ll slip into some seriously small pockets. It is almost like a StarTak, but with a real screen. The battery is able to get you through the day. Still, if you’ve been wanting a folding phone, this deal is the cheapest we’ve seen on this new model.

Apple’s 2021 iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) looks like an iPad Pro with slimmer bezels and a smaller, 8.3-inch screen. Its portable size makes it great for traveling. You might even be able to fit it into your cargo pants pocket.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/best-early-amazon-prime-day-deals-access-sale-2022-2/

The Best Apple Watches: Deals on a Razor Mouse ($2515$$, WIRED Recommends)

The recently released Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Apple Watch, and it’s already on sale. (The 41-mm version is also on sale for $349.) The second- generation Watch SE includes an electrocardiogram, a skin temperature sensor for better period tracking, a more accurate heart-rate monitor, and the ability to measure blood oxygen levels. There are more suggestions in our Best Apple Watch accessories guide.

This is the smaller, corded companion to our favorite Razer mouse, the Razor Ultimate. Don’t let the “mini” in the name fool you—this is a standard-size mouse and the accuracy is very good. It’s a great cheap mouse if the one below is out of your budget.

The TCL 6-Series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best TV for most people. It was $10 cheaper earlier in the week, but this is still one of the best deals we’ve seen for the 55-inch size. The quantum dot panel means viewers will experience bright colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. This TV has a built in streaming option. The TCL 5-Series is just as good a TV as the 6-Series, even though it doesn’t have the latest and greatest. Read more about them in our Best TVs guide.

This deal price beats previous discounts we’ve shared by $50. The model is one of the best of it’s kind. It has fantastic audio quality for the price, and the included subwoofer adds depth with impressive bass. There are other bells and whistles like baked-in Amazon Alexa and Bluetooth for streaming music. The best soundbars have more about it.

AmazonBasics dumbbells: Thermapens and Best Grills in the Low-Cost-of-A-Family

Shipping adds $5, but even with those costs factored in, this is a match of one of the better deals we’ve seen. Thermapens are popular, and we like them a lot. This specific model is featured in our Best Gifts for Home Chefs guide, while a slightly more expensive thermometer from the brand is included in our Best Grills and Best Grilling Accessories guides. The Thermapen One spits out a temperature reading in one second, and the backlight allows for accurate temperature taking even in the dark. It folds neatly for easy storage.

Stepping up your coffee game starts with a good grinder. It’s possible to grind beans for a cold brew, espresso and even a slow drip with the Baratza Virtuoso Plus. The luxe workhouse also features a straightforward digital timer and, best of all, is built using sturdy, commercial-grade components, rendering it as apt for a small office as a household of coffee fiends. Price: $249.95

This is a solid price if you’re in the market and don’t want to wait. I have the same one on my desk. It’s great for folks that live alone or don’t have a lot of counter space. The colors are on sale. A refillable pod makes pod brewers more economical.

Free weights are one of the best tools for working out at home, and many different weights of these AmazonBasics dumbbells are on sale for historically low prices. We haven’t tested these ourselves, but they have good customer reviews overall. Some reviews mention the rubber has a bad odor on arrival, but a few days of ventilation should nix that if it arises. If you’re trying to get a pair, you’ll have to add two to your cart because they are sold individually.

The Blink Video Doorbell Cameras Bundle: Audio Quality, Bluetooth, and Wireless Charged and Unconnected Sensors for the Home

A wide range of speakers and smart displays have been tested. You can read our Best Echo and Alexa Speakers guide for more Alexa-powered devices. If you want to go beyond Amazon’s very own, check out our Best Smart Speakers guide and Best Smart Displays guide.

Upgrade to this larger 10-inch smart display and you’ll get better audio quality, plus a screen that swivels nearly 360 degrees to follow you around while you’re on a video call (or when you’re reading a recipe).

The buds have been a lower price before but this is still a great deal. They’re easy to pair, have good sound, and you basically get Alexa right in your ear to help you with any task. It comes with a wireless charging case and multiple size options for ear tips. Just know that the noise cancellation isn’t great, and the touch controls can be triggered by sweaty hair (during workouts).

The Blink Video Doorbell received an honorable mention in our Best Video Doorbell Cameras roundup, and we’re still in the process of testing it. It’s affordable, easy to use, and comes in two versions, one powered and one tethered. The two outdoor cameras in the bundle can provide you with a broader view of your home.

The Jall Digital Alarm Clock: a simple, inexpensive, and easy to use smart plugs for your coffee maker or kitchen gadget at holidays

You can send them via email if you need to see them in another location. I found the quick-send option to be really helpful. On your computer, you’ll notice much more white space around the margins than what it looks like on the device, something that is especially obvious when using the blank page. It’s a minor quibble, but you may have to do some cropping if you’re sending it to other folks.

Sometimes it makes sense to go with something simple since there is a lot of smart alarm clocks out there. The Jall Digital Alarm Clock comes with a wooden look and lights up in addition to the time and temperature. It is a simple aesthetic, and it is nothing to be upset about. Price: $21.99

If you want your coffee maker to automatically brew a cup once you wake up, the right smart plug can help. Even if you don’t own a hub, you can use Kasa’s four-pack of smart plugs to work with each of the digital assistants. The price is $39.99.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Introducing Smart Speakers to the Holiday Gadgets: An A19-Luminous Roomba I3 Evo as your Favorite Robot Vacuum

Help the obsessed Star Wars fan in your life by giving them something that still interests them. Many people might not even notice, but these rugs are adorned with X-wings, besikar helmets, and all kinds of Geekiness. That’s because each rug looks sleek and tasteful, regardless of the pattern. Price: $109+

Nothing helps set the mood or get you into the holiday spirit quite like a set of color-changing light bulbs. One of the easiest ways to put in smart lighting is with the included A19 bulbs, which offer helpful timers and automation options. It even comes with a Hue Bridge, giving you access to a range of additional features. Cost is $169

If you can afford the auto-emptying station of therobovac, then the Roomba i3 Evo is our favorite robot vacuum. It does a great job of keeping itself clean and getting frequent updates that allow for new features. The robot vacuum can map out your floors as well, so you can send it to specific rooms in your home using either the app or a voice assistant like Alexa. Price: $279.99

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Rebooter: A Best-Friendly Gift for Smart Home Tech Holiday Guide 2022 Kitchen-Gadgets Lights Smart Speakers Vacuums

“Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?” Even though your home network is more advanced, it is bound to fall from time to time. The Rebooter does it for you automatically, though, making it an especially helpful gift for family members who usually just call on you for free tech support. $54.95 is the price.

Even if the newer iPad models are available, Apple’s base product is still worth having in the home. The affordable last-gen slate is great for streaming content and sharing control of various smart home tech as well as entertaining kids and taking notes with optional accessories like the first-gen Apple Pencil. This price is $269.99

When power goes out, your giftee will appreciate you giving them a backup battery with surge protection because they will use it to keep their computers running. Along with nine outlets, the 450W offering has two ports for charging various electronics. price is $116.70

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Ecobee: Pet Cameras for Dogs and Cats: a Low-Energy Alternative to Thermostats

With Furbo’s latest interactive pet camera, you can keep an eye on the dog when you’re not at home (and play with him, too). The little device can fully rotate, packs night vision and a wide-angle lens, and can toss your pup a treat to keep them entertained when nobody’s home. It works for cats, too, so you don’t have to own a dog. Price: $147

The cheapness of the latest Ikea Symfonisk is comparable to the quality of the connected speakers. It still sounds good for the money despite its cheap price tag. The bookshelf speaker is available in either a black or white finish and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally. Price: $119.99

Reliable internet access is a must-have these days and a mesh setup makes it easy to blanket your home with a good internet connection. You don’t have to spend a lot of money for wi-fi 6e support or other features if you cover a 3,000 square foot home with the Eero 6 Plus. The price is $167

Amazon and Google are always slugging it out for smart thermostat supremacy, but Ecobee is a great choice if you’re looking to monitor the temperature in rooms with problematic insulation and keep things comfy. The premium version comes with a remote temperature sensor and a sleeker design than previous models, not to mention an easy-to-use interface. Price: $249.99

It’s 2022, meaning you no longer have to leave the comfort of your windowless apartment just to touch grass. You can grow your own vegetables and herbs indoors with the Grow Smart Garden 3, including a self- watering tank, a handyLED lamp, and pre-seeded pods that will let you skip the nursery. There is a price for it.

The smart display, called the Nest Hub Max, is great for taking video calls, playing music in a room, and displaying photos in a slideshow. A recent software update allows you to call up the Google Assistant, even if you’re not looking at it, just by looking at the 10-inch display. So much has been written about the “HeyGoogle” thing? The price is $1799.99

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Ninja Fit: Smoothing up protein-rich smoothies or making a Shamrock Shake out of a 15-ounce blender

The Ninja Fit is perfect for blending up some healthy, protein-rich shakes for pre- or post-workout nutrition — or you can use it to make your own version of a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. No judgments here, especially since the 16-ounce blender is the perfect size for just one person and can take on frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and pretty much anything you want to throw at the 700-watt motor. Price: $54.99

You shouldn’t necessarily spend a lot of money for coffee that tastes great, but if you can pay a bit of cash for a method that looks attractive on the kitchen counter, you should at least try it. The Bodum’s minimalist French press is easy to use, cheap, and stylish in its all black finish. The price is between 16 and 23.11.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

Nixplay: a New Set Top Box for Kids and Families with HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, and the Garage Door Remote

The dry months can cause damage to your skin, nose and overall quality of life. The cute Dutch cartoon rabbit is featured in this adorable humidifier. A built-in night light is useful, since the sun now sets at an hour longer than in the past. And you’d be wrong if you think it’s just for kids. I mean… it’s also for, like, kids at heart. $32.68 was the price.

Apple’s latest 4K streaming box is its best yet, with a much-improved remote, more base storage, and support for HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision. It will work great for years to come and the set top box has the same speedy processor that powers last year’s iPhone 13, ensuring it can be used for many years. Price: $129.99

If you want a frame that is smart, clean and subtle, then a Nixplay frame is for you. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, helping them to blend in with any regular frames in your home, and they allow you to cycle through both personal and shared photo albums. There’s a price of $119.99.

You can control your garage door opener with either the Meross app or voice, and the garage door remote is easy to set up. The basic device is compatible with more than 1,600 different models, too, and this premium HomeKit-compatible version integrates nicely with iPhones for speedier operation. It was $49.99.

High-Quality gastronomy, Low-Carrying, High-Sensorship, No-Fuss and Low-Complexity Energy Appearance Streams

DrinkMate’s no-fuss OmniFizz is a great alternative to a SodaStream, as it allows you to use more options for CO2 and fizz up water, iced tea, juice, and just about any drink you might want to consume with a hint of bubbles. Just don’t do milk. Don’t ever do milk. Price: $110.99

If you enjoy seeing exploded views of tech and classic gadgets, then you may love having your walls decorated with some elevated artwork made from the real thing. The original iPhone, Nokia 3320 and the Game Boy Color are just some of the cool devices broken and frames by Grid Studio. The price is $199.

An air fryer is just a small oven on the counter, but it can still be useful for cooking small meals in a very short time. Cosori’s Pro model features a wide, shallow basket and easy preset for all kinds of foods, not to mention a more compact footprint than similar models from other brands. Price: $94.49

Everyone can appreciate making peeling vegetables simpler and faster during the holidays, as nobody likes peeling vegetables. The company’s Swivel Peeler is a quality upgrade, even if for very specific, limited tasks. The price is $11.80

Source: https://www.theverge.com/23386171/smart-home-tech-holiday-gift-guide-2022-kitchen-gadgets-lights-smart-speakers-vacuums

The Elite 3: The Best Choice of Wireless earbuds with Multipoint Bluetooth Support and Noise Cancellation for End-to-End Temperature Control

Sometimes form over function is totally okay. There is a smart light board with a stock ticker, clock, and vibes. The attractive Kickstarter-fueled desk accessory doesn’t offer a ton of functionality, but if your giftee is prone to doomscrolling, perhaps the lack thereof could be just what they need. Price: $179

What a better gift than to own your own astromech droid? Lego sets like the Imperial Star Destroyer and Eiffel Tower may receive a lot praise for their gargantuan size, but this 2,314-piece replica of R2-D2 is a lovingly detailed showpiece that stands a respectable 13 inches tall — which is just small enough that you won’t be left wondering if even have room for it. Price: $239.99

It’s a bad time to be surprised by coffee during the winter months because most of us are hooked on it. For up to 80 minutes, your beverage can be heated to your liking in the ceramic Smart Mug, which comes with a charging coaster.

Cheap gadgets are often cheap because, well, they’re not the best in terms of quality. That’s not true of Jabra’s Elite 3, however, which are once again on sale for $59.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.

The Elite 3 is our top choice for wireless earbuds because of the sound, price, and many niceties that are usually reserved for more expensive earbuds. They include the ability to use either ear bud independently, along with a rating for dust and water resistance. So long as you’re fine without multipoint Bluetooth support and active noise cancellation, they’re a good pair of buds that nail the basics and shouldn’t disappoint. Read our review.

E-Readers and Niche: A Review on the Performance of the G14 Gaming Laptop and the Costco Deal on the Second Generation Apple TV 4K

At just 3.79 pounds, the G14 is a highly portable gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp when it comes to performance. A 14-inch machine with all-day battery life, a spacious 16:10 QHD display, and a category-topping keyboard will allow you to carry out video-reliant tasks, while also boasting a surprisingly good webcam that will let you use your mobile device for video calls. We wouldn’t mind if the G14 screen maxed out at 120hz, but it’s still a great laptop that offers lots of value for the money. You can read our review.

Sometimes we stumble upon deals that are not necessarily new but are just too good to exclude — like today’s Costco deal on the last-gen Apple TV 4K. For the past few weeks, Costco has been selling the second-gen Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage for just $99.97 ($100 off), one of the best prices we’ve seen on the streaming device. It can be bought at a discounted price with a 5 percent surcharge, which is just as good as it gets.

The three main configurations of the paperwhite are an 8gigabyte model with ads for $139.99, an 8gigabyte model without ads for$1599.99, and a 32gigabyte model with ads for $1899.99. The latter is identical to the standard Paperwhite except it also features Qi wireless charging and a sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight when needed. A one-year replacement guarantee, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and a kid- friendly cover are all included in the new edition of the e-book. The 2021 models feature similar features to the old model, including waterproof design and audiobook support.

When selecting a device to use to read your books, you have a number of options. You can always buy a phone that can be used for a lot of things but if you want to use it for more than one thing, you should buy a tablet. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.

Amazon Kindle e-readers come in different storage configurations, but there is also an additional option that allows you to buy the e-reader with or without ads. Ad-supported Kindles will display personalized advertisements on the lock screen when it is in sleep mode or at the bottom of the homescreen when the device is connected to Wi-Fi. Typically, you save about $20 by buying the ad-supported version, but if you decide to remove ads later, you can make a one-time payment to cover the difference and remove the ads.

On the discount front, we recently saw the 2022 Kindle Kids drop to $84.99 ($30 off), which remains the e-reader’s all-time low. That said, it’s only available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target right now for its full retail price of $119.99.

Amazon is selling the base Paperwhite from 2021, as part of a bundle that also includes a leather cover or a ‘cork’ cover for $189.47, all of which are 20% off.

The standard model of the novel Paperwhite has the same design and performance, but with a few improvements, such as an automatic light sensor, a wireless charging option, and more storage.

There is a bundle with the 8 gigabyte Kindle Oasis on sale for $279.97, which includes a leather cover for $289.97, fabric cover for $299.97, and a power adapter for $304.97, all of which are $30 off.

The previous model looks similar to the new one. The 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display is waterproof. However, unlike previous models, it can adjust the color temperature to a yellow-toned display, making it easier to read at night.

The Bose QuietComfort 45: A Low-Cost Noise-Canceling Headphone for the Relaxing Phase of Your Audio Workday

Is it possible that you would just enjoy some quiet and peace, so you can focus? The Bose QuietComfort 45 will help tune out all noisy distractions no matter whether you’re working from a café or at an office. The over-ear headphones are amongst the best noise-canceling headphones on the market and particularly stood out to us because of how comfortable they are. They also last 24 hours on a single charge, which means you can wear them for as long as you need without hurting your ears or worrying about battery life. Typically $329, right now, you can buy them for $279 in gray from Amazon, which is the cheapest they’ve gone for this year. Look at our review.