Amazon’s Prime Day is neigh. The biggest sale of the summer runs on July 16 and 17. Yes, that means it starts just a few hours from now. But you don’t necessarily need to wait to bag a bargain, because Amazon always pregames a bit. We have been keeping a close eye on what’s available to help you find the best early Prime Day deals worth your time and money. Now that we’re just a few hours away from the event, we’re gearing up to let the deals cannons loose—but we still found a few more deals for your perusal.
With decades of experience in product testing, a host of price tracking tools at our disposal, and a long history of bringing you the best bargains, you can rely on WIRED to sift the fast-moving waters of Amazon’s river of deals to extract the gold. This Prime Day, we cut to the chase, only including deals at their best price ever (some may match previous deal prices, but we have not seen them cheaper). It’s also worth noting that many of these products will likely remain at these prices through Prime Day.
Updated July 15, 2024: We added new discounts on the best TVs, coolers, curling irons, and more.
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Prime Perks
Read our explainer on all the Amazon Prime perks you should be taking advantage of.
It may not be the best music streaming service, but Amazon Music Unlimited earned an honorable mention in our guide. Five months of free service for Prime members (three months for non-Prime members) will be enough to tempt some folks to try it. Amazon Music Unlimited gives you ad-free access to more than 100 million tracks in 16-bit, 44.1-kHz quality (24 bit, 192 kHz where available).
Easily the best audiobook service, Amazon’s Audible Premium Plus gives you access to a library of Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts, one credit per month to use on any audiobook title you fancy, and regular exclusive deals and discounts. Prime members can have three months for free right now (one month for non-Prime members), after which it costs $15 per month. The beauty is that you get to keep titles purchased with credits, even after the subscription ends.
Deals on Amazon Tech
The discounts on Amazon’s growing stable of devices are so frequent you should never pay full price. But the deepest discounts are reserved for Prime Day events, and this year is no exception. Here are a few early Amazon device deals you can snag right now.
Photograph: Jaina Grey
The Amazon Kindle Scribe (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is more than an e-reader. It has a large, spacious screen and an included stylus so you can make notes, add annotations, or doodle without carrying a second notebook. It’s excellent for logging your thoughts in between chapters while reading at the beach, or for taking notes during class without getting distracted by notifications. Normally, it’s a lot more expensive than other Kindles, but this early sale (exclusive to Prime subscribers) brings it down to a much more competitive price.
This is our favorite streaming stick for people who like Amazon’s ecosystem. We still like Roku devices more, but if you’re fully immersed in the world of Prime Video and Freevee, this is a solid option. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is also on sale for $25 ($25 off), but we think it’s worth shelling out the extra $10 for a faster and better device. You’ll get some extra features like Ambient Mode and picture-in-picture mode for compatible security cameras.
The Echo Show 8 is our favorite smart display for people who prefer Alexa over Google Assistant. It’s a good size—not too big and not too small—and it’s perfectly suited to a kitchen counter or front entry table. A smart display like this is handy for reading recipes, catching up on a show, or as a sort of “home base” for checking up on the weather or security cameras before you go out. We like that the camera has a built-in privacy shutter. Read our full story on all the things an Echo Show can do.
The Fire Max 11 (5/10, WIRED Review) is Amazon’s most premium tablet and the best upgrade option if you’re set on sticking with Amazon devices. We don’t think it’s worth $230, but this sale matches the best price we’ve tracked. The Fire Max 11 is powerful, but it heavily prioritizes Amazon content, and we don’t love the Fire OS operating system. But you’ll still be able to use it to browse the web and watch videos—just don’t expect a typical Google Play Store experience like you’d get with Android tablets. If you don’t need the latest and greatest, there’s a good chance that the smaller and cheaper Amazon Fire Tablet HD 10 will be on sale this week too.
Apple Deals
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Photograph: Apple; Getty Images
The 10th-generation iPad (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is still our top pick for most people. It has uniform bezels and a USB-C port for charging instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable. The A14 Bionic processor is the same powering the iPhone 12, and it’s fast enough that we never experienced any sluggishness in our testing. It’s a reasonable price, and this deal makes it even more attractive, so unless you need a ton of extra power from your tablet, this is the way to go.
We loved the M2 Macbook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends) when it dropped in 2022, but the only thing that put us off was its price. It has a bright, beautiful display, a MagSafe connector, and a decently powerful M2 processor, though it struggles if you open a few too many tabs. It’s down to a much more reasonable price and will be supported for years to come. If you’re looking for a reliable laptop for a full day of school or work, there’s never been a better time to grab this one.
Apple sells a lot of different headphones that are great for iPhone and iPad users, but few are as iconic as the AirPods. The second-generation AirPods (7/10, WIRED Review) don’t rely on the silicone tips that go in your ears, which you might prefer. We like the second-generation set better than its successor, the third-generation AirPods, and it doesn’t hurt that the older model is less expensive.
Tech Deals
Remember when hanging up on someone was dramatic and cool? It’s hard to do that by tapping a button on your screen. Fortunately, the Razr+ has brought that edge back. The newest foldable Motorola Razr+ (7/10, WIRED Recommends) just dropped, which means its predecessor is hitting its lowest price ever. The 2023 model lets you flip your phone open to answer calls and has an external display for showing notifications and other useful info. The cameras aren’t great, but if that’s your priority, the new 2024 Razr+ is already on sale for $900 ($100 off).
You can completely avoid tangles with this clever retractable cable from Baseus. Available in a few fun colors, this flat cable comes rolled up inside a circular case. Pull the USB-C ends and you can fix it at preset lengths (1.1, 1.9, 2.7, or 3.3 feet). When you’re done, simply pull and release and the cable will coil back up neatly inside the case. It’s good for charging at up to 11 watts but only supports data transfer speeds of 480 Mbps. We think it’s one of the best USB-C cables.
The HiSense U6N 4K TV is a budget variation of one of our favorite recent HiSense TVs, the U8N (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It lacks the higher refresh rate of the U8N, capping out at 60 Hz, so while it would be fine for some single-player gaming, it won’t do as well with fast-paced competitive games. It also only reaches a peak brightness of around 600 nits, compared to the over 3,000 nits on the U8N. However, it still brings the quantum dot tech and full-array local dimming that we like from its more expensive cousin. So, if you’re okay with a “good enough” that’s still pretty dang good, this is a nice cost-effective TV.
You can simply stick this power bank onto the back of your MagSafe iPhone to top off its battery. With a large capacity of 10,000 mAh, this is one of the best MagSafe power banks we have tested. It will provide at least one full charge for any MagSafe iPhone. It has a soft-touch finish, gentle curves, a USB-C port, a power button, and three LEDs on the bottom edge. This power bank is frequently discounted, but this is as low as we have seen it go.
Clip the on-page coupon to get the maximum deal price. This affordable security camera records decent-quality footage, has a starlight sensor that offers color night vision, microSD card support that goes up to 512 GB, and an IP66 rating, meaning it can be used outdoors. It also has smart detection (people, pets, and vehicles), offers 2K resolution, supports slightly laggy two-way audio, and has the optional Tapo Care subscription for 30 days of cloud storage from $3.50 per month. The more basic Tapo C110 is the best budget camera in our Best Indoor Security Cameras guide, but with the discount, you should pick the slightly superior C120 instead.
If you hate having to charge your wireless gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless (10/10, WIRED Recommends) is for you. This headset can last a staggering 300 hours between charges. It also delivers rich, booming sound, comfortable ear cups, and intuitive controls. All that’s missing is a headphone jack. This headset has been discounted to around this price before but usually hovers around $170.
This matches one of the best deals we’ve seen for our top 4K streaming stick recommendation. I (Louryn) used to be an Amazon Fire TV Stick girly, but one too many annoyances had me purchasing a Roku. And I love it! There are tons of free channels you can watch (including all of How It’s Made), and the interface is super easy to use. My only complaint is that it’s easy to press the four shortcut buttons at the bottom of the remote, but that’s an issue you can encounter with most streaming sticks. Read more about it in our Roku Buying Guide.
TCL’s QM8 series has long been among our favorite mid-tier TVs, offering uncommon performance and features for its price. WIRED editor Parker Hall loved the 2023 QM8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), noting that its availability in mondo sizes makes it a cheaper and brighter projector alternative. In my review, I (Ryan) praised the TV’s mix of showy brightness, deep and full colors, and excellent contrast thanks to its mini LED display. The new QM851G is even brighter than last year, with TCL claiming a peak brightness of around double its predecessor, along with the same great features like an intuitive Google TV interface, gaming extras like a 120-Hz panel, and HDMI 2.1 support. While we have yet to test it, the latest QM8 is set up to be one of the best value propositions of the year, including brightness that outduels nearly any TV you can buy.
Roku recently stepped into the 4K TV business with the well-rounded Plus Series as its debut effort. The newer Pro Series takes all the stuff we dug about the Plus and raises the stakes, mixing Roku’s brilliantly simple interface with step-up picture performance. You’ll get a 120-Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 support for great gaming chops, a mini LED panel for deep black levels and powerful brightness, and quantum dots for bright and expansive colors. I (Ryan) noted a few flaws in my review, including mediocre motion handling and poor off-axis viewing (a common theme for nearly every LED TV in its class), but there’s little else to complain about here. Because it’s a Roku, you’ll enjoy sweet convenience features, from its easy-breezy streaming interface to a chime that finds your lost remote. It all adds up to a great experience–even for picky viewers–now at a crazy-low price.
For a premium TV experience that gets brighter than OLED without sacrificing great contrast or solid viewing angles, Samsung’s QN90C (8/10, WIRED Recommends) hits the sweet spot. This is one of my (Ryan) favorite QLED TVs (i.e. an LED TV with quantum dots) from 2023 due to its heady blend of excellent performance, style, and features. I was particularly enamored with the QN90C’s picture processing, rendering crystal-clear detail in my favorite shows and movies. That’s supplemented by handy extras like a solar-powered remote, four HDMI 2.1 ports loaded for bear with gaming goodies, and surprisingly enjoyable onboard sound. The QN90C’s mini LED panel incurs some occasional minor blooming, and Samsung’s cluttered Tizen interface and lack of Dolby Vision support are all points worth considering. Otherwise, this dashing model provides a luxe mix of features and performance at a reasonable price.
Roku’s first in-house budget 4K TV is one of the best affordable TVs out there, thanks in large part to its built-in Roku operating system that makes setup and usability a breeze. You’ll get simplified streaming, accurate voice search, and even an on-board remote finder button. The TV’s picture provides solid brightness, good black levels, and punchy quantum dot colors. Its 60-Hz refresh rate isn’t the best for high-performance gaming, but it’s hard to complain much at this price. If you’re after an affordable 4K HDR TV that even Grandpa can figure out, the well-rounded Plus Series is a great option that keeps your budget in check.
TCL’s Q7 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) landed as our favorite affordable TV last year thanks to its loaded concoction of good features, a slick and simple Google TV interface, and picture quality that stands tall with the best in its class. While the Q7 doesn’t have a mini LED display like some competitors, its hundreds of dimming zones provide excellent contrast. That’s matched by flashy brightness, quantum dots for deep and expansive color volume, and a 120-Hz refresh rate that facilitates features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) for smooth action in your favorite high-frame-rate games. It adds up to a balanced package at a sweet price that will please even tougher critics.
JBL’s retro-styled Authentics 200 smart speaker (9/10, WIRED Recommends) speaks both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, letting you easily alternate between the two or use both at once for a variety of tasks. That makes the 200 especially great for those with lots of disparate smart products at home. Smarts aside, my favorite aspect of this speaker is its sweet sound. I (Ryan) tested it against some of the best in the business, including the Sonos 100 and Sonos 300, and it landed square in the middle, making it among the best performers out there at its price. Add in its versatile skills and attractive design and you’ve got a sneaky-good smart speaker that stands up to the best you can buy.
Home and Beauty Deals
Photograph: KitchenAid
Is any kitchen truly complete until you’ve got a 5-quart stand mixer from KitchenAid permanently on your counter? Well, yes, we’re not here to judge your life, but these are incredibly useful (and long-lasting). The iconic KitchenAid Series 5 can mix, knead, whip, and whisk just about anything with minimal effort on your part. We rarely see this stand mixer much cheaper than this, so it’s an excellent time to buy.
A good espresso machine is an investment. Every morning (and afternoon, and sometimes evening) that you make yourself coffee, you’re betting your energy levels on the output of that machine on the counter, so you may as well make it a good one. The Breville Barista Touch pulls out the stops to make that gamble worth it. It has a built-in burr grinder and hot water spout, but most importantly, a touchscreen display that lets you store your custom drink orders and heat it up whenever you need another dose of caffeine.
Lightweight and powerful, this cordless vacuum picked up everything from cereal to litter with one pass on its medium setting. It can also stand up on its own, which few cordless vacs can do. Hoover’s device topped our Best Cordless Vacuums guide for a while and is still there as a good midrange alternative. The battery life is a little disappointing, though you can always buy a spare to switch in. This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for this vacuum.
Stylish and relatively compact, this is one of our favorite beard trimmers. It sports a digital display that shows the battery level as a percentage, boasts a long 120-minute battery life, and recharges in just one hour. WIRED contributor Andrew Williams found it excellent for sharp lines and a razor-like close shave across the neck. Philips recommends replacing the heads every four months, though you probably don’t have to. It’s not a huge discount, but we’ve only seen it slightly cheaper.
Photograph: Cosori
Air fryers enable you to cook quickly and potentially more healthily. The best air fryers are essentially compact convection ovens that heat up quickly to make things like crispy chicken, fries, and donuts. This Cosori is our favorite smart air fryer because it can be controlled remotely using a smartphone or tablet (it has a digital control panel, too). We liked the sleek, black, premium design, the cooking drawer slides out smoothly, and the handle doesn’t get hot while in use. Just watch out for the sides, as they do get a little hot, so be sure the air fryer has plenty of space. The temperature ranges from 175 degrees Fahrenheit to a powerful 400, with 12 preset cooking modes.
This is our top budget chair recommendation in our Best Office Chairs guide. It dips to this price fairly often but doesn’t go lower. It has a breathable mesh fabric on the back and the seat, plus it’s sturdy and has held up for several years of use.
The Dyson Airwrap (8/10, WIRED Recommends) rocks, but it’s expensive as heck. This bundle makes the price more appealing, and the Amazon Exclusive variant gets you a bonus storage bag and detangling comb. The Airwrap is one of our favorite curling irons. You might’ve seen it on TikTok. We tested it and it’s worth the hype. The Airwrap uses hot air to wrap hair around the barrel and to set the curls. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get used to it, your routine will likely be faster (and more gentle on your tresses).
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