Mashable

Subscribe to Mashable feed
Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
URL: https://mashable.com/feeds/rss/all
Updated: 33 min 47 sec ago

Man swept out to sea calls emergency services on his Apple Watch

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:29

An Australian man has used his Apple Watch Ultra to successfully call for help after being swept out to sea. Though a morning at the beach can be great for disconnecting from technology, this may make you rethink leaving your smartwatch behind. 

Australia's ABC News reports that Rick Shearman, 49, was body surfing at a Byron Bay beach on Saturday morning when he found himself in trouble. Though an experienced surfer who regularly enjoys weekend trips to the beach, this time he got caught in the impact zone, the part of the water where waves are most likely to break. 

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 2: We'll make this simple

Repeatedly dunked by the waves and beginning to cramp up, Shearman followed safety advice and allowed the current to drag him out to sea rather than exhaust himself in a futile fight against it. Typically, beachgoers who are caught in a current are instructed to remain calm and float with it until they can swim parallel to the shore and escape. Shearman noted that he had extracted himself from similar situations before.

However, in this particular case he soon found himself approximately half a mile from the beach and unable to find a way back. Shearman then recalled that he could use his Apple Watch Ultra to call for emergency services and swiftly did so, staying on the line for an hour until he was fished out by an emergency helicopter. 

"At this point I was a long way out to sea, I was being buffeted by wind and big swells, it was actually quite difficult to utilise [the Apple Watch Ultra]," Shearman told ABC News, explaining that he had to hold the smartwatch to his ear to hear the emergency operator. 

Even so, it seems Shearman was more than happy to accept some minor difficulty in operation in exchange for the Watch's literally lifesaving benefits. If he hadn't been able to contact emergency services it would have been much longer before the alarm was raised, and the operation could have taken days. It would also no doubt have had a much more tragic ending.

"If it wasn't for being able to access that service in my Watch I'd probably be bobbing out somewhere in international waters by now," he said. "It's amazing that I was able to use that technology to save my life."

Initially released in 2022, the Apple Watch Ultra was specifically designed for outdoor activities and is water resistant to a depth of 100m — though fortunately Shearman didn't end up diving that deep. It can also contact emergency services in several countries such as Australia and the U.S. without first being set up for mobile phone service, a feature found in Apple Watches from Series 5 onward.

How to call for help on your Apple Watch

If you ever find yourself in a similar dilemma, calling emergency services via your Apple Watch is a relatively straightforward process.

  1. First, press and hold the side button on the right of your watch, right beneath the Digital Crown dial. This will cause several sliders to appear.

  2. Drag the Emergency Call slider to the right to immediately initiate the call.

Alternatively, you can simply press and hold the side button. This will cause your Apple Watch to call emergency services after a brief countdown.

XREAL Beam Pro is supposed to turn my AR glasses into an Apple Vision Pro dupe — it didn't go as expected

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

Since the Apple Vision Pro had many users screaming "Ouch!", including myself, many companies have been swooping in with the ol' "we're lighter, cheaper, and more comfy" pitch.

XREAL is one of 'em.

It's the mastermind behind AR glasses like the Air 2 Pro and the up-and-coming Air 2 Ultra (which earned Mashable's "Best of CES 2024" award). These bad boys can deliver an Apple Vision Pro-like experience, particularly when it comes to spatial computing.

However, XREAL was honest, telling Mashable that it recognizes there are some glaring issues that hinder it from reaching AR nirvana.

For example, XREAL's glasses come with a USB-C cable, making it compatible with most devices, but some are left out of the fun. Specifically, the pre-USB-C iPhones (i.e., iPhone 14 series and earlier) have Lightning cables, forcing users to purchase an adapter for their spectacles. Some phones have a USB-C port, but they don't support video output. (The Pixel 8 series was a good example of this, but Google recently released a fix.)

On top of that, if you're using your XREAL glasses on your phone, it's sucking up all of your power like an energy vampire, causing battery drain. So what's the solution to all of this? According to XREAL, it's creating a phone-like device called The Beam Pro (but the company insists that it's not a phone).

SEE ALSO: I used the Apple Vision Pro on a flight to Costa Rica — and it was chaotic XREAL Beam Pro price and specs

The XREAL Beam Pro I tested for this review is the cheapest you can get. It starts at $199 and comes with the following specs:

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon spatial companion processor

  • 6GB of RAM

  • 128GB of SSD storage

There's also a configuration that comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. You can also choose between a Wi-Fi-only model as well as a 5G variant. (I have the former, so I can't add data to my Beam Pro while I'm out and about.) All models feature expandable storage via microSD.

The Air 2 Pro that I paired with the Beam Pro costs $449 on Amazon.

The Beam Pro is available for preorder now — and it's expected to start shipping some time in mid-July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Beam Pro $199.00 at XREAL
Pre-Order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon XREAL Air 2 Pro $449.99 at Amazon
Shop Now What is the XREAL Beam Pro?

The Beam Pro is a "sequel" to an existing device called "Beam," which unlocks a whole new world of spatial computing. Similar to the Apple Vision Pro, Beam lets you affix a TV screen to the air in a virtual plane.

XREAL Beam Pro (left) and original Beam (right) Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

But what differentiates XREAL's glasses from the Apple Vision Pro is that the latter is like wearing a computer on your face, packed with industry-leading internals for premium, top-of-the-line immersion and AR capabilities.

The XREAL glasses, on the other hand, cannot operate alone. It needs something, like a phone, laptop, or gaming console, to mirror to the virtual display that looms before you. (This brings glasses like the Air 2 Pro closer to the likes of the Viture Pro XR glasses, which brought a triple-screen display to my MacBook Air experience.)

The XREAL Air 2 Pro glasses Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Without the original Beam, if you plugged the XREAL glasses into a phone, you wouldn't have much control over the virtual TV inside your glasses. But with the OG Beam, you could resize the TV to as small as a 28-inch screen to as large as a 330-inch display.

You can also unlock three display modes with The Beam:

  • Body Anchor - virtual screen remains locked into the air, no matter where you look

  • Smooth Follow - trails your head movements in a seamless manner

  • Side view - places the virtual screen off to the side in one of the four quadrants

It's essentially a battery pack, too, so you can keep your device topped up while you're using the XREAL glasses. Plus, while you're flying on a plane, you could use Smooth Follow with the OG Beam, allowing you to get rid of the jitteriness that happens with the virtual display due to the aircraft's bumpy movements.

And then XREAL unleashed the new Beam Pro. This one, unlike the Beam, has a screen. And similar to the OG beam, it solves the issue of having your XREAL glasses siphon all of your phone's battery power like a leech. (It also has the aforementioned trio of display modes.)

However, what's different about the Beam Pro is that it's also designed to rectify XREAL's device incompatibility issues. If you're someone who's interested in nabbing a pair of XREAL glasses for yourself, you don't have to ask, "Does my phone have the right port for the XREAL glasses? Do the XREAL glasses support my target device?"

With the Beam Pro, you know it works with the XREAL glasses. (The only downside is, though, is that you're limited to using the content offered by the Beam Pro.) Plus, the Beam Pro has a dual-camera array, allowing you to capture spatial videos (à la the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Vision Pro combo).

XREAL Beam Pro design

The XREAL rep winced when Mashable's Matt Binder saw the Beam Pro for the first time and said, "That looks like a phone!"

Mashable's Matt Binder getting some hands-on experience with the Beam Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

"Oh, it looks like one, but it's not!" the XREAL rep said. That pretty much sums up the Beam Pro. It looks like an off-brand smartphone — but it's not. The all-white backside features two cameras: one is an ultra-wide camera and the other a wide camera (for 3D stereoscopic video recording).

On the bottom-right corner, you'll find the XREAL logo in bold red.

On the right side of the Beam Pro, you'll find three buttons: an orange "Mode" button (lets you toggle between display modes), a volume rocker, and a side key (for turning the display on and off).

XREAL Beam Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon

On the left side, you'll find a microSD card slot. On the front, you'll find a selfie camera.

But keep in mind that you will not be able to make calls nor text. Because, well, it's not a phone.

I wish the Beam Pro came in black, but it only comes in white. On the plus side, it doesn't appear to get dirty too easily. Still, I'd cool it on eating Doritos while using the Beam Pro.

XREAL Beam Pro display

The XREAL Beam Pro has a 6.5-inch, 2400 x 1800-pixel display. And yes, you can totally run your favorite streaming apps on it sans the Beam Pro.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

I ran Netflix on it, playing Perfect Match, and the screen was colorful, crisp, and sharp. On my XREAL Air 2 Pro, Netflix looks just as good, maybe even better, with the connected Beam Pro. The image is crystal clear, with vivid, punchy colors.

There is one problem, though. When I'm looking at the Air 2 Pro with the Beam Pro connected, sometimes, the virtual display would drift off to the side unprompted. Even while I'm using a display mode that should keep the display fixed in my virtual environment (i.e., body anchor), it continues to drift.

XREAL is aware of this issue and has told Mashable it's working on a fix.

XREAL Beam Pro ports

The Beam Pro has two USB-C ports on the bottom of the phone-like device.

The Beam Pro has two USB-C ports, one for charging and the other for plugging in the XREAL glasses. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

There's one for plugging in your XREAL glasses and another for charging it.

XREAL Beam Pro keyboard

I love the haptic keyboard on the Beam Pro. I was able to fire up Google Docs to the left on my virtual display with YouTube playing on the right. The Beam Pro immediately recognized that I had an intent to type on the virtual display, so the Beam Pro's keyboard popped up. My fingers were flying on the keyboard, tapping on each key like graceful tap dancer, to type on the fresh Google Doc page.

The haptics, giving a satisfying vibration with each tap, made typing on the Beam Pro a lot more comfortable than I expected.

XREAL Beam Pro 'touchpad'

After plugging in the Air 2 Pro into the Beam Pro, the virtual version of NebulaOS appears right before my very eyes. This turns the Beam Pro screen into a touchpad of sorts, allowing me to navigate NebulaOS.

You can see the Beam Pro's touchpad on the display as Matt Binder holds the phone-like device. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

It's a bit janky, but only because it doesn't operate in the way you might expect it to. For example, intuitively, I just want to move my finger across the "touchpad" to move the virtual cursor. However, there are times it's easier to just move my entire hand, with the Beam Pro in it of course, to get to my desired target before clicking.

At the time of this writing, the virtual cursor doesn't respond to my desire to pause the Netflix app. I spoke to an XREAL rep about this issue and the company is working on a fix. However, play/pause functions work with other streaming apps just fine.

From the touchpad, you can also grab screenshots and capture screen recordings, which is ideal if you're a content creator who wants to share "in-game" experiences with your audience.

XREAL Beam Pro audio

The Beam Pro's internal speakers aren't that great. It feels like it's booming from somewhere on the left side of the phone (while held horizontally).

It sounds slightly scratchy, too.

However, the Beam Pro isn't meant to have sweet-sounding audio. The XREAL Air 2 Pro glasses have speakers on them, too — two open-air ones, to be exact. But they aren't any better. They're passable, but the don't have the best bass. And they sound a bit tinny.

Fortunately, you can pop in some better-sounding earbuds, like the AirPods Pro, via Bluetooth.

XREAL Beam Pro cameras

The Beam Pro has two 50MP cameras (ultrawide and wide shooters).

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

You can use the dual-camera setup to take spatial and 3D videos, which you can use on your XREAL glasses. (You can also use it on the Apple Vision Pro.)

I captured a few spatial videos myself. I opened up the Camera app, tapped on the "spatial video" option, and recorded a few 3D videos. I was able to visit them through the "Photos" app inside my Air 2 Pro glasses, plugged into the Beam Pro of course, and I saw all of my captured videos in a glorious, 3D spatial format. In one shot of my backyard, it's as if the foreground jumped slightly forward from the background, with the garage appearing to "pop," while the trees and the moon appeared to be pushed backward.

This is probably the most badass feature of the Beam Pro.

XREAL Beam Pro battery life

The Beam Pro's battery life is shockingly long. Even after all-day use, the Beam Pro ended up just being at 75% at the end of the day. The Beam Pro is super energy efficient.

We plan to run the PCMark Android battery life test on it. We'll update this section with the results once we have it.

Is the XREAL Beam Pro worth it?

XREAL will capture the hearts of businesses — not the average Joe — with the Beam Pro. The XREAL glasses and Beam Pro combo give companies a way to showcase visual content on "portable display." Some consumers may be wary about a stranger plugging a pair of smart glasses into their phones — and the Beam Pro dashes those concerns.

But do I see the Beam Pro being worth it for the average Joe? I'm not quite convinced. The XREAL Beam Pro has a few slam dunks, including the 3D spatial video recording, the satisfying haptic keyboard, and a striking visual display for streaming. I understand that the Beam Pro alleviates "battery anxiety" in that my phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, gets left alone while the Air 2 Pro glasses leeches off the Beam Pro instead.

But I don't love the idea of carrying yet another device alongside my daily driver. I already have to lug around headphones, a smartphone, and a smartwatch. I'm OK with adding XREAL glasses to the mix, but the Beam Pro tests my limit.

On top of that, I'd prefer to use the XREAL glasses while traveling, which means I'd have to get the 5G Beam Pro to stay connected while commuting. In order words, I'd have to purchase a monthly data plan. No, thank you.

If you're looking for a damn-good spatial computing experience that rivals the Apple Vision Pro, check out the Viture Pro XR glasses. Connected to my MacBook, it allowed me to pin three displays in a virtual space. (It supports spatial video, too.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Viture Pro XR Glasses $459.00 at Amazon
Get Deal

Ninja has way better Prime Day deals than Instant Pot

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

It's almost hard to recall Instant Pot's reign as the star of Prime Day kitchen deals when Ninja deals are going as hard as they are in 2024.

Regardless of the corner of your kitchen you're looking to spruce up — whether it's the empty countertop slab where an air frying indoor grill could go or the cabinet where dusty, rusty pots and pans are begging for replacement — Ninja is making sure it catches your eye when you drop it into the search bar on Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: TikTok's newest obsession is coming — meet the Ninja Slushi

Ninja has become such a force in the realm of kitchen gear, mainly due to its Foodi line. This goes far past the pressure cookers that are often pitted against the Instant Pot: There are Foodi air fryer ovens, Foodi blenders, Foodi grills, and even several Foodi nonstick cookware collections. Past that, Ninja is behind several other viral kitchen products like the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and the Thirsti, Ninja's version of a SodaStream. And they're all on sale the day before Prime Day, which officially kicks off on July 16.

We're keeping track of all the Ninja deals at Amazon during Prime Day week, as well as live deals in just about every other product category you could think of — so check back often through July 17. For now, all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 XL Pro Indoor Grill and Griddle with Air Fry (IG651) 🔥 $199.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The juiciest discount we're seeing on any Ninja multicooker so far this Prime Day season is a 46% price slash on the Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill and air fryer combo. This 7-in-1 flat top griddle can take your dinner from frozen to BBQ-ed (complete with grill marks) in 25 minutes, searing at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit — use the included meat thermometer to check your work. The lid, which can grill open or closed, can also air fry and dehydrate.

More Ninja kitchen deals

Pressure cookers, air fryers, and other countertop cookers

Coffee makers, blenders, and more drink makers

Cookware, cooking irons, and more

Samsung Galaxy deals are plentiful going into Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00
The best early Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals: BEST GALAXY TAB DEAL Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (128GB) $646.51 at Amazon (save $153.48) Get Deal BEST GALAXY BOOK DEAL Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge 14-inch $999.99 at Samsung (save $350) Get Deal BEST GALAXY BUDS DEAL Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro $149.99 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal BEST GALAXY PHONE DEAL Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 AI (512GB) + $200 Amazon Gift Card Preorder Bundle $1,099.99 at Amazon (save $320) Get Deal BEST GALAXY WATCH DEAL Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (44mm, LTE) $256.57 at Amazon (save $123.42) Get Deal

In a simple twist of fate, Samsung Unpacked and Amazon Prime Day 2024 are both happening in July. That makes a perfect recipe for heavily discounted Samsung products.

With any new product launch comes an abundance of discounts on older models. Heck, sometimes those brand-new models even see price drops during preorder periods. Throw in pressure from Amazon Prime Day (which officially runs July 16 and 17) and there's a good chance we'll see unprecedented pricing on all sorts of devices — from the Galaxy Tab S9 lineup to the slate of Galaxy Watch 6 models.

We're tracking the best Galaxy-specific deals below ahead of Prime Day, which includes the Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Book, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy phones. As the official savings event nears, we'll be updating the list with the latest and greatest deals — so stay tuned.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Early Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Our pick: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (128GB) 🔥 $646.51 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $153.48 Get Deal Why we like it

Launched during last summer's Unpacked event, the Galaxy Tab S9 features a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a new Dynamic AMOLED 2X 11-inch display, and an IP68 water- and dust-proof rating (which is a first). It also comes with the famous S-Pen, of course, which allows you to doodle, take notes, and make the most out of apps. It's also loaded with AI features like Transcript Assist, Photo Assist, Circle to Search, and Note Assist. Ahead of Prime Day, the 128GB version of our favorite Android tablet is on sale for just $646.51 instead of the usual $799.99. That's just shy of 20% savings. Need more storage? The 256GB version is on sale for just $52 more.

More Samsung Galaxy deals

Galaxy Book deals

Note: While there are no Galaxy Book deals currently available at Amazon, we found the following models on sale at Samsung's own website. Stay tuned for any Prime Day-specific Galaxy Book deals.

Galaxy Buds deals

Galaxy phone deals

Galaxy tablet deals

Galaxy Watch deals

Prime Day kitchen deals: Frozen drink makers, air fryers, and more

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00
A quick look at the best early Prime Day kitchen deals Best air fryer deal Chefman 6-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven $69.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best drink maker deal Margaritaville Maui Portable Blender and Frozen Drink Machine $135.99 (save $94) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal De'Longhi Magnifica Start Espresso and Coffee Machine $549.95 (save $450) Get Deal Best Instant Pot deal Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6-quart) $74.95 (save $55.04) Get Deal Best kitchen accessory deal Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag (64-ounce) $16.62 (save $5.37) Get Deal

Leave it to a five-minute scroll on social media to remind you that you're actually really hungry right now. That video probably also supplied the recipe — now you just need the right kitchen goodies (and ingredients, of course) to make it.

Prime Day is a great time to find that missing kitchen item on sale, whether it's a countertop air fryer oven, a fancy espresso machine, or just some reusable silicone storage bags to stop wasting so many disposable Ziplocs.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuum deals at Amazon are booming pre-Prime Day

While Prime Day 2024 doesn't officially kick off until July 16, Amazon already has noteworthy discounts on a ton of kitchen items across multiple categories from brands like Ninja, Margaritaville, and KitchenAid. Many are new record-low prices that we've never seen before, and we're keeping track in our list below — all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Note that while these technically aren't marked as Prime Day deals, several have already moved into Prime-exclusive territory, though you'll need to be a member to take full advantage next week, anyway.

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Our pick: Chefman 6-quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven 🔥 $69.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The 42% price slash on this Chefman air fryer looks even better when you pit this fryer directly against competition like the same-size Instant Vortex. The Chefman model splits its 6-quart capacity into dual baskets that can cook two independent foods simultaneously at different temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, complete with clear windows to keep an eye on golden brownness. The 6-quart Vortex has just a single basket with no window, maxes out at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and actually costs $10 more, even on sale.

More air fryers on saleBest drink maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Margaritaville Our pick: Margaritaville Maui Portable Blender and Frozen Drink Machine $135.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $94.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Of the Margaritaville machines on sale, the discount on the cordless Maui model is the best. The portable blender, now at its lowest price ever at Amazon, whips up shaved ice rather than the traditional crushed ice, making on-the-go beverages easier to sip with a straw. The 18-ounce capacity can run 20 drink cycles before needing to be charged, so you're set for your last-minute weekend trip to the beach.

More drink makers on sale SEE ALSO: I tested the Margaritaville frozen drink maker, and it's as ridiculous as you think Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi Our pick: De'Longhi Magnifica Start Espresso and Coffee Machine 🔥 $549.95 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $450.00 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the more premium espresso machines out there right now, the De'Longhi Magnifico Start — which would usually be a $1,000 investment — is seeing a near 50% discount, pushing it to the most affordable it's ever been at Amazon by a long shot. This chic, fully automatic espresso machine features an updated touch interface with buttons for latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, coffee, and hot water, plus 13 bean grinding settings. A milk frother is also included.

More coffee maker dealsBest Instant Pot deal Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Our pick: Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6-quart) ✨ $74.95 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $55.04 Get Deal Why we like it

The fancy WiFi-enabled Instant Pot Pro Plus isn't the only Instant Pot with the elusive cake and yogurt buttons. The ol' classic Instant Pot Duo Plus did it first, and when a more than 40% discount knocks it this far below $100, it's still a strong contender as The Instant Pot You Should Get™. The 6-quart cooker's control panel covers nine cooking modes total, plus smart presets for more specific recipes like poultry, ribs, soups, and beans, plus Instant's upgraded steam release valve.

More Instant Pots on sale

Other pressure cooker and multicooker deals

SEE ALSO: The WiFi-connected Instant Pot Pro Plus mostly lives up to the pressure, aside from one unchecked box Best kitchen accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Our pick: Stasher Silicone Reusable Storage Bag (64-ounce) $16.62 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $5.37 Get Deal Why we like it

It's not hard to ween yourself off disposable plastic sandwich bags when you have a Stasher bag in reach, and several sizes, shapes, and colors are on sale ahead of Prime Day. These reusable silicone bags are oven-, sous vide-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe, and also make really cute on-the-go containers for snacks. Plus, Stasher says one bag replaces 260 single-use plastic bags per year.

More kitchen accessories on sale

Cookware deals

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

All the best gaming deals you can shop going into Prime Day 2024, from consoles to accessories and beyond

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 7:20 p.m. EDT This article has been update with the latest early Prime Day gaming deals from Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and more.

Best early Prime Day gaming deals 2024 Best PlayStation deal 'Final Fantasy XVI' $29.99 (save $40 at Amazon) Get Deal Best Xbox deal Xbox Series S + 2TB Seagate Expansion Card Bundle $549.98 at Best Buy (save $100) Get Deal Best Nintendo deal Nintendo Switch OLED: Mario Red Edition $341.06 at Amazon (save $8.93) Get Deal

2024 has already been an amazing year for video games. We would maybe even say too good, and by that we mean there's simply too much to play, and our backlogs are looking downright scary (and expensive). Luckily, Prime Day is upon us, which is always a perfect time to start picking up all the new releases you missed out on at a much lower price. You'll still have to find the time to play them, though.

SEE ALSO: It's official: Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale is here and coming for Prime Day

Dodge the FOMO and start stocking up on games, consoles, accessories, and more ahead of Prime Day. Below, we've already started gathering the best deals we could find, so take a look and be sure to stay tuned as we update our list throughout Amazon's multi-day shopping event.

PlayStation deals Opens in a new window Credit: Square Enix 'Final Fantasy XVI' $49.99 at Amazon
Get Deal Why we like it

Final Fantasy XVI is unlike any FF game that came before it, and honestly, we think that's a good thing. That's because Final Fantasy XVI is a truly fantastic character action game that combines engaging combat, an intriguing story, as well as the visual spectacle we've come to expect from the series to make an incredibly worthwhile adventure for all PS5 owners to experience. Ahead of Prime Day, you can save $20 on the game, and it's probably the best price we'll see throughout the event.

PlayStation gamesPlayStation hardware

Headsets

Accessories

Xbox deals Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox / Seagate Xbox Series S + 2TB Seagate Expansion Card Bundle $649.98 at Best Buy
Get Deal Why we like it

The Xbox Series S is awesome, but unfortunately, it comes with less storage space than you'll probably need. That's why we think this bundle is a no-brainer — it comes with the 512GB version of the console itself, with the addition of a 2TB Seagate expansion card. That's a comfortable amount of extra space, and should be extremely helpful as you download all the Xbox Game Pass titles in your backlog. Ahead of Prime Day, Best Buy is offering the bundle for $100 off the usual price.

Xbox gamesXbox hardware

Consoles

Controllers

Headsets

More Xbox deals

Subscriptions

Nintendo Switch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch OLED: Mario Red Edition $341.06 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $8.93 Get Deal Why we like it

If you have any interest in handheld gaming, a Nintendo Switch needs to be part of your repertoire. It's no doorbuster deal, but the Mario Red edition of the OLED model is $9 off the usual price before Amazon Prime Day. The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best Switch yet, with huge updates to the console's display, storage space, processing power, battery life, and more. If you don't have a Switch yet, this is the one you should be buying.

Nintendo Switch gamesNintendo Switch hardware

Consoles

Controllers and accessories

Memory cards

20+ printer deals you can shop going into Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 10, 2024, 4:05 p.m. EDT This article has been updated to include the latest printer and scanner deals ahead of Prime Day 2024.

Early savings on printers and scanners: BEST HP DEAL HP Smart Tank Plus 651 inkjet printer $199.99 at Amazon (save $90) Get Deal BEST CANON DEAL Canon Pixma TR4720 inkjet printer $69.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal BEST EPSON DEAL Epson Workforce ES-580W wireless document scanner $329.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal BEST KODAK DEAL Kodak Dock Plus 4PASS dye-sub photo printer bundle $129.99 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal

If you haven't heard, Prime Day is coming on July 16 and 17. And in typical Amazon fashion, early deals are already popping up. If you're in need of a printer or scanner, in particular, you can already score a sweet discount.

We've already started tracking the best live deals on inkjet printers, laser printers, scanners, and portable photo printers from top brands like HP and Epson. If you'd rather avoid the chaos of shopping on Prime Day, or you just need a printer or scanner ASAP, rest assured you'll still be getting a good deal.

We'll be updating this list with the best Prime Day deals on printers and scanners as they pop up, so if you don't see what you're looking for yet, keep checking back. We expect more discounts to keep flooding in as the big day nears.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Early Prime Day printer deals Opens in a new window Credit: HP Our pick: HP Smart Tank Plus 651 inkjet printer 🔥 $199.99 at Amazon
$289.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The most annoying thing about printers is running out of ink whenever you actually need to print something important. The HP Smart Tank Plus 651 comes with Original HP Ink bottles that will cover you for up to two years of printing. That's 8,000 color pages or 6,000 black-and-white pages right out of the box. It can print, copy, scan, and fax and features a 35-page automatic document feeder, borderless prints, and mobile and wireless printing. While it lacks some more advanced features, it makes up for them in printing volume, compact design, and price.

It's regularly $289.99, but you can pick it up at Amazon for just under $200 ahead of Prime Day — that's 31% in savings and a record-low price. That's not bad considering it covers your ink costs for two years. In comparison, it's currently $20 more at Best Buy and HP's own website.

More printer deals

Inkjet printers

Laser printers

Photo printers (dye-sub)

Early Prime Day scanner deals

Tons of Coleman tents are on sale, plus more of the best outdoor deals going into Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 6:22 p.m. EDT Save up to 50% on tents, sleeping bags, and more ahead of Prime Day.

Best outdoor deals at Amazon ahead of Prime Day Best tent deal Coleman Skylodge 12-person Camping Tent $194.99 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal Best sleeping bag deal Coleman Kompact Lightweight Sleeping Bag for Adults $49.99 (Save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal Best mosquito repellent deal Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent $29.89 (Save $10.10 at Amazon) Get Deal

We're just a single day away from Prime Day(s) on July 16 and 17, and the deals are already piling up. Summer is truly upon us, and it's the perfect time to grab warm-weather savings on tents, sleeping bags, mosquito repellent, and more outdoor and camping gear.

Check out our favorite outdoor finds so far, and keep checking back as we update this list with more deals heading into Prime Day.

All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best tent deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman Skylodge 12-Person Camping Tent $194.99 at Amazon
$389.99 Save $195.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If your camping trips often involve a big group, or you just like extra space to stow your gear, this is the tent for you. Take 45% off this tent that will sleep up to 12 people, has floor-to-ceiling windows for better views and ventilation, and includes a convertible screen room if you want to divide off an area. This roomy tent is 14 x 10 feet, 6.6 feet high in the center, and can fit four queen-size airbeds. Plus, it's built to withstand weather. Spread out and stake your claim on your next camping trip.

Best sleeping bag deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Our pick: Coleman Kompact 40°F Sleeping Bag $49.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

It's summer, and the last thing you want is to be sweating all night long inside a too-hot sleeping bag. Grab this one meant for warmer temps (though it will still protect you at 30 degrees) for 60% off. It's lightweight and comes with a compressible sack for easy transportation. And if night temps are still high, you can always just use it as an extra sleeping pad as you snooze on top.

Best mosquito repellent deal Opens in a new window Credit: Thermacell Thermacell Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent $29.89 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.10 Get Deal Why we like it

The most annoying part of the outdoors? The bugs. Zap the problem with Thermacell's unscented solution that should protect a 20-foot area. Repellent cartridges last 12 hours, and the device is rechargeable with a 5.5-hour battery life. Plus, it's portable, so you can bring it from the pool to the campsite. This bundle comes with one refill cartridge and a charging cable.

More early Prime Day outdoor deals

Tents

Cooler, grills, water bottles and cooking supplies

Misc. outdoor deals

Self-emptying robot vacuums on sale going into Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00
Preview of the best self-emptying robot vacuum deals at Amazon Best budget deal Shark AV2501S AI Ultra $249.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best robot vacuum mop combo deal Eufy X9 Pro $449.99 (save $450 with code X9PROEUFY) Get Deal

If a robot vacuum is the big purchase on your radar this Prime Day, you're clearly someone who sees the value in automating one of the most tedious chores. Consider stretching that convenience past the vacuuming itself with a self-emptying robot vacuum — there are already a handful on sale at Amazon ahead of July 16 (the official kickoff of Prime Day), including a Shark, Eufy, and Narwal model at 50% off.

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineups

Your self-emptying options at Amazon currently range from budget models at $300 or $400 to more premium robot vacuum and mop combos dropping from their usual near $1,000 price point to a more digestible $500-ish price tag. A few of those premium self-empty docks are also decked out with the ability to self-wash and self-dry the mopping pads — the ultimate automation experience, now much more affordable than usual.

If you're not ready to make a move quite yet, keep checking back to this list — we'll be updating it accordingly as Amazon inevitably drops new robovac discounts in the coming weeks. (We'll also let you know when Amazon switches over to calling these official early Prime Day deals.) For now, all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy X9 Pro $449.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $450.00 save with code X9PROEUFY Get Deal Why we like it

Eufy's X9 Pro debuted in fall 2023 and sits right in the sweet spot between the X8 Pro (which doesn't mop) and the X10 Pro Omni (which is sitting at its MSRP of $799.99). Its current discount code X9PROEUFY bumps the discount to a full 50% off, beating the discount seen in mid-June that was exclusive to Prime members.

The X9 Pro is much more reminiscent of the X10 Pro Omni than it is the cheaper X8 Pro: It has a flat edge to get into corners, it mops, empties into a self-cleaning station that washes and dries the mopping pads, and uses AI to detect and avoid small obstacles like phone cables. As a mopper, the X9 Pro provides more elbow grease than many competitors thanks to double-pressurized, rotating mopping heads. These automatically lift above the ground if carpet is detected.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on sale at AmazonMore robot vacuum and mop combos on sale at Amazon

Prime Day Roomba deals are starting to trickle in

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT This list has been updated with a few new Roomba deals that Amazon has dropped in the week before Prime Day. It will be updated accordingly as Amazon inevitably releases more ahead of July 16.

The tea that is the failed acquisition of iRobot by Amazon must not have been too scalding, because Amazon still has a soft spot for Roomba deals.

On and off throughout the year, Amazon drops prices on top Roombas (among other competitive robot vacuums) by up to 50%, whether that's during a shopping holiday like Black Friday or during a random week.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

Prime Day certainly isn't random, though Amazon is quiet on the Roomba front so far this Prime season after dropping a ton of Roomba prices in June. But if they're willing to do that just for the sake of it, we're likely in for a flood of Prime Day Roomba deals ahead of actual Prime Day (July 16 and 17). The iRobot fleet will likely severely outshine the measly deal or two on Shark robot vacuums.

Specifically, our eyes will be peeled for potential 50% off discounts to match the 50% slash we've seen on and off on the Roomba j7, and hopefully a drop below $900 for the Roomba Combo j9+. As soon as any of those drop, we'll refresh this list. While a handful of mediocre Roomba deals are live now, we'll only be highlighting the ones worth your time. All newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Roomba deals at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo i3+ ✨🔥 $329.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $270.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This Roomba is the cheapest version of a Roomba in several categories. The i3 Series is the most affordable collection of Roombas to receive the software update that unlocks smart mapping and app-controlled cleaning of specific rooms, and the "Combo" at the end of the title signifies mopping — the cheapest Roomba series to do so whilst being compatible with a self-empty dock.

So yeah, $329.99 for a triple threat Roomba is quite significant. The caveat here is that, while Amazon isn't officially calling it a Prime Day deal, that record-low pricing is exclusive to Prime members.

More Roombas on sale at Amazon

We'll drop more Roomba deals at Amazon here when we find any that are actually noteworthy.

Robot vacuum deals at Amazon are booming going into the start of Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00
Preview of the best robot vacuum deals at Amazon Best budget deal Shark AV2501S AI Ultra $249.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best self-cleaning station deal iRobot Room Combo j9+ robot vacuum + mop $799 at Amazon (save $600) Get Deal

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 12:00 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with the latest live robot vacuum deals at Amazon the week before Prime Day, including a new Shark and Roomba model at record-low pricing.

After Walmart could barely scrounge up a noteworthy robot vacuum deal for Walmart+ Week, we're banking on Amazon even harder to go off on robot vacuum deals for Prime Day.

We're in good hands, though. Overall, Amazon is already generally the best place to score a robot vacuum on sale at any point during the year, whether that's a shopping holiday or a random Tuesday in September when your current corded vacuum sends you over the edge. Despite ditching its plans to buy iRobot, Amazon is still the best retailer to find a Roomba on sale, slashing Roomba prices by between 25% to 50% throughout the year. We manifested those same Roombas to reach new record-low pricing as Prime Day nears — and our wishes came true. The Roomba Combo j9+ dropped below $800 — its best price ever.

SEE ALSO: Amazon TV deals ahead of Prime Day are actually pretty good

We're similarly hoping that Prime Day sets the stage for new all-time low prices on other premium robot vacs released at CES 2024 in January. Particularly, the Eufy X10 Pro Omni dropping below $650 (that deal has already expired) or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra getting its very first discount would be awesome — we've tested and loved both.

But if you've already taken a beach trip that has left your floors perpetually sandy, you don't have to wait until Prime Day (July 16 and 17) to make the move on a robot vacuum. We've been refreshing our list of robovacs on sale at Amazon (with subcategories for standard robot vacuums and robot vacuums that mop) for several weeks preceding Prime Day, and will keep you posted when Amazon switches over to official early Prime Day deals. For now, all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Early Prime Day robot vacuum and mop deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot Our pick: iRobot Room Combo j9+ robot vacuum + mop 🔥✨ $799.00 at Amazon
$1,399.00 Save $600.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Sound the alarms! The very best Roomba is on sale at its very best price — ever. Its typical price of $1,399 is a whole lot of money to shell out on a vacuum, even if it does a spectacular job of keeping your floors clean. However, this early Prime Day deal gets you 43% savings for a whopping $600 off. That means this combo robot vacuum and mop has officially hit its lowest price ever.

$799 is still a lot of money to spend, but having tested the j9+, we're confident it's worth every penny. Not only will it effortlessly sweep your floors, but it mops them too, using its SmartScrub technique, for some added elbow grease. The self-emptying and charging dock makes this vacuum virtually hands-free as an added water tank refills the smaller tank on the vac.

More robot vacuums on sale at AmazonMore robot vacuum and mop combos on sale at Amazon

Best Prime Day Echo deals: Amazon's smart home devices are falling to record-low prices

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 12:45 p.m. EDT This story has been refreshed with Amazon's latest early Prime Day deals on Echo devices.

The best early Prime Day Echo deals at a glance: Best Echo smart speaker deal Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35 with Prime) Get Deal Best Echo Show smart display deal Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) $84.99 at Amazon (save $65 with Prime) Get Deal Best Echo Buds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd gen) $34.99 at Amazon (save $85 with Prime) Get Deal Best Echo Frames deal Amazon Echo Frames (3rd gen) Prescription Ready + Echo Pop $169.99 at Amazon (save $139.99 with Prime) Get Deal

Amazon loves to keep things in the family on Prime Day: Discounts on its in-house lines of gadgets are plentiful and steep during the retail giant's annual members-only sale. This is especially true for its Alexa-enabled Echo smart home devices and wearables, which frequently enjoy Prime Day deals exceeding the half-off mark. New year-round lows are not uncommon.

In the hours leading up to Prime Day 2024 (set for July 16 and 17), Amazon is in peak form. The just-announced Echo Spot smart alarm clock is on sale for the first time with Prime, while several styles of the third-generation Echo Frames are sitting at all-time low prices (again, only for Prime members).

Most notably, the Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation have hit a new record-low of $34.99 for Team Prime — a 71% discount on their usual retail price of $119.99. Amazon's been advertising early Prime Day device discounts of "up to 55% off" on certain listings, but shoppers can go ahead and ignore that number, apparently.

To be clear: We're not mad. Credit: Screenshot via Amazon

Bundles featuring Echo smart speakers and Echo Show smart displays have also starting to trickle out, though most of the devices themselves have yet to hit their cheapest price points. We'd hold off on adding those to your shopping cart in case they dip further on Prime Day proper.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day 2024 is coming: 100+ of the best early deals you can already shop

Once Prime Day starts, we also expect to see the return of Prime-exclusive record lows on the Echo Pop Kids and Echo Dot Kids, which popped up briefly in late June.

Read on for an overview of the best early Prime Day Echo deals that are worth snagging already, according to Mashable's team of shopping experts. Check back often, as we'll be updating our picks constantly over the course of the next 48-ish ours.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Echo smart speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Spot 🔥 $44.99 at Amazon with Prime
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The all-new Echo Spot is a smart alarm clock with a built-in speaker and a customizable digital face, which shows colorful animations in response to different prompts and questions. (It looks a lot like an upgraded Echo Pop.) You can control it with Alexa voice commands or by tapping its display.

Available in Black, Glacier White, and Ocean Blue, the Spot is now on sale for just $44.99 (normally $79.99) for Prime members through July 17 "in celebration of Prime Day," per an Amazon blog post — a 44% savings. You can also bundle it with a Sengled smart bulb worth $19.99 for just under $2 more.

More Echo smart speaker dealsBest Echo Show smart display deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) 🔥 $84.99 at Amazon with Prime
$149.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal Why we like it

A fall 2023 release, the latest version of Amazon's eight-inch smart display features an edge-to-edge touchscreen display, spatial audio support, and a built-in smart home hub. There's also a centered 13MP camera for video calls. The Mashable team hasn't reviewed the Echo Show 8, but our sister site PCMag called it "the best smart display for most people thanks to its big sound, sensible screen size, and Alexa’s extensive abilities." It earned a 4.5/5 "Outstanding" rating and an Editor's Choice nod over there.

At $84.99 with Prime (or 43% off), this is the Echo Show 8's lowest price since launch; it's now $5 cheaper than it was last Black Friday. Note your options to bundle it with a Sengled smart bulb (worth $19.99) or a Blink Video Doorbell (worth $59.99) for just $2 or $10 more, respectively.

More Echo Show smart display dealsBest Echo Buds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd gen) $34.99 at Amazon with Prime
$119.99 Save $85.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation (2nd Gen).

We'll keep things short and sweet: Thirty-five bucks for comfortable, decent-sounding wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation is just stupid. (Hell, we've never seen the standard Apple AirPods without ANC dip lower than $69.) Less than $10 now separates these 2021 Echo Buds from last year's entry-level/non-ANC version, which have a more polarizing semi-in-ear design, so it's exceptionally easy to recommend them for most people.

More Echo Buds dealsBest Echo Frames deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Amazon Echo Frames (3rd gen) Prescription Ready + Echo Pop 🔥 $169.99 at Amazon with Prime
$309.98 Save $139.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's third-generation Echo Frames are smart glasses that can play music, stream podcasts, and take calls hands-free. They're equipped with Alexa, so you can also use them to control compatible smart home devices. They offer up to 14 hours of battery life and come in up to five styles, depending on the lens type: Black Rectangle, Black Square, Gray Rectangle, Blue Round, and Brown Cat Eye.

All variants of the Echo Frames are currently on sale for a record-low of $169.99 for Prime members — that includes the Frames with prescription-ready lenses (normally $269.99) and with blue light-filtering lenses (normally $299.99). However, only the former come with a free Echo Pop smart speaker worth $39.99.

More Echo Frames dealsEven more Echo deals Prime Day deals you can shop right now

Bluetooth speaker deals are heating up for Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2024, 3:00 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest Bluetooth speaker deals ahead of Prime Day.

A glimpse at the best early Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals: BEST OVERALL Bose SoundLink Flex $99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal BEST AMAZON SMART SPEAKER DEAL Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal BEST SONY SPEAKER DEAL Sony SRSXB13 Extra Bass $34.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal BEST UE SPEAKER DEAL Ultimate Ears Epicboom $286.99 at Amazon (save $63) Get Deal

No summer is complete without a soundtrack. But even if you max out your device's volume, you'll be left disappointed. In order to really crank the songs of the summer wherever you go, you need a Bluetooth speaker.

Fortunately, Amazon Prime Day falls in the dog days of summer (formally July 16 and 17) and serves as a great time to shop for Bluetooth speakers. The mega retailer is known for dropping prices on top audio brands like Bose, Sony, JBL, Sonos, Soundcore, and more.

Though we're still a week out from the official savings event, things are already heating up at Amazon. We've already started tracking the best Bluetooth speaker deals with some standouts from Bose, Sony, and Amazon's own devices — although we expect even better deals to roll in in the coming days.

We'll be updating this page regularly with the latest deals on Bluetooth speakers as Prime Day nears. If you don't see anything that catches your eye just yet, check back soon.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Early Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose SoundLink Flex ✨🔥 $99.00 at Amazon
$149.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The small-but-mighty SoundLink Flex from Bose just dropped to a record-low $99 at Amazon in its limited edition chilled lilac colorway. That's 34% in savings and — unsurprisingly — 99 cents less than the competing Target Circle Week deal. Amazon loves to outshine the competition. The SoundLink Flex's got a rugged texture and is completely waterproof, so it's designed to go wherever you go. It can automatically detect whatever position it's in to give you the most immersive listening experience and it'll last you about half a day on a single charge. If you're a fan of Bose and like the color purple, there's no need to wait until Prime Day to score this deal.

Amazon smart speaker deals

  • Echo Pop — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22) ✨

  • Echo Dot — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25) ✨

  • Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35) ✨🔥

  • Echo — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45) ✨

Sony speaker dealsSoundcore speaker dealsJBL speaker dealsUltimate Ears speaker dealsMore Bluetooth speaker deals

Lots of wireless earbuds from top brands are on sale during Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 10, 2024, 12:45 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with the latest wireless earbud deals ahead of Prime Day, including record low prices on the Apple AirPods Pro and the Amazon Echo Buds.

The best early Prime Day wireless earbuds deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $169.95 at Amazon (save $109.05) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $169 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal BEST JBL DEAL JBL Vibe Buds $28 at Amazon (save $21.95) Get Deal BEST SOUNDCORE DEAL Soundcore Space A40 $50.99 at Amazon (save $29 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

Prime Day doesn't officially start until July 16, but worthwhile discounts are already popping up at Amazon — particularly on wireless earbuds.

We're seeing some early deals on big-name brands like Bose, Sony, Beats, Apple, and JBL, but we expect things to really ramp up in the weeks to come. Still, if you'd rather shop ASAP, you can score the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, Apple AirPods Pro, the JBL Vibe Buds for record-low prices.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2024

As with any Amazon-hosted event, we're also predicting price drops on the mega retailer's own Echo Buds of all shapes and sizes — we've seen it so far on one pair of Echo Buds in a Prime-exclusive deal, but anticipate the deals will get more expansive as the sale draws closer.

Below, we've rounded up a list of the best wireless earbuds deals Amazon has blessed us with ahead of the shopping event of the season. We'll be keeping a lookout for even more to drop as Prime Day nears, so be sure to check back often.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best early Prime Day wireless earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II 🔥 $169.95 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $109.05 Get Deal Why we like it

Ahead of Prime Day's official start, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are sitting at an all-time low of $169.95 (reg. $279) at Amazon. These buds feature a completely personalizable ANC experience, which intelligently adjusts noise cancellation and sound performance based on your environment. They come with three sets of ear tips and stability bands for a comfortable listening experience and last up to six hours on one charge (24 with help from the charging case). While we haven't had a chance to review the newest installment (we reviewed the original QuietComfort Earbuds and mostly loved them), our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have, and they were big fans — honoring them with a 4.5-star rating and an Editor's Choice award.

Apple earbuds early Prime Day dealsJBL earbuds early Prime Day dealsSamsung earbuds early Prime Day dealsSony earbuds early Prime Day deals

None at the time of writing, check back later.

Soundcore earbuds early Prime Day dealsEven more wireless earbuds deals

The best noise-cancelling headphone deals during Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 12, 2024, 10:24 a.m. EDT This post has been updated with the latest deals and availability on noise-cancelling headphones.

The best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals ahead of Prime Day Best headphones deal Apple AirPods Max $398 at Amazon (Save $151) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Beats Studio Buds + $129.99 at Amazon (Save $39.96) Get Deal

Whether you're looking for peaceful summer travel or a little more focus at work, noise-cancelling headphones are a worthwhile investment, and with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, it's one of the best times of year to pick up a pair.

SEE ALSO: Shop early markdowns on Apple Watches ahead of Prime Day 2024

Though Prime Day doesn't kick off officially until July 16, Amazon is releasing early deals in the lead up to the sale, as it has in year's past. You're most likely to see the best and widest selection of headphone and earbud deals come the actual days of Prime Day, but early deals can help save you plenty of cash (and avoid chaos).

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price. Amazon's exclusive invite-only deals are marked with a 📨.

Best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Max 🔥 $151.00 at Amazon
$398.00 Save $247.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

Earlier this week, Walmart's Deals sale brought every pair of AirPods down to new record low prices. Now that Walmart's sale is over some of the prices have jumped back up, but you can still grab the AirPod Maxes at their all-time low if you grab them from Amazon in the pink or green colorway. Though their not our favorite AirPods, at this price point it's much easier to overlook our qualms that they don't fully power off and offer no wired connection at a premium price point, while making it easier to enjoy their impressive sound and ANC.

More headphones and earbuds deals

Headphones

Earbuds

The best headphones and speaker deals during Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 15, 2024, 3:15 p.m. EDT This list has been updated with the latest pricing and availability on the best headphone and speaker deals less than 24 hours before Prime Day.

We gathered the best headphone and speaker deals ahead of Prime Day. Check out our favorites:

Best headphone and speaker deals ahead of Prime Day Best noise-canceling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra $349 at Amazon (Save $80) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $189.99 at Amazon (Save $59.01) Get Deal Best wireless earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II $169.95 at Amazon (Save $109.05) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 $67.99 at Amazon (Save $32) Get Deal

Prime Day is officially less than 24 hours away, but you don't have to wait to score a good deal on headphones or speakers. Start shopping a day early, and you can score a record-low pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultras or Earbuds II.

Other exciting deals ahead of Amazon's mega-sale include markdowns on JBL Tune noise-canceling headphones, Bluetooth speakers from Ultimate Ears, and even an invite-only offering for Sony headphone fans. AirPods were down to all-time lows a couple weeks prior to Prime Day, but at the time of writing are back up to a less exciting deal price.

SEE ALSO: Walmart vs. Amazon: Which retail giant has the best deals?

We'll be keeping this post updated with this best deals at Amazon in the lead up to Prime Day, so check back if you don't see anything catching your eye quite yet.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price. Amazon's exclusive invite-only deals are marked with a 📨.

Best noise-canceling headphones deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra 🔥✨ $349.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like this

If comfort is your number one priority when it comes to noise-canceling headphones, may I present to you the Bose QuietComfort Ultras. If the name isn't enough of a giveaway, Mashable's Sam Mangino tested them out and confirmed, "These are the most comfortable pair of headphones you can buy right now." These babies offer all-day battery life (even with noise-canceling engaged) and solid noise cancellation quality with three different audio settings. They're not the most intuitive and the price is a bit steep at $429. However, ahead of Prime Day, you can snag them for a more affordable $349 instead.

More noise-canceling headphones dealsBest AirPods deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Shop Now Why we like this

While they're not an essential upgrade if you're already the proud owner of the first-generation AirPods Pro, the second-generation earbuds are definitely better "in many small ways," Mashable's Stan Schroeder writes. He adds that the sound is excellent and the noise cancellation is superb. They're currently on sale for $189.99 a day before Prime Day, but we're expecting that price to drop further. Keep an eye out for an even better price drop.

More AirPods dealsBest wireless earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II🔥 $169.95 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $109.05 Get Deal Why we like this

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are down to their lowest price ever, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel. Though these earbuds were released in 2022, they remain an Editor's Choice award winner at our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) thanks to their "astoundingly effective noise cancellation" and sound signature that's great for "anyone who likes rich bass and bright highs." At $169.95, these earbuds are much more affordable than newer premium models while offering you a similar product, minus extras like turning the ANC off or wireless charging for the case.

More wireless earbuds dealsBest Bluetooth speakers deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Our pick: Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 $67.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $32.00 Shop Now Why we like this

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 is a great value speaker when it's at full price, making it even more of a get marked down about $32. The price cut comes as Ultimate Ears has just released their next gen of the speaker (we're currently testing it to see if it belongs on the list of our favorites), but it doesn't seem there's a stark difference between the two speakers. If you need a speaker that's compact and rugged, and don't care too much about having customizable EQ or a companion app, the Wonderboom 3 will check your boxes.

More Bluetooth speaker deals

Amazon's Prime Day TV deals are actually pretty good

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 10, 2024, 11:15 a.m. EDT This list has been updated with the latest live TV deals the week before Prime Day, including multiple options at new record-low pricing.

Check out the best TV deals ahead of Prime Day.

A quick look at the best early Prime Day TV deals Best 43-inch TV deal Amazon 359.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best 55-inch TV deal LG 55-inch 85 Series QNED 4K TV 699.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch Q6 QLED 4K TV 398 (save $301.99) Get Deal Best 85-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 ULED 4K TV $1,098 (save $401.99) Get Deal

Prime Day can surely be counted as one of the best times of year to buy a TV, depending on the type of TV you're in the market for. If that's a budget-friendly QLED model or Fire TV, you're in luck — you even have a handful of options for decent deals before Prime Day actually starts.

While Amazon hasn't marked any of these deals as official early Prime Day deals yet, several are worth considering if you want that new TV now (rather than waiting until July 16). More than one match the lowest price we've ever seen on those models at Amazon, or are close. We're still hanging on to hope for a major invite-only TV deal like 2023's $99 43-inch Omni 4K TV that had our collective jaw on the floor. Several TVs at Amazon also currently have a 90-day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited attached to them — a nice $11ish per month break from Spotify or Apple Music if you're currently paying for that.

SEE ALSO: Target's Circle Week is here — grab deals through July 13

At any rate, Amazon is wise to drop some steals now before Best Buy inevitably rolls out a sale during Prime Day, likely stealing Amazon's thunder when it comes to TVs on sale.

We'll be updating our list of TVs on sale at Amazon throughout the weeks leading up to Prime Day and will keep you posted when Amazon makes the big switch to official early Prime Day deals. For now, all newly-added deals are marked with a ✨, while anything marked with a 🔥 has dropped to an all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Q6 QLED 4K TV 🔥 $398.00 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $301.99 Get Deal Why we like it

TCL's Q6 TV is one of the most impressive cheap QLED TVs out there right now, so the opportunity to score the big 65-inch version for under $400 (taking the cake for the cheapest it's ever been at Amazon) is seriously sweet for anyone looking to ditch their old, muted LED TV. For the price, the Q6 gets bright enough to make HDR worthwhile, complemented by the noticeable boosted color accuracy from the layer of quantum dots.

More TVs on sale at Amazon

You should probably wait to get a Fire Tablet until Prime Day starts, but there were a few on sale ahead of the big event

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2024, 11:10 a.m. EDT This article has been update with the latest Fire Tablet deals ahead of Amazon Prime Day.

It wouldn't be a proper Prime Day without a slew of early deals to shop before the big event (which takes place on July 16 and 17 this year). When it comes to Amazon's popular Fire Tablets, the deals aren't all that great just yet, but there are a few options on sale that could be the right fit if you're desperate to separate yourself from the iPad crowd and can't wait until Prime Day officially begins.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner — here's how to find the best deals

While we do think you should probably wait until July 16 (the deals will most likely be a lot better), who are we to tell you not to buy a Fire Tablet right now? If you're ready to throw your credit card down, check out our top early Prime Day Fire Tablet deals below and snag your favorite.

Best early Prime Day Fire Tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (64GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Any day you can get a new Fire Tablet for under $100 is a good day. This Fire HD 10 is fully kitted out with the maximum amount of storage, and features great performance even though it's not the latest generation model. It's also got a 13-hour battery life and a 5MP front-facing camera. Pick one up ahead of Prime Day and score $95 in savings — it's just $84.99.

More early Prime Day Fire Tablet deals

Fire Tablets

Fire Tablet accessories

The best Kindle deals you can get during Prime Day 2024

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 12, 2024, 9:54 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest Kindle deals ahead of Prime Day 2024.

Best Prime Day Kindle deals at a glance: BEST KINDLE DEAL Kindle Scribe (16GB, Premium Pen) $259.99 (save $110) Get Deal BEST KINDLE DEAL FOR KIDS Kindle Paperwhite Kids $319.98 (Save $20 when you purchase two) Get Deal BEST KINDLE BUNDLE DEAL Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle $174.97 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is still a few days away, but the deals started rolling in weeks ago. If you're a reader looking to finally make the jump to e-readers, or you already have a Kindle in need of an upgrade, we've got good news for you: Some Prime Day Kindle deals are already live ahead of the official day. A lot of deals are yet to come as we inch closer to Prime Day, but if you're in a hurry to get a Kindle right away, you can still save some cash with the active deals right now. Apple's iPads are also discounted right now, and so are some other tablets if you want a device for more than reading.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Prime Day 2024

As much as we love the feel of physical books, a Kindle just makes more sense nowadays, especially if you like to read on the go, read between books before you finish them, or have a back-up book on deck. If you're going through books too quickly, an e-reader that can store hundreds of books, while being easy on your eyes and not needing to be plugged in all the time might be the ideal option for you.

There hasn't been a new Kindle model since the 2022 entry-level Amazon Kindle refresh, so we'd love to expect greater discounts than ever before. However, we saw the lowest price ever on the Kindle Paperwhite last Prime Day, and then smaller discounts for Amazon's October Prime Day and Black Friday. So, we're not expecting record-low prices this summer — at least not on the Kindle Paperwhite. While the discounts on all of the Kindle models haven't been unveiled just yet, here are the best Prime Day Kindle deals you can get right this moment.

We'll be updating this page throughout the official savings event, so stay tuned for more to come.

Note: All newly added deals are marked with a ✨, while deals with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best early Prime Day Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Our pick: Kindle Scribe (16GB, Premium Pen) ✨🔥 $259.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $110.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the Kindle Scribe.

It's not a perfect device, but the Kindle Scribe is the most versatile option for those looking for a smoother transition into e-reading. It comes with a stylus to mark up whatever you're reading, bridging the gap between the traditional and digital world. Feel free to highlight, take notes in the margins, and doodle to your heart's content. The digital drawing features aren't the best out there, but if you're a note-taking reader, this is your best bet. The 16GB version with the Premium Pen is on sale for just $259.99 ahead of Prime Day — that's 30% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Featured Video For You Prime Day 2024: 5 must-shop product categories Best Kindle deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Our pick: Kindle Paperwhite Kids $319.98 at Amazon
$339.98 Save $20.00 Save $20 when you purchase two Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids.

Got two little bookworms? With this deal, you can save $20 by snagging two Kindle Paperwhite Kids devices. Unlike typical tablets, the Kindle Paperwhite Kids doesn't get access to apps, videos, or games, making for a distraction-free reading device for your kiddos. Just add two to your cart and the discount will automatically be applied.

More Kindle deals

There are already some great discounts on 2-in-1 laptops at the start of Amazon Prime Day

Tue, 07/16/2024 - 03:00

UPDATE: Jul. 9, 2024, 11:15 a.m. EDT This article has been updated with the latest 2-in-1 laptop deals ahead of Amazon Prime Day.

Can you believe we're just a week away from Amazon Prime Day? Neither can we. This one really crept up on us. But as usual, we're more than prepared to help you hunt down the best deals during the big event, as well as ahead of it. That's right, the discounts have already begun — but we're on top of it.

If you're looking to buy a new laptop during this year's Prime festivities, you're in luck — Prime Day is always a good time to shop for a new computer, and this time around is no different. Specifically, 2-in-1 laptop deals are starting to pop off in a big way.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner — here's how to find the best deals

Check out our top deals on convertible laptops from brands like Acer, HP, and others before the official start of Prime Day below. Stay tuned to this article, though, because we'll be updating it continuously as more offers roll in.

Best early Prime Day 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Envy x360 15 (Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, Intel Graphics, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $869.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The HP Envy x360 15 is a promising 2-in-1 device, bundling together everything you need in a convertible laptop without tacking on an overly expensive price tag. The specs are pretty good for the price, including an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, which should net you enough speed and power to tackle most of your daily tasks. You'll also get 512GB of SSD storage, and a nice 15-inch touchscreen for when you're using the device in tablet mode. Ahead of Prime Day, you can grab one for just $869.99, saving you $130.

More early Prime Day 2-in-1 laptop deals

Acer

Dell

HP

Lenovo

LG Gram

Samsung

Pages