prime day 2022

The Best Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals

Illustration: Pedro Nekoi

Amazon Prime Day is one of the best shopping events for scoring big deals on tech products. It’s a good time to shop for steeply discounted electronics, home audio gear, and devices and gadgets — but there’s an overwhelming amount of them to sort through. To help you find the deals that are actually worth your money, we rounded up the best products we’ve covered (and some that we’ve tested ourselves), and would heartily recommend.

We’re done updating this article for today, but you can shop most of the deals below until 3 a.m. ET, July 14, when Prime Day ends. They might sell out before then, though, so be sure to act quickly.

We publish new sales posts daily, so for more deals on the products we love, sign up for our email newsletter. Happy shopping — and deal-finding!

Audio | E-readers | TVs and streaming devices | Smart home | Computers and computer accessories | Smartwatches and fitness trackers | Cameras and mobile accessories

Audio

The XM4s allow you to connect to two devices at once, which is great for anyone who needs to switch between phone calls and computer audio. Former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman named them the best noise-canceling headphones, noting the excellent audio quality and how comfortable they are. “When I first took them out of the box, I couldn’t believe how light they felt,” he writes.

Apple AirPods Pro 2
$190
$190

In our roundup of the best wireless earbuds, we picked the AirPods Pro as the best noise-cancelling pair for iPhone users.

This is the speaker that multiple Strategist editors take everywhere. “Of all the brands and models of portable speakers we very obsessive shoppers swear by, none is more endorsed than the Wonderboom,” writes associate editor Louis Cheslaw.

These are the earbud version of the Strategist-favorite Bose over-ear noise cancelling headphones, which are superb for travel. The QuietComfort earbuds block out exterior noise in a slimmer, more portable package than the headphone version, and this price is the cheapest we’ve ever seen.

The Stanmore II may look retro, but it comes with modern features like volume, bass, and treble adjustment knobs, and phone compatibility via the Marshall app, which allows you to change sound settings on your phone. Bonus: it’s Alexa-enabled, too.

Jabra Elite 85t
$170

These tiny wireless earbuds are our favorites for Android users. “When I put these in my ears, I was shocked at how small and comfortable they are,” writes former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman. This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for these earbuds.

These are the earbud-versions of the Sony headphones above, and they’re a Strategist favorite: “Their noise-canceling is so good it feels like these tiny earbuds are now competing with their class-leading big sibling, the over-the-ear Sony WH-1000XM4,” writes Bowman in his review.

This is a newer version of a Bose speaker that comes recommended by actress-singer Dove Cameron. “I’m a big fan of bass, which is why this Bose speaker is one of my favorites. It’s really small and really portable, but the bass is super intense,” she tells former Strategist writer Chloe Anello.

E-readers

The Kindle will always be a great gift for voracious readers, but now is a chance to score one (for someone else, or yourself) for half-off. In 2018, Strategist editor Maxine Builder praised the Kindle for its simplicity: “At the end of the day, that’s all I really want from my tech: for it to be something that does exactly what it says it will and makes it a little easier to do the things that I enjoy, like get sucked into a good novel, no matter where I am.”

TVs and streaming devices

Roku Ultra
$93

For many people, the Roku Ultra is the overall best streaming device you can buy. “At less than half the cost of the Apple TV, it offers most of the same functionality and supports mirroring technology for both PCs and Apple devices,” wrote Strategist contributor Angela Lashbrook. It’s not as steeply discounted as other deals on this list, but given the Roku Ultra’s solid Wi-Fi connectivity and reliability, we think this is a solid Prime Day deal worth taking advantage of.

The 77-inch version of this LG smart TV is one of NBA player Kyle Kuzma’s favorite things. “The definition you get from this TV is unreal,” he told former Strategist writer Chloe Anello. “It delivers the smoothest motion and sharpest picture. I watch a lot of movies and sports games and I game a lot, too. This is great for all of that — it takes the home-entertainment experience to a whole new level.”

The Frame’s matte display prevents it from being another typical, black-rectangle eyesore in the living room. “I’ve got family members and co-workers who’ve all bought The Frame in the last year because of how well it disguises itself as a piece of art when not being used,” writes Chris Welch, an editor and reviewer at the Verge.

This smart TV is designed to work with Alexa, so you can ditch the remote and control what you watch with your voice.

Sony makes high-quality TVs, so we get excited when we can find them on sale. At more than $1,000 off, this Alexa-compatible 4K TV is at the lowest price we’ve seen.

If you’re looking for an easy plug-and-play streaming setup, consider Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. Note: you can only stream 4K content on a 4K TV.

Smart home

Google Nest Thermostat
$115
$115

Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman picked this model from Google as the best smart thermostat. It “makes suggestions on scheduling tweaks to help you save energy,” Schurman writes, “while also tracking and alerting you to odd patterns in your heating and cooling usage.”

We recommend this Blink security camera if you’re looking to use it outside the home and want to store video clips and photos in the cloud. Note: Now’s a good time to shop for a security camera. Nearly every model we recommend is currently on sale.

The G20 is our pick for best overall robot vacuum because of its notable suction power. What’s even more notable is that senior writer Liza Corsillo credits an older version of this Eufy with saving her relationship. For those reasons, this is a Prime Day deal you should take advantage of.

We picked the iRobot Roomba i7+ 7550 as the best self-emptying vacuum in our roundup of the best robot vacuum cleaners.

This smart picture frame allows you to display photos from your phone or email. One of our favorite features is the sensor, which turns off the device when you’re not in the room, and wakes the frame when you enter. (Nixplay also makes a touchscreen version, which we wrote about in our roundup of the best digital picture frames.)

You can stick this top-rated security camera anywhere inside or outside your home and get alerts sent to your phone via the Ring app.

Ring Video Doorbell Pro
$100

Former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson picked Ring video doorbells as the best less-expensive video doorbell. “They’re a natural choice for people already using Amazon smart home products,” she writes, “as you can stream doorbell footage to an Echo Show or interact with the doorbell (by talking to someone at your door, for example) via Alexa.” The Pro model came recommended by several experts Adelson spoke to.

$30

Smaller than a soda can, this tiny indoor camera is one of the best-rated indoor security cameras that we recommend. It’s great for keeping track of pets at home.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
$55
$55

We called the Amazon Echo the “brain of your entire smart-home operation.” And we’ve never seen the Echo Dot this cheap.

This digital picture frame from Aura was the best thing that Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio bought last year. Through the frame’s smartphone app, you can add photos from your camera roll — and so can your friends or family. “This idea was so appealing that I purchased two more frames — one as a gift for a beloved aunt in Texas, and one for my parents,” Trolio writes.

$15

This smart plug is ideal for users “who want to install security lighting outdoors that they can run from a smartphone app,” writes Strategist contributor Kyle Schurman, who named this Kasa plug the best option for powering things outdoors.

Computers and computer accessories

This handy 11.6-inch laptop is $100 off right now. We wrote about the Samsung Chromebook 4’s bigger brother, the 4+, in our Chromebook roundup. The 4+ is a better option if you want more storage space for storing big files, music, or videos.

We recommend the M5 if you’re looking to use your monitor as a television, too. It has a smart operating system — like the ones you’d find in smart TVs — that allows you to stream content to your monitor without having to turn on your computer.

Plug the Beacon into any wall outlet and extend the range of Wi-Fi connectivity in your home — up to 1,500 square feet. This nightlight-sized device is ideal for folks who might be using the internet across multiple areas of the home (we see you, remote workers).

This sleek, wireless keyboard can connect up to three different devices at once. Former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman says the keys feel responsive, yet are “completely quiet.” This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for this keyboard.

In his roundup of the best keyboards, Bowman selected the Huntsman as the best option for gaming.

Bowman also likes this three-quarter-size keyboard: “After testing the Keychron K3, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a compact mechanical keyboard, whether they have smaller desks or just don’t want to lose the space required for a full-size option,” he writes.

We featured this wired headset in our roundup of the best gifts for gamers, according to gamers.

The wireless G502 tops our list for the best gaming mouses. Cameron Faulkner, a staff writer at the Verge, likes that the G502 doesn’t have any noticeable lag, despite being wireless. At $85, it’s the cheapest we’ve seen.

Photo: retailer

Associate editor Louis Cheslaw loves his MX Master 2S. “There’s a natural resting place for each of your fingers on its soft matte-black surface, and all of its nine (yes, nine) customizable controls are placed very intuitively on its body,” he writes.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers

Now is a great time to save over $100 on Apple’s most premium watch. The Series 7 comes with GPS and cellular connectivity, making it a handy fitness tracker and companion for folks who are always on the move. “The Apple Watch is in a class entirely of its own right now,” writes former Verge executive editor Dieter Bohn in his review. “Nothing else is as good for iPhone users and nothing like it is available for Android users.”

Runner Erin Azar (a.k.a. Mrs. Space Cadet) loves her Forerunner 245. “It’s a real quick one-button start to begin my run,” she says. “It has an auto-pause feature, which I really like, and the Garmin Connect app is really easy too: You can open it up, and it summarizes your whole day — your run, your sleep, and whatever else you want on your main screen there.”

This simple Garmin watch is one of professional runner Nia Akins’s favorite pieces of gear, and she has relied on it for most of her career to provide just a few basic functions: pace, time, and distance. It’s still working perfectly for her after years of use.

Former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson picked the Halo as the best fitness tracker for everyday activities. Unlike most other fitness trackers, the Halo doesn’t have a screen — which some users might like, since it will keep them from constantly checking their wrists.

Cameras and mobile accessories

This is one of the best deals we’ve seen on this adventure camera bundle, which includes a GoPro HERO8, two rechargeable batteries, protective housing (waterproof down to 60 meters), and a carrying case.

Now’s a great time to save $500 on Sony’s pro-level A7R IV camera. “Do most people need 61 megapixels worth of image data? No. Definitely not,” wrote The Verge editor and product reviewer Chris Welch. “But the pro users who crave more and more resolution to work with will be drawn to [this] camera.”

These nickel-sized Bluetooth trackers help you locate keys, bags, or anything else you stick them in. We think they’re a great gift for anyone, but especially dads who often find themselves patting their pockets in a panic.

Sony ZV-1 Digital Camera
$648
$648

If you’re into vlogging, consider Sony’s ZV-1 — a camera designed for just that. Former Verge executive editor Dieter Bohn called it “an $800 camera that has a lot of very advanced video features and a handful of quirky or frustrating limitations.” Read his full review here.

Strategist contributor David Pogue hated all wireless chargers until he found these stands from Anker. “It solves the flat-on-the-back problem with a screamingly obvious design change: It’s a stand. It props your phone up so you can see it from your pillow or across the room,” he writes. (Note: if you want to plug these stands into a wall outlet, you need to provide your own power adapter; this set only comes with USB cables.)

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

15 Best Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals