With Amazon Prime Day only a few days away, the early deals are in full swing. Prime members can pick up things like Echo Dots, Kindles, Fire TV devices and more for less right now, while anyone can pick up the latest Apple TV 4K for one of the best pr…
Google’s Nest Audio smart speaker is down to $60 right now
Even Google devices are getting discounted ahead of Amazon Prime Day. Wellbots currently has a few Nest gadgets at some of the best prices we’ve seen. The Nest Audio smart speaker is $40 off and down to $60 with the code EGDT40 at checkout, while the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are on sale for $60 (using the same code) and $169 (with the code EGDT60), respectively.
Buy Nest Audio at Wellbots – $60Buy Nest Hub at Wellbots – $60Buy Nest Hub Max at Wellbots – $169
Even though the Nest Audio came out in 2020, we still consider it to be one of the best smart speakers you can get. And if you already live in the Google ecosystem, it’s a no-brainer. The speaker has an unassuming yet attractive design, plus great audio quality that’s made even better if you pair two of them together and use them in stereo mode. There are better speakers out there if you’re mostly concerned with audio quality, but the Nest Audio excels at being a solid music-machine that also houses the Google Assistant. You can use voice commands to add events to your calendar, check the forecast, control smart home gadgets, play specific music and more.
Either of the Nest Hubs on sale are better if you like the idea of having a display to show you all of the information you ask the Assistant to gather for you. The standard Nest Hub is basically a Nest Audio but with an added touchscreen, plus it has sleep-tracking capabilities if you place it next to your bed. We also appreciate that the second-gen version has clearer, louder audio and even speedier Google Assistant performance. As for the Nest Hub Max, it’s the one to get if you want the best audio quality possible, plus as big of a screen as you can get on any Nest smart device.
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Roku’s Streambar drops to $90 ahead of Prime Day
Now’s a good time to pick up a new Roku device while a bunch of them are on sale before Prime Day even begins. Roku has cut prices of most of its streaming devices and soundbars, including the compact Streambar, which is 31 percent off and down to $90 right now. Other noteworthy discounts include the 2022 Roku Ultra for $80, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for $30 and the Roku Express 4K+ for $25.
Shop Roku deals at AmazonBuy Streambar at Amazon – $90
The Streambar impressed us enough to earn a score of 86 in our review. It’s a multipurpose device that’s best for those that want an updating streaming gadget that also has solid audio chops. As a soundbar, it pumps out much better audio than your aging TV does, and it even works as a Bluetooth speaker, too. And unlike most soundbars, it won’t take up too much space in your setup as it’s only about the size of a carton of eggs.
In addition to being a solid soundbar, the Streambar also has Roku’s 4K HDR streaming technology inside. That means it can be your primary gateway to services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others. We also like that it comes with a voice remote that you can use to ask the device to find your favorite shows and movies.
If you primarily care about getting the best streaming experience possible, the Roku Ultra is the better device to get. It supports 4K HDR10+ content and Dolby Atmos, plus it has the best WiFi speeds out of any Roku device. It also has an Ethernet port on it, so you can hardwire it into your setup if you wish. You also get an HDMI cable with it, along with a voice remote and a pair of headphones for private listening. Both the Streaming Stick 4K and the Express 4K+ are better for those on a budget, and the main differences between them are that the Streaming Stick 4K supports Dolby Vision and long-range WiFi — two features you won’t get on the Express 4K+.
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Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2022
With Amazon Prime Day less than a week away, it’s a good time to start thinking about the things you’ll want to look for once the deal wave hits. Everything from gadgets to clothes to household necessities will be on sale during the 48-hour event, and …
Fitbit’s Charge 5 fitness tracker is on sale for $110 right now
A new sale at Wellbots knocks the Fitbit Charge 5 down to the best price we’ve seen it. The GPS-toting fitness band is on sale for $110, or $40 off its usual price, when you use the code ENGDTRUN40 at checkout. If you want something more advanced, Fitbit’s Sense smartwatch is $120 off and down to $180 when you use the code ENGDTRUN120 at checkout.
Buy Charge 5 at Wellbots – $110Buy Sense at Wellbots – $180
The Charge 5 is Fitbit’s most capable fitness tracker and it earned a score of 82 from us. It’s pretty similar to the Charge 4 that came before it, but it now has a full color touchscreen with an always-on mode that will make it easier to glance down at the time and activity information on your watch screen. It’s also 10 percent thinner than its predecessor, making it even more low-profile than before and, more importantly, more subtle than many smartwatches.
The Charge 5 is a good option for those that prefer the band style but don’t want to compromise when it comes to fitness chops. It has a built-in GPS for mapping outdoor workouts, plus an all-day heart rate monitor as well. It tracks activity and sleep while you’re wearing it, and it comes with Fitbit Pay as a standard feature, which means you can go out for a coffee after your run and pay using NFC tech.
Bands like the Charge 5 also tend to have better battery lives than their smartwatch counterparts. In fact, the Charge 5 lasted about 2.5 days in our testing with the screen in always-on mode. That’s already more than you’ll get out of most smartwatches, but if you turn off the always-on feature, you’ll get a total of five days of life out of the wearable.
But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, Fitbit’s Sense smartwatch has a few extra features you won’t find on the Charge 5. You’ll get stress tracking with EDA sensors, plus blood oxygen and skin temperature monitoring. It’s the most advanced smartwatch that the company makes, and since it typically costs $300, it’s worth considering while you can get it for more than $100 off.
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Amazon’s kid-focused Glow device is 55 percent off for Prime members
With early Prime Day deals in full swing, Amazon has discounted one of its more niche devices for Prime members. The Glow, Amazon’s interactive video-call and projector device, is down to $150 ahead of Prime Day, which is 55 percent off its normal price. That’s also the best price we’ve seen on the gadget since it became widely available in the US earlier this year.
Buy Glow (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $150
The unique device combines an 8-inch LCD display with a projector that creates a 19-inch touch-sensitive surface in front of it. This allows kids to play games using the projected touch screen while video chatting with parents or other loved ones, who can also see the play surface and what the kids are doing. Adults can also join in on the games via their own smartphones or tablets. The Glow comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, too, which includes a bunch of compatible games for the device.
While admittedly a niche device, the Glow could be a good solution for parents who don’t mind their kids playing digital games but would prefer something more interactive than what a standard tablet could offer. Kids can interact with things like digital storybooks with animations, card games, puzzles and more, and create digital art as well. The Glow also works with Tangram Bits, which are physical pieces that kids can use to solve digital puzzles projected in front of them by the device.
The Glow is likely a bit of a hard sell at its normal price of $330, but Prime members may find it more enticing while on sale like this. At $150, it’s currently cheaper than picking up a Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet, but that could change if you’re willing to wait until Prime Day proper, when it’s likely that most of Amazon’s kid-centric tablets will be discounted, too.
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Amazon’s Fire TV Cube drops to $60 in early Prime Day deal
A bunch of Amazon devices are starting to go on sale for Prime members ahead of the two-day shopping event next week, and that includes the company’s most powerful streaming device. The Fire TV Cube has now been discounted to $60 for Prime members, which is $10 cheaper than its previous all-time low. Amazon appears to be staggering out its early Prime Day deals because the Fire TV Cube is one of two streaming gadgets on sale right now, the other being the Fire TV Stick 4K, which is $10 off and down to $40 for everyone — not just Prime members.
Buy Fire TV Cube (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $60Buy Fire TV Stick 4K at Amazon – $40
The Fire TV Cube is Amazon’s most capable streamer, with support for 4K content, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR10+. It also works as an Alexa speaker as well with its built-in mics. Not only can you ask Alexa to look up TV shows and movies you want to watch, but you can also ask the voice assistant to do things like control smart lights, add things to your shopping list and more. The Cube is the only Fire TV device that has hands-free Alexa support, making it a good option for those that want a new streaming device and basic virtual assistant features in one device.
If you’re looking for something more portable, or just an even more budget-friendly device, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a good option. Like the Fire TV Cube, it also supports 4K HDR streaming with Dolby Vision and Atmos support. However, its dongle-like design makes it easy to toss in a bag before you go on vacation or ever so slightly easier to install on your aging TV. It also supports voice commands via the Alexa remote that comes with it.
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The best 4th of July tech sales we could find
Between the July 4th holiday and Amazon Prime Day coming up in a couple of weeks, there are a bunch of tech deals available right now. Solo Stove’s Independence Day sale knocks up to 45 percent off fire pits, while our favorite ThermoWorks food thermom…
Sonos’ latest refurbished sale knocks $360 off the Arc soundbar
Sonos has discounted many of its refurbished speakers to some of the best prices we’ve seen. A refurbished Arc will set you back just about $540, which is a whopping $360 cheaper than a brand new model. The Sonos Five, one of our favorite music-focused speakers, normally costs $549, but a refurbished model is on sale for just over $373, so you can save about $175. And if you’re looking to get your first Sonos speaker, we recommend the Sonos One SL, which you can pick up refurbished for only $119.
Shop Sonos refurbished saleBuy Arc (refurbished) at Sonos – $540Buy Five (refurbished) at Sonos – $373Buy One SL (refurbished) at Sonos – $119
You might be hesitant to buy a refurbished gadget, and that’s why it’s important to check out the conditions of a company’s refurbished program before doing so. Sonos includes all necessary accessories, manuals and replacement parts with its refurbished devices, and they come with the same one-year warranty as new items, too. Considering how expensive it can get to build your dream home entertainment system (whether with all Sonos devices or not), going the refurbished route is a good option if you’re on a budget.
The Sonos Arc soundbar is one of our favorites and we gave it a score of 85 when it first came out. We like its modern design, excellent sound quality, support for Dolby Atmos and directional audio, plus its ability to recalibrate to your living room when you add additional speakers into the mix. The Sonos Five, on the other hand, is really for music lovers and those who want the best audio quality possible. We also appreciate its simple setup process and how easily it can be added to existing Sonos systems.
Alternatively, the Sonos One SL is a good option for those who don’t have a sound system in place yet. It’s the microphone-free version of the Sonos One, which means it’s also good for those who don’t care to have a virtual assistant speaker in their homes. It has a compact yet attractive design, great sound quality, WiFi and AirPlay 2 support, and stereo audio capabilities when you pair two of them together. Plus, it’s one of the cheaper options you can get from Sonos — a brand new one costs $199, which isn’t bad, but grabbing a refurbished model for $119 is even better.
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Anova’s Precision Cooker Nano drops to $99 at Amazon
If you’re looking to experiment more in the kitchen, sous vide cooking could be a way to do that. Anova makes a couple of WiFi-connected sous vide machines that we like, and our favorite, the Precision Cooker Nano, is back on sale for $99. That’s 34 percent off and one of the best prices we’ve seen it, making it a good time to grab the entry-level device.
Buy Precision Cooker Nano at Amazon – $99
You’ll need a couple of things to give sous vide a try, but the one that you probably don’t already have at home is a machine like the Nano. This method of cooking involves putting food in a sealable bag and then cooking it in a water bath. Devices like the Nano constantly circulate that water while keeping it at a precise temperature so your food comes out perfectly done, not over- or undercooked.
Anova’s Precision Cooker Nano earned a spot on our list of favorite kitchen gadgets because it combines affordability and precision in a compact device. Normally priced at $149, the Nano comes in at only 1.7 pounds and its small enough to fit in your kitchen’s utensil drawer. It uses 750 watts of power to heat water for up to 3,000 hours before you’ll need to recharge it, so you’ll be able to conduct a number of sous vide tests before it needs more juice.
The Nano has onboard controls that you can use to adjust temperature and timing, or you can connect it via Bluetooth to your phone and do so via its companion mobile app. Unlike more expensive Anova machines, the Nano doesn’t connect via WiFi, and it also has a fixed clamp that attaches to your cooking pot, rather than an adjustable one. Aside from those features, the biggest differences between the Nano and Anova’s standard Precision Cooker lie in wattage and size. But we think the Nano is a great option for all home cooks, and sous vide newbies will find it especially easy to use.
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