The Apple Watch Series 7 drops to $312 at Amazon

Amazon has brought back a great price on the Apple Watch Series 7. The 41mm blue model is on sale for $312 right now, or $87 off its normal price. That’s close to the all-time-low price we’ve seen on the Series 7, but the best prices vary depending on your choice of color. If blue isn’t your style, the midnight, starlight and green models are on sale for $329 each at the moment, too.

Buy Series 7 (41mm, blue) at Amazon – $312

The Series 7 wasn’t a huge departure from the Series 6 that came before it, but Apple did make a few key updates. First and foremost, the Series 7 has more screen space, making it easier to see text and graphics. It’s also the first Apple Watch that’s IP6X dust resistant, so it’s a bit more durable than previous models. Finally, it supports faster charging that can power up the wearable from 0 to 100 in less than an hour.

Otherwise, the Series 7 shares most of the same features with the previous edition. It has an always-on display, built-in GPS, heart rate monitor, ECG tool and blood oxygen measurement capabilities, along with things like fall detection, Emergency SOS and more. Our biggest gripe with it is that its sleep tracking abilities are a bit lackluster. It mostly tracks how long you slept the night before as well as respiration rate, but you’ll get much more information from competing devices from the likes of Fitbit, Garmin and others. Nevertheless, we still consider the Apple Watch Series 7 to be the best smartwatch available right now. 

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Amazon discounts Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras ahead of Prime Day

If you’ve had any Blink cameras on your to-buy list, you’re in luck. Amazon has discounted both the Indoor and Outdoor versions of its compact, wireless security cameras for Prime members, so you can get a Blink Indoor one-camera pack for $55 and a Blink Outdoor one-camera bundle for $60. The wired Blink Mini has also dropped in price to $30, while the Blink Video Doorbell has been discounted to only $35.

Buy Blink Indoor (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $55Buy Blink Outdoor (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $60Buy Blink Mini (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $30Buy Blink Video Doorbell (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $35

Blink cameras are affordable options for those that want some kind of security camera network keeping watch over their home. Blink Indoor and Outdoor cameras share most of the same features: they record 1080p video and support infrared night vision, two-way audio, motion alerts and temperature monitoring. As the name suggests, the Blink Outdoor devices have a weather-resistant design, so you can mount them over your front door, above your garage and in any other outdoor space you want to monitor.

Arguably the best thing about Blink cameras is their wireless design. Neither the Indoor nor Outdoor devices need to be plugged in, rather they run on two AA batteries each and communicate wirelessly to the Blink Sync Module. That gives you much more freedom when it comes to placing these gadgets around your home. Plus, the batteries should last up to two years before you need to replace them.

If you’d rather try the system out before fully diving in, the Blink Mini is a good way to do that. It has all of the features the standard Blink cameras do, but it’s wired rather than wireless. While that makes it a bit less versatile, it’s hard to argue with a capable security camera that comes in at only $30.

As for the Video Doorbell, it combines the features of a Blink camera with smart doorbell features. Along with two-way audio and motion alert support, it’ll record videos in 1080p and you can choose to hardwire it to your existing doorbell system or keep it wireless.

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Solo Stove’s fire pits are up to 45 percent off for July 4th

If you missed Solo Stove’s Memorial Day sale, you have another chance to pick up one of the fire pits for less ahead of the July 4th holiday. Solo Stove has knocked up to 45 percent off fire pits again, so you can grab the Ranger for $200, the Bonfire for $220 and the Yukon for $400. These are some of the best prices we’ve seen on Solo Stove’s devices, and if you want to get all of the things you’ll need to use the fire pit in your backyard, a number of bundles have also been discounted, too.

Shop Solo Stove July 4th saleBuy Ranger at Solo Stove – $200Buy Bonfire at Solo Stove – $220Buy Yukon at Solo Stove – $400

We’ve recommended Solo Stove fire pits a few times in the past as they are solid alternatives to standard fire pits. All of the models actively channel smoke away from you while you’re using it thanks to their double-walled design that pulls hot air through vent holes and back into the fire. This keeps flames hot while reducing smoke and creating fine ashes.

Two out of the three Solo Stove models are also fairly portable, so you can bring them with you on a camping trip or to a party without much hassle. The 38-pound Yukon, however, is probably best left in a semi-permanent spot in your backyard. And while you don’t need any accessories to use these fire pits, there are some that might make the experience even better. For example, the essential bundle includes the fire pit of your choice plus a stand and lid. The backyard bundle includes all of those things, too, plus a shield that keeps pops and embers from escaping and a weather-resistant cover.

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Anker charging accessories are up to 35 percent off right now

Amazon’s latest sale on Anker accessories presents a good opportunity to pick up a spare charging brick, wireless stand or portable battery for less. A smattering of devices are included in this sale, and some of the deals are one-day-only discounts while others are Prime-exclusive deals. The most urgent of the bunch are deals on the 40W Anker Nano Pro and the 30W Nano II chargers — the former is 32 percent off and down to $27 and the latter is 18 percent off and down to $28 for today only. The best news is that you don’t have to be a Prime member to snatch up either of those deals.

Shop Anker deals at AmazonBuy 40W Nano Pro at Amazon – $27Buy 30W Nano II at Amazon – $28

The 40W Nano Pro includes two USB-C ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously. It’s capable of powering up a MacBook Air at full speed, making it a good choice for those that want a compact charger that can handle both smartphones and other small mobile devices as well as their laptop. The 30W Nano II only has one USB-C port, but it can also charge a MacBook Air at full speed. Plus, it uses GaN technology for more efficient charging and better heat management.

Another one-day deal knocks 23 percent off the Anker 544 wireless charging stand, bringing it down to $90. This 3-in-1 stand can charge up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch at the same time, and it comes with its own wall adapter, too. We also like that the Apple Watch pad is built in, so you don’t have to weave the charging pad that came with your Watch into the stand for it to work.

As for Prime-exclusive deals, there are a couple worth checking out. Anker’s PowerWave Sense 2-in-1 wireless charging stand is 30 percent off and down to $30, while a bundle with a 20W USB-C charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable is also 30 percent off and on sale for $28. The stand is similar to Anker’s 533 stand that made it on our list of favorite multi-device wireless chargers in that it can power up your iPhone and your Apple Watch at once. Being a 2-in-1 device, the PowerWave accessory doesn’t have a spot for your AirPods and you’ll have to use your own Apple Watch charging pad with it to get the full experience. But we like that it comes with a power cable for the stand itself, plus a quick-charge wall adapter.

Buy Anker 544 charging stand at Amazon – $90Buy PowerWave Sense stand (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $30Buy 20W USB-C charging bundle (Prime exclusive) at Amazon – $28

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Samsung’s 1TB 980 Pro SSD returns to an all-time low of $140

Maybe you were finally able to get your hands on a PS5 not too long ago, but now you find yourself quickly running out of space on it. Now’s a good time to invest in an SSD that can expand your console’s storage because one of our favorites from Samsung is back on sale for an all-time-low price. The Samsung 980 Pro drive in 1TB is 33 percent off and down to $140. A few other drive we recommend from brands like PNY, Patriot and Crucial are also on sale right now, too.

Buy Samsung 980 Pro (1TB) at Amazon – $140Buy Samsung 980 Pro (1TB with heatsink) at Amazon – $170

Normally priced at $210, Samsung’s drive comes in a compact, M.2 form factor and supports read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s. It uses a special thermal control algorithm and a nickel coating to manage heat levels, plus a heat spreader label to help manage the temperature of the NAND chip. It’s also compatible with Samsung Magician, which is management software that lets you monitor its overall health and keep it up to date.

The biggest issue for PS5 owners is that the drive’s standard configuration doesn’t come with a heatsink, which you’ll need to install it in the console. However, you can get the SSD with said heatsink for only $170 right now, which is 26 percent off its normal rate.

Also on sale is our favorite PS5 SSD, the Patriot Viper VP4300: the 1TB version is down to $130 and the 2TB model is on sale for $255. This drive supports sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s, plus it comes with a heatsink preinstalled so it’s ready to use with the PS5. If you’ve got a tighter budget, a couple of Crucial and PNY drives might be better fits. Crucial’s P5 Plus SSD in 1TB is 20 percent off and down to $128, while PNY’s XLR8 CS3040 SSD in 1TB is a whopping 42 percent off and down to $105.

Buy Patriot Viper VP4300 (1TB) at Amazon – $130Buy Crucial P5 Plus (1TB) at Amazon – $128Buy PNY XLR8 CS3040 (1TB) at Amazon – $105

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Google’s Nest WiFi packs drop to record-low prices at Amazon

Those looking to upgrade their home’s WiFi system can save a bunch on Nest WiFi packs right now. Amazon has most of Nest WiFi configurations on sale, with some at new all-time lows. You can pick up one router for $115, a two-pack with one router and one access point for $149, or a three-pack with one router and two access points for $199. While that’s a new low on the router by itself, you’ll get the deepest discounts on the multi-packs, which are nearly half off their normal prices.

Buy Nest WiFi (1 router) at Amazon – $115Buy Nest WiFi (1 router, 1 point) at Amazon – $149Buy Nest WiFi (1 router, 2 points) at Amazon – $199

Google’s mesh system earned a score of 84 from us when it first came out and there’s still a lot to like about it. Each module has an attractive, minimalist design and setting up the system is pretty simple. Each router can cover up to 2,200 square feet and you’ll get an additional 1,600 square feet of coverage with each access point you add. That will likely be the biggest factor in deciding which pack you get; those who live in apartments or smaller homes could get away with a single router, while those with multi-story houses should consider springing for a multi-pack.

In addition to supporting Gigabit internet, the Nest WiFi system also has the convenience of built-in Google Assistant support. In fact, each access point acts almost like a Nest Mini smart speaker. You can tap the top of the point to play and pause, and ask the Assistant to do things like read off calendar alerts and set reminders. And if you don’t want to use voice commands, or just want a bit more privacy, you can flip the switch on the back of the access points to turn off the microphone. The only caveat to the Nest WiFi is that it’s not a WiFi 6 system, and that could be a dealbreaker if you’re set on getting a more future-proof device. However, if you’re just looking for a new WiFi setup that’s fast, reliable and quick to set up, Google’s Nest WiFi fits that bill.

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Apple’s second-gen AirPods drop to $100, plus the best early Prime Day deals you can get now

We may be a few weeks out from Amazon Prime Day, but early deals are already starting to roll in. If you’re in need of a new smart TV, Amazon has discounted a bunch of Fire TVs and Prime members can pick up a 55-inch Omni Series set for only $300. Else…

Apple’s Mac Mini M1 drops back down to $570

If you’re looking to upgrade to a speedy, compact desktop, Apple’s Mac Mini M1 is a good option. The machine is back on sale at Amazon right now for $570 thanks to a coupon that knocks $99 off its price. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen on the desktop that runs on Apple’s M1 chipset, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Buy Mac Mini M1 (256GB) at Amazon – $570

Yes, we’re on M2 machines at this point, but only a couple of Apple computers run on that updated processor (and only the M2 MacBook Pro is even available right now). The Mac Mini M1 remains the most affordable way to get an M1 device in your home, too, as the latest iPad Pros that share the same processor start at around $799. The desktop is powered by an eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU, plus a 16-core Neural Engine. While we haven’t given the Mini M1 the full review treatment, you can expect it to run similarly to the MacBook Air M1, which is speedily and efficiently.

While the Mac Mini M1’s design isn’t anything to write home about, that almost works to its advantage. Apple didn’t change much from the Intel version, keeping the machine a sleek, square box interrupted only by a couple of ports: two Thunderbolt ports, two USB-A connectors, an Ethernet port, one HDMI port and a headphone jack.

The biggest issue we have with the desktop is its lack of upgradeability — its RAM and storage are soldered in place, so you’re stuck with the amount that you initially purchase. RAM is arguably more crucial than storage here, since you can always connect an external SSD to the Mini M1 if you need to offload important files. If those limitations don’t bother you, the Mac Mini M1 could be a great replacement for your aging desktop.

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Amazon’s Omni Fire TVs are up to 46 percent off right now

Amazon has kicked off the lead up to this year’s Prime Day by discounting a bunch of Fire TVs. A number of Toshiba, Insignia and Hisense smart TVs are on sale right now, so you could pick up a TV for as low as $90. But we recommend springing for one of the higher-end Omni Series televisions, which came out last September. All sizes are cheaper than usual, but you’ll find the steepest discount on the 55-inch Omni Series 4K TV, which is 46 percent off and down to $300. While many of these TV deals are Prime exclusives, some — including the 55-inch Omni deal — are available to all Amazon shoppers.

Shop Fire TV sales at AmazonBuy 55-inch Omni Series Fire TV at Amazon – $300

All of the Omni Series sets streaming in 4K and support HDR10, HLG and Dolby Digital Plus — if you want Dolby Vision, you’ll have to spring for the 65- or 75-inch TVs. You’ll get access to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and others, but you’ll find the real perks come in if you’re already a heavy Alexa user. Omni Series sets have built-in microphones to allow hands-free Alexa access, so you can basically treat the TV as you would an Echo smart speaker. You can ask it to set timers and reminders, check sports scores and more, even when the TV is off. But if that’s not really your thing, you can use the built-in switch to electronically disable the microphones.

As far as connectivity goes, the 55-inch model has three HDMI ports plus one HDMI 2.1 jack with eARC, one USB port and an Ethernet connector. While you could deck the TV out with the soundbar of your choosing, you can also wirelessly pair the TV with Echo speakers to create a more immersive home theater setup. These TVs are clearly best for those who already have a lot of Amazon devices throughout their home, and those who rely on Alexa a lot already. But they’re also good options for anyone that wants a truly budget smart TV. $300 for a 55-inch set is a solid deal, and if you’re looking to spend even less than that, you’ve got options at the $200 and $100 marks as well.

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The Apple TV 4K drops to $130, plus the rest of the week’s best tech deals

If you’re still hunting for the perfect gift for dad ahead of Father’s Day this weekend, a bunch of our favorite gadgets are on sale right now. The Apple TV 4K remains discounted to $130, its cheapest price yet, and a couple of colors of the AirPods Ma…