These are the 5 best tech deals on Amazon right now
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The holidays are underway, and Christmas is inching closer and closer. If you've still got shopping to do, the pressure is on to find perfect gifts, but sales are waning and hot-ticket items are selling out right and left. However, if you're looking to pick up a tech gadget or smart device for a loved one, there are a few great options to be found on Amazon.
The best part is that there's something for every budget so you can make your loved ones feel special as heck without digging yourself into the dreaded holiday debt. People obsessed with "smart" tech especially are sure to love getting something new to add to their smart homes.
1. The best e-reader money can buy
Amazon really cornered the market when it comes to e-readers, and the Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect options for anyone, especially because it’s $20 off right now. While the top-shelf Kindle Oasis ($249.99) is a stunning piece of technology, and the entry-level Kindle ($59.99) works perfectly fine for less, the Paperwhite is the best blend of features and affordability. That’s why we named it the best e-reader of 2017.
Thinking of gifting this to someone? It might be great to pair it with a year of Kindle Unlimited for $83.92, 30% off the regular $120 annual cost. Kindle Unlimited gives readers access to over a million books whenever they want, and it includes unlimited listening with Audible. This also makes a great gift for a loved one who already has a Kindle.
Get the Kindle Paperwhite e-reader for $99.99 and save $20
2. Sonos speakers that sound incredible and work with Alexa
Sonos is one of the most popular names in the home audio game, but these high-end speakers rarely go on sale. Right now, however, the PLAY:1 and PLAY:3 wireless speakers are both $50 off. Both can be connected to WiFi for wireless streaming from your computer or your phone. And if you have an Amazon Echo with an AUX input, you can connect the Songs speakers to it and ask Alexa to play music from your favorite streaming services. The music will bypass the Echo speakers (which are decent, but nowhere near as good as Sonos) and fill your room with rich sound.
What’s the different between the two? The PLAY:1 is small and can fit virtually anywhere while still sounding fantastic. And the PLAY:3 is larger and packs a bit more of a punch when it comes to sound quality. Both can also be connected to a home entertainment system for a more immersive watching experience.
3. An Amazon Echo that fits any lifestyle
If you want to give someone a smart home tech you know they'll love, an Amazon Echo smart speaker is a great gift for anyone on your list. With one of these futuristic and fun devices, your loved ones can ask Alexa to check the weather, play games, share news updates, track Amazon packages, make voice calls to other Alexa owners, set times and alarms, and enable a slew of fun and useful skills. Alexa can even order a pizza or an Uber!
The Echo Show, which features a screen for video calls, watching movies trailers, and more, is currently down to $150, the lowest it’s ever been by a staggering $30, and a full $80 off the normal price. The Echo, Echo Plus, and Echo Dot are majorly discounted right now as well, making it easy to find the perfect Echo for anyone on your holiday shopping list.
- Get the Echo Show for $149.99 and save $80
- Get the 2nd-gen. Echo for $79.99 and save $20
- Get the Echo Plus for $119.99 and save $30 (and get a free Philips Hue smart bulb worth $15)
- Get the Echo Dot for $29.99 and save $20
4. A fantastic tablet for $50
The best-selling Fire HD 8 tablet is back down to its Black Friday price, the lowest we’ve ever seen. For $50, you get a solid tablet for gaming, productivity, and watching videos with an 8-inch HD screen and 16GB of memory (plus room for an SD card to expand your storage space). It even has Amazon Alexa built in. Virtually any app you can find on the Google Play store is also available via Amazon, and you can take advantage of Prime Music and Video streaming if you’re a Prime member. Did I mention it has Dolby speakers and promises a battery life up to 12 hours?
Amazon also makes a Kids' Edition of the Fire HD 8, which includes a protective case in one of three fun colors along with a two-year worry-free warranty, and it's on sale right now too. With this 32GB tablet, you'll get a year of FreeTime Unlimited, which gives kids access to thousands of apps, educational games, and shows from the likes of PBS, Nickelodeon, Disney, and other popular kids networks.
- Get a Fire HD 8 tablet for $49.99 and save $30
- Get the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition for $99.99 and save $30
*The more affordable 8GB Fire 7 is also on sale for $29.99 ($20 off) and the larger, more advanced 32 GB Fire HD 10 is $30 off at $119.99.
5. Smart home lighting for a more modern home
Sick of your boring incandescent bulbs? Switching to LEDs can not only reduce your electric bill and your carbon footprint, but they’ll also last for years. Better yet, if you opt for Philips Hue smart LED lighting, you can be even more efficient by setting schedules and controlling your lights from your phone. I’ve had the same Hue lights for five years and have never had to replace a single one.
Right now, you can get the Philips Hue Starter kit for $69.97, the second best price we’ve seen for this kit (it was $10 cheaper on Black Friday). You get the Hue bridge and four bulbs to get started, and can expand your system up to 50 bulbs. The 4-bulb color starter kit, which lets you turn your lights to millions of different colors, is also back on sale for its lowest price ever at $139.97.
- Get the Philips Hue White Smart Bulb Starter Kit for $69.97 and save $30
- Get the Philips Hue Color Smart Bulb Starter Kit for $139.97 and save $60
Check out our list of all the great places to shop and gifts to buy on Free Shipping Day
Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.