Since 2015, Amazon holds at least one Prime Day every year. It’s the annual sales event where the retailer slashes prices on thousands of products across its online storefront. Prime Day, over time, has become two full shopping days instead of one, and by 2022, there will be BOTH Prime Day events, one in the summer and one in the fall (because it’s money). This year’s Prime Day falls on July 11 and 12, starting at 3 am ET.
You need to be a Prime subscriber to take advantage of the discounts (here’s a free 30-day trial; set a reminder to cancel it before it automatically renews), but that’s not always the case. WIRED will be on the lookout for the best deals throughout the event, but there’s good news: The price drop has already begun. We’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals we’ve found here — at Amazon and other retailers — and we’ll keep this story updated over the next few weeks. Our Prime Day Shopping Guide is full of tips to help you navigate the event like a pro.
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Tech Deals
The Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Apple Watch. (The 41-mm version also sells for $329.) Most people will be fine with the new second-generation Watch SE, but this model includes an electrocardiogram, an always-on display, a temperature sensor on the skin for better time tracking, a more accurate heart rate monitor, and the ability to measure blood oxygen levels. Check out our Best Apple Watch Accessories guide to get the most out of your smartwatch.
This is the lowest price we have tracked so far. The new Pixel 7A is our favorite Android phone for most people (8/10, Recommended by WIRED). It’s powerful, and it has wireless charging and a nice bright screen—oh, and some of the best cameras you’ll find for the money. It will be supported for years to come so you don’t have to upgrade anytime soon.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 (9/10, WIRED Recommend) are some of the Best Wireless Earbuds on the market, especially if you have an Android phone. They are comfortable and have excellent sound quality as well as active noise cancellation. We wish the battery would last longer, but otherwise, it’s hard to beat—especially for the price.
Clip the on-page coupon to see the discount at checkout. We like Anker’s MagSafe wireless charger. This one doubles as a power strip for your desktop or living room. It features three AC outlets on the back, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports, one of which is capable of outputting 65 watts of power (enough to recharge a MacBook). WIRED review editor Julian Chokkattu has been using it for the past year with no issues.
Need a new tablet that isn’t an iPad? Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series is some of the most powerful for the money, especially when it comes to sales. This one has all the bells and whistles you want in a tablet, including a stylus that can magnetically stick to the back of the slate. This 11-inch tablet gets updates longer than almost any other Android tablet out there, so it’ll be safe and feature-rich for years to come.
Home & Entertainment Deals
The price drop only appears when you add the product to your cart. This is the first and best discount we’ve seen for the latest installment in The Legend of Zelda series. Play as Link and search for Princess Zelda to discover the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It is very similar to Breath of the Wild but offers many improvements in quality of life. Read our full review here.
We haven’t tried these oven mitts before, but we have a lot of experience with KitchenAid products, and $7 is $7. These are the mini kind, which means they only cover your fingers while you’re handling hot things. It’s better suited for pulling small pans from the stove than bringing a hot stove inside when you’re grilling. The silicone grip helps you keep a firm grip on whatever you’re moving.
Photo: Netgear
This is our favorite Wi-Fi option for people with multiple homes. It is a 3-pack and offers three gigabit Ethernet ports on the main router and two on the nodes. Setup can be tricky, but once you’re up and running, speed, coverage, and stability are excellent. Read more in our Best Mesh Wi-Fi Systems guide.
It’s our favorite budget office chair, even though it’s often dropped at this price point. The breathable mesh fabric means you won’t get too hot in the seat, plus there’s a headrest. There are many adjustable components, and it sits.
Amazon will automatically discount your order during checkout if you spend at least $50 on select items. There’s a huge selection at this sale, with items ranging from pet food and school supplies to pantry staples and household essentials. Need to restock dish soap, granola bars, doggy bags, or vitamins? This deal is worth checking out.
Retail Sales Pages
Some stores are already starting to offer competing deals that don’t require an Amazon Prime membership (and some probably will). Here is a list of merchants who can get in on the action.