Posts with «shopping» label

A PS5 bundle hits a new low, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals

It's Friday, which means it's time for another roundup of good deals on recommended gadgets and gear. The highlights this week include a new low on Sony's God of War Ragnarök PlayStation 5 bundle; at $500, it essentially pairs the console with one of our favorite PS5 games for no extra cost. Several other PS5 and PS4 games are also on sale, while annual PlayStation Plus subscriptions are 25 percent off. Outside of video games, Sonos is still running a Father's Day sale on various speakers and soundbars, while Samsung's fast 980 Pro SSD is down to new low of $66. And while the big Apple news of the week was the unveiling of the Vision Pro headset, several of the company's existing devices are discounted, including the second-gen Pencil, third-gen AirPods, AirTag and M2 MacBook Air. Here are the best deals from this week that you can still get today.

PlayStation 5 + God of War Ragnarök bundle

After its first couple of years on the market were plagued by stock shortages, the PlayStation 5 has become much easier to buy in recent months. If you're still looking to grab one, though, a bundle that pairs the console with a digital version of the acclaimed action game God of War Ragnarök is down to $500 at several retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy and PlayStation Direct.

Besides a couple of in-store only deals, that marks a new all-time low. This bundle originally cost $559, though we saw it temporarily drop to $509 earlier this year. The standard PS5 goes for $500 on its own, so this deal essentially nets you one of our favorite games of 2022 for no extra cost. Sony's listing says the offer will run until August 1. If you can live without a disc drive, meanwhile, a bundle that pairs the game with the PS5 Digital Edition has been available for $459 for much of the year.

PlayStation Days of Play sale

If you already own a PS5 or PS4, Sony has also discounted a range of PlayStation games, services and accessories as part of its latest "Days of Play" sale. Annual PlayStation Plus subscriptions are 25 percent off across the board, for one, bringing the standard Essential tier down to $45, the Extra tier down to $75 and the Premium tier down to $90. As a refresher, a Plus membership is required to play many PlayStation games online and access cloud saves. It also doles out a few "free" games each month. PlayStation Plus Extra adds an Xbox Game Pass-style game catalog, while PlayStation Plus Premium throws in a collection of classic games and cloud streaming support. The Essential tier should be enough for most, but if you're really hurting for things to play, the higher tiers may be worth it. 

Several high-profile games are also on sale at both third-party retailers and the PlayStation Store, including a handful of entries from our list of the best PlayStation 5 games. The aforementioned God of War Ragnarök, for instance, is $20 off at $49 (or $39 for a PS4 copy), while Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is back at an all-time low of $20. The haunting roguelike Returnal is at a new low of $27, the racing sim Gran Turismo 7 is available for $40 and the gorgeous remake of the PS3 classic Demon's Souls is within $5 of all-time low at $30. The open-world adventure Horizon Forbidden West is down to $30 as well; that price applies to the PS4 copy, but you can upgrade to the PS5 version for no extra cost.

Beyond that, Sony is taking $10 off a handful of alternate cover plates for the PS5, bringing the pink, purple and light blue versions down to $45. The sale as a whole will run through June 12. 

If you're more of an Xbox person, we'll also note that Microsoft is holding its own game sale this week. Some standout deals there include the rhythm-action game Hi-Fi Rush for $24, the narrative-rich RPG Pentiment for $13 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection for $10. All of those represent all-time lows. For PC players, the Halo deal is also available on Steam.

Sonos speaker sale 

Sonos is running a Father's Day sale with discounts on several of the company's well-regarded speakers and soundbars. Here's a rundown of the most notable offers:

  • The top-end Sonos Arc soundbar is down to $719, which is a $180 discount and matches its lowest price to date.

  • The midrange Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is down to $399, which is $40 more than the best price we've seen but still $100 off its typical selling price.

  • The entry-level Sonos Ray soundbar is down to a new low of $223, which is $56 off its MSRP.

  • The Sonos Roam portable speaker is available for $134, while the Sonos Roam SL is down to $119. Those are discounts of $45 and $40, respectively. The former is about $7 more than its all-time low, while the latter marks the best price we've tracked. Between the two, the Roam SL lacks integrated mics and the "Automatic Trueplay" feature, which lets Sonos speakers automatically adapt their sound to the acoustics of their current environment.

  • The Sonos Move, a heftier yet still portable speaker, is $100 off at $299. That's an all-time low.

  • The Sonos One SL, a variant of the One home speaker without built-in microphones, is on sale for $159. That's $30 more than its all-time low but still a $40 discount.

  • The Sonos Sub (Gen 3) subwoofer is available for $639, which is about $50 more than the lowest price we've seen but $160 off Sonos' list price all the same.

While none of these devices are cheap, they all deliver impressive sound for their categories and are relatively easy to operate with the Sonos app. We gave the Arc, Beam and Ray review scores of 85, 88 and 82, respectively, and all three are picks in our soundbar buying guide. The Move, Roam and One, meanwhile, earned respective scores of 80, 87 and 90. The Roam is the top portable pick in our guide to the best smart speakers. The One SL is still a decent buy at $159, but note that Sonos has replaced the standard One with a new speaker called the Era 100. Our review found that $249 device to be an improvement across the board, but it's not included in the sale outside of a few pricey bundles. Either way, we usually only see a handful of Sonos sales per year, so this is a good chance to save.

Samsung 980 Pro SSD

The 1TB model of Samsung's 980 Pro SSD is down to $66, which is a new all-time low. We've typically seen it retail between $80 and $90 over the last few months. If you need more space, the 2TB model is down to $130, which is also a new low. While this isn't the newest PCIe 4.0 SSD Samsung sells, it still meets Sony's requirements for expanding the storage of a PlayStation 5. You just need to add a heatsink to go with it. For PC users, not everyone needs the improved performance of a PCIe 4.0 drive like this, but it can still provide a bit of a speed boost for heavier loads.

If you're buying for a PS5, though, Samsung sells a version of the 980 Pro that comes with an integrated heatsink. The 1TB version of that drive is on sale for an all-time low of $80 if you don't mind paying a couple dollars extra for an all-in-one solution. In other Samsung storage deals, the 128GB version of the Fit Plus flash drive, a pick from our best SSDs guide, is available for a low of $15.

Apple MacBook Air

The entry-level version of Apple's 13.6-inch, M2-powered MacBook Air is back down to $999 at B&H, matching the lowest price we've tracked. This is about $60 below the notebook's average street price in recent months and $100 below Apple's MSRP. B&H says the deal will end on June 10.

The Air itself is the top pick in our guide to the best laptops and earned a review score of 96 from us last year. It continues to check all the necessary boxes for an everyday laptop, with a slick and light design, accurate display, comfortable keyboard, MagSafe charging port and long-lasting battery. This 8GB RAM/256GB SSD configuration has slower storage performance than the higher-capacity SKUs, but the drop-off shouldn't be a major hindrance for the non-intense work and web browsing at which the Air is aimed. For those kind of tasks, Apple's M2 chip is still an excellent performer.

Apple announced a new 15.3-inch variant of the M2 MacBook Air earlier this week, which'll arrive on June 13. It looks to be extremely similar to the 13-inch model, albeit with a slightly stronger GPU and a couple extra speakers by default. Apple says that one will start at $1,299, but Amazon has the entry-level model for $50 less. If you already planned on pre-ordering, it's a way to save a few bucks.

Fitbit Inspire 3

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is down to $80 at various retailers. While that's $10 more than the all-time low we saw last Black Friday, it's still $20 below the activity tracker's typical going rate. The Inspire 3 is the top budget pick in our guide to the best fitness trackers, as it gets you a slim and comfortable design with a color touchscreen, up to 10 days of battery life and useful health monitoring. There's no integrated GPS like the Fitbit Charge 5, our top pick, but it still offers automatic workout detection, sleep and heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, smartphone alerts and most other essentials.

Apple Pencil (2nd gen)

The second-gen Apple Pencil is back on sale for $89 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. That's $4 more than the lowest price we've seen but about $12 below the stylus' average street price in recent months and $40 below Apple's MSRP. Unsurprisingly, we think the Pencil is the best stylus for iPad owners thanks to its consistent accuracy, system-wide pressure sensitivity, magnetic charging and easy pairing with iPadOS. Just make sure your iPad is compatible with this model before buying.  

Peacock Premium

If you don't already subscribe to NBCUniversal's Peacock Premium service, you can get a 12-month subscription for $20 with the code SUMMEROFPEACOCK at checkout. That's a $30 discount. Note that you'll still see ads every now and then with this tier; Peacock Premium Plus, which costs $100 a year, is the ad-free plan, but that isn't available as part of the offer. Still, if you're looking to stream Premier League soccer, most NBC and Bravo shows, WWE live events or Yellowstone, this discount should make dealing with the occasional ad break easier to stomach. The promotion has technically been available since late May, but Peacock says it'll end on June 12, so consider this a PSA.

Apple AirPods (3rd gen)

The third-gen Apple AirPods are once again down to $149. We've seen the wireless earbuds hit this price a few times before; it's $10 more than their all-time low but still $20 less than what you'd pay if you bought from Apple directly. We gave the AirPods a review score of 88 back in late 2021. Their one-size-fits-all design, loose seal and lack of active noise cancellation will be dealbreakers for some, but if you hate the feeling of headphones that insert into your ear canal, the third-gen AirPods are still one of the better-sounding open-back earbuds you can buy. They remain a snap to use with other Apple devices, too, and their IPX4-rated water resistance and seven-hour battery life are solid.

If you need active noise cancellation and don't mind the feel of an in-ear headphones, the AirPods Pro are fuller-sounding, more feature-rich and just as Apple-friendly. They're currently on sale for $200, which is another deal we've seen fairly regularly in recent months but is $50 off Apple's list price all the same. The AirPods Pro are the "best for iOS" pick in our guide to the best wireless earbuds.

Roku, Google and Amazon 4K streaming sticks

It's a decent time to be in the market for a new 4K streaming stick. Both the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Google Chromecast with Google TV are now available for $40, while Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $35. The Streaming Stick 4K is about $5 off its average street price in recent months, while both the Chromecast and Fire TV Stick are about $10 below their usual going rates. 

The Streaming Stick 4K has gone for as little as $25 in the past, but we highlight it here because it's the top pick in our guide to the best streaming devices. Roku offers the most straightforward interface of the three major players, along with useful bonuses like AirPlay 2 support and a private-listening mode. The Chromecast is our runner-up pick; it's more proactive about recommending shows you might like and personalizing the UI to your viewing habits, though it lacks AirPlay. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max isn't as simple or intuitive to navigate as those devices, as it still tends to prioritize Amazon content and services above all else, but its app support and overall performance are similar. It's also more open to sideloading, and its current deal price matches the lowest we've seen.

Meater Plus wireless meat thermometer

The Meater Plus is a wireless meat thermometer that reports food and ambient temperature details to your phone over Bluetooth. We've found it accurate and efficiently designed enough to include in our guide to the best grilling gear, as well as our recent roundup of outdoor gift ideas for Father's Day. If this sounds like something you'd use during cookouts this summer, the thermometer is currently on sale for $80, which is a $20 discount. Meater says the offer will run through June 21.

Apple AirTag

Apple's AirTag tracker is on sale for $25, which is a modest $4 discount but nevertheless matches the best price we've seen since November. The AirTag is the "best for iPhones" pick in our guide to the best Bluetooth trackers, as it leverages Apple's massive Find My network and ultra-wideband wireless tech to locate your lost items accurately. The downside — outside of the general privacy issues that have arisen with these kind of devices — is that it doesn't have a ring hole or built-in adhesive, so you'd need to buy an extra accessory if you wanted to affix it to a keychain or the like. If you want more than one tracker, you can get a four-pack of AirTags for $90.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-ps5-bundle-hits-a-new-low-best-tech-deals-this-week-161920784.html?src=rss

The best photography gifts for dads

Dads love cameras, both as a way to capture special moments and just as fun gadgets. If your father wants to go beyond their smartphone, a new camera would certainly be a welcomed gift. The question is, what type does he need and how much should you spend? We found some of the best models with the latest tech, like fast shooting speeds, sharp video and incredible autofocus. Better still, they cover a wide range of prices, and we’ve also recommended some accessories to complement the gear your dear father already owns.

GoPro Hero 11 Black

GoPro didn’t change the design on its latest model, but it has a larger sensor that enables a couple of cool features – Horizon Lock stabilization and Full Frame mode that makes it easier to shoot for, say, TikTok and YouTube at the same time. Otherwise, the Hero 11 Black offers better video quality than ever (up to 5.3K 60p), Hypersmooth stabilization that’s still the best in the business (by far), battery life that’s improved by 40 percent over the last model, and more. The best action product on the market is not the cheapest – but if your dad is serious about filming his exploits, it’s well worth it.

Canon EOS M50 II and EOS R100

Canon’s EOS M50 II is three years old, but with current deals, it’s the best value camera you can give your dad right now. It offers features like a 24.2-megapixel sensor, flip-out screen, tap-to-record and focus, plus 4K video with a 1.5x crop. Its light weight makes it a great travel camera, with the flip-out display allowing your father to shoot selfies or do some vlogging. If you want to pay less and your dad can wait an extra month, though, Canon just released the 24.2-megapixel R100. It has most of the features of the M50 II, but lacks a flip-out display. It’s priced at just $480 for the body only, or $600 with a 16-50mm lens, which makes it the cheapest mirrorless camera on the market. You can pre-order it now, but shipping is set for July.

Canon EOS R50

Still in the budget category but stepping up a notch is Canon’s 24-megapixel APS-C R50, which will suit your dad whether he does photography or video. It can shoot bursts at up to 15 fps in electronic shutter mode, and offers 4K 10-bit video at up to 30p with supersampling and no crop. It has a fully articulating display, and unlike other cameras in this price range, an electronic viewfinder. It uses Canon’s Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition mode, and even has a popup flash. The only drawback is the lack of in-body stabilization, but the electronic stabilization is very effective with the price of a slight crop.

Sony Alpha ZV-E10

If your father is a content creator, Sony’s 24.2-megapixel ZV-E10 APS-C camera is a strong budget option. It can shoot sharp, downsampled 4K video at up to 30 fps with a 1.23x crop (or 1080p at 120 fps) and uses Sony’s fantastic AI-powered autofocus system with face and eye detection. It also has a few creator-specific features like Product Showcase and a bokeh switch that makes the background as blurry as possible so your subject stands out. Another nice feature is the high-quality microphone that lets you vlog without the need to buy an external mic. The main drawbacks are the lack of an EVF and rolling shutter.

Nikon Z5

Nothing will enhance your father’s photos like the sweet bokeh of a full-frame camera, and the 24-megapixel Nikon Z5 is a stellar deal right now. It’s mostly aimed at photographers, with features like hybrid phase-detect autofocus and Nikon’s excellent color science. And for such a budget option, it has desirable features like five-axis in-body stabilization, dual fast UHS-II card slots, a 3.69 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder and a tilting touch display. Video isn’t a strong point, but it can handle 4K 30p with a crop and 1080p at 60fps.

Canon EOS R8

Moving up in price, Canon’s EOS R8 is a better-rounded option if your dad likes shooting video as much as taking photos. It has the company’s excellent Dual Pixel AF with subject recognition AI, and can shoot bursts at up to 40 fps. It's equally strong with video, supporting oversampled 10-bit 4K at up to 60 fps. The R8 also offers a flip-out display, making it great for vloggers. The main drawback is a lack of in-body stabilization.

Panasonic Lumix S5 II and S5 IIX

For dads who take their content creation very seriously, check out Panasonic’s full-frame S5 II. It’s the company’s first camera with hybrid phase-detect AF designed to make focus "wobble" and other issues a thing of the past. He can shoot sharp 4K 30p video downsampled from the full sensor width, or 4K 60p from an APS-C cropped size, all in 10-bit color. It even offers 5.9K 30p capture, along with RAW 5.9K external output to an Atomos recorder. It also has a flip-out screen for vlogging and updated five-axis in-body stabilization that’s the best in the industry. The main drawback is the slowish burst speeds, but it’s made for video more than photography. If you don’t mind spending an extra $200, the S5 IIX lets you record in the Apple ProRes format directly to an SSD, or in RAW modes (Apple or Blackmagic) via the external HDMI port.

Peak Design Everyday Messenger

With its rugged, practical design, Peak Design’s Everyday Messenger Bag is an ideal gift for adventurous or photo-shooting dads. It’s built with a lightweight yet durable 100-percent waterproof recycled 400D shell with the ingenious Flexfold dividers in the main storage area. It also offers a pair of zipped pockets, two elastic side pockets and a compartment big enough for a 13- to 15-inch laptop. I own one myself and find it practical both for work and daily activities, letting me fit a camera, lens and laptop along with my wallet and keys. At $230, it’s not the cheapest bag out there, but your dad won’t have to buy another for a good while.

Magnus VT-4000 tripod

For dads serious about video, the Magnus VT 4000 is the best budget tripod option. It’s stout enough to handle a mirrorless camera and accessories weighing up to 8.8 pounds, more than the eight-pound weight of the tripod itself. That lack of heft makes it practical for travel, while the fluid head helps you tilt and pan smoothly. Other features include a middle spreader to keep things steady and legs that extend up to 64 inches so you can match the eyeline of your subjects. All of these features come for $199, a relative steal considering the quality.

Joby GorillaPod 3K mini tripod

The most useful accessories out there for vlogging dads are Joby’s famous mini-tripods, and the best one for the money is the GorillaPod 3K. Attaching your camera couldn’t be easier thanks to the secure clip-in mounting plate with a built-in level. The flexibility also lets you set your camera anywhere to shoot, or even wrap it around a tree or other object. And, of course, you can bend them out for the ideal vlogging angle and steady out your shooting, to boot.

Lexar V60/V90 UHS-II SD cards

Camera-loving dads can never get enough memory cards, but they can be a pretty pricey gift. One of the best budget options is Lexar’s V60 UHS-II SD cards, which offer a good balance between speed and value. The 120MB/s write speeds are enough for most H.264/H.265 4K video modes, and you can then transfer files to your computer at up to 250MB/s. If that’s not fast enough, Lexar’s new 1800X V60 II cards offer 270/170MB/s read/write speeds at good prices, and for the best performance, check out their V90 UHS-II cards, which deliver read/write speeds of 300/260MB/s.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-photography-gifts-for-dads-135953254.html?src=rss

The best gaming gifts for dads this Father's Day

Father’s Day is, ideally, a day for dad to have some fun and few things are more fun than a good game. If your father figure likes to spend his free time in other worlds, there are several gifts you could buy to make his play time more enjoyable. Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of our favorite gaming-related gear, from consoles and controllers, to artwork and coffee table books.

8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller

The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is a versatile alternative to Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller that also works easily on PC. It connects over Bluetooth, a wireless dongle, or a USB cable and notably uses magnetic Hall effect sensors in its joysticks, which means it’s much less susceptible to developing the dreaded “stick drift” than traditional controllers. While it might feel a little cramped for those with particularly large hands, its shape doesn’t have any weird curves or quirks, and all its inputs are appropriately crisp to press. Battery life is solid at 20-ish hours, too, and the whole thing comes with a slick charging dock. If dad wants to get hardcore, 8BitDo’s companion app offers a wealth of customization options, such as adjusting the sensitivity of the triggers or assigning macros to certain buttons. 8BitDo sells a few cheaper variants of this controller as well, but those sacrifice the Hall effect sticks, among other features. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Commerce Writer

Grid Studio artwork

If dad has a soft spot for classic gaming hardware, a frame from Grid Studio might be a nice way to spruce up his space. This is a company that deconstructs classic gadgets and neatly showcases their individual components in a piece of wall art. Each part is labeled for good measure. For gaming specifically, the selection includes consoles like the original Game Boy and PSP and controllers like the Wiimote and Sega Dreamcast pad. (Several non-gaming gadgets are available, too.) These don’t come cheap, and they might make dad cringe if he fancies himself a preservationist, but Grid’s artwork generally strikes the right balance between a nerdy nostalgia trip and tasteful decor. — J.D.

Steam Deck

Busy dads, especially one with younger kids, probably don't have much time to sit in front of a gaming PC. That's where the Steam Deck comes in handy. Valve's portable gaming system puts a ton of games into their hands, and it has enough power to play most indie titles and some AAA ones. Mostly, though, we found it to be a great way to clear out a PC gaming backlog — perhaps as they’re holding a little one who will only nap in their arms.

With the Steam Deck, they can carve out slices of gaming time when they have time to breathe. I've personally found it very useful in that wonderful period right after putting the kids down to sleep. They can play PC games in bed without moving a muscle! And if they already have a PC, they can also stream demanding games directly from it. While there are a few Steam Deck competitors on the horizon – we're particularly intrigued by the ASUS ROG Ally – there's something to be said about the simplicity of Valve's experience. It's the most console-like way to enjoy PC games so far. (If handhelds aren't their thing, take a look at our gaming console guide too!) — Devindra Hardawar, Senior Reporter

The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox

The Game Console 2.0 is a good coffee-table book for any dad who enjoys looking back on gaming’s history. It’s a visual tour of more than 100 different consoles, from the Magnavox Odyssey to the PlayStation 5 to less-remembered fare like the Tapwave Zodiac. The author, Evan Amos, is best known for taking many of the stock photos of gaming hardware you’d find on Wikipedia (and beyond), so it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that the shots in his book are consistently clean and sharp. Each console has some light yet interesting background detail, and Amos neatly organizes the systems he documents by console generation. It’s not the deepest dive into the industry’s past, but it should be a pleasure for any gaming enthusiast to flip through every now and then. — J.D.

Game Pass Ultimate

Microsoft's pitch with Game Pass Ultimate is hard to pass up. For $15 a month, you get access to a large library of Xbox and PC titles, including day-one releases from Microsoft studios. Now that new game prices have crept up to $70, Game Pass Ultimate seems like a better deal than ever. It's a useful way to dive into new and older games, and it's also helpful for keeping kids busy once they turn into little gamers. If they end up liking a particular title, there are discounts if dad wants to permanently add something to their library.

Game Pass Ultimate also unlocks Xbox cloud streaming, which I've found to be useful on the road (all you need is a laptop and an Xbox controller to get some playtime!). It's also helpful for previewing a game quickly, without waiting for it to be downloaded and installed. Progress is also stored on Microsoft's servers, so dad can also pick up and keep playing if they choose to download a cloud title eventually. — D.H.

Metroid Prime Remastered

There are a million different games worth gifting for Father’s Day, but if dad never got around to playing Metroid Prime back in the GameCube days, getting him the recent Switch remaster is a fantastic way to rectify that. This new version sharpens up the original’s already stunning art direction and includes a more modern dual-stick control scheme. The first-person adventure at the heart of it all remains one of the most entrancing games ever made. It channels the isolation and wonder of the series’ NES roots, and manages to be thrilling even as it encourages you to slow down and take in the world’s details. While it has its share of action, it’s not a first-person shooter so much as a first-person exploration game. Some 20 years after Prime’s initial release, few titles have made encountering an alien world through someone else’s eyes feel more authentic. — J.D.

Scuf Instinct Pro

There’s no shortage of customizable gift ideas you’ll find for Father’s Day, but if your dad likes to spend time gaming, a custom pillow, frame or plaque may not be as useful as a customized controller. Scuf makes a number of controllers, and you can personalize almost every part of them, down to the color of the thumbsticks. The wireless Instinct Pro works with Xbox, PC, Mac and mobile OSes, and we like its remappable paddles and its adjustable instant triggers, which remove pull down and make it feel more like a mouse click. It’s a more than capable controller that any gamer would love to receive, but the cherry on top will be customizing it with their favorite colors and hues. — Valentina Palladino, Senior Commerce Editor

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

SteelSeeries' previous high-end gaming headphones, the Arctis Pro, were some of the best we've ever heard. The company's new Nova Pro headsets improve on that design with better sound quality, and a plethora of new adjustment options. They also support 360-degree spatial audio on Windows PCs and the PlayStation 5. We're recommending the $350 wireless model since it allows for more freedom – useful for parents who may also need to rush off to console a crying child at night – but if they don't mind a cable the $250 wired model sounds just as good. And if dad would prefer a headset he can use in more ways than one, our best gaming headsets guide has a ton of all-purpose options. — D.H.

Razer Basilisk V3

The Razer Basilisk V3 is a comfortable and responsive mouse for any dad who does a lot of PC gaming. The top pick in our best gaming mouse guide has a sturdy frame that should fit all but the smallest of hands and well-sized buttons that are satisfying to press. While it’s not the lightest mouse, and won’t be the absolute fastest for twitchy shooting games, it tracks smoothly and accurately. And outside of games, the fact that its scroll wheel can tilt side-to-side and swap to a free-spinning mode makes it a handy option for navigating large documents and Excel sheets. Just note that, like many gaming mice, it’s made for righties first. — J.D.

Satisfye ZenGrip

The Switch is a wonderful device, but it’s not the most ergonomic thing out there. If dad has complained about this before, a Satisfye ZenGrip can help him stave off sore wrists and tingly fingers while running around Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey. This is a molded, hard plastic grip that slots around a Switch and makes it feel more like you’re holding a very wide Xbox or PlayStation controller instead of a flat rectangle. It won’t make the buttons feel any better, and it certainly adds a bit of bulk, but it’s solidly constructed and sized for medium or large hands. Unlike many other Switch grips, the design won’t scuff the console when removed, plus it leaves enough room for the Switch’s fans. Satisfye sells grips for all three Switch models in various colors as well as bundles that pair the accessory with a specially designed case. — J.D.

Backbone One

If dad likes to game on his phone, the Backbone One will give him a more natural way to play. This is a mobile gamepad that attaches directly to a phone’s Lightning or USB-C port and works with any game that supports controllers. It has all the inputs needed to play modern games, and while its buttons won’t feel as luxurious as a full-size pad, they’re still responsive and properly spaced given the size constraints. The contoured grips are comfy to hold over time, plus there’s a built-in headphone jack and charging port for your phone. For beefy mobile games or streaming PS5 and Xbox games, it’ll be much less fiddly than touch controls. — J.D.

My Arcade Micro Player mini arcade cabinets

It’s best viewed as a show piece on a shelf rather than something dad would play seriously, but one of My Arcade’s Micro Player mini arcade cabinets is an adorable way for him to display a retro favorite. While there are certainly cheaper and more convenient ways to play old games, these 6.75-inch cabinets don’t feel flimsy and generally convey the spirit of each game well. (Just note that the artwork is usually “inspired by” the game in question, not a replica of its original cabinet.) Their buttons are surprisingly responsive and, while the 2.75-inch screen looks washed out from an angle, it’s bright and colorful enough to be usable. There’s a speaker and headphone jack built in, plus each joystick is removable if dad would rather use the mini d-pad instead. The line includes several classics, including Pac-Man, Galaga, Street Fighter II and Space Invaders, among many others. — J.D.

Panic Playdate

Panic's Playdate won't ever compete with the Nintendo Switch, or even the PlayStation Vita, when it comes to graphics or the depth of its library. But it's undoubtedly one of the most intriguing pieces of gaming we've seen recently. Imagine a super-slim version of the Game Boy with a sharp screen and a cute crank on the side, and you've got the Playdate.

While it only has two buttons and a directional pad, most games are built to use the crank, perhaps to steer a surf board as you're trying to catch some waves, or to direct a bumbling robot as he tries (and fails) to reach his date on time. It's a limited system (it doesn't even have a backlight!), but those limitations have led to some truly unique gaming experiences. — D.H.

Wingspan

If dad wants to get more into tabletop games and doesn’t mind going beyond the usual high-fantasy fare, Wingspan is worth a look. This is a popular, award-winning “engine builder” that casts up to five players as bird lovers trying to attract feathered friends to their wildlife preserve. The rules are straightforward enough to appeal to newbies, but there are numerous strategies you can take to win, so the game is easily replayable. Plus, the whole thing is gorgeous, with 170 illustrated bird cards, pastel egg pieces and a faux-birdhouse for dice rolls. It’s also possible to play the game solo. — J.D.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gaming-gifts-for-dads-133016759.html?src=rss

Google's Pixel 7 falls to $499 and also offers a $100 Amazon gift card

Google's Pixel 7 is still one of the best value smartphones available and now you can grab one at the lowest prices we've ever seen. Amazon is selling the 128GB Pixel 7 at $200 off for just $499, and throwing in a $100 Amazon gift card, effectively bringing the price down to $399. It's also selling the 256GB Pixel 7 Pro at an all-time low of $699, for a savings of $200 (22 percent) over the regular price. It's all part of a huge Amazon sale on Google Pixel 7 devices, offering discounts on nearly every model, colorway and memory configuration. 

The Pixel 7 offers a lot of refinements over the previous model, making it Google's most polished smartphone to date. It uses the company's own Tensor G2 chip, and while it's not quite as fast as Qualcomm's latest processors, it unlocks some nice AI camera tricks like Super Res Zoom, Photo Unblur and Cinematic Blur features. The 6.3-inch, 90Hz display offers smooth performance, while being small enough to do most things one-handed. It comes with a 50-megapixel main and 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, both among the best in the industry. 

The Pixel 7 Pro, meanwhile, offers 5X telephoto and ultra-wide-angle lens that has a solid macro function. Meanwhile, the 6.7-inch 120Hz display allows for smooth gaming performance. You can also expect modern features like wireless charging, strong water resistance and an improved design.

Best of all for many buyers, both devices offer Google's bloatware-free Android experience with first crack at updates and exclusive features like Clear Calling and a free VPN. The only downside is a slightly laggy fingerprint reader and temperatures that can get a bit warm under load. 

Those aren't the only two models with nice discounts, either. Amazon has slashed prices on nearly every Pixel 7 model as part of a larger sale, including different colors and memory configurations, with and without Amazon gift cards. So if you've been waiting for a deal, now is the time to act. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-7-falls-to-499-and-also-offers-a-100-amazon-gift-card-080220568.html?src=rss

Sonos speakers are up to 25 percent off, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

The week after Memorial Day can sometimes be a little sleepy on the deals front, but this week we saw a good number of sales, particularly on audio equipment. The headliner deal, a rare sale at Sonos, takes up to 25 percent off some of the brand's most popular speakers. JBL is discounting a few of its better Bluetooth speakers, Sony's new WH-CH720N headphones are down to $128 and Apple's AirPods Pro have dropped back to $200. Solo Stove carried over its holiday sale to this week, in which you can save up to 45 percent on the brand's mostly smokeless fire pits or get $120 off one of our recommended pizza ovens. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. 

Sonos speaker sale

I heard from a colleague that they'd just bough a Sonos speaker — before this sale popped up. To avoid the same disappointing fate, you may want to shop now if you've been thinking about a speaker from one of our favorite brands. Currently, many of the more popular speakers are up to 25 percent off in a rare sale. Discounts apply to one of our favorite soundbars, the Sonos Arc, which is $719.20 after a 20 percent discount. It calibrates its sound to your living room (or wherever you set it up) and works well with other Sonos speakers as you expand. The Beam, which is our favorite mid-range soundbar is down to $399.20, which is nearly $100 off the street price. I particularly appreciate the way the Beam makes dialogue much clearer.  

Our favorite portable smart speaker, the Sonos Roam, is also part of the sale, down to $134.25 instead of its usual $179. The new Era 100, which our deputy editor Nathan Ingraham gave high marks to, isn't on sale by itself, but is available bundled with the Move speaker for $99 off. 

Sony WH-CH720N headphones

They've only been around for a few months now, but Sony's WH-CH720N wireless headphones are already 20 percent off at Amazon and Adorama, bringing them to just $128. Our audio expert and editor Billy Steele deemed them "budget-friendly headphones with premium sound" in his review last month. They're a mid-range and more affordable alternative to Sony's $400 WH-1000XM5, but compromises like a mostly plastic build make the headphones look "decidedly cheap." It's also missing some advanced features like automatically pausing when you take them off. Still, Billy was impressed by the overall sound quality, remarking on the clarity of detail and ample bass. They have a long, 35-hour battery life and are also lightweight and comfortable, even after hours of wear. 

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

Solo Stove's Memorial Day sale is still going on, with discounts up to 45 percent on some of the brand's nearly smokeless fire pits. The medium-sized Bonfire 2.0 is still just $250 after a $150 discount. It's 19.5-inches in diameter and comes with an improved ash pan for easier cleanup. Solo Stove is also still offering a free mini fire pit, the table-top-friendly Mesa if you enter the code FREEMESA at checkout (just remember to add the mini pit to your cart first). And while Ooni's Memorial Day sale looks to be over, Solo's answer to the pizza oven boom, the Pi Pizza Oven (and one of our favorites), is on sale for $400 after a $120 discount. 

Humble Metroidvania game bundle

Humble Bundle, the online store that sells bundled games at a discount while giving money to charity, has a notable set of games on offer this week. Nine Metroidvania games, including Hollow Knight, Bloodstained and Rain World, are going for the minimum price of $15. Bought separately, the titles would sell for $164. As with all Humble Bundles, you can pick the price you pay, with a portion of the money going to publishers and charities like the Malala Fund, the ACLU and One Tree Planted. This bundle supports Girls Who Code and has already raised $34,061 as of this writing. 

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is on sale for $145 instead of its usual $180 at both Amazon and from Microsoft. That's close to the lowest price we've seen for the highly customizable controller since its debut in 2019. It works with Xbox Series X or S consoles as well as PCs running Windows 10 or 11 and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or Microsoft's own Xbox Wireless protocol. If you prefer, you can just plug it in with the included USB-C cable. Many other items are included as well, like a charging dock, four paddles, an extra D-pad, additional thumbsticks and a carrying case. If you don't need all of that (and don't want to have it in black) you can grab the Core version of the Elite Series 2, which is currently on sale for $104 from Microsoft. 

The Xbox Wireless Headset is also on sale for $85 instead of $100, which is an all-time low. Of course, this set didn't make the cut in our guide to the best gaming headsets. Our senior commerce writer, Jeff Dunn, would suggest instead the wired Astro A40 TR, which is on sale for $100 after a 23 percent discount. It's got a more spacious soundstage than many gaming headsets with an emphasized bass that delivers a "a smooth and satisfying thump" without overdoing it. True, they're not wireless, but you can plug them directly into the headphone jack on your new Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.  

Apple AirTags

Losing your keys and wallet is never fun. A Bluetooth tracker can help you stop doing that. Right now Apple's option, the small white AirTags, are on sale for 20 percent off when you buy a four pack from Walmart or Verizon. They're our favorite trackers for iPhone users (and don't work with Android devices) because they tap into the vast FindMy network, enabled by default for every iPhone user out there. That means any nearby phone can anonymously find your lost item and help you zero in on its location. 

In my tests, the AirTags were neither as loud nor as quick with separation alerts as the Chipolo One trackers. Those were the best overall pick in our guide, work with both iPhones and Android phones and are currently just $75 for a four-pack.    

WD_Black 1TB SN850X NVMe Gaming SSD

The latest WD_Black 1TB SN850X NVMe Gaming SSD with a heat sink is currently just $80 at Amazon, which is a 56 percent savings over the usual $180. It offers read/write speeds of up to 7300/6300 MBs and, in addition to PCs, it's also compatible with PS5 consoles. If you need even more storage, check out the 2TB size which is $150 instead of $310. 

If you'd prefer external storage, you can grab the WD_Black 1TB P4 Game Drive SSD for $100 or 44 percent off its $180 list price. The 2TB capacity version is on sale for $160, which is an even steeper 52 percent discount. As they're external, they're compatible with both PS and Xbox consoles and can even store files from your PC or Mac. 

Samsung Pro Plus microSD card

Samsung ran a promotion on its storage devices last week and many of the deals are still live at Amazon. Of particular note is the 128GB Pro Plus microSD card, which is down to $18 after a 31 percent discount and represents a new low price. It's our top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards. This deal bundles a handy USB reader, but if you don't need one, you can get just the card for $15. The 256GB model is $24, which is the lowest price we've seen yet. 

You can also snag deals on the Samsung Evo Select card, which is 55 percent off, or the ultracompact Samsung Fit Plus flash drive which is now just $15 for the 128GB version. The ever-popular portable SSD, the T7 Shield, is 44 percent off in the 1TB size.  

Chromecast with Google TV 

The 4K version of the Chromecast with Google TV is currently $40 at Amazon and Best Buy. That's a 20 percent discount and matches the cheapest price we've seen yet. The streaming dongle can turn any set into a smart TV, giving you a slew of streaming options while offering support for Dolby Vision. If you don't have a screen that can handle 4K video, the HD dongle is even cheaper at just $20 after a 33 percent discount. Our commerce writer Nicole Lee gave the 4K version an 86 in her review and we named it the runner up in our streaming device guide thanks to its great Google Assistant integration and informative Google TV interface. 

JBL Flip 6

A handful of JBL speakers are on sale right now, including JBL's Flip 6, Charge 5 and Xtreme 3 — all of which our homepage editor, Jon Turi, recommends in his guide to the best Bluetooth speakers. The Flip 6 puts out impressive volume considering its 1.2-pound size and still manages to deliver "solid lows [and] crisp highs." True to it's name, you can flip it on its side to save tabletop space and the IP67 waterproof rating mean it can handle a dunk. It's down to $100 after a 23 percent discount at both JBL and Amazon. That's not an all-time low, but falls within $10 of its Black Friday pricing. 

The Charge 5 is at little bigger at just over two pounds and can likewise pump out bigger sound. It delivers the same quality sound as the smaller Flip 6 (and has the same waterproof rating). The larger battery not only goes for 20 hours on a charge, it can even juice up your small devices via the USB port. It's on sale for $150 after a 17 percent discount from both JBL and Amazon. For even bigger sound, we recommend the Xtreme 3. Its 4.3-pound size is large enough to warrant a shoulder strap and can adequately output sound for a backyard get-together. It's $100 off after a 25 percent discount and you can get it from JBL or Best Buy.  

Govee M1 RGBIC LED strip lights

Light strips might not be the most necessary smart home devices, but they can add a decidedly fun vibe to a living room, bedroom or gamer cave. The latest option from Govee, the 16.4-foot M1 RGBIC LED Strip Lights are on sale for $85 at Amazon, after you click to apply the $15 coupon. Our senior commerce editor, Valentina Palladino, recommends them in our guide to smart bulbs because they have an impressively wide color spectrum, don't require a hub and let you customize 15 different segments to get just the right lighting scheme. 

Other Govee lights are also on sale, including the 100-foot RGBIC LED Strip Lights for $48.48 after applying the $10 coupon. These have an older chip in them and aren't quite as bright as the newer model, but at less than a dollar per foot, they're an inexpensive way to get started with smart strip lights. 

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

At this point, we'd recommend anyone looking into AirPods Pro to wait for them to go on sale. This week is one such time, as the second generation of Apple's AirPods Pro have dropped back to $199 both at Target and at Amazon. They are Engadget's recommendation for the best earbuds you can buy for iPhones. Billy gave them an 88 in his review, noting their improved performance and better features over the previous generation. They also deliver one of the most natural-sounding transparency modes of any earbuds out there. 

Eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi 6 router

As part of a larger sale on Amazon's line of Wi-Fi routers, the Eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router is on sale for $200. That's a 20 percent discount, but $20 more than its lowest price so far. Still, if you've brought home a newer smartphone, tablet or laptop that can access WiFi 6 and want a router that can supply that band, this might be a good time to upgrade. If you've got a large area to cover, you may need a few routers. A three-pack of Eero routers can cover up to 6,000 square feet and are similarly discounted.  

Google Nest WiFi Routers

If you'd rather get a WiFi router from Google, take a look at Amazon's sale on Nest devices. A three-pack of the Nest WiFi Pro 6E routers is 15 percent off, or $340, which is the lowest price in the past four months, though not an all-time low. Set these up throughout your home and you'll get 6,000 square feet of coverage with access to the usual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi bands, plus the newer 6 GHz band. Compatible devices, like newer smartphones, laptops and tablets, can access this band and get lower latency and less network crowding.  

Ring Video Doorbell

The wired version of the Ring Video Doorbell is seeing a steep discount this week at Amazon. Usually $65, it's now just $39 after a 40 percent discount. The camera uses motion detection to tell when someone is at your door, sending out instant notifications. You can see, hear and talk to visitors using your phone or an Echo display. To hear a chime inside your home when someone rings the bell, you'll need an Alexa-enabled speaker or a Ring Chime. The devices offer customizable privacy settings, but it's important to note that Amazon's Ring devices haven't had the best track record on that front. 

iRobot Roomba 694

Last week, Wellbots offered a few discount codes on many of our favorite Roomba robot vacs, and now Amazon and iRobot have matched many of those prices. One of particular note is the iRobot Roomba 694, the winner from our guide to budget versions autonomous cleaners. It's currently 35 percent off, or $179, from both Amazon and iRobot. That matches the all-time low on a vac that offers an easy-to-use companion app and powerful suction. 

Also on sale is the iRobot Roomba j7, which is $400 after a $200 discount at both Amazon and the iRobot store. It's the runner-up mid-range vac in our robovac guide, in which Valentina noted its excellent obstacle avoidance and good cleaning power. The standard j7 doesn't come with a clean base, so you'll need to manually empty what the machine picks up in a run. If you want an auto-empty feature, you can opt for the Roomba j7+, which Amazon and iRobot have for $600 instead of $800. If you also want a vac than can mop, the Roomba Combo j7+ includes an on-board mopping pad that automatically deploys when the bot detects hard floors. It's available from Amazon, Target or directly from iRobot.

Our pick for a premium robo vac is the Roomba s9+ which is $749 instead of $1,000. Pick that one up from either Amazon or iRobot

Samsung The Frame Smart TV

A sale on Samsung's The Frame Smart TVs at Woot takes 27 to 33 percent off sets ranging from 43 and 75 inches. That makes the 50-inch model $870 instead of $1,300 and the 43-inch $730 instead of $998. The QLED 4K smart TVs run on Samsung's Tizen OS and feature an Art Mode that camouflages the screen as a fairly convincing piece of art when it's off. The anti-reflection matte display, narrow wall mount and external CPU add to the illusion, particularly if you drop the thin connecting wire behind the drywall during installation. 

Apple Mac Mini

Apple's entry-level Mac mini with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage is $100 off right now at B&H Photo. The deal matches the all-time low of $499 and makes it the most affordable way to get a decent Mac desktop computer. It won't handle heavy workloads and isn't upgradable, so you'll probably want to make sure it can handle what you want it to do before you checkout. If you want a larger SSD, you can grab the version with 512GB of storage for $679, or $120 off. Amazon offered the same deals last week, but has since run out of stock. We gave the beefed up version of the latest Mac mini a score of 86 when it came out earlier this year.  

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-speakers-are-up-to-25-percent-off-plus-the-rest-of-this-weeks-best-tech-deals-174516851.html?src=rss

Sonos speakers and soundbars are up to 25 percent off in rare sale

This is a good moment to buy into a smart speaker ecosystem. Sonos is holding a Father's Day sale that cuts up to 25 percent off the price of recent speakers and soundbars. Most notably, the high-end Arc soundbar is down to $719, or nearly $180 off. That could make it particularly appealing if you want to roll the savings into another smart speaker. The sale ends June 18th, or while supplies last.

The sale also drops the prices of the portable Move speaker to $299, and the mid-tier Beam soundbar to $399 — both $100 discounts. The Roam, meanwhile, is down to $134 (about $45 off). The savings also stack up with bundles, some of which include Sonos' new Era 100 and Era 300 speakers.

The Arc is one of our top premium soundbar picks for good reason. It delivers exceptional sound quality, including immersive Dolby Atmos audio, and its integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it ideal if you want multiroom audio or a smart speaker with access to a wide range of services. The only real catch is that expansion can quickly get expensive, especially if you want spatial audio using the Era 300.

The Roam, meanwhile, is our favorite portable speaker. It sounds superb for the money, and it's very portable while offering the benefits of Sonos' system. It's not Sonos' loudest portable option (that's the Move), and the 10-hour battery life isn't stellar compared to some of the competition. At this price, though, it's a good pick for a picnic or a small backyard gathering.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-speakers-and-soundbars-are-up-to-25-percent-off-in-rare-sale-133001802.html?src=rss

Samsung's 2022 The Frame smart TVs are up to 33 percent off

Samsung's The Frame is a smart TV that has a nifty trick up its sleeve. When you're not watching something, it looks like a piece of art. It's an intriguing alternative to the standard gloomy black box that can dominate a living room when a big-screen TV is turned off. Now, over at Woot, you can snap up a Frame TV at a discount. The retailer is running a sale on several 2022 models and it has dropped prices by up to 33 percent.

You'll need to make up your mind whether to take the plunge relatively quickly, as the sale will run for nine days or until the smart TVs are sold out. The biggest discounts, percentage wise, are on the 50-inch and 75-inch models, as both are a third off. The 50-inch model has dropped by $430 to $870, while the 75-inch model is $1,000 off at $2,000.

When Art Mode is enabled, The Frame can display the artwork of your choice. Some of the pieces are available at no extra cost, though you'll have access to a wider selection with a Samsung Art Store subscription. The options range from iconic works such as the Mona Lisa and The Starry Night to modern photography. The Frame has a low profile and anti-reflective matte glass to bolster the illusion that you're looking at framed art instead of a TV. The bezel is customizable too.

When you do want to tune in to a show or movie, you'll be able to watch in 4K, unless you opt for the 32-inch model, which doesn't have a QLED 4K display. The Frame also has the Alexa voice assistant built in and it uses Samsung's Tizen OS.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-2022-the-frame-smart-tvs-are-up-to-33-percent-off-145612737.html?src=rss

WD_Black SSDs are up to 56 percent off right now

If you're in the market for a fast NVMe SSD for your PC or console, Amazon has some great options in its latest sale. The WD_Black SN850 and P40 models are on sale with steep discounts as high as 56 percent, with sizes ranging from 1TB to 4TB. The best deal is on the latest WD_Black 1TB SN850X NVMe with a heat sink that offers speeds up to 7300/6300 MB/s (read/write) and PS5 compatibility. It's priced at just $80, a savings of 56 percent ($100) over the regular price. 

The latest SN850X is available in sizes up to 2TB, with read speeds a bit faster (6,600 MB/s) on the 2TB model. Both come with a heatsink and support Game Mode 2.0, and are compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles. They also make great storage and media drives on PCs, thanks to high speeds that allow quick program loading and the ability to play back 8K video.

If you don't need PS5 compatibility or a heat sink, Amazon has the regular SN850X on sale as well in four sizes, at $80, $175 and $350 for the 1TB, 2TB and 4TB models, respectively. The best deal is on the 4TB unit, priced at just $350 for a savings of 50 percent off the regular price — a nice deal if you need a very fast SSD with high capacity.

Finally, if it's USB-C storage you're looking for, the WD_Black 1TB and 2TB P4 Game Drive SSDs carry significant discounts as well. The 1TB model is available for $100, or 44 percent off the regular price, while the 2TB version is on sale for $160, saving you a full 52 percent. These models are compatible with both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, giving you a speedy archiving option (up to 2,000 MB/s) that lets you save space on your main drive and quickly restore games. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wd-black-ssds-are-up-to-56-percent-off-right-now-130807310.html?src=rss

The best Memorial Day tech sales we could find

Apart from being a time to honor those who've served our country and the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day also brings a number of sales on various appliances and electronics. As we round into the holiday weekend, we've sorted through the cruft and picked out the best tech sales we could find ahead of this Memorial Day. The notable deals include $50 off Sony's excellentWH-1000XM5 headphones, Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max back at an all-time low of $35 and Apple's iPad Air down to $500. There are a few sweeping sales on other gear we like as well, including Solo Stove fire pits, Ooni pizza ovens, Samsung storage devices and PC games from the Epic Games Store. 

Amazon Fire TV streamer deals

Amazon has discounted all of its Fire TV streaming devices ahead of Memorial Day. The standout is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $35, which is a price we've seen several times before but still matches the device's all-time low. This is the fastest streaming stick Amazon sells, plus its remote comes with Alexa voice control baked in. If you just want a cheap way to put apps on an older 1080p display, the Fire TV Stick Lite is also worth considering at $20, which is $5 more than the lowest price we've seen. 

Beyond that, the base Fire TV Stick 4K is down to $32, the standard Fire TV Stick is down to $25, and the Fire TV Cube, which blends a 4K streamer with an Alexa smart speaker, is down to an all-time low of $120. All Fire TV streamers tend to prioritize Amazon's own content and stuff their UI with ads, so we generally recommend Roku and Google streamers to most people. (The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is an OK value at its current deal price of $40, though we've seen it go for less in the past.) Still, if you use services like Alexa and Prime Video on a regular basis, or if you just want to save a few bucks, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is mostly on par with its peers in terms of performance and app support. 

Sony headphone deals

Sony has put a number of headphones and earbuds back on sale, including the flagship WH-1000XM5 for $348. While that's not an all-time low, it's the first notable discount we've seen on the noise-cancelling over-ears since February and a $50 drop from the pair's usual going rate. The XM5s are the top pick in our guide to the best wireless headphones, and we gave them a review score of 95 last year thanks to their powerful ANC, lightweight design, punchy sound and deep feature set. 

If you want to save a little extra cash, the XM5's predecessor, the WH-1000XM4, is also worth a look at $278. Again, that's not the lowest these headphones ever been, but it's still $70 below their typical street price. This pair is slightly bulkier than the XM5, its sound is a bit boomier out of the box and it has a worse mic for phone calls. Its ANC, battery life and general feature set are similar, though, and it can fold up for easier storage. The XM5s also use an automatic ANC adjustment system, which some may prefer to avoid. We gave the XM4 a score of 94 back in 2020.

Samsung storage device deals

Samsung has kicked off another round of deals on its microSD cards, SSDs, thumb drives and other storage devices. The offers include the 128GB Samsung Pro Plus, the top pick in our best microSD card guide, paired with a USB reader for $18. That's $8 off its MSRP and a new low. (You can also get the card without the reader for a dollar less.) If you don't need something quite as fast, the Samsung Evo Select is the top value pick in that guide; its 256GB model is down to an all-time low of $18 as well.

Besides microSD cards, the Samsung Fit Plus, an ultracompact flash drive we recommend in our best SSDs guide, is back at a low of $15 for a 128GB model. A 2TB version of the T7 Shield, a rugged version of one of our favorite portable SSDs, is down to $120, while the 4TB model is available for $220. If you're looking for a PCIe Gen 4 SSD to upgrade a PlayStation 5 or high-power gaming PC, the 2TB version of the 980 Pro with an integrated heatsink is about $20 less than usual at $150. The speedier 990 Pro, meanwhile, is down to $100 for a 1TB unit, another all-time low.

Solo Stove sale

Solo Stove is running a site-wide Memorial Day sale that takes up to 45 percent off a number of its popular (mostly) smokeless fire pits. The discounts include the Bonfire 2.0 for $250, which is $150 off the medium-sized pit's MSRP and $50 off its usual street price. What's more, you can add the company's Mesa tabletop fire pit for no extra cost if you add it to your cart and use the code FREEMESA at checkout. Normally, the device goes for $120. The sale also includes the Pi Pizza Oven for $400, which is $100 off its typical going rate. We've sung the praises of Solo Stove's fire pits multiple times in the past, and we currently recommend the Pi in our pizza oven buying guide.

Ooni pizza oven sale

Ooni makes several of the other picks in our pizza oven guide, and this week it's discounted a couple of those as part of its own Memorial Day sale. The deals include the Fyra 12 for $244, which is $105 off its MSRP, and the Karu 16 for $639, which is a $160 discount. Both do well to actually make pies, but we recommend the former if you'd prefer a more compact oven that runs on wood pellets, while the latter is a larger and more versatile option for bigger servings that can use wood, charcoal or gas. We also recommend the Karu 16 in our guide to the best grills and grill accessories.

Epic Games Store Mega Sale

The Epic Games Store has rolled out its latest "Mega Sale," bringing discounts on a number of PC games. While the promotion includes a handful of decent price drops, its real value comes from the "Epic Coupon," which takes 25 percent off most purchases of $14.99 or more. The offer applies whether you buy one or multiple games at a time and stacks on top of any existing discounts. This brings many games back around their best prices to date: Red Dead Redemption II, for instance, is already on sale for $20, but with the coupon it drops to an all-time low of $15.

The coupon also works on games that aren't otherwise part of the sale, so you can take 25 percent off newer titles like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Dead Island 2, which haven't received major discounts elsewhere. (The former's PC port has had a rocky launch, to put it mildly, though a few patches have helped stabilize it.) And because the coupon renews after each eligible purchase, you can use it continuously until the promotion ends on June 15. It won't work on pre-orders, though. If you prefer to get your PC games through Steam, meanwhile, note that Valve's Summer Sale will kick off on June 29.

Apple Gift Card

If you pick up a $100 Apple gift card at Best Buy, the retailer will throw in a $10 Best Buy gift card for no extra cost. The offer also includes a few extended trials to Apple's TV+, Music and News+ subscriptions for new and returning subscribers. We see this deal periodically, but if you shop at Best Buy anyway and plan to use services like the App Store, Apple Music or iCloud, it essentially gets you a bit of free money. Just note that the deal only applies to digital gift cards, not physical ones.

Razer Huntsman Mini

The top pick in our guide to the best 60 percent keyboards, the Razer Huntsman Mini is down to $70 for a model with Razer's Clicky Optical switches. That's $5 more than the ultracompact gaming keyboard's all-time low but still about $15 less than its usual street price. If you prefer a quieter switch with a smoother feel while typing, a variant with Linear Optical switches is on sale for $80, which is about $20 below its typical going rate. Either way, we like the Huntsman Mini for its sturdy build quality, smooth PBT keycaps and per-key RGB backlighting.

Apple iPad Air

The latest iPad Air is once again down to $500, matching the second-best price we've seen and coming in $100 below Apple's MSRP. We gave the Air a review score of 90 last year and call it the best tablet for most people in our iPad buying guide. While it lacks the top-tier M2 chip, 120Hz refresh rate and improved speakers of the iPad Pro, it provides a similarly elegant design at a much lower price, with a better display, faster processor and wider accessory support than Apple's lower-end tablets.

Apple Mac Mini

Apple's entry-level Mac Mini is back on sale for $499, which matches the compact desktop's previous all-time low. This model includes Apple's M2 chip, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Those specs (along with the device's lack of upgradeability) mean you'll want to stick to relatively light workloads. However, if that's all you need, this is the most affordable route into a competent Mac desktop. If you need more storage, a version with a 512GB SSD is also on sale for $679, which is another all-time low. We gave the Mac Mini with a faster M2 Pro chip a review score of 86 earlier this year, but outside of the CPU bump and a couple extra Thunderbolt ports, the devices are virtually identical.

Apple Pencil

The Apple Pencil has dropped to $85, tying the lowest price we've tracked for the iPad stylus. This is roughly $15 below the device's typical street price in recent months and $44 below Apple's MSRP. We recommend the Pencil in our best iPad accessories guide: For digital artists and note-takers, it's a consistently accurate pen and the only stylus to offer pressure sensitivity across iPadOS. It's also easy to charge and pair, since it can attach to the side of a recent iPad magnetically. Just make sure your iPad is compatible with this second-gen model if you want to take the plunge.

Intel and AMD CPU deals

If you're looking to build or upgrade a PC, we're seeing a handful of good prices on both Intel and AMD processors. Among the better deals available, the Intel Core i5-13500 is down to $210, which is about $40 below the chip's usual going rate and an all-time low. For something more powerful, the Core i7-13700F is available for a new low of $330, which is about $40 less than its typical street price. This is a strong performer for both gaming and productivity at that price; just note that it lacks an integrated GPU. If you prefer an AMD build, meanwhile, the Ryzen 7 7700X might be worth a look at $297. It's not as good of a value as something like the i7-13700F, especially since it requires an AM5 motherboard and DDR5 RAM to work, but it's still a solid mid-range option for gaming if you must have a Ryzen PC. 

Dashlane Premium sale

A password manager is a simple but effective way to boost your online security and simplify the amount of login credentials you need to remember. Dashlane is one of the better options available; in fact, it'll soon be a pick in an upcoming buying guide. If you want to give the service a try, you can get a year of Dashlane Premium for $30 when you use the code MEMDAY23 or MEMORIAL23 at checkout. That's a 50 percent discount. Though Dashlane has a free tier, the Premium plan lets you use the service across multiple devices. It also includes a bundled VPN, a password strength analyzer and "dark web monitoring," which lets you know if your email addresses have been leaked in data breaches.

Paramount Plus and Showtime bundle

Paramount has rolled out a promotion that gives new subscribers three months of its Paramount+ Premium + Showtime bundle for $6 per month, or $18 in total. That's half off its usual going rate. With the glut of streaming TV options available, it's hard to call Paramount+ essential, but we do list it in our guide to the best video streaming services for its growing sports coverage, kid-friendly Nickelodeon shows and original fare like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Showtime, meanwhile, has its share of shows and movies worth checking out, from Yellowjackets to Billions to the recent Oscar winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. This offer is set to run until June 4. If you end up not digging the service, remember to cancel before the trial ends so your subscription doesn't auto-renew at full price.

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Amazon has a big sale on Razer gaming accessories and peripherals

A variety of Razer's gaming accessories and peripherals are currently discounted on Amazon, including its Blackwidow V3 TKL keyboard, a favorite of gamers at Engadget. Normally retailing at $100, the silent version is 20 percent off at $80, while the clicky model is 15 percent off at $85. Both models support 16.8 million colors across the keys and can handle up to 80 million clicks.

The Kraken X headset is also on sale with a 48 percent discount bringing the 7.1 surround sound headphones down from $60 to $31. They feature a noise-canceling microphone along with volume and mute buttons right on the left earcup.

Razer's Viper Ultralight Mouse has one of the biggest discounts, with a 50 percent slash dropping the price from $80 to $40. The ambidextrous mouse has an 8000Hz polling rate, meaning there's next to no input latency. The woven wire means there are no concerns about battery life while still allowing for smooth movements. It also holds up to five stored profiles and utilizes the Focus+ 20K Optical Sensor for features like motion sync.

Rounding out the Razer gaming basics currently on sale is the Wolverine V2 Chroma controller for Xbox, with a 27 percent discount bringing the price from $150 to $110. Like with the Blackwidow V3 TKL keyboard, gamers can customize it with 16.8 million colors and light effects. The controller also offers four extra triggers and two remappable bumpers. Users can change the color effects and button controls through the Razer Control Setup for Xbox app.

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-has-a-big-sale-on-razer-gaming-accessories-and-peripherals-100043361.html?src=rss