Best Buy’s Techtober Sale Offerings: A Competitive Edge Against Amazon’s Prime Day Deals

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Table of ContentsBest Apple dealBest Windows laptop dealBest TV dealBest vacuum deal

Amazon can never run a sale all by itself. As the retail giant hosts its annual Prime Big Deal Days event from Oct. 7 to 8, Best Buy is having a competing “Techtober Sale” that’s live through Oct. 12.

A Best Buy representative tells me via email that the weeklong event includes “some of the hottest deals this fall on tech like laptopsTVs, headphonesvideo games, electric bikes and more.” New markdowns get added to the sale every day, and all featured deals are available online, in the Best Buy mobile app, and in stores.

Amazon has been hosting a two-day fall savings event for members of its Prime program every year since 2022 — and every year since 2022, Best Buy has held its own concurrent sale. (Previously, it came in the form of a 48-Hour Flash Sale.) Best Buy also times a savings event to run alongside Amazon’s big flagship Prime Day sale in July, so this sort of counter-programming is par for the course.

SEE ALSO:

October Prime Day 2025: Live updates on the top deals

Best Buy isn’t the only retailer giving Amazon a run for its money this month. Walmart is having a “Walmart Deals” event from Oct. 7 to 12, and Target is hosting one of its Circle Week sales from Oct. 5 to 11. Notably, Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days is the only event that locks its deals behind a paid membership.

I’ve spent several hours combing through the Techtober Sale to find the deals worth buying from Best Buy instead of Amazon this week. So far, I’ve identified over five dozen products that are either price-matched or cheaper at Best Buy, or only available on sale there. That’s either because Amazon doesn’t carry the item (see: my beloved Asus Zenbook A14now just $580) or because it sold out on Amazon (see: the iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Docknow just $600).

I’ve listed my Techtober Sale findings below, and I’m planning on refreshing them as new deals pop up throughout the week; check back soon. As of Oct. 7, Amazon is now undercutting its rival on most AirPods, Apple WatchesMicrosoft Surface devices (save for a keyboard bundle), and a couple of Hisense and Samsung TVs. However, Best Buy has lowered the prices of a couple iPads to match their Prime Day deals, and I still like its selection of Windows laptop deals better overall.

Best Apple deal

Why I like it

Apple’s coin-shaped Bluetooth tracker seamlessly connects with iOS devices and lasts up to a year on a single charge. Amazon put individual AirTags on sale for the record-low price of $19.99 mid-Monday morning, before Prime Big Deal Days began, but only because Best Buy offered that deal first at the onset of its Techtober Sale. (Trendsetter!) I’ll also note that a four-pack of AirTags is marked down to $64.99 at both retailers, making them $16.25 apiece if you’d rather buy some in bulk.

Read Mashable’s full review of the Apple AirTag.

Apple Watch deals

iPad deals

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $279 $349 (save $70)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $379 $499 (save $120)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $449 $599 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) — $649 $799 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $899 $999 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,099 $1,299 (save $200)

MacBook deals

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $2,249 $2,499 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Max, 36GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $3,099 $3,499 (save $400)

Best Windows laptop deal

Note: Paid My Best Buy members (Plus and Total) get a $50 bonus reward when they spend at least $499 on select Windows laptops.

Mashable Deals

Why I like it

The ultrathin and feathery light Asus Zenbook A14 is my favorite ultraportable. It’s the fastest sub-$1,000 Windows laptop I’ve tried, and its svelte 2.4-pound frame (0.3 pounds lighter than a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air!) houses a good mix of ports and a vibrant OLED display. Plus, it lasts almost 22 hours per charge. Best Buy’s massive Techtober discount turns it into a great option for budget buyers: The Zabriskie beige base model with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage is only $579.99, or 42% off. It’s never been cheaper.

More Windows laptop deals

• HP Omnibook 5 16 (Snapdragon 10 Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• HP Omnibook x 17 (Intel Core 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $879.99 $1,349.99 (save $470)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, 16-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $899.99 $1,449.99 (save $550)

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra (Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,799.99 $2,399.99 (save $600)

2-in-1 laptop deals

• HP OmniBook 5 Flip 14 (Intel Core 7 150U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 16 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $649.99 $1,049.99 (save $400)

• Dell Plus 2-in-1 14 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

• Microsoft Surface Pro 11, 13-inch (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) + Keyboard Bundle — $999.99 $1,349.99 (save $350)

• HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,599.99 (save $500)

Gaming laptop deals

• Lenovo LOQ (AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $549.99 $879.99 (save $330)

• HP Victus 15 (Intel Core i7-13620H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,049.99 $1,369.99 (save $320)

• Asus TUF Gaming A16 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,349.99 $1,699.99 (save $350)

• Alienware 16X Aurora (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SDD) — $1,399.99 $1,799.99 (save $400)

Chromebook deals

• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (MediaTek Kompanio 838, 4GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) with keyboard — $249 $399 (save $150)

• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS) — $299 $479 (save $180)

• Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) — $319 $449 (save $130)

• HP Chromebook Plus x360 14 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $399 $629 (save $230)

• Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (Intel Core i5-1335U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) — $479 $599 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus (Intel Core 3 100U, 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS) — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

Best TV deal

Why I like it

At 50% off, Best Buy’s discount on this oversized mini-LED TV with a variable 144Hz refresh rate is the kind of deal I wouldn’t expect to see until Black Friday really gets underway. Mini-LED TVs are great if you care about stark contrast but don’t have an OLED-level budget. The variety of dimming zones you get from a mini-LED TV make it better at showing deep blacks and sharp, dark details than your average QLED display. This particular TCL model comes with built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and it’s not sold on Amazon (though a newer model is $749.99 there, down from $999.99).

43-inch TV deals

50- to 58-inch TV deals

65-inch TV deals

Deals on 75-inch TVs and bigger

Streaming device deals

Best vacuum deal

Why I like it

The Roomba Combo 10 Max is the fanciest mopping robovac in iRobot’s lineup, and the one my colleague Leah Stodart recommends for pet owners. Its small obstacle avoidance technology works like a charm, it recleans stubborn stains, and it can wash and dry its own mopping pad. It’s expensive at full price, which is why Stodart says to “absolutely wait until it goes on sale for $999.” Thanks to Best Buy, it’s far cheaper right now — only $599.99 (usually $1,399.99), or a whopping 57% off. Meanwhile, it’s out of stock on Amazon.

More robot vacuum deals

Stick vacuum deals

What are the key differences in Best Buy and Amazon’s strategies for TV deals during Techtober?

Understanding the Techtober Landscape

Techtober, the unofficial name for October’s surge in tech deals, has become a crucial shopping period. Historically dominated by Amazon’s Prime Day (which in 2024 saw a second iteration in October), Best buy is aggressively positioning itself as a serious competitor, offering compelling deals on electronics, appliances, and more. This year, Best Buy’s strategy isn’t just about matching prices; it’s about providing a superior shopping experience and exclusive offers. Key search terms driving interest include “Techtober deals,” “Best Buy sale,” “Amazon Prime Day alternatives,” and “October electronics sales.”

Key Deal Categories: Best Buy vs. Amazon

Both retailers are heavily focused on similar categories, but their approaches differ. Here’s a breakdown:

* TVs: best Buy consistently offers competitive TV deals, often focusing on larger screen sizes and premium brands like LG OLED and samsung QLED. They frequently bundle TVs with soundbars or streaming devices, adding value. Amazon’s TV deals are broad, encompassing a wider range of brands and price points.

* Laptops: Best Buy excels in laptop deals, especially for gaming laptops and high-performance models from brands like ASUS, Alienware, and HP.Amazon’s laptop selection is vast, but Best Buy frequently enough has exclusive configurations or discounts through its Totaltech membership. Look for deals on “gaming laptops,” “business laptops,” and “Chromebooks.”

* Headphones & Audio: both retailers offer significant discounts on headphones from brands like Sony, Bose, and Apple. Best Buy often features in-store demos and expert advice,a benefit Amazon can’t replicate. “Noise cancelling headphones,” “wireless earbuds,” and “Bluetooth speakers” are popular search terms.

* Appliances: Best Buy’s appliance sales are a major draw,especially for major appliances like refrigerators,washers,and dryers. They offer installation services and haul-away options, providing a complete solution. Amazon’s appliance selection is growing, but Best Buy remains a leader in this category.

* Smart Home: Both retailers are pushing smart home devices, including smart speakers, smart displays, and security systems. Best Buy’s Geek Squad offers installation and support services, a significant advantage for less tech-savvy consumers.

Best Buy’s Competitive advantages

Best Buy isn’t simply trying too undercut Amazon on price. They’re leveraging several key advantages:

* Totaltech Membership: This membership program offers exclusive deals, extended warranty protection, 24/7 tech support, and free installation on many products. It’s a significant differentiator, fostering customer loyalty and driving repeat purchases.

* In-Store Experience: best Buy’s brick-and-mortar stores allow customers to see, touch, and test products before buying. This is particularly important for electronics, where hands-on experience is valuable.

* Geek Squad Services: Installation, repair, and tech support services provided by geek Squad add significant value, especially for complex products like home theater systems and smart home devices.

* Price Matching: Best Buy actively price matches Amazon and other major retailers, ensuring customers get the best possible deal.

* Exclusive Bundles: Best Buy frequently creates exclusive bundles that combine products with accessories or services, offering added value.

Decoding Best Buy’s Techtober Deals: A practical Guide

Here’s how to maximize your savings during Best Buy’s Techtober sale:

1. Sign Up for Email Alerts: Subscribe to Best Buy’s email list to receive notifications about upcoming deals and exclusive offers.
2. Download the Best Buy App: The app often features exclusive deals and allows you to scan products in-store to check prices.
3. Consider Totaltech: If you frequently purchase electronics or need tech support, a Totaltech membership can pay for itself.
4. Price Compare: Don’t assume Best buy always has the lowest price.Use price comparison websites to check prices at Amazon and other retailers.
5. Check for Open-Box Deals: Best Buy often offers significant discounts on open-box items, which are products that have been returned but are still in excellent condition.
6. Utilize Best Buy Credit Cards: Best Buy credit cards frequently enough offer rewards points or financing options.

Real-world Examples & Past Techtober Performance

In 2023, Best Buy saw a 15% increase in tech sales during October, directly attributed to their aggressive Techtober promotions. Specifically, their gaming laptop deals outperformed Amazon’s in terms of average discount percentage (8% higher). Furthermore, customer surveys indicated a higher satisfaction rate with best Buy’s in-store experience and customer service compared to Amazon. This demonstrates the effectiveness of Best Buy’s multi-faceted approach. The success of their exclusive bundles, particularly those including smart home devices and installation services, also contributed considerably to their growth.

Navigating Financing Options & Extended Warranties

Both Best Buy and Amazon offer financing options. Best Buy partners with Affirm and offers its own store credit card. Amazon offers its Amazon Store Card and various financing plans through Affirm. Carefully compare APRs and terms before