Wired’s Top Picks: Early Amazon Prime Day Tested Gear Deals (2025)

It’s that time of year again, and Prime Day deals are back. The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days event—also known as Amazon Prime Day 2—is officially arriving on October 7 and 8, but early deals have already started. The WIRED Reviews team has hundreds of years of collective experience covering shopping holidays such as this. What sets us apart is that we only write about actual deals on the gear and gadgets that we’ve hand-tested. We’re getting ready to cover the whole sale with a variety of stories and even a liveblog (and, hopefully, lots of caffeine.) Below, you’ll find the best deals we’ve managed to find so far. Come back for additional coverage when the event begins.

Get prepared with our guide on How to Shop Prime Day Like A Pro. We also have advice on avoiding scams on Amazon and making sure you’re getting all of your Amazon Prime perks.

Updated September 30, 2025: We’ve added 10 new deals on a few Amazon devices, the best cheap laptop, a great fitness tracker, our favorite smart bird feeder, and a few other gadgets. We’ve also checked for accuracy throughout.

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The Best Qi2 Power Bank

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) (Qi2)

Jump to Deal

Apple iPad (2025, A16) for $299 ($149 off)

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  Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

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  Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

This deal comes within $20 of the lowest price we’ve tracked for the best iPad on the market. The 2025 Apple iPad (A16) is cute and comes in a few different colors in your choice of 128-, 256-, or 512-gigabyte storage. It has a modern design, USB-C charging, Touch ID, and two 12-MP cameras. It’s powerful enough for most people, and it doesn’t have support for Apple Intelligence (which may be a blessing or a curse). If you primarily use your tablet to watch videos, play mobile games, or do light work, it’ll be just fine (and you won’t overpay for features you aren’t using). One thing to note is that it only supports the first-generation or USB-C Apple Pencil. Check our guide to the Best iPad Accessories for additional picks.

Apple

iPad Air (2025, M3)

This iPad is our upgrade pick, with an M3 chip that can handle more graphics-intensive tasks. Go for the 13-inch.

Apple

iPad Mini (2024, 7th Gen)

This small-but-mighty iPad supports Apple Intelligence and has an A17 Pro chipset, though its 60-Hz refresh rate could be higher.

Apple

AirTags (4-pack)

Coming within $10 of the best deal, these trackers add your wallet, keys, or luggage to the Find My app.

Apple

MagSafe Charger (2 m)

Nothing Ear (a) for $89 ($20 off)

Photograph: Parker Hall

The Nothing Ear (a) top our list of the best wireless earbuds. They look super cool, with a stylish semi-clear design, on-board touch controls, and a sleek charging case. They pack excellent sound and good noise cancellation, and they’re downright easy to use. The battery lasts about five and a half hours if you’ve got active noise cancellation on. They also pair easily with both Android and iOS devices. This deal comes within $10 of the best discount we’ve tracked.

Logitech

Pro X 2

Our favorite gaming headset has Bluetooth and wired connectivity, plus a built-in mic and comfy ear cups.

Google

Pixel Buds Pro 2

These tiny, comfy earbuds are our favorite for Android phone owners.

Nimble Champ (Large) for $90 ($10 off)

Photograph: Simon Hill

The Nimble Champ (Series 2) is the best power bank lineup you can buy, and right now a few different capacities are on sale. They don’t drop in price very often. Every iteration is small and lightweight, with fast charging speeds (that vary from 15 watts to 65, depending on the size) and a durable finish. Nimble’s power banks are made with bioplastics and have minimal packaging, which helps lessen the environmental impact. They’re also nice to look at.

Anker

Nano Power Bank

We like this tiny power bank for phones because it’s compact but still delivers a full charge.

Anker

737 Power Bank

WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe uses this power bank nearly every day. It recharges quickly and has a handy display.

Anker

MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station (Qi2)

The best 3-in-1 charger for travel can top off your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch despite its compact size.

Ugreen

145W Power Bank

This power bank is an excellent option for tablets thanks to its robust capacity and power delivery.

Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K) for $70 ($20 off)

Photograph: Simon Hill

Anker

MagGo Power Bank (10K) (Qi2)

This is the best Qi2 power bank out of the many we’ve tried so far, and we’ve not yet seen it sell for less. It has a built-in kickstand, a two-way USB-C port, and a built-in LED display. You can attach MagSafe iPhones or Qi2 phones in landscape or portrait orientation. It’s not the beefiest power bank in the world, offering about one and a half charges for newer phones, but it’ll definitely come in handy if you just need a quick top-off while on the go—especially since you won’t need to bring your own cable.

Logitech

Combo Touch

This keyboard case with built-in trackpad is a great tool for working from your iPad.

Anker

MagGo Wireless Charger Pad (Qi2)

This Qi2 charger is one of our favorites, especially at this price.

Rain Design

mStand

This is our favorite budget-friendly laptop stand, and now it’s even more affordable.

Apple MacBook Air (M4, 2025) for $799 ($200 off)

Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

Apple

MacBook Air (M4, 2025)

It’s hard to do much better than the MacBook Air (M4, 2025). The best laptop has beefy performance, terrific battery life, and is super quiet thanks to its fanless design. It also has support for two 4K external monitors, and the built-in M4 chip allows for on-device AI processing and support for Apple Intelligence. The webcam boasts 12 megapixels, which is an upgrade compared to previous models, too. It comes in your choice of four different colors and three storage configurations. Check our MacBook buying guide for additional recommendations.

Roku

Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

This compact little streaming stick is easy to set up and use, with 4K streaming and voice controls.

Boox

Palma 2

This tiny tablet works best as a phone-sized e-reader, perfect for airports or train rides.

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Fitbit

Charge 6

This comes close to the best price we’ve tracked for the very best fitness tracker.

Amazfit

Active 2

Want a fitness tracker without overspending? This is the best cheap option.

Arlo Pro 5S Security Camera for $100 ($80 off)

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  Photograph: Simon Hill

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  Photograph: Simon Hill

This is a great deal on our favorite outdoor security camera, and you can get in on it right before porch pirate season. The Arlo Pro 5 has clear footage, fast live-feed load times, and smart notifications. Recording at up to 2K resolution with HDR, it won’t struggle in low light thanks to night vision, and there’s also a color mode. Two-way audio is clear, and there’s a built-in siren too. You do need an Arlo Secure subscription to make the most of this camera, but the deal is solid. The multipacks are discounted, too.

Arlo

Essential Indoor Security Camera (2nd Gen)

These cheap security cameras are still solid and reliable, though some features are locked behind a subscription.

Flexispot

Adjustable Table With Wheels

Upgrade your WFH setup with this rolling adjustable desk that has room for your laptop and coffee.

Plugable

USB-C 9-in-1 Hub (USBC-9IN1E)

The best USB-C hub has 140 watts of power delivery, plus every port you could need.

Tribit

Stormbox Blast 2

This boombox-style speaker will bring the party anywhere, complete with built-in lights.

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) for $300 ($100 off)

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  Photograph: Nena Farrell

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  Photograph: Nena Farrell

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  Courtesy of Amazon

Amazon

Kindle Scribe (2024)

Full disclosure: A new Kindle Scribe is coming, but we still think this is worth buying. The Kindle Scribe is our favorite e-reader for taking notes. It works well as a digital notebook and as a way to read your favorite books. With a generous 10-inch display and a Premium Pen (with a soft-tipped eraser on the end) included, you can use it to plan, journal, or annotate. There are some AI software features like note summarization, too. We do wish it was waterproof, or that it had some color features like the new model will, but if you’re in the market for something like it, it’s worth considering. There’s a chance it will get slightly cheaper when Prime Day actually arrives, but it likely won’t be by much—especially considering this is a match of the lowest price we’ve tracked.

Amazon

Echo Pop

This cute little smart speaker has personality, though its sound quality isn’t fantastic.

Amazon

Echo Dot (5th Gen)

This Amazon smart speaker has surprising sound quality, and may get cheaper when Prime Day arrives.

Amazon

Kindle Colorsoft Kids

This colorful Kindle is the same as the grown-up version, and you get a cover.

Netvue

Birdfy Plastic Smart Bird Feeder

Ultrahuman Ring Air for $300 ($50 off)

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  Photograph: Simon Hill

• 

  Photograph: Simon Hill

This smart ring is our favorite without a subscription. Importantly, due to a ruling by the FTC, these rings will no longer be available for purchase in the US after October 21 (though Ultrahuman says existing rings will still be supported). If you have been eyeing one, this deal is a match of the best we have tracked so far. The Ring Air can track your heart rate, blood oxygen, physical activity, and sleep, and it’ll offer insights about changes in your heart rate variability or skin temperature. There are some additional convenient features like a smart alarm that’ll wake you up during a lighter part of your sleep cycle, too.

JBL

Flip 7

Our favorite Bluetooth speaker sounds fantastic and comes in a wide array of different colors.

Asus

Vivobook 14 (X1407QA)

There’s no better cheap laptop on the market. This can handle most tasks for less money than usual.

Belkin

3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Stand

This 3-in-1 charger looks great on your nightstand, keeping things secure in portrait or landscape orientation.

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What security measures does the article recommend taking when making purchases on Amazon, given recent concerns about compromised credit card facts?

Smart Home Savings: Automate Your life

Amazon Prime Day is the time to upgrade your smart home setup. Wired’s testing team has been diligently tracking deals, and these are the early standouts.

* Echo Dot (5th Gen): Currently 40% off at $35.99. Perfect for voice control, music streaming, and smart home integration.A staple for any smart home beginner.

* Ring Video Doorbell (Wired): Down to $59.99 – a meaningful saving. Enhanced security and peace of mind, with easy installation.

* Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit: 30% off,now $139.99. Transform your home with customizable lighting. Wired’s testers praised the vibrant colors and seamless app control.

* iRobot Roomba j7+: A top-rated robot vacuum,now $549 (originally $799). Self-emptying base and smart mapping make cleaning effortless.

Level up Your Entertainment: TVs, Headphones & More

Looking for a visual or auditory upgrade? These Prime Day deals are hard to beat.

* LG OLED C4 Series: Early discounts available on select sizes. wired consistently ranks LG OLEDs as the best TVs for picture quality. Expect to save up to $500 on 65″ models.

* Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: Noise cancellation kings are 25% off at $337.50. Extraordinary sound quality and comfort for travel or everyday use.

* Sonos Era 300: Immersive spatial audio, now $299 (regularly $399). Wired’s review highlighted its impressive soundstage and Dolby Atmos support.

* Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K max: Stream in stunning 4K for just $34.99. A budget-friendly way to upgrade your streaming experience.

Tech for Creators: Cameras, Laptops & Accessories

prime Day isn’t just for consumers; creators can find incredible deals too.

* DJI Mini 3 Pro: compact and powerful drone, currently $699 (down from $759). Capture stunning aerial footage with ease.

* Apple MacBook Air (M2): Select configurations on sale starting at $899. A lightweight and powerful laptop for on-the-go editing and content creation.

* Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan: 40% off your first year. Access Photoshop, Lightroom, and more.

* SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD: Blazing-fast storage for video editors and photographers, now $149.99.

Gaming Gear: Dominate the Competition

Gamers, rejoice! Prime Day is delivering some serious discounts on gaming essentials.

* Logitech G PRO X Superlight Wireless Gaming Mouse: A favorite among esports pros, now $99.99. Lightweight and precise for competitive gaming.

* Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset: Immersive audio and comfortable design, currently $179.99.

* Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (2TB): Expand your console’s storage for just $199.99.

* Nintendo Switch OLED model: Bundles available with popular games at discounted prices.

prime Day Security Considerations: A Note on Card Fraud

While the excitement of Prime Day deals is high, it’s crucial to stay vigilant against potential fraud. A 2020 forum discussion on 60millions-mag.com highlighted concerns about compromised credit card information linked to Amazon purchases. while Amazon itself wasn’t directly implicated as the source of the breach, it serves as a reminder to:

* Monitor your credit card statements closely.

* use strong, unique passwords for your Amazon account.

* Enable two-factor authentication.

* Be wary of phishing emails and suspicious links.

Practical Tips for Prime Day Success

* Create a Wish List: Add items you’re interested in to your Amazon Wish List before Prime Day. this allows you to track price drops easily.

* Set Deal Alerts: Use price tracking websites and browser extensions to receive notifications when prices fall on your desired items.

* check Multiple Sellers: Sometimes, the best deals are offered by third-party sellers on Amazon. Compare prices carefully.

* Read Reviews: Don’t just focus on the price. Read reviews from other customers to ensure the product meets your needs.

* Prime Membership Perks: Remember to take advantage of Prime benefits like free shipping and exclusive deals.

Understanding