Things have pretty much never been more expensive. I’ve found the best deals on WIRED-tested tech that we’d actually recommend, from a great gaming headset to a smart bird feeder. These discounted picks could be a low-cost upgrade for yourself, and they’d also make great gifts this holiday season.
Even if the main sales aren’t for another few weeks, these are the best early Black Friday deals we’ve come across on the WIRED-tested gear we recommend—and that’s actually worth buying. All of these sales bring the price down to $100 or under, which is no small feat in today’s economy. Check back often, as we’ll update this guide with the new picks we’ve found leading up to the main Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales event.
Want more deals? We have even more discounts on WIRED-tested tech here. Plus, read our related shopping guides to make the most of Black Friday sales, including how to avoid scams and sketchy wares on Amazon, Amazon Prime perks you might not know about, and Black Friday shopping tips.
A Gaming Headset
SteelSeries
Arctis Nova 3P Wireless
This budget gaming headset is a favorite of reviewer (and gamer) Louryn Strampe. It’s crazy comfortable, breathable, and extremely light. The battery lasts for several days on a charge, it performs excellently in mixed audio situations, and it works as well as gaming headsets double its price. Read our full review here.
A Car Vacuum
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Courtesy of Black & Decker
Black & Decker
Dustbuster Flex
This is one of our favorite car vacuums, and although it’s bigger and heavier than our usual picks, it also makes for a great heavy-duty handheld vacuum. This portable pick has a comfortable design with a handle for control, a large dust bin capacity, and a 4-foot wraparound hose to reach hard-to-access places like corners and under seats.
Our Favorite Budget Wi-Fi Router
This budget Wi-Fi router goes on sale often, but we always recommend folks upgrade to this model when it dips in price before the holidays. It has four antennas, a 2.5-Gbps WAN, a 2.5-Gbps LAN, three gigabit LAN ports, and dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi options. It may not be the best pick if your computing needs require a heavier lift, but for a small home with a few people, it works perfectly.
A Smart Bird Feeder for Beginners
Birdfy
Rookie Smart Bird Feeder
This is a basic smart bird feeder that requires no complicated assembly, no solar panels, and no tools—we think it’d make a fantastic gift for the amateur bird watcher in your life. To get started birding, all you need to do is snap three plastic pieces together, charge the camera, and set up the app—you’re ready to channel your inner David Attenborough.
A Budget Air Purifier
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
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Photograph: Molly Higgins
Levoit
Core 300-P Air Purifier
I bought this miniature air purifier when I first moved into my small Brooklyn apartment with two furry cats and a roommate with pet allergies. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of an app, remote, or built-in air quality monitoring, but it’s worked excellently and without issue for over two years (with regular cleaning and timely filter replacement). If you’re looking for a cheap air purifier for your bedroom or other small room, this is the one I recommend to most people. Pro tip: Opt for the pet-specific replacement filter if you live with furry friends.
Sexy Bedroom Lights
Govee
Neon Rope Light Strip 2
As a younger millennial, these rope lights give me PTSD. One day, a few years ago, it seemed that all men ages 18 to 32 decided that colorful rope lights in the bedroom were sexy. I just think it made them feel like they were Ryan Gosling in Drive. Chill, Dalton, you drive a Kia. Now that almost half a decade has passed, I can begin to appreciate these smart lights’ aesthetic. It’s an easy way to make your space feel a little more colorful, moodier, and personal.
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