Best Electronics Deals Right Now
The holiday season is serving up big savings on TVs, laptops, headphones, and other popular tech gadgets.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
By Samantha B. Gordon
The holiday shopping season has begun, and you can find some impressive savings right now on giftable items like headphones, TVs, Bluetooth speakers, wireless routers, fitness trackers, laptops, and more. This is the final day of the Walmart Rollbacks and More sale, and although the Amazon Prime sale and Target’s Deal Days are over, we’re still seeing plenty of deals at these and other major retailers.
Of course, the best sales involve more than a good price. You want the product you buy to work well, no matter how much you spend. So our experts look for price cuts on items that stand up to Consumer Reports’ rigorous testing. The list below features the top options available now.
And if you don’t see what you want just yet, check our Deal hub for the latest. We’ll continue to see holiday deals and discounts all the way up to Black Friday and through the end of the year. Consumer Reports will be keeping a close eye on all of these sales to help you find what you want and need for less.
Viewing on a mobile device? Click on the links below to skip to each section.
• TVs
• Headphones
• Chromebooks
• Laptops
• Tablets
• Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
• Smart and Bluetooth Speakers
• Soundbars
• Streaming Devices
• Wireless Routers
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Spotlight Deal
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is our top recommendation for the average person who wants a budget-priced Android tablet, making it especially good for students. The screen looks good, and the device will handle just about any task unless you’re playing a graphics-heavy game or doing something like editing video. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also delivers solid battery life, lasting just over 12 hours in our web-browsing tests.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a middling discount for this model. The sale price of this tablet usually swings between $280 and $350, so it could drop again.
TVs
Toshiba 65M550KU
The Toshiba 65M550KU may be a good choice if you want a smart 4K TV and don’t want to deal with a streaming device. This 65-inch set comes with the Fire TV platform built in, so you’re ready to stream as soon as you set up the unit. And while it doesn’t perform quite well enough to live among the best TVs CR has tested, it does get above-average scores for 4K UHD performance. It has a wide viewing angle, too, making it suitable for a family room or other commonly used space in your home.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best price we’ve ever seen for this model.
Samsung QN55Q80A
The 55-inch Samsung QN55Q80A, in the company’s top regular QLED series for 2021, doesn’t include Mini LEDs in its backlights. But the set still manages to deliver very good overall picture quality, top-notch HDR, and above-average sound.
Why it’s a good deal: This TV usually retails for around $1,000, so the discount isn’t quite as impressive as it looks. In fact, this model was $889 earlier today, so it could drop back downagain closer to Black Frday.
Insignia NS-70DF710NA21
This 70-inch 4K smart TV from Insignia, Best Buy’s house brand, is a fine overall performer, although its HDR performance is ineffective, mainly because of peak brightness limitations. It uses the Amazon Fire TV smart TV system, and Alexa is built in for using voice commands.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best price we’ve seen for this TV, an especially impressive bargain for the size.
Headphones
1MORE ColorBuds 2
There are lots of great choices if you’re looking for budget noise-canceling headphones. One of our top picks is 1More ColorBuds 2, which offer the convenience of true wireless headphones, great sound quality, and superb noise cancellation, all for less than $100. 1More advertises a 6-hour battery life backed by a charging case that holds enough power for two full cycles.
Why it’s a good deal: Thanks to an on-page coupon, these headphones are at the best price we’ve seen.
Chromebooks
Asus Chromebook C536EA-BI3T3
The Asus Chromebook C536EA-BI3T3 has one of the fastest processing speeds among the Chromebooks we’ve tested. The battery life is below average in our web-browsing tests at 9.75 hours, and the 4.3-pound weight makes it less portable than other models. But the convertible form factor allows you to fold it into tent mode for watching videos.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a significant discount if you’re looking for a Chromebook with fast processing speeds.
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
The 13-inch Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 lands in the middle of the pack among models CR has tested. Its processing speeds are midrange compared with other Chromebooks, while its battery life is below average at 11.5 hours of web browsing. In addition to the touchscreen display, this model has a built-in microSD card slot for expanding the storage beyond its internal 64 gigabytes.
Why it’s a good deal: A $50 discount is substantial for this machine. We did see it selling for $250 recently, though, so maybe keep an eye on it to see if the price falls again later.
HP 14A-NA0023CL
This 14-inch Chromebook from HP is good for people who simply need a functional laptop to do things like browse the web and check email. It has an Intel Celeron processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and 32GB of flash storage. As with other Chromebooks, the idea is that you’re going to be storing most files online. It scores okay in our tests, with somewhat middling performance but a 13-hour battery life while browsing the web.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a significant discount on an already budget-priced laptop, only $20 more than the lowest price we’ve seen all year.
HP Chromebook 13C-CA0013DX x360
This HP Chromebook 13C-CA0013DX x360 has an impressive battery life, lasting 16.75 hours in our web-browsing tests. It’s an excellent choice for keeping up on work while traveling, with its lower-than-average weight of just 2.8 pounds. It’s also a convertible model for added versatility.
Why it’s a good deal: This model originally retailed for close to $1,000, making Walmart’s price the most impressive we’ve seen.
Laptops
LG Gram 17 (2021)
The 2021 LG Gram 17 can be a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight machine that can still perform. Its battery life for web browsing and video playback is one of the longest of all the models CR has tested, a feat you don’t often see on 17-inch laptops. It has a solid-state drive that can load up Windows and large programs quickly, and the large 2-terabyte storage space is great for local backups. While not the best choice for gaming, it does have fast speeds that can handle complex spreadsheets and videoconferencing.
Why it’s a good deal: A more than $300 discount is definitely worth considering if you need a workhorse of a laptop.
LG UltraPC 15
The 15.6-inch LG UltraPC 15 has performance speeds that are faster than average to perform demanding tasks, including gaming. Its battery life is above average at 15.5 hours in web-browsing tests. The display scores high as well.
Why it’s a good deal: A 17 percent discount can make a big difference to your wallet.
HP Victus 16
This 16.1-inch HP Victus 16 laptop has performance speeds that challenge some of the fastest-rated models in our tests, including for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and editing media. It has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 gigabytes of RAM, a 512GB solid-state drive, and a Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 graphics card with 6GB of dedicated memory. Its battery life should last you through most of a workday.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a fairly modest discount, but it’s still a decent savings if you’re looking for an impressive gaming laptop.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (64GB)
Microsoft has several Surface devices to choose from, but the relatively inexpensive Microsoft Surface Laptop Go could be a good option for consumers looking for a smaller laptop, especially at this hefty discount. It has a 12.4-inch display, an Intel Core i5 processor, 4 gigabytes of memory, and a sparse 64GB solid-state drive, which you can supplement with cloud storage.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go scores well in many of our tests, though the performance is a bit sluggish compared with other options. The model is lightweight (2.5 pounds), offers decent battery life (just under 12 hours in CR’s web-browsing test), and has a bright, color-accurate display. There’s a touchscreen for flipping through those photo galleries.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a few dollars more than the best discount we’ve ever seen for this model.
Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is a solid option if you’re looking for a tablet. It aces CR’s tests for performance, convenience, and versatility. And the Samsung brand gets great scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our member surveys. The tablet boasts impressive speeds for everyday tasks as well as 128 gigabytes of storage and a bright screen with a wide viewing angle. Our testers found it easy to use.
Why it’s a good deal: This tablet is still at a decent discount. It was about $80 recently and may get cheaper again closer to Black Friday.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (128 GB, Wifi)
The Galaxy Tab S8 is a great option for people who want an Android tablet with high performance. Just keep in mind that top performance isn’t necessary for simple tasks such as reading email, watching movies, and surfing the web. The Galaxy Tab S7 is also on sale if you need a fast device but want something a little cheaper.
Why it’s a good deal: This is within a few dollars of the best price we’ve seen all year.
Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches
Garmin Forerunner 35
While technically a fitness tracker, this model offers a watchlike feel. You get a 1.3-inch monochrome display that shows your step count and heart rate. The Forerunner 35 has a built-in GPS and a claimed battery life of nine days, and we found in our testing that it makes good on its water-resistance claim of 164 feet. CR testers give the fitness tracker top marks for heart-rate tracking and step-count accuracy as well as ease of use.
Why it’s a good deal: Though we’ve seen this dip to about $100, this is a solid deal for a trusty tracker.
Fitbit Inspire 2
The Fitbit Inspire 2 fitness tracker has been on sale since mid-April, but the price continues to fall. It’s now only $7 more than the lowest we’ve seen all year. It gets top marks from our testers for step-count and heart-rate accuracy, and it earns a spot among the best fitness trackers for its ease of use, pairing, and readability in low light. The Inspire 2 also has a very generous claimed battery life of 10 days (we don’t test that characteristic) and built-in GPS, a feature not found on many other fitness trackers.
Why it’s a good deal: The price is now $5 less than the best we’ve seen.
Fitbit Versa 3
If you’re looking for a versatile smartwatch under $200, the Fitbit Versa 3 may be a good option. It has a built-in GPS, which allows you to go for a run or ride without taking your smartphone along, plus a blood oxygen sensor, which enhances its sleep-tracking capabilities. It also has a mic and a speaker that allow you to take calls via a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. Our testers found the Versa 3 to be a solid performer for counting steps and tracking heart rate, and it’s easy to pair with a smartphone.
Why it’s a good deal: This model has been on sale since Prime Day, but it just dropped an additional $10 or so.
Smart and Bluetooth Speakers
Edifier S1000MKII
The Edifier S1000MKII has long been our favorite wireless speaker and is the best-sounding model we’ve tested. It’s pretty straightforward–it comes in a matched, powered pair that can pair by Bluetooth and a variety of inputs, but offers no multiroom capability. But Edifiers sound sublime, with plenty of volume and bass, and a bit of magic in the midrange that can almost convince you that the musicians are standing right in front of you.
Why it’s a good deal: The Edifier rarely goes on sale, so any discount is worth a look. Amazon had these same speakers for about $40 less yesterday, so there may be another chance to get them for less later this year.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
The Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s smallest smart screen. Our testers report that the sound is subpar for a music-listening device, but that’s not why you should consider this device. It’s a utility machine that works well on a night table or desk. You get all the Amazon Alexa functionality you’d have in other Echo devices, including the super-cheap Dot, and some added value thanks to the small screen and camera.
Why it’s a good deal: The Show 5 is only $5 more than the lowest price. It may fall back down to $35 again closer to Black Friday.
Marshall Stanmore II Voice
The Stanmore II is a super-stylish wireless speaker, channeling the classic good looks of Marshall’s iconic guitar amplifiers. Our testers found it quite easy to use, with large, clearly labeled knobs. Its sound falls short of what you get from the very best wireless speakers, with bass that’s a bit boomy and a midrange that’s slightly congested. The Stanmore II does provide enough volume to fill a large room. And the substantial discount makes it a much better value compared with its original list price.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a decent discount, although it’s not the best we’ve seen. The price has dipped below $400 for major sales, so you may want to hold off if you’re interested but want to save more.
Soundbars
LG S65Q
The LG S65Q is a fairly basic 3.1-channel soundbar in LG’s 2022 lineup that delivers impressive overall sound quality. It can connect to a TV using either an HDMI or an optical audio connection, and if you have a compatible LG TV, it can use LG’s Sound Sync feature to connect via Bluetooth.
Why it’s a good deal: We haven’t seen this model on sale in some time, especially at such a steep discount.
LG SP8YA
Stepping up to the 3.1.2-channel LG SP8YA soundbar in LG’s lineup gets you support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound. In addition to WiFi, it has built-in Bluetooth for streaming from portable devices and for connecting to an LG TV, and it works with Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Assistant.
Why it’s a good deal: This model typically retails for around $500, so a $100 discount is impressive.
Samsung HW-Q700B
The 2022 Samsung HW-Q700B soundbar can wirelessly send a Dolby Atmos signal to a compatible Samsung TV over WiFi. It has Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 built in, and it will work with Alexa and Google Assistant devices, so you can control it using voice commands. You can also expand it with the optional rear-speaker kit.
Why it’s a good deal: We haven’t seen a discount on this model in months.
Streaming Devices
Apple TV 4K (32GB, 2021)
The latest Apple TV 4K has a few new notable features, including a redesigned Siri remote with a clickpad rather than the love-it-or-hate-it touchpad. (It is still touch enabled for directional swipes, though). It also has a new processor for improved graphics and video, including support for high frame rate (60fps) Dolby Vision HDR. A unique feature is a color-calibration feature that works with your iPhone so you don’t have to tweak the TV’s settings.
Why it’s a good deal: Apple TV has always been among the priciest of players, and doesn’t often go on sale. It was $10 less yesterday, but this is still a good discount.
Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen)
The Fire TV Cube brings Amazon’s smart speaker and streaming player technology together in one device that acts as a universal remote, allowing you to control your TV as well as other compatible devices, like a stereo, soundbar, receiver, and even some cable and satellite boxes, with voice commands. The Fire TV Cube also has convenient buttons on top of the cube to adjust the volume and mute the microphone.
Why it’s a good deal: This matches the best price we’ve seen for the Fire TV Cube.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
If you’re not picky about having the fastest speeds and WiFi 6 compatibility, the Fire Stick 4K delivers a solid performance at a better price. The 4K stick-style player has a nice array of content and features, including voice control and Dolby Vision HDR. You can control it from Alexa-enabled devices such as the Echo and Dot, and use the included remote to control power and volume on many TVs and soundbar speakers. The player comes with an Alexa remote control with dedicated buttons for Amazon, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a decent savings. It’s $5 more than the best price we’ve seen, and the price may drop back down again closer to Black Friday.
Wireless Routers
Google Nest Wifi (3-pack)
The Google Nest WiFi three-pack provides decent all-around performance, scoring well for throughput at near- and medium-range distances. It may fall a bit short in large homes, though, and it’s “only” WiFi 5 compatible. But at this price, it’s hard to complain.
Why it’s a good deal: This router system typically retails for $350, making this an impressive deal.
Netgear Nighthawk AX8 AX6600 (RAX70-100NAS)
If you don’t need (or want) a multi-router mesh setup, this single-unit WiFi 6 model from Netgear should be near the top of your list. It aced our throughput tests at all distances and was easy to set up via a smartphone app or an old-school, web-based wizard.
There’s automatic firmware updating to keep your data safe, plus four Ethernet ports and one USB port for connecting peripherals.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a substantial discount for this model.
Asus AX2700 (RT-AX68U)
This WiFi 6 wireless router from Asus scores quite well in our tests, is easy to set up via a smartphone app, and has automatic firmware updates. But the performance lags a bit in our near-distance tests, so you might want to put a little space between the router and any devices that require tip-top speed.
Why it’s a good deal: We haven’t seen a discount on this model in some time.
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