Our Favorite Deals During the Prime Early Access Sale
CR's experts combed sales from all the major retailers to find the lowest prices on top products
By Samantha B Gordon
Amazon’s Prime Early Access Sale is officially underway, which means some great prices on quality products from our tests are available. CR has been tracking all the best offers at other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target and too, giving you more options to shop and save.
CR has been watching closely to help you find truly good deals on great products during the early holiday sales. We look at more than just the sale price, too, taking into consideration how these items perform in our lab and real-world tests, as well as comparing previous deals.
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Coffee Makers
KitchenAid KCM1208DG
If you love the look of KitchenAid stand mixers, then you might want to consider this KitchenAid KCM1208DG coffee maker. It features the iconic wraparound metal band from the stand mixers, and offers the performance to match. Its many features include a permanent filter, a removable water reservoir, a cleaning indicator, auto-shutoff, brew-strength control, and programming.
Why it’s a good deal: This brewer beats out machines that cost twice as much, and it’s currently $20 off its list price.
Braun MultiServe KF9150BK
The Braun MultiServe KF9150BK is Braun’s take on all-in-one brewers like the Ninja Coffee Bar, which have become a popular option for replicating coffeehouse-style drinks at home. It offers seven different brew sizes, four different brew modes (including an over-ice mode), a glass carafe, a removable water reservoir, a water filter, auto-shutoff, and a cleaning indicator. It offers decent brew performance in our tests and its carafe is very easy to hold and pour.
Why it’s a good deal: All-in-one brewers can be pricey, and this model is almost 50 percent off its list price.
Keurig K-Elite K90
The Keurig K-Elite K90 is the best Keurig-branded pod brewer in our ratings. Its first-cup brew speed is a tad slow, but this Keurig makes up for it with great temperature and size consistency. It packs plenty of features, too, including programming, auto-shutoff, an iced-coffee brewing mode, a removable reservoir, and a height-adjustable drip tray. This Prime Day, the Keurig K-Elite is on sale for almost half off its list price, making it one of the best coffee-maker deals we’ve found.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the best price we’ve ever seen for this coffee maker.
Headphones
Bose SoundLink around-ear headphones II
The Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Headphones II don’t have noise-canceling tech like Bose’s best-known models, but they get a high rating for sound and cost a bit less than other options. They aren’t cheap, but they’re lightweight and portable, and they beat almost every other Bluetooth over-ear model we’ve tested. According to Bose, they have a 15-hour battery life.
Why it’s a good deal: The sale price has been fluctuating, and it’s currently back to its lowest.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
The Samsung Galaxy Buds’ superb audio quality ranks them among the best of any headphone in our ratings. Samsung has put out several updated models, such as the Buds+ and the Galaxy Buds 2, but in our tests, the original Buds still come out on top. They have integrated touch controls for calls, volume, and playback, and according to Samsung, they’re water-resistant. Unlike many true wireless models, our testers say, the Galaxy Buds shouldn’t pose problems with comfort or fit for most users.
Why it’s a good deal: A great-sounding noise-canceling earbud for only $100 is a solid buy.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2
The Sennheiser Momentum 2 is a true wireless noise canceling headphone that’s clearly aimed at the high-end market. Both the cloth covered charging case and the earbuds themselves are quite elegant. The Momentum 2s don’t sound quite as good as they look, but they’re still satisfying to listen to. On the feature front, the Momentum 2s are sweat resistant and compatible with both Apple Siri and Google Assistant.
Why it’s a good deal: The Momentum combines high style and decent performance and this sale cuts the price in half.
Kitchen Tools
Instant Pot Milk Frother
When you think of the brand Instant Pot, its line of multicookers usually comes to mind, but the company has branched out into coffee makers and frothers. Its affordable Instant Milk Frother was one of the best models in our at-home review, offering performance almost on par with the Nespresso Aeroccino4 milk frother, which costs more than twice as much. The only downside is that the Instant Milk Frother isn’t dishwasher safe, since its controls are built into the side of the carafe. Cleaning is still a breeze, though—you just need to hand-wash it with a wet cloth. It’s on sale for about 30 percent off its list price.
Why it’s a good deal: This has been on sale for around $38 for months, but the price just dropped to the best we’ve seen.
Müeller V-Pro 5 Blade Mandoline
We tried out 11 mandoline slicers at home and this one by Müeller was the most extra, and by that, we mean it had the most variety of attachments. This mandoline can make thick cuts, beautiful thin slices, and fun waffle cuts. The julienne blades are easy to use, too.
Why it’s a good deal: This mandoline has been on sale for a while, but just dropped in price by $6 for the green version and $10 for the white.
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker Bundle (Black), with CO2, DWS Bottles, and Bubly Drops Flavors
This bundle includes the SodaStream Terra soda maker, two carbonating bottles, two dedicated CO₂ cartridges designed for the Terra, and two small containers of Bubly drops flavoring. We found the highly-rated SodaStream Terra’s “quick connect,” snap-on mounting for CO₂ cartridges easier to use than the older, screw-in setups of other SodaStream models. (The new, pink cartridges you’ll need for this unit cost the same and can carbonate the same volume as the older cartridges.) In general, the Terra is easy to use and needs no electricity to work. We tested a red Terra model, without the Bubly Drops.
Why it’s a good deal: Normally at this price, you get just one CO₂ cartridge—and no Bubly Drops.
Laptops and Chromebooks
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 our testers noting somewhat middling performance but highlighting its 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.
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: This is an impressive discount for an already low-cost machine.
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 web browsing and video playback battery life 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 terabytes of 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 nearly $300 discount is definitely worth considering if you need a workhorse of a laptop.
Small Appliances
Calphalon 2099742 ActiveSense
The Calphalon 2099742 ActiveSense Blender stands out in CR’s tests for pureeing, which is perfect for fall soup season. It also snags an Excellent score for durability, which is no surprise since Calphalon as a brand stands out in our member survey for durability. Our testers also found it convenient to use, though it is on a noisy side (like many blenders). Overall, it’s a solid choice—especially at this price.
Why it’s a good deal: This is $30 lower than the cheapest price we’ve seen on this model recently.
PowerXL Maxx 4 Quart, Special Edition 2021 HF-509DT
This PowerXL small-capacity model earns solid scores in Consumer Reports’ tests because it’s relatively quiet and easy to clean. At home, it was terrific at reheating food, cooking meals, and turning out crispy fries. One major drawback: its controls aren’t intuitive and take some getting used to.
Why it’s a good deal: You’ll save a good amount with both deals, but the discount on the smaller model is the best we’ve seen.
Vitamix One
If you’ve always wanted a Vitamix blender but found the cost prohibitive, the One is for you. Vitamix blenders are popular for their reliability, efficiency, and blending power. While this 840-watt model doesn’t command all that much power, it’s a good lightweight starter blender, especially if you love to puree ingredients for hearty autumn soups. The 6-pound model has a 4-cup capacity, pulse function, dial control, and comes with a tamper.
Why it’s a good deal: This $100 discount is nearly half off this impressive blender.
Dash Clear View DVTS501GY
The Dash Clear View toaster’s clever see-through side panel makes it easy to surveil your slices, making charred toast a thing of the past. And you won’t have to wait too long for it to pop up—this model does very well in our toasting-time test. One downside: It only gets middling marks in our cleaning test, so you may have to put in a little extra effort to get crumbs out of its nooks and crannies.
Why it’s a good deal: This is almost as low as the lowest price we’ve seen all year.
Smart Home
ecobee Smart with Voice Control EB-STATe5-01
The Ecobee Smart With Voice Control EB-STATe5-01 blends a simple interface with plenty of bells and whistles for precise programming. The thermostat learns your heating and cooling habits, and adjusts its programming accordingly. It also comes with a wireless remote temperature sensor to place in an area or room that runs hotter or cooler than the area around the thermostat (and adjust accordingly). Other features include vacation scheduling, a touch screen, built-in Amazon Alexa for voice control, and compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings for app and/or voice control. Ecobee sells additional remote temperature sensors in a two-pack for $100 at Best Buy, Ecobee, and Lowe’s.
Why it’s a good deal: This back to within a few dollars of the lowest price we’ve seen.
Smart and Bluetooth Speakers
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
The fourth-generation Echo smart speaker is back to the low price we saw last Prime Day. This model is better than its predecessor in every way. The new Zigbee hub is a useful smart home upgrade. And the sound quality is improved with strong but slightly boomy bass and enough volume to fill a medium-sized room. That said, the latest Echo still can’t compete with the best-sounding smart speakers like the Sonos One or Amazon’s Echo Studio.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the lowest this speaker ever gets.
Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch touchscreen (ideal for displaying online recipes), responds to voice commands (useful when you’ve got messy hands), and has a camera that can adjust the focus to “follow” you as you move about the room on a video call. The device’s footprint is also significantly smaller than that of the new Show 10, which needs a beach-ball-sized space on the countertop to provide clearance for a rotating screen. As with many smart speakers, though, the Show 8’s sound quality is somewhat lacking, according to our testers, who noted the model’s strident high frequencies.
Why it’s a good deal: This smart speaker is back it its Prime Day price as well.
JBL Charge 5
The JBL Charge 5 is one of the larger models in JBL’s line, and in this case that translates into better sound. Our testers found that the JBL Charge 5 has satisfying sound quality with bass that makes an impact. It’s also easy to use and can deliver enough volume for a midsized room. JBL says the Charge 5 is dust-resistant in addition to being water-resistant, but these are claims that CR doesn’t test.
Why it’s a good deal: This is the same price we saw during Prime Day.
TVs
Pioneer PN50951-22U
If you’re looking for a budget TV but still want 4K, this 50-inch set from Pioneer might do the trick. It gets above-average scores for picture quality and 4K UHD performance, and at under $300 it’s a real bargain for a TV this size. CR’s tests did reveal that its viewing angle is narrower than average and its HDR performance is limited, but given the impressive 40 percent discount, size, and 4K quality, those details may be easy to overlook.
Why it’s a good deal: This is a good discount, but it is $40 more than we saw during Prime Day, so the price may improve during the sale.
Samsung QN55Q80A
The 55-inch Samsung QN55Q80A, in the company’s top regular QLED series for 2021, doesn’t include Mini LEDs in their 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, but it’s the lowest price we’ve seen since Prime Day.
Vacuums
iRobot Roomba j7+
The Roomba j7+ is smart enough to learn your home’s layout and then offer up all sorts of control over when, where, and how it cleans. It may actually be one of the smartest robots, period, as it’s designed to recognize and avoid hazards around your home like pet waste, stray socks, and other items that can snarl a robot in its tracks. Its cleaning performance isn’t as strong as that of the Roomba s9+, but it’s a much nimbler navigator overall and arguably more pleasant to use. The Roomba j7+ comes with an auto-emptying dock; the robot-only Roomba j7 is also available during this Prime Day event.
Why it’s a good deal: This discount matches the lowest we’ve ever seen on this robot vac.
Tineco Pure One S11
The Tineco Pure One S11 cleans impressively in all our major tests and has many features to boot. An LED panel shows how much battery life you have left as well as the suction level, which varies when you switch from bare floors to carpet. A sensor detects the amount of debris and adapts the suction power accordingly. If you’re so inclined, you can connect to a Tineco app that indicates cleaning performance, such as battery life, on your smartphone. In CR’s tests, it ran for 22 minutes per charge when using both the high and low settings.
Why it’s a good deal: If you need a vacuum now, this is a good discount for this model.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352
The bagless Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 earns a top rating on our bare floor test and is almost as good at cleaning carpet. While the filter does a fantastic job of capturing dust and preventing particle emissions, the dust bin itself stirred up some dust in our tests, because it’s a little tricky to empty. Hose suction is average. And if you have a pet that sheds, there are better choices for picking up pet hair. Shark uprights get our top mark for owner satisfaction, and the rating for predicted reliability is nearly as impressive.
Why it’s a good deal: While this vacuum isn’t expensive to begin with, the discount is $50 better than the usual sale price.
More Deals
AeroGarden Harvest 360
The circular AeroGarden Harvest 360, among the smallest AeroGarden models, is the one CR recommends if you’d like to start an indoor garden. The starter kit includes six ports for seed pods, and it comes with various lettuces. Of the four gardens CR tried, the AeroGarden was the most fun for our tester to use—in part because most of the lettuces sprouted in a week and grew fast. But the unit was also relatively easy to operate; there are even indicator lights that let you know when your plants need more water. Total setup took just 8 minutes.
Why it’s a good deal: At a little over 50% off, this model is at its lowest price.
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron
In our recent evaluation, we found that the Bio Ionic’s extra-long barrel and multiple temperature settings produced bouncy, shiny curls that lasted for days for most users. The sleek design put it over the top, making it our Editor’s Choice of the models we tested—and at just $100, it’s a great bargain right now. Note: One tester felt the barrel was too long for her shorter hair.
Learn more about the Bio Ionic Long Barrel curling iron
iHealth KN550BT
The iHealth KN5505BT blood pressure monitor is a sold performer in our ratings, especially when it comes to accuracy, where it garners an Excellent score. It’s comfortable and easy to use, and can download memory—but it can only store memory for one user.
Why it’s a good deal: At 50% off, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a blood pressure monitor.
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