This week’s best deal is a ‘kids’ Kindle Paperwhite that’s better than the adult version
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days may bring some great Kindle deals, but if you can’t wait, you don’t have to. Right now, the Kindle Kids (Amazon, Best Buy, and Target) and Kindle Colorsoft Kids (Amazon, Best Buy, and Target) are down to their lowest prices ever, but my favorite deal is on the Kindle Paperwhite Kids, which sits nicely between the two. Normally $179.99, right now it’s on sale for $134.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.
Although marketed as a kid-friendly e-reader, the Paperwhite Kids is actually a great value for adults, too. The 7-inch slate is nearly identical to the standard model, which is our favorite Amazon e-reader, with all the features we loved, like an IPX8 waterproof design and sharp 300ppi display. It’s got an adjustable warm white frontlight, which makes reading at night easier, too, along with a battery life that should last you a few months on a single charge.
The only real difference is the addition of kid-oriented features like parental controls, which you can turn off. Unlike the standard model, each bundle also includes a cover, a two-year warranty, and no lockscreen ads. That’s a great value considering the regular Kindle Paperwhite costs $179.99 without ads — and still doesn’t include extras like a cover or extended warranty. On top of that, Amazon even throws in a six-month subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, which offers thousands of child-friendly books and audiobooks — including classics like Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia.
$135
Amazon’s kid-friendly Paperwhite is the same as the standard Paperwhite, but it’s ad-free and comes with the added benefits of a two-year hardware protection plan, six months of Amazon Kids Plus, and a choice of three kid-friendly covers.
Now through October 6th, Sonos is taking up to 25 percent off a wide range of refurbished devices. As we dove into earlier in the week, the sale includes everything from a refurbished Sonos Ace to the Sonos Move 2, but one of the best deals is the refurbished Sonos Era 100. Normally $219 in new condition, the smart speaker is currently down to $134, which is nearly as low as the $119 discount we saw on the refurbished model over the summer.
The Sonos Era 100 delivers impressive sound for its small size, offering more bass and richer sound than its predecessor, the Sonos One. Along with more intuitive physical controls, it also adds new features like stereo playback and support for line-in via an optional 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter. At the same time, the smart speaker retains support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, along with other conveniences, like Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Amazon Alexa support.
$134
Sonos’ Era 100 smart speaker is a replacement for the older Sonos One, utilizing two tweeters (left and right) and one larger woofer. In addition to Wi-Fi, the Era 100 also supports Bluetooth audio and line-in playback via an optional 3.5mm to USB-C adapter. Read our review.
If you’re looking for a new Switch 2 controller, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless gamepad is one of the best on the market — and it’s currently receiving a rare discount. Originally $69.99, right now you can buy it in white for $59.98 and in black for $62.99 at checkout.
Along with being compatible with the new Switch 2, the gamepad also works with the original Switch and PC. It introduces a number of improvements over its predecessor, replacing its Hall effect joysticks with tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ones, which are just as drift-resistant but more power-efficient. It also adds trigger stops along with LED-equipped joystick rings and an extra pair of shoulder buttons for added control.
$60
For something cheaper — and in some ways better — than Nintendo’s official Pro controller, there’s 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2, which works with the original Switch and Switch 2. It features TMR joysticks with trigger switches for adjusting the feel, as well as vibration and motion-control support.
More of our favorite deals from this week
- Okay, this one isn’t technically a deal, but it’s worth noting: Microsoft recently announced price hikes for several Xbox Game Pass tiers, including Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The Ultimate tier is jumping from $19.99 per month to $29.99, while PC Game Pass is rising from $11.99 to $16.49 per month if you pay through Microsoft. That said, you can still save by buying through third-party retailers offering the old rates. You can get a month of Game Pass Ultimate for $19.99 at Amazon, GameStop, or Best Buy, or a three-month subscription for $59.99 (Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and Walmart), which is like getting one month free at the current rate. For PC Game Pass, Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy have a three-month bundle for $35.99.
- The Echo Spot is down to $44.99 ($35 off) at Amazon, which matches its best price to date. The Spot makes for a great bedside alarm clock, gently waking you with music if you choose, while its customizable 2.83-inch screen can show helpful info like the weather so you’re ready for the day. It also supports Amazon Alexa, so you can not only play music but also control other smart devices — like lights, thermostats, and more — hands-free. Plus, it doesn’t come with a bunch of on-screen ads or a camera, making it a relatively privacy-friendly option compared to Amazon’s larger smart displays. Read our Echo Spot review.
- JBL’s Tour 3 earbuds are on sale for $249.95 ($80 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is their best price yet. They deliver excellent sound with support for lossless audio and noise cancellation, while their standout charging case features a built-in touchscreen. That lets you quickly change songs, tweak settings like EQ, and check battery life without reaching for your phone.
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