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38 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $50 (2023)

38 Best Amazon Prime Day Deals Under $50 (2023)

Prime Day is here again. Actually, Amazon’s second coming of Prime Day is now called Prime Big Deal Days—a bold choice, to say the least. We’ll still be calling it Amazon Prime Day, and you hereby have permission from this humble WIRED writer to do the same. If you’re hunting for the best cheap deals, well, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the best Prime Day deals under $50— nothing feels more like a deal than when it’s affordable, but it can be hard to find what’s a good cheap deal and what isn’t. We did the work for you (you’re welcome!).

Table of Contents

We test products year-round and handpicked these deals. Products that are sold out or no longer discounted as of publishing will be crossed out. We’ll update this guide periodically throughout the sale event.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

Updated October 10: We’ve added more deals ranging from Rezip reusable bags to Magna-Tiles and Legos, and updated this guide with current pricing and any dead deals.

Kitchen Deals

Package of Bee's Wrap cooking paper.

Photograph: Bee’s Wrap

This is the best price we’ve seen all year on these handy beeswax wraps, which have been available for about $16 all summer, that you can use over and over, rather than throwing away plastic wrap. It’s one of our favorite reusable products, and WIRED senior writer Scott Gilbertson says they’ve lasted him longer than the one-year use the company promises.

Once our top pick for chef knives, the Victorinox is still a great knife. We really like the nearly nonstick finish—hardly anything sticks to this blade, not even fresh cilantro. It’s a great all-around kitchen knife and well worth grabbing at this price.

There are dozens of these milk frothers available on Amazon, from dozens of different spammy companies all selling more or less the same device. None of them are outstanding, but I bought one a few years ago and, surprisingly, it’s still going. Use it to froth milk, or for what I do: mixing up matcha tea. Will this one last you years? I honestly don’t know, but at least you’re only out $8 if it doesn’t.

Stasher Reusable Bags on yellow background

Photograph: Amazon

These are a WIRED favorite and they do everything a single-use Ziplock bag does but, of course, they don’t need to be thrown out and are dishwasher-, freezer-, and microwave-safe. You can also use them to keep supplies like screws, crayons, and bobby pins organized.

This is another four pack from Stasher, but instead of four different reusable bags like the kit above, this colorful set has two sandwich bags and two snack bags. The tie-dye colors make them more fun to throw in a lunchbox or suitcase, too.

In addition to Stasher, we also love Rezip reusable baggies. They’re durable, freezer-safe, and easy to clean—just stick them in the dishwasher. They’re also much cheaper than Stasher if you want to dip your toes into reusables. This is the 5-piece set, but there are a bunch of other options discounted too.

Home Deals

Pile of folded Gravity Basics blankets

Photograph: Gravity

Gravity makes great weighted blankets, including this 15-pound budget version. It’s cheaper than most options out there but doesn’t lack in quality. You can add a cover too, which is also discounted, if you don’t want to have to wash the entire thing.

We already love Bedsure’s bamboo rayon sheets for how affordable they are. These sheets are consistently available for $60, so snagging them for a little cheaper is even better. They’re silky and cool, especially for the price point.

Amazon Blink doorbell

Photograph: Amazon

This video doorbell is one of the cheapest options around, even with a subscription ($3 per month or $30 per year). It made the honorable mentions section in our Best Video Doorbells guide. Video quality is 1080p with a limited field of view, and notifications aren’t the fastest, but it performs reliably. If you don’t want a subscription, consider buying it bundled with Sync Module 2 ($47), which is also half-price right now.

This AeroGarden goes on sale all the time, but the price is right. I (Louryn) tried this model, and it was super easy to use. Simply place the seed pods in their corresponding holes, keep the bottom filled up with water, and wait. Just keep in mind that the light is bright—this model would not be ideal in a studio apartment. And it’ll grow herbs like crazy, which is a blessing or a curse depending on how much dill you can use in a given week. 

This deal beats previous price drops we’ve seen by $15. It’s reviewer Louryn Strampe’s absolute favorite pillow. It stays cool all night, the case is washable, and you can customize how much squishable material is inside. Quote from her: “15/10, Louryn recommends.”

Tech Deals

Roku Streaming Stick 4K

Photograph: Roku

We prefer Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K Plus, but this one is cheaper and just as capable if you need a streaming device. There are other streaming devices out there, but Rokus remain our favorite for most people. They’re easy to set up and use even if you aren’t super tech-savvy. All the popular services are available.

This pricing matches the lowest we’ve ever seen for this device, which is one of the best 4K streaming devices. It traps you in Amazon’s ecosystem, but if you don’t mind (or you are already fully entrenched), it’s a good deal.

This isn’t a new deal; it’s been active since the last set of Prime Days in July. But before that, the case was usually only available for upward of $45. It’s our favorite overall case for iPhone 14 users, so if you need a great case or want to gift one, this is still a good price. It could go away once both Prime Days are done, or it might stick around. Only the deals gods will know for sure. Many of Otterbox’s cases and accessories are also on sale.

Image may contain Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone Phone and Text

Photograph: Tile 

If you’re known for losing your remotes (or if you have a toddler who hides them) Tile’s Stickers can come in handy. These Bluetooth tracker stickers can be stuck onto remotes, e-readers, or anything else you want to keep track of within a 150-foot range. It’s the best price we’ve seen since last year.

The Anker Nano is one of our favorite portable power banks, particularly for phones. It clicks right into the bottom of your device and even comes in fun colors. This model has a 12-watt Lightning connector but there is a 22.5-watt USB-C version. The connector folds away when you aren’t using it. If you use a particularly thick case, this may not work. You’ll likely be able to charge most phones fully once before needing to recharge the power bank itself via the included USB-C cable.

smartphone with iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless charger

Photograph: iOttie

What we like best about this phone mount is that you can use it one-handed. The arms automatically close around it when you place your phone against the trigger button; to remove it, press the release bars. There’s also a telescopic arm and ball joint that allows you to tweak the placement and set an ideal angle. We also love the clever magnetic tab that attaches the charging cable to the back of the mount, to keep from having to fish around for it. Plus, it’s super sturdy—even on bumpy roads.

If you’re looking for a trendy case, look no further than this blocky and rectangular one. The bright neon color makes the phone pop. Aesthetics aside, it’s also a fairly well-rounded case. The cutouts are all accurate, the buttons are great, and it comes with MagSafe support. We tested this case with the iPhone 14, but this one is for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple’s dual USB-C port power adapter is an essential accessory if you have a tendency to forget to pack chargers for your devices on the go. With two USB-C ports, you can use it to recharge both your iPhone and MacBook simultaneously. Rated at 35 watts, it’s also powerful enough to recharge an iPad Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and more. 

Zagg Invisible Shielf Glass XTR screen protector hovering above iPhone SE

Photograph: Zagg

If you’re tired of people glancing over at your display in public, the Glass Elite Privacy 360 will block anyone from seeing content on your screen from the sides. It also feels great and is fairly easy to apply. Our only gripe is that Zagg’s screen protectors are often expensive. While this has hit as low as $29, it’s a solid deal if you’re in need of a screen protector sooner rather than later.

This price is for the large size that fits the latest Kindle Paperwhite. There are two other sizes available for different Kindles and Kobos that are also discounted. Not all colors are on sale, but if you’ve been getting hand cramps during long reading sessions, you might like these. Attach one strap or both on the back of your e-reader and slide your hand in. You can move around without accidentally flipping pages or dropping your reader.

Satechi aluminum iPad stand

Photograph: Satechi

We’ve featured this deal a few times during previous shopping holidays. It’s still a good one. This tablet stand is included in several WIRED guides, including the Best iPad Accessories and the Best Work-from-Home Gear. The stand is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. 

We’re fans of Amazon’s eero mesh routers and have a guide for picking the best here. This one isn’t our favorite, nor is it the most recent model, but it’s on a sale if you’re looking to improve your in-home connectivity. It’s just one router, so you might want to take advantage and stock up on a couple to get the complete mesh experience. (It’s also worth mentioning that while the price isn’t as cheap, the Pro version that we prefer is also on sale.)

Smart Home Deals

smart lightbulb

Photograph: Cync

Get not one, not two, but four of our favorite smart bulbs for the best price we’ve seen all year. These smart bulbs are easy to use, beautifully vibrant, come with a variety of present colors and scenes, and work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Turn anything (well, anything that needs an outlet for power) into a smart device with a smart plug. Our favorite mini smart plug from Kasa is on sale. They’re usually around $17, so snagging these great plugs for $6 each is a steal. It’s easy to control and create routines, and these plugs work with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.

The Blink Mini is compact, versatile, and cheap—even cheaper now, thanks to this deal. We found it was reliable with good quality video, but it sits in our honorable mentions because it can’t distinguish between pets and people when detecting motion and you need a $3 per month subscription for it to work. Amazon owns Blink as well as Ring.

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation

Photograph: Amazon

If you want good sound and smarts in a nice small sphere, the Echo Dot makes for a great choice. Our favorite version has the built-in LED clock and usually retails for $60, so this is a good chance to get it for a little cheaper (though it’s not the lowest price we’ve seen either; July’s Prime Days saw it get as low as $30). The discount on the clock-free Echo Dot is even better, though, if you don’t want to know the time (time is a construct, anyway).

Amazon devices frequently go on sale, but this is an especially nice deal since it comes with a free smart plug that typically sells for about $20. It isn’t the same exact model, but a similar Kasa plug is the top pick in our guide to the Best Smart Plugs (and is on sale too). The Echo Dot (5th Gen) is one of our favorite Alexa speakers. You can use the included smart plug to do things like ask Alexa to turn off your box fan or turn on a lamp. The version with a built-in LED clock was priced at $30 in Prime Day back in July, so this pricing is solid. 

This is basically the same bundle as you get with the aforementioned Echo Dot deal. We think the Echo Dot is a better speaker, but the Echo Pop (7/10, WIRED Review) is arguably cuter. Either way, the price is right, especially with the included smart plug. This is $1 more than we saw on Prime Day in July 2023.  

This is the older, still-good version of the Wyze cam that we recommend in our guide to the Best Security Cameras. It can pan, tilt, and zoom. It also has built-in two-way audio so you can tell your dog to get off the couch. 

Lego Deals

LEGO Space Mission Classic box

Photograph: LEGO

At 6 and 8, my (Adrienne’s) kids have now outgrown Duplos. But for a few years, Duplos were their favorite toy. Setting action bricks along the track makes the train toot the horn, change direction, or turn the lights on or off. There’s also a squirrel minifig!

This 1,100-piece set can be comes with instructions for 15 different miniature builds. Of course, it can also be used to construct whatever your imagination can dream up. Choose free in-store pickup to save on shipping fees. 

Amazon notes that this is the first time this set has gone on sale. The overlap between kids who love Disney and love Lego is pretty high. The Nokk horse figure is pretty cool and the drawer actually locks.

Games and Toys Deals

Catan board game

Photograph: Catan Studio

This addictive strategy game is all about gathering and trading resources to dominate a randomly generated board of hexagonal tiles. It’s a great game for three or four players and a firm favorite in our household, which is why it made our Best Family Board Games guide.

My (Adrienne’s) 6-year-old son has this playset, which we unfortunately paid full price for in a moment of weakness. It’s incredibly sturdy and has lasted for several years while being stomped and on and thrown into battle with other playsets. The Grimlock T-Rex motorcycle is obviously the coolest one, but siblings can share. 

One of the most gratifying parts of parenthood is realizing that your children are now fascinated by the same toys and characters that you loved when you were little. It never fails to blow my mind that my 6-year-old also knows who Optimus Prime is. This action figure transforms from a truck (very cool) into a robot (even cooler!) to save the Earth from the evil Decepticons. This would make a great holiday present. 

Magna-Tiles are addicting for just about any kid, in the best kind of way. We are super fond of this STEM toy for a variety of ages. This set lets you build a road and cranes, so it’s a great choice for any construction enthusiast or as an add-on to any current Magna-Tiles owners.

General Discounts

The discount will apply automatically during checkout once you meet the $40 order threshold. Amazon-branded products range from home essentials like paper towels and batteries to snacks, office supplies, over-the-counter medicines, and more. This deal is an easy way to stock up on frequently-used items for cheap.

Gift card deals are only worthwhile if you’d be spending the money anyways. With brands like Doordash, Instacart, Fandango, and more featured in this sale, chances are you can find a worthy discount. Each card has a unique coupon code listed on the product page. Enter it during checkout to save.

12 Best Umbrellas (2023): Windproof, Cheap, Tiny, and Clear Bubble

12 Best Umbrellas (2023): Windproof, Cheap, Tiny, and Clear Bubble

There are a lot of umbrellas out there, and we’re always testing more. Here are a few others we like that didn’t quite make our list of top picks.

ShedRain WalkSafe Reflective Stick Umbrella for $60: This is a simple manual umbrella that opens and closes smoothly, has a circular handle that can hook onto things, and has a 41.5-inch diameter that covers a person (or two) fairly well. The reason to buy it is the reflective fabric—it’ll brighten up quickly when a car’s headlights land on it, so you can feel safe knowing you’re visible to motorists.

Blunt Metro for $89: The Metro is the more compact and slightly lighter-weight version of the Blunt Coupe up above. It automatically opens (and manually closes) and provides nearly the same amount of coverage. The canopy spins in 360 degrees to supposedly prevent damage to the core mechanism. My only issue with it is that when you fold it all down and cinch the canopy with the Velcro strap, it covers most of the handle, so you have to hold the Metro by the wet fabric or the wrist strap.

ShedRain Vortex V1 Umbrella for $25: This auto-open/close umbrella works well, though it’s nothing to write home about. It’s pretty compact, with a 38-inch diameter, and it does a solid job against heavy winds, thanks to the vented canopy design. It doesn’t look or feel particularly nice, and the handle is a bit too small for my big palms, but at least there’s a strap.

ShedRain Unbelievabrella Inverted Umbrella for $33: Frequently getting in and out of cars? You’ll love this umbrella. It’s inverted, so when you close it, you won’t get water all over your hands. Just close it and point the end to the ground to dump any excess water out. It’s a really smart design, and I like the rubber handle. My main gripe is that the umbrella is too flat when it’s open, so you’ll have to angle it the way the rain is falling to keep your clothes from getting drenched. The nearly 43-inch canopy is roomy enough for two. Just know that it doesn’t open or close automatically.

ShedRain Stratus Manual Stick Umbrella for $100: I’ve had no real problems with this umbrella, but it requires a bit of force to fully open (it’s completely manual). You don’t need to extend it all the way, just a quarter up the carbon-fiber shaft. I would have expected it to be even lighter than our stick umbrella pick from Davek, but alas, it’s a little heavier. You get a 42-inch roomy canopy and a twill weave fabric with Teflon coating that does a pretty solid job of drying quickly. It has a nice rubber handle too.

Repel Windproof Double Vented Travel Umbrella for $30: This one is sturdy, handles high winds, and provides good coverage when open, collapsing down to just a foot in length. It comes in tons of gorgeous colors, and a single button opens and collapses the fiberglass ribs. But “It’s. So. Dang. Hard. To. Close,” according to my fellow umbrella reviewer, Louryn Strampe. Fully closing this umbrella is a two-handed operation, and she got so fed up with it during testing that she often just used the ground as leverage to push the handle all the way down. It’s a problem across the lineup.

LifeTek New Yorker Umbrella for $40: This is a beast of an umbrella. The 54-inch canopy is more than large enough to keep you and someone else dry, and its fiberglass shaft and wind-resistant frame withstand gusts big and small. The handle has a rubbery grip and a single red button to open and expand the canopy. A Teflon coating ensures it dries quickly after the storm has passed. But between its awkward handle, the 1.5-lb weight, and the 3-foot length, my coworker Louryn Strampe felt the umbrella was too top-heavy for her 5’1″ frame.

Senz Original Umbrella for $88: The first time I took this umbrella out, I overheard someone say, “That’s such a cool-looking umbrella.” It is! It looks like a kite shield, and the aerodynamic design can withstand winds of more than 60 mph. On a windy day in New York, the Senz merely bobbed up and down. Unfortunately, the canopy is hard to collapse unless you use both hands, which are not always free. The narrow shape also provides less coverage, although it does make it possible to stick the opened umbrella in your backpack and walk around covered and hands-free.

Best Bed Frames (2023): Easy Assembly, Fabric, Wood, and Metal

Best Bed Frames (2023): Easy Assembly, Fabric, Wood, and Metal

I’ve owned Thuma’s The Bed for three years now, and it feels as good as new. You don’t need a single tool to assemble this wooden bed frame. The company uses traditional Japanese joinery techniques, and it took me about 15 minutes to put the whole thing together. That means disassembly and reassembly when I had to move was so easy—there are but two thumb screws at the top and bottom edges of the frame, which you can hand-screw in once everything else is in place.

More surprising is how sturdy it is. I’ve gone through so many bed frames before the Thuma, and after a year or two, there’s usually a broken slat or bent metal rod here and there. Or the slats keep falling down, so you have to do that thing where you pull the mattress over your head as you try to shove them back in place (just me?). It doesn’t creak and never slides around. The foam Pillowboard is an additional expense, but it’s comfy. Thuma has since added a wood headboard, which is pricier, but that’s what I’ll probably upgrade to next, since it completes the look. A part of the problem is how expensive this whole bed frame is (the price has jumped since I first purchased it), but if it helps, the Thuma is made from repurposed wood, and it’s UL GreenGuard Gold Certified, meeting low chemical emissions. —Julian Chokkattu

20 Best MagSafe Accessories for Your iPhone (2023): Webcam Mount, Car Docks, Wireless Chargers

20 Best MagSafe Accessories for Your iPhone (2023): Webcam Mount, Car Docks, Wireless Chargers

A Magnet is one of those things that always remain wondrous. As a kid, I used to chase a broken magnet with its repelling end and pretend it was a cop car chasing a robber. Now, it’s similarly satisfying to slap magnetic accessories to the back of an iPhone. It just clicks into place! No wires, screws, or clamps to deal with. It’s wonderful.

MagSafe is the name of Apple’s accessory system that’s integrated into the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 range. A ring of magnets on the back of the phone (and in MagSafe-enabled cases) lets you attach various magnetic accessories, like a battery pack that recharges the iPhone wirelessly so you don’t need to hold it or carry a cable. We’ve covered protection for your iPhone in our Best iPhone 14 Cases, Best iPhone 13 Cases, and Best iPhone 12 Cases guides, but these are our favorite MagSafe accessories to increase their utility.

Updated September 2023: We’ve added accessories from ESR, Belkin, iOttie, Nomad, Moft, Casetify, Ohsnap!, Oakywood, and Peak Design.

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4 Best Early Prime Day TV Deals (October 2023)

4 Best Early Prime Day TV Deals (October 2023)

Black Friday is almost synonymous with great deals on TVs. The original American shopping holiday has featured bargain televisions going back to the days of big-screen sets that weighed as much as a refrigerator. Amazon’s own shopping holidays are increasingly catching up. In July, Prime Day deals on TVs were plentiful, including screaming sales on sets from LG, Samsung, and Vizio. We expect similar sales for Prime Big Deals Days, Amazon’s new October event which will be on October 10 and 11, 2023.

Maybe it’s the start of the NFL season and fall TV schedule, but some of the current TV deals are actually on par with what we’ve seen on Prime Day. We will have the best Prime Day TV deals in October, tracking prices closely on top WIRED-recommended TVs, soundbars, and 4K streaming devices. In the meantime, here are a few current TV sales to keep an eye on.

Updated September 20, 2023: We refreshed this piece in anticipation of Prime Big Deals Days in October, removing two dead deals and adding a nice sale on our favorite TV for gaming

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We’ve noted the deals that match the Prime Day price from earlier this summer. 

LG C3 OLED TV

Photograph: LG

Our favorite TV for gamers is on a steep discount right now, down from its normal $2,100. Reviewer Parker Hall had high praise for this model: “Whether you’re passively viewing or actively gaming, the LG C3 is an object lesson in realism, detail retrieval, motion handling, and all the other stuff that goes into truly satisfying image quality.”

Samsung’s Neo QLED panels are some of the best and brightest I’ve ever seen, making them particularly well-suited to brighter viewing spaces. We have not tested this specific model, but there’s built-in Alexa to help you set timers and play Spotify when you’re not watching a movie. This one features mini-LED backlighting for near-perfect contrast and a center pedestal mount that lets you place it anywhere.

Samsung’s Neo QLED panels are some of the best screens for bright rooms, and this pedestal-mounted 75-incher fits perfectly on most TV stands. This model also features mini-LED backlighting, which means you’ll get even better contrast and color highlights, and it has Alexa onboard, which makes it easy to set timers and ask the weather.