electronics Archives

Best Amazon Black Friday deals on tech and everything

Just about everything on Amazon is on sale. Here’s a handy link to the top Black Friday deals. New ones are popping up all day, so it’s worth checking a few times.

✅ Oh, and here are all the coupons available right now on one money-saving page. Yeah, you’ll def want to bookmark that link. Happy shopping!

These Beats Solo 4 headphones have 50 hours of battery life and are ergonomically angled for max comfiness (50% off, $99.99).
The Amazon Echo Show 5 lets you make video calls, stream videos and call the family to dinner (50% off, $44.99).
This Insignia 32-inch smart TV has Alexa voice control and Fire TV built in (46% off, $69.99).
RedTiger’s dashcam has 4K resolution, night vision, wide angle and parking mode (38% off, $123.47).
This KitchenAid Series 5 stand mixer comes in 21 different colors and holds up to five quarts (27% off, $329.95).
A Ring battery-powered doorbell protects your house with two-way talk, motion detection and head-to-toe video (40% off, $59.99).
Keurig’s K‑Mini single-serve coffee maker brews cups up to 12 ounces (51% off, $49).
This Dell 31.5-inch curved monitor is a sweet upgrade that’s easier on your eyes than a standard model (35% off, $129.89).
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet comes with parental controls and a kidproof case (42% off, $109.99).
An Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a 6‑in‑1 multicooker that can air fry, broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, crisp and reheat (43% off, $79.99).
The Roku Express works with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Alexa (40% off, $17.99).
A water dental flosser gently cleans your teeth and gums (50% off, $19.99).
Govee’s RGBIC floor lamp works with all smart home assistants and adds ambiance to any room (45% off, $54.99).
This HiLIFE steamer is portable, light and way easier than ironing (46% off, $24.69).
The Ankar Zolo charger powers up an iPhone 15 battery from 0% to 57% in just 30 minutes (40% off, $15.59).
Suede leather ankle boots are warm, stylish and way more affordable than Uggs (55% off, $44.95).
Carote’s cookware set is nonstick and comes with 11 pieces (54% off, $54.99).
This Samsonite hard-side luggage set includes two expandable suitcases with double-spinner wheels (57% off, $204.68).
Shark’s wet-dry cleaner is a super-lightweight vacuum and mop that cleans itself when you charge it (48% off, $129.99).
The ASUS 15.6-inch laptop is a steal, with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and Windows 11 (30% off, $159.99).
This Hunter Dual knife set has 15 pieces and comes in a sleek black color (60% off, $39.99).
Vera Wang Eau de Parfum smells like iris, lilies and sandalwood (69% off, $26.41).
Ninja’s Nutri Pro personal blender is compact and can break through ice and any other frozen goodies (40% off, $59.99).
This L’ange ceramic flat iron is fast-heating and comes in a cute pink color (60% off, $27.30).

‘Kim, what about a present for my …’

I’ve got your back. I whipped up lists for all the people in your life:

💸 Or shop by price: Under $10 | Under $25 | Under $50

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

5 ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV

Our devices are significant investments. You need to treat your tech well to get your money’s worth. Regular maintenance is one way to stay ahead of the game. Tap or click for six checkups to avoid a hefty repair bill.

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I’d buy them all again

Laundry detergent sheets are light and don’t leave a sticky mess, unlike liquid detergent.
So handy — a cup holder you can put anywhere.
Teeth a little dingy? I use this toothpaste to whiten mine.
Shave the fuzzies off your couch, favorite sweater and blankets.
Stickers to dim the glow on your electronics. If one doesn’t cut it, stack two. The pack is only $1.49!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Only you can prevent garbage fires: Batteries, especially lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium types, should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center, not tossed in the trash. Search online for your city or town’s name plus the term “electronics disposal.” Or use this handy site.

CES is no longer relevant

Open/download audio

Is the next best thing really at the Consumer Electronics Show? I’ll tell you why it’s more fluff than not.

📺 This is wild: A funny Reddit post shows a Costco customer trying to return a TV they bought back in 2002. The thing is it might be within the guidelines. Costco didn’t add a 90-day limit to its electronics return policy until 2007. Before that, you could return indefinitely. Did it work? Yup!

The surge protector was invented in 1970. What was its official name back then? Was it … A.) Zap Trap, B.) Power Devourer, C.) Watt Wad or D.) Shock Block?

Find the answer here! →

$14.2 billion

Total Amazon Prime Day 2024 sales across both days. This year’s sales beat those in 2023 by 11% … and almost beat the national GDP of the Bahamas. Top product categories? Electronics and back-to-school gear. That’s a lot of erasers.

How to wrangle all your cords and cables

It’s surprisingly easy to ruin your expensive devices’ screens and internal workings. Here’s my cheat sheet for cleaning electronics. (Hint: Put down the paper towels!)

Don’t forget the TV remote, the hidden germ carrier everyone touches.

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Are Amazon extended warranties worth it, or a scam?

While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous.

When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?

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You threw away the paper manual: No prob! This site has over 8 million manuals for everything from electronics to appliances. Score.

Death march: Starting with some 2023 models and those released in March 2024, Samsung TVs get seven years of free updates to keep them safe from hackers. No specifics on which models yet, but it’s likely to cover those with AI features. PSA: Before you buy any used electronics, know the EOL (end-of-life) date. More about that here.

💸 Old electronics lying around? Costco’s revamped trade-in program lets you swap them for a store gift card, no membership needed. The trade-in values aren’t small potatoes, either; you can get up to $1,080 for an old laptop! Go to this portal for a quote. If you’re cool with their offer, the shipping’s free and you’ll have your money in under three weeks. PSA: Amazon has a trade-in program, too, so compare both to see which gives you the better price.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

You threw away the paper manual: No prob! This site has over 8 million manuals for everything from electronics to appliances. Score.

Secret customer service numbers: Head to this site to find the correct number to call. They list everything from airlines to theme parks to electronics. Let me tell you, you need to bookmark that website right now. Here are 15 more handy sites I’ve rounded up.

In 2004, an escaped convict nicknamed the “Rooftop Robber,” or simply “Roofman,” hid for six months in which shuttered tech superstore: A.) CompUSA, B.) RadioShack, C.) Circuit City or D.) Fry’s Electronics?

Find the answer here →

Rising car thefts: With just a smartphone app or a $25 Bluetooth signal finder, clever criminals can scan your car for valuable tech. The signals from turned-on devices tell them which vehicles will deliver the biggest paydays. Keep your electronics with you, folks — or at least turn them off.

Your TV is full of dust: Grab a can of compressed air. Never shake the container and never stick the nozzle inside your TV ports. Hold the nozzle about an inch away and spray at an angle. If you don’t like the waste, try a rechargeable electronics duster.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The surge protector — that appliance-saving power strip — was invented in 1970. What was its official name back then? Was it … A.) Zap Trap, B.) Power Devourer, C.) Watt Wad or D.) Shock Block?

Find the answer here →

By wasting hard-earned money on extended warranties for electronics. Most devices and TVs will break within the first 90 days if there’s a problem. Otherwise, they’ll probably fail after around five years. Now you know!