The 15+ Best Deals on TVs, Laptops, Vacuums and More From Prime’s Early Access Sale | Reviews by Wirecutter

2022-10-11 23:33:32 By : Ms. Joye Ling

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Amazon has imagineered yet another shopping extravaganza, this one labeled the Prime Early Access Sale. Still, this mega-sale offers all kinds of great deals on Wirecutter-recommended products like laptops, vacuums, and headphones.

Acer Aspire 5 A515-45-R74Z 15.6" Laptop (Ryzen 5 5500U, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) Deal price: $390; street price: $500

What we like: Good option for a laptop on a budget. Solid performance, a great screen, a responsive trackpad, and long battery life.

Other things to know: 15.6-inch screen and a weight just shy of 4 pounds might sacrifice some portability. Keyboard is only okay. Includes the Ryzen processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB SSD.

Read our review of the best laptop under $500.

Acer Swift 3 (SF314-511-51A3) 14" Ultrabook (8 GB RAM, 512 SSD) Deal price: $400; street price: $580

What we like: Lightweight with solid performance. 10.5-hour battery life. No deal-breaking flaws.

Other things to know: Keyboard is a little cramped. Doesn't come with USB-C charger.

Read our review of the best windows ultrabook.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Bundle Deal price: $900; street price: $1350

What we like: Capable laptop replacement. Offers portability, versatility, and everything we look for in a laptop.

Other things to know: Usually requires the purchase of additional accessories (but this bundle includes Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2). Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD. Costco membership required.

Read our review of the best windows surface vs. apple ipad: the best pro tablets.

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook 13" (8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD) Deal price: $280; street price: $420

What we like: Nearly identical to its predecessor, the Flex 5, except for its newer processor. Offers faster performance than most Chromebooks under $500. Handles everyday workloads with aplomb.

Other things to know: Comes with Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD.

Read our review of the best chromebook.

Apple MacBook Air (2020, M1, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) Deal price: $800; street price: $925

What we like: Enough speed, memory, and storage for most day-to-day computer tasks. Battery life a little over 14 hours. Lightweight. Solid construction. Comfortable keyboard. Industry-leading support.

Other things to know: Apple M1 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD, 13.3" Retina display, one 3.5mm jack, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Read our review of the best macbooks.

1More Piston Fit BT Neckband Earbuds Deal price: $20; street price: $25

What we like: Sound more expensive than they are. Thin, lightweight neckband rests comfortably around the neck. Includes four sizes of ear tips. Comes with a nice assortment of features.

Other things to know: Missing some very minor features that we would have liked to see. Deal matches best price we've seen in 2022.

Read our review of the best earbuds under $50.

Marshall Major IV Bluetooth Headphones Deal price: $107; street price: $150

What we like: Features the signature "warmer" Marshall sound. Single multi-function knob handles tracks, volume, and calls. Easy to use.

Other things to know: No way to EQ the sound profile. Headband is snug. Offers Qi wireless charging, but it’s a little awkward to get the ear cup to lay correctly on a charge pad.

Read our review of the best bluetooth wireless headphones.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 Deal price: $270; street price: $350

What we like: Adjustable noise-cancelling mitigates eardrum suck. Lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for hours. Easy-to-use physical buttons. ANC can be used in both wireless and wired mode. Folds flat for storage.

Other things to know: Sound quality is decent. Confusing app. Around 20-hour battery life.

Read our review of the best noise-cancelling headphones.

Beats Fit Pro Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Deal price: $160; street price: $200

What we like: Fit securely. Sound great. Easy pairing and connection to swapping iCloud-connected Apple devices. A variety of convenient features.

Other things to know: People sensitive to pressure in the ear may not like the fit.

Read our review of the best wireless bluetooth earbuds.

Beats Solo3 Bluetooth Headphones Deal price: $100; street price: $175

What we like: Easily pairs with Apple devices. 40-hour battery life. Sound profile offers nice highs and mids with a slight bass boost.

Other things to know: Typically sells for more than our budget pick, but this deal makes them more affordable. Discount applies at checkout.

Read our review of the best bluetooth wireless headphones.

Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) Wireless Earbuds Deal price: $70; street price: $100

What we like: Decent noise cancellation. Only earbuds to offer hands-free Alexa compatibility.

Other things to know: Might be a little large for smaller ears. Five-hour battery life is middling.

Read our review of the best wireless bluetooth earbuds.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352 Upright Vacuum Deal price: $120; street price: $180

What we like: Reliable, effective, and easy-to-use. Smooth and light handling. Requires very little maintenance and has essentially no recurring costs.

Other things to know: Our pick for seven years running. Includes a five-year warranty.

Read our review of the best upright and canister vacuums.

iRobot Roomba i4+ Robot Vacuum + Alexa Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Deal price: $400; street price: $550

What we like: Nearly identical to our top robot vacuum pick. Cleans in an orderly and efficient pattern. Comes with added suction, tangle-free brushes, and is self-emptying.

Other things to know: Ideal for pet hair. Easily repaired. Includes our former budget smart speaker pick, the Alexa Echo Dot (3rd Gen).

Read our review of the best robot vacuums.

iRobot Roomba i2 Robot Vacuum Deal price: $200; street price: $250

What we like: Sturdy, long-lasting base. Increased suction and tangle-resistant brushes. Extra sensors and processing help it clean large spaces.

Other things to know: Variant of our top pick (i3 EVO). Doesn't offer a self-emptying base. Privacy concerns have been raised after Amazon's acquisition of iRobot.

Read our review of the best robot vacuums.

iRobot Braava Jet m6 Robot Mop (Black) + Echo Dot Deal price: $300; street price: $430

What we like: Robot mop has bigger battery and water tank than our top pick. Sophisticated navigation system learns house layout. iRobot has an established track record for durability and long-term support.

Other things to know: Cleans up to 1,000 square feet at a time. Struggles with rug edges and thresholds. Need to change the pads and fill the reservoir after every cleaning session. Matches lowest price—and includes a free Echo Dot (a $30 value).

Read our review of the best robot mops.

We are already seeing signs of holiday sales creep, which means that shopping season now starts before Halloween.

Here's what we look for when we vet retailers and how you can check them for yourself.

Here’s what the Wirecutter Deals team is looking for when they hunt for the best prices on Wirecutter picks every day of the week.

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