We're back with another hand-picked selection of some top tech bargains that are inching their way into our shopping baskets this week as more and more retailers gear up for the Labor Day sales.
We kick things off with an easy impulse buy: the ever-popular Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. The retailer's own streaming stick is down to a surprisingly low price for this time of year - and it's good news for those who aren't Prime members but are searching for a bargain.
Alongside that are two laptops at very much opposite ends of the price and performance spectrum. The first is cheap yet surprisingly powerful for the price - and an excellent buy for any students out there still after a new device in the back to school sales. The second is a record-low price for what our computing experts here at TechRadar think is the best laptop available to buy right now. That lot know their stuff, so definitely one not to be missed, then.
We've also got some big reductions on TVs. Perhaps a good one if you're looking to upgrade your home setup before the new NFL season gets underway. Go Bucs!
And lastly, the iPhone 14, free for the first time ever at Verizon without the need for a trade-in. Need I say any more?
Happy spending!
1. Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Buy a Fire TV Stick outside of Amazon Prime Day? Madness! I would usually agree with you there, but you do have to be a Prime member in order to get access to the lowest prices during Amazon's exclusive sale.
So, definitely don't sleep on this offer that lets you pick up the popular and most powerful Fire TV Stick 4K Max for its lowest-ever price for non-Prime members. In fact, it's only $2 more than the offer we saw in July, so not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.
We awarded this device four stars out of five in our Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max review. This version pushes the streaming stick to its limits with excellent performance for the price and does everything you need to watch shows and films in 4K. Accessibility features and voice controls are handy additions, too, as you can navigate through apps easier and connect with other smart home devices.
2. iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 is a great phone. Just check out our very positive iPhone 14 review in which we call it 'seriously snappy' and 'really cool' – to cherry-pick just a couple of the compliments with minimal context. But, in all seriousness, it's one of the best phones for most people that prefer the Apple ecosystem.
How would you like one for free? Well, you can get one right now at Verizon - and it's the first time ever that the latest Apple handset has been offered for zero upfront cost without the need to trade in an old device at the same time.
Now, of course, the network isn't just handing out a $800 phone for nothing. You do need to sign up for a reasonably pricey unlimited data line at the same time, but it's still one of the best iPhone 14 deals we've ever seen. It makes sense this is live now, considering we're just a short time away from the expected iPhone 15 reveal in September.
3. Gateway Notebook
Our pals over at TechRadar Pro are popping in for a guest spot on our payday wishlist with a cheap yet excellent value-for-money laptop deal they've spotted over at Walmart that's proven very popular this week. I'll allow Managing Editor, Des, to take it away from here.
He says that the main appeal of this Gateway laptop is that it comes with 16GB of RAM – that’s twice what other similar-priced laptops offer and it matters because more memory helps with running multiple applications at the same time. Other useful specs include an Intel i5 processor, HD display, excellent battery life and a sizeable 512GB SSD. All for under $400 is a bargain.
And I agree. When it comes to affordable all-around laptops there's nothing that beats this right now. It's a great buy for general use and schoolwork so definitely snap it up while you can.
4. MacBook Air
For a laptop on another level, you'll want to consider the MacBook Air, which is currently down to its lowest price ever at Best Buy. Both the older M1 and more recent M2 versions are on offer, and you can't really go wrong with either considering we awarded both 4.5 out of five.
Sure, the M1 version is a little older now, but it's still a speedy and powerful device with an impressive battery life. Meanwhile, the M2 version is an extra $200 more, but it does come with the upgraded M2 chip for even better all-around performance. It's rounded out with a thin and light design, improved battery life and a stunning display
And while these prices are already the cheapest ever and two of the best laptop deals right now, you can also get an extra discount of $50 on the MacBook Air M2 if you're a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total member. You can sign up for My Best Buy for as little as $0 to get free shipping or read our full breakdown of the new My Best Buy memberships system for all the perks at each tier.
5. Fire TVs
There are already some stellar deals on TVs ahead of the big Labor Day holiday weekend. Some of the best TV deals are at Amazon, where you can get smart TVs from as little as $64.99.
The highlight is the Amazon Fire TV 55-inch Omni QLED Series for $429.99 as it's the cheapest it's ever been. And it's packed with some top-end TV tech, including that QLED display, to offer better brightness, more vibrant colors and excellent overall picture quality.
We've got more of our hand-picked favorites below, or you can follow our full Labor Day TV sales coverage for even more of the best deals coming soon.
