Amazon Alexa Device Deals Are Live Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days—but Some Discounts Aren’t as Good as They Look
Amazon Prime Day is returning for a fall edition, and Amazon Alexa-powered devices are already on sale. But are these early deals actually worth buying?
Before you add an Echo speaker or Fire TV Stick to your cart, consider whether the discount is genuine. Amazon raised prices across several device categories at the end of August, leaving the product lineup unchanged but making some deals less appealing. Some devices are now $40 off ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, but their prices increased by $20 just a few weeks ago. That makes the current discount feel far less impressive.
If you’re shopping for Amazon devices and want to know which products are discounted—and which deals are actually worth considering—I’ve got you covered. I’ve been testing Amazon Alexa speakers since their launch in 2012. I’m also WIRED’s resident Kindle tester, giving me insight into how Amazon prices and discounts its devices. Here’s the full breakdown.
Which Amazon Devices Are Already on Sale?
Amazon’s Alexa-enabled Echo speakers and Fire TV Sticks are currently discounted ahead of next week’s Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which take place October 6–7. However, many of these products had their prices increased at the end of August, so some deals are not as good as they once were. Because the higher prices appear to be permanent, now may be a good time to buy if you’re certain you want one of these models.
Most Kindle models have not yet gone on sale, but all three Kindle Kids models—the Kindle Kids, Kindle Paperwhite Kids, and Kindle Colorsoft Kids—are currently available. Amazon also announced new versions of these Kindles today, so shoppers will need to decide whether to buy the model currently on sale or preorder a newer version.
The Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Scribe, and Eero routers are not yet on sale as of this writing. However, I expect many of these products to be discounted when the event officially begins. Kindle and Eero products also received price increases at the end of August, so it’s best to buy them only when they’re on sale—even if the discount is similar to previous promotions but based on a higher price.
The Best Early Amazon Device Deals
Not every early deal is compelling, especially after Amazon’s recent price increases. Still, two Alexa-powered speakers stand out if you’re shopping for a new Amazon smart speaker.
Best Early Amazon Alexa Deals
Amazon Echo Spot (2024)
Sale price: $55 at Amazon and Best Buy—50 percent off its current $110 price.
The second-generation Echo Spot, revived in 2024, is the best deal among Amazon’s early device discounts. This compact smart speaker works especially well as a bedside alarm: It shows when your next alarm is set and can display the weather, calendar details, or the current song when you ask Alexa.
The Echo Spot offers some of the benefits of a smart display without a camera, making it a good option for shoppers who want basic visual information without added privacy concerns.
- Fun middle ground between a standard speaker and a smart display
- Small screen works well as a bedside alarm
- Displays weather, calendar information, and the current song without visual clutter or ads
- Sound quality is not as strong as the Echo Dot
- Limited clock-design options
Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Generation)
Sale price: $180 at Amazon—$40 off its $220 price.
The second-generation Echo Studio is the only new Amazon Alexa speaker that was not affected by the recent price change. Its $220 price is the same as the original price of both the second-generation and first-generation models.
The Prime Big Deal Days discount is not especially large, but $40 off gets you a powerful speaker with room-filling sound. It can extend across large rooms without becoming muddy.
Are Amazon’s Early Alexa Deals Worth It?
The Echo Spot (2024) is the strongest early deal if you want a compact Alexa speaker with a useful screen and no camera. At $55, it is half off Amazon’s current $110 price.
The Echo Studio (2nd Generation) is also worth considering if you prioritize powerful, room-filling sound. Its $40 discount is less dramatic, but the speaker’s price was not increased alongside other Amazon devices.
For Kindle, Eero, and other Amazon devices that are not yet discounted, it may be worth waiting until Amazon Prime Big Deal Days begins on October 6. These products could receive promotions, particularly after their recent price increases.
Source: www.wired.com