The temps are plunging...and so are the prices! Cozy up to some new Amazon devices during this killer winter sale. (Photo: Amazon)
Just because we've put Christmas and New Years in the rearview mirror doesn't mean we have to stop celebrating. That's the message behind this week's winter sale at Amazon. There are a ton of incredible deals to be had, but we'd like to draw your attention to the fantastic savings on Amazon devices like the Echo Show 5 — at just $45, it's nearly 50% off — and the Fire TV 4K, a steal at just 35 bucks. Save up to 30% and improve your home network, up your TV-bingeing game and much more.
Meet Amazon's Fire TV Cube, a handy all-in-one streaming centerpiece that instantly brings Alexa to just about every entertainment device.
The Fire TV Stick 4K works with HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to create what is perhaps the ultimate home theater experience. Watch your favorite movies like never before, or use the easy-to-navigate interface to discover your next TV obsession!
"I love everything about the Fire Stick!" said one very loyal customer. "The voice recognition on the Fire Stick works perfectly, unlike other companies' products I've tried in the past. The picture quality is brilliant and sound is perfect. I give it five stars all the way, I've bought a total of seven of these for my family members over the years, and they love 'em and use them on a daily basis. Fan for life!"
This is just like the Fire TV Stick 4K, but it comes with its own screen. Okay, there are a few more differences than that between them, but this Fire TV has the features that make the Stick great, writ large. It also has four HDMI ports for connecting multiple game consoles, Blu-Ray players and other accessories.
"I'm no electronic wizard at 64 years old, LOL, but this TV is so simple for me to use! I liked it so much I ordered a second one a few months later... both of which have wall mounts I installed myself! An excellent value!" said one of more than 22,000 five-star reviewers.
Blink is one of the most budget-friendly brands for security cameras, especially when you consider its top-tier subscription plan only costs $10 per month. Their cameras are easy to set up and to expand, and there are a lot of nifty accessories to go alongside them.
"I use this product to check up on the kids, and for when the family's not home. I've been using it for a few months and I am very satisfied with it," said one mom. "The night vision and sound quality are perfect for checking in and talking to the kids. Also, when going on vacations the cam's motion sensor automatically lets us know when our house sitter came into the house."
This Echo's 8-inch screen is perfect for taking in your favorite TV shows away from the prying eyes of your children, or you can just use it to catch up on the news in the morning while you're getting ready. It also makes for a great kitchen accessory, helping you find and work through recipes. Right now, it's only $80, down from its usual $130.
"I don’t know how I have lived this long without this trusty companion. Having her in the kitchen is a godsend. I can easily browse new recipes, play music, watch videos, control lights and even call my phone if I can’t find it (already happened three times)," said one absent-minded advocate. "Voice recognition works so well even my 4-year-old is easily understood, so the Frozen soundtrack has been playing nonstop in this house, which might be the only setback."
Bad Wi-Fi? Never fear! The Eero Pro 6 mesh system lets you overlap Wi-Fi connections within your home to give yourself a stronger network, significantly lowering your risk of dropped calls, fuzzy video conferences or unbearable buffering times during your favorite TV shows. The system can support 75-plus devices and speeds as high as 1Gbps.
Never fear, Luddites...or so says this five-star fan: "I am not a techie, so I worried that I would have troubles installing this. I was wrong. It was simple to install, and the animation during the setup was fun. These are attractive, minimalist in design and they really work. I get excellent reception everywhere in the house, even in the basement. Sorry I didn't buy this months ago."
If you want a smart display that barely takes up any space, this the one to go with. It has all the same functionality as the Echo Show 8, just delivered via a five-inch screen. It's not the best pick for your only smart display, but it is an excellent option for a secondary or tertiary unit somewhere else in the home.
"I recently purchased the Echo Show 5 and it has quickly become one of my favorite technology purchases. The smart display feature is incredibly convenient, allowing me to see my to-do list, weather and more just by asking Alexa. The display itself is also great for watching videos and making video calls. The sound quality is impressive and the compact size is perfect for my small living space," said one satisfied shopper.
If you want to create a truly impressive home theater experience, the Fire TV Cube gives you everything you need. It's twice as powerful as the Fire Stick TV 4K, works with Wi-Fi 6 and has multiple privacy protections. It can also work as the central control center for your entire smart home.
"This new 3rd Gen [version] is fantastic. Supports all the latest formats, including Dolby Vision and Atmos. Load any apps you want to run. One thing that no other streamer does is mine uses an Alexa statement to turn on (and off) all my movie room equipment, adjust lighting and be ready for use. In fact, I don't even have to be in the movie room; I can give the Alexa command to one of the downstairs Echo Dots on my way to go upstairs to watch a movie, and it's ready to go when I get there," one happy viewer said.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)