PRIME DAY, AGAIN: WIRED’S BIG LIST SHOWS HOW TO SHOP SMART AND SKIP THE DUDS

What’s new in this round, where prices really moved, and where to hold off
WIRED’s editors compiled hundreds of vetted October deals spanning phones, laptops, wearables, TVs, kitchen gear, and pet tech. The list concentrates on tested products with verified price drops and flags padded bundles. Compared with July’s event, large-screen TVs and mid-range Android phones show deeper cuts, while premium ultrabooks hover near back-to-school levels. Accessories—portable SSDs, USB-C hubs, chargers—are seeing broad markdowns that rarely improve later. For buyers outside the U.S., warranty coverage and plug standards still matter; freight forwarding adds cost that can erase small savings. The smartest approach is to target known-good gear, avoid impulse buys in long “lightning” queues, and set a hard ceiling before browsing.
Editor-verified picks and money-stretch tactics
Among the highlights: dependable e-readers with warm-light screens, mesh routers that fix dead zones, robot vacuums with auto-empty docks, and gaming peripherals with durable switches. Pet owners will find hair-trimmer kits and smart feeders at sensible lows. If you work hybrid, look for office chairs and webcam-mic combos that routinely drop only during big tent-pole sales. To stretch money further, stack store-card credits, manufacturer trade-ins, and any bundle codes—then use the extended return window to test fit and send back what disappoints. If an item is a true need with a documented year-low price, buy now; if it is a want with marginal savings, park it for Black Friday when overstock can push parity. In short, leverage the editorial curation to cut through noise and keep your cart focused on practical hardware that lasts beyond the hype cycle.