I asked a tech editor what’s *actually* worth buying on Prime Day
He gave me his list of recs, and I published them for you!
Welcome to Good for the Geezer — a new series where some of our favs evangelize some of their favs right to your inbox. Just like OG episodes of the podcast! Our first Good for the Geezer is here! Want to hear new podcast eps (every Monday)? Here you go!
PS. As you well know, holiday shopping starts NOW with Target Circle Week! Prime Day also starts today! ← If you haven’t seen our built-out site guide…click-a-dee-click right there.
Back when I was just tweeting nostalgic away messages, an editor at the Daily Dot DM’d me and told me if I ever wanted to write for him I should pitch.
More than a decade later and Cooper Fleishman is a great friend, as well as a tech, gear, travel, and men’s lifestyle editor. He launched the tech vertical for Mic.com and went on to direct content at MEL magazine and Departures (RIP). He’s now VP of Commerce & Growth at Cool Material and the amazing home-design brand Remodelista. On a more personal note, I take great pride in the fact that less than 24 hours after dog-sitting Lottie, he and his wife decided to get a dog (shout out to Howie).
I asked him to write Geezers a list of all the tech-y Prime Day deals he’d actually get — or recommend to good friends.
Hi Geezers! I’m Cooper — I’ve been an editor in the tech-adjacent space for 15 years and a deal-hunter for far longer. I now manage a media network focused on great recs and better buys: style, gadgets, design, hotels, and other inspiration at great prices. (Poke around, or sign up for the newsletter here—it’s kind of like a little brother to Gee Thanks!) My whole waking life is deals and new devices for a wide audience. These items actually make my life better, and they’re all mercifully easy to use — after all, I’m no Woman in STEM.
Apple
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $199 (20% off)
I got a pair of these last year and use them nonstop. I can’t imagine a subway ride, flight, or dog walk without them. Tbh, if you have a Mac and an iPhone, I don’t believe you’re likely to need any other headphones. The second-generation AirPods Pro sound fantastic, they’re lightweight enough you can sleep in them, they connect to your devices instantly (no frustrating dropped connections), and if you’ve ever put in a podcast and nodded off on a plane, you know that the noise-canceling basically works like earplugs. (There is also a setting for city walking that lets in some noise, which I appreciate when I’m crossing the street.)
There are definitely cheaper buds out there:
People who walk around NYC in head-to-toe athleisure seem to like the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which is now $50 cheaper.
The regular AirPods 3 are 23% off, down to $130. They’re fine. I’ve tested both, and I’m very confident saying that the noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and comfort make the AirPods Pro 2 a far better buy.
Bottom line: The Pros are ubiquitous for a reason.
Apple AirPods Max — $429 (22% off)
If you prefer the embrace of over-ear headphones while you work, or if you want the absolute best sound for under $500, just go to the Max. We all covet these. Now, I personally think AirPods Pro render Very Large Headphones unnecessary for most people, but I’ve tested the AirPods Max and of course Apple’s big cans sound like an IMAX theater. They’ll never be a value buy, but if you needed an excuse, here it is: Some colors are now available for 22% off on Amazon.
Apple AirTag 4-Pack — $80 (19% off)
Another quiet Apple release that became an instant necessity. A four-pack seems like it’s overkill, but the moment you don’t lose your keys, you’ll want these on everything that moves. I have an AirTag in my car (“Where’d we park? Oh yeah!”), on my keys, and in my backpack, and I had one on my mini golden doodle … before splurging on the even-more-accurate, GPS-equipped Fi collar.
Apple 2022 MacBook Air (M2 chip) — $850 (15% off)
If you’re shopping for a new laptop, this is the one to get. At $850, it’s a steal. In fact, this is the Wirecutter pick for Best Mac Laptop. The chip is blazing fast, it has the Good Keyboard (this notable upgrade doesn’t feel like typing on a sheet of plastic), and an updated design, which replaced the wedge-shaped models that debuted way back in 2008.
Should you upgrade? My parents and my in-laws all hold on to their 2010-era Macs because they don’t want to upgrade their software and start paying cloud subscriptions. The trade-off? Their computers are still running well, but they’re locked out of new operating systems and features — like Apple Intelligence, which is available for M1 chips and up. For most people, I think the formula is fairly simple: Upgrade if it’s satisfying.
YES, UPGRADE: If you have an Intel chip — i.e., the pre-M1 laptops from 2020 and earlier — you’ll notice a big improvement if you upgrade, and you’ll be able to access most new Apple features going forward.
NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE: If you have an M1, M2, or new M3 laptop, you’ll notice only slight performance improvements on a new machine. You’re probably fine to hang on to yours (unless you do pro-level creative work like video editing).
Apple iPad 9th Generation — $224 (32% off)
Apple markets iPads to people who compose polyphonic symphonies while filming skateboarding documentaries, but let’s be honest, most of us use them to watch Industry in bed. If you want an affordable iPad for browsing — or maybe one to keep in a big grippy case so your kid can stream Octonauts while you put a meal together — this one’s it!
Not Apple
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner — $349 (26% off)
You could dive into a vacuum rabbit hole, live there for weeks, and emerge covered in dust and screaming about the merits of a $1,000 bagged vacuum. Or you could just make your life a little easier. I have no doubt a Miele (like the more affordable C1, at $350) is best-in-class, and I’d buy it if someone else were doing the cleaning. But I know how lazy I am, and so, for cleaner floors, I need the one that’s easiest to use, easiest to store, and just powerful enough. That’d be the spiffy Dyson V8 Cordless. It gets a thumbs-up from my engineer brother-in-law, who knows a thing or two about crumbs — he’s a father of three girls under 6.
LG OLED 55-Inch 4k TV — $1,200 ($600 off)
This is a very, very good TV, marked down quite a bit on Best Buy. The 48-inch model is actually $700 off, down from $1,500 — an even better deal — but I think that size is a tiny, tiny bit too small for most living rooms. Go 55"+ and go LG.
Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle — $135 (34% off)
Real books are hot, but an e-reader will save your marriage. Well, only if you’re the type of reader who will stay up an extra hour to find out exactly how Lenú will drop Pietro’s ass while your partner is trying to sleep beside you. As any nerd will tell you, being able to read a book in zero light without straining feels like a major technological achievement. The Kindle is a fantastic product: It does exactly one thing extremely well. This bundle (Kindle, case, charger) is $70 off.
Anker Charger and Power Bank Bundle — $57 (25% off)
Prime Day is the time to stock up on accessories like charging cables and portable power bricks, and Anker makes the most reliable units I’ve tried. Definitely get the models that charge via USB-C, because that’s what all the new phones are using (rest in hell, Lightning!) and you’ll be grateful to need only one kind of cable when you’re packing a bag.
Belemay Leather iPhone Case — $36
I upgraded to the iPhone 16 Pro and had a little buyer’s remorse. Not for the phone itself; it does everything a new iPhone should, like hold its charge for a damn day. I’m miffed because Apple discontinued its leather accessories. I hate the silicone ones because they always stick in my pocket, and the new FineWoven line gives me a nails-on-a-chalkboard feeling. If you miss Apple’s old, high-quality leather cases, try Belemay’s line, which is two thirds of the price. For a higher-end piece, go Mujjo, which offers a pleasant green color. And if you prefer a vegan-leather option, I’m currently using this PU case by the hilariously named TUCCH. (How do you pronounce that? Like tuchus? Or touch? Your guess is as good as mine.)
Quick Picks
Ninja Woodfire pizza oven: OK, I love the idea of an outdoor pizza oven, but I worry I wouldn’t use it enough, especially a higher-end one. Maybe what I really want is a friend who has an outdoor pizza oven. At $300, though, why not become that friend? (25% off)
ThermoPro TP19 thermometer: Everyone needs one of these! You get perfectly seared salmon every time. ($40 off)
Kasa Smart Plug power strip: I love this brand’s tiny outlet adapters that connect to Apple Home. It’s immensely satisfying to tell Siri, “Get ready for bed,” and watch all the lights in the house turn off except for the bedside lamps. The power strip is mega helpful, too. (40% off)
Hoping you find something you love!
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