Latest news with #JulyPrimeDay
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
I Always Recommend This Soundbar, and It's Over 20% Off for Prime Day Today
The Roku Streambar SE is today for $79 -- $21 off the usual price -- during Amazon's July Prime Day sale event. This product is one I recommend even at full price, and this discount makes it an even better buy. I tested Roku's Streambar SE late last year and wrote about my impressions of it, but since it's now routinely getting nice discounts for big holidays and shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, I thought I'd highlight it again. I've tested plenty of Roku's video streamers over the years, but until last year, I hadn't tried out one of its Streambars, which combines a small soundbar with Roku's entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku stopped making its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, but it's now selling the Streambar SE, a 2024 mini soundbar that caught my eye because of its low price. When I say mini soundbar, I really do mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It's designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, home office or dorm room, and not your main living room TV (unless you have a tiny living room). I hooked it up to an old 42-inch Vizio I have in my home office, and it's been a solid upgrade over my TV's built-in speakers. Roku Streambar SE specs Here are the details about this compact soundbar. Streaming Resolution: 4K HDR/HDR10+ 4K HDR/HDR10+ Drivers : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port Compatibility : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports Dimensions: 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches Weight: 2 pounds (907 grams) 2 pounds (907 grams) Included: Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Wireless headphone support : Bluetooth 5.0 : Bluetooth 5.0 Expandability : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup Additional features : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs My Roku Streambar SE setup Setup is straightforward: It's basically the same process as connecting any video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify things. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that's labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don't have ARC, there's a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn't have to deal with that. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Roku Streambar SE is the size of a compact Bluetooth speaker — and it does have Bluetooth connectivity. David Carnoy/CNET An upgrade over my TV speakers' sound I have Spectrum TV, and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that allows you to turn any Roku streamer into a cable TV box. For my listening test, I spent some time watching a few action movies, including Ant-Man and Nope, along with NFL Redzone, CNN and a bit of a Friends episode. I also used Roku's Apple TV app and Peacock to watch an English Premier League match. Maybe because my expectations were low, I was surprised by the amount of sound this little speaker was able to produce. While the Streambar SE doesn't offer the greatest sound -- it can output only so much bass through its dual 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port -- the speaker produces better audio than you'd think given its very compact size. It's particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers better sound than what you get from most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can link the speaker with Roku's Wireless Bass subwoofer, but that separate sub will set you back $130. I can't say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It doesn't have the side-firing speakers of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2023, nor can you pair it with Roku's wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to leave you feeling like you got a good deal, particularly if you were already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku's Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K. Enlarge Image The Roku Streambar is significantly smaller than a full-size soundbar like this Sonos Beam. David Carnoy/CNET As far as sound modes go, you get a few presets to choose from, including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker will cut the volume down on loud commercials. The soundbar is also equipped with Bluetooth, so you can connect headphones to it, plus Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support. Read more: Best Soundbar of 2025: Top Picks From Roku, Yamaha and More I should note that the bundled remote is Roku's more basic remote and not its step-up voice remote that lets you issue voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku's mobile app for iOS and Android, which does support voice commands. The back of the speaker (bass port on left). David Carnoy/CNET The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, but it doesn't have support for Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn't even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE's video streaming capabilities are more than enough. Why Roku's Streambar SE makes a great gift While Roku's step-up Streambar ($130) certainly delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE's more compact size and affordable price give it a distinct appeal, particularly for those of us looking to upgrade the sound of a more modest-size TV, perhaps an older model like mine. The Streambar SE isn't fancy, but the price is right for what it does. To compare this with other options, check out our current list of the best soundbars available. For more good discounts on tech we love, check out our editors' picks for the best Amazon Prime Day deals.
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: My Favorite Wireless Keyboard Is 20% Off Today
Amazon Prime Day Deal: The Logitech MX Keys Mini is easily the best compact keyboard I've ever owned, and I'll recommend it to nearly anyone. Right now, you can grab it for 19% off, or $81, in both graphite and pale gray color options during Amazon's July Prime Day sales event. If rose pink is more your style, you're in luck: it's discounted by 25%, costing you only $75. Over a decade ago, Logitech made the perfect keyboard for my needs: the K810. It was a compact tenkeyless wireless keyboard with Bluetooth and backlit keys. While those two boxes are far from hard to check off today, they were at the time. Best of all, I loved that I could seamlessly switch the keyboard to up to three different devices by just tapping a key. It wasn't perfect, though. The biggest downside of the K810 was its build quality. While it wasn't bad, it didn't feel super solid. As time went on, it became increasingly hard to find, and Logitech had discontinued it by 2019. I wasn't alone in missing it, either. You can find plenty of Reddit posts looking for alternatives or pleas to Logitech to rerelease the K810. I found myself buying at least two used or refurbished K810s from eBay since Logitech hadn't produced a proper replacement. Luckily, Logitech introduced a true successor to the K810 in 2021. The Logitech MX Keys Mini was nearly everything any K810 owner could want in a successor. It has the same compact and minimal design, backlit keys that are more comfortable to type on, easy switching to other devices, a much-needed upgrade to USB-C for charging, and a solid build quality that goes toe-to-toe with Apple's Magic Keyboard. In fact, I have no problem recommending the Keys Mini over Apple's equivalent offering any day of the week. The Keys Mini typically comes with a $100 price tag that might be a hard pill to swallow for some, but if you're like me and spend several hours a day using a keyboard (and, yes, I'm typing this on my Keys Mini), the price is justified. If you're not a keyboard snob and just need a keyboard for casual use, I'd still recommend the MX Keys Mini. Typing on it is a great experience, especially if you like a minimal and compact layout. The Keys Mini isn't going to impress someone looking for a gaming keyboard, but if that's what you're in the market for, we have you covered with our best gaming keyboards for 2025. Best Prime Day Laptops Deals It's never too early to start shopping for an upgrade to your laptop, and our favorite Prime Day laptop deals are guaranteed to save you time and money. Check out the best savings here. See Now Why I like the Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard The MX Keys Mini has a lot going for it. The backlit keys automatically turn off when I'm not using the keyboard and turn on as my hands approach it. Its ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the keys to my current lighting conditions, though I can also manually adjust this as well. The surface of the keys themselves are slightly concave, so typing on them feels great. I love this keyboard so much that I have two of them. David Carnoy/CNET I also love the battery life. Logitech's website claims the Keys Mini will last up to 10 days on a single charge or up to five months with the backlighting turned off. That seems to undersell it. Even with daily use, I don't find myself having to charge the keyboard more than once a month. The top row of keys comes with some standard and not-so-standard abilities. The expected multimedia, volume, Esc and Del keys are present, along with the three easy switch buttons to change the Bluetooth connection to another device I've already paired to and the backlight intensity keys. The keyboard has a useful and dedicated dictation key, a mic mute/unmute key and an emoji key to open the emoji window for supported apps. While I can't say I've ever used the emoji key, I love the idea that enough typists want something like this and that Logitech included it. The MX Keys Mini is about two-thirds the size of MX Keys. David Carnoy/CNET Available in both Windows and MacOS options, the Logitech MX Keys Mini is easily my go-to recommendation for someone who wants a solid typing experience in a compact and competent package. It still tops our list for best keyboard in 2025. If you prefer the full keyboard experience, Logitech offers the MX Keys S with a dedicated number pad. If you're looking for a compact mouse to accompany your MX Keys Mini, the MX Anywhere 3S will fit right in. If you're on the hunt for more sales, don't miss the best the best Prime Day Deals under $25.
CNET
09-07-2025
- CNET
Prime Day Deals: These Noise-Canceling Earbuds Rival Apple's AirPods 4, and They're 30% Off for Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day sale: The Earfun Air Pro 4 noise-canceling earbuds are available for $55 -- a 30% discount -- as part of Amazon's July Prime Day sale event. I enjoy reading books on my Kindle, and my favorite place to do so is stretched out on a couch in my living room. But like most busy households, my living room can get pretty loud. And since I don't really want to yell at everyone to keep it down so Daddy can enjoy his stories, the best solution I've found is to wear noise-canceling earbuds while reading. I'll wear them in combination with playing white noise or nature sounds -- my current favorite playlist is 10 hours of Thunderstorm Sounds on shuffle -- to maximize the effect. I like using my over-ear Sony headphones for work, but they're bulky, so I started looking for an affordable pair of earbuds that offer decent noise cancellation. That's how I ended up buying the Earfun Air Pro 4s, CNET's 2024 Editors' Choice for affordable in-ear headphones. In short, they're great, and the black ones cost just $60 on Amazon right now a 25% discount. (All of the other colors are also on sale, with the white ones at only $68, the glossy white and royal blue both at $70 and the violet headphones at $72.) Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. How these earbuds silence the noise around you I prefer in-ear headphones because they offer active, electronic and passive noise canceling. Passive noise cancellation basically consists of plugging your ears with the rubbery tips included with the earbuds. The Earfuns fit well for me when I use the second-largest of the five swappable ear tip sizes, and they stay sealed and comfortable for hours. Sometimes I have to reseal one after I yawn or something, but that's the case with other in-ear headphones too. David Carnoy/CNET For reading, I prefer Earfun's "Strong ANC" noise-canceling mode, which makes a big difference when blocking out the noise around you, but there are a bunch of other noise-cancellation options. The Ambient Sound function is good for when I want to pay attention to my surroundings. Overall I found the app easier to use than Sony's and just as capable. The main difference is that Sony's app has a variable slider for ambient sound. The Earfun app also includes a white noise section in the app. Normally I prefer Spotify for white noise (and I download my favorite playlists for offline listening) but this feature is useful for people who don't have another music service. It includes birdsong, waves and rainfall, all of which are short clips that repeat automatically. Best Prime Day Headphones Deals Prime Day means you don't have to pay full price for a great pair of headphones. Whether you prefer earbuds, headphones or something in between we've got Prime Day headphone deals for you. See Now Why I chose these earbuds over AirPods These headphones have every other feature I'd expect, including the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously and programmable touch-sensitive controls on the buds. Plus, battery life has been more than ample for me even after a marathon reading session. Here's how the noise-canceling options for the headphones appear on an iPhone. Screenshot by David Katzmaier/CNET There's also a finder function if you misplace either earbud (unlike Apple FindMy, however, they have to be connected and in Bluetooth range). For actual music and voice calling quality, they sound fine, albeit not as good as my big Sonys. I have an iPhone and briefly thought about buying Apple AirPods, but I didn't want to spend the money. The AirPods 4 with noise cancellation cost $115 more than these Earfuns and have an open-ear design, so they rely entirely on the electronic (not passive) method. The AirPods Pro 2 are in-ear and superb, but I didn't want to spend $250 on a pair of secondary headphones. Yes, I could probably save some money on an even less expensive pair of in-ear noise-canceling headphones, but I'm not sure I'd be as happy with their fit, long-term comfort, battery life and noise-cancellation performance. The Earfun Pro 4 buds help me relax and concentrate on my book, and for me that's priceless. For more savings, check out our roundup of all the best deals on headphones we've found, as well as our curated list of the best Amazon Prime Day deals going on now.
CNET
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
This Spendy Thermostat Is Paying for Itself by Cutting My Energy Bills, and It's 22% Off for Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day sale: The Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is available for $219 -- a discount of 22% or $61 -- as part of Amazon's July Prime Day sale. Since price is the biggest drawback of this thermostat, this deal makes the product much more compelling. CNET's key takeaways $280 for a smart thermostat may sound like a tough deal, but mine is set to pay for itself this summer thanks to lower heating and cooling payments. Automated Eco Modes make energy saving easy, even if you don't have time to plan out your schedule. Local utility rebates may also help make the thermostat more affordable. My Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is astonishingly beautiful -- I've had people stop in my hallway just to look at the shifting rain and sunset animations. But that beauty, and all the smart features inside, is pricey: Normally priced at $280, it's one of the most expensive smart thermostats I recommend. So why take the plunge? Because Nest's Eco modes are so effective, my Nest smart thermostat is set to pay for itself this summer through electricity savings -- and I barely had to do anything except set it up. Here's how it all works, and why I'm glad I kept this Nest smart thermostat around. Read more: One Tiny Gadget Is the Unsung Hero of Today's Smart, Energy-Saving Home My experience with the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen A Nest Thermostat showing lightning. Google Nest With a larger dial than ever, the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 is well-suited to showing off, both aesthetically and with data-backed insights on indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity and more. My favorite customization is putting the outside weather at the forefront of the display, which shows moving weather graphics that capture the current state of the skies, from falling snow to twinkling stars. Google's research indicates people save around 10% to 15% on their energy bills with a smart thermostat, which works out to an average savings of $132 to $145 per year. Nest's reports help you chart savings and troubleshoot energy problems. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Those numbers reflected my results fairly well. From early fall to the colder winter months, I saved around $10 to $15 per month with Nest's tweaks and by balancing my electricity usage with less costly natural gas heating. As the months warm up that number is growing higher, and I expect to save around $20 per month in the summer heat -- enough to pay for my thermostat sometime this year. After that, it's all gravy. Smarts behind a pretty face Nest Thermostat 4th-gen showing app controls, sensor settings and more. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Given permission, the thermostat learns my habits and adjusts heating and cooling levels in response. Auto-Eco mode, for example, will turn the thermostat down automatically if it senses there's no activity in the house, which saves more money. Adaptive Eco will take care of the details for me, while Eco Hold will stick to a money-saving temperature that I choose manually. The Auto-Scheduling function does something similar, since it learns how I adjust the thermostat throughout the day and mimics my comfort preferences over time so I don't have to keep tweaking the settings. Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in moments. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Adjust the temperature manually at any time and when you see the green leaf icon appear, you'll know you're in savings mode. That makes it easy to adjust on the fly when the temperature feels about right, but you'd like to squeeze more savings out of the thermostat. Nest's Eco Modes also generate reports so I can see monthly progress and note any sudden problems or unexpected energy use. If there's a strange jump in energy use, the scheduling may be off, or you may be using electricity-hungry devices too much (my space heater and I are guilty of this). There's also a gamified "leafs" competition against other users that I don't care much about, but it's there for those interested. Satellite sensors and other ways to save Thermostat satellite sensors are one of the best inventions for home heating. Tyler Lacoma/CNET My Nest model also came with a satellite sensor, a little white puck that wirelessly transmits the temperature where it's placed to the thermostat. I can tell the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 to turn on or off based on its own built-in readings, on the readings of the satellite sensor, or a combination of both. Sensors like these help thermostats be more accurate based on where you actually spend time. For example, if I'm going to be spending the evening in a movie session at my TV or computer, I can bring the sensor along and when those heat-exhaling electronics heat up my personal space, the thermostat will take that as a sign to shut off early. The Nest thermostat smart home integrations are very limited, but that does make it easier to set up. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Then there are the peak hours programs, under names like Peak Perks, Rush Hour Rewards, Nest Renew from Google and other labels that indicate a partnership with utility companies. If your local utility supports these programs, you can join up and your Nest thermostat will make additional small changes throughout the day, avoiding the often-pricier peak hour energy use when possible. You give up some control of your thermostat with programs like these, which may displease some users, but it does enable you to save more. Many energy providers will also offer bonuses or rebates you can use to recoup the cost of an expensive thermostat even faster. A quick note about setup: If you're worried about installing the thermostat in your home, there's not much to fear from the process. I have a full guide here, but as long as you practice electrical safety and snap a picture of your current thermostat wiring, setting up the Nest Thermostat Gen 4 and getting it connected to Wi-Fi shouldn't be a problem, especially with Google Home app walkthroughs. The specs for the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen Diameter: 3.9 in (98 mm) Depth: 1.1 in (29 mm) Weight: 5.7 oz (161.8 g) Display: 2.7 inch (68 mm) diameter circular liquid crystal display (600 x 600 pixels) Sensors: Soli sensor for Motion Sense, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient light Power consumption: Less than 1 kWh/month Power source: HVAC system wiring C (common) Wire: Not required Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) HVAC system compatibility (Check your Nest compatibility here): Most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant. It can control: Heating 1, 2, and 3 stages (W1, W2, W3); Cooling 1 and 2 stages (Y1, Y2); Heat pump with auxiliary and emergency heat (O/B, AUX, E); Fan (G, G2, G3); Power (C, RH, RC); Humidifier and dehumidifier (HUM, DEHUM); Ventilation (VENT). Smart home: Works with Google Home and Matter Warranty: 2-year standard for retail, 5-year standard for HVAC Pros Certifications: Energy Star-certified CNET's buying advice Nest's thermostat is one of the best high-end models I've seen. Tyler Lacoma/CNET It turns out a $280 smart thermostat isn't such a tough sell when I can see how mine will pay for itself in just about a year. It offers a plethora of energy-saving modes that users can pick from to rack up monthly savings -- most of them automated without requiring tinkering or calculators. I've even seen it available with rebates and free installation to speed up that payoff date. While Nest's circular thermostats have always had a flair for the dramatic, the Gen-4 model blows away the competition with a larger design that makes the most of its beautiful LED lighting and presence sensing to light up whenever someone walks past. The bright green leaf icon always shows instant savings for those who don't want to dive too deep into app management. Those who do want to explore the app will find settings for seasons, learning behaviors, weekly schedules and lots more.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm a fashion editor and I never skip the John Lewis sale - here's everything I'm buying for summer
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more When the sales start, it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. I try not to get sucked in because inevitably I end up spending on things I don't really need. Amazon's annual July Prime Day is well underway - and is the perfect example of a sale that can send you scrolling for hours. And often the items with the best discounts aren't even what you're looking for at all. Having said that, the one sale I never skip is John Lewis '. This high street stalwart is one of my favourite haunts for wardrobe basics, event dresses, outerwear and shoes. You know the quality is going to live up to the name - and its discounts are particularly good value. It doesn't feel like a jumble of unwanted products, but rather a curation of goodies waiting to be snapped up. Keep your eyes peeled for brands like HUSH, Nobody's Child and French Connection, plus its own ANYDAY range and its collaboration with A.W.A.K.E Mode, which the fashion pack went wild for. And don't skip the beauty and homeware sections either. If you're unsure where to begin, browse through my bargain edit below. Happy shopping! ANYDAY dress £16 Shop Brown has been one of the hottest shades of 2025. And you can expect it to be in again next year too. An event dress for £16 is a steal if you ask me. Pair it with A.W.A.K.E Mode's two-tone metal heels and you have a fool proof occasionwear outfit. French Connection dress £59 Shop French Connection's graphic floral midi selection has been fabulous. This one will be great next summer too. HUSH sequin polo £39 Shop Looking for the perfect party top? Hush's sequin take on a rugby polo is the ultimate balance of smart casual. Although I will be wearing mine to the office too. Stripes won't make you look outdated next year and this asymmetric midi will go nicely with a chocolate suede trucker jacket and ballet pumps as we head into September. There are Birkenstock clog dupes absolutely everywhere, but I love this raffia take on the trend. Where them now whilst it's hot and on your next holiday. A pop of pink is easier to style than you'd think. Wear yours with white jeans or a matching midi skirt. The draping on this design sets it apart from the rest (and it makes it look far more expensive than it is). Wide-leg white jeans are one of the best staples, but they're tricky to get right. This pair will elevate all of your tops instantly - and they're great for events as well as everyday. A denim midi dress is a fantastic piece to have in your wardrobe. Nobody's Child make some of the best - note the drawstring detail and billowing sleeves. It even has pockets! Nobody's Child dress Cropped trenches are set to be one of the biggest trends of autumn. Invest in yours now. I like this khaki version of a twist on the beige classic. Since Uniqlo brought out it's hold-all bumbag, I've struggled to wear anything else. This leopard print iteration will zhuzh up the simplest combo of jeans and a white t-shirt. French Connection Trench £54 Shop HUSH dress £56 Shop John Lewis shoulder bag £59.50 Shop This cobalt maxi is great for now but it will look fabulous under a trench once the mercury dips. Throw on some chunky golf or silver earrings and you've got a go-to look. Baguette shaped shoulder bags are all over the high street and this utility version has plenty of storage. It's timeless, so you can enjoy it all year round.
