
Brad Bourque
Brad Bourque is a tech journalist and commerce writer based out of Portland, Oregon. He’s contributed to sites like Digital Trends, Business Insider, and WIRED.
Speaking as someone who just had to buy a new garbage disposal on his lunch break, I know firsthand how much home maintenance can cost, so I’m always excited to find inexpensive home tech that feels like an upgrade. Prime Day is a great time to score deals on video doorbells and cameras, novel methods of interacting with your home like buttons and switches, and a variety of smart outlets and plugs.
If you have some tasks clogging up your to-do list, or you’re trying to expand your toolbox, we also found some discounts on more analog gadgets like screwdrivers and box-cutters. For even more tech that won’t cut into your budget, make sure to check out our guide to the best deals under $25.
$35
Blink’s battery-powered video doorbell has a 2K resolution camera, two-way audio, and color night vision. Make sure to note this version doesn’t include the necessary Sync module to connect to your home network.
$28
Control your Philips Hue lighting from anywhere in your home with a Smart Button. This wireless button has customizable functionality, allowing you to change scenes, adjust lighting temperature and brightness, or trigger automations.
$28
The 1080p Blink Outdoor 4 security camera offers support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. Unlike the third-gen model, it supports person detection and has a wider field of view.
$18
This compact security camera from Blink has a 2K video resolution and 138-degree diagonal field of view. While the camera itself is weather-resistant, you’ll need to purchase a special plug to use it outdoors.
$20
If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what SwitchBot’s Smart Switch does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set.
$40
Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
$10
A smart plug adds functionality to an existing gadget rather than replacing it. Once the plug is connected to your Wi-Fi network and a gadget, you can turn it on and off using an app. TP-Link’s Tapo smart plug supports Matter, so you can add it to whichever smart home platform you use.
$38
Eve Energy’s Matter outlet hides a controllable smart plug and power meter in your wall. Both outlets can be managed independently, with support for major smart home networks like Apple and Google Home.
$17
GE’s 800-lumen Wi-Fi bulbs serve as a great entry point for making your home a little smarter. The color-changing LED bulbs work with Alexa and Google Assistant without a hub, and they support Matter for interoperability with Apple Home, making them a great choice if you’re unsure which smart home platform your giftee uses.
$33
Not only does this smart plug offer the most detailed energy monitoring of any we have ever tested but it also works with Matter-over-Thread and is an especially good choice for Apple Home users.
$32
The excellent Meross Smart Power Strip comes with four sockets and four USB ports, all of which are controllable via Apple Home, Alexa, or Google Home.
$26
Anker’s latest single-port USB-C charger offers up to 45W of power, foldable prongs, and a front-facing “smart display” that lets you see the charge level, power flow, and other useful information at a glance.
$28
Hoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is ideal for small repairs. It offers three torque modes, a rotational speed of up to 220RPM, and a helpful circular LED to illuminate dark spaces. The durable case also holds all 25 steel bits and an extension bar for getting into hard-to-reach places.
$23
An invaluable tool for those of us who make mistakes with screwdrivers. (All of us.)
$16
Slice’s retractable, finger-friendly ceramic blade is great for tearing through packing tape and cutting plastic wrapping. The comfy tool also features a sturdy, reinforced nylon handle and a hooked design that makes it easy to stow when not in use.
$19
If you want to fix electronics instead of replacing them, you’ll need the right tools for the job. Kaisi’s 136-piece kit includes the spudgers, picks, tweezers, and screwdriver bits (111 of them!) to get inside gadgets and replace parts. The kit also has an anti-static wristband so you don’t accidentally short a motherboard with a shock.
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Brad Bourque
View original source — The Verge ↗


