Amazon Prime Day is back, baby! OK, maybe not technically speaking, but so many Amazon devices are currently discounted at Best Buy and other retailers that it's giving us a major sense of deja vu. Right now, for example, you can buy Amazon’s excellent Smart Thermostat at Best Buy and Target for just $41.99 ($18 off) — a record low set during Prime Day.

The budget-friendly thermostat will mesh with most decor, and can even learn and adapt to your habits like more expensive options. Be aware, however, that you can’t integrate the device with voice assistants beyond Alexa, and there are no native temperature sensors. Still, if those caveats don’t bother you, Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is a great option to consider, one that could potentially help you save money on energy bills. Read our review.

Amazon Smart Thermostat

Developed in partnership with Resideo, the Amazon Smart Thermostat allows you to control the temperature of your home through Alexa voice controls and remotely via an app.

Some of Amazon’s smart displays and speakers are also back on sale today, despite the recency of Prime Day. If you’re looking for a smaller smart speaker, you can currently buy the spherical, fourth-gen Echo Dot for $19.99 instead of $49.99 at Best Buy and Target. The latest model may have launched in 2020, but it still sounds great for its size and allows you to set alarms, control various smart home devices, and carry out a host of tasks with just your voice. Read our fourth-gen Echo Dot review.

Amazon Echo Dot (fourth-gen)

The 2020 Echo Dot features a more spherical design than an actual dot but can still do all the things Alexa does with other Echo models.

If you prefer a smart display you can watch movies on and use to look up recipes, Best Buy is also selling the second-gen Echo Show 5 for $34.99 instead of $84.99, as is Target. The small, 5.5-inch display makes for a great bedside alarm clock, namely because you can use it to quickly check the weather and snooze it with just a tap.

If you prefer something larger, however, you can also buy the 8-inch Echo Show 8 from 2019 at Best Buy for $54.99 ($55 off). The older display still sounds better than the second-gen Echo Show 5, and comes with a built-in shutter to block the camera. Sure, the 2019 model still comes outfitted with a measly 1MP camera and a slower processor than the latest Echo Show 8, but it’s still a capable Alexa-powered smart display that’s well-suited for the kitchen or living room. Read our second-gen Echo Show 5 and first-gen Echo Show 8 reviews.

Amazon Echo Show 5 (second-gen)

Amazon’s Echo Show 5 is an ideal smart display for a nightstand. You can set alarms with Alexa using your voice, play music, control smart displays, get a weather report, and more. When the alarm goes off, you merely need to tap the top of the Echo Show 5 to snooze it.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (first-gen)

The last-gen Echo Show 8 is Amazon’s mid-size smart display. It features a sharp, 8-inch screen and most of the features found on the second-gen model, though, it lacks the latter’s 13MP camera and speedy performance.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Somehow, we’re already approaching the start of a new school year. And if you’re a college-bound student in need of a powerful Apple laptop that’s ideal for content creation, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is available to My Best Buy members today for its lowest price to date.

Regularly $1,999, you can buy the MacBook Pro in space gray with 16GB of RAM, an eight-core M1 Pro processor, and 512GB of storage for $1,699. The 14-inch machine offers an impressive selection of ports and grade-A performance, battery life that outperforms most other laptops we’ve seen, and a beautiful Mini LED display — something even the new M2 MacBook Air doesn’t have. Just keep in mind that My Best Buy is the retailer’s free rewards program, one that is distinct from Best Buy’s premium TotalTech service. Read our review.

A few more deals to kickstart your weekend

• If you’re on the market for a portable speaker with great sound, you can currently buy the Sonos Roam in refurbished condition from Sonos for $139 instead of $179, the price the speaker typically sells for new. The rugged Bluetooth speaker offers a number of great features, including an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and compatibility with Apple’s AirPlay 2. Read our review.
• As a part of its new outlet sale, Nomad is taking up to 85 percent off a number of wearable and Apple-centric accessories. The ongoing promotion includes discounts on leather Apple Watch straps, iPhone and AirPods cases, and much more.
• If you’re someone who’s prone to seasonal allergies or wildfire smoke, Coway’s Airmega 200M is on sale at Walmart right now for $129.99 ($100 off), which is easily the best price we’ve seen on the handy, HEPA air purifier.
• The latest Apple TV 4K is once again discounted in the 32GB configuration to $129.99 at Best Buy and Amazon (with delayed shipping). The future-proof streaming box supports 4K HDR content, along with more modern specs, like HDMI 2.1 and Wi-Fi 6. Read our review.
• Want to get out of the house this weekend but remain hesitant given how expensive it is these days to buy gas? Segway’s Ninebot Max G30LP electric scooter is on sale at Best Buy right now for $749.99, down from its usual price of $899.99. This is a great commuter scooter with a removable seat, good range, and a top speed of 18.6 miles per hour.