Is an Echo speaker worth it?
As some of the most affordable smart speakers on the market, I think an Echo can be handy. Not only will they play your favourite music, podcast or audiobook (even directly via Audible), they all come with a mic to help you interact with Alexa. And that’s truly where the ‘worth’ really lies.
At their price point, they’re affordable smart home hubs that you can use to automate your lights and home security cameras (you can view the footage on your phone). You can ask about the weather, get step-by-step help with recipes, ask to be woken up at a certain time in the morning, set a timer, create shopping lists, and so much more — all without the need to lift a finger, just speak and you shall be heard.
The newest versions of the Echo speakers also have better sound than the older models, so you can even dumb them down to be plain ol’ speakers, but you can stream directly from your favourite app (although Amazon Music Unlimited is free for four months!).
If I had to recommend, I’d suggest the Echo Dot Max as it comes with excellent audio for its size, as well as solid smart home specs and sensors. And at a discounted price of AU$113 (AU$6 less than the early Prime Day deal we’ve already seen), it’s excellent value. Note that Alexa+ hasn’t yet been launched in Australia.
Amazon Echo Dot Max: AU$199 now AU$113
Suck up these savings — 78% off a robovac
This year’s Prime Day sale is proving you don’t have to spend top dollar to find a good robot vacuum and this is one of the biggest discounts I’ve seen so far — a whopping 78% off on a Deebot.
It’s the mid-range Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro, with 11,000Pa of suction and an all-in-one dock that takes care of most of the ongoing maintenance too. It’s not the most powerful robovac on the market, but if you mostly have hard floors, this will serve you just fine at a very remarkable price indeed.
Ecovacs Deebot T30S Pro: AU$1,999 now AU$449
The iPad deal that ain’t mini
If you’re keen on an iPad that you can use while on the move or when travelling, then the iPad mini is for you and, better yet, there’s a very generous 30% off on the A17 Pro model (2024 release) with both Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity. The latter would definitely be useful when working on the go. There’s also a good 256GB of storage on board for this variant.
In our Apple iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review, we praised the new tablet’s “pocket-friendly design” and “ability to support Apple Intelligence”. It works well as a note-taking device, ereader, web browser, streaming machine, and even a bit of a games console. It’s honestly such a lovely little tablet.
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro; 256GB, Cellular): AU$1,399 now AU$983
Complete coffee convenience
Coffee machines come in a wide range of styles to suit all budgets. For sheer convenience however, you can’t go wrong with a fully automatic machine, and the Philips LatteGo 4400 Series is a fantastic example.
This compact machine is great for smaller households, owing to its two profiles to store drink preferences. It can make 12 coffee-based drinks, including iced options, and each is produced to perfection.
• View all the latest Prime Day coffee machine deals
It also features a milk frothing system, although as you’ll read in our Philips LatteGo 4400 Series review, the results are mixed. I should also point out that this machine did drop to AU$594 during the Big Smile Sale earlier this year, but that was thanks to an extra AU$125 coupon provided by Amazon. That coupon hasn’t appeared this time around, but a 39% saving on a machine that will up your at-home coffee game is still well worth checking out.
Philips 4400 Series LatteGo: AU$1,199 now AU$689
An unmissable AirPods deal
Well, I’m happy to be proven wrong, but I’m already calling this AU$130 saving on the sublime AirPods Pro 3 as the best deal of Amazon Prime Day this year. That’s a new all-time low price in Australia, and it makes Apple’s flagship earbuds even more compelling.
The latest generation of Apple’s ubiquitous ‘buds deliver their best sound yet alongside class-leading ANC performance. The fit has been vastly improved too, with the Pro 3s feeling even more secure in the ear. The improved fit helps ensure the built-in heart rate monitor works as intended too — yep, these in-ears can monitor your pulse, making them even more versatile as a great set of workout headphones (they’re fully water- and sweatproof too).
Throw in spatial audio support and up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, and you have yourself a truly wonderful set of earbuds that are a must-consider for any iPhone owner.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: was AU$429 AU$299
Alexa, is there an Echo inside the car?
You don’t need the latest automobile technology to gets some smarts in a car. The Amazon Echo Auto makes it easy to add hands-free Alexa to your older car, letting you stay connected and entertained while you drive. With Alexa on the go, you can ask for directions, play your favourite music, switch podcasts, listen to audiobooks, or even make calls.
I should note that the Echo Auto may not be compatible with all old cars. Thankfully Amazon has a handy list of models you can check before you make a purchase like this. Even if you don’t need it, perhaps a loved one would find it handy – it could be a thoughtful gift.
Thanks to its five built-in microphones, it picks up your voice clearly over road noise, air conditioning, or even chatty passengers. If you use Android, this is a great travel companion, and right now, it’s available at 63% off, which is a record-low price for the latest release (AU$2 less than what it was last week).
Echo Auto: AU$99 AU$37
A soundbar for your desk?
Let’s face it, the built-in speakers in your laptop and monitor just doesn’t sound great, and I’m sure you’ve been tempted to upgrade to proper speakers for your desk.
Bookshelf speakers are usually my go-to over those smaller ones we’ve grown up with, but they can take precious desk real estate — so that setup may not work for everyone.
But what if you can add a soundbar underneath your monitor, just like your TV in the living room? Thankfully, you can with BlueAnt’s Soundblade under-monitor soundbar. It has 120W power for rich audio and deep bass, and there are plenty of connectivity options like Bluetooth or a 3.5mm Aux jack. BlueAnt is also an Australian company, if that’s something important to you.
The best part is it’s discounted by a whopping 69% off to just AU$94 for Prime Day!
BlueAnt Soundblade under-monitor soundbar: was AU$299 now AU$94
Free DoorDash, anyone?
Of course there’s more free stuff during Prime Day!
In fact, this one is a perk for all Prime members (even existing ones), but you will need to remember to claim it before the offer ends later this year.
Current or new Prime members get free DoorDash deliveries for the next two years (as well as other DashPass benefits). A typical 2-year DashPass subscription would cost you AU$192, so this is massive savings right here.
This perk can be redeemed via the offer page on Amazon, and you have until November 14, 2026 to do so. Plenty of time, but don’t forget about it!
Let’s start with the freebies, shall we?
Freebies: yes, in the plural. Because there isn’t just one free thing to enjoy, but three, depending on your personal preference for reading or listening. You can sign up for one, or two or, heck, why not all three?! After all, freebies!
OK, enough waffling – I’ll get to the point.
You can get Music Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited and Audible for free right now — or rather with extended free trials if you’re a new or returning customer. You get three months free of Kindle Unlimited and Audible, but Music Unlimited is arguably better value with four months free and includes audiobooks too.
That’s a lot of reading and listening if you ask me. I’ve already signed up for Kindle Unlimited and am enjoying the Bill Bryson-edited Seeing Further: The Story of Science and the Royal Society (yeah, I’m a history and science nerd).
Audible: three months free, then AU$8.99/m
Amazon Kindle Unlimited: three months free, then AU$13.99/m
Amazon Music Unlimited: four months free, then AU$13.99/m
Welcome to day one of Amazon’s weeklong Prime Day event. Yes, another 7-day sale, which begs the question: can we really please just start calling it Prime Week now?
No matter the name, day one always has the best and most exciting deals, so my team and I are looking forward to sharing our favourite offers throughout the day. We’ll continue to do so through the entirety of the sale, of course.
Something to keep in mind while shopping today’s sale is that the hottest offers will sell out before the sale is over. My advice: if you see a record-low price on an item you want, add it to your cart and check out before it’s too late.
