Now that Labor Day has passed, colder weather is on the horizon, forcing gamers to spend even more time indoors. Autumn presents an opportunity to upgrade homes with the latest smart gadgets, including Google Home and Alexa-enabled devices. Major retailers have slashed prices on smart speakers, displays, TVs, and lights to celebrate the change of seasons.
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A big emphasis for After Labor Day sales is on technology that makes homes more intelligent and safer. Buyers transitioning to the smart home age should first decide on a smart speaker or hub. These devices are a connecting point for a wide range of technologies that can maintain constant communication. Of course, TVs and streaming devices are also essential, with Fall premieres soon upon us. Game Rant has hand-picked the top deals that make the end-of-summer a bit less depressing.
The Best After Labor Day 2024 Electronics and Smart Device Deals
Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Black (2023)
$90 $140 Save $50
Whether needed for work or school, Labor Day 2024 brings an incredible opportunity to own one of Amazon’s best smart tablets. Now seeing its lowest price yet, the Fire HD 10 features a stunning 10.1″ 1080p display. Despite being extremely thin, this tablet is designed to survive drops or daily commuting. It’s faster than the previous generation Fire HD 10 and can do anything from monitoring smart cameras to streaming movies. A 5 MP front-side camera also keeps users in constant contact with friends and co-workers.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
$40 $60 Save $20
The remarkably compact and powerful Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max can replace much larger media players. It attaches to an HDMI port on TVs and monitors and supports 4K streaming media, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is also an excellent cloud gaming device, working with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna. New to the Fire Stick series, the latest version boasts the Ambient Experience, showing unique artwork on screens and useful widgets.
Sony BRAVIA 8 K-65XR80
$1898 $2500 Save $602
The Sony Bravia 8 K-65XR80 is the perfect OLED TV for any home theater or gaming setup. Its above-average brightness and contrast ratios allow it to produce lifelike 4K images regardless of ambient light. XR processing means that motion remains smooth and ultra-clear in fast-paced scenes. The 65-inch Bravia 8 K-65XR80 also supports many PS5-specific features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which maximizes games’ color palettes. As a conventional smart TV, it’s integrated with the most popular 4K streaming services.
TP-Link Tri-Band WiFi 7 BE10000 Whole Home Mesh System
$500 $800 Save $300
Having a stable and wide-reaching WiFi network is essential for working or studying. The TP-Link Deco BE63 is one of the more reasonably priced mesh routers compatible with the latest WiFi 7 standard. Buyers can virtually eliminate dead zones by strategically placing this three-pack of routers around households. Then, homeowners can take full advantage of high-speed broadband connections with or without an ethernet cable. The Deco BE63 also supports convenient features like parental controls and automatic updates.
Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit
$112 $180 Save $68
Buyers can upgrade their home’s lighting with this unique Philps Hue smart light bundle. The Starter Kit includes three 75-watt White and Color Ambiance bulbs, one smart button, and a Hue Bridge. With this configuration, homeowners have multiple ways to control Hue bulbs’ precise color accuracy and generous brightness. The Hue Bridge enables features like out-of-home control, while the Smart Button is a physical switch for easy dimming and power control.
Affordable smart tablets are always in demand when schools reopen after Labor Day. The Fire HD is traditionally known more as an entertainment or smart home device, but the HD 10 can also enhance productivity. It’s compatible with Amazon’s Stylus Pen, allowing students to take notes with natural handwriting. Of course, the Fire HD’s large 1080p display shines when watching videos with the most popular streaming media services. The only weakness of Amazon tablets is they don’t support an extensive library of apps and games like Android or iPad alternatives.
Buying books and school supplies can quickly drain a budget, delaying upgrades to Smart TVs. The budget-friendly Fire TV Stick 4K Max offers a cutting-edge streaming experience while occupying minimal space. Supporting HDMI 2.1 and older ports, the device plays the latest 4K movies and shows with stunning colors and immersive cinematic audio. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are just some of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max’s benefits, with it also embracing cloud gaming. Players can connect Bluetooth controllers and other peripherals supported by Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna.
Colder fall weather looms, which sadly means spending more time indoors. Buyers shouldn’t wait until the Super Bowl to acquire a fantastic-looking 4K Smart TV; many are already heavily discounted. The Sony Bravia 8 K-65XR80 is a versatile 65-inch OLED TV that’s a perfect addition to any living or gaming room. OLED displays produce superior contrast levels and the most vivid and accurate colors. Normally very pricey, this Sony option is bright enough for rooms with ambient light. Also, it’s an excellent choice for PS5 gamers, automatically calibrating itself with Auto HDR Tone Mapping.
Students should install proper illumination for study time in a room with smart LED light bulbs and lamps. Philips Hue lights are regarded as top-notch for their color accuracy and reliability but can cost three times or more than competing bulbs. Fortunately, with a trio of 75-watt colored bulbs, this special Labor Day Hue Starter Kit is a rarely-discounted buying opportunity. The main drawback of these lights is that a Hue Bridge is needed to unlock all features like out-of-home control. That’s not an issue with the Starter Kit, as it ships with the ethernet bridge and a switch for tactile dimming.
The Best After Labor Day 2024 Amazon and Google Smart Device Deals
Amazon has numerous smart displays, clocks, and speakers at historically low Labor Day 2024 prices. The Echo Show 8 is more of a stationary hub for a smart home network than a portable tablet like the Fire HD 10. Amazon includes an adjustable stand with its own USB-C charging port to give users more flexibility in positioning it on countertops or desktops. This display also has a much larger integrated speaker to play music or respond to voice commands. Otherwise, the Echo Show is 8, imitates tablets with its ability to play streaming media in HD quality.
If the Echo Show 8 still falls short as a smart home control center, the Amazon Echo Hub is specifically designed for this purpose. The slim Echo Hub loses the larger speakers of other Amazon displays and is mountable on walls. It’s also laser-focused on making Alexa devices always accessible, with a persistent interface that includes handy widgets. That said, the Echo Hub retains typical tablet features, and users can access many of the same streaming media apps as the Fire HD devices.
Not to be ignored, Google has slashed prices on an impressive selection of smart home products. A reliable and speedy wireless network is essential before adding any of these intelligent devices to a household. The Google Nest WiFi Pro is a quick way to blanket an entire home with lightning-quick wireless coverage. The network becomes even more responsive as more units for this Wi-Fi 6E mesh router are added. A pack of two should be sufficient for most scenarios, and then buyers can feel confident that their smart speakers and tablets will always remain online.
One device that benefits from a wide-reaching WiFi network is the Google Nest Doorbell. This smart doorbell connects to existing wiring for power, but there is also a version that uses a battery. A far less visible solution to home security than a camera, the Nest Doorbell constantly monitors doorways for neighbors and potential burglars. The Nest can differentiate between objects and send the appropriate alerts to smartphones. Or, homeowners can keep a live feed going of entrances on smart displays. The Nest Doorbell records video in HD quality with vivid HDR colors and has a taller vertical viewing angle than many of its competitors.
The Best After Labor Day 2024 Smart TV Deals
Plenty of other smart TVs besides the Sony Bravia 8 K-65XR80 are joining the Labor Day sale party. OLED TVs like the 48″ Class B4 series become affordable prospects if buyers only have space for a smaller screen. This 4K TV is just compact enough to work as a gaming monitor on spacious desktops. Adding to its appeal as a monitor, the B4 series supports chroma 4:4:4 for easily readable text. Although it’s one of LG’s lower-end OLED sets, it still offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR for ultra-clear and smooth gaming.
Not every room has the space for a large TV. The Hisense 1080p Roku TV packs tremendous functionality into a 40-inch screen. This 1080p display won’t wow viewers, but it offers features that appeal to gamers, like a low-latency gaming mode and 120 Hz refresh rate. Also, this Hisense TV is tightly integrated with Roku, which is just as user-friendly as Fire TV or Google TV. Users can download all the essential streaming apps while finding content from a voice-activated remote control.
Shoppers on a limited budget can still add a 4K flat panel TV to a bedroom or living room. The Insignia F30 integrates the Fire TV OS into its software, avoiding the need for standalone Fire TV Sticks or Cubes. While the F30 has a single HDMI 2.1 port and reasonable input lag, it lacks features like VRR to maintain the smoothest frame rates. Nevertheless, its wide viewing angle makes it practical for rooms where couches aren’t positioned directly in front of the TV. The F30’s size and built-in smart features make this the top Labor Deal deal on a budget 4K TV.
If a projector isn’t practical for a room, the best alternative for a giant display is the Samsung Q80C QLED 4K TV. At 98 inches, the TV produces an enormous picture with very few sacrifices in image quality. Samsung’s QLED technology is a good compromise from OLED, which would cost an astronomical amount at this size. Contrast ratios for darker movies aren’t outstanding with the Q80C, but it excels at bright gaming imagery. Other features enable buyers to combine the TV’s internal speakers with Samsung soundbars for a more cinematic listening experience.
The Best After Labor Day 2024 Smart Lighting Deals
Heading into the darker winter months, having effective smart lighting becomes more essential. Philips Hue is known for multi-colored smart bulbs, but their practical white bulbs are more reasonably priced. For Labor Day, the 75-watt Soft Warm Light Bulbs are discounted to an all-time low Amazon price. Installing in standard A19 sockets, the bulbs still offer more customization than traditional lights. Users are able to adjust their brightness but can also experiment with warmer and cooler white hues. These bulbs can be controlled through Bluetooth in the Hue app, but buyers should purchase the Hue Bridge for more functionality.
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Indoor lights like the Govee Glide Triangle Light Panels are popular with gamers, but the manufacturer also sells outdoor products. In many parts of North America, fall is the most comfortable time of year to be outside. The Govee Outdoor String Lights 2 brings the same brilliant multi-colored lighting they are known for to the patios and decks. Separating themselves from more fragile LED string lights, these Govee lights have a series of large bulbs at lengths up to 144 feet. They are durable enough to withstand the harshest weather while retaining the best features of the brand’s gaming-oriented lights.
It’s never too early to think about holiday decorating, and the festivities quickly pick up pace in the fall. The Govee Outdoor Neon Rope Light is one of the company’s most versatile smart lights. Its pliable nature allows installers to place it almost anywhere, whether trimming walkways or around windows. Govee provides a variety of mounting brackets and screws for a straightforward installation process. Only its excessive brightness reduces its appeal as indoor lighting, but Game Rant has reviewed other Neon Rope Lights suited for gaming rooms.
Smart light switches are a way to modernize traditional light fixtures when replacing bulbs isn’t an option. These switches usually connect to electrical wiring, allowing wireless control of connected lights through voice commands and apps. The TP-Link Tapo is one of the cheapest of these devices on the market but still supports the Matter protocol. This enables easier setup and access in apps, regardless of the smart home ecosystem. The Lutron Caseta Dimmer is a pricier configuration, but it’s a brand known for its build quality and reliability. Also, this Labor Day bundle includes a second remote that doesn’t require in-wall wiring.
Plugs like the Kasa Smart Plugs Slim can allow older technology to be controlled wirelessly. With support for Matter, buyers don’t have to worry as much about having compatible smart speakers and apps. The plugs are accessible on nearly every smart home platform and can save homeowners money by monitoring power usage. Dramatically discounted for Labor Day, to receive two plugs at the current asking price makes this one of the most purchases.
More After Labor Day 2024 Smart Home Deals
Homeowners usually spend more time indoors after Labor Day, and this two-pack Wyze Battery Cam Pro is perfect for monitoring outdoor areas. Installation is a cinch because it relies solely on swappable rechargeable battery packs. However, Wyze also sells add-on solar panels that provide continuous power to the camera. Built-in LED spotlights ensure that animals and people are always recognizable in smart apps. While video quality degrades somewhat when tracking motion, the Battery Cam Pro’s 2.5K HDR video quality is unmatched among affordable outdoor cameras.
Most inexpensive smart security cameras, like the Wyze Cam V3 Pro, are stationary. The Ring Pan-Tilt is a newer indoor camera that rotates 360 degrees and pans up and down to provide a complete view of a room. Users can adjust the device’s viewpoint in the Ring app if potential trouble lurks in a corner. Even though this camera isn’t intended for the outdoors, it can operate in the dark with Color Night Vision. Homeowners receive notification when motion is detected, but some features, like cloud storage of recordings, require a subscription.
The 2020 Ring Video Doorbell isn’t the most advanced smart doorbell on the market, but it’s simple to install and reliable. At its reduced Labor Day asking price, this doorbell is also one of the better values in home security. Buyers can power the device with either its rechargeable battery or conventional doorbell wiring. Once ready for action, the Ring Video Doorbell outputs clear 1080p video and broadcasts to Alexa smart displays and tablets. As with most options in this category, a subscription service provides more features like cloud storage for recordings.
Cost is undoubtedly why some buyers haven’t invested in a robot vacuum since some are priced at more than $1000. Despite Roborock manufacturing some of the most cutting-edge models, the Q5 Pro is seeing a record-low Labor Day sale price. It’s incredibly difficult to find a high-powered robot vacuum with mopping functionality for its current asking price. The Q5 Pro has the same features that made other innovative Roborock vacuums newsworthy, like precise multi-floor mapping to increase efficiency.
Air fryers become more popular small appliances once football season arrives. The Typhur Dome is one of the most advanced air fryers, with a remarkably generous capacity and efficient heat distribution. It’s also extremely well-built and contains most of the noise it generates inside its well-shielded exterior. In the Typhur app, amateur chefs can access recipes, monitor cooking status, and trigger a self-cleaning mode.
