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black friday is right around the corner, but several WIRED-approved Amazon devices are already on sale, from Kindle e-readers to Fire tablets. If your holiday gift list includes one of those or maybe even a Fire TV Stick, you can start shopping (and saving) early. Many of these products are new, like the Kindle Paperwhite (12th generation) or the Fire HD 8, and you’re unlikely to see even deeper discounts during the big sale event, although don’t rule it out completely.
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Kindle Deals
The 12th generation Paperwhite (8/10, WIRED recommended) is our favorite Kindle (it was also very new, announced in October). It has all the important features that create a great reading experience, including a large screen with high resolution, smooth performance, warm lighting, and an IPX8 water resistance rating. The latest version has the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle (for sharper text and images) and up to three months of battery life. He’s also the thinnest he’s ever been. The Signature Edition is also on sale. for $155 ($45 off)which comes with automatic brightness adjustment, double the storage (32 gigabytes) and wireless charging support.
The basic Kindle is a great choice for a compact and affordable e-reader. The latest 2024 model doesn’t offer many new features compared to the 2022 version, but it does have a higher contrast ratio, a 25 percent brighter front light, and a faster page turning speed. Being the smallest Kindle, it is very comfortable to hold in one hand and travel with if you are the type who reads on the go frequently. For a fun pop of color, I suggest using the color Matcha. For under $100, you can’t go wrong with this one.
If you’re raising a bookworm, the kid-friendly Kindle is a wonderful gift this holiday season. Although it’s more expensive, we prefer the Paperwhite Kids because it has a larger screen (which is better for reading graphic novels) and it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about accidental spills. The basic Kindle Kids is also on sale for $95 ($35 off) which is smaller, more compact and comes with fun cases to choose from. Both models also include six months of Amazon Kids+, a subscription service for age-appropriate books, and a two-year warranty.
Fire tablet deals
The Fire Max 11 (5/10, WIRED review) is Amazon’s most powerful tablet. But its high price, especially combined with the Productivity Pack, put us off. Now that it’s priced well below $200, it’s a much better value. Like all Fire tablets, it’s ideal if you’re interested in Amazon content and services. It offers good performance, a bright, sharp screen, solid speakers, and an all-metal build, plus the 1080p cameras are better than what you’ll find on the rest of Amazon’s tablets.
This Fire tablet launched late last year, but it’s still the top pick of the line, especially at this bargain price. It comes with a fast octa-core processor, a large Full HD (1080p) display, and 3 gigabytes of RAM for smoother performance when browsing the web with multiple tabs open. It supports Show mode, which turns the tablet into an Echo Show smart display if you place it on a stand. You’ll be able to choose between 32GB or 64GB configurations, with a microSD card slot that can add up to 1TB of storage on both models. If you want to use the tablet to get work done, you can also purchase the Keyboard Case Bundle for $100 ($90 off).
The Fire HD 8 2024 tablet only comes with a few improvements. Amazon increased the RAM to 3GB (up from 2GB), which was likely added for smoother performance when using the company’s new AI features. The rear camera has been upgraded to 5 megapixels (from 2 MP). Other than that, it has the same design, size, and 13-hour battery life (we achieved around 11 hours in our tests) as its predecessor. You’ll also get 32GB or 64GB storage options with the ability to expand it up to 1TB with a microSD card. It’s a better option if you want all the features that come with the HD 10 but in a smaller size. The screen is not as pretty, but the tablet is more comfortable for traveling.
This is the best tablet for younger children. It has the same features as Amazon’s standard Fire tablets, but you’ll also get a sturdy case and a worry-free two-year warranty. Amazon will replace it for free if your kids accidentally break it. It also comes with a free year of Kids Amazon+giving you access to movies, books, apps and games for kids. You can also manage parental controls on the device.
Fire TV device deals
If you primarily watch Amazon Prime shows and movies, the second-generation Fire Stick is our top recommendation. You can still access major streaming apps like Netflix and Max, but a Fire TV Stick is designed for Amazon Prime content. As with the last version, Alexa is built into the remote, there’s an “Ambient Experience” feature that shows and cycles through nature or art scenes when you’re not using it, and you’ll have access to picture-in-picture mode. to control smart home devices or activate security camera feeds. Amazon doubled the storage to 16 gigabytes on this model and added support for Wi-Fi 6E, making it a bit future-proof.