The huge Amazon sale in October is the perfect opportunity to find some great tech that’s under $100, and early discounts have already begun to roll out. I’ve cut through the noise to spotlight the sub-$100 buys that tend to offer the most bang for your buck, as well as some signposts you can use if you’re hoping to spot a real deal before the two-day stampede commences.
Why this price tier? Recent Prime events have driven record online spending while relying heavily on entry-to-mid-tier electronics, according to Adobe Analytics. According to tracking by Numerator, average order sizes cluster in the mid-$50 range, meaning that much of the action is often on lower-ticket gear rather than big-ticket splurges.
Editor-selected early deals priced under $100
- Beats Studio Buds around $100: These are stemless earbuds that dip down to the century mark pretty often for Amazon events. You’re getting active noise cancellation, good IPX4 sweat resistance and one-tap pairing both on iOS and Android. They’re not audiophile cans, but for commuting and workouts the fit is secure and the controls intuitive.
- Logitech Blue Yeti under $95: Although a common streaming and podcast mainstay, the Yeti’s tri-capsule array, on-body gain/mute controls and four patterns make it a plug-and-play upgrade over laptop mics. Select cardioid mode for a voice recording, bidirectional to interview someone — and you’ll notice an immediate bump up in clarity without messing around with an audio interface.
- Arlo Video Doorbell 2K for just below $60: Early sales regularly push this model around the bend to “why not.” Head-to-toe views on the door are displayed with a 1:1 aspect ratio, and motion zones can help reduce false alerts. Just know: You’ll get a lot more if you subscribe to cloud video and better detection.
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet around $85: If you’re looking for a kid-proof device, the tough case and generous two-year worry-free replacement are worth it on their own. Performance is mediocre, but fine for learning and streaming apps, and the bundled library of content is a lure for families.
- Anker MagGo power bank about $60: This is the 10,000mAh model that is compatible with MagSafe and comes with a folding stand. It’s travel-size, it recharges faster through USB-C and doubles as a little kickstand on desktops and flights — small improvements that actually carry weight day to day.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K in the low-$30s: This streamer typically undercuts rivals during Amazon events. It’s fast enough for Dolby Vision and Atmos playback, and the Alexa Voice Remote is great for finding things quickly. If your TV is a little older, it’s a cheap meaningful upgrade.
- Echo Dot with bonus smart bulb frequently ~$25–$30: Bundles are the surprise victories. Get the Dot for bedside alarms, intercom-style Drop In and quick voice automations, and the included bulb to dip a toe into smart lighting without investing in a hub.
- Crucial X6 1TB portable SSD (approximately $60 to $70): The Crucial X6 is a reliable little drive for backing up photos or adding console storage for last-gen games. If you’re moving large files, verify rated transfer speeds and your device’s USB standard so you don’t create a bottleneck situation.
- SanDisk Extreme microSD 256GB for under $25: Best for Android phones or drones and action cams. If you want to shoot 4K video, look for U3/V30 ratings; anything slower may lead to dropped frames.
- TP-Link Kasa smart plug (4-pack) around $20–$25: An easy on-ramp to the world of home automation. Schedule lamps, space heaters or holiday lights — then fold them into Alexa routines. It’s a little spend that delivers huge convenience.
How to check a genuine bargain before Prime Day
- Look at price history: Check a price-tracking service such as Camelcamelcamel or Keepa to verify the sale eclipses the 90-day average. A flashy “40% off” badge can still be a lousy deal if the item was silently marked up last week.
- Know category baselines: For Amazon-branded devices the drops are steepest during their own sales — usually in the 40–60% off range. For gadgets from elsewhere, you are more likely to see 15–30% chipped off the price, with steeper discounts on last year’s models.
- Spot bundle value: Echo, Fire TV and smart-home bundles frequently crush standalone prices. Assuming you’re shopping for an Echo, that means you can save another $10–$30 on a free or nearly free bulb, plug or camera.
- Read the fine print: Invite-only and Lightning Deals can be great but also less broadly available. Check return windows and whether the deal is being offered on new, renewed or international-stock units before checkout.
Smart shopping advice for all your under-$100 tech
- Earbuds: Focus on ANC quality and fit. You should care about IP rating if you’re going to sweat in them. iPhone users are fine with AAC support, while Android listeners might prefer something like aptX or LC3 if available.
- Smart home: Choose brands with solid apps and wide ecosystem support (Alexa, Google Assistant and, if possible, Matter). A $20 smart plug that fails once a week costs more than a $25 one that does not.
- Doorbells and cameras: Plan ahead for storage. The hardware could cost you $60, but cloud video plans add ongoing expenses. If you want to use local storage, check compatibility before purchasing.
- Power banks: Check for clearly stated capacity (mAh), supported fast-charge standards (USB PD) and the amount of input and output wattage available. A lighter 10,000mAh pack you’ll take along is better than a heavy 20,000mAh brick you’ll leave in the house.
What to expect when the sale starts in October
Amazon usually does that with its own gear — Echo, Fire TV and Kindles — while competitors also play hardball. Consumer electronics, small appliances and smart home enjoy some of the steepest unit-volume lifts during these sell-a-thons, which market researchers like Circana have observed in scores of retail holidays.
If you encounter an ultra-low price that dips below historical lows, do not hesitate to buy it, as many sub-$100 deals are trawled by bots before everyone else.
Popular deals tend to go quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours or days. Make up a short list now, set price alerts and be ready to pounce when the two-day event starts. The early bird really does get the worm.