I'm a Shopping Writer, and These Are My Favorite Prime Day Deals
It's no secret that there are a lot of bad Amazon deals on Prime Day, so sometimes it helps to have a real-life human being weed out the junk. As a tech shopping writer, my job is to find good deals and to test products that will make your life easier. Below, you'll find a list of Prime Day deals comprised of the many products I've tested over the years that have improved my life, and that might improve yours, too.
A great exercise bike for $150
I got the Merach Exercise Bike after having surgery for a torn ACL. My physical therapy required me to build muscle back on my leg by exercising multiple times a week, so I figured an exercise bike would help. I can't attribute all of my improvements to this bike, but it definitely helped a lot. The bike is incredibly affordable for the quality it offers, coming in at just $149.99 (originally $299.99) after using the $30 on-page coupon. It is silent, smooth, and can be hooked up to an app.
A subscription-free floodlight camera for $120
I got the Reolink 4K Floodlight Camera after a break-in at my house to increase the security presence. I wanted a camera without a monthly subscription fee, and this camera did the job. The light is powerful and can illuminate my whole backyard (about 35 feet by 50 feet). It has a view of 180 degrees, two-way talk, and live view with playback as well (though that requires an SD card). My favorite part is that it is PoE (power over ethernet), meaning it just needs an ethernet cable to give it both power and an internet connection. Once you set it up, you're good to go. Get it for $119.99 ($189.99).
A subscription-free video doorbell with a chime for $70
I also got Reolink's video doorbell, available for $69.99 (originally $95.07), and it has been my favorite video doorbell so far for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is affordable and has no subscription fee. It also includes a chime that I can plug in anywhere in the home. It was also easy to install and gave me the option to be wired or wire-free during setup. The 180-degree field of view is also impressive for a doorbell camera. The app is well-made and responsive. It doesn't include a microSD card though (you'll need it for storage, like the camera).
A wifi solar camera without a subscription fee for $51
Another camera I was impressed with was the Aosu Solar Camera, currently $50.99 (originally $79.99). This camera is one of the best I've tested. It's also incredibly simple to install. The app is the smoothest and most responsive I've used. If you have a sunny spot where you could use a 360-degree camera that follows people around, I highly recommend this one. There is no subscription fee, but you'll need an SD card for it.
The SwitchBot Wifi Smart Lock Pro bundle for $140
A smart lock has made my life much better. Out of all the ones I have tested, the SwitchBot Smart Lock Pro is my favorite. It has the best app experience, the easiest setup (it literally took about three minutes), and gave me the least problems once it was up and running. For $139.99 (originally $199.99), you'll get everything you need to come in and out with a swipe of a finger and open/close it remotely.
A reverse osmosis water filter for $400 off
I've always wanted a reverse osmosis water filter, and according to the CDC, they also make your water taste better. Admittedly, though, they are not cheap. But if you care about your water quality, it is worth the price. The Waterdrop X12 for $899 (originally $1,299) was surprisingly easy to install and simple to use, something I can't say about other RO systems I've tested.
My favorite portable speaker for $43
I took the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 with me on my last trip abroad, and it became my favorite one before I even got back home. The battery is very resilient for its size, with about 12 hours of playtime. The sound that comes out of the small speaker is also impressive. It has a very powerful and balanced sound with a thumping bass. You can get it for $47.99 (originally $79.99) after using the $5 on-page coupon.
The Lepro N1 Smart Light for $26
Okay, this light strip didn't change my life, but it did make it look nicer. There are many light brands out there that do what the Lepro N1 Smart Rope light does (change colors and make an area of your home look very nice), but Lepro is one of the most affordable ones I've seen, making it more financially viable for larger home projects. This nine-and-some-change feet light strip is $25.99 (originally $59.99) and can dance with your music or change to whatever colors you tell it with your voice in the app.