The Best Independence Day Tech Deals 2021

Barbeques, camping getaways, fireworks — these Fourth of July traditions are the heartbeat of summer! After the 2020 quarantined version of it, we’re (almost) back to a happier Independence Day and may even be able to celebrate like before.

Every year, there will be plenty of holiday sales and tech lovers should make the most of them. Whether you need to upgrade an old device, make home improvements with smart products, or just want to treat yourself with a fun product this summer, there’s something just for you!

TCL 6-Series 65" TV

Price: $1,299.99 at Best Buy

There are dozens of television sets in the market and it can be overwhelming to pick one — features are stacking up year after year. As a result, costs are skyrocketing. But this 65-inch TCL 6-Series TV has a lot to recommend itself. The mini-LED backlighting offers a great image contrast and the 4K HDR makes the picture more life-like. The Roku OS is easy to use and its remote control is voice-enabled, so you can stream on this smart product swiftly. Another plus: four HDMI slots!

You’d be shelling a lot less for this quality than for a big brand TV — and that’s why it’s worth looking at.

Apple iPhone 12 (256 GB)

Price: $879.99 (with AT&T) at Best Buy

Are you due for a phone upgrade? For those in the Apple universe, the new and improved Apple iPhone 12 is a great choice. It has the powerful A14 bionic chip, which makes it faster than its predecessors. The edge-to-edge OLED display on its 6.1-inch screen is also nifty and this model has aluminum edges and a ceramic shield on screen, which is tougher than regular smartphone glass screens. It also supports MagSafe wireless charging (accessories are extra). There are six colours to choose from and you can also invest more money to get the iPhone 12 Pro. The dual 12MP camera (with ultra-wide and wide camera lens) promises a better experience in low light and at night.

Google Pixel 4a 128 GB

Price: $349.99 $299.99 at Best Buy

If you’re not looking for all the flash of an Apple (or another high-end) device, then Google Pixel will hit the sweet spot. It offers great features: a 5.8-inch OLED screen, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 12.2MP rear camera, and a headphone socket that’s normally hard to find. It’s a no-fuss device, and Google has promised three years of software updates. Google Assistant is quick too!

With a mid-budget phone, there will be trade-offs. No 5G, no dual camera, only one color and configuration, and no wireless charging. But at this price, the lightweight phone has much to offer to its users.

Kindle Oasis

Price: $299.99 at Amazon

Want to trade in your old Kindle Paperwhite? Now’s the time! Amazon is offering up to 20% off when you trade your old device plus an Amazon gift card. Kindle Oasis is a touch better than the simple and elegant Paperwhite, with a seven-inch screen, adjustable warm light, and waterproof and ergonomic design with page turn buttons. It will also let you switch between ebooks and audiobooks and has a premium aluminum design.

It’s a tad costly than the trusted Kindle Paperwhite and you pay extra to get rid of ads (with ads, it’ll cost you $279.99). Is it worth it for the paper-like feel on screen? That’s for the reader in you to decide.

Sonos Arc Soundbar

Price: $799.99 at Best Buy

Sonos Arc has got positive reviews all around. If you have a TV that’s Dolby Atmos compatible, then this smart and sleek soundbar will enhance your Netflix experience. It has built-in surround sound and works with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri (via AirPlay). You can also use it as a smart speaker to listen to music, or bring on the home theatre experience without too many frills. Basically, it has great sound quality and looks pretty cool!

For a soundbar, it may seem a little on the expensive side. But bear in mind that Sonos’ software updates will keep it relevant. Of course, if you need to upgrade your TV to use it, then it’s probably not a great deal. And, it may not be great for smaller TVs.

Bose Sleepbuds II

Price: $249 at Best Buy

Light sleepers appreciate products that make snoozing better, and these Bose Sleepbuds II promise the same. Plug them in your ears, play soothing sounds from the Bose Sleep app, and tune out all the noise. These buds are perfect for those who live in particularly noisy neighborhoods or have partners who snore. They have an option to set an alarm too. These are not headphones or earphones though — they only work as a sleep device so don’t expect to listen to podcasts or music. You will have to charge them every day and the cost is high considering they are essentially earbuds, but they’re pretty comfortable and can help improve your sleep cycle. Another thing to keep in mind: you might not be able to hear home security alarms or your baby monitor with these plugged in.

Apple AirPods Max

Price: $549 $499 at Amazon

Apple’s luxury headphones are the newest kid on the block — and it’s getting popular by the day. Right now, Amazon is offering a great price for them, so it’s time to jump on this deal if you’ve had an eye on them.

Apple lovers will appreciate this new addition to the universe. They have excellent noise cancellation, superb design, 20 hours of battery life, and, of course, high-quality sound. They pair automatically with your Apple devices and have great head-on detection. The controls on the crown let you control the volume and playback, while the noise control button adjusts noise cancellation. The headphones also have transparency mode that lets sound in whenever you want to talk to someone.

GoPro Hero 9

Price: $449.99 $399.99 at Best Buy

GoPro is synonymous with action cameras, and with the Hero 9, it has made significant improvements over the last model. The front-facing LCD screen is very useful when you’re setting a frame. The device features a 23.6MP sensor that can shoot up to 5K at 30 frames per second (4K at 60 frames per second might be more useful) and capture 20MP photos. It also offers more stability with its Hypersmooth 3.0 feature and users will also love the Scheduled Capture option. The battery life has improved, the packaging is plastic-free, and it has a removable lens cover.

If you’re looking to upgrade your old GoPro or thinking about stepping into this action-packed brand, it’s a solid device.

Sony PlayStation 5

Price: $499 at Best Buy

If you’ve already wishlisted the PlayStation 5, you know there’s a shortage of the console. Since it launched last year, demand has outweighed supplies and people have been making serious efforts to get their hands on one. Sony pre-sold as many PS5 consoles in the first 12 hours in the U.S. as the PS4 consoles in its first 12 weeks of launch. Some websites notify readers when the console is stocked but it sells out within hours so you’ll need to make a consistent effort to buy it. Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart may be your best bet.

PS5 is a powerful, next-gen console. The significant upgrades from its predecessor has made this model faster and smoother, and you’ll enjoy the experience more on your 4K TV. It has a great processor and refresh rate, and the DualSense controller is a major upgrade. This controller lets you immerse yourself in the games with its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.

At the same time, note that it’s a big product (one of the biggest consoles ever) and has only 667 GB of usable space, which may worry some people. Besides, if you don’t have a 4K TV, you won’t enjoy all its might.

HP Spectre x360 Convertible Laptop

Price: $1,499.99 $1,299.99 at HP

With everything that happened online last year — school, work, Happy Hour — you probably spent hundreds of hours in front of your screen. Is your laptop looking tired after you made the most of it in the last couple of months? Then maybe it’s time to think about getting a new one!

We’ve picked this convertible laptop from HP that features an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 15.6-inch 4K UHD, 16GB memory, and 256GB SSD storage. A convertible laptop also gives you the twin benefits of a laptop and a tablet, so it’s the best of both worlds with HP Spectre x360. Add to it a backlit keyboard, multiple ports, a decent battery life, a stylish design, and an included HP Active Pen, and you have a winner!