We also found deals on an excellent mini-LED from Hisense and a Pixar-inspired Lego set.
We also found deals on an excellent mini-LED from Hisense and a Pixar-inspired Lego set.
writes about tech news, reviews gadgets, and helps readers save money by highlighting deals and product recommendations for The Verge.
Small robot vacuums that fit into tight spaces rarely deliver strong performance, which is what makes the SwitchBot K11 Plus stand out. And right now, you can purchase the compact yet capable robovac from Amazon and SwitchBot for a new low of $179.99 ($220 off), the latter with code XMAS2GIFT55. Just note that only Switchbot is extending the full discount to the white model (and with delayed shipping).
The K11 Plus is the smallest robovac available — its footprint is about the size of a standard piece of paper — and it comes with a handsome self-emptying dock that’s under 10 inches tall. However, despite its diminutive size, it still boasts 6,000Pa of suction power, along with a rubber roller brush and a single side brush that’s great at picking up dirt and debris from carpets. It even features a mop, which doesn’t offer true scrubbing but can still wipe hardwood floors in a swiffer-like fashion. Plus, its 4-liter antibacterial dust bag can store debris for up to 90 days, meaning you only need to empty it a few times a year.
Additionally, the K11 Plus is surprisingly fast and quiet, which is especially useful if you have roommates or you’re cleaning a home office. You don’t get AI-powered obstacle avoidance or some of the more advanced bells and whistles found on higher-end robovacs, but SwitchBot’s entry-level model does offer lidar navigation for mapping your home. It also supports the newer Matter protocol, so you can control it with your voice via all the major smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home.
Three more ways to save today
- Tribit’s IPX7-rated StormBox Mini Plus is on sale at Amazon and Tribit’s online storefront (with an on-page coupon) for $29.99 ($10 off), its best price to date. The tiny, cylindrical Bluetooth speaker is easy to take anywhere thanks to its built-in lanyard, which you can attach to a clip. It also doubles as a hands-free speakerphone when needed and, despite its relatively small size, delivers up to 12 hours of playback and 360-degree sound. It also has a color-changing LED ring on top, which is a fun extra that reacts to your music.
- If you’re in the market for a new TV, Hisense’s 55-inch U8QG is on sale for $727.99 ($772 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, while the 65-inch can be had for $949.99 ($548 off) via the same retailers (Amazon / Best Buy). The terrific mini-LED TV features a speedy 165Hz refresh rate, three HDMI 2.1 ports, and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, so games resist screen tearing. It also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, features a peak brightness of 5,000 nits, and runs on Google’s intuitive TV platform, which grants easy access to all the major streaming apps.
- You can buy the Lego “Up” House for $30.39 ($29 off) at Amazon and Target, which is about $3 shy of its best price to date. The 598-piece set is one of a limited number of Lego kits released to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary. It includes a partially built version of the iconic house from Pixar’s movie Up, with balloons, multiple rooms, and minifigures of characters like Russell, Carl Fredricksen, and even Dug the dog. Just bear in mind that, if you order it from Amazon, the set won’t arrive before Christmas.