Open-ear headphones under $25? Yes, and they're surprisingly good
These newfangled earbuds are catching on in a big way, and I've never seen a pair this cheap. PLUS: A 70-inch TV for just $330 and the best outdoor yard game you've never played.
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included herein are affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of them, I may get a small commission. I promise you, now and forever, that I won’t choose deals based on whether there’s an affiliate option available.
Summer is upon us, and I am here for it. Give me hot days over cold ones, anytime. But I feel like I’m in the minority on this opinion, so let me ask you:
Before you click that third option, just remember: Weather is the one thing we all have in common, the one topic of conversation that works with friends and strangers alike. (That said, let’s strive to do better than “Hot enough for ya?!”)
Onward to deals!
QUICK HITS
📦 Amazon delivery delayed? If you subscribe to Prime and didn’t receive your item within two days, here’s how you might be able to get it for free:
After you get a notification that your package was delayed, head to the customer-service page and open a live chat with customer support.
They’ll probably tell you this is a normal delay and you should just wait for delivery. But you say, “I won’t need it by then, I’d like to request a refund.”
They’ll initiate the refund, possibly with instructions for returning the product once it arrives — but also possibly without requiring you to return it at all.
It’s a gamble and maybe some extra hassle, yes, but 2-day delivery is part of your Prime subscription. If Amazon didn’t, er, deliver, it’s worth trying to get satisfaction.
📺 Even cheap TVs are pretty darn good these days. And this deal is insane: The Insignia F20 Series 70-inch Fire TV is just $330 right now, down from $500 (and an all-time low). You can also get the 75-inch model for $400, down from $600. No frills, though you do get an Alexa voice remote. Honestly, the only downside here is making sure you’ve got room for a screen this big.
🔊 The JBL Go 4 is an excellent portable speaker, with far bigger and better sound than you’d expect given its size. It’s normally $50 (already a great deal), sometimes discounted to $40. But I’ve never seen this: For a limited time, and while supplies last, Deal-Expo via eBay has the JBL Go 4 for $31.99 shipped. It’s new, not used or refurbished. Read my recent Yahoo review if you want to learn more about this little dynamo.
Don’t like AirPods? Try these Baseus open-ear headphones for just $24.64
Some people have a real sensory issue with AirPods and other silicone-tipped earbuds that invade their ear canals. That’s one reason so-called open-ear headphones are exploding in popularity; they rest atop the ears (think: old-timey Bluetooth headset, but less dorky) or “cuff” onto the cartilage.
These fall into the latter category. And if you’re eager to see what all the open-ear fuss is about, this deal is ridiculous: For a limited time, and while supplies last, the just-released Baseus Bass BC1 open-ear headphones drop to just $24.64 when you click Redeem on the product page (or apply promo code MLA98FI2 at checkout).
And if you really want to get crazy, put two in your shopping cart; an automatic multi-buy discount gets you out the door for $40.59 — roughly $20 apiece.
I’ve only just taken these out of the box, but some first impressions:
They’re very comfortable, and definitely not ear-invasive the way, say, AirPods Pro are.
The Baseus companion app is well-designed, with easy access to features like bass boost and low-latency mode (for better audio/video sync). It’s markedly better than apps from certain much larger audio companies (cough, Sony, cough).
The sound quality is… decent. As a general rule, open-ear headphones don’t perform quite as well as earbuds, in part because you don’t get that bass-producing, noise-isolating seal. But these are absolutely fine for things like walking, gardening, etc., where immaculate fidelity isn’t critical. And there’s an impressive amount of bass, another area where the open-ear design sometimes struggles.
I like the physical control button on each earbud; it’s used for things like play/pause, skip tracks, etc. Much better, IMHO, than touch controls (which are too easy to graze by accident and often hard to locate on purpose).
Of course, the major news is price: $25 for open-ear headphones is virtually unheard-of; a lot of these things run $100-$200. You can read my Yahoo roundup (which predates this particular product) if you want to see some of those others and learn more about the category in general.
Level up your pickleball game with this $100 paddle for $40
Bored? Depressed? Seeking new connections? PICKLEBALL! Those are just three of the reasons I won’t shut up about the sport; I’ve had more fun and made more new friends on the court than anywhere else. And I (almost) always leave smiling. (Too many unforced errors and I tend to leave cursing.)
I’ve shared plenty of deals on starter paddles/sets, but here’s something for anyone looking to level up: The Warping Point Ascent carbon fiber pickleball paddle (Red / Power) drops to just $40 when you click the on-page $10-off coupon and then apply promo code LZXKQBEQ at checkout. Reg. price: $100.
I haven’t used this one myself, but I’m definitely a fan of the edgeless, open-throat design — both of which you typically find only in much pricier paddles. And the user reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
The best backyard game you’ve never played
This is my annual recommendation to try Kubb (pronounced “koob”), one of the all-time great backyard games. It’s a bit of horseshoes, a bit of bocce, and incredibly fun for all ages. All you do is lob wooden dowels and try to knock over wooden blocks. (Bonus: Unlike a lot of outdoor games, this one can be played on windy days.)
For the best experience, choose this top-rated ApudArmis Kubb Yard Game Set, which is currently $54 but has been as low as $36 — and might be again in a couple weeks during Amazon Prime Day. (As always, I recommend using CamelCamelCamel to set a price alert so you know the next time there’s a sale.)
If you don’t want to wait, there are cheaper options like this Get Out! Kubb set for $27. Just note that it’s made of slightly lighter pine wood that might not last as long. (It has very good user ratings, though.)
What’s your favorite yard game? Bonus points if it’s a lesser-known one like this. 😜
Thanks for reading Deal Secrets! Questions? Comments? Shoot me an e-mail. I’ll do my best to respond to all inquiries! Want to show your support? Buy me a coffee!
There's also my book: Everything I Need to Know, I Learned Playing Pickleball. And check out my curated book list at Bookshop.org, which donates to local bookstores with every purchase.
I think many/ most of us have had the experience with Amazon of starting the return of a small item and being told to keep it or toss it. (Had this happen yesterday with a propane hose.) It costs them more to ship back and process. But to promote this as a strategy to cheat them out of an item is kind of outrageous. I know I’m paying for 2 day delivery and 95% of the time that works. But they also do one day free as with the propane hose. Things happen. Usually I think the driver just can’t finish his deliveries. My propane hose came same day but was delivered at 9:30pm.
I’m appreciative of freebies and discounts but I think you crossed the line. No, I don’t feel bad for Amazon but I try to be honest with every company. You can do as you suggest but we know what you’re trying to accomplish and that’s not honest. Additionally, the people more people do this, the more likely it is that they will end the practice and make you return even a $1.59 shirt button.
Sorry, I’ve followed you for years and love ya. Just one mild criticism in all these years. 🙂
I have the Baseus Bowie MC1. I love them; they are really waterproof. I use them in the shower daily.