Amazon offers deep discounts on Apple, DeWalt, Ninja and other top brands for Prime Day

Amazon’s highly anticipated Prime Day sale is here and the savings are off the charts. Taking place on July 16 and 17, this year the deals are as good as ever. With thousands of offerings across the board, going through them all is an impossible task. Instead, we rounded up the best Prime Day deals that you don’t want to miss. These top picks come from the hottest brands, offered at the steepest discounts. The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, in particular, got the stamp of approval from our Testing Lab.

Best Prime Day deals to shop

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF 60 Face Sunscreen + Hydrating Serum 34% OFF

This lightweight facial sunscreen provides SPF 60 broad-spectrum protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It protects against sunburns and the premature aging that results from sun damage. The formula is hydrating, rich in antioxidants and oil-free, so it won’t trigger breakouts.

Oral-B Genius X Limited Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush 50% OFF

The Oral-B Genius X is a high-end electric toothbrush packed with advanced features and AI technology. There are five cleaning modes, a pressure sensor that protects your gums and a 2-minute quadrant timer that ensures you’re brushing enough in each area. When synced with a smartphone, it even lets you track your brushing habits. The toothbrush comes with a charger base, a brush head that lasts 90 days and a travel bag.

Yankee Candle Pink Sands Scented 22-Ounce Jar Candle 55% OFF

This jar candle has a lovely fragrance reminiscent of a tropical island, featuring citrus, florals and vanilla elements. The single-wick candle contains paraffin wax and burns for 110 hours, so you’ll get plenty of uses out of it.

Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler 46% OFF

This 2-in-1 Revlon hair dryer and styler won the Best of Beauty Award from “Allure.” There are four heat settings for versatile styling options, whether you want a voluminous blowout, beachy waves or soft curls. A ceramic titanium barrel protects against heat damage and maintains shine. As a bonus, the handle is detachable and travel-friendly.

Anne Klein Women’s Bracelet Watch 23% OFF

Treat yourself or gift someone this stunning women’s wristwatch from Anne Klein. The timeless and elegant aesthetic will complement a variety of outfits. It features a mineral crystal lens and an adjustable link bracelet. The gold-tone bracelet, hands and markers look striking against the black dial. It’s important to note that, while it can withstand splashes and brief immersion in water, you shouldn’t wear it swimming or in the shower.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) 50% OFF

If you’re looking to build a smart home or upgrade your existing one, Amazon’s Echo Dot is a solid buy. Approved by our Testing Lab, the latest generation of this smart speaker offers bigger and better sound than previous models. The Echo Dot lets you listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks, set timers and alarms, get weather reports, check the score during a sports game and more. When paired with compatible smart home devices, you can get even more out of this speaker, such as adjusting the thermostat or controlling the lighting in your home.

Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer XL 5.5-Quart 44% OFF

Air frying is a significantly healthier method of cooking compared to traditional deep frying. You can enjoy tasty, crispy foods without worrying about clogging your arteries. Get in on the air-frying craze with this Ninja model, which offers 5-in-1 functionality; in addition to air frying, it has roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate settings. It has a wide temperature range between 110 and 400 degrees and a 5.5-quart capacity that accommodates 3 pounds of chicken wings. Plus, the basket and crisper plate are nonstick and dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Amazon Fire TV 32-Inch 2-Series HD Smart TV 50% OFF

A good quality smart TV doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This Amazon Fire TV has HD resolution with support for HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Audio. You can stream movies, access live TV, play video games, control smart home devices and more. An included Alexa remote enables voice control. This smart TV is available in 32- and 40-inch models, both of which are on sale for Prime Day.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Suitcase 44% OFF

Good quality luggage is a must for any traveller— broken wheels, zippers and the like can throw a wrench in your plans and may even make you miss your flight. This Samsonite offering is as high quality as they come. It’s equipped with a durable yet lightweight shell that can stand up to the rigours of travel while not adding much weight. It glides smoothly on four multidirectional spinner wheels. The expandable design increases the capacity if you’ve got a lot to pack, and a recessed TSA lock provides extra security.

DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit 42% OFF

For home improvement fans and DIYers looking to invest in quality power tools, this DeWalt deal is solid. The kit contains a 1/2-inch drill/driver and a 1/4-inch impact driver. These cordless tools are compact and lightweight without compromising on power. The kit also comes with two batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty bag for storage and transport.

More of the best Prime Day deals

Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 40% OFF
Coway Airmega 100 True HEPA Air Purifier 38% OFF
Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum 32% OFF
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) 43% OFF
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K  50% OFF
Apple Watch Series 9 25% OFF
Acer 27-Inch Full HD IPS Zero-Frame Gaming Office Monitor 39% OFF
Canon PIXMA TS6420a All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer 54% OFF
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker 28% OFF
Chamberlain Smart Garage Controller $7.49 OFF COUPON

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

THESE PRIME DAY TOP PICKS ARE DEEPLY DISCOUNTED AND COST LESS THAN $50

Amazon Prime Day is here once again, and with it comes big savings galore. This highly anticipated sales event includes impressive deals on kitchen appliances, smart tech, beauty and skincare, apparel, furniture, home essentials and so much more.

If you’re on a budget but still want to get in on the hottest deals, we’ve got you covered with Prime Day top picks under $50. We’ve even tested a few of these products ourselves, including the Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and the Apple AirTag.

THE TOP PRIME DAY DEALS UNDER $50

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense SPF 60 Face Sunscreen + Hydrating Serum 34% OFF

This facial sunscreen provides SPF 60 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It’ll protect your skin from sunburns while fighting premature aging associated with sun damage. It’s a lightweight, hydrating and non-greasy formula that won’t cause acne flare-ups.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects Teeth Whitening Kit 35% OFF

Do you long for pearly white teeth? This at-home teeth whitening kit gives you a significantly brighter smile in 22 days of daily use. It’s dentist-recommended and formulated with hydrogen peroxide that won’t damage tooth enamel.

OXO Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Utensil Set 30% OFF

This top-rated set contains nearly every utensil needed in the kitchen, including a spatula, spoons, turners, 12-inch tongs, a grater, a swivel peeler, an ice cream scoop, a potato masher, a can opener, an 11-inch balloon whisk, a meat tenderizer, a pizza wheel and a holder to store them all. The nylon and silicone tools have soft, nonslip grips and are safe to use with nonstick cookware.

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper 40% OFF + $5 OFF COUPON

This versatile kitchen tool makes meal prep so much easier. With the included accessories, you can chop, slice, dice, and spiralize a variety of fruits and veggies. It’s equipped with sharp stainless steel blades and a 5-cup tray that catches the ingredients as you chop. It’s also designed for safety, with a finger guard and locking feature.

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase 49% OFF

Satin pillowcases are good for your skin and hair. The material is less absorbent than others, helping to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, which reduces the chance of developing acne. The smooth, silky texture also reduces friction, protecting your hair from frizz and breakage. These satin pillowcases come in 40 colors and five sizes, although not every option is on sale. Since they’re so affordable, it won’t cost much to switch out all your regular pillowcases.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) 50% OFF

Amazon’s Echo Dot is one of the top smart home devices that got our stamp of approval in the Testing Lab. Compared to previous generations, this smart speaker offers bigger, better sound. It lets you listen to music, audiobooks and podcasts, ask Alexa for weather updates, set cooking timers and more. When synced with compatible smart tech, the Echo Dot opens up even more possibilities, such as controlling smart thermostats and lighting.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K 50% OFF

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is another BestReviews-approved pick. This device turns a TV without Wi-Fi connection into a smart gadget. It lets you download streaming apps, connect to audio services such as Spotify, play X-box games without a console and more. It supports 4K HDR+ video streaming (provided your TV has a 4K display), Dolby Vision, HDR and HDR10+ for the optimal viewing experience. Plus, the included Alexa remote enables voice control.

Apple AirTag 17% OFF

For absent-minded individuals who are constantly losing their phone or wallet, the Apple AirTag will save the day. We tested it out and were impressed by the results. This item tracker works with the Find My app to locate your devices. If the AirTag is nearby, you can play a sound on the built-in speaker or ask Siri for help. Your iPhone will lead you straight to it with Precision Finding technology.

INIU Portable Charger 22% OFF

With this portable power bank, you don’t have to worry about your devices running out of battery. It’s slim, compact and easy to take with you wherever you go. It charges your devices quickly and contains two USB-C ports. It comes with a travel bag and a USB-A to USB-C cable for even more charging options.

Thermacell Mosquito Repellent E-Series Rechargeable Repeller 25% OFF

Keep pesky mosquitoes at bay and save yourself from itchy bug bites with this rechargeable repeller. With a compact, cordless design, you can take it anywhere from the backyard to a campsite. The repeller has a 5.5-hour battery life and coverage up to 20 feet. Purchase includes a 12-hour repellent refill that’s required for the device. You’ll have to purchase more refills once it runs out.

More Prime Day deals under $50

Zulay Kitchen Milk Frother 38% OFF
Yankee Candle Pink Sands Scented 22-Ounce Jar Candle 55% OFF
Revlon One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler 46% OFF
Dot&Dot Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow 38% OFF
Fresh Step Clumping Cat Litter 20% OFF
Gemmicc Magnetic Tiles Building Blocks for Kids 24% OFF
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector 17% OFF
Chamberlain Smart Garage Controller $7.49 OFF COUPON
Pulidiki Car Cleaning Gel 11% OFF
Jaco ElitePro Digital Tire Pressure Gauge 25% OFF

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

After nearly two years of study, a long-simmering plan to rezone one and a half miles of Grand Avenue, arguably St. Paul’s most fashionable business corridor, will come to a head Wednesday before the St. Paul City Council.

The goal, in light of years of limited development activity, is to increase the allowable real estate density along 11 blocks of Grand from Ayd Mill Road, which crosses Grand west of Lexington Parkway, to Oakland Avenue, east of Dale Street.

Likely as a result of added zoning restrictions, those blocks have experienced little real estate development since a zoning “overlay district” was created in the early 2000s, according to city staff.

“Clearly that’s not working,” said senior city planner Spencer Miller-Johnson on Monday. “It’s been almost 20 years, and we’ve seen very little construction.”

At the corner of Grand Ave and Dale St. in St. Paul, there is a steady flow of cars and pedestrians on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Devanie Andre / Pioneer Press)

Overlay district

Established in 2006, the existing zoning within the overlay district limits building heights to three stories, building footprints to 25,000 square feet and total building sizes to 75,000 square feet.

The district officially spans a mix of zoning types, most of it residential (“RM2”) or business (“B”), but the overlay district is even more restrictive than its base zoning when it comes to height and density.

Without the overlay district in place, for instance, development on “RM2” lots would ordinarily allow heights up to 50 feet, or even higher with a conditional use permit.

While retail corridors everywhere have experienced changes and challenges in the era of online shopping and remote work, “the Planning Commission believes that the overlay has been restricting reinvestment along Grand Avenue,” said Miller-Johnson, addressing the St. Paul City Council during a public hearing on June 26. “Since the pandemic, Grand has seen some struggles that are well publicized.”

A wedding cake approach and no more three-story limits

The proposed zoning amendments were crafted with the assistance of a city task force assembled hand in hand with the Summit Hill Association.

They call for a bit of a tiered wedding cake approach to new construction, allowing added stories provided that the building steps back above the first 40 feet of vertical construction to reduce its presence over the sidewalk. With the step-backs in place, height limits would default to the underlying zoning, just like in the rest of the city, while still adhering to “traditional neighborhood” or “T2” design standards for building massing, as currently required.

The amendments also call for a defined construction line along the sidewalk, as well as new frontage requirements, from windows and doors to storefront patios and awnings to activate the sidewalk. Corners and alleys neighboring residential lots would have different requirements.

To support the city’s business corridors, “the most important thing that we can do comes down to making it possible for more people to live on them and for more people to open retail on them,” said St. Paul City Council Member Rebecca Noecker, who represents a long portion of Grand Avenue.

Noecker, who chairs the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority, said she will likely introduce additional amendments on Wednesday.

In keeping with goals laid out in the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, a 63-page city study of the East Grand Avenue Overlay District calls for encouraging “transit-supportive density and zoning flexibility,” as well as “high-quality urban design that supports pedestrian friendliness” and “streetscapes with active first-floor uses.”

It also calls for encouraging new housing with creative building design and site layouts.

The zoning study was initiated through a city-driven advisory committee in September 2022 and gained the approval on May 10 of the St. Paul Planning Commission, 13-0.

Pedestrians stroll across the crosswalk at the intersection of Grand Ave and Lexington Parkway S in St. Paul, on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Devanie Andre / Pioneer Press)

Proposed changes

Among the changes proposed to the existing zoning:

• Building heights: After 40 feet in height, a building must be stepped back a distance equal to the additional height. In other words, 10 extra feet of construction would require a 10-foot step-back at that level.

• Step-backs: Buildings less than 40 feet in height would not require front- and side-yard step-backs. Front or side street building facades within 15 feet of the building corner would not need to be stepped back.  Buildings would still have to be no more than 30 feet high along property lines abutting residential lots at an alley, unless stepped back from rear property lines a distance equal to the additional height.

• Frontage: The base 30 feet of building sides “facing abutting public streets must include elements that relate to the human scale at grade.” Elements could include doors, windows, projections, awnings, canopies, porches, stoops, etc.

• Building line: The maximum front and side street setback would be 10 feet, establishing a building line along the sidewalk. If an interior lot is on or abutting residential zoning, it may have a setback of up to 25 feet along the existing building façade line. Up to 40% of the building façade on any lot may exceed the maximum setback to create outdoor seating or gathering areas.

A key business corridor

Real estate developer Ari Parritz, who recently opened the Kenton House housing development by St. Alban’s Street, on the site of Dixie’s on Grand, has called for capping the step-back requirement at 10 feet, and loosening the step-back exception at corners from 15 feet to 50 feet.

Sustain St. Paul, a coalition of density and housing advocates, has been generally supportive of the proposed amendments, with some exceptions. Notably, they’ve called for making the step-back requirement in back alley areas, where properties meet neighboring residential lots, uniform with the front facades. In a letter to the council, Sustain St. Paul said installing tiered housing, at different levels on both sides of a building, would be complicated to design and likely require switching from wood to concrete, “something which is almost never done because of the extremely high cost.”

Dan Marshall, proprietor of the Mischief Toys store on Grand, urged the city council during a public hearing last week to embrace the opportunity to invite even greater density. Marshall, who participated in the overlay district citizen’s advisory committee, asked the council to ditch the proposed amendments and simply repeal the overlay district entirely.

“When a zoning policy has failed so thoroughly by stifling investment in one of the city’s key business corridors for nearly two decades … with a redundant layer of rules that do not apply in other areas of the city, it should be repealed, not amended,” he said.

Related Articles

Macalester College plans to build new residence hall and welcome center on Grand Avenue

Photos: It was a ‘Grand Old Day’ in St. Paul on Sunday

In new Grand Ave window displays, 30 years of festive Circus Juventas costumes

Russell’s Bar and Grill to open in Tavern on Grand space

Eight-year-old Amir Harden was a determined, outgoing and protective boy — and that was evident in the incident that ended his life in his Burnsville home, his mother said Monday.

Cherish Williams, who’d been in a long-term relationship with Danair Harden, said her son was trying to get a gun away from his father when Harden accidentally shot him. Harden, 30, then shot himself.

The father and son were hospitalized. Amir Harden passed away in the days that followed and Danair Harden died less than two weeks after, on Father’s Day.

“Losing a child is like losing a limb; you’re never going to be whole again,” Williams said. And because Amir died while protecting her, Williams said, her grief has been more complicated.

Harden was trying to shoot Williams when Amir intervened, the boy’s mother said.

She said she’s been disheartened to see a narrative that her and Harden’s relationship was full of domestic abuse because she said that was not the case. While Williams said there had been recent violence, she thinks there needs to be more awareness about mental health and the role it played in what happened.

Williams said she’d recently ended her relationship with Harden, and was trying to find a way to co-parent with him. He was active in the lives of their five children, attending all their sporting events and parent-teacher conferences.

“I think, in his mind, that his family that he created was all that he had. And he felt like if he didn’t have that, his life wasn’t worth living,” said Williams. She and Harden had been high-school sweethearts and engaged to be married.

On May 30, Williams told police that she and Harden argued over her ending their relationship, and he grabbed her by the neck and pushed her on the bed, according to a criminal complaint. Harden was charged with three misdemeanors, and was released from jail on June 5, with bail set at $8,000.

Later that night, Williams said, she went for a long walk and came home. She said Harden still wanted to be in a relationship, but she made clear they were no longer together. She told him he needed to leave the home, but he yelled, “That’s it!,” she said.

Williams saw Harden start loading a gun and said she wrestled with him for it. Harden had a permit to carry and police found his two guns after the shootings, according to a court document and police reports.

“Amir came running out of his room, and was also kind of wrestling the gun out of his dad’s hand,” Williams said. Though the situation was horrific, Williams said she kept her voice calm as she told Amir to leave and go to the neighbor’s home. “Amir responded with, ‘I’m not leaving anywhere. I’m staying right here with you. I’m staying.’ ”

Williams said Amir was begging for his father to stop. Harden broke loose and ran downstairs, and Williams said she feared he was going to get the gun loaded and shoot her — which she didn’t want their children to see. She ran downstairs and Harden immediately turned around and fired.

“I didn’t realize at the moment that the bullet missed me and hit my 8-year-old,” she said. She thinks Harden “snapped out of a trance” then and wouldn’t have continued shooting.

When Harden realized he’d shot Amir, he turned the gun on himself. Their 7-year-old daughter screamed, “Daddy, no!”

“He said he was sorry and did it anyway,” Williams said of Harden shooting himself. She said people have called Harden cowardly for dying by suicide, but she said she understands that Harden’s realization he’d shot his son “was just too much pain for him to live with.”

Amir was the couple’s second oldest child, and his four siblings witnessed both shootings. Williams said she and her children are not doing well.

Donations to a GoFundMe allowed Williams and her children to move out of the home where the shootings happened, and have also helped since she’s been away from work as she struggles with PTSD and panic attacks. She is a licensed practical nurse and is trying to go back to work at the end of this month.

Amir was a second grader at Echo Park Elementary School of Leadership, Engineering and Technology in Burnsville. He was athletic and “one of those kids that was really just good at anything,” Williams said.

“It’s a just very big void,” she said of the loss of Amir and Danair Harden.

For help

Domestic violence help is available 24/7 through the Day One hotline by calling 866-223-1111 or texting 612-399-9995.

People can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Related Articles

St. Paul man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting girl, 13, in Maplewood

White Bear Lake dad charged with murder after infant son died of head trauma

Separate shootings in St. Paul injure two teens, ages 15 and 16

A year after fatal Fargo ambush, officers focus on staying positive

St. Paul man admits to September shootout at White Bear Lake bar