Best Buy launched its Techtober sales event on Tuesday, offering discounts across Apple accessories, Samsung trackers, and desktop streaming peripherals to counter Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.
PCMag reported the promotional event on October 6, highlighting deals on newly released personal audio gear and accessories without listing finalized dollar amounts for every SKU. The promotion arrives as competing retailers push holiday-quarter sales earlier into autumn.
Apple's over-ear AirPods Max 2 joined the sale lineup just months after hitting shelves earlier this year. The refreshed headphones incorporate the company's H2 silicon, delivering spatial and dynamic audio alongside a 1.5x increase in active noise reduction compared to the previous model. Battery life reaches 20 hours on a single charge, supported by software tools like Conversation Awareness and Transparency mode. PCMag reviewer Eric Zeman rated the headset Outstanding, writing that "The AirPods Max 2 pair class-leading noise cancellation and excellent sound quality with a gorgeous design and unmatched Apple ecosystem integration, making them the best premium headphones for Apple users."
Best Buy also discounted Apple's standard open-ear buds, which feature eight hours of playback per charge and an IP57 ingress protection rating. While PCMag referred to the hardware as AirPods 3, the publication quoted Zeman reviewing the AirPods 4, which pack twice the noise reduction of the AirPods Pro 2 alongside Apple Intelligence live translation, heart rate tracking, and hearing aid support.
Trackers, Microphones, and Desk Gear
For Android users, the sale includes the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2. The item tracker requires Samsung Galaxy hardware to operate and delivers up to 500 days of runtime on standard settings. Toggling Power Saving mode adds another 40 percent to that total. Samsung fitted the tracker with an IP67 rating against dust and water exposure, along with a built-in carabiner loop that bypasses the separate holders Apple AirTags require. Finding nearby items uses a Compass View visual guide through the Search Nearby feature. Reviewer Iyaz Akhtar scored the accessory Good, noting that "The SmartTag 2 is a useful smart tracker that quickly and accurately helps you find your misplaced stuff, but it only works with Samsung Galaxy devices."
Content creators also picked up a markdown on the Elgato Wave: 3 USB microphone. Built around a cardioid pickup pattern, the condenser mic runs proprietary Clipguard technology to cut distortion and contains an integrated pop shield for plosive mitigation. It operates over USB on Windows and macOS, connecting to the Wave Link digital mixer to balance seven separate audio feeds. PCMag audio critic Tim Gideon gave it a Good mark, writing that "The Elgato Wave: 3 is a solid USB microphone with a user-friendly design that's better suited for podcasters and streamers than musicians."
The retail event rounded out its hardware lineup with the LiberNovo Maxis Manual chair for taller frames, featuring a 20.5-inch seat depth, manual lumbar controls, eight separate panels, and 16 articulation points. Best Buy even bundled gaming reductions, including the retro-styled 2D platformer Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which stars Kenji Mozu and Kumori and sits on Xbox Game Pass.
Best Buy's Techtober event continues throughout the week alongside competing autumn retail blitzes.
GDFiled by The Gadgets Desk
Audio, wearables, cameras, tablets, chargers and every other device worth carrying or plugging in.
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