My favorite tech deals of the long weekend: AirPods for $60 off, a $99 Samsung soundbar and more

·Senior Tech Writer

January 17, 2022 at 11:58 PM·8 min read

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Walmart's latest tech deals include one of my favorite soundbars. (Photo: Walmart)

Got a little spare time this week? Consider upgrading your TV speakers. Or making the move to that new laptop you've been eyeballing. And aren't you overdue to get started on that New Year's fitness resolution?

You can accomplish those and other goals thanks to the latest batch of tech deals currently available at Walmart. Below, I've rounded up what I consider to be the best of them, and at this writing they're all in stock. That could change in a heartbeat, though, so if you spot something you want, grab it before it's gone.

(Pro tip: Want to score free shipping? Make sure you’re signed up for Walmart+. Not yet a member? No problem: You can sign up for a free 15-day Walmart+ trial here, and a quick three-question survey will add two more weeks for a solid 30 days of use. Those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

Fitbit Charge 4: $99 (save $30)

At $99, the Fitbit Charge 4 is hard to wrist-sist. (Sorry, it's early, I need more coffee.) (Photo: Fitbit)

It's not too late to start a New Year's fitness resolution, and a fitness band can really help you achieve your goals. Especially this one: It features GPS, a heart-rate monitor, sleep-tracking and a battery that's good for up to seven days. Over at Amazon, where it's currently selling for $115, it has a 4.5-star average rating from over 68,000 (!) buyers.

Aside from a Black Friday low of $69, this is one of the best Fitbit Charge 4 deals to date.

$99 ~~$129~~ at Walmart

Roku Streambar: $100 (save $29)

The Roku Streambar before it emerges from its box. — Even if you don't need the Roku part of this soundbar, $100 is a solid deal for any soundbar. (Photo: Roku)

The Roku Streambar kills two birds with one stone — or, as my more enlightened friends like to say, feeds two birds with one scone. First, it's a soundbar, something every TV owner absolutely positively needs (because built-in TV speakers all point down or back, exactly where your ears aren't).

Second, it's a Roku streamer, able to sling everything from Netflix to HBO to YouTube. That's great if you're upgrading a "dumb" TV or seeking an alternative to your existing streaming setup. (Example: Perhaps you don't like the user interface afforded by your LG TV.)

The Streambar is a top-rated product, featuring 4K streaming and a voice-powered remote. I own one; it's terrific.

$100 ~~$129~~ at Walmart

Samsung HW-T415 2.1-channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer: $99 (save $50)

Although no wires are shown here, the sound bar and subwoofer do have cords for plugging into wall outlets. — For just $99, your TV viewing experience is about to get a whole lot better — thanks to this huge upgrade to your TV listening experience. (Photo: Samsung)

Remember what I said above? About everyone needing a soundbar? Absolutely true, but not everyone needs Roku streaming baked into it. If you'd rather have bigger, more robust sound, Samsung's rig is definitely worth a look.

Not only is the bar itself physically larger than Roku's, it comes with a wireless subwoofer. Anyone into action movies, live concerts or anything else that benefits from bass will appreciate the extra oomph a subwoofer affords.

$99 ~~$149~~ at Walmart

AirPods Pro: $190 (save $59)

The AirPods Pro have silicone ear tips that help to reduce outside noise. — Apple's excellent AirPods Pro continue to sell for far below their retail price. (Photo: Apple)

I'll make it quick: AirPods Pro for $190. That's $60 off the list price. Although this isn't the lowest price on record for Apple's venerated true-wireless earbuds, it's a deal worth considering. These are notable for their pristine sound, excellent noise-canceling capabilities and nearly unrivaled call quality. Those features alone help justify what is otherwise a pretty expensive choice.

Indeed, if you think $190 is still too much to pay for earbuds, I feel you: Here's a roundup of great AirPods alternatives priced $100 and less.

$190 ~~$249~~ at Walmart

Acer Chromebook Spin 311: $210 (save $89)

On the right, the Chromebook Spin 311 in what's often referred to as — Spin to win: The Chromebook Spin 311 is a convertible laptop, offering a full-size keyboard for work chores and a full-on tablet mode for anything else. (Photo: Acer)

The Spin 311 is an 11.6-inch convertible, meaning it has a touchscreen on a 360-degree hinge. So in addition to operating like a traditional laptop, it can spin (see what Acer did there?) to become a full-fledged tablet.

In fact, Google's Chrome operating system offers not only school-friendly tools like Google Docs and Classroom, but also compatibility with millions of Android apps. This is a decidedly capable little machine, especially for the price.

$210 ~~$299~~ at Walmart

TCL 4-Series 55-inch Roku TV: $319 (save $130)

The Roku interface is arguably the best you'll find on any smart TV. — Bring 55-inches of Roku goodness into your living room for just $319. (Photo: TCL)

Here's one of the better TV deals I've seen outside of Black Friday. TCL's 4-Series may be on the budget end of the spectrum, but it delivers a solid 4K HDR picture and the goodness that is built-in Roku. It also features a whopping four HDMI inputs — meaning it can accommodate multiple game consoles and whatever else you might want to connect — and supports voice commands by way of the Roku app on your phone.

One tip, though: Consider one of the soundbars listed above. Although the built-in speakers might be good enough for a den or bedroom, if this is to be your living room TV, you'll want something better.

$319 ~~$358~~ at Walmart