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The weekend’s best deals: Google Nest devices, Nintendo gift cards, and more – Ars Technica

The weekend’s best deals: Google Nest devices, Nintendo gift cards, and more

Ars Technica

It’s the weekend, which means the time has come for another Dealmaster. Our latest roundup of the best tech deals from around the web includes a handful of deals on Google Nest devices. Both the popular Nest Learning Thermostat and the more wallet-friendly Nest Thermostat are on sale, for instance, with the former down to $199 and the latter available for $100 at various retailers. While neither deal brings the absolute lowest price we’ve tracked, both are a good ways below their typical street prices online and well under Google’s MSRPs of $250 and $130, respectively.

In any event, both devices remain commendable options for those looking to adopt a smart thermostat, either to cut down on energy usage or take greater control over their home’s heating and cooling. The higher-end Nest still looks sharp, installs relatively easily, and works with a variety of smart home devices and platforms. It can still “learn” your usual heating and cooling preferences, then automatically schedule its future adjustments accordingly, (mostly) staying out of your way over the course of a day. The more affordable Nest Thermostat lacks that auto-scheduling feature (though you can still enter a schedule manually), has a cheaper plastic frame, and doesn’t support Google’s remote temperature-balancing sensors, but still looks nice and has an otherwise similar feature set—including tools like HVAC monitoring and voice commands via Alexa or the Google Assistant—for less money.

If you have no need for a new thermostat, though, other Google devices like the Nest Audio home speaker and Fitbit’s Luxe activity tracker are also on sale. Beyond that, our roundup includes good deals on Nintendo eShop gift cards, a spacious 1TB SanDisk microSD card for your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck, a number of Roomba robot vacuums, iPads, AirPods, and much more. You can find our full curated roundup below.

Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Featured deals of the day

Google's Nest Thermostat is a good smart thermostat for those on a budget, though it doesn't work with remote temperature sensors or learn your home's heating and cooling schedule like Nest's pricier model.
Enlarge / Google’s Nest Thermostat is a good smart thermostat for those on a budget, though it doesn’t work with remote temperature sensors or learn your home’s heating and cooling schedule like Nest’s pricier model.

Electronics deals

The Fitbit Luxe is a <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/08/fitbits-luxe-activity-tracker-is-a-stylish-way-to-casually-care-about-fitness/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">simple but stylish</a> activity tracker.
Enlarge / The Fitbit Luxe is a simple but stylish activity tracker.

Corey Gaskin

The Apple Watch Series 7 is <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/11/the-best-smartwatches-for-every-type-of-user/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our top smartwatch pick</a> for iPhone owners.
Enlarge / The Apple Watch Series 7 is our top smartwatch pick for iPhone owners.

Corey Gaskin

Laptop and desktop PC deals

The 2020, M1-equipped Apple Mac mini. It's still a powerful mini PC for casual work, but note that a model with a new chip is reported to arrive at some point this year.
Enlarge / The 2020, M1-equipped Apple Mac mini. It’s still a powerful mini PC for casual work, but note that a model with a new chip is reported to arrive at some point this year.

Samuel Axon

TV and home entertainment deals

Nintendo's <em>Legend of Zelda</em> Game and Watch handheld.
Enlarge / Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda Game and Watch handheld.

Jeff Dunn

Gaming deals

<em>Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle </em>is a delightful, accessible take on <em>XCOM</em>-style turn-based strategy games.
Enlarge / Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is a delightful, accessible take on XCOM-style turn-based strategy games.

Kyle Orland

Video game deals

<em>River City Girls</em> is an enjoyable beat-em-up that plays especially well with another player.
Enlarge / River City Girls is an enjoyable beat-em-up that plays especially well with another player.

WayForward, Arc System Works

The <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/09/review-kena-bridge-of-spirits-is-this-years-best-zelda-35th-anniversary-gift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ars-approved</a> <em>Kena: Bridge of Spirits </em>is a straightforward but charming action-adventure game.
Enlarge / The Ars-approved Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a straightforward but charming action-adventure game.

Ember Lab

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

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