22 Best After-Christmas Sales (2021): Games, Loungewear, and Headphones

Gift cards hold so much potential. They’re like a free pass to treat yourself to whatever you’ve been eyeing at your favorite retailer. The only way to make them better is to stretch those free dollars even more by purchasing discounted gear. We’ve rounded up the best after-Christmas sales and deals below. (These also make a good opportunity to snag a late gift or two.)

Updated December 27: We’ve added and cut deals that have expired.

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Tech Deals

This is one of the best MagSafe accessories on the market. The built-in magnets make attaching the tripod to compatible iPhones quick and easy, while the flexible legs allow for perfect positioning in nearly any filming environment. We haven’t seen it sell for less.

These frequently-discounted headphones have since been replaced by a newer generation, but they’re nearly as good—and much more affordable. Jabra makes some of the Best Workout Earbuds money can buy. 

This pair of Sony headphones are our favorite for most people (9/10, WIRED Recommends). You get some of the best audio quality for the money, not to mention excellent noise canceling technology, long battery life, and a supremely comfortable fit. They often dip to $248 during major sale events, but they’re still nice at this price. Be sure to check out our Headphone Quiz to find the best headphones or earbuds for you.

This deal may not be available in all zip codes. We generally like accessories from PowerA—especially since official Nintendo hardware is both rarely discounted and sometimes hard to find. The cord is 10 feet long, so while this Pro Controller dupe isn’t wireless, it shouldn’t be too cumbersome. The official Switch Pro Controller from Nintendo is much better, but it’s also five times more expensive, so if you just need an extra controller for multiplayer, this does the job. Read our full list of Nintendo Switch Accessories for more ideas.

This deal is for a renewed version of the Kiyo Pro, one of the Best Webcams thanks to the automated light-adjustment software. It has been tested by professionals to ensure the quality is up to par, and it also comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. Amazon will refund or replace the item if it doesn’t look and perform like it should. 

We recommend this microphone in our guide to the Best Podcasting Gear. It offers studio-quality sound at an appealing price point—one of the lowest we’ve seen—and the on-board smart knob and light meter allow you to adjust sound quality in real time.

The Nokia XR20 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is usually pretty affordable, but saving $50 makes it even more appealing. This rugged smartphone has expected features like good battery life and a bright, balanced display, but we especially like the headphone jack and super-strong glass.

The newest addition to Bose’s noise-canceling lineup have been going for this price since Black Friday. We loved the older QC35 II version, and these are even nicer, with better battery life and improved microphones. The active noise cancellation is handy for both meetings and chatty roommates.

This is the best high-end robot vacuum on the market. It’s been this price since Black Friday, but sold for at least $50 more before that. It has powerful suction, good self-navigating features, and a smartphone app that can learn your daily routine to make automated cleaning even more convenient.

This is an honorable mention in our roundup of the Best Indoor Security Cameras, and it’s down to the cheapest we’ve seen all year. It can pan and focus with ease. We really wish it had two-factor authentication, which is currently only available if you choose to log in with Facebook, though you can set a PIN to lock and unlock the live feed view. 

Mint Mobile is the top pick in our Best Cheap Phone Plans guide. Our favorites are the 4-GB plan for $15 per month and the unlimited plan for $30 per month. Both are eligible for this deal, so long as you’re a new customer and activate service within 45 days.

Trying to find discounted computer components right now is nearly impossible outside of one-off deals like this one. With two RGB fans as well as an RGB pump head, this liquid cooling system will look good while it keeps your PC’s temperatures low. Corsair’s iCUE software allows for fan speed control, lighting adjustments, and automated fan curves. Check out our guide on How to Build a Desktop PC for more recommendations.

Deals on Everything Else

Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, these eco-friendly sweatpants are some of our favorite sweatpants on the market. They’re incredibly soft and comfortable, and the price is more appealing than subpar pairs we’ve tried. The company plants a tree for every pair sold.

This deal is available in limited colors and sizing, but we very rarely see the absolute best sweatpants go on sale. We, and many others around the Internet, love the Vuori Performance Joggers. They flatter every body type and keep their shape throughout the day. They’re also incredibly durable, and the pockets and drawstring are both functional without being bulky. I especially appreciate the tight ankle cuffs, which help the joggers look like “real pants” (despite the fact that they feel like stretchy clouds).

Another eco-friendly pick from our guide to the Best Loungewear, this bright hoodie is available in a wide array of colors and sizes. The slouchy fit and roomy front pocket are comfortable and cozy—great for hibernating during cold winter weather.

This sweatshirt is my favorite, ever. It’s fun and colorful, and while it keeps me warm, the cropped fit makes it work in warmer weather as well as deep winter cold. The colors have stayed bright despite many washes.

This sweat-proof undershirt is a great base layer, and the reversible neckline makes it work for nearly any outfit. It adds a layer of warmth but not bulk, and it can be worn several times in a row without washes, extending the life of clothes (and shortening required laundry time.)

This physical game includes Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. WIRED staffers love both of them. The aesthetics and soundtracks are beautiful, and the stories offer both catharsis and hope. This price is the lowest we have tracked. 

Got a new PlayStation? Lucky! You’ll want to beef up your library with new games, and if you haven’t tried it yet, the latest Assassin’s Creed installment will satisfy. It’s long and has its flaws, but there’s a lot to like as you traipse through England during the Middle Ages.

Another title you should add to the list is this Spider-Man game. No, you don’t play as Peter Parker, but Miles Morales (who became popular after Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). It’s a visual treat, you get to swing from skyscraper to skyscraper, and it has a great soundtrack. 

Gravity makes some of the Best Weighted Blankets, and the whole lineup is 20 percent off. We think this option is particularly great for folks that are always cold. The plush duvet cover is included and available in three different colors. We also like the Travel Blanket, on sale for $80 ($20 off). It’s a more portable option for those that travel frequently, even if it’s just from room to room.

Buying a discounted gift card may seem silly at first, but it can be an easy way to save money—as long as you were planning on spending it in the first place. Amazon has a one-day sale on gift cards for various restaurants and services. Scroll through the carousel at the top of the page to see them all. Note that some of these deals are available in limited quantities and may sell out quickly.

Retailer Deals Pages

Want to check out the deals for yourself? Here are some links to different retailer sales.

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