N※N

Skip Amazon Echo Smart Speakers on Black-Friday

82

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. -amazon-echo-smart-speakers-on-black-friday.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 23rd 2025 at 0:37 GMT by Travel + Leisure

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-23 224 x 224 / 3478 Bytes

2025-11-23 224 x 224 / 6086 Bytes

2025-11-23 224 x 224 / 6887 Bytes

2025-11-23 225 x 224 / 6541 Bytes

What to Skip on Amazon’s Black‑Friday Sale — A 2025 Guide

The holiday season is upon us, and Amazon’s Black‑Friday sale is set to launch with the same hype that has become a year‑long tradition. The e‑commerce giant’s deals span the entire spectrum—from electronics to home goods, from subscription services to digital content. Yet, as the Travel + Leisure article “What Not to Buy on Amazon’s Black‑Friday Sale 2025” warns, not every markdown is a bargain. Below is a concise rundown of the items the author recommends steering clear of, along with the reasoning that explains why a sale that looks too good to be true often is.

1. Amazon Echo‑Series Smart Speakers

Amazon’s Echo devices (Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Plus) are frequently featured in Black‑Friday lists. The article points out that the price reductions tend to be modest when you factor in the long‑term cost of Amazon’s “Alexa” subscription services. Privacy concerns also loom large: Amazon’s voice assistant keeps a detailed record of spoken queries, and the company is known for collecting that data for advertising purposes. If you’re looking for a quiet, privacy‑friendly smart speaker, the article suggests looking at competitors such as Google Nest or Apple HomePod instead.

2. Amazon Fire TV Sticks and Amazon Fire TV Sets

Fire TV Stick 4K and the newer “Fire TV Edition” televisions are marketed as “ultimate streaming” solutions. But the author notes that the savings on the Fire TV Stick are often offset by the fact that Amazon’s streaming library is comparatively thin. For true binge‑watchers, Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu offer a richer content lineup. The article cites a “Fire TV’s Prime Video” deal that was actually a “buy‑one‑get‑one” offer on a subscription tier that most users already pay for. If you’re after premium streaming, the article recommends holding off until the next major media‑service promotion.

3. Amazon Smart‑Home Devices (Plugs, Thermostats, Cameras)

A section of the article is dedicated to Amazon’s lineup of “Alexa‑compatible” devices. These include smart plugs, the Echo Glow lamp, and the Echo Show 5 camera. The primary complaint is that the Amazon ecosystem is not as robust as its rivals: Google Home or Apple HomeKit boast broader compatibility and more secure, local‑processing options. The article highlights a deal on the “Amazon Smart Plug” that seemed attractive until you discover the plug will only work within the Echo ecosystem, and the price is still higher than equivalent products from Philips Hue or Belkin.

4. Amazon Prime and Prime‑Related Subscriptions

Amazon Prime itself is usually marketed as a “free” 30‑day trial during Black Friday. The article notes that the “Prime” subscription is essentially a blanket deal that adds shipping, streaming, and digital books, but the true value is highly variable. The author cites a study showing that the average Amazon customer spends only $4,000 a year on Amazon, and that 60 % of that is on Amazon itself. If you’re not already using Amazon’s ecosystem heavily, the article suggests buying an “Amazon Prime” subscription on a different sales day (e.g., Amazon Prime Day in July) or sticking with an existing subscription.

5. Amazon Music Unlimited and Audible

Both services have a “Black‑Friday” discount, often advertised as “80 % off.” The article stresses that these offers come with a catch: they require a 6‑month or 12‑month commitment. For many users, a one‑month trial of Apple Music or Spotify already covers the listening needs. The article also warns that the discount is effectively a “free” subscription that you must continue paying for if you wish to keep the service, which defeats the point of a discount.

6. Amazon Gift‑Card “Deals”

Gift‑card promotions (e.g., “$20 Amazon gift card for every $100 spent”) are a recurring Black‑Friday staple. The article cautions that these deals are essentially “spending on your own brand.” If you don’t have a pre‑existing plan to use the gift card, you’re essentially paying full price for your own money. The article recommends focusing on tangible products with a clear, verifiable discount instead.

7. Amazon “Essentials” Clothing and Household Items

The “Amazon Essentials” line is often advertised as a way to get quality basics at a discount. The author points out that the discount is sometimes a re‑labeling of a regular price. For example, the “Amazon Essentials” hoodie might be marked “50 % off” but the actual savings is only a few dollars after adding shipping and tax. The article suggests looking at the brand’s own website or other retailers for deeper discounts.

8. Amazon “Prime Video” “Exclusive” Content

Amazon’s “Prime Video” deals often feature “exclusive” titles that are only available to Prime members. The article warns that “exclusive” in the Amazon context is a euphemism for “pay‑to‑watch” content that you would still need a Prime subscription for. If you’re already a Prime member, this is trivial; otherwise, the article advises treating these as a “subscription add‑on” rather than a “bargain.”

9. Amazon Home Services (Delivery, Installation)

The article also covers “Amazon Home” services, such as delivery of Amazon Echo or Fire TV. While the article notes that the service might include free delivery, the added convenience often comes at a hidden cost: a “delivery fee” that can exceed the cost of shipping through third‑party carriers. For tech-savvy shoppers who can handle a DIY setup, the article recommends opting for self‑shipping.

10. Amazon “Prime Pantry” and “Prime Video Unlimited” Bundles

Bundled deals such as “Prime Pantry” (discounted grocery items) or “Prime Video Unlimited” (full access to Amazon’s entire library) are marketed as huge savings. The article argues that the average consumer only uses a fraction of the bundled content and that the additional cost simply adds to the bill. The recommendation is to purchase items individually rather than as part of a bundle.

Final Thoughts

The overarching message of the Travel + Leisure piece is simple: not all Black‑Friday discounts on Amazon are worth your time and money. The key is to ask whether the price drop is real or merely a marketing ploy, and whether the product or service you’re buying actually fits your usage patterns. As the author advises, it’s usually best to look for “real value” – a genuine discount on a product you actually need – and to avoid deals that only serve to lock you into Amazon’s ecosystem or that simply don’t save you money after taxes, shipping, and future subscription costs.

For readers who want to dig deeper, the article links to several related pieces:

• How to Get the Best Black‑Friday Deals – a guide to spotting genuine discounts across all retailers.
• Amazon’s Black‑Friday Shopping Checklist – a printable list that flags items to purchase versus items to skip.
• The Real Cost of Amazon Prime – an analysis that breaks down the long‑term cost of a subscription.

By combining these resources, savvy shoppers can navigate Amazon’s 2025 Black‑Friday sale without falling into the most common pitfalls highlighted by Travel + Leisure.