I’ve been a tech journalist for 15 years, and these are the early Prime Day deals I’m buying to make my home smarter

I’ve wanted a robot vacuum for so long…

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

I’m on a mission to make my home smarter, and the OctoberAmazon Prime Dayevent (running from October 8-9) is giving me the perfect opportunity to do exactly that without blowing my entire budget. If you’re thinking the same thing, there’s no need to wait -Amazonhas already knocked hundreds of dollars off some amazing smart tech to help you get your home in order.

For me, the biggest highlight isthe iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum Q011, which is down to just $139.99 right now- a price cut of over $100, and the cheapest it’s ever been. I’ve wanted a robot vacuum for ages due to my black laminate floors that show every speck of dust, but it’s been hard to justify the price - until now.

I’m also very pleased to see some great deals on some of thebest home security cameras, includingthe Blink Mini 2, which is now half-price at $19.99and can be used freestanding so I don’t have to drill into my walls, andthe Blink Outdoor 4, which is available in a pack of three for only $99.99. That’s less than half price and means I can cover my whole outdoor space with no wires and no fuss.

Below, you’ll find everything on my shopping list ahead of Prime Day. Sadly none of thebest smart lightsare on offer yet, but I’ve got my fingers crossed for some cheapPhilips Huebulbs on October 8.

Today’s best early Prime Day smart home deals

iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum Q011:was $249.99 now$139.99 at AmazonThis is the deal I’ve been searching for - a robot vacuum from the experts at iRobot, down to its lowest-ever price. I’m so tired of having to vacuum my black flooring every single day - this is going to save me a whole lot of hassle. It doesn’t have a mopping function, but for less than $150, I’m not complaining.

Blink Mini 2:was $39.99 now$19.99 at AmazonWith this tough little security camera, I’ll be able to watch happenings at home with live footage on my phone. It’s back to its lowest-ever price in Amazon’s early Prime Day sale, so I’m very tempted to grab a couple - one for the hall and one for the living room. I’ve not yet decided whether to commit to a Blink subscription, butthere’s a 30-day free trial available, so I don’t have to make up my mind yet.

Blink Outdoor 4:was $259.99 now$99.99 at AmazonI’ve got the inside of my home covered, and these compact wireless cameras can handle the outside. I’ve snagged three of them for just $99, saving over 60%. When we reviewed the originalBlink Outdooron TechRadar, we were very impressed by its battery life and tough build, and the latest version is even better thanks to its infrared night vision.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus:was $149.99 now$99.99 at AmazonThis is the best battery-operated video doorbell we’ve ever tested (check out our full guide to thebest video doorbellsfor more details), and it’s back down to its lowest-ever price right now. It’s particularly good for letting you know when a package has been delivered, which will be handy when those Prime Day deliveries start arriving (hopefully including some smart lights).

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen):was $49.99 now$22.99 at AmazonAn extra smart speaker will be really handy for controlling all my new devices with voice commands, and the 5th Gen Amazon Echo Dot is just the ticket. During our tests, we found it particularly responsive to spoken instructions, and its audio quality isn’t bad either. At $22.99, it’s a no-brainer.

If you can’t find the tech you’re looking for here, don’t worry - there are lots more price cuts on the way, and our team of experts will be rounding up all thebest Amazon Prime Day dealsso you don’t have to go hunting for them.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.

3 questions to ask before buying a robot vacuum in the Black Friday sales

‘I could do with a haircut’: First AI-powered garden will let chat to your flowers and soil

7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing