This week’s best deals include cheap iPads, video games, e-readers, and more

Your last call for free shipping

by Cameron Faulkner

Dec 15, 2018, 4:00 PM UTC

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A hand holding a very wet Kindle Paperwhite as it lies on the ground.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Cameron Faulkner is an editor covering deals and gaming hardware. He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.

The holidays are just over a week away, though you still have time to buy gifts and have them delivered in time without gouging your wallet from expedited shipping charges. Best Buy is offering free shipping until December 25th, Target is shipping items for free until December 22nd, and Amazon will end its free two-day shipping for non-Prime members on December 18th.

What’s more, some retailers are pulling out the stops by lowering prices to what we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Consider this your last call to get gifts before prices go back up.

Smart speakers and streaming devices

Apple HomePod is $249 at B&H Photo (usually $349)
Should B&H Photo sell out, Best Buy is offering HomePod for $279
Google Home Mini and Chromecast (third-gen) bundle is $49 at Walmart (usually $74)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is $34.99 at Amazon (two units costs $59.99, usually $49.99)
Nvidia Shield TV is $149 at Amazon (usually $179)
Amazon Echo Dot (third-gen) is $29.99 at Amazon (two units costs $50, usually $49.99)

Gaming

Elgato HD60S capture device is $129.99 at Amazon (usually $179.95)
Fallout 76 (digital code) is $39.99 for any platform at Amazon (usually $59.99)
One month of Xbox Game Pass costs $1 at Microsoft Store (usually $9.99 monthly)
If you like the service, you can get a big discount when you upgrade to a full year for $69.99 (usually $119.99)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 for any platform is $29.99 at Best Buy (usually $59.99)
Marvel’s Spider-Man for PS4 is $39.99 at Best Buy (usually $59.99)
Kingdom Hearts III edition PS4 Pro 1TB bundle is $399.99 on preorder at GameStop (will release on January 29th, 2019, but you can reserve now)
Xbox One S 1TB with Forza Horizon 4 is $199.99 at Walmart (matches the Black Friday price, usually $249.99)

Tablets and e-readers

Apple iPad (latest edition, Wi-Fi, 32GB) is $249.99 at Walmart (matches the Black Friday price, usually $329.99)
Apple iPad (latest edition, Wi-Fi, 128GB) is $329.99 at Walmart (matches the Black Friday price, usually $429.99)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (8GB, with special offers) is $99 at Amazon (ships after Christmas, usually $129.99)
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Essentials bundle (8GB, with special offers, includes leather cover and power adapter) is $139 at Amazon (usually $189)
Apple iPad Pro (2017, 256GB, Wi-Fi, 12.9 inches, all colors) is $719 (usually $949)
Apple iPad Pro (2017, 256GB, Wi-Fi + LTE, 12.9 inches, gold or silver) is $749 (usually $1,079)

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Computing

HP Omen 15t gaming laptop (eighth-gen Intel Core i7, GTX 1070, 144Hz display) is $1,175 with offer code 20GAMERHOL (usually $1,500, expires at the end of the day on December 15th)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is $799 at Microsoft Store (usually $999)
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is $799 at Microsoft Store (usually $999)

Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Phones

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are discounted by $100 and $150, respectively, at the Google Store (unlocked, lasts until December 22nd)
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are $250 off with Verizon activation at Best Buy (includes Pixel Stand)