Black Friday 2018: Top Under-the-Radar Tech Brands and Products to Look For

Looking for a Black Friday deal with a bit of a twist? While most will be salivating over the best Apple deals and lowest prices on Amazon Fire TV Sticks, some of the under-the-radar deals could offer surprising value, with a range of gift ideas and alternative selections that could have otherwise slipped by without notice.

It’s set to be a bumper Black Friday, with a range of deals including new smart home devices for Amazon Alexa, or other gadgets from Wal-Mart and Busy Buy. Even Apple is getting in on the action. But there’s a number of otherwise unexpected deals when it comes to Bluetooth speakers, Internet of Things-connected devices and more, which could make it worth your while.

Here’s six you may have missed:

6. Ring Video Doorbell Pro

The days of having a dumb doorbell are over. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro and Chime Pro bundle comes with everything you need to mkae your doorbell work smarter. It provides high-definition video footage of visitors, while the Chime Pro extends the Wifi signal to avoid dead zones. Best Buy has it on sale for just $199.99, down from $299.99.

5. ILife V4 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Tired of collecting up cereal crumbs and pet hair? Want to eliminate another chore from your life? The ILife V4 vacuum cleaner is a three-inch circular robot with 10 built-in sensors is uses to avoid falling down stairs. With its 2,600 mAh battery, it can offer 100 minutes of full cleaning, with four modes of operation. Newegg is offering the product for just $119.99 as part of its “Black November” sale.

4. Netgear Arlo Pro Security Camera System

Looking to add some more security to your home? The Arlo Pro security camera system offers two rechargeable wireless high-definition cameras with audio and night vision included. Wal-Mart has the system on sale for just $239, down from $449.

3. Braven Stryde 360 Bluetooth Speaker

Why settle for tinny smartphone speakers? The Stryde 360 waterproof Bluetooth speaker offers 360 degrees of sound in a simple package. It has a 2,500 mAh battery to offer 12 hours of playtime, while the built-in voice control enables users to take calls without getting their phone wet. It’s also waterproof to IP67 standards. Sam’s Club will have the system on sale starting November 22 for $39.88, $40 off the regular asking price.

2. Mevo

The tiny livestreaming device is perfect for vloggers on the go. The camera can connect over Wifi or LTE to work with Twitter, Facebook Live, YouTube, Periscope or Livestream. It has the ability to stream live in 1080p and record video for later in 4K resolution. While the 45-minute battery life may not sound like a lot, the portability and capability to update fans in a blink makes it essential. Amazon has the Mevo on sale for $199, down from $299.99.

1. TP-Link HS110 Smart Plug

The TP-Link is a simple way to make a home smarter. The HS110 offers easy remote access using the Kasa app, pairing with Amazon Alexa or Google Voice Assistant to enable voice control. It offers advanced scheduling, enabling users to switch on the lights at night or power down electronics in the evenings. The simple gadget offers a variety of potential uses, leaving buyers to get experimental. Wal-Mart is offering the HS110 for $15.99, down from $39.99.