Why You Can Trust CNET Multi-deal Tuesday: Smart speakers, watches, work lights and more!
From the Cheapskate: an eclectic mix of deals today, including a $50 Pebble, $23 VR headset and Cheapskate-exclusive retro speaker.
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Hello, handsome!
Once upon a time, the word "smart" was only applied to humans. Well, maybe certain dogs, too. Now the label gets slapped on all kinds of things: phones, watches, refrigerators, even water bottles (ugh).
Of course, the word itself is a homonym. It has several different meanings but always the same spelling. So today's deals are all about smartness: looks, capabilities and/or value. Smart idea, no?
A smart-looking speaker
If you're old enough to have fond memories of the boombox (aka jambox, aka ghettoblaster), you're sure to like this. For a limited time, Accessory Power has the Gogroove Bluesync BXL portable Bluetooth speaker for $24.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code BXL15OFF at checkout. Regular price: $39.99.
As you can see, this retro-inspired boombox features two front-firing drivers and a leather handle up top. In addition to Bluetooth, the BXL supports NFC for quick and easy pairing to your NFC-capable phone or tablet. There's also a line-in jack for old-school connections, a USB input for flash-drive connections and a removable battery in case you're planning a long day at the beach.
I've owned several Gogroove speakers and they've all been great. I especially like the three-year warranty.
A smarter-than-average work-light
A traditional work-light requires an electrical outlet and can usually stand or hang. That's about it. The Gooloo 36-LED work light, $13.99 shipped when you apply coupon code 6WZ8FPTO at checkout, features a built-in 360-degree base that's magnetic. Stand it up and it can face just about any angle, or you can clamp it to any metal surface. There's also a fold-out hook if you want to hang it over your engine block, sleeping bag or what have you.
There's one more trick up Gooloo's sleeve: a five-LED beam flashlight in the top for those times when you don't want to light up a big area. The only bad news is that it's not rechargeable and relies on three AA batteries. Still, for $13.99? Yes, please.
A normal-intelligence bike mount for your smartphone
For most of you it'll probably be a couple months before you can get your bike out again (brrrrr!), but you might as well be prepared: Liger Electronics is offering its SuperGrip smartphone bike mount for $5.99 shipped for Amazon Prime subscribers. That last link was the red version, and it's available in black for the same price.
The mount can hold small and large phones alike. It has solid ratings from hundreds of buyers, with an overall rating of 4.4 stars. The last time I wrote about this, it cost $12.95. Now the vendor is darn near giving them away.
A smart smartwatch buy (or is it?)
As smartwatch deals go, it's hard to beat a refurbished Pebble for $49.95 shipped. Get it in your choice of black or white -- the red one is already sold out. Sure, I've routinely shared the Martian Notifier for $10-15 less, but that model has a tiny display. The Pebble is all screen.
Nevertheless, this comes with a caveat: I finally gave up on the entire Pebble line, because every single model I've owned had trouble staying paired with every single iPhone I've owned. And re-pairing is an enormous pain. If you've had a similar (or different) experience, please hit the comments and share it with your fellow cheeps. Because on paper, a $50 Pebble is a huge win. In reality (for me, at least), it's non-stop frustration.
A smart alternative to Google Cardboard
No more cardboard VR headsets, okay? Not when you can get a vastly superior one for about the same price. To wit: Gearbest has the VR Shinecon 3D headset with Bluetooth remote for $23.69 shipped.
That remote is all but essential if you want to easily navigate VR menus, apps and games. Without one, you can plan on doing a lot of inserting and removing of your phone, which can be a huge hassle.
The headset also includes an adjustable head strap and, most important of all, adjustable pupil and focal distances. It's hard to tell from the photos whether you can comfortably wear this with eyeglasses. But the lenses are adjustable, so you may not need to.
I will note that a few readers have indicated slow shipping times from Gearbest, so be prepared to wait 2-3 weeks for your delivery. But otherwise this looks like a pretty amazing deal on a pretty nice headset.
And there you go! Who's buying what, and why?
Editor's note: A previous version of this article was erroneously headed "Multi-deal Monday."