Sony’s excellent 1000XM4 headphones are cheaper than ever during The Strategist’s two-day sale
Whether it’s Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, or just a regular Friday, we pride ourselves on our ability to sniff out the best deals from the depths of the internet’s sales bins. But for the second year in a row, we’ve done some deal-making of our own. It’s the return of the Strategist Two-Day (Actually Good) Sale. We’ve put together over 40 deals, exclusively for readers of the Strategist, on some of our most stood-behind products. And true to the event’s name, they’ll be available at some of the best prices we’ve ever seen — and in some cases, the best price they’ve ever been. We’re taking up to 70 percent off some rarely-on-sale kitchenware, beauty products from some of our favorite Black-owned brands, highly giftable gadgets (that would make excellent Mother’s Day gifts), and even some reader favorites from last year’s Two-Day Sale.
Today and tomorrow, there will be three drops — at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. — so bookmark this page. (And if you want even more, sign up for our newsletter. Subscribers will be getting some exclusive deals that won’t appear on the site.)
Our Favorite Noise-Canceling Headphones for the Best Price Ever
Multiple Strategist writers swear by these noise-canceling Sony headphones. Strategist writer Jordan Bowman calls them “some of the best sounding noise-canceling headphones I’ve ever tried.” He says the setup and pairing are “seamless, and the touch controls were some of the most responsive of anything I tested.” Strategist writer Louis Cheslaw describes them as a “game-changer.” He likes that “the XM4s can maintain a connection to two devices at once, with the headphones automatically noticing when you switch between the two.” And during our sale, you can get the XM4s in black for $80 off, the biggest discount we’ve seen this year.
The Updated Ankle Weights That Became the Breakout Stars of Quarantine Workouts
If you haven’t thought about ankle weights since the days of Jazzercise and step aerobics, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this upgraded version. Soft-hued and bracelet-like, Bala bangles are made from easy-to-clean silicone-coated cast-iron bars and have a stretchy, adjustable fit to accommodate ankles and wrists of all sizes. And after being spotted on everyone from fitness influencers like yoga instructor Marie Grujicic and personal trainer Taylor Rae Almonte to celebrities like Lucy Hale, James Franco, and Bachelor winner Hannah Ann Sluss, Bala bangles became the hottest workout accessories of the pandemic. Fitness pros tell us they really are a great way to add resistance to your strength-training moves. Now, you can pick up a pair in any color and size for 15 percent off with code Strat15, which is the best deal ever for the brand.
A Foursome of Olive Oils and Vinegars
If you find your calm in the kitchen (or know someone who does), this design-y and delicious set of olive oils and vinegars from California-based start-up Brightland should be on your shopping list. The Essential Capsule includes two flavors of olive oil: Awake and Alive, both of which were featured on our list of best olive oils, as well as a pair of Champagne and balsamic vinegars called Rapture and Parasol. The food-media darling rarely puts its products on sale, and this deal (15 percent off the set) is the best that’s ever been served up.
Our Favorite Smart Garden for Growing Herbs
Thanks to grow lights, even people with sadly sunless apartments can grow basil, parsley, and mint in their kitchens year round. George Pisegna, deputy director and chief of horticulture at the Horticulture Society of New York, recommends Click and Grow’s Smart Garden 3 and Smart Garden 9 because they offer a foolproof complete growing system with a self-watering container, LED grow light, and simple-to-use plant pods. Both are 35 percent off with code STRAT35, which is the best deal we’ve seen on either product this year.
An Expert-Recommended, Extremely Lightweight Hair Dryer
This hair dryer is only 1.16 pounds. If you’ve spent any time at all blow-drying your hair, that selling point alone should be enough to convince you how much you need this. But there’s more: Not only has this model been recommended to us by experts (it’s particularly good for straightening out thick naturally curly hair, they say), but our colleagues at the Cut deemed the Harry Josh Pro Dryer the “Bentley of hair dryers.” Right now, it’s 35 percent off with code STRAT35, making it the best deal on it this year.
Our Best-Selling Work Bag For Women (That’s the Best Deal Ever)
After a long year of working from home, we suspect more folks will head back into the office soon. Dust off your hard pants, lace up your shoes (that aren’t slippers), and snag our best-selling, expert-recommended work bag for women. With the code STRATDEAL20, you can take 20 percent off the medium-size Transport Tote and get it just in time for your office to reopen.
If you need a bit more room for your hand sanitizers, masks, and other COVID-preventing office gear, try out the classic Transport Tote, which is just a smidge bigger than the medium (and just as highly recommended by experts). You get the same deal — 20 percent off with the code STRATDEAL20 — but just more room.
The Best Eye Cream for Eliminating Dark Circles
If dark circles are a concern of yours, you may love this vitamin-C-infused eye cream from Ole Henriksen. L-ascorbic acid brightens up dark pigmentation under the eyes, while a shimmery, pinkish tint instantly color corrects. Like any vitamin-C product, consistency is key: Use it in your daily skin-care routine to reap the brightening benefits. The code STRAT25 brings the price down to $29 and gets you free shipping, the best deal so far this year.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Illustration: by Joe McKendry Whether it’s Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, or just a regular Friday, we pride ourselves on our ability to sniff out the best deals from the depths of the internet’s sales bins. But for the second year in a row, we’ve done some deal-making of our…
