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12 Deals for the Perfect Watch Party

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Collage of a cellphone with the Calm app opened, the TCL 5-Series Google 4K TV. and the ThermoPop.
Photos: Wirecutter
Dan Kim

By Dan Kim

Dan Kim is a writer focused on deals, commerce, and video games. He has contributed to over 30,000 deals posts, covering most of Wirecutter's picks.

We can’t predict the future, but there is a high probability that pretty soon you’ll be surrounded by screams of victory mixed with cries of defeat, interspersed with questions on how long till halftime. We’ve got you covered with some great deals on TVs (and other goodies) that’ll elevate every aspect of your next totally super, unnamed, copyright-free game-day watch party.

The YouTube TV logo and wordmark.
Image: YouTube

YouTube TV (First Three Months)
Deal price: $165; street price: $195
Read our review of the best gear for the big game.

Whether you’re going to host an intimate get-together for family and friends or just planning for a party of one, now is the time to make sure you have the gear you need to watch that big game. One option for cord-cutters is to stream the game. YouTube TV offers 85-plus top channels of entertainment, news, live sports, and more with limitless recording for up to six accounts. There are no hidden fees, and no cable box is required, plus you can cancel at any time. Typically a YouTube TV subscription costs $65 a month, but this promotion gives new customers a discount for their first three months: Normally $195 for those initial three months, the price drops to $165.

The Sony Bravia XR OLED TV with an image of a landscape on the screen.
Photo: Chris Heinonen

Sony Bravia XR OLED TV (A90J, 83-inch)
Deal price: $6,000; street price: $8,000
Read our review of the best OLED TV.

Sometimes bigger really is better, and if you want to embrace a cinematic experience with the best overall OLED picture quality, this Sony Bravia TV is the way to go. With extra-bright highlights and crisp HDR video that pops off the screen, this 83-inch Bravia is an imposing option that stands out from the crowd. While it’s excellent for both movies and television, if you prefer to end your day with a bit of gaming, this TV also provides two HDMI 2.1 ports, which allow access to high-resolution and higher-frame-rate gameplay. In addition, we love Sony’s switch to the Google TV platform, which lets you access and stream all your favorite media. Though our upgrade pick does come at a premium cost, this is an excellent chance to save if you are a true videophile searching for the best cinematic viewing experience you can get. Grab your drinks and popcorn—it’s showtime!

Photo: Chris Heinonen

LG C1 OLED TV (65-Inch) + $170 eBay Credit
Deal price: $1,800; street price: $1,975
Read our review of the best OLED TV.

An OLED TV is the best-looking TV you can get right now. Such models are typically more expensive, but the C1 offers fantastic 4K HDR images for an extremely reasonable price. It has a thin, sleek build and supports the leading high dynamic range standards. You can also customize and tweak the visuals with both Filmmaker Mode and a game-optimizer mode. Although you can get better image brightness and video processing from more expensive models, we think most people wouldn’t find those offerings worth the higher price. This price on the C1 is relatively commonplace these days, but the eBay credit is a nice addition to the deal.

The 77-inch LG G1 OLED TV mounted on a wall with an image of a painting on the screen.
Photo: LG

LG G1 OLED TV (77-Inch) + $350 Visa Gift Card
Deal price: $3,700; street price: $4,150
Read our review of the best OLED TV.

OLED TVs already offer the best-looking image available, but the G1 goes a little further to focus on its exterior aesthetic, as well. A step-up from our top pick, the C1, this model uses LG’s new “evo” panel and features a gallery design that’s perfect for wall-mounting. Although the new panel is more power-efficient, it isn’t any brighter than the standard panel, and in our tests we noticed a little added tint when viewing it off-axis. Overall, we think you get a better image from the C1, but the G1 is perfect for folks whose heart is set on wall-mounting. The street price of this model has dropped in recent months, so this deal isn’t so much for the TV itself as it is for the included $350 Visa gift card.

The Hisense U7G Series LED TV with a close-up image of a flower on the screen.

Hisense U7G Series LED TV (55-inch)
Deal price: $600; street price: $750
Read our review of the best LCD/LED TV.

If you want better TV performance than the average budget option offers but don’t feel the need to spend a premium to get the absolute best, LCD/LED TVs are a worthwhile option to consider. Our top pick, the Hisense U7G, delivers a 4K picture that looks almost as good as the image on an OLED—with excellent HDR full of bright vibrant colors, plus superb black levels and contrast from the full-array local-dimming backlight. For gamers, the U7G is equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports and boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate that delivers better motion quality than you’ll find on many competitors. Although you do lose out with a narrower viewing angle, and we did see a slightly better deal during the holidays, this is still an excellent chance to pick up what we consider to be the best 4K LCD TV for the money.

The Vizio M-Series Quantum 4K TV with an image of a movie scene on the screen.
Photo: Chris Heinonen

Vizio M-Series Quantum 4K TV (65-Inch)
Deal price: $600; street price: $700
Read our review of the best 4K TV on a budget.

Looking for a great 4K TV on a budget? Our runner-up pick offers the best-looking SDR and HDR images of TVs in its price range, as well as decent local dimming. Though we found its streaming features to be mediocre overall, its image quality was top-notch. This deal matches the best price we’ve seen for this model, but it’s currently available only for Costco members.

The TCL 5-Series Google 4K TV with an image of a landscape on the screen.
Photo: Chris Heinonen

TCL 5-Series 4K Google TV (S546, 55-inch)
Deal price: $420; street price: $550
Read our review of the best 4K TV on a budget.

Update: Up $20 from $400 to $420. It's still a reasonable price if you need to pick up a cheaper TV before the big game, but we'll likely see it back to $400 or a bit lower in the future.

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a quality 4K TV, and the 55-inch version of our top pick is currently down to a great price. Offering a full-array local-dimming backlight and Google’s smart-TV interface, the TCL 5-Series provides good picture quality combined with great streaming options. Though the overall picture quality isn’t as high as that of a pricier LCD screen, the TCL 5-Series still provides a bright, colorful picture with good contrast.

A red Thermapen One instant read thermometer on a wooden cutting board with rosemary, thyme, and flaky sea salt in the background.
Photo: Michael Sullivan

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE Instant Read Thermometer (Open Box)
Deal price: $86; street price: $110
Read our review of the best meat thermometers.

If you're looking to avoid the overcooked/undercooked fiasco that happened the last time you roasted something big, our new upgrade meat thermometer covers all the bases. The successor to our former upgrade pick, the Thermapen ONE is faster and more accurate than the Mk 4 and comes with a brighter backlit display with serious waterproofing. At $86 shipped, the ONE is a bit of a pricey investment for most people, but if you're serious about cooking and want to quickly and accurately get the temperature of your meal, this is an excellent option. Our readers have had good experiences with these open-box models in the past, and the full warranty that Thermoworks offers with open-box items gives us an extra measure of confidence.

The Instant Pot 8-Quart 7-in-1-Multi-Cooker
Photo: Instant Pot

Instant Pot Duo Nova Electric Pressure Cooker (8-Quart)
Deal price: $60; street price: $120
Read our review of the best electric pressure cooker.

If you have a large family or like to do serious meal prepping, an 8-quart electric pressure cooker might be for you. This Walmart-exclusive variant of our top pick is nearly identical to the Instant Pot Duo but features a few outer modifications, such as a more streamlined interface and a larger LCD screen. The most notable difference is the upgraded lid design—this model’s lid seals automatically when closed thanks to its two sealing rings. Even better: This deal matches the best price we’ve seen for this variant.

The Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 Portable Ice Maker.
Photo: Michael Hession

Magic Chef MCIM22/HNIM27 Portable Ice Maker
Deal price: $110; street price: $130
Read our review of the best portable ice maker.

Whether your refrigerator’s ice-producing capabilities are lacking or you need ice for enjoyment on your RV or boat, a portable ice maker is the tool for the job. Most models are made by the same company, so you get basically the same quality and many of the same features no matter which one you choose. Our pick is simple and makes nine bullet-shaped ice cubes about every eight minutes (time varies). It’s consistently in stock and relatively affordable, especially on sale. This deal is for the stainless steel model; although other finishes are also on sale, their street price is lower on average and thus their discount is not as good of a deal in comparison.

A mobile phone with the Calm app opened.
Photo: Rozette Rago

Calm Meditation App (12-Month Premium Subscription)
Deal price: $35; street price: $70
Read our review of the best meditation apps.

After a heartbreaking loss, you may need help winding down. Calm is offering new customers 50% off a 12-month Premium subscription. We think this meditation app’s unstructured sessions are a great option for more experienced practitioners who don’t need or want as much guidance, and Premium subscribers can access a few other bonuses like sleep guidance and ambient music. Plus, the 12-month subscription will last you until next year’s big game—unless you’re a Bills fan, in which case you should go ahead and grab the lifetime subscription, which is also on sale, for $160 (from $400).

Meet your guide

Dan Kim

Senior Staff Writer, Deals

Dan Kim is a senior staff writer for the Deals Team at Wirecutter and has been covering everything related to deals since 2016. When he’s not hip-deep in the trenches combing through deals on our picks, he enjoys writing about video games, computers, gaming accessories, and tech that he can't afford.

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