The mania of Black Friday is behind us, but there’s one more sales event fast approaching in 2021, and that’s Boxing Day. If you’re looking to spend some cash you got for Christmas, or you just want to take advantage of the big sales, Boxing Day will offer plenty of bargains on tech, toys and so much more.
Boxing Day is a notoriously great time to score discounts on everything from laptops to gaming consoles, headphones, TVs and beyond. But Boxing Day isn’t the event it once was, with hoards of crowds heading to the shops to score a deal – almost all Boxing Day sales are now available online.
Last year, we noticed that many discounts available on Boxing Day also extended into January sales earlier in the New Year. We’re expecting the same to happen this year, with retailers stretching out their sales beyond December 26. You’ll likely see deals begin to pop up a week before Boxing Day, and sometimes hang around until early January.
Australia’s TechRadar team will be helping you hunt down all the best bargains on Boxing Day, and when retailers launch their early offers, we’ll be posting them here too. So stick with us, and we’ll bring you all the hot products with deep discounts right here, so you don’t miss a thing.
Where to shop during Boxing Day 2021
- Amazon Australia: deep discounts on hundreds of items
- Appliance Central: discounts on 4K TVs, OLEDs and QLEDs
- Appliances Online: savings on TVs and home appliances
- Bing Lee: deals on home appliances
- Catch: huge variety of discounted items
- Dell: save up to 40% on selected laptops
- Dyson: save on vacuum cleaners, fans and air purifiers
- eBay: 20% off Dell’s eBay store with code PSLDELL
- HP: Boxing Day deals live on December 20
- Lenovo: save up to 30% on Yoga laptops
- Microsoft: early discounts on Surface devices
- The Good Guys: savings on TVs, home appliances and more
- Rebel Sport: save up to 50% on select Garmin watches
Boxing Day sales 2021: early deals
Computers & peripherals
Alienware Aurora R10 gaming desktop | Ryzen 7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD + 2TB HDD / RTX 3070 | AU$3,699 AU$2,159.20 on Dell eBay (save AU$1,539.80)
Tired of searching for a graphics card? If you don’t mind buying a pre-built PC, this Alienware beast comes with an RTX 3070, and a deep discount to sweeten the deal. It’s also outfitted with a Ryzen 7 5800 chip, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 2TB hard drive. Anyone can use the code PSLDELL to get 20% off the listed price of this monster machine.
Dell 34-inch curved gaming monitor (S3422DWG) | AU$899 AU$549 on Dell eBay (save AU$350)
There’s an excellent price available on this 34-inch curved screen from Dell. It’s a VA panel, which gets you better contrast and image depth compared to other screen types, but it does have the longest response times. Still, you’re getting AMD FreeSync Premium Pro here, and a 144Hz refresh. Head to Dell’s eBay store and enter PSLDELL for the full discount.
ASUS TUF-AX5400 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router | AU$399 AU$249 (save AU$150)
With an Aussie RRP of AU$399, this deep discount from Amazon is a great way to jump on the Wi-Fi 6 bandwagon. While we’ve not testing this specific model here at TechRadar, Asus networking gear is generally solid, and other online reviews for the TUF-AX5400 are pretty positive. Note that this ships from Amazon UK, which is often where Amazon’s best router discounts seem to originate.
Gaming
Razer BlackShark V2 X | AU$104.95 AU$49.05 on Amazon (save AU$55.90)
The Razer BlackShark V2 X is an excellent gaming headset, and Amazon has slashed 53% off the asking price. This wired headset has 50mm drivers, 7.1 surround sound and a HyperClear Cardioid mic, though being the V2 X version the mic can’t be detached. This version also comes with a 3.5mm jack instead of USB connection.
Audio
Sony WF-1000XM3 | AU$249 AU$178 on Amazon (save AU$71)
These true wireless earbuds are the predecessors to the Sony WF-1000XM4, but they’re absolutely still worth buying. Amazon has cut the price down to just AU$178, making them significantly cheaper than the newer version. This version still has good noise cancellation, a six-hour battery life and an expansive soundstage.
Apple AirPods (2019) with charging case | AU$219 AU$172 on Amazon (save AU$47)
Now that the Apple AirPods 3 are available, you can score yourself a 21% discount on the second-gen AirPods when you buy from Amazon. The lowest we’ve seen these AirPods drop was AU$165 during Black Friday, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bigger saving on these popular earbuds.
Prime exclusive
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | AU$399.95 AU$296 + AU$25 credit on Amazon (save AU$103.95)
While AU$103 off the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds isn’t a bad deal, it’s not the lowest price we’ve seen – that was AU$198. But if you really want some of the best ANC ‘buds on the market without the premium price tag, consider nabbing them now. This discount is only available on the Triple Black and Soapstone colour options.
Prime members purchasing any of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds can also score an additional AU$25 Amazon credit.
Google Pixel Buds A-series | AU$159 AU$134 on the Google Store (save AU$15)
Admittedly it’s not a huge discount but Google’s latest true wireless ‘buds offer excellent bass response without the hefty price tag of other headphones. They don’t have all the bells and whistles of the Pixel Buds 2, but you still get Google Assistant in your ear… at a pretty affordable price.
Nest Audio | AU$149 AU$99 on the Google Store (save AU$50)
It’s the successor to the original Google Home smart speaker and comes with a slight improvement in sound quality. While it’s not as big an upgrade as we were hoping, it works remarkably well, offering good sound quality, great mics for voice commands and clear sound output from Google Assistant.
Prime exclusive
Bose Frames (Tempo) | AU$399 AU$249 + AU$25 credit on Amazon (save AU$150)
They’re not just simple sunnies – Bose’s Frames play music too and you can take calls as well. The Tempo was specifically designed for those who love the outdoors, offering better sound than any other Frames and up to eight hours of battery life. And it’s a bigger discount than we saw during Black Friday!
If you’re a Prime member, this offer also scores you an additional AU$25 Amazon credit to use later. The AU$150 discount is available to all shoppers.
Phones & tablets
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE (Wi-Fi, 64GB) | AU$799 AU$689 on Amazon (save AU$110)
A 13% discount may not seem like much but if you’ve been on the lookout for an Android tablet you might have found that there haven’t been too many offers lately. This 12.4-inch tablet comes with S-Pen support, fast charging and up to 13 hours of battery life. Note that the discount is being offered by a third-party seller on Amazon and does not qualify as Prime eligible – that said, there’s free shipping anyway.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) | AU$239 AU$189 on Amazon (save AU$50)
It’s bigger and better than ever before, with a brighter screen and improved battery life. A 6.8-inch screen, 8GB storage, a USB-C port and better frontlight (that can now be adjusted to warmer hues) makes this well worth every penny. This AU$50 discount isn’t the cheapest price we’ve seen – that was during Black Friday last month – but it’s still a great bargain for anyone looking for a really good ereader.
Home entertainment
Samsung HW-Q900A | AU$1,499 AU$898 on Appliance Central (save AU$601)
There’s a huge chunk of change to be saved on this Samsung soundbar setup. It comes bundled with a subwoofer and delivers 7.1.2-channel surround sound, with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X standards. It’s also able to optimise audio based on its surroundings – a pretty neat feature. Nab this deal from Appliance Central.
Yamaha SR-B20A soundbar | AU$299 AU$198 on Amazon (save AU$101)
Don’t be fooled by the price of this soundbar – it might be wallet-friendly but it can pack a punch, just check out the user reviews! It’s one of the bestsellers on Amazon, and it’s cheaper still by 33%. For under AU$200, you get bassy surround sound, Bluetooth connectivity and HDMI ARC connection too.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite | AU$59 AU$35 on Amazon (save AU$24)
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick Lite is already a very affordable device that can cast from your phone or laptop to your TV, and add streaming apps on your not-so-smart television set. But Amazon has taken AU$24 off its RRP, which makes it the same bargain price it was during Black Friday. This streamer lets you instantly add streaming apps to any TV with an HDMI port.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | AU$99 AU$59 on Amazon (save AU$40)
This deal on the higher-end Fire TV Stick 4K Max brings the price down to just AU$59 (what you’d normally pay for the regular non-4K version) and it’ll allow you to stream your favourite content in Ultra HD with HDR too. If you want a relatively no-fuss way to add smarts to your TV (or better smarts than it already has), this is a fab way to do so that won’t cost the earth.
Smart home
Google Nest Hub Max | AU$349 AU$249 on the Google Store (save AU$100)
It’s our #1 choice in our best smart displays buying guide, and this December you can score a neat AU$100 off the Nest Hub Max when you purchase straight from the AU Google Store. With a 10-inch 720p screen and three internal speakers (two tweeters, one woofer), it both looks and sounds good, and can tie into Nest cameras to offer home security features too. Available in Chalk and Charcoal colours.
Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) | AU$149 AU$79 on the Google Store (save AU$70)
Google’s more compact smart display boasts a 7-inch (600p) touchscreen, making it a better choice for areas where space is at a premium… like perhaps a dresser or bedside table. The Nest Hub has built-in sleep tracking capabilities powered by Soli radar that can monitor movement while you’re catching Zs, and this AU$70 discount drops it to almost half its usual price. Note that unlike the Hub Max, there’s no camera in this one, so it can’t do video calling.
Google Nest Mini | AU$79 AU$39 on the Google Store (save AU$40)
While its sonic performance won’t compete with bigger, more dedicated smart speakers, if you’re a Google Assistant fan and want a simple, no-fuss speaker for the bedroom or bathroom, this very compact model does the basics and has just enough audio oomph so that you can listen to some tunes from time to time. Better yet, it’s over 50% off right now – a great time to pick one (or two) up.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) | AU$199 AU$99 on Amazon (save AU$100)
The Echo Show 8 is a smart display with an 8-inch screen, and it hits the sweet spot between size and functionality. It’s got a great 13MP camera for better video calls and a faster processor than its predecessor, but not the best audio quality or screen resolution. It’s already pretty affordable even at full price, but Amazon has taken 50% off, making it just AU$99.
Health & fitness
Prime exclusive
Bose Sleepbuds II | AU$379.95 AU$279 + AU$25 credit on Amazon(save AU$100.95)
Can’t sleep? The Bose Sleepbuds II are one of the best sleep aids you can buy. While this isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen (that was AU$269 during Black Friday), this AU$100 off is pretty good value. If you struggle with noise at night, they block out distractions and provide soothing ambient sounds to help you drift off.
And if you’re a Prime member, buying the Bose Sleepbuds II will also get you additional AU$25 Amazon credit to use at a later date.
Garmin Forerunner 245 Music | AU$579 AU$249.99 on Amazon (save AU$329)
This particular Garmin sports watch sees this discount regularly, but if you’ve dithered before, now is a good time to snap it up for 53% off on Amazon. What makes this model special is the ability to store music on it, but beyond that it’s GPS is great and all the necessary tracking prowess is on board too.
Note that Amazon’s offer is just on the white model. If you’re after a burst colour, then Pushys has the Aqua version for the same price.
Appliances
Breville The Oracle espresso machine | AU$2,199 AU$1,995 on Amazon (save AU$204)
We know this is a rather small discount on a very expensive coffee machine, but if you want an all-star espresso maker, Breville’s The Oracle is one to consider. It has automatic grinding, dosing, tamping and milk texturing, making it a little easier to make cafe-quality coffee at home. Available from Amazon with a AU$204 discount in Black Sesame.
Boxing Day 2021 and January sales: when will they start?
The Boxing Day sales have traditionally started on December 26, but in recent years, some retailers have launched their deals a few days before the official date, and then kept them going through to the end of the year.
With this in mind, it’s well worth keeping an eye out for early deals. We know Dell will start its Boxing Day sale on Christmas Eve, and over Black Friday, retailers such as The Good Guys followed the trend of starting sales early.
While certain retailers will launch deals before Boxing Day, there’s a chance that products may drop further in price on the actual date. Keep this in mind as you shop, and be on the lookout for deals that come with a price guarantee.
We’re still expecting most Boxing Day sales to start on December 26, and as soon as they start, you’ll be able to find the best ones here on this page, along with any worthwhile early deals.
When will the Boxing Day sales end, and the January sales begin?
This will vary from retailer to retailer. While some switch their Boxing Day sales into early January sales from December 27, others extend their Boxing Day deals right to the end of the month. For the most part though, you’ll find it’s the same offers packaged under a different name.
What to expect in Boxing Day and January sales
TV deals
Boxing Day and the January sales are a great time to pick up a discount on a TV. Bing Lee, The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi in particular will be the retailers to beat, although eBay, Appliance Central, and Appliances Online should also offer great deals in their own right too. One place where you’re unlikely to find a good TV deal is on Amazon.
While it’s still early days, the Boxing Day sales have traditionally been a good time to pick up the latest releases from the prior year – think fancy OLEDs or QLED displays. The newest features tend to trickle down to the cheaper models too, so if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, then you should be well catered for.
This year’s premium TV sets have focused on support for the next-gen gaming consoles – the PS5 and Xbox Series X – so if you’re one of the lucky few to have a console, then you should be able to find a deal on a capable TV too. Our favourite OLED panel is the LG C1 OLED TV (pictured above) and it’s likely to get a good discount on Boxing Day.
Computing and laptop deals
While Black Friday and EOFY are typically thought of as the best times of year to pick up a discounted laptop or PC, we definitely wouldn’t rule out Boxing Day and January sales as a close contender. Leading retailers will absolutely be looking to compete with excellent options on everything from basic Chromebooks to lavish gaming laptops – and not just to shift old stock either.
Better still, large-scale global chip shortages haven’t really affected the laptop market in Australia, which means retailer shelves should be relatively well-stocked by the time Boxing Day rolls around. We expect manufacturers such as Dell and Lenovo to offer excellent options directly on their sites, while Amazon, eBay, The Good Guys and JB Hi-Fi make up the bulk of top retailer options.
We saw Amazon offer incredible deals on a range of MacBooks over the Black Friday weekend (which quickly sold out), so we’ve got our fingers crossed they’ll be restocked and ready with another price cut come Boxing Day sales.
Headphones, tablets and smartwatches
The Black Friday sales period delivered a huge amount of headphones deals, with discounts on Apple AirPods, Sony and Bose headphones and Jabra earbuds, just to name a few. We think it’s likely we’ll see similar options on Boxing Day, though it’s hard to say whether the savings will be as steep.
There’s also potential for Boxing Day to bring sales on smartwatches. We didn’t spot any deals on the Apple Watch over Black Friday, and Samsung Galaxy Watches were also curiously absent. But Black Friday brought an all-time-low price on the Fitbit Sense, and Boxing Day could see retailers looking to cash in on those New Year’s fitness resolutions with the relevant tech.
Finally, this year’s events should also include sales on the latest tablets. This year’s iPads are likely to be the most popular choices – and the ones we recommend. Sales on the newest 10.2-inch and mini models aren’t likely to be anything too crazy, but there’s potential for slightly bigger discounts on the older Air and Pro models. However, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab range is the more likely candidate for price cuts.
Health and fitness
The Boxing Day and January sales are prime time for retailers looking to cash in on those popular fitness-focused New Year’s resolutions. If you think you’ll be one of many to kick start a new fitness routine in January, then you’ll likely find excellent discounts on fitness gadgets (should you want them).
Last year’s Boxing Day and January sales included competitive prices on the Fitbit Charge 4 and the new (at the time) Fitbit Versa 3. We’re expecting more deals on Fitbits this Boxing Day, along with plenty of big discounts on Garmin watches, as was the case over Black Friday recently.
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