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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
Best Walmart deals to compete with Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2026
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Amazon's Big Spring Sale is coming up next week, promising discounts on top tech, home and garden items, and more. But Amazon isn't the only place to find great deals for spring. Walmart just dropped prices across tons of categories, including electronics, furniture, and more.
Also: Best Amazon Spring Sale TV deals: Save big on Samsung, TCL, and more
I'm a commerce editor, and I've covered Walmart's deal offerings for years. Here are the best Walmart sales I've found this spring so far, including on Apple products, TVs, headphones, and more.
Best Walmart deals right now
- Current price: $15 (25% off)
- Original price: $5
The Roku Streaming Stick is an easy way to streamline your streaming apps and access tons of free movies and shows. "I especially recommend the Roku Streaming Stick if you're looking for an inexpensive way to upgrade an HD TV to make it smarter and snappier, especially an older one," wrote ZDNET writer Maria Diaz.
Also: Which Roku streaming stick should you buy? I tested every model, and here's my pick
- Current price: $100 (33% off)
- Original price: $150
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offer top-notch active noise cancellation, six hours of playtime on a single charge, and stylish colorways. These earbuds work well with iOS and Android devices, making them the best premium earbuds for people with a mixed-device ecosystem. ZDNET editor in chief Kerry Wan tested the Studio Buds Plus back in 2023 and praised them for their sound quality and transparency mode.
- Current price: $31 (62% off)
- Original price: $82
If you've been thinking about mounting your TV on the wall, this bestselling mount is now over 60% off. It works for 47-90 inch TVs weighing up to 132 lbs, and lets you swivel up to 45 degrees to get the best viewing angle. Make sure you select the on-page coupon to save an extra $6.
- Current price: $210 (16% off)
- Original price: $249
The AirPods Pro 3 are our pick for the best AirPods overall, and earned our Editors' Choice award, thanks to their updated advanced software features, new health-tracking features, outstanding noise cancellation, and superior transparency mode.
Review: Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: I didn't think earbuds could pull off immersive ANC like this
- Current price: $295 (22% off)
- Original price: $378
We're fans of Hisense TVs thanks to their value for the price. This 65-inch R6 model features 4K UltraHD, Dolby Vision HDR, and HDR10 for cinematic images and sound.
Also: The best Hisense TVs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed
- Current price: $31 (62% off)
- Original price: $82
If you've been thinking about mounting your TV on the wall, this bestselling mount is now over 60% off. It works for 47-90 inch TVs weighing up to 132 lbs, and lets you swivel up to 45 degrees to get the best viewing angle. Make sure you select the on-page coupon to save an extra $6.
- Current price: $43 (33% off)
- Original price: $64
If you're in need of a new Xbox controller, save $21 on the Carbon Black or Robot White options, or a bit less on some of the other colors.
- Current price: $95 (27% off)
- Original price: $130
ZDNET editor Nina Raemont tested the Sony Ult Field 1, and wrote "Listening to music on this speaker has been such a joy... After a few weeks of listening to every song, album, and playlist on my phone, I'm confident to recommend this new speaker to anyone looking for a sub-$150 sound system that punches well above its price point."
Review: I'm powering my parties with this Sony Bluetooth speaker - here's why
- Current price: $299 (14% off)
- Original price: $349
The 2025 base iPad is our pick for the best iPad overall. "This iPad is the best choice for most tablet users, providing nearly all of the tablet's best features at an affordable price," according to ZDNET's reviewers. "This iPad is a suitable option for the majority of users, even those new to Apple, kids, and seniors."
Also: The 5 best iPads of 2026
FAQs
When is Amazon's Spring Sale?
Amazon's Big Spring Sale returns March 25-31, 2026. You can expect to find deals across multiple categories, including electronics and home goods, as well as deals from competitors like Walmart, Best Buy, and Costco.
How did we choose these Walmart deals?
ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.
We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.

Facts Only

ZDNET's recommendations are based on testing, research, and customer reviews.
Affiliate commissions are earned from reader purchases but do not influence editorial content.
Walmart has discounted products across electronics, furniture, and other categories.
Amazon's Big Spring Sale is scheduled for March 25-31, 2026.
Highlighted Walmart deals include:
Roku Streaming Stick: $15 (25% off original $5 price).
Beats Studio Buds Plus: $100 (33% off original $150 price).
TV wall mount: $31 (62% off original $82 price).
AirPods Pro 3: $210 (16% off original $249 price).
Hisense 65-inch R6 TV: $295 (22% off original $378 price).
Xbox controller: $43 (33% off original $64 price).
Sony Ult Field 1 speaker: $95 (27% off original $130 price).
2025 base iPad: $299 (14% off original $349 price).
ZDNET's editorial team fact-checks articles and corrects errors.
Deals are selected based on discounts of at least 20% or rarity, verified by price tracking tools.
Customer reviews and expert testing inform ZDNET's recommendations.

Executive Summary

ZDNET's recommendations are based on extensive testing, research, and customer reviews to provide unbiased advice on tech and other products. The site earns affiliate commissions when readers purchase through their links, but this does not influence their editorial content. Walmart has launched significant spring discounts across categories like electronics, furniture, and home goods, competing with Amazon's upcoming Big Spring Sale (March 25-31, 2026). Highlighted deals include the Roku Streaming Stick at $15 (25% off), Beats Studio Buds Plus at $100 (33% off), and the 2025 base iPad at $299 (14% off). ZDNET's editorial team ensures accuracy through fact-checking and corrections, with a focus on delivering value-driven recommendations. The deals selected meet criteria such as at least 20% off or rare discounts, verified through price tracking tools and customer feedback.
The analysis emphasizes ZDNET's commitment to editorial independence despite affiliate revenue, while also noting the competitive retail landscape during major sales events. The deals are framed as opportunities for consumers to make informed purchases, with ZDNET's expertise guiding selections based on both testing and market trends.

Full Take

The strongest version of this narrative is that ZDNET provides rigorous, independent product recommendations while transparently acknowledging its affiliate revenue model. The article highlights genuine consumer benefits—such as significant discounts on tested products—without overhyping or misrepresenting the deals. The emphasis on editorial independence and fact-checking reinforces credibility, while the inclusion of expert and customer perspectives adds depth.
However, the pattern of affiliate-driven content raises questions about the subtle influence of commercial incentives, even when editorial standards are strict. The article avoids overt manipulation, but the framing of "best deals" could still nudge readers toward purchases under the guise of objective advice. The reliance on price tracking tools and customer reviews mitigates this, but the inherent tension between journalism and commerce remains.
Root cause: The paradigm here is the modern media economy, where publications must balance revenue generation with editorial integrity. The unstated assumption is that readers trust ZDNET's process enough to overlook the affiliate relationship—a trust built on transparency but still vulnerable to skepticism.
Implications: For consumers, this means access to curated deals with some assurance of quality, but also exposure to a system where financial incentives are always present. The second-order consequence is the normalization of affiliate content as "journalism," which could erode distinctions between advertising and editorial over time.
Bridge questions: How might ZDNET's recommendations differ if affiliate revenue were removed entirely? What perspectives—such as critiques of consumerism or environmental costs—are absent from this deal-focused narrative? Would your trust in these recommendations change if the affiliate relationship were less transparent?
Counterstrike scan: A coordinated influence campaign would exploit the trust in "expert recommendations" to push specific products, using affiliate links to mask promotional intent. This article does not match that pattern—it provides genuine analysis and discloses conflicts. The structure aligns with ethical commerce journalism rather than manipulation.
Patterns detected: none

Sentinel — Human

Confidence

The article exhibits strong human signals, including personal voice, specific attributions, and stylistic irregularities, with no significant indicators of synthetic generation.

Signals Detected
low severity: Sentence length variance is high, with a mix of short and long sentences typical of human writing.
low severity: Text shows idiosyncratic emphasis and personal voice, particularly in product recommendations and reviewer quotes.
low severity: No evidence of template matching or verbatim talking points across sources.
low severity: Claims are attributed to specific reviewers and include verifiable details (e.g., product models, prices, and reviewer names).
Human Indicators
Presence of personal anecdotes and specific reviewer quotes (e.g., Maria Diaz, Kerry Wan, Nina Raemont).
Idiosyncratic phrasing and product-specific enthusiasm (e.g., 'Listening to music on this speaker has been such a joy...').
Inconsistent formatting (e.g., duplicate entry for TV mount deal) suggests human error rather than AI precision.