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The era of Googlebooks has arrived (if Google has its way), and that means a lot of time spent learning how to get the most out of a brand-new operating system that aims to combine the best parts of ChromeOS and Android. That also means a new Screen Capture tool for the moments you want to record the action happening on screen, or to take a simple screenshot. Here's what you need to know to master this new tool.

Physical movie collections are still a common sight in a lot of households, and they're usually a mix of two media types: DVDs and Blu-rays. You might think the DVDs would have been thrown away by now, but if you think about it, why would anyone do that? Watching older media on an older format is hardly jarring, and if you know you have the DVD, reaching for that is much easier than trying to find out which streaming service, if any, has what you're looking for.

After years of building spreadsheets, reports, and dashboards in Excel, I've developed my fair share of habits. Some are genuinely useful, while others stuck around simply because they were familiar. Trying these seven overlooked Excel features showed me better ways to work, and several now get daily use.

Google reported that "multiple" Cloud services have been experiencing issues on Tuesday morning, with some banking customers struggling to use their services.

SEE ALSO: Why does the internet keep crashing so often? First Google Cloud, then AWS, now Cloudflare.

"We are experiencing an issue with multiple services in europe-west2 beginning on Monday, 2026-10-19 23:08 PDT," Google shared in an updated on its Cloud status page. "Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue. We will provide an update by Tuesday, 2026-10-20 04:00 PDT with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption."

Banks like Revolut, Halifax, HSBC and Lloyds are among the services with customers reporting issues, per the BBC.

At the time of writing, the issue appears to be localized to Europe.

This is a developing story...

TL;DR: Live stream Sabah vs. Dortmund in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back this week with some crucial matchups, including Sabah vs. Dortmund. Both teams are on three points after two games, so a win here would help safeguard their playoff positions.

We're expecting a close game that could go either way, but Dortmund will be confident of gaining the upper hand here. Dortmund are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga and possess the talent to beat any side on their best day.

If you want to watch Sabah vs. Dortmund in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sabah vs. Dortmund?

Sabah vs. Dortmund in the Champions League kicks off at 12:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 20. This fixture takes place at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

How to watch Sabah vs. Dortmund for free

Sabah vs. Dortmund is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sabah vs. Dortmund for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Sabah vs. Dortmund for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Sabah vs. Dortmund (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Sabah vs. Dortmund in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Villarreal in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League returns this week with another batch of fascinating fixtures, including Liverpool vs. Villarreal.

The home side are sporting a perfect record after two rounds of games, and they'll expect to secure another three points at Anfield. Villarreal will be tough to beat, but they've shown inconsistent form in La Liga this season. It's tough to secure a spot in the top eight and avoid the playoffs, so every fixture is absolutely vital for a team like Liverpool.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Villarreal in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Villarreal?

Liverpool vs. Villarreal in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 20. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Villarreal for free

Liverpool vs. Villarreal in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK.

You don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Liverpool vs. Villarreal for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Live stream Liverpool vs. Villarreal for free on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. Villarreal on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Stream Liverpool vs. Villarreal in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

I love a good modded tablet. Whether it's a regular Android tablet or a modded Amazon Fire tablet, I usually like to tinker with the things that I own. The Fire tablet in particular is one I can't seem to stop messing with. I've used Fire Toolbox and other methods to improve its performance and functionality. But Fire OS has built-in system settings you can use to speed up your tablet. Here are a few that work for me.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is $1,000 off with T-Mobile. To claim this offer, switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro   Shop Now

The iPhone Duo is now available to preorder, but actually getting your hands on Apple's first foldable is almost impossible. So what are iPhone fans supposed to do now? Consider the best deals on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro, of course.

For a limited time, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is available for under $200 when you switch and bring your number or trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. That's a ridiculously low rate to pay for a phone that was released just weeks ago.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year commitment, you will be charged the remaining balance. You're paying an incredibly low upfront cost, but you are committing to stick it out with T-Mobile. That's how they get you.

You do also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout. That's something you simply can't escape with this type of mobile carrier deal.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for under $200 this week with T-Mobile.

SAVE $100: As of Oct. 20, the Asus ROG Strix 27-Inch OLED gaming monitor is back to its lowest-ever price of $549 at Amazon. That's $100 off its full price of $649.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Strix 27-Inch Tandem OLED Gaming Monitor $549 at Amazon
$649 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon

While Black Friday sales don't officially start until November, you don't have to wait until then to shop discounted tech. If you're hoping to use the upcoming sale event to upgrade your PC setup with a new monitor, Amazon actually already has some exciting offers available. Among them is the Asus ROG Strix 27-Inch OLED gaming monitor, which is back to its lowest-ever price.

Normally, this Asus ROG Strix monitor is listed for $649, but shoppers can snag it for $100 less right now. Along with that discount, your purchase includes a 90-day free trial of the Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan (if you're a new subscriber).

SEE ALSO: When will 'GTA 6' launch on PC? We may have good news.

In terms of picture quality, this Asus ROG Strix monitor is a stunner, with sharp QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution and a TrueBlack Glossy WOLED display. Because of the latter, colors and contrast in your favorite games will be vibrant and deep, so you can really enjoy every detail while you play. It also features a 280Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, so gameplay is responsive and runs smoothly, with no lag or blur to ruin immersion.

To add to that, this monitor is also NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible and comes with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro technology, which helps prevent tearing and reduce latency. Plus, it also comes with ASUS OLED Care Pro with a Neo Proximity Sensor to keep the OLED screen protected. This sensor detects when you've moved away from the screen, so it switches the screen to black to help prevent burn-in.

If you're in need of an upgrade, don't wait until Black Friday. Grab the Asus ROG Strix 27-Inch OLED gaming monitor on sale at Amazon now.

There may be quite a lot going on in the world right now, but Trump is laser-focussed on the things that matter — one of which is apparently the renovation of a golf course in Washington D.C. Seth Meyers is, unsurprisingly, unimpressed.

"So gas is over $4 a gallon, inflation's climbing, the Iran war is deadlocked, measles is spreading, AI might kill us, and there's a new strain of drug-resistant, sexually-transmitted diarrhea – sorry to be the bearer of that news – but don't worry everyone, there's going to be a new golf course close to the president's office!" says Meyers, blowing a party popper while confetti rains downs.

"Republicans must be so happy that Trump is finally giving them a closing message to run on. Michigan and Texas are going to be filled with lawn signs that say 'Fore! More years?'"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

SAVE $75: The Coway Mighty is on sale for $154.98, saving you $75. Named Mashable's best air purifier value in hands-on testing, this compact unit cleans spaces up to 1,748 square feet and features four-stage filtration.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coway Coway Mighty $154.98 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $75.01   Get Deal at Amazon

You can't always control what gets tracked into your house, but keeping your indoor air clear is a whole lot easier today. The Coway Mighty AP-1512HH(W) is down to $154.98, 33% off its usual $229.99 list price. That gives you a flat $75.01 discount on a heavy-duty home purifier.

In Mashable's hands-on testing of top air purifiers, this unit took top honors as our best air purifier for value. It manages to pack heavy-duty room coverage — cleaning spaces up to 1,748 square feet in 60 minutes — into a sleek, low-profile square frame that sits flat against your wall without hogging floor space.

SEE ALSO: The ultimate air purifier buying guide: Match your space, budget, and needs

Behind the compact front panel sits a four-stage filtration setup. It combines a washable pre-filter that catches pet hair and dust bunnies to protect the inner components, a deodorization carbon filter for kitchen smells, a Bipolar Device, and a true HEPA filter. Together, they pull 99.97% of microscopic particles down to 0.3 microns out of circulation — trapping fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and household odors.

Operation is hands-off thanks to a built-in air-quality sensor that continuously monitors your room and communicates its status via a real-time, color-coded LED display (which you can turn off at bedtime). In Auto Mode, the internal fan automatically adjusts based on current pollution levels to keep power consumption low, while built-in filter indicators let you know when the pre-filter needs a quick rinse or the main filters need replacing.

Breathe easy without suffocating your wallet — grab the Coway Mighty AP-1512HH(W) at Amazon.

SAVE $50: As of Oct. 20, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV360 upright vacuum is on sale for $149.99 at Amazon, down from $199.99. The top-rated cleaner features a detachable pod for stairs, HEPA filtration, brushroll shutoff for hardwood floors, and specialized pet tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV360 $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon

Keeping your floors clean doesn't require spending half a paycheck on a fancy cordless stick vac. Right now, the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe (NV360) is on sale for $149.99 at Amazon, down from its usual $199.99 list price. That is a flat 25% discount, saving you $50 on a versatile upright vacuum.

The main draw here is the detachable canister pod. Instead of wrestling a full 13-pound upright up a staircase, you press a latch to lift the motor and dust bin off the floor nozzle frame. That turns it into a handheld unit you carry in one hand, while using the stretch hose and wand in the other to tackle couch cushions, baseboards, and ceiling vents.

SEE ALSO: We found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

When it comes to floor performance, it handles both thick rugs and hard surfaces without forcing you to swap attachments. A handle-mounted switch lets you turn the motorized brushroll off completely, so you can transition from agitating buried dirt out of high-pile carpet to sweeping hardwood or tile without spraying debris across the room. It also uses smooth swivel steering, giving you control around chair legs without straining your wrist.

Inside the machine, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal system works alongside a washable HEPA filter. Rather than letting dirty exhaust leak through plastic seams, air is drawn through a fully sealed chamber that traps 99.9% of dust, dander, and fine particles. The package comes with a 0.9-quart clear dust cup, a crevice tool, and a dedicated pet upholstery tool — giving you a heavy-duty setup that skips unnecessary app gimmicks in favor of cleaning power.

Get the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe (NV360) at Amazon while it's still discounted.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Oct. 20, the Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series Hi-QLED 4K TV is on sale for $797.97 at Amazon. That's a $102.02 discount off its full price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series Hi-QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $797.97 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $102.02   Get Deal at Amazon

Black Friday sales may be starting soon, but why wait until then to upgrade your TV?

Amazon has some great discounts already available on select models. If you're looking to upgrade to a huge new screen for streaming or gaming — especially with GTA 6 dropping soon — the Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series Hi-QLED 4K TV is among the options on sale right now.

You can snag this TV for $797.97 from Amazon, rather than its full price of $899.99. You'll want to add it to your cart quickly, though. It currently has a "limited time deal" tag, so time is of the essence to secure this deal price.

SEE ALSO: The 65+ absolute best stocking stuffers for 2026

While its 85-inch screen size is mighty impressive, this Hisense TV's display also boasts 4K resolution, Hi-QLED Color, and Dolby Vision HDR to make what's on screen really pop with stunning colors, contrast, and detail. It even features an AI 4K Upscaler that can enhance low-resolution movies or shows to 4K resolution. On top of that, it supports Dolby Atmos, which makes the audio feel as if it's all around you while you're watching or playing.

Another cool feature of this TV is its AI light sensor, which automatically adjusts screen brightness based on ambient light to reduce energy use. Plus, it's a smart Fire TV, so streaming exciting new shows this fall is quick and easy from the home screen.

This deal may not be around for long, so be quick to save on the Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series Hi-QLED 4K TV at Amazon.

When I was in college, the tech available to us was a lot more limited than it is today. Now, a phone or laptop and a few free apps can help you identify birds, make your own music, or even build entire 3D worlds, leaving your money for takeout, late-night snacks, and the occasional questionable night out.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box is on sale for $76.95 at Amazon, down from its $99.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box $76.95 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $23.04   Get Deal at Amazon

Among the many 30th Celebration products we’ve covered in the Pokemon TCG, Amazon's Greninja ex Box deals have been hovering around $90 at best, but now they’re well under $80. 

As of Oct. 20, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Greninja ex Box is just $76.95 at Amazon, a $23.04 drop from the $99.99 list price. With 23% off, that’s $12.54 cheaper than the $89.49 Amazon deal we covered back in September. You should also be aware that this deal comes from third-party seller TszDirect, which also handles shipping, with free delivery currently estimated for Oct. 28.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration expansion has launched: Where to buy, best deals, and market price

Walmart has the Greninja ex Box for $64.95, another $12 below Amazon. This comes from third-party seller Midwest Supply. Dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer has listings even lower, with the best for $60.50 at the time of writing — which is only $3.90 above the $56.60 market price.

The Greninja ex Box contains four Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration booster packs of trading cards, a regular foil Greninja ex promo card, and an oversized foil version that you can put on display. Each anniversary booster contains five foil cards, including one of 30 Pikachu illustrations, along with a foil Basic Energy card.

The best wireless earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about active noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. You can also get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds, bone-conduction earbuds for working out, and open earbuds for transparency.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

In 2026, our top picks for earbuds are the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen), and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality and ANC. But keep in mind that these models will run you $299 to $329. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending over $300 on a pair of earbuds is a lot to stomach. That's why we've also included more budget-friendly wireless earbuds under $100 that still deliver excellent performance.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our favorite wireless and noise-cancelling earbuds as of October 2026.

Types of earbuds

There are two overarching types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high-tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive of wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

Newer additions to this guide

We added the new Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case to this guide in October following their September 2026 release as a cheaper alternative for Apple users, or for folks who don't prefer the ear tip fit of the AirPods Pro 3.

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of February 2026, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A30 Special to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people. Also in February 2026, we added the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds as our top pick for the best overall earbud, and removed the previous generation, the WF-1000XM5, as the best Sony earbud.

Latest earbuds news

Bose recently announced two new open earbuds: the Ultra Open (2nd gen) and Sport Open. We'll be testing them out to see how they compare to the Shokz earbuds in this guide. Bose also released a new pair of wired noise-cancelling earbuds, which are a breakthrough in the wired earbuds market.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We formerly included the Marshall Mode earbuds for folks who preferred a wired option, but have since removed them from our guide as the version we tested is difficult to find in stock these days.)

If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Pro 3, and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendations in 2026. All of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Every top brand has its own take on ANC earbuds, each with a unique style and a plethora of features. Since you can't possibly try all the latest earbuds, the Mashable team has taken on the task of reviewing the best ANC earbuds for you.

What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds? Not all earbuds are created equal — some are far more comfortable than others. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While there are plenty of audio brands that provide good sound quality and noise cancellation, the best of the best ANC earbuds can elevate your listening experience. Not only do they offer phenomenal ANC, but they also make music and podcasts sound better. Trust us — on the right pair of earbuds, Olivia Rodrigo's latest album will have you singing along even louder, somehow.

Earbuds usually aren't as comfortable as over-the-ear headphones. I know this well, as I've found many pairs of earbuds that just plain don't fit in my ear. Others are downright uncomfortable. Once again, Bose offers the most comfortable headphones and earbuds. However, Bose and Sony aren't the only brands out there. That's why we set out to test the best the market offers and see what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds.

How do noise-cancelling earbuds work? Noise-cancelling earbuds are small enough to slip in your pocket. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All noise-cancelling headphones, including earbuds, have some passive noise cancellation. While over-the-ear headphones naturally block out noise by wrapping around the ears, earbuds don't block sound as effectively. Instead of covering your ears, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal to drown out other noises. They rely more on active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce environmental noise.

ANC is an electronic process within the headphones. Internal microphones listen to your surroundings and then invert the sound, effectively canceling it. Sometimes, with noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, you'll hear a slight buzzing or humming in the background, and that's the ANC at work. The best ANC earbuds shouldn't have this buzzing, however.

What about wired noise-cancelling earbuds?

We focus on wireless earbuds in this guide, because historically, wired noise-cancelling earbuds haven't really existed. Until recently, that is. In late September, Bose dropped its Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds for $99 — we'll be evaluating them as a contender for a spot on this list, but Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern had positive initial thoughts on their performance.

Whether you're looking for a kid-friendly tablet or a compact laptop replacement, there are plenty of excellent options out there. If you're not exactly sure which tablet you should buy, we've got one simple question to help narrow down your search: Are you an Apple person? We tested the entire iPad lineup, and though iPads are our preferred tablets in 2026, we also love some of the best tablets from Lenovo, Samsung, and Microsoft. So, whatever your preferences, we've got a tablet to recommend.

It hasn't been the best year for tech prices either. With RAMaggedon, nearly all tech brands have raised prices on their products. Tablets have not been immune, and many of the models on this list were impacted. While we still stand by our picks, no one likes rising prices.

What's new in this guide?

• Amazon dropped three new tablets in October 2026. We're currently testing the new Alexa Tablets and will update this guide once we've vetted them.

• August 2026, we added the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 to this guide as the best tablet for gaming.

• June 2026, we added the Lenovo Yoga Tab as our new favorite Android tablet. The Amazon Fire HD 8 was also added as our favorite Amazon Fire tablet.

• March 2026, we updated this guide to include the iPad Air with M4 chip, replacing the previous Air model. We also added the iPad Pro (M5) as the best iPad for professionals, as well as the OnePlus Pad Go 2 as the best budget Android tablet.

Whether you need a smart speaker, a smart alarm clock, or a hub for all of your smart devices, there's an Echo to help you out. Amazon's list of devices is ever-growing, and we've tested as many as we could to find the best Echo devices for your smart home.

Amazon might have some new competition this year, as Apple announced a collection of smart home products, a new venture for the tech giant. The Apple HomeView is like an Echo Show for Apple enthusiasts, while the HomePod mini 2 acts as an Echo or Echo Dot counterpart.

If you're ready to invest in an Echo, you don't need to buy these devices at full price. They always go on sale during events like Prime Day and Black Friday, so it's worth holding out until the next big sale, which happens to be Black Friday on Nov. 27, 2026.

Echo device price increases

Thanks to the global memory crisis, widespread price increases are plaguing tech. As of August 2026, major price increases came to Amazon devices. This included Kindles and, unfortunately, Echos, too. Here are all of the Echo devices affected:

• Echo Dot — was $49.99, now $79.99 (+$30)

• Echo Dot Max — was $99.99, now $119.99 (+$20)

• Echo Spot — was $79.99, now $109.99 (+$30)

• Echo Show 5 — was $89.99, now $99.99 (+$10)

• Echo Show 8 — was $149.99, now $199.99 (+$50)

• Echo Show 11 — was $219.99, now $249.99 (+$30)

• Echo Show 15 — was $299.99, now $349.99 (+$50)

• Echo Show 21 — was $399.99, now $499.99 (+$100)

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Alexa is a Mashable Readers' Choice Award winner What can an Echo smart speaker do? Trying out the new Echo Spot smart alarm clock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All Echo devices utilize Amazon Alexa's AI superpowers — it's just a matter of which form you want your Echo to take. The Echo and Echo Dot are smart speakers that you can use for music, phone calls, calendar reminders, or news alerts. Amazon Echo Show devices, on the other hand, can do all of the aforementioned audio stuff, but they also boast colorful displays for making video calls, streaming entertainment, or managing your day. Think of Echo Shows as stationary, more affordable tablets, essentially.

Most Echo devices are designed to act as smart hubs within your home, but some Echo devices can also be taken on the road. Echo Auto brings hands-free Alexa functionality to the car, while Echo Buds and Echo Frames can travel with you anywhere.

What can Alexa+ do?

Alexa is to Amazon as Siri is to Apple, and is the driving force behind every Echo. But Alexa just got a big upgrade. Now there's Alexa+, an AI-powered version of Alexa introduced to Echo devices in March 2025. For Prime subscribers, Alexa+ will be included in membership, and non-subscribers will have to pay $19.99 per month for the service.

Alexa has an answer to almost anything you ask. Just by shouting out, you can play music, adjust the volume, and set an alarm or timer. And that's just naming a few options. On devices like the Echo Show, you can also ask Alexa to pull up recipes or answer questions that come up while cooking. With Alexa+, the AI agent doesn't just respond to commands but can actually engage in conversation.

Here's a short list of what Alexa+ can do:

• Provide a highlight reel of the day's security footage

• Read stories to kids

• Plan a date night

• Book restaurant reservations

• Control your smart home technology from one central hub

• Access your calendars and set reminders

• Get answers to any question you can think of

• Make phone calls (and video calls with an Echo Show)

• Get the latest weather and news

• Follow recipes

• Shop on Amazon

• Stream music (and video on an Amazon Echo Show)

• Play games

There are more than 100,000 Alexa skills that you can utilize via an Echo device, and Amazon is always adding more.

Alexa gets supercharged when other smart home tech comes into the picture. If you have a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs, as long as they're compatible with the Alexa system, you can create routines through your Echo. That can be as simple as telling Alexa to turn on the lights in one room or programming Alexa to turn the thermostat down before you come home.

At this point, iPads can do (almost) anything your laptop can do thanks to iPadOS 26. Not to mention, the iPad Air with M4 just got a memory boost up to 12GB, putting it a tier above some laptops. Whether you want to stream, browse the internet, illustrate, or edit videos, you can do it on the iPad.

The rapid pace of Apple's update schedule makes shopping for a tablet all the more difficult. Later this month, Apple is expected to announce a new iPad mini. We've tested every available model to help you find the best iPad for you.

2026 iPad price increases

With the global memory crisis, iPad pricing took a hit. Apple raised prices across the board. Here's a breakdown of the price increases.

Which iPad model should I buy?

The right iPad for you depends purely on your needs. Do you want something that has enough storage and speed for streaming? Do you want to use it to read? Do you want to use a tablet as your primary workstation? Your answers should factor into your decision.

To get you started, we believe the best iPad for most people is the M4 iPad Air (2026). It has exceptional performance but is also in the middle range for both price and capability.