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Sidney Raskind may have many, many life hack trials under his belt, but he only keeps one bag for all his content creation essentials.

Known online as Sidney Raz, the 30-something-year-old creator made the phrase, "Here's something I wish I knew before I was in my 30s" unmistakably his own, testing out hacks on everything from how to properly extend sun visors in cars to how to turn an Allen key. His short videos blew up on TikTok in 2021, and he's been a full-time content creator for nearly five years.

Though he may be newer to knowing how to properly open mail, he's been in content creation for almost 20 years, working both in front of and behind the camera. All this to say, he knows his way around a good kit for producing content. We caught up with him at VidCon 2026 to learn about his favorites.

iPhone 17 Pro

Raskind told us that one of the best parts of modern content creation is that the barrier to entry when it comes to gear is much lower than it used to be: "You can do everything on a phone, and you can get a refurbished one for hella cheap." He personally uses an orange iPhone 17 Pro.

Opens in a new window Credit: iPhone Apple iPhone 17 Pro $1,099 at Apple
  Shop Now A great mic for audio

"Good sound quality enhances everything," Raskind tells Mashable. That's why the content creator carries around not one, but two kinds of microphones: the Rode Mic Go and the Rode Wireless Pro.

Sidney Raskind's microphone kit Rode Wireless Go III $178 Shop Now Rode Wireless Pro $260 Get Deal A truly portable tripod

Raskind gave Mashable a full demonstration of this ultra-portable tripod. "That is a tripod you can set up anywhere!" he said, pulling the card-shaped metal device out of his pocket.

"Oh he's lying, it doesn't work, it doesn't work," he quipped as he unfolded it. "Yes, it does!" he proclaimed triumphantly as he set his phone up, leaving it standing on its own, on the now unfolded and functional tripod. (And it's on sale for Prime Day).

Opens in a new window Credit: Geometrical Geometrical Pocket Tripod PROv2 Universal Kit $39.96 at Amazon
$49.95 Save $9.99   Get Deal A bag to carry it all

Raskind came into Mashable's VidCon booth with this weather-proof bag that contains all his essentials for content creation. "I have a panel coming up tomorrow that's all about my one bag," he told us.

Opens in a new window Credit: Wandrd Wandrd Rogue 9L Sling V2 $179 at Wandrd
  Get Deal

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

VidCon 2026 is taking over Anaheim, and for the next three days, the internet is clocking in IRL.

From June 25 to 27, the Anaheim Convention Center will become the center of creator culture as fans, creators, platforms, brands, and industry insiders gather for VidCon's 15th year. What started as a YouTube-centered meetup has grown into one of the biggest annual check-ins on where online culture is headed, featuring creator panels, meet-and-greets, live podcasts, gaming activations, industry programming, fan events, and more.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon, covering the day's biggest announcements, creator interviews, industry news, and memorable moments from across the convention. Follow along as we update this page throughout the event.

This week we’re sharing Management Tips based on HBR Executive Live events from the past year. Learn more about the HBR Executive subscription here.  How are chief strategy officers planning for the long term in an era shaped by AI-driven disruption? At HBR’s inaugural Strategy Summit, Sherry Sanger of Penske Transportation Solutions, Jennifer Moll of DTEX Systems, and Maran Nalluswami […]

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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Cousin.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

PRIMO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Restore.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UNBAN

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Detector.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

RADAR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Eight.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

OCTAL

Final Hurdle hint

Carbonated.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FIZZY

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

When Markiplier, Michelle Phan, Philip DeFranco, and Cassey Ho uploaded their first videos, there was no such thing as the creator economy.

There were no playbooks, no billion-dollar industry built around online creators, and no guarantee that uploading videos to YouTube could become a career.

On Thursday, VidCon welcomed all four into its Hall of Fame, honoring creators whose careers helped shape YouTube and, in many ways, the internet itself.

SEE ALSO: The future of the creator economy isn't about going viral

The ceremony celebrated pioneers whose influence stretches back to YouTube's earliest years, when becoming a "creator" wasn't a profession but an experiment. Looking back, each inductee reflected more on the communities they built and the creative risks they took when no roadmap existed than on subscriber milestones or business success.

"I started in a dorm room 20 years ago, lost, looking for community, trying to figure things out," Philip DeFranco told the audience. "Everything's changed over the last 20 years, but the mission has stayed the same."

That mission, he said, remains simple: "Find your people, foster your community, try and figure out the world together, and, if you can, try and make it a little bit better, and always give more than you take in."

Michelle Phan reflected on how unlikely her own journey once seemed. What began with a single makeup tutorial in 2007 grew into one of YouTube's first beauty empires and helped redefine the relationship between creators, entrepreneurship, and the beauty industry.

"It really started with one video," Phan said. "Don't ever be afraid to put yourself out there, because you never know. One video can change your entire life."

For Cassey Ho, whose Blogilates videos introduced millions to at-home workouts before fitness creators became a category of their own, the moment was a chance to reflect on how unconventional her career once seemed.

"As an Asian American raised by immigrant parents, my only career choices were to be a doctor, a lawyer, or a failure," Ho joked. "But somehow I ended up becoming a YouTuber."

That YouTube career, she said, eventually led her back to her childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer and entrepreneur.

The night's most emotional speech came from Markiplier, who admitted he hadn't attended VidCon in years.

Standing on a stage where he once encouraged aspiring creators to chase their own ideas, he became visibly emotional, recalling the number of people backstage who told him they had started creating because of his videos.

"It means so much more because backstage, so many people said they started their careers watching my stuff," he said. "All I've ever wanted to do is just make things."

He closed with a message to the next generation of creators.

"It means a lot to still be able to make stuff and try new things," he said. "I hope that all of you recognize in this audience and anyone who's out there watching this, you've got the chance to make something, and there's still a lot of opportunity to do it. There are still a lot of new things to try. Anyone out there who wants to make something, please do."

In many ways, that sentiment captured the spirit of the evening.

None of the inductees talked about the creator economy as it exists today. Instead, they spoke about finding community, taking creative risks, and making something they believed in before there was any guarantee that doing so could become a career.

It's easy to forget now — at a convention filled with executives, AI startups, and conversations about the future of the creator economy — that when these four creators pressed upload for the first time, none of that infrastructure existed. They were simply trying to make something worth sharing.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

A quick look at the top 50% off Prime Day deals Amazon 43-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV $219.99 at Amazon (save $220) Get Deal Canon Pixma TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer $54.00 at Amazon (save $53.99) Get Deal Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling Headphones $198.00 at Amazon (save $201.99) Get Deal

If you ask Google how many Prime Day deals there are, it'll tell you that the number is in the millions. We've managed to pull out the best 150-ish Amazon deals that are seriously worth your time — but if even that number feels overwhelming, there are a few ways to further narrow that list real quick.

We already compiled a list of some big-brand products sitting at record-low prices. Now, we're grouping together a few of the most popular products across the board that are 50% off or more. We'll be adding to this list throughout the last day of Prime Day on June 26, so check back to see if anything new and noteworthy pops up.

A 43-inch Amazon QLED Fire TV Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 43-inch Amazon Omni QLED TV $219.99 at Amazon
$439.99 Save $220   Get Deal

To keep it real with you, Amazon is letting brands like Hisense and TCL completely steal the spotlight when it comes to Prime Day TV deals. There aren't many cases in which an Amazon-branded Fire TV has the highest-value discount, but this 43-inch version of Amazon's Omni QLED line is one exception.

A wireless Canon printer Canon Pixma TS4320 Wireless Printer $54 at Amazon
$107.99 Save $53.99   Get Deal at Amazon

There's no excuse to be a printer-less adult when one of Canon's wireless printers is just $54. The Canon Pixma TS4320 inkjet printer can print in color, scan, and copy, and most reviews note that it's a solid home office addition.

Some of Sony's best noise-canceling headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones $198 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $201.99   Get Deal

Deciding between the Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6? Let's make it easy: Buying two pairs of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $198 each would cost nearly the same amount as a single pair of WH-1000XM6 headphones (on sale for $378). Unless you fly super regularly, there's little reason to not opt for the top-notch Sony WH-1000XM5s at this new record-low price.

A cute, compact Keurig Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Mini $49
$99.99 Save $50.99   Get Deal

Almost every Keurig is on sale for Prime Day, with most of the discounts hitting above 40% off. But we're partial to the K-Mini deal, and not just because it's so compact and cute. You'll get a $99.99 K-Cup coffee maker for just $49, and it comes in a few colors.

A cordless wet-dry vacuum Opens in a new window Credit: Tineco Tineco Floor ONE Switch S6 Stretch Wet Dry Vacuum $399 at Amazon
$799 Save $400   Get Deal

You might be more likely to mop your floors regularly if it doesn't require digging a whole separate mop out of the closet. Down to $399 from $799, the Tineco Floor One Switch S6 can switch from cordless stick vacuum to cordless mop with a quick switch of attachments. Both are stored in the storage dock, where the roller mop washes itself with hot water after use.

We're just a few days away from the Full Moon, which means a big chunk of its surface is lit up and easy to see. If you want to do some moon-gazing, we're at a prime time in the lunar cycle.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, June 26, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 88% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

You don't need any visual aids tonight to see features on the Moon's surface. In fact, without anything you'll see the Mares Crisium and Imbrium, as well as the Copernicus Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Clavius Crater, Apennine Mountains, and the Alps Mountains. Finally, if you have a telescope, this will help you see all this plus the Rima Ariadaeus, the Fra Mauro Highlands, and the Apollo 17 landing spot

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

NASA explains that the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to circle Earth once, passing through eight distinct phases during that time. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it moves in its orbit. This changing angle of sunlight is what makes the Moon look different throughout the month, from thin crescents to half-lit shapes and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon. The continual progression through these stages is called the lunar cycle.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Are content creators the future streaming stars? Tubi is betting on it.

The ad-supported streaming platform, which allows subscribers to stream movies and TV for free, has been expanding its library with shows from content creators like podcaster CelinaSpookyBoo, food critic Keith Lee, and comedians KevOnstage (Kevin Fredricks) and Bigg Jah.

At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison, senior manager of creator partnerships at Tubi, gave a talk on the Creator Mainstage, Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators, and Mashable was there.

Here are the big takeaways from the panel.

What does Tubi want from content creators? At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison presents "Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators." Credit: Kristy Puchko/ Mashable

Borison began by explaining Tubi's goal to keep "fandom at the forefront." She noted that the streamer has been greatly expanding into the creator space, launching 40 exclusives over the last year. Plus, she noted that 30% of Tubi's audience isn't on YouTube, giving content creators an opportunity to expand their reach through Tubi.

But what is Tubi looking for in content creator collaboration? Borison brought a checklist.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend 1. Content Fit: Lean into proven genres that resonate with Tubi fandom

Tubi has a vast library of movies and TV shows. So, creators who are working within genres that align with the most popular verticals could be of interest to the streamer. Borison told the audience that among the most-watched genres on Tubi are true crime, horror, comedy, Black entertainment, adult animation, reality challenges, dating, and young adult content.

As an example, Borison noted that horror is very popular on Tubi. So CelinaSpookyBoo, who loves a scary story or a haunted house, was a perfect fit, as was Bloodsuckers: Origins, a YA vampire show from Rock Squad.

2. Package Library: Deliver non-exclusive content. Think in seasons, evergreen, episodic, and/or bingeable.

Some content creators are licensing their pre-existing content to Tubi, such as MeatEater, the YouTube series by writer and TV personality Steven Rinella about hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures. 13 seasons are now available on Tubi, and Borison says audiences, on average, watch it for 4 and a half hours at a time.

In the Q&A portion of the presentation, she expanded on Tubi's interest in long-form content, noting that it favors at least 10 episodes with a runtime of 15 minutes or longer. Binge-watching is big on Tubi. So, creators looking to work with them should consider which parts of their library could carry over and give a new audience the chance to indulge.

3. Develop exclusive content At VidCon 2026, Jess Borison presents "Inside Tubi’s Creatorverse: A Roadmap for Creators." Credit: Kristy Puchko / Mashable

Tubi is also interested in creator-made content exclusive to its platform. In June, Deadline reported Tubi had signed their "most expansive creator partnership to date" with Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage).

Borison enthusiastically shared that, in addition to a second season of the Fredericks' Tubi original series Safe Space, he's also working on comedy specials and a movie with the streamer.

4. Community Engagement: Share with your fans

One attendee asked whether Tubi has a threshold for the number of followers a creator must have to be considered for licensing.

Borison answered, "We're not necessarily looking for a specific subscriber count. We're more looking at portability. Will your audience travel to watch anything you do? Are they coming to live shows? Are they buying merch? Are they engaged with everything you do, and will they be excited to watch more content in a different space?"

To that end, she commended Tubi stars Big Jahh, KevOnStage, and Keith Lee, who use their social platforms to point their existing fans to their shows on Tubi. Plus, Borison noted that creators have a financial investment in their shows doing well on the streamer. As the financial agreement, "It's standard, it's 50/50 rev share across the board."

With all this info, some in the crowd were ready to get into business with Tubi. But it's not as simple as signing up for an account, like YouTube.

Borison explained, "We work often with a lot of distributors, who will give us content if they have distribution deals with creators on their own. They can provide your content to us, we can review it, and if it makes sense, we can work through them. You can also go direct, and we'll take a look at your content. If the fandom works, if the audience feels right for our TV audiences, then we would set you up with our portal team to get you all ready to go for the TV platform."

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

It's still Prime Day through the end of Friday, June 26, which means there's still plenty of time to snag some deals. We've hand-picked the best deals across tons of categories, from laptops and TVs to books and headphones. But if you're not looking to spend any money this Prime Day, we get it. It's too expensive to merely exist in 2026. That's why we had to shout out some of the stuff you can get completely for free (or almost free) during this year's annual Prime Day event.

One thing to note: You'll have to be a Prime member to score most of these freebies. So technically, it's not free if you're paying for a Prime membership, but I digress. We take what we can get these days. Here are the best free Prime Day deals and *almost* free Prime Day deals you can grab before the sale ends.

Audible Standard Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Standard free for 3 months + $20 credit Get Deal

Probably the best freebie you can grab this Prime Day, Amazon is offering new and returning subscribers three free months of its Audible Standard subscription, plus a free $20 credit to spend on audiobooks. Usually, Amazon's annual Prime Day deal gives new members three free months of Premium Plus, but the brand launched a new tier recently, so the deal is a bit different this year. The Standard plan lets you select one audiobook each month from the entire Audible collection, but unlike Premium Plus, you can't keep the titles forever and credits don't roll over to the next month. Still, with three months and a free $20 credit, you'll have a stacked summer of reading with your ears. You'll be automatically charged the full $8.99 monthly fee at the end of the promo period if you don't cancel.

Kindle Unlimited Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited free for 3 months Get Deal

One of my favorite subscriptions I actually pay for each month, Kindle Unlimited is free for three months for both new and returning subscribers. A subscription essentially gives you access to unlimited books. Technically, you can only borrow up to 20 at a time, but you can easily return and borrow more regularly to keep your digital library fresh and full. Plus, there are zero wait times or due dates like with Libby (the beloved free library app). I can't recommend it enough if you're looking to read more this summer. You don't need a Kindle device to take advantage of Kindle Unlimited; the app can be accessed on virtually any device. Though, several Kindles are at all-time low prices during Prime Day if you want to snag one. Subscriptions renew at $11.99 if you don't cancel before your promo period ends.

Amazon Music Unlimited Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited free for 4 months Get Deal

Now's a good time to pause your Spotify or Apple Music subscription and check out Amazon Music Unlimited, as it's free for four whole months for new and returning subscribers. It's usually $11.99 per month for Prime members, so that's nearly $50 in savings. Amazon Music Unlimited unlocks not only a massive on-demand, ad-free music catalog, but also ad-free podcasts and one free audiobook per month via Audible.

$15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on household essentials Opens in a new window Credit: Angel Soft / Cottonelle / Dixie Free $15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on select household essentials Get Deal

The best things to buy during Prime Day are items you were going to buy already, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, trash bags, and other household essentials. Not only are products you regularly use probably on sale, but when you spend $50, Amazon will give you a free $15 credit to spend on more stuff. It's a win-win all around.

$5 pizza from Little Caesars Opens in a new window Credit: Little Caesars Little Caesars $5 Large Pizza (Prime members only) Get Deal

As a little Prime Day treat, Amazon linked up with Little Caesars to give Prime members a $5 large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) once per day through the end of Prime Day on June 26. That means you have two more opportunities to lock in your $5 pizzas (details here). It's not free, but $5 for a large pizza is practically a steal.

99-cent streaming services Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ (& 10+ other Prime Video add-on subscriptions) $0.99/month for 2 months Get Deal

My personal favorite Prime Day deals this year are the 10+ streaming services for 99 cents. Popular streaming add-ons for Prime Video like Paramount+ and Starz, as well as underrated gems like AMC+, MGM+, and Shudder, are all just 99 cents per month for two months for Prime members. Besides free trials, which are hardly ever longer than one week, that's about the cheapest you can get any streaming service in 2026.

In 2026, fans increasingly understand that content creators aren't just influencers — they're small businesses.

A growing number of creators are taking that role a step further, launching businesses complete with their own product lines, from clothing lines to candy bars. Creators and industry leaders discussed the shift during a Thursday discussion at VidCon 2026, "Product vs. Content: Why the Smartest Creator Businesses are Shifting the Center of Gravity."

Benefits for creators launching their own products include a diminished reliance on brand deals with companies that don't understand a creator's audience as intimately, moderator Yak Gertmenian said. Gertmenian is the leader of creator innovation at influencer marketing company Influential.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend

"One of the biggest challenges, and I know everyone's had this if you're a creator, is getting a brand who says, 'Okay, here are the dos and don'ts,' and then after the twelve pages of dos and don'ts, then 'This is exactly what I want you to do,'" Gertmenian said. "'Write this and do this and do this and do this.'"

If a creator follows through with an ill-fitting brand deal or copy, the results can be obvious: "The audience looks at it and goes, 'That doesn't fit at all with what I was expecting,'" Gertmenian said. "And then the brand doesn't look good, the creator's frustrated, the audience is frustrated."

With that in mind, panelists talked about the do's, don'ts, and adjusted expectations required when launching a product.

Low sales from a launch doesn't equal failure

Amy Roberts is the creative director and host for the YouTube channel Style Theory, which has 2.77 million subscribers, and the manager of business development for Team Theorist. She spoke about what to expect from sales during an initial product launch.

" When we think about sales, and we see what the top of the top of the top of creators can sell, a lot of people think, 'I have to sell a million dollars in my first round of merchandise that I put out.' And in reality, you might sell ten thousand, and that is a success," she said.

Roberts went on to explain that success isn't just about achieving your more realistic expectations, but understanding customer data, and using that to inform your next product release.

" It's about setting those goals that you know you can meet and then seeing what works, seeing what didn't, and then setting the goal for the next one."

Having an audience is not the same as having a customer base

" When we think about it from a creative perspective, there's a mindset shift in realizing that audience and followers are not necessarily the same as customers," Gertmenian said.

Jordan Gold, professional musician and co-founder of the Magic Puzzle Company, added that a vocal audience does not necessarily translate to a vocal consumer base.

" Good customers are mostly just quiet," he said.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026 is this week. Here are 7 things to watch.

That said, getting data from your audience and would-be customers doesn't always require a creator to front the cost.

" You should also try a collab," said Megan Lightcap, a partner at Slow Ventures. "The brand is fronting all of the expense. Creators have, like, the best focus group in the world, and you can just really quickly tell what people are buying and what they aren't buying. And if it doesn't work, it's on the brand."

The product is just a new line of the business

Lightcap talked about how creators can become overwhelmed after starting a business, struggling to know the best way to allocate their time between creating content, product development, and customer service. Her solution? Reframing how content and products may coexist.

"The more that [creators] can think about it truly as different business lines within a larger corporation, it removes at least that mental load of, 'I'm ignoring this, so I need to focus on that and vice versa,'" she said.

Delegate, delegate, delegate

Creators can get used to doing it all themselves — more often than not, that's how they built their initial content creation business.

" Realizing where you don't need to spend your time is the hardest skill for most creators to learn, but it's one of the most important, especially if you want to expand into a business," Roberts said.

Where AI fits in

Gertmenian also brought up AI, noting that it is part of any business's considerations these days. All of the panelists talked about its utility when it came to understanding customer data.

When Gold launched his Kickstarter for the Magic Puzzle Company in 2020, his company received over 63,000 backers in one month, he said, with many folks emailing in. He said if he and his staff spent their full work week just answering emails, it would take at least a year.

" Now you can take all that and get a little chatbot that goes, 'Oh, here's your emails that you got this week, and here's what most people are saying,'" he said.

SEE ALSO: Can AI level the playing field for working class content creators?

Roberts echoed the benefits of using AI for data, while clearly noting that Team Theorist doesn't use it for creative work.

" We very specifically don't use it to create things that weren't there before. We work with all of our different artists, we work with a whole team of people to create really cool stuff," she said. "But when it comes to data mining, even our team, who are our data miners, can use it as a tool to help get through things faster and help us understand it quicker."

That speed, Lightcap chimed in, can make a huge difference.

" One of the things that surprises creators, I think, when they get into this journey, is just how long everything takes and how much money it takes, right? Because you're relying on other people. They have to have, you know, their flow or whatever. With AI, it sort of...releases that pressure valve a little bit," Lightcap said.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you watch college football.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Indiana

• Green: Golf brands

• Blue: New coach

• Purple: American goalies

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Indiana Colleges

• Green: Golf Equipment Brands

• Blue: First-year NFL Head Coaches

• Purple: USMNT World Cup Goalkeepers

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #641 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Indiana Colleges: BUTLER, INDIANA, NOTRE DAME, PURDUE

• Golf Equipment Brands: CALLAWAY, PING, PXG, TITLEIST

• First-year NFL Head Coaches: BRADY, HAFLEY, MINTER, MONKEN

• USMNT World Cup Goalkeepers: FREESE, FRIEDEL, HOWARD, MEOLA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 26, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 26 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (13): Everything in this space must add up to 13. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like a midnight snack.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 26, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Quick bites

• Green: Timber

• Blue: Valley

• Purple: Tones

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Crunchy snack item

• Green: Various amounts of wood

• Blue: Areas of low ground

• Purple: Colors plus a letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1111 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Crunchy snack item: CHIP, CRACKER, NUT, PRETZEL

• Various amounts of wood: BOARD, LOG, SPLINTER, TREE

• Areas of low ground: DALE, DELL, GORGE, HOLLOW

• Colors plus a letter: BRONZER, PINKY, REDO, TANG

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 26, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you like a good story.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "I'll gobble you up!"

The words are related to stories.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a classic fairy tale.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Billy Goats Gruff.

NYT Strands word list for June 26

• Three

• Bridge

• Pass

• Billy Goats Gruff

• Brothers

• Horns

• Troll

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're quick on your feet.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 26, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Sharp.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

ACUTE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

When Larry Namer co-founded E! Entertainment Television in 1987, the future of entertainment looked a lot like cable. Nearly four decades later, he thinks it looks like a smartphone held upright.

Speaking at VidCon 2026, the television executive behind one of pop culture's most recognizable brands made a simple argument: the entertainment industry has a habit of clinging to old formats long after audiences have moved on. Whether it's cable, streaming, AI, or vertical video, Namer argues that entertainment has always rewarded companies willing to follow audience behavior rather than trying to change it.

SEE ALSO: VidCon 2026: Live updates from the internet's biggest weekend

"I think storytelling is storytelling," Namer said. "It's just the technology for delivering that story...is very different. Audience behavior is very different."

That philosophy has shaped much of his career. Today, it's leading him to make a prediction that still feels radical in much of Hollywood — by 2030, vertical, short-form video will become the primary way people consume entertainment.

His reasoning isn't based on trends or hype. It's based on habit.

Namer recalled producing a celebrity news show in China and discovering that nearly three-quarters of the audience watched it on a phone or tablet. The realization prompted a simple question for his production team. "Why are we shooting horizontal when everybody watches us vertical?"

The team rethought everything — from lighting to framing to how hosts moved on camera — to create a show designed for the screen audiences were already using. For Namer, it was common sense.

That mindset also explains why he says he wouldn't launch a traditional cable network today.

Asked whether he would build another E!, Namer said he still believes there's enormous demand for celebrity culture and entertainment news. He just wouldn't package it the same way.

"I would launch it in a non-linear fashion," he said, arguing that audiences expect to watch what they want, when they want, and on whatever device they happen to be holding.

It's a philosophy that extends well beyond vertical video.

AI and entertainment's future

When the conversation turned to artificial intelligence, Namer offered a familiar warning for legacy media companies: stop fighting it.

He compared today's AI skepticism to the music industry's resistance to digital distribution two decades ago. Labels spent years trying to stop the inevitable, he argued, only to surrender control of the business to platforms like Spotify and iTunes. He sees traditional media making a similar mistake by treating AI as something that can simply be ignored.

"Technology marches on whether you like it or not," he said. Yet, that doesn't mean he's advocating for unchecked innovation.

Throughout the conversation with Antony Gordon, the founder of Lighthouse Edutainment, Namer repeatedly returned to the responsibilities that come with building media. He spoke at length about AI guardrails, the mental health challenges facing young people, and the need for platforms to prioritize social good alongside profit. Governments, he argued, should establish rules for AI much like they regulate driving, with clear standards and real consequences for abuse.

His outlook on creators was similarly pragmatic.

Rather than chasing fame for its own sake, Namer encouraged attendees to focus on mastering a skill. "Follow your passion" may be common career advice, he joked, but landlords don't accept sweaters as rent. Success, he argued, comes from becoming exceptionally good at something and using that success to create the freedom to pursue what you love.

Namer's vision of the future of entertainment feels remarkably grounded. He isn't arguing that vertical video will replace great storytelling. He's arguing that storytelling has always adapted to the way audiences live. Television replaced radio. Streaming disrupted cable. Smartphones reshaped how people watch.

Vertical video, in his view, is simply the next evolution.

And if history is any indication, the companies that embrace that shift first will define entertainment's next chapter.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.

On May 5, The Bear dropped surprise episode "Gary," a standalone flashback installment all about Mikey (Jon Bernthal) and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Bernthal and Moss-Bachrach also co-wrote the episode.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' reheats 'The Pitt's nachos in a baffling Season 5: Review

Whether the existence of "Gary" is news to you or you just haven't gotten around to it yet, you may be wondering, "Do I absolutely need to check it out before binge-watching Season 5 of The Bear? Or can I hold off on watching it until later?"

Don't worry: I'm here to tell you that you can certainly skip "Gary" before jumping into Season 5 and seeing how Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and the rest of the Bear staff's story ends. While it teases a plot element in Season 5, it ultimately has little bearing on The Bear's final season.

The episode follows Mikey and Richie on a work trip to Gary, Indiana, and is mostly a character study of their turbulent relationship and inner pain. Its final scene cuts back to the present, with Richie recalling that trip on his drive to the Bear. The episode ends abruptly with (spoiler alert!) Richie getting in a car crash.

Flash forward to The Bear Season 5, episode 1, which reuses Richie's final car scene from "Gary," but peppers in some flashbacks to the Indiana trip to remind viewers of what Richie is thinking of. The car crash itself winds up being just a minor blip in Season 5. Richie escapes unscathed, and it's the least of his problems behind a flooding restaurant, an overbooked evening service, and a lack of food in the kitchen.

"Gary" does come back later in the season, when Richie tells Carmy about his and Mikey's trip. However, you don't need the context of the episode to understand the monologue. The emotion comes through anyway, and it might work even better without the overwrought build-up of "Gary."

Personally, I wasn't the biggest fan of the episode, believing it to be too indulgent and ultimately having no impact on Season 5. However, for The Bear super fans (or diehard completionists), I'd recommend checking it out if you desperately want more Mikey and Richie. Overall, though, don't put off your Season 5 watch plans for "Gary." Jump right in, and let it rip.

The Bear Season 5 is now streaming in its entirety on Hulu. Episodes also air Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on FX.

The best Prime Day deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $279 at Amazon (save $120) Get Deal Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $198 at Amazon (save $201.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon (save $70) Get Deal Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $124.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Eufy C28 $599.99 at Eufy (save $350) Get Deal Best power station deal Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station $199 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best DJI deal DJI Mini 3 $269 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best TV deal Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV $1,197.99 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Set $111.99 at Amazon (save $48) Get Deal Best Deal Under $25 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 with code FTVSELECT (save $30) Get Deal

Prime Day 2026 is more than halfway done, and on day three of the four-day mega sale, popular deals on DJI drones, Ninja appliances, and Yeti coolers have already come and gone. However, new deals are also going online, so you still have time to shop. If you're a Prime member, this is your opportunity to save on almost anything, from boring household essentials like dish soap to big-ticket splurges like a new 65-inch OLED TV. And if you're not sure where to start, we've vetted the best Prime Day deals for you, scouring thousands of offers to find the top discounts on the Apple Watch, Sony headphones, and Kindles.

Prime Day usually takes place in July, but this year, Amazon decided to shake things up and run the sale in June. So, don't forget: Amazon Prime Day 2026 runs through Friday, June 26, and until then, you can enjoy record-low prices on products from Apple, Bose, DJI, Dyson, Lego, Pokémon, and Samsung.

SEE ALSO: The 55+ best Prime Day tech deals, chosen by a tech editor on a tight budget

Mashable shopping experts are closely monitoring the latest discounts and collecting all of the top Amazon Prime Day deals into this one-stop shopping guide, so keep checking back for the latest price drops. We're also tracking prices at alternative Prime Day sales from Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and beyond, so we'll be sure to point you toward the lowest possible price. And follow along with our live blog for the most up-to-date price drops, news, and stock alerts, or check out our Prime Day hub for all of our coverage.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available. Deals marked with a 🔥 are at an all-time low price.

Best Prime Day Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) ✅ 🔥 $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120   Get Deal

We're obviously hunting for the best Apple deals during Prime Day, and right now, the entire Apple Watch lineup is at record-low prices. That means you can save over $100 on the Apple Watch Series 11, a Mashable Choice product. In his review, Mashable's Stan Schroeder said, "the Apple Watch Series 11 isn't all that different from last year's model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, and that's a huge deal."

• Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 44mm) — $229 $279 (save $50) ✅ 🔥

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AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)

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iPad deals

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Best Prime Day headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones ✅ 🔥 $198 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $201.99   Get Deal

The best deal on headphones goes to the Sony WH-1000XM5s, an older pair of flagship cans that we still love and recommend. "They [have] unbeatable ANC and sound for the money, and even in 2026, they sound shockingly good," writes Bethany Allard, our resident headphones expert. Normally $399.99, they're marked down to just $198 for Prime Day — a 50% savings and their lowest price ever.

More headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40) ✅ 🔥

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• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $378 $459.99 (save $81.99) ✅ 🔥

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• Soundcore V20i — $24.59 $49.99 (save $24.50)

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Best Prime Day Amazon device deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
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Amazon's latest Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, have both hit new, all-time low prices this Prime Day. But the biggest discount is going to the Echo Spot, its smart alarm clock. This tiny speaker sits compactly on nightstands but provides everything you need to start your morning, including a weather report and tunes to get you out of bed.

You can now get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $44.99. That saves you $35 off its $79.99 price tag for a 44% discount.

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• Blink HD Video Doorbell — $19.99 $49.99 (save $30) 🔥

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 $49.99 (save $15) ✅

• Blink Outdoor 4 — $27.99 $79.99 (save $52) 🔥

• Blink Battery Video Doorbell 2K+ — $34.99 $69.99 (save $35) 🔥

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55) ✅ 🔥

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40) ✅

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet — $109.99 $189.99 (save $70)

• Blink Outdoor 4 (5-camera system) — $139.99 $399.99 (save $260)

• Amazon eero 6+ Dual-Band Mesh WiFi System (3 pack. 4,500 sq. ft) — $194.99 $299.99 (save $105)

• Amazon eero Pro 7 Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System bundle (3 pack, 6,000 sq. ft) — $549.99 $699.99 (save $150)

Best Prime Day Kindle deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite ✅ 🔥 $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal

Our resident e-reader expert, Samantha Mangino, counts the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition as her daily driver, but for most shoppers, we have to recommend the excellent Kindle Paperwhite, which has proven to be one of the most popular Prime Day deals among Mashable readers this year. Compared to the regular Kindle, the Paperwhite has a larger display, better battery life, a waterproof rating, and an adjustable warm light.

More Kindle deals

• Amazon Kindle (16GB) — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Kindle Kids (16GB) — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) — $144.99 $199.99 (save $55) ✅ 🔥

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft (16GB) — $159.99 $249.99 (save $90) ✅ 🔥

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids (16GB) — $179.99 $269.99 (save $90) 🔥

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) — $219.99 $279.99 (save $60)

• Amazon Kindle Scribe (32GB) — $379.99 $499.99 (save $120) 🔥

• Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft (32GB) — $479.99 $629.99 (save $150) 🔥

Best Prime Day laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 15-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) ✅ $1,229.99 at Amazon
$2,099.99 Save $870.00   Get Deal

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel says, "We loved the Surface Laptop 7 back when it launched in 2024. While its CPU isn't the freshest anymore, it still impresses as a whole: It features a 23-hour battery life, a microSDXC card slot, and a 2.5K touchscreen that's brighter and smoother than a 15-inch MacBook Air's screen.

Amazon's amazing Prime Day deal on this 15-inch model comes just a week after Microsoft announced the very similar Surface Laptop 8 (which isn't on sale just yet). It's currently listed for just $1,229.99 — a whopping 44% off its regular retail price of $2,099.99. I wouldn't be surprised if it disappears long before Prime Day ends, considering the exact same model sold out at Best Buy after dropping to $1,699.99 there."

More Prime Day laptop, router, storage, and printer deals

For discounts on MacBooks, scroll back up to the Apple section in this story or check out our dedicated Prime Day MacBook deals guide.

• Acer Aspire 14 AI (Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $479.99 $879.99 (save $400) ✅

• HP OmniBook 3 16 (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499.99 at Best Buy $879.99 (save $380)

• HP OmniBook 3 14 (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $699.99 $969.99 (save $270) ✅

• Microsoft Surface Pro 13 (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $869.99 $1,004.54 (save $134.55)

• Lenovo Slim 7i Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $999.99 $1,299.99 (save $300)

• Acer Nitro V 16S AI (AMD Ryzen 7 260, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,399.99 (save $300)

• MSI Katana 15 HX (Intel Core i7-14650HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,139.99 $1,529.99 (save $390)

• Asus ROG Strix G16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 27ƒ5HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,539.99 $1,799.99 (save $260)

• Acer Swift X 14 AI (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,559.99 $1,699.99 (save $140) ✅

• Alienware 16 Aurora (Intel Core 9 270H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $2,099.99 $2,299.99 (save $200)

• Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,274.99 $2,799.99 (save $525)

Router deals

• TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router — $99.98 $160.87 (save $60.89) 🔥

External hard drive deals

• Western Digital WD (5TB) — $196.99 $274.99 (save $78)

• Samsung T9 (2TB) — $349.99 $574.99 (save $225)

Printer deals

• Canon PIXMA TS4320 Wireless Color Inkjet Printer — $54 $107.99 (save $53.99) 🔥

• ScanSnap iX2500 Wireless Printer and Scanner — $399.99 $481.99 (save $82) 🔥

Best Prime Day DJI deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 🔥 $269 at Amazon
$419 Save $150   Get Deal

DJI's entire fleet of gadgets is on sale this Prime Day, and this deal on its DJI Mini 3 is a standout. Amazon has it discounted to $269, or 36% off — its lowest price ever. (It was $30 more expensive during Amazon's Big Spring Sale in March.) This lightweight entry-level drone can shoot 4K video and fly for almost 40 minutes on a single charge.

Keep in mind that, thanks to the U.S. drone ban and DJI's problems with the FCC, the company's drones and new releases are sold through third-party sellers on Amazon. Not only that, but now that we're halfway through Prime Day, many DJI drones are already out of stock.

More DJI drone deals

• DJI Neo — $139 $199 (save $60) 🔥

• DJI Mini 4K — $209 $299 (save $90)

• DJI Mini 4K Fly More Combo — $293.55 $449 (save $155.45)

• DJI Mini 3 (DJI RC) — $339 $549 (save $210)

• DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC) — $449 $719 (save $270)

DJI camera deals

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Combo — $169 $229 (save $60) 🔥

• DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo — $288 $339 (save $51)

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera — $357.47 $467 (save $109.53) 🔥

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo — $512 $629 (save $117) ✅

DJI creator tools on sale

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $79 $99 (save $20) ✅ 🔥

• DJI Osmo 7P Gimbal Stabilizer — $99 $129 (save $30) ✅

• DJI Mic 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $199 $269 (save $70)

• DJI Mic 3 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $219 $329 (save $110) 🔥

Best Prime Day home and kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Get Deal

The Ninja Creami ice cream maker is a cult favorite, and also a personal favorite of our shopping team. Mashable reporter Samantha Mangino called this appliance a lot of fun in her review, and a sweltering hot summer is exactly the right time to try it. Grab one while it's on sale and discover why TikTok is still obsessed with this device.

We should note that the Creami's sibling, the Ninja Slushi, quickly sold out at Amazon during Prime Day, so don't procrastinate if you have your eye on this Ninja ice cream maker!

More kitchen deals

• Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags — Save up to 40%

• Calphalon Brushed Stainless Steel Fry Pan — $33.24 $49.99 (save $16.75)

• Cuisinart 2.6-Quart Air Fryer — $59.95 $89.95 (save $30)

• Keurig K-Express Coffee Maker — $59.99 $89.99 (save $30)

• Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker — $64.99 $109.99 (save $45)

• Ninja Blast Max Portable Blender — $69.95 $99.99 (save $30.04)

• Instant Pot 6-quart Vortex Plus Air Fryer — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80) ✅

• Nutribullet Pro+ Personal Blender, 1,200W — $69.99 $134.99 (save $65) ✅ 🔥

• Ninja 5-Quart Air Fryer — $89.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)

• Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Maker — $99 $179.95 (save $80.95) 🔥

• Ninja Pod and Grounds Single Serve Coffee Maker — $99.98 $129.99 (save $30.01)

• Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Pots and Pans 11-Piece Set — $113.95 $209.95 (save $96)

• Black+Decker Ice Cream Maker — $129.99 $219.99 (save $90) 🔥

• Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Machine — $142.45 $249.95 (save $107.70) 🔥

• GoveeLife Electric Composter — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40) 🔥

• Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker, Oven, and Air Fryer — $179.95 $249.99 (save $70.04)

• Ninja Slushi Frozen Drink Maker — $199.99 at SharkNinja $349.99 (save $150) ✅ 🔥

• Ninja Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Glass Air Fryer — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50) ✅

• Vitamix Propel Series 750 Blender, 1,500W — $374.95 $629.95 (save $255) ✅

• GE Profile Opal Ultra Nugget Ice Maker — $389 $549 (save $160) 🔥

• Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine — $499.95 $692.99 (save $193.04)

Home deals

• Levoit 36-inch Tower Fan — $54.95 $74.99 (save $20.04) 🔥

• Lasko 42-inch Tower Fan — $66.74 $88.99 (save $22.25)

• Dreo 36-inch Tower Fan — $69.96 $79.99 (save $10.03)

• Shark NeverChange Compact Pro Air Purifier — $99.99 $159.99 (save $60) ✅

• Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium — $209.99 $259.99 (save $50)

• Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 HEPA Air Purifier Fan — $299.99 $479.99 (save $180)

• Dreame Furcatch HEPA Air Purifier FP10 — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150) ✅ 🔥

Best Prime Day speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Soundlink Flex Bluetooth Speaker 🔥 $99 at Amazon
$149 Save $50   Get Deal

So far, Bose has some of the best Prime Day deals of 2026, with 50% off select headphones and 34% off Bluetooth speakers, like the Soundlink Flex. Mashable has reviewed the new Soundlink lineup, and the Flex is a highly portable and waterproof speaker with clear, loud sound that's ideal for summer get-togethers.

More speaker deals

• JBL Go 4 — $37.95 $49.95 (save $12) 🔥

• Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $49.39 $99.99 (save $50.60) ✅

• Ultimate Ears Miniroll Ultra — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30) 🔥

• Sony ULT Field 1 — $78 $139.99 ($61.99)

• Bose Soundlink Plus — $179 $269 (save $90) ✅ 🔥

• Marshall Acton III — $179 $299 (save $120)

• Sonos Era 100 — $179 $219 (save $40)

• Sony PS-LX3BT Wireless Bluetooth Turntable — $248 $348 (save $100) ✅ 🔥

• Bose SoundLink Max — $279 $399 (save $120) 🔥

• Sonos Move 2 — $399 $499 (save $100)

Best Prime Day power station deals Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station, 600W ✅ $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal

Ready for summer adventures? If you're gearing up to pack the car and head into nature, don't forget to invest in a portable power station to keep your campsite powered. Plus, it can serve as an at-home power backup in an emergency.

Prime Day and Black Friday are the best times of year to buy these popular devices, and one of our favorite Bluetti power stations is at its lowest price of the year. The Bluetti Elite is a good entry point if you've never owned a power station before. Weighing less than 10 pounds, it's a lightweight device built for weekend excursions.

More portable power station deals

• EF Ecoflow River 2 Portable Power Station, 256Wh — $179 $239 (save $60)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 — $399.99 $799 (save $399.01) ✅

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $399.99 $799 (save $399.01) ✅

• Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station — $699.99 $1,499 (save $799.01)

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station + 400W Solar Panel — $799.99 $1,099 (save $799) ✅ 🔥

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $749 $1,070 (save $371)

• Anker Solix F3800 Plus — $2,089.99 $2,699.99 (save $610) 🔥

Best Prime Day TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV 🔥 $1,197.99 at Amazon
$1,697.99 Save $500   Get Deal

Enjoying the World Cup? If you want to watch every heart-racing moment in 4K and your TV isn't up to par, then look for Prime Day deals on award-winning OLED and Micro RGB TVs. Case in point: the Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K Smart TV, on sale now. According to our tech editor, this is the best TV available right now, especially at this all-time low price.

More TV deals

• Insignia 40-inch Class F40 Series LED FHD Smart Fire TV — $89.99 $149.99 (save $60) 🔥

• Hisense 43-inch S5 DécoTV Series — $299.99 $349.99 (save $50) 🔥

• Insignia 50-inch LED 4K Smart Fire TV — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)

• Amazon Ember 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV — $279.99 $459.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung The Frame 55-inch QLED Art TV — $697.99 $1,097.99 (save $400) ✅ 🔥

• Roku 65-inch QLED 4K TV — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100) 🔥

• Hisense 65-inch E6 Series QLED 4K Fire TV — $379.99 $478 (save $98.01)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 CanvasTV — $849.99 $1,299.99 (save $400) ✅ 🔥

• Hisense 65-inch U7 ULED 4K Google TV — $849.99 $1,499.99 (save $650) 🔥

• LG C5 Series 65-inch OLED 4K TV — $1,199.99 $1,396.99 (save $197) ✅ 🔥

• TCL QM64L Series 75-inch QLED 4K TV — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250) 🔥

Soundbar deals

• TCL S55H 2.1 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer — $99.99 $159.99 (save $60) 🔥

• Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar for Smart TV with Wireless Subwoofer — $166.25 $159.99 (save $82.75)

• Samsung Q990F 11.1.4ch Q Series Subwoofer + Rear Speaker — $997.99 $1,997.99 (save $250) 🔥

Projector deals

• XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser Portable Projector — $539 $709 (save $170) 🔥

• XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector — $698.97 $899 (save $200.03) 🔥

Best Prime Day robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop 🔥 $449.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $350   Get Deal

Mashable's resident vacuum guru, Leah Stodart, named the Eufy C28 Robot Vacuum and Mop the best affordable vacuum-and-mop combo. Despite its budget price, Stodart says it's the most heavy-duty robot mop you'll find, delivering spotless cleans. Get the Eufy C28 for just $449.99 during Prime Day. That's the vacuum's lowest price ever, offering $350 in savings.

More robot vacuum and mop combo deals

• 3i G10+ — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50) ✅

• Dreame D20 Air Plus — $199.99 $269.99 (save $70) 🔥

• Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 — $379.92 $589.99 (save $210.07)

• Roborock Qrevo S Pro — $399.99 $699.99 (save $300)

• Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni — $534.99 $899.99 (save $565)

• Narwal Freo Z10 — $649.99 $899.99 (save $150)

• Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow — $699.99 $999.99 (save $300) ✅ 🔥

• Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete — $1,344.99 $1,699.99 (save $355) ✅ 🔥

More vacuum deals

• Bissell PowerClean FurGuard Cordless Vacuum — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120) ✅

• Shark IZ363HT Cordless Vacuum — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

• Shark PowerDetect Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum — $229.99 $329.99 (save $100)

• Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum — $269.99 $389.99 (save $120)

• Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Stick Vacuum — $479.99 at Dyson $729.99 (save $250) ✅

Upholstery cleaner deals

• Bissell Little Green Mini — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20) ✅

• Shark StainStriker — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Bissell Little Green Max Pet — $110.99 $159.99 (save $49)

Best Prime Day Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Set 🔥 $111.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $48.00   Get Deal

No guide to the best Prime Day deals would be complete without some great Lego offers. And according to our biggest Lego nerds, this is the top discount of the sale so far.

We love Star Wars Lego sets, and this epic Star Destroyer is down to its best-ever price at Amazon. If you're a Prime member and a Star Wars fan, you can pick up this 1,555-piece set for $111.99, a 30% discount. And if you're looking for more Lego sets, check out our complete guide to the best Prime Day Lego deals.

More Lego deals

• Lego Lotus Flower — $7.79 $14.99 (save $7.20) 🔥

• Lego Botanicals Happy Plants — $18.39 $22.99 (save $4.60)

• Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04) 🔥

• Lego Botanicals Plum Blossom — $23.99 $29.99 (save $60)

• Lego Fortnite Supply Llama — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16) ✅ 🔥

• Lego Creator 3-in-1 Colorful Hummingbird — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Lego Botanicals Flowering Cactus — $27.95 $34.99 (save $7.04) ✅

• Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box — $33.49 $49.99 (save $15.51) ✅

• Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant — $37.79 $59.99 (save $22.20) 🔥

• Lego Botanicals Bonsai Tree — $39.98 $49.99 (save $10.01)

• Lego Botanicals Tiny Plants — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon — $67.99 $84.99 (save $17)

• Lego Art Mona Lisa — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Lego Friends Adventure Camp Tree House — $90.99 $129.99 (save $39)

• Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle — $136.99 $169.99 (save $33)

• Lego Icons Land Rover Classic Defender — $167.99 $239.99 (save $72) 🔥

• Lego Technic Yamaha MT-10 SP — $167.99 $239.99 (save $72)

Best Prime Day outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Hopper M Series Portable Soft Coolers ✅ $262.50 at Amazon
$350 Save $87.50   Get Deal

Amazon just dropped a bunch of new Prime Day camping deals, part of its daily deal drops. The standout is definitely this portable soft cooler from Yeti, which our tech editor Timothy Werth has tested on multiple beach days, even though it's not actually a tech product. Hey, sometimes you need to unplug. Yeti's coolers are famous for their durability, and they rarely go on sale outside of Prime Day and Black Friday.

More outdoor and camping deals

• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter — $9.95 $15.49 (save $5.54) ✅

• Amazon Basics Inflatable Camping Sleeping Pad — $20.15 $25.98 (save $5.83)

• Osprey Daylite Cinch Backpack — $42.75 $60 (save $17.25)

• The North Face Lichen Daypack — $70 $100 (save $30)

• Coleman Sundome Dark Room 4/6 Person Tent — $74.99 $149.99 (save $75)

• Coleman 6-Person Instant Setup Camping Tent — $176.47 $271.49 (save $95.02)

• Yeti Hopper M Series Backpack — $206.25 $275 (save $68.75)

• Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Portable Soft Cooler — $225 $300 (save $75) ✅

• XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser Projector Outdoor Collection — $639 $899 (save $270)

Best Prime Day fitness tracker deal Oura Ring 4 ✅ 🔥 $214 at Amazon
$349 Save $135   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Target

Multiple Mashable team members have tested (and loved) the Oura Ring 4. While it's recently been replaced by the slightly thinner Oura Ring 5, we're big fans of this smart ring. One of our reporters even wore this ring while training for and then running the New York City marathon. While prices vary based on the ring size, the Oura Ring 4 is starting at just $214 for Prime Day, a price we've never seen before and a big discount from the $349 list price.

More fitness tracker deals

Note: For Apple Watch deals, scroll back to the Apple section of this story.

• Fitbit Inspire 3 — $69.95 $99.95 (save $30) 🔥

• Fitbit Charge 6 — $89.95 $159.95 (save $70)

• Garmin vívoactive 5 — $189.99 $299.99 (save $110)

• Whoop 5.0/MG — $189 + Free 12-month Whoop membership $239 (save $50) ✅ 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $218.49 $349.99 (save $131.50)

• Garmin epix Pro — $499.99 $999.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Garmin Venu X1 — $599.99 $697 (save $97.01)

• Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED — $749.99 $999.99 (save $150) 🔥

Best free Prime Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible Standard free for 3 months + $20 credit Get Deal

Amazon almost always offers free limited-time subscriptions to its services, including Audible, Kindle Unlimited, and Amazon Music Unlimited. This year, its Audible deal is the best freebie you can get during the sale. New and returning subscribers get three free months of an Audible Standard subscription, plus a free $20 credit to spend on audiobooks.

More free (or almost free Prime Day deals)

• Kindle Unlimited — 3 months free

• Amazon Music Unlimited — 4 months free

• $15 Amazon credit when you spend $50 on household essentials

• Little Caesars Large Pizza — $5

Best Prime Day streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO HBO Max save 40% on annual subscriptions Get Deal

If you've been feeling left out of the House of the Dragon or Hacks hype, this is easily the best week of the year to sign up for HBO Max — it even beats Black Friday, in terms of how many tiers get the discount. The HBO Max Prime Day deal makes annual subscriptions 40% cheaper than usual. Pay $78.99 for a year of the Basic With Ads tier, $132.99 for a year of the Standard tier, or $164.99 for a year of the Premium tier.

More streaming deals

• AMC+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $10.99/month (save $10/month)

• Apple TV (Prime Video add-on) — $5.99/month for 2 months $12.99/month (save $7/month) ✅

• BBC Select (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $5.99/month (save $5/month)

• BritBox (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $10.99/month (save $10/month)

• Crunchyroll Fan (Prime Video add-on) — $59.99/year $99.99/year (save $40)

• MGM+ (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $7/month) ✅

• Paramount+ Premium (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months (save $26)

• PBS Kids (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $4.99/month (save $4/month)

• Shudder (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $7.99/month (save $7/month)

• Starz (Prime Video add-on) — $0.99/month for 2 months $12.99/month (save $12/month)

Best Prime Day gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor ✅ $265.04 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $134.95 New release Get Deal

If you procrastinated on your Prime Day shopping, then you missed out on the chance to score a 47% discount on the Samsung G8 OLED 4K Gaming Monitor, one of the best Prime Day deals of the sale so far. (It's now marked down to $799, which is still a good discount for a new release.) On day three of Prime Day, the best gaming deal of the moment is this 34% markdown on the Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor. While it's not an OLED, it has a fast refresh rate, a 1-millisecond response time, and HDR10+ support.

More Prime Day gaming deals

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3X Gaming Headset — $79.99 $109.99 (save $30)

• Logitech G735 Gaming Headset — $129.99 $259.99 (save $130)

• Samsung Odyssey 32-inch G55C — $189.99 $329.99 (save $140)

• Nex Playground + 12-Month Play Pass Bundle — $310 $388 (save $78) ✅

• Samsung Odyssey 27-inch OLED G6 — $384.99 $599 (save $214.01) ✅

• Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle — $499

• Samsung G8 OLED 4K Gaming Monitor, 32 inches — $799 $1,249.99 (save $450) ✅

Best Prime Day deals under $50

• Starface Hydro-Star Holographic Pimple Patches — $9.98 $15.99 (save $6.01)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)

• Amazon Smart Plug (2-Pack) — $23.98 $49.98 (save $26)

• Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects — $34.99 $45.99 (save $11) ✅

• Logitech MK335 Quiet Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo — $29.99 $39.99 (save $10)

• Revlon One-Step — $39.59 $65.99 (save $26.40) ✅

• Brick screen time device — $44.25 $59 (save $12.75) ✅

• Blink Outdoor 4 — $44.99 $129.99 (save $85)

Best Prime Day beauty and personal care deals

• Meridian Trimmer — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Lumin Luminator Red Light Eye Mask — $69.99 $108.99 (save $39) ✅

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The dream for many content creators is to ultimately have a Mr. Beast-level team, who can help edit, pull thumbnails, or promote their content across platforms. But for many creators, all of that work is on you, on top of creating your content in the first place.

Roberto Blake, founder of the Awesome Creator Academy, knows this struggle well, having started on that path 21 years ago, when YouTube was in its infancy. In 2016, Blake earned the Silver Play Button from YouTube, commemorating reaching 100,000 subscribers. Ten years later, on stage at VidCon 2026 for his panel, How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World, Blake said of AI, "If I had these things 10 years ago, it'd have made it a lot easier."

"The creator who works 40 to 50 or 60 hours a week at a nine to five job, overworked, underpaid, just like I was," Blake said at the half-hour panel, where he was the sole speaker, "and then has to figure out how they're going to create content with the little scraps of energy they have left and the little scraps of motivation, creativity that haven't beaten out of them by a bad boss. That's the reality of the majority of creators."

Blake argued that AI is a way for creators like this to thrive without a team.

How could AI help content creators now? Roberto Blake presenting his panel How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World at Vidcon 2026. Credit: Kristy Puchko/Mashable

Blake told the VidCon attendees that AI tools exist that could help creators more swiftly edit their videos, create thumbnails for those videos, and fix audio issues.

"You can use something like Opusclip, for example," Blake said, "And you can repurpose across all your platforms and formats. You can get horizontal videos. You can get vertical videos, and you can be posting them instead of having to wait for it to come back from your editor three days later and not the way you passed. You have what you need, and it's instant."

He championed 1of10 for creating thumbnails and Adobe Creative Cloud for audio fixes, saying that those mixing tools can salvage audio, and allow you to recreate your voice to change the recorded audio, "instead of having to reshoot the thing and conjure up the energy and get in front of the camera again."

Could AI steal jobs? Roberto Blake says no. Roberto Blake presenting his panel How to Be a Value First Creator: Winning on Authenticity in an AI World at Vidcon 2026. Credit: Kristy Puchko/Mashable

While other panels at VidCon dug into the ethnics of using generative AI, Blake skirted that controversy, telling his audience to focus on audience, "The majority of people don't care how a sausage gets made. They care about how it tastes and how fast they can get it."

He argued that working-class content creators can't afford to hire a professional editor, so AI in that instance isn't taking work away from another creative. However, then he went on to suggest that sometimes other people are an obstacle rather than an asset to a creator's vision, saying, "Even if we could hire people, even if we had the unlimited budget, sometimes the reality is we can't always trust other people with our creativity."

He continued, "Sometimes the truth is many of us, especially those of us who might be introverts, our deficit isn't that we don't think we can find people more talented than us. It's that we don't necessarily think we can find people that we can trust with something we put so much more heart and soul into, and not feel like it might not be disrupted or argued against, or that we're going to have to defend the decisions that we make creatively when we have another cook in our kitchen. And so for those people, sometimes they would rather work with a tool [rather] than another person, and that doesn't disqualify or mean anything bad for artists out there. It just means that that was never a job that someone was going to have, because it was never a relationship that was going to work, and that's okay."

SEE ALSO: YouTube AI slop is a generational threat, child safety experts warn in new petition

As to AI slop — a phrase he eluded to rather than used — Blake said, "Youtube has always been saturated by low effort, low value, low quality content in the sense that 88 percent of long form videos don't get to 1,000 views on the platform, and that's not going to necessarily change because of AI, and that should actually not discourage you. It should mean that you should understand this, we're early." He added, "I haven't seen a single AI channel that's purely AI hit 10 million subscribers on YouTube. And I'm not sure we're going to see that anytime soon."

After urging his audience away from human collaboration, Blake argued "human value" and authenticity paired with AI is the future for creators.

Roberto Blake says AI can help with energy management. Credit: Roberto Blake / Awesome Creator Academy

Blake repeatedly stressed the importance of a creator's energy in shaping their online authenticity, and the importance of protecting that energy.

"People talk about time management, productivity," he explained, "Very few people talk about energy management. They don't talk about how draining some tasks are, and then how emotionally fulfilling other tasks are. What if you could take 80 percent of your time and put it into the things that you care about the process most — you care about writing. Would you love to keep all of that for yourself?"

Blake went on, "With AI, we should look at the idea that maybe this isn't taking something away for us so much as giving us back time to be more human. That was kind of the point of my presentation, that we can be more human if we actually are able to move faster. But the thing that takes away our real humanity is not our technology, it's the lack of our time that we will never ever ever get back."

To learn more about Blake's thoughts on AI and authenticity, you can download a PDF of his presentation's slideshow at Awesome Creator Academy.

Mashable is reporting live from VidCon 2026 in Anaheim. Follow our coverage for creator interviews, panel highlights, and the biggest moments from the convention floor.