IT General

The best travel deals to shop on Prime Day 2025

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:53
The best Prime Day travel deals at a glance: BEST TRAVEL EXPERIENCE DEAL Budget car rentals save up to 30% on base rates + get 10% back in an Amazon gift card Get Deal BEST LUGGAGE DEAL American Tourister Stratum 20-inch carry-on $45.89 (save $44.10) Get Deal BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORY DEAL Apple AirTags (4-pack) $74.99 (save $24.01) Get Deal BEST CHARGING DEAL Anker 633 MagGo portable charger $42.99 (save $17) Get Deal BEST NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEAL Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones $119 (save $30.99) Get Deal BEST TABLET DEAL Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $549 (save $50) Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day is coming in hot (formally July 8 through 11) and one seasonally appropriate category that's already popping off weeks before the official event is travel deals. Whether you're looking to upgrade your luggage or in-flight entertainment, there are plenty of discounts to help you do so on a budget. Heck, Amazon has even partnered with travel companies like Budget and Expedia to offer Prime Day deals on travel experiences. So you can book a trip and get all of the gear you need to make it successful, all while saving some money.

Mashable's shopping experts are keeping track of all the best travel deals Prime Day has to offer, including luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, Kindles, charging accessories, and more. Don't see what you're looking for? Check back for more as we get closer to the big day(s).

Best Prime Day travel experience deal Opens in a new window Credit: Budget Our pick: Budget car rentals save up to 30% on base rates + get 10% back in an Amazon gift card Get Deal Why we like it

Instead of relying on Uber and Lyft to get around on your next trip, you can rent your own wheels and save. For Prime Day, Amazon customers get exclusive car rental benefits at Budget. Sign in to your Amazon account on Budget's website to unlock up to 30% off base rates on rentals for your next trip. Plus, 10% of the time and mileage charges incurred will be returned to you in the form of an Amazon gift card. You'll receive your gift card at the email associated with your Amazon account about 48 hours after your rental is complete. Head over to the promo page for more details on terms and conditions.

More Prime Day travel experience dealsBest luggage deal Opens in a new window Credit: American Tourister Our pick: American Tourister Stratum 20-inch carry-on $45.89 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $44.10 with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

Traveling is already expensive enough as it is. Opt for a carry-on only and avoid those checked bag fees (compression packing cubes are your best friend). This one from American Tourister will get the job done and won't cost you a fortune, as it's down to just $45.89 (nearly half off) ahead of Prime Day — its best price on record. Just be sure to select the on-page coupon before checking out. The Stratum 2.0 carry-on has all the essentials for a solid suitcase: spinner wheels, a durable hard shell, an ergonomic carbon fiber handle, expandable capacity, and interior pockets. It's nothing fancy, but it's a great value for the cost.

More Prime Day luggage dealsBest travel accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AirTag (4-pack) $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're an iPhone user who travels regularly or tends to lose things, AirTags are a must-have for keeping track of your belongings. Attach them to your luggage, purse, keys, backpack, instrument, etc. and as long as there's an Apple device nearby with FindMy turned off, you'll be able to see precisely where you are in proximity to your stuff. I used them for the first time on my first trip to Europe, and now I swear by them. At $74.99 for a four-pack, you're getting a pretty great deal. However, we have seen them drop about $10 further in the past. It may pay off to wait until Prime Day proper to snag a set.

More Prime Day travel accessory dealsBest charging deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Our pick: Anker 633 MagGo portable charger $42.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $17 Get Deal Why we like it

Portable power is essential for travel, but you can't trust any old power bank on Amazon. Anker's portable charging gear is some of the best, and you can't go wrong with the 633 MagGo — especially while it's down to just $42.99. It's compact, can attach to your phone via magnets, doubles as a foldable stand, and can juice up your phone quickly, thanks to its 20W USB-C output. Just $3 shy of its best price ever, you can rest assured you'll be getting a great deal if you snag it before Prime Day.

More Prime Day charging dealsBest noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Our pick: Sony WH-CH720N $119 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's headphones expert Bethany Allard selected the Sony WH-CH720N as the best early Prime Day headphones deal, noting that they're a more budget-friendly option than the new Sony WH-1000XM6s. They're lightweight and reliable, feature an impressive 35-hour battery life with noise cancellation on, and have multipoint pairing. Our sister site CNET (also owned by publisher Ziff Davis) writes, "The CH-720N offers the appealing combination of a lightweight, comfortable design with respectable performance." We've seen them drop to a lower price before, but at $119, they're still a steal.

More Prime Day noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, 128GB, WiFi) $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full review of the 2025 Apple iPad Air (M3).

We fancy the iPad Air as the best Apple tablet for most people. It's more budget-friendly than the iPad Pro, but can still handle tough design jobs, as well as streaming, reading, and other creative projects. You could even use it as a laptop substitute and it'll work swimmingly. It's also lightweight, has impressive battery life at over 14 hours, and features a brilliant 11-inch display.

As our Apple expert writes, "While $50 off isn't the most jaw-dropping deal for this 11-inch Air, it's a decent markdown to kick off Prime Day season. We just hope to see it drop another $50 down to its record-low $499 by the time the official sale start comes around."

More Prime Day tablet and Kindle deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Save up to 60% on security cameras and doorbells this Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:52
Best Prime Day security camera and doorbell deals Best security camera deal Blink Outdoor 4 5-camera system $159.99 (Save $240) Get Deal Best floodlight deal Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera $59.99 (Save $69.99) Get Deal Best indoor camera deal TP-Link Tapo 1080p Indoor Security Camera $14.97 (Save $10.02) Get Deal

Looking to add an extra layer of security to your home this year? Whether that be some outdoor cameras to keep an eye on visitors, or indoor options for monitoring kids and pets, a security camera provides some extra peace of mind. If you're looking add one to your home before you head out on summer vacation, Prime Day is offering some deals.

As we gathered our Prime Day security camera and doorbell recommendations, we kept some things top of mind. We don't recommend Ring cameras due to their weak security, even though the brand has made an effort to strengthen its encryption. So while you won't see any Ring cameras or doorbells in this round-up, we've pulled together other great options to secure your home.

Best security camera and doorbell deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 5-camera system $159.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $240 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're about to head out on summer adventures and want to keep an eye on your home, a set of security cameras can give you so some peace of mind. The Blink Outdoor 4 5-camera system can help you do just that. With five outdoor, wireless cameras, you can mount them around your house and be notified whenever motion is detected. Plus, these small but mighty cameras features infrared night vision and two-way audio.

Right now you can grab them at the stellar price of $159.99, down from its list price of $399.99. That saves you $240 for 60% off.

More security camera and doorbell deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day drone deals to shop now

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:51
Best Prime Day drone deals: Best deal overall Holy Stone HS440 $99.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best drone for kids and beginners Holy Stone HS210 $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal

Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a drone (second only to Black Friday), and the deal season is officially kicking into high gear. While everyone is watching to see what Amazon will do for its main event in July, its competitors are already launching major sales to get a head start, dropping serious discounts on top-rated drones from brands like DJI (most DJI drones are sold out on the retailer's website), Holy Stone, and more.

SEE ALSO: The best drones for every level of pilot

Our team of shopping experts is tracking all of these competing sales to find the best discounts for every skill level and budget. This gives you a huge advantage: You can snag the drone you want before the Prime Day rush — and potentially before it sells out.

To help you find the absolute best deal available today, our running list below features the top picks from across the internet. We're vetting every offer, comparing prices, and weeding out unreliable third-party sellers (Amazon is notorious for this) to make sure every discount we list is a legit deal. We'll be updating this page constantly, and if Amazon drops a price worth knowing about, you'll see it here first.

Best drone deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Holy Stone HS440 $99.99 at Holy Stone
$129.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

You can get the Holy Stone HS440 for $99.99, down from $129.99, directly from the Holy Stone site. It’s the same price at Amazon, but Amazon isn’t listing it as a deal, and the seller is DeeRC, so it’s probably better to buy it directly from Holy Stone.

This foldable drone is ideal for beginner pilots, thanks to its user-friendly features and affordable price tag. It comes equipped with a 1080p HD auto-adjustable camera, has a 20-minute flight time, and includes safety features like Emergency Stop, Headless Mode, and Altitude Hold. You’ll also get a carrying case, a USB charging cable, spare propellers, and one battery.

More drone deals directly from the retailer Amazon drone deals you can trust
Categories: IT General, Technology

These Prime Day deals can save you up to 42% on a new mesh WiFi system

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:50
Best Prime Day deals on mesh Wi-Fi systems: Best deal overall TP-Link Deco S4 mesh AC1900 WiFi system $99.97 (save $30.02) Get Deal Best budget pick TP-Link Deco BE23 Dual-Band BE3600 WiFi 7 mesh WiFi router $79.98 (save $20.01) Get Deal Honorable mention Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi system $105 (save $194.99 (with code EERO6PLUS3PK)) Get Deal

Prime Day is just one week away, and Amazon’s already dropping some pretty impressive deals on home tech. While there are tons of discounts out there, the ones that can actually fix your day-to-day frustrations (like a terrible internet connection) are the ones really worth watching.

So, if you’ve been struggling with WiFi dead zones or a crappy connection (I definitely have and have been eyeing these deals), now might be the perfect time to finally upgrade to a mesh WiFi system.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day drone deals to shop now

One deal I couldn’t not mention is on the Amazon eero 6+ mesh WiFi system. Right now, select customers can get a three-pack for just $105 with code EERO6PLUS3PK. That is the absolute lowest price we’ve ever seen on this particular setup. However, not everyone on our team is seeing this deal, so availability may be subject to geographical location, account standing, or Amazon's internal promotional algorithms. Still, it's worth checking to see if you’re eligible.

If you aren’t seeing this deal, there are still some solid options out there for a mesh system upgrade. Here are all the best Prime Day deals on mesh WiFi systems.

Best deal overall TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh WiFi System (3-Pack) $119.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The TP-Link Deco S4 mesh AC1900 WiFi system is on sale for 99.97, down from 129.99. This isn't the lowest we’ve ever seen this system go for (it hit 89.99 briefly last December), but it’s still a really good deal on a three-pack mesh system that can cover up to 5,500 square feet.

The Deco S4 is Alexa-compatible and supports connectivity for up to 100 devices. And, unlike most traditional mesh systems, the Deco S4 lets you roam throughout your home without needing to manually switch networks. So, you could walk from your home office to the kitchen while you’re on a video call without any interruption.

More Prime Day deals on mesh Wi-Fi systems
Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Prime Day soundbar deals you can shop right now

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:49
The best Prime Day soundbar deals: Best deal overall Amazon Fire TV Soundbar $84.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best JBL deal JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One (MK2) $149.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best Sony deal Sony HT-S2000 $298 (save $201.99) Get Deal

Prime Day (it’s now a four-day event, so Prime Days?) is looming — we’re just a week and some change away from Amazon’s annual sales event, and if you’re in the market for a new soundbar, now’s the time to start looking.

While Prime Day itself will undoubtedly have deals worth shopping, over the years (we’ve been covering Prime Day since 2018!), we’ve found that some of the best deals creep up just before the actual event kicks off. Whether this is a sneaky way to get people shopping early or just a coincidence, it means you don’t necessarily have to wait until Prime Day to snag a good deal.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your TV setup with our favorite expert-tested soundbars

Here are the best Prime Day soundbar deals we could find as of June 25. We’ll be updating this post regularly as new deals pop up, so be sure to check back often.

The best Prime Day soundbar deal Amazon Fire TV Soundbar $84.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $35 Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a soundbar on the cheap, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar (newest model) for just $84.99 right now. That’s a 29% discount, $35 in savings, and the absolute lowest price we’ve ever tracked.

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar features dual speakers for a fuller sound, Dolby Audio support, HDMI eARC, and quick and seamless integration with Amazon Fire TV devices. (You can use it with other smart TVs too, though.) It’s Bluetooth-enabled, so you can stream music, podcasts, and more from your phone, and it’s compact enough not to take up too much space under your TV.

Is it the best soundbar? Probably not, but it is the most affordable soundbar from a name brand that you can get right now.

The best Prime Day JBL deal JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One MK2 2.0ch Soundbar $199.95 at Amazon
$219.95 Save $20 Get Deal Why we like it

If you have a bit more to spend, and you want more sound, you can get the JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One (MK2) for $149.95. That’s a 25% discount and $50 in savings. It’s not the lowest we’ve seen for this model, but it is the cheapest it’s been since November 2023.

The JBL Bar 2.0 All-in-One (MK2) is compact but still has that signature JBL sound, with 80W of power and Dolby Digital for an “authentic cinematic experience.” If you’d rather not use your TV, you can stream music via Bluetooth from your smartphone or tablet, and it’s easy to set up.

The best Prime Day Sony deal Sony HT-S2000 $298 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $201.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re more of a Sony fan (everyone has their preferences), you can get the Sony HT-S2000 3.1ch Dolby Atmos Soundbar for its lowest price ever: $298. We haven’t seen it dip this low since October of last year.

The Sony HT-S2000 offers surround sound in a compact design. It comes with built-in dual subwoofers, three front speakers, and a center channel so you can actually hear the dialogue in whatever you’re watching. If you need more sound, you can purchase optional wireless subwoofers and rear speakers separately.

It’s also Bluetooth-enabled and has an easy setup using the HDMI eARC connection.

More soundbar deals you can shop right nowSoundbars we’re waiting to see on sale

While the deals above are already live, there are a few other soundbars we’re hoping to see on sale for Prime Day.

The Sonos Arc Ultra is one of our all-time favorite soundbars. It’s a little pricey, but it delivers what our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, calls “movie theater-like sound.” In his Sonos Arc Ultra review, he calls out its smart features, sleek design, and “impressive” audio. It usually retails around $999, but we’re hoping to see it drop below $800 for Prime Day.

Another Mashable Choice Award winner that we’d like to see on sale is the Bose Smart Soundbar. Werth rated it one of the best soundbars for its easy setup, smart design, and value for the dollar. It’s a great soundbar to get if you're just starting out with a home theater setup, and we’re hoping to see it drop below its usual $549 price tag.

Categories: IT General, Technology

15+ Prime Day board game deals you can already shop

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:48
The best Prime Day board game deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL 'Scrabble' $11.59 (save $10.40) Get Deal BEST KIDS GAME DEAL 'Hungry Hungry Hippos' $12.99 (save $7) Get Deal BEST CLASSIC BOARD GAME DEAL 'Twister' $14.97 (save $5.02) Get Deal BEST SPECIAL EDITION GAME DEAL 'Monopoly: Harry Potter Edition' $23.49 (save $16.50) Get Deal

Prime Day is nearly here (formally July 8 through 11) and Amazon is blessing us with hundreds of deals on all sorts of products, from TVs and laptops to robot vacuums and gaming consoles. But the sale isn't limited to tech — we're also seeing some deals roll in on board games.

One of the best ways to bring people of all ages together, board games are fun for the whole family. If you're looking for an indoor activity that isn't screen-related to beat the heat this summer, game night is calling. And during Prime Day, you can build up your board game arsenal for less.

We're keeping track of the best board game deals below and will update the list with any new and exciting deals that may drop as Prime Day nears.

Best Prime Day board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro 'Scrabble' $11.59 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $10.40 Get Deal Why we like it

First released in 1948, Scrabble remains one of the most popular and best word games; it's my personal favorite. Whether you're new to the classic crossword game or are a word-slinging pro, you get seven letter tiles to start creating words and building upon letters added to the board with each turn. It's more than just word creation, though — land your highest-scoring letters on special double and triple point tiles and see who can rack up the most points. It's meant for two to four players. Grab it on sale for just $11.59 at Amazon ahead of Prime Day — that's nearly 50% off.

More board game deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 8, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:47

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. 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 Mini crossword answers, hints for July 8, 2025 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: The opposite of "dip, dive, duck, dodge"

  • Green: Regional facilities

  • Blue: Winners

  • Purple: Grads

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Nail a batter with a pitch

  • Green: Sun Belt Conference schools

  • Blue: QBs to win multiple Super Bowls

  • Purple: Stanford Alumni

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 #288 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Nail a batter with a pitch - BEAN, DRILL, HIT, PLUNK

  • Sun Belt Conference schools - JAMES MADISON, MARSHALL, OLD DOMINION, TROY

  • QBs to win multiple Super Bowls - ELWAY, MANNING, STARR, STAUBACH

  • Stanford Alumni - LEDECKY, LOPEZ, MCCAFFREY, OGWUMIKE

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.

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Beat the heat with Prime Day deals on bladeless fans

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:46
Best Prime Day bladeless fan deals: Best deal overall Dreo Tower Fan (DR-HTF007) $67.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best budget pick Pelonis Bladeless Towner Fan (PSF40T2ABB) $58.43 (save $6.56) Get Deal Best Dyson deal Dyson Purifier Cool (TP07) $449 (save $200.99) Get Deal

It’s already been a scorching hot summer, even though it only officially began recently. If you’re without an air conditioner or are trying to cut back on energy costs because running the AC 24/7 is expensive, we might be able to help.

While Prime Day doesn’t “officially” start until July 8, Amazon’s been rolling out tons of early deals across the board, including a handful of bladeless fans, and we’ve managed to find a few worthwhile picks.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2025: Dates, deals, and the competition

Here are the best early Prime Day deals on bladeless fans you can shop now, plus everything you need to know about choosing the right one.

Best deal overall Dreo Tower Fan (DR-HTF007) $67.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $12 Get Deal Why we like it

Snag the Dreo Tower Fan (DR-HTF007) for just $67.99, down from $79.99. I know a $12 savings might not sound like a huge number, but honestly, it's already pretty reasonably priced compared to a lot of similar models, and you're getting a ton of bang for your buck here.

SEE ALSO: Personal fans are the product of summer

This 36-inch tower fan features four different modes and speeds that you can easily adjust from the top panel or with the handy included remote. Plus, it oscillates a full 90 degrees to really get that cool air circulating throughout your room (reaching up to 25 feet per second, according to Dreo). It even has a timer function, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off. And for those light sleepers out there, it's designed to operate super quietly (at just 28 dB), making it a solid choice for bedrooms.

More early Prime Day bladeless fan deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

My kids are obsessed with Toniebox. Get starter sets on sale for $99 during Prime Day.

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:45

SAVE $79.96: Save 44% on Toniebox starter kits at Amazon during Prime Day from July 8 to 11. Typically priced at $179.95, the bundle includes the box and a collection of Tonies for $99.99.

Toniebox bundles on sale Disney Princess Toniebox Bundle $99.99 (Save $79.96) Get Deal Spidey and Friends Toniebox Bundle $99.99 (Save $79.96) Get Deal Disney Pixar Toniebox Bundle $99.99 (Save $79.96) Get Deal National Geographic Toniebox Bundle $99.99 (Save $79.96) Get Deal Disney Frozen Toniebox Bundle $99.99 (Save $79.96) Get Deal

As a mom of two, the TV has become a bit of a crutch in my house. If I need to keep the kids occupied while I prep a meal or attend to another quick household task, switching on the television is just all too easy — and they're more than happy to check out in front of the "boob tube."

But my kids are preschool age and younger, and limiting their screen time is something that's important to my husband and me. They don't use tablets, so the TV is really their only form of passive entertainment. But we started to notice some issues with our older child, who was becoming obsessed. She'd wake up asking for TV the first thing in the morning, and would resist and whine when it was time to turn it off. This wasn't just typical 4-year-old resistance, though. We're talking total meltdowns.

Right around her third birthday, my husband discovered the Toniebox and brought it home as a solution to those early morning TV requests. Since then, it's become both a beloved toy and a powerful tool in our home.

Toniebox provides entertainment sans screen time. Credit: Toniebox

Toniebox is a screen-free speaker that plays songs, tells stories, and reads books. In order to make it work, you place a small figurine — a Tonie — that attaches via magnet to the top of the box. Each individual figure powers its own playlist of content. In our house, we're big fans of the Mirabel-shaped Encanto Tonie and the Coco Tonie that features the movie's main character, Miguel. So on each of those, there's music from the respective soundtrack, and then a narrator tells the story of the movie as if reading from a book.

The thing I love the most about the Toniebox is that it requires little to no parent involvement, so our kids can choose their character, turn up the volume, skip songs, and be in charge of their own entertainment. It's a little slice of independence that kids this age so rarely get, and it's really helped our daughter to power down or take a break without getting sucked into a screen.

What makes this Prime Day deal great is that you get a bundle of Tonies included with the box itself. Normally priced at about $20 each, the cost of those Tonies can add up quickly. The bundles include the box plus four to five Tonies, all under $100.

Shop the best Prime Day deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon has tons of great Instant Pot deals live on Prime Day

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:44
Best Prime Day Instant Pot deals Best overall deal Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker $69.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best Instant Pot with air fryer deal Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 $129.99 (save $70) Get Deal

With everything on the daily agenda these days, there's simply not enough time to cook dinner every night. If you tend to feel overwhelmed about making food, using an Instant Pot can be a cheat. Toss some ingredients in, select a time and cooking setting, and you'll be on your way to a no-hassle dinner. You can even use frozen ingredients.

While we're all familiar with Instant Pots, the brand itself, Instant, makes plenty of other useful small kitchen appliances including stand mixers, air fryers, toaster ovens, and frothers for your morning coffee.

SEE ALSO: Early Prime Day air fryer deals: Instant Pot and Ninja both have one standout option

Traditionally, Instant Pots have seen awesome discounts during Prime Day events and this year is proving to be no exception — except the deals have landed early. Instead of waiting until July 8, Amazon has already slashed up to 50% off some of the brand's best offerings. If you're looking for some kitchen upgrades this summer, check out these early Prime Day Instant Pot deals.

Best Prime Day Instant Pot deal Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker $69.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

With a six-quart capacity, the Instant Pot Duo Plus has tons of cooking functions including pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, cake, soup, yogurt, and more. Load up your ingredients into the stainless steel pot and you'll be on your way to speedy cooking. Plus, you'll be able to keep an eye on remaining cooking time thanks to the LCD monitor.

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker usually sells for $139.99, but it's already 50% off ahead of Prime Day, which means you can grab it for $69.99.

Best Instant Pot deal with air fryer Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Duo Crisp $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're short on counter space but utilize the convenience of an Instant Pot and an air fryer, why not combine the two? The Instant Pot Duo Crisp comes with two lids, so you'll be able to use it as a pressure cooker and an air fryer by switching out the lids. Overall, this model has 11 cooking functions that include pressure cook, air fry, roast, broil, dehydrate, steam, and more. The eight-quart capacity is perfect for feeding your family or serving dinner to housemates.

More Instant brand deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

10+ Prime Day printer and scanner deals you can shop right now

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:42
Best Prime Day printer and scanner deals: Best deal overall Epson EcoTank ET-2800 $209.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best runner-up deal HP Smart Tank 5103 $199.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best budget pick Canon TS202 $43.99 (save $10) Get Deal

We’re officially in Prime Day mode — the big (now four-day) event is set to kick off July 8 but, as is typical, the sales are already rolling in. And if you're on the hunt for a new printer or scanner (most printers also function as scanners), you're in luck.

SEE ALSO: How to recycle Amazon packaging from your Prime Day purchases (yes, all of it)

We’re seeing early Prime Day deals on printers and scanners from all the top brands, including HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother. Whether you need a basic inkjet printer for occasional use, a high-performance laser printer for your home office, or an all-in-one scanner for digitizing documents, there are plenty of options to choose from.

And don't miss all the best early Prime Day deals that are already live.

Best printer deal overall Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color Printer $189.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $90 Get Deal Why we like it

The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is a great all-in-one that can print, copy, and scan. Its biggest feature is that it uses high-capacity ink bottles instead of cartridges, which are less wasteful and easier to use. According to Epson, this can save you up to 90 percent on ink costs in the long run, and it even comes with up to two years of ink right in the box. It's perfect for printing everything from homework to photos, and the high-res flatbed scanner makes copying and digitizing documents simple.

You can get the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 right now for $209.99, down from $279.99. That’s a 25% discount and a $70 price cut. While this isn’t the lowest price we’ve seen it at (it was around $179 in November 2024), it’s still a great deal.

More printer and scanner deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

Eyeing a robot vacuum this Prime Day? A ton of self-emptying models are on sale.

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:41
The best self-emptying robot vacuum deals on Prime Day Budget pick Eufy C10 $249.99 (save $230 with Prime) Get Deal Best self-emptying mopping deal Roborock Qrevo S $459.99 (save $340 with Prime) Get Deal

There are very few circumstances in which a person shopping for a robot vacuum shouldn't opt for a self-emptying robot vacuum. You're already shopping for a robot vacuum because you like the idea of automated cleaning, so it only makes sense to automate the maintenance as well.

Nowadays, auto-empty robot vacuums aren't necessarily the expensive hunks of plastic that take up a ton of floor space that they were in 2020. Many auto-empty docks are easily compact enough for a small space or apartment, and many don't cost more than $500 even at full price. So, you can imagine how big your list of affordable options gets during a sale season like Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: The most underrated robot vacuum of 2025 is also a stick vacuum

Though Prime Day 2025 doesn't officially start until July 8, Amazon has already dropped the prices on a ton of self-emptying robot vacuums. Whether you're not trying to spend more than $200 or $300 or you're eyeing an auto-empty dock that also washes and dries a mopping robot vacuum's mopping pads, there's a deal for you in this list.

I'm tracking the best deals on self-emptying robot vacuum deals ahead of Prime Day 2025 below. If a self-empty dock is also a mop washing station for a robot vacuum that mops, that'll also be pointed out. Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S with mop washing station $459.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $340 save $340 with Prime Get Deal Why we like it

The massive $340 discount on this Roborock robot vacuum is the biggest discount in this whole list. So, if you're a Prime member, you don't even have to spend $500 to get the full hands-off robot vacuum experience including self-washing mopping pads.

The Qrevo S is kind of like the diet version of the Roborock Qrevo Master, my favorite robot vacuum from 2024 — the best part is easily the dual spinning mopping pads that wash and dry themselves after each run. After testing nearly 30 robot vacuums on my own hardwood and tile floors at home, I am fully convinced that the spinning action offers more precise scrubbing than a singular flat pad. The Qrevo S also has smart room mapping and small obstacle avoidance technology.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on saleRobot vacuums that mopRobot vacuums that don't mop
Categories: IT General, Technology

New Together trailer is the photo album of nightmares

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:39

Together, the upcoming Michael Shanks horror starring IRL couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, already has a nauseating trailer — and now it has an equally nauseating photo album.

The one-minute teaser above from Neon is a essentially a slideshow of relationship images, showing plenty of happy vacation shots inter-spliced with some truly disturbing body horror shots. Nope.

Together hits theaters July 30.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Almost every single new Roomba is on sale on Prime Day — save up to $800

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:39
Best Prime Day deals on Roombas Best cheap Roomba deal iRobot Roomba 104 Combo with AutoEmpty dock $249.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best mopping Roomba deal iRobot Roomba Plus 405 Combo with self-empty station and AutoWash dock $399.99 (save $400) Get Deal

The list of Roombas on sale at Amazon ahead of Prime Day 2025 looks much different than the list of Roombas on sale during Amazon's Big Spring Sale in March. And that's a very, very good thing.

This is because Amazon Prime Day 2025 is the first big sale event for most of the new Roombas that debuted in March (they were far too new to get any real discounts during Amazon's spring sale). And these 2025 Roombas are unlike any Roombas we've seen before.

SEE ALSO: The most underrated robot vacuum of 2025 is also a stick vacuum

iRobot finally read the room and saw that other top robot vacuums from the likes of Shark and Roborock had better features for less money. The newest Roomba vacuums are the company's most practically priced and feature packed in years. The most affordable base-tier model can finally clean specific rooms on command instead of just bump around. Multiple new premium Roombas switched to spinning mopping pads that wash and dry themselves — without costing $1,000.

The newfound cost efficiency renders old iRobot models like the Roomba i3 or Roomba Essential Y0140 worthless. Amazon is essentially ignoring their existence in the weeks preceding Prime Day, instead shaving between 30% and 54% off the new Roombas for the first time. I'm already tracking all of the worthwhile early Prime Day Roomba deals below, as well as tracking all of Amazon's other early Prime Day robot vacuum deals.

Note: Any deal marked with a 🔥 has dropped to a record-low price at Amazon.

Best Roomba deal on Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 104 Combo with AutoEmpty dock $249.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $200 Get Deal Why we like it

Up until the latest round of Roombas that hit the scene in spring 2025, I'd often actively advise against getting a Roomba as your budget-friendly robot vacuum. The older, entry-level Roombas, like the Roomba 694 and Essential series, didn't even have smart mapping, whereas the entry-level Shark robot vacuums did — often at a lower price point than the cheap Roombas. But after testing the new base-tier Roomba 105, I can finally give iRobot credit for actually putting effort into a cheap Roomba. The Roomba 104 Combo featured here is nearly identical to the 105, but also mops.

The Roomba 105 cleaning my bedroom floor. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Roomba 104's 7,000 Pa of suction power not only destroys the mediocre suction power of past cheap Roomba vacuums like the Roomba i5, but is actually quite a high number for the price range at all. During testing in my apartment, the 105 barely missed any kitty litter, random crumbs, or surface-level pieces of hair or fur balls. It swept along edges and corners much closer than the other basic Roombas. With this improved cleaning combined with a self-empty dock, this is the most well-rounded Roomba that has ever dropped below $250.

More Roomba deals at Amazon The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for July 8, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:39

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, July 8, 2025:

AcrossConcern for dentists and nuclear physicists
  • The answer is Decay.

Get married in a hurry
  • The answer is Elope.

The world's all-time best-selling book
  • The answer is Bible.

Doughnut's shape, mathematically
  • The answer is Torus.

Secret collection
  • The answer is Stash.

Down"A Lannister always pays his ___" (oft-quoted "Game of Thrones" line)
  • The answer is Debts.

Poet T.S. ___
  • The answer is Eliot.

Hisser with a hood
  • The answer is Cobra.

Best-possible test grade
  • The answer is A Plus.

"Oof, that makes me cringe!"
  • The answer is Yeesh.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals you can shop

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:38
The best Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Sony ULT Field 3 $144.95 (save $55.04) Get Deal BEST BUDGET DEAL Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go $21.99 (save $13) Get Deal BEST SPLURGE Sony ULT Field 5 $198 (save $131.99) Get Deal

Having a quality speaker to crank the songs of the summer is never a bad idea, especially if you plan on hosting parties, hitting the beach, or heading out on a camping trip. Fortunately, if you're lacking in the Bluetooth speaker department, now is a great time to score one for a sweet deal — because it's Prime Day, baby.

Prime Day formally falls on July 8 through 11 this year, but Amazon started dropping prices on top audio brands like Sony, JBL, and Anker Soundcore hella early. We expect the list to grow exponentially once the event officialy kicks off, but if you want to shop a bit early, have at it. Some Bluetooth speakers are already down to record lows.

We'll be tracking the best Bluetooth speaker deals throughout Prime Day and updating this page with the latest and greatest prices. If you don't see anything that catches your eye just yet, be sure to check back as the official sale kicks off.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 3 🔥 $144.95 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $55.04 Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony ULT Field 3 has only been out for a few months, but it's already earned the title of our favorite speaker for bass lovers. And ahead of Prime Day, it's down to just $144.95 — that's its best price ever. The ULT Field 3 checks all the right boxes for a Bluetooth speaker — it's waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and rustproof, and has great audio quality, solid battery life, and hefty bass you'll feel in your chest. Mashable Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern writes, "The speaker is great for punching up your music and bringing out little details you might miss on another speaker."

Check out our full review of the Sony ULT Field 3 speaker.

More early Prime Day Bluetooth speaker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Scope the best noise-cancelling headphones deals on Prime Day — best-ever price on AirPods Max

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:36

Best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals on Prime Day Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $44.99 (save $95) Get Deal

We're now just a week away from the official start of Amazon Prime Day on July 8, and noise-cancelling headphones deals are starting to pick up ever so slightly.

Typically, Prime Day brings savings on all the major headphones brands, including Bose, Sony, and Apple. So far, we haven't seen any particularly impressive price drops from the latter two brands, but Apple decided to show out early with a $69 price cut on the AirPods Max. (We're still waiting on a better deal for the AirPods Pro, though).

SEE ALSO: These Prime Day deals landed early — save on Apple, Ninja, and Samsung gadgets

On the noise-cancelling earbuds front, Amazon itself is making an early showing with their Echo Buds down to just $45.

We'll keep this post updated as more deals go live, but in the meantime, check out the 10 best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals live ahead of Prime Day.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $429.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $119.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Read more from Mashable about the AirPods Max.

We're hesitant to recommend the AirPods Max because of their sky-high price point, but a $69 price cut makes them slightly more palatable — especially if you're already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. At the time of writing, all five colorways are marked down to $479.99. Though it's a deal, it's not quite the best we've seen on these headphones — earlier this year, they dropped all the way down to $449.99. If you want to grab a pair ahead of Prime Day, this is a solid price, but waiting another week might up your chances of grabbing them back at their record-low price.

More noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $44.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $95 Get Deal Why we like it

Even with all the great budget options on the market, including the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds, it's not the easiest task to find decent noise-cancelling earbuds under $50. Of course, never one to be outdone during their own sale season, Amazon marked down the Echo Buds with ANC all the way down to $44.99, resulting in a $95 price drop. This deal is exclusive to Prime members, however. If you want in, but don't have a membership, you can sign up for a free trial subscription.

More noise-cancelling earbuds deals The best early Prime Day deals to shop this week
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Prime Day deals on Fire tablets

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:34
Prime Day Fire tablet deals Best Fire tablet deal Like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $129.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best Fire 7 Kids deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet backpack bundle $44.99 (Save $74.99) Get Deal Best Fire HD 8 kids deal Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet $69.99 (Save $94.99) Get Deal

In the days leading up to Amazon Prime Day, we're tracking the deals on the retailers flagship product. Admittedly, the show stopping deals aren't quite here, but we've still rounded up a good deal of Prime Day deals.

In terms of Amazon's products, we've found some deals on Kindles, and now, we've spotted some great deals on Fire tablets. While the deals aren't abundant, they are still majorly marked down. Here are the best deals on Fire tablets to shop now.

Best Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet $129.99
$199.99 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

Deals on new Fire tablets are limited but if you don't mind a like-new model, then there's one really great deal.

Ahead of Prime Day, grab a like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet. It's the latest model from Amazon, with an 11-inch screen and 2,000 by 1,200 resolution. With an octa-core processor, 4 GB of memory, and a 14-hour battery life, it provides plenty of power for streaming and gaming.

If you're worried about buying a refurbished tablet, don't! It's been tested and certified by Amazon, and comes with the same warranty as a new device.

Normally $199.99, ahead of Prime Day, the like-new Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet down to $129.99. That saves you $70 for 35% savings.

Best kids Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet backpack bundle $44.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $74.99 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're about to head out on summer travel with kids, you're in our thoughts. To keep them entertained, a kid-friendly tablet can be a huge lifesaver. Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon is offering a killer deal. When purchasing a Fire 7 Kids tablet with the backpack bundle, it's just $44.99, saving you $74.99 from it's usual $119.98.

Those 63% savings are an abundance of savings, plus the backpack is designed for carrying the tablet around for easy storage. The tablet itself comes with 10-hours of battery life and parental controls, so you can keep an eye on what the kids are watching.

More Fire tablet deals

Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflixs Alice in Borderland Season 3 trailer teases return to deadly games

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:32

Netflix has released a teaser trailer for Alice in Borderland Season 3, giving us a glimpse at the Japanese sci-fi thriller's next sadistic trials.

Based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso, Alice in Borderland's third season finds Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya) living an ordinary life as a married couple. Even so, it seems they can't fully escape the Borderland's deadly games, both still haunted by memories of their time there.

Yet even this quiet semblance of peace cannot last, with Usagi soon going missing and returning to the Borderland. This prompts Arisu to follow, braving the Borderland once more on a mission to save his wife.

Alice in Borderland Season 3 premieres September 25 on Netflix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Only a few good 2-in-1 laptop deals are live on Prime Day. Most arent at Amazon.

Mashable - Tue, 07/08/2025 - 09:32
The best 2-in-1 laptop deals ahead of Prime Day at a glance Best deal at Amazon Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, 15.6-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best deal at Best Buy Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 14 (Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $999.99 (save $450) Get Deal

Amazon is already a rocky retailer for laptop deals, even during its own shopping holidays like Prime Day. So naturally, worthwhile deals on a specific type of laptop, like the coveted 2-in-1, are even harder to come by at Amazon.

That doesn't mean there won't be any decent 2-in-1 laptop deals to be found at all during Prime Day (July 8 through 11 this year). They'll likely just be at another retailer: Best Buy.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025: Tested for performance, battery life, design, and value

Best Buy consistently has a much higher selection of laptops compared to Amazon's, especially when it comes to Windows laptops. It's the exclusive carrier of several Copilot PCs (a few of which are on sale now), which unlock AI features like Microsoft Recall and Cocreator in Paint. Totally coincidentally, Best Buy's Black Friday in July sale is happening the exact same week as Prime Day.

Either way, we're dropping the best 2-in-1 laptop deals ahead of Prime Day below, noting whether they're actually at Amazon or elsewhere. (We're also tracking all of the best Prime Day laptop deals past 2-in-1s, including MacBooks and Surface laptops.) Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to an all-time low price.

Best Prime Day 2-in-1 laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, 15.6-inch (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,349.99 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it

Sure, the Galaxy Book5 360 might be the default pick because it's the only 2-in-1 deal from Amazon that we can back at the moment. But it also is genuinely just a good deal on a Copilot+ laptop that hasn't even been out for a year — and $1,099.99 is only $50 away from its record-low pricing at Amazon.

A great pick for school or work alike, this Galaxy Book5 360 features a sharp 1080p AMOLED display, 16GB memory, at least a day of battery life, and solid build quality for a design with hinges.

More 2-in-1 laptops deals ahead of Prime Day2-in-1 laptop deals at Best Buy
Categories: IT General, Technology
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