IT General

Sonos' headphones have gone "Ultra," like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra before them. But what does that mean, exactly?

Launched in 2024, the Sonos Ace were the company's first wireless, over-the-ear headphones. Now, the company has a new version, and the name itself – Sonos Ace Ultra – positions them above the old model and implies that these are really something special.

Well, in a way, they are, but it really depends on how you plan on using them. I've spent a week with the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones to see how they compare to the noise-cancelling competition, and I enjoyed the comfort, the surround sound, and the fact that they're connected to the Sonos speaker system in my house. For pure music listening, though, they're just OK.

Design: Mostly unchanged

The Sonos Ace Ultra looks pretty much the same as the old model. It's an understated look that's typical of Sonos gadgets, and you do get two new colors on offer: Sand and Agave (besides the old Soft White and Black). The unit Sonos sent me was in the Agave color, and I love it; it's a very subtle shade of green-blue that goes well with anything.

What is this, a cable for ants? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Don't expect anything flashy. The Sonos Ace Ultra looks like a nice set of headphones, nothing more and nothing less. Apple's AirPods Max 2 have a shinier, more recognizable look, despite also being available in very subtle colors. Sonos's headphones are lighter than the AirPods Max 2 (322g vs 386g), which makes them comfier during longer listening sessions.

There are a couple of clever design decisions here. I love how the right cup has a lighter color inside than the left one, making it easier to recognize which is which.

The controls are fairly standard, with one exception. On the bottom of the left cup, you've got your Power button, which doubles as a Bluetooth pairing button. On the bottom of the right cup, there's a button that switches between active noise cancellation (ANC) mode, aware mode (which lets in outside sounds), and "everything off" mode. And above it there's a volume key that doubles as a content key, allowing you to swap audio with nearby Sonos speakers. That particular feature is one of the main selling points for these: If you're already invested in a Sonos audio system, these are the only headphones that let you easily bounce audio between the speakers and the headphones.

Finally, there's a USB-C port for charging, or for plugging in a USB-C to 3.5mm cable, which Sonos thankfully includes with the headphones. There's a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box, too, but it's ridiculously short and thus only useful for charging.

In terms of accessories, you get a semi-soft case that takes in those cables and the headphones while remaining very slim and light. The quality doesn't feel too great, though, and the zipper is finicky.

Good sound, but ANC has to be turned on

The one big difference the Ultra brings over the original Sonos Ace are the new custom, Sonos-engineered drivers. In theory, that should mean improved sound, but my impressions are mixed.

Finally, I know which side is right and which is left. Wait, which one is it again? Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Among all of the headphones I've tested, I've never seen headphones change their sonic signature so drastically when you switch between various listening modes. With noise cancellation or aware mode on, the sound is full and deep. But turn those features off, and the bass is gone completely, and the sound becomes flat and tinny.

This is very odd. Typically, headphones sound best with all digital enhancements, including noise cancellation, turned off. But Sonos' Ace Ultra sounds so much better with noise cancellation, so turning it off almost never makes any sense. I couldn't even fix this by increasing bass volume in the equalizer in Sonos' app. The effect was there even when I connected the Ace Ultra to my iPhone or Mac via a wired connection.

Since I couldn't get a very good sound without noise cancellation, I mostly used the Ace Ultra with the feature turned on. And when it's on, the sound is pretty good. Slightly too much bass, a little low on detail in the mids and highs, but a great fit for heavy rock tunes such as Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs.'

My direct comparison headphones were Apple's AirPods Max, and they have a sound that's far more open and bright, with more details, but less bass. Whenever I put the Ace Ultra on after the AirPods Max 2, the sound turned dark and closed. Some may prefer this sonic signature, and to be fair, the AirPods Max do cost a hundred bucks more. But the difference is there.

Lossless audio support over Bluetooth is a cool addition, but being in the Apple world, none of my MacBooks or iPhones support the required Qualcomm aptX codec. You can get it with a dedicated audio transmitter, but for true lossless audio, the easier and better solution is to just connect the headphones to the source with a cable.

Despite my facial expression, I like the headphones. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

If you do that, you will get a slightly brighter, fuller, and more detailed sound on the Ace Ultra. In fact, the sound improves so much that it actually becomes better than what I get out of Apple's AirPods Max 2, with an equal wired connection. This leads me to believe that Sonos needs to work on the way it handles Bluetooth codecs, with the possibility of wireless sound improving further down the road.

The Ace Ultra truly shone when I switched to movies and live shows on the TV, thanks to excellent Dolby Atmos support. It's almost uncanny to walk around the room and hear the sound adjust to where you're turned. Watching the first season of Amazon's new show Neagly, I was startled by a knock on the door that appeared to come way to the right of me. The effect is stronger and perhaps even a tad better than on any of Apple's headphones.

Nominally, the Ace Ultra also supports Apple's Spatial Audio, but I couldn't get it to kick in when listening to Apple Music.

So...many...features

The Sonos Ace Ultra come with a ton of features — some specific to Sonos — that make them one of the most complete wireless headphones on the market. This includes active noise cancellation, support for Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio, lossless audio support even over Bluetooth (thanks to the Qualcomm aptX codec), and WiFi connectivity, which gives you the ability to swap sound between the headphones and a compatible Sonos soundbar.

The Beam Ultra is the perfect companion for the Sonos Ace Ultra Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Noise cancellation is pretty good; on par with what you'd get from other headphones in this range. Aware mode will let outside noise in, and you can additionally enhance human voices in the Sonos app, but I still had to stop the music to hear what people around me were saying.

If you've got small kids or simply don't want to annoy the rest of your family with a movie, you can switch the sound from the soundbar (Sonos sent me the new Beam Arc Ultra to try this out) to the headphones, and you can continue to enjoy the movie in all of its surround audio glory.

Now, using the Sonos app for any of this isn't strictly necessary, but sometimes my connection would drop or switching wouldn't work, and the easiest way to see what's up was in the app.

This is the same app, mind you, that caused so many problems for Sonos; following a major redesign, the app was so bad that the company spent many months fixing it, and apologized to customers for the app's performance.

These are probably the comfiest headphones I've ever tested. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The app is better than it was at launch, but it is still another layer of potential trouble sitting in between me and my entertainment. Sometimes, the playback would stop for a few seconds, and just wouldn't resume on its own. Sometimes, I'd get lost in the app's many menus, and couldn't for the life of me find the thing I was looking for. Often, it felt easier to use Apple Music and find my content there, but then I felt cut off from the rest of my Sonos system (which, for the purpose of testing, consisted only of the headphones and the Beam Arc Ultra).

It's not all bad, and parts of it can be attributed to the quirky mesh Wi-Fi network in my home, but the app is still not on par with the quality of Sonos' hardware.

A soundbar that goes up

Sonos sent me the new Beam Ultra to test together with the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones, probably because these two products play the handoff game well. While this review focuses on the headphones, here are a few notes on the Beam Ultra.

Compared to Beam (Gen 2), the Beam Ultra has better side-firing speakers, additional upward-firing speakers, and more bass output. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

It's an extremely simple, plug-and-play soundbar with Dolby Atmos and upward-firing speakers, meaning you'll get a nice, full surround sound just by plugging it into your TV. The soundscape it produces isn't the widest or the tallest, but it was plenty for my slanted-ceiling living room. Bass is well-defined, but there's not a ton of it. In short: It's good enough for most folks, but serious surround enthusiasts will want to consider additional left and right speakers, as well as a subwoofer.

In terms of connectivity, the Beam Ultra offers fairly little. You cannot plug additional speakers into it; it only has an HDMI eARC connector, which you'll probably use to connect it with your TV, and a USB-C line-in to connect it with an additional sound source. Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi are on board, and it works with AirPlay 2, so if your room is full of wireless Sonos speakers (or IKEA's Sonos-made Symfonisk speakers), you'll be able to tie it all together into a cohesive sound system.

Battery life for days, and you won't mind cause they're so comfy

The Sonos Ace Ultra has 35 hours of advertised battery life, a decent improvement over the 30 hours you got in the previous model. With pretty heavy usage over one week, I've only had to charge them once, which sounds about right. In other words, battery life isn't something you have to worry about with these.

The case is thin, light, and portable. Feels kinda cheap, though. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The long battery life matters most for long listening sessions, and the Sonos Ace Ultra are incredibly plush and comfy; possibly the most comfortable over-the-ear headphones I've ever worn. If you ever wear down the padding on the cups, don't worry, it's magnetically attached and easily replaceable.

Voice calls are good, too

Sonos Ace Ultra have 10 mics which it uses to pick up your voice during voice calls, as well as noice cancellation. In general, I had no trouble with voice calls, everything came through well and the people on the other side told me they can hear me fine.

Should you buy them?

The Sonos Ace Ultra costs $449, which puts them in a slightly uncomfortable position. For music listening, you can get better-sounding headphones at that price point. They do come with a ton of features, battery life is great, surround audio is pretty amazing, and the ability to take over the TV's sound is very handy in certain situations. But the entire experience across the Sonos app and the headphones can be quirky. I'd say you should consider them, but only if you're a Sonos fan.

Sonos Ace Ultra Over-Ear Headphones with Noise Cancellation - Black $449 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

Dakota Johnson always has an impressively deadpan sense of humour, and she puts it to good use in radio appearance above.

Joining host Greg James for a round of BBC Radio One's "Unpopular Opinion", the Verity star fields opinions from callers on everything from "I love a traffic jam" to "mugs should only ever be made in three sizes".

Perhaps the biggest target of her straight face is James, though, whose theme song in particular is met with confusion and an amusing lack of enthusiasm.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

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

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

What's new in this guide?

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

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

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

The best streaming deals to watch "Hokum" at a glance: Buy or rent it Buy or rent "Hokum" on Prime Video $9.99 or $5.99 Shop Now Buy or rent it Buy or rent "Hokum" on Apple TV $9.99 or $5.99 Get Deal Buy or rent it Buy or rent "Hokum" on Fandango $9.99 or $5.99 Get Deal Stream it as of Oct. 10 Hulu annual subscription $124.99 per year (save $24.89) Get Deal Stream it as of Oct. 10 Hulu and Disney+ bundle $11.99/month for 6 months ($12.99/month thereafter) (save $12.99/month) Get Deal Stream it as of Oct. 10 Hulu and Disney+ Student bundle $6.49 per month (save $6.50 per month) Get Deal Stream it as of Oct. 10 Hulu (with ads) free for select T-Mobile customers (save $11.99 per month) Get Deal

It's been a pretty epic year for horror, but one of the major standouts is Damian McCarthy's Hokum, starring Adam Scott. And now it's finally coming to the streaming world, so you can scream from the comfort of your couch.

Mashable's Kristy Puchko caught the SXSW premiere of Hokum earlier this year and called it "a seriously scary masterpiece" in her review, confessing that she screamed herself hoarse in the theater. Not only did we name it one of our favorite horror films of 2026, but it also cracked the top five on our list of the best films of the year (so far) in general.

It hit theaters in May and made its digital debut in June, so it's been a fairly long wait. If you haven't seen it yet (or you can't wait to see it again), you can finally stream Hokum at home in October. Here's what you need to know.

What is Hokum about?

Hokum follows Ohm Bauman (Scott) as he travels to a remote hotel in Ireland to scatter his parents' ashes where they spent their honeymoon. But before he can get the job done, he becomes consumed by the mystery of a missing woman and the local lore of the haunted honeymoon suite at the inn.

Check out the full trailer:

How to watch Hokum at home Credit: NEON

Hokum opened in theaters nationwide on May 1, 2026. It's been a bit of a wait, but it's now officially available to watch at home in a couple of different ways. As of Oct. 10, 2026, you can buy it or rent it on digital retailers for as low as $5.99 or stream it. I've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

Hokum made its at-home debut via video-on-demand retailers on June 2, 2026. You can purchase it for your digital library for $9.99 or rent it for $5.99.

Here are some quick links to buy the film on digital:

• Apple TV — $9.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent

• Fandango at Home — $9.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent

• Prime Video — $9.99 to buy, $5.99 to rent

Stream it on Hulu

Hokum will finally make its streaming debut on Hulu on Oct. 10, 2026, just in time for spooky season. If you don't already have a Hulu subscription, we have some bad news. Unfortunately, Hulu just underwent another price hike, bringing a basic subscription with ads up to $12.49 per month. There are some ways you can save, though, and we've rounded up the best ongoing Hulu streaming deals below.

The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $124.99 per year (save $24.89) Get Deal

An annual Hulu plan is your best bet for cutting back on the cost of a subscription. You'll pay for a year up front for $124.99 (which breaks down to $10.42 per month) instead of $149.88. That's about 17% or just shy of $25 in savings. It's not the biggest discount ever, but every dollar counts.

Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 50% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $11.99 per month for 6 months (save $12.99/month) Get Deal

The Disney bundle plans are still the best deals in the streaming world, despite recently increasing in price. For a limited time, you can sign up for a six-month subscription to both Hulu and Disney+ for only $11.99 per month (reg. $24.98 per month). That means you'll get one streaming service completely for free for six months. After the six-month promotional period, you'll pay just a dollar more per month — still a damn good deal if you ask me.

Best for students: Save 50% on the Hulu and Disney+ Student bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and Disney+ Student bundle (with ads) $6.49 per month (save $6.50 per month) Get Deal

College students can slash 50% or $6.50 per month off the Hulu and Disney+ bundle with ads. Sign up through the Student promotional page and verify your college email address via SheerID, then the price will drop from $12.99 to just $6.49 per month. The deal is valid as long as your student status can be verified.

Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) free for select customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

The only way you can get Hulu for free in 2026 is through T-Mobile's Go5G Next and Experience Beyond plans (you'll also get Netflix for free and Apple TV+ for $3). If you're already on one of these plans, head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim the offer. Just enter your T-Mobile number and account details to sign up for Hulu.

The best Amazon Prime offers: Amazon Prime Free for 30 days Get Deal Prime for Young Adults $7.49/month (free trial available) Get Deal Prime Visa Card $150 gift card at sign-up (earn 5% back at Amazon) Learn More

Amazon is bringing back its members-only Prime Big Deal Days sale this October, and the big event is just days away. While Prime Day officially takes place in June or July, most of us simply call this annual fall sale October Prime Day.

Amazon has confirmed that you need an active Prime membership to access the Prime Big Deal Days sale. Normally, Prime memberships cost $139 per year, or $14.99 per month, but you may qualify for a free 30-day trial for Amazon Prime, which means you can shop the best October Prime Day deals and enjoy perks like free shipping and grocery delivery at no cost.

If you don't have an active Prime membership — or if your membership hasn't been active for 12 months — you can claim your free trial right now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Prime Claim 30-day free trial (normally $14.99/month) Shop Now

Keep scrolling to learn about all the benefits included in the 30-day free trial. We'll also answer common questions about Prime Big Deal Days so you'll have everything you need to take advantage of this members-only shopping event.

Who qualifies for the Amazon Prime free trial?

If you don't have an active Prime membership — or if your old account has been inactive for 12 months — then you should automatically qualify for the 30-day free trial. To sign up, visit amazon.com/prime. If you qualify, you should see a message that says, "We're giving you a free 30-day trial of Prime." If you don't see this message, look for a button that reads, "Start your free 30-day trial."

How much does Prime cost? And what kind of benefits are included?

Prime normally costs $14.99 per month, but young adults and college students qualify for a 50% discount. Here's how the pricing works:

• 30-day free trial

• $14.99 per month after the trial ends

• Young people pay $7.49 in the Prime for Young Adults membership

• You can also save $40.88 by paying $139 per year upfront

The most famous benefits of Amazon Prime include free 2-day delivery and free returns. Many products are available with 1-day and same-day shipping in some areas. In addition, your $14.99/month membership includes access to the Prime Video streaming service.

Other benefits included in the membership and 30-day free trial include:

• Free Same-Day Delivery on $25+ grocery orders in selected areas

• Access to Amazon Music

• Access to Amazon Photos (unlimited photo storage and 5GB of video storage)

• Free Grubhub+ membership, including $0 delivery fees, lower service fees, and exclusive savings

• Amazon Prime Fuel Savings lets you save 10 cents a gallon on fuel at more than 7,500 gas stations

• Exclusive access to offers on Amazon services and sales events like Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days

Apply for the Amazon Prime Visa to earn cash back

Amazon also offers a Prime Visa card for qualifying Prime members. With the Prime Visa, you can enjoy exclusive rewards, such as:

• $150 gift card at sign-up

• Earn unlimited 5% back on Amazon purchases

• Earn unlimited 5% back at Whole Foods (online or in-store)

• Shop with points at Amazon

You can apply for the Prime Visa card at Amazon.

What is Prime Big Deal Days, aka October Prime Day? Credit: Amazon

Since 2022, Amazon has hosted a fall sale for Prime members, officially called Prime Big Deal Days. In recent years, this shopping event has become the unofficial kick-off to the Black Friday shopping season. For early bird shoppers, it's a chance to get a head start on holiday shopping (and save some money in the process).

When is Prime Big Deal Days 2026?

The sale will take place over 48 hours on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday, Oct. 7, with opportunities to save across 35 different categories and deals on popular products from Apple, Bose, Dyson, Lego, Levi's, Nike, Samsung, Sony, and tons more brands. Amazon's own devices and services will also see huge discounts, including Echo speakers, Fire TVs, eero routers, Audible, and Kindle Unlimited.

In fact, a ton of early Prime Day deals are already live. However, if you want to save hundreds of dollars on OLED TVs or try Audible for free, you'll need to be a Prime member.

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop the October Prime Day sale?

Yes. According to Amazon's announcement, only Prime members with an active subscription can participate in this sale.

Is Amazon Prime worth it?

This writer says yes. I've been an Amazon Prime member for at least five years, and I've never let my membership lapse. I'm an active user of Prime Video, and I regularly purchase household necessities (and plenty of non-necessities) on Amazon to take advantage of the free shipping.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to swim.

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 September 29, 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Underwater swimming.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SCUBA

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.

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

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you know animated films.

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.

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 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.

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: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 29, 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: Not in a crowded space

• Green: Geographical

• Blue: Related to titles

• Purple: Words within words

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Secluded

• Green: River features

• Blue: First words of Pixar films

• Purple: Phrases hiding Greek letters

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 #1206 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Secluded: HIDDEN, REMOTE, SECRET, TUCKED AWAY

• River features: DELTA, DRAINAGE BASIN, MOUTH, STREAM BED

• First words of Pixar films: FINDING, INSIDE, MONSTERS, TOY

• Phrases hiding Greek letters: FREEZE TAG, HOME GAME, MODEL TANK, ORAL PHASE

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

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

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

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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2026 Delta meaning

A letter of the Greek alphabet.

Hidden meaning

Something not clearly visible

Inside meaning

Something not outside

Model tank meaning

A recreation of the military vehicle.

Monsters meaning

Creatures, frequently scary.

Finding meaning

The process of discovering.

Secret meaning

A fact unknown to others, perhaps by design.

Toy meaning

Something that is used for play.

Freeze tag meaning

A child's game.

Oral phase meaning

A term linked to Freudian psychoanalysis.

Mouth meaning

A body part that, for a person, includes lips, teeth, and a tongue. It can also mean where a river ends.

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Remote meaning

Isolated.

Stream bed meaning

The bottom of a waterway.

Tucked away meaning

Stashed.

Home game meaning

When a sports team competes at their stadium or arena.

Drainage basin meaning

Where water runs down and eventually collects.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

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

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 will be easy if you know anatomy.

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 September 29, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Have a heart

The words are related to matters of the heart.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe matters related to an actual human heart.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cardiovascular.

NYT Strands word list for September 29

• Pulse

• Cardiovascular

• Vein

• Artery

• Atrium

• Blood

• Pressure

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

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.

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

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 September 29, 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 September 29, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 29 Pips

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

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

Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 29 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Less than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Less than (12): Everything in this space must be less than 12. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 29 Pips

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

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

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

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who like baseball.

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.

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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.

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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: 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: Baseball's first GOAT

• Green: Winter sports stars

• Blue: Movies

• Purple: Midwest rivalries

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Babe Ruth Nicknames

• Green: Famous Winter Olympians

• Blue: Kevin Costner Sports Films

• Purple: Big Ten Rivalry Trophies

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 #736 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Babe Ruth Nicknames: BABE, BAMBINO, COLOSSUS OF CLOUT, SULTAN OF SWAT

• Famous Winter Olympians: ALYSA LIU, APOLO OHNO, MARIT BJØRGEN, PICABO STREET

• Kevin Costner Sports Films: BULL DURHAM, DRAFT DAY, FIELD OF DREAMS, TIN CUP

• Big Ten Rivalry Trophies: FLOYD OF ROSEDALE, OLD OAKEN BUCKET, PAUL BUNYAN'S AXE, VICTORY BELL

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.

What does it take to run one of the internet's most wholesome animated empires? Apparently, a lot of spicy chips.

Jenine Pastores and Josh Jackson are the creators behind Tubby Nugget, the tiny animated character whose relentless optimism and goofy sense of humor have helped him amass more than 14 million followers online. What started as an inside joke between the couple has since expanded into plushies, music videos, live events, and an increasingly ambitious animation operation.

SEE ALSO: How Tubby Nugget grew from a doodle into a beloved internet brand

But when Mashable asked Pastores and Jackson what creator essentials they couldn't live without, Pastores had one immediate problem with the premise. "You know what's funny? We make it from home," she said. "So I'm like, what's in our bag?"

As it turns out, quite a bit. There's the iPad Jackson uses to draw Tubby, Pastores's increasingly chaotic system for capturing ideas, an emergency kit worthy of a grandma's purse, and enough glasses wipes to theoretically last Jackson years — if he could stop losing them.

And, most importantly, there are snacks.

Tubby Nugget's creators share the essentials behind their wholesome empire. Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images/Grupo Bimbo Takis (but only as many as Josh allows) Takis 18 pc / 1 oz Variety Pack, Assorted Flavored Mixed Rolled Tortilla Chips – (5) Fuego, (5) Blue Heat, (4) Nitro, (4) Crunchy Fajitas $9.47 at Amazon
$9.97 Save $0.50   See It at Amazon

"It's gonna sound very Tubby Nugget, but it's snacks," Pastores said. "I feel like we cannot work without snacks."

For Pastores, that generally means spicy chips. Specifically, Takis. Unfortunately, Jackson has appointed himself the household's unofficial Takis regulator. "She eats a lot of Takis, and I often have to ration it for her because it gives her a stomachache," Jackson said.

Pastores immediately objected. "You want to know what he does to me? He hides the Takis on the top shelf because I can't reach it."

"Even with a ladder, she can't reach it," Jackson added.

"You didn't have to hear that part," Pastores said. "It's really sad."

Jackson's system has become surprisingly sophisticated. He portions the Takis into a small bowl rather than giving Pastores access to the entire bag. "I'm like, 'You can eat this many Takis,'" he said.

"No!" Pastores replied.

"This whole segment is gonna be Josh roasting me about my Takis obsession," she said. "You guys heard it first. Honestly, any spicy chips. It's pretty bad, but I love it. It's delicious."

An iPad and Procreate Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) $427 at Amazon
$449 Save $22   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart

There is, thankfully, some actual creator tech on the list. Jackson uses an iPad and Procreate to draw Tubby Nugget, making the device one of the more obvious necessities in their creative workflow.

"Josh draws everything on Procreate," Pastores said.

"Yeah, it's pretty essential," Jackson added. "It's what we do."

For a character that now exists across social media, merchandise, music videos, and the real world, a major part of the Tubby Nugget operation still comes down to Jackson sitting down and drawing on an iPad.

A journal and some extremely chaotic Apple Notes Artfan Bullet Dotted Journal $11.86 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

Pastores needs somewhere to capture an idea whenever inspiration hits. "My journal, in case I have ideas," she said. "That's really important. My journal is very important to me."

She still keeps a physical journal, but increasingly, her ideas end up somewhere considerably less organized: the Notes app on her phone.

"I did start transitioning to using my Apple Notes," she said. "But it's like the nonsensical Apple Notes where it's just like, 'fire in kitchen.'"

No further explanation of "fire in kitchen" was provided.

A grandma-level emergency kit

Pastores describes herself as "a grandma with my purse," and she has the supplies to prove it. "I have my favorite pill box, which has every single pill imaginable that I might need," she said, listing staples like Advil, Benadryl, and Allegra.

Jackson considered this a perfectly legitimate creator essential. "No, it is important. It is important," he said. "Most people are like, 'My camera,' and you're like, 'My pills.'"

Not every tool of the creator trade needs a charging cable.

So many glasses wipes Metene Lens Cleaner Wipes, Pre-Moistened Electronic Glasses Wipes, 300 Count $13.48 at Walmart
$25.99 Save $12.51   See It at Walmart

Jackson's essential is simple: glasses wipes. The problem is keeping track of them. "The man loses his glasses wipes constantly," Pastores said. "He has ordered the 12-pack maybe like 12 times."

Jackson disputed the frequency somewhat. "Two times a year, I order like a 12-pack of glasses wipes because every six months I lose all of them."

Pastores eventually finds them. "They're just all over our house," she said.

For now, Jackson's actual glasses remain decidedly low-tech. But when Mashable asked whether he'd ever try smart glasses, he was intrigued by one possibility.

"Maybe if we could do a Tubby AR and a real-life Tubby could be floating," Jackson said.

The pair already has a Tubby Nugget Snapchat filter, which got them thinking. "We have to work on this," Pastores said.

"Maybe Tubby AR," Jackson replied.

Add it to the bag.

The best early AirPods deals ahead of Prime Big Deal Days: Best overall deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $234 (save $15) Get Deal Best airpods max deal Apple AirPods Max 2 $479 (save $70) Get Deal

Don't be alarmed, but we're about a week away from October Prime Day.

The sale, officially dubbed Prime Big Deal Days, marks the start of the holiday shopping season, which is often a great time to grab tech like AirPods on sale.

The sale officially kicks off Oct. 6, but in the lead-up to the main event, our team will be tracking all the best AirPods deals. So far, we haven't seen any price drops on the newly announced AirPods 5 (more on that below), but we have seen some other promising price drops. As someone who tests and writes about headphones and earbuds year-round, I get why Apple users are willing to invest in AirPods. As a deals expert, I also much prefer to see folks grab AirPods on sale.

SEE ALSO: Early October Prime Day deals already live: Save on Apple, Beats, Fire TV, and Garmin

The key to shopping these sales smartly is grabbing deals at just the right time. That's why I've rounded up the three best AirPods deals live so far, plus the three that you can wait on for the time being. Check them out below, and be sure to follow more of Mashable's October Prime Day coverage.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Walmart
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we picked this

The humble AirPods 4. What they lack in active noise cancellation, they make up for in a more appealing price point of $99. With the release of the AirPods 5, these are the last AirPods available without ANC. Maybe that's ideal for you, or maybe you simply appreciate the lower price point. In either case, this is likely the last holiday shopping season you can grab these buds on sale. Just note, they are still far from their record low price of $69, but their availability may be limited as we get further into the shopping season — they've already sold out at Amazon.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $234 $249 (save $15)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $479 $549 (save $70)

AirPods deals to wait for

• The AirPods 5 have only received one small deal — a $4 price drop — so far since their release on Sept. 18. Granted, they're still very new to the market, so even that price dip is notable. We're hoping that as we get further into holiday deal season, a slightly more substantial deal comes along.

• The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case haven't dropped in price just yet, so we're not holding our breath that they will, especially since they're still brand new. That said, October Prime Day would be a very appropriate time for a surprise deal, so the chance that we see even a small dip isn't zero. At the very least, grabbing them at full price is still likely a better deal than grabbing the AirPods 4 with ANC on sale (more on that below).

• The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation look like a good deal at $149 (down from $179), but there's a catch. Their newer analog, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, has a list price of $149 and comes with an improved feature set, including better active noise cancellation and sound quality, with the same battery life. In other words, the AirPods 4 with ANC would have to be cheaper than $149 for this to be a deal worth picking up.

A mukbang video can keep bringing in ad revenue long after the meal is over. For some Korean creators, those old uploads have become something to worry about.

Mukbang, a Korean portmanteau for "eating broadcast," took off in South Korea as a live format: A host would eat on camera and talk with viewers, turning a meal into something people could share from home. An enormous spread might catch someone's eye, but research on mukbang viewers suggests the conversation and sense of company help keep them watching.

On YouTube, those viewers can also bring in money. Creators in its Partner Program earn a share of ad revenue from eligible videos, even when the views come years after the upload. That makes a restriction on older videos a problem for a creator's income today.

SEE ALSO: YouTube just raised the bar for creators to earn ad revenue

Salppaejo, also known as DietJo, is dealing with exactly that uncertainty. The creator, whose channel has about 447,000 subscribers, said YouTube had suspended its monetization. "We have also stopped uploading videos because we do not know which ones might be penalized," she wrote in a community post, according to Seoul Economic Daily’s translation.

The concern isn't simply about eating a large amount of food on camera. YouTube's rules target eating-disorder content that depicts behaviors vulnerable viewers might imitate, including binge eating, hiding food, or tracking weight and weight loss. That distinction is becoming important for creators whose videos mix food with dieting or weight-loss content.

Miso, a diet and food YouTuber with about 100,000 subscribers, found herself sorting through four years of videos. In a Sept. 15 upload, she said YouTube first notified her of a guideline violation in mid-March and, later that month, told her that her channel's monetization would be temporarily suspended. She spent April contacting YouTube and appealing the decision before reviewing every video she had posted. "I reviewed all 667 videos on my channel and deleted 339 of them with tears in my eyes," she said.

Miso added that she had made some of those videos to share her own weight-loss experience. But since they included specific weight and diet figures, as well as descriptions of weight-loss routines, she said they could be risky for vulnerable viewers to imitate. What mattered in the YouTube review, as she understood it, was "not the creator’s intent, but rather how teenagers and viewers perceive the content." Mashable reached out to YouTube for more information about how it applies these rules but did not receive a response by press time.

The concern has reached muckbang creators at large. Tzuyang, one of South Korea’s best-known mukbang stars with 13.5 million subscribers, told viewers during a visit to an Incheon market, "I heard eating a lot isn’t the trend these days." She added, "I’ll try to be a YouTuber who eats a reasonable amount from now on." Then she ate fried chicken, spicy rice cakes, donuts, and several other dishes. There’s no indication YouTube has penalized her channel, but her joke shows that she’s following the conversation.

So what changed? In 2023, YouTube expanded its rules to prohibit disordered eating content that featured what it calls "imitable behavior" or actions vulnerable viewers might copy. Later that year, it updated its ad guidelines, stating that videos focused on eating disorders that depict such behavior "will not receive ad revenue." Under YouTube's current guidelines, examples that can affect ad eligibility include references to binge eating or hiding food, showing a lowest weight or BMI, and tracking weight-loss progress. YouTube also considers a video's title, thumbnail, description, and tags. (The rules don't amount to a ban on mukbangs overall, and there's no evidence that simply eating a large meal on camera automatically leads to demonetization.)

There's a lot at stake for YouTube, too. The company said videos with "mukbang" in the title drew more than 30 billion views worldwide from January through July 2024. But it also faces questions about the eating disorder content it recommends to young viewers. In a July 2026 study, researchers created accounts posing as 13-year-old girls. After those accounts watched a video featuring disordered eating, researchers found that an average of one in nine "Up Next" recommendations featured harmful eating disorder content.

For the creators in this story, the consequences are already concrete. The next change to mukbang may happen before anyone takes a bite. Creators can still film a meal, but they may think more carefully about how they portray excessive eating, as well as the titles and thumbnails associated with it — at least if they want to keep getting the views and ad dollars they're used to.

The best early October Prime Day Amazon device deals: Best Echo Device Deal Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best tablet deal Amazon Fire HD 10 $72.99 (save $82) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $32) Get Deal best blink camera deal Blink Outdoor 2K+ with free Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ $34.99 (save $134.99) Get Deal Best eero deal Amazon eero Pro 7 $224.99 (save $75) Get Deal

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days (aka October Prime Day) is coming in hot, and with it, a boatload of discounts on Amazon's own devices. It officially runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 7 this year and presents the perfect opportunity to kickstart your holiday shopping.

It only makes sense that Amazon offers the biggest markdowns on its own devices. And since Amazon decided to swiftly jack up prices across its hardware range last month by as much as 60% (!), the October Prime Day sale couldn't come at a better time.

Now that we're a week out from October Prime Day, Amazon is really rolling out its deals. While there are still no savings on Kindles, Echo devices are finally on sale. Not only can you save up to 50% on the Echo Dot, but the new Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio are also on sale. Plus, we've rounded up savings on Fire tablets, Blink cameras, Fire TV streaming sticks and soundbars, and eero devices.

Aside from devices themselves, Amazon's typical subscription deals for newcomers (and returning users) are already live. You can score three free months of Kindle Unlimited, four months of Audible Standard for 99 cents per month, or four free months of Amazon Music Unlimited.

We'll be tracking all the best Amazon device deals below, leading up to and throughout the Prime Big Deal Days sale. You do need to be a Prime member to score the biggest discounts during the event, so be sure to sign up before it kicks off.

Best Echo device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Finally! Amazon's Echo devices are officially on sale ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Right now, grab the Amazon Echo Dot for just $39.99. While that's not the lowest sale price we've ever spotted on the Echo Dot, it's the best price since Amazon increased prices on its devices.

The Echo Dot is a perfectly compact smart speaker. Plus, it's compatible with Alexa+, a smarter home assistant that helps you do everything from meal planning to booking dinner reservations.

More Echo device deals

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $21.99 $49.99 (save $28)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $39.99 $89.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids — $59.99 $109.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Amazon Echo Studio — $179.99 $219.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Show 21 — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150)

Best Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Get Deal Why we like it

While it's hardly a new device, the Fire HD 10 tablet is still a solid pick for anyone who just wants a tablet to stream shows, check emails, and browse social media. Mashable's reviewer SaVanna Shoemaker called it "lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." Compared to other well-known tablets, she also adds that it's an "excellent value." It's not going to knock your socks off, but it'll get the job done and won't break the bank — especially now that it's on sale for only $72.99, a full 53% off its list price.

More Fire tablet deals

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids — $94.99 $169.99 (save $75)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro — $89.99 $169.99 (save $80)

• Limited Edition Harry Potter Amazon Fire HD 10 — $132.99 $189.99 (save $57)

Best Fire TV Stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $32   Get Deal Why we like it

The entire Fire TV Stick lineup was affected by the August price hike, so we're surprised that the discounts are still at pre-hike levels. Prime members can score the 4K Select for only $17.99, which is 64% in savings.

The 4K Select is Amazon's newest 4K Fire TV Stick with HDR10+ support and the first to feature its new Linux-based operating system. That means a few things: it's speedier and more streamlined than older Fire Sticks, but also more limited. If you like sideloading apps, this streaming stick won't let you (go with the 4K Plus instead). It also offers support for Alexa+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN.

More Fire TV deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $37.99 $69.99 (save $32)

• Amazon Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote Pro — $19.99 $34.99 (save $15)

• Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus — $144.99 $249.99 (save $105)

Best Blink camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 2K+ with free Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ $34.99 at Amazon
$169.98 Save $134.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Who doesn't love free stuff? In this early October Prime Day deal, you can get the Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ for no extra cost when you purchase the Blink Outdoor 2K+ for $34.99. That's 65% off the camera itself and nearly 80% off the combined cost. If you're looking to enhance your home security but don't want to spend a fortune, this bundle is an excellent start. You'll get sharp 2K video, enhanced audio, and night vision with no installation hassle. Everything is battery-powered and lasts for months at a time.

More Blink camera deals

• Blink Mini 2K+ — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)

• Blink Mini Pan-Tilt — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)

• Blink Video Doorbell — $26.99 $69.99 (save $43)

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

• Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ — $30.99 $69.99 (save $39)

• Blink Arc 2K+ — $31.99 $99.99 (save $68)

• Blink Outdoor XR+ and Wired Doorbell 2K+ — $41.99 $169.98 (save $127.99)

Best Eero deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon eero Pro 7 $224.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $75   Get Deal Why we like it

If your WiFi is laggy, it may be a good time to invest in an Amazon Eero system. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, the Eero Pro 7 Mesh WiFi router is down to $224.99, which is $75 cheaper than usual. It supports over 200 devices, internet plans up to 5 Gbps, and covers up to 2,000 square feet, helping to optimize your connection and eliminate dead spots. Even if you're not a tech guru, it's a breeze to set up thanks to Eero's step-by-step guide in the app.

More Eero deals

• Amazon eero 7 — $144.49 $169.99 (save $25.50)

• Amazon eero Max 7  — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

The best early Prime Day deals on fitness trackers: Best Fitbit deal Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best Garmin deal Garmin vívoactive 5 $189.99 (Save $110) Get Deal Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $185 (Save $64.99) Get Deal Best budget deal Fitbit Charge 6 $133.49 (Save $26.46) Get Deal

Amazon's next major shopping event is just around the corner: Prime Big Deal Days takes place on Oct. 6-7. The two-day sale will bring exclusive discounts for Prime members across thousands of products, but if you're hoping to grab some early bargains, you don't need to wait until October to start saving. Amazon has already started dropping early deals ahead of the event.

Fitness trackers are among the products already getting the early Prime Day treatment, with Garmin, Fitbit, and other popular brands seeing strong discounts. We've rounded up the best deals you can shop right now, so you can grab a new tracker before the main event officially begins.

Get a Garmin for under $200 Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $189.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $110   Get Deal

The Garmin vívoactive 5 packs a bright AMOLED display and up to 11 days of battery life into a fitness-focused smartwatch that covers the essentials for both fitness and lifestyle tracking. You'll get advanced health and sleep tracking, built-in GPS, more than 30 sports apps, and useful training and recovery features that were missing from the previous vivoactive watch. I was a big fan of the vivoactive 4, and the 5 only made this all-rounder smartwatch even better.

Like the Apple Watch look? Save $50 on this alternative Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $50   Get Deal

The Fitbit Sense 2 comes with that stylish, squircle design, plus it's currently on sale for under $200. It tracks stress, sleep, and activity, with features 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, built-in GPS, and more than 40 exercise modes. If you want the Apple Watch look for less, this deal will save you some money.

Get the Samsung Galaxy 7 for more than $60 off Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $185 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $64.99   Get Deal

With the release of newer models, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 has significantly dropped in price. It's packed with lots of clever features to assist you in training, including Galaxy AI which makes your fitness and health tracking feel more personal, from comparing your latest run or ride with previous performance to giving you an Energy Score for your day.

Save on a budget fitness tracker Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $133.49 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $26.46   Get Deal

For a compact, budget-friendly option, the Fitbit Charge 6 is a great choice. In fact, it even made it onto our guide of the best fitness trackers, excelling for those who want to "stay middle-of-the-road on budget without sacrificing a lot of features." With this watch, you'll get built-in GPS, 40+ exercise modes, and all-day activity and heart-rate tracking. It also keeps tabs on sleep, stress, and daily readiness.

Endurance athletes can save $300 on the fēnix 7X Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin fēnix 7X Pro $674 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $325.99   Get Deal

This one is built for serious training and outdoor treks. This Garmin has a rugged 51mm design with solar charging for weeks of battery life. You'll get seriously advanced training and recovery insights, multi-band GPS, detailed navigation, and handy extras like a built-in LED flashlight. And a week before Prime Day gets underway, it's over $300 off at Amazon.

Get the Google Pixel Watch 4 for its best-ever price Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 4 $329.95 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $120.04   Get Deal

Described as a "true runner's watch" by our reviewer, the Google Pixel Watch 4 is currently at its lowest-ever price on Amazon. This watch gives you 30 hours of battery life and Google's Gemini assistant built in. It also puts a strong focus on health and fitness, with tools for tracking workouts and running performance

Silva highlighted many runner-friendly tools in her review, but was particularly impressed by its advanced in-app form analysis, which can help runners looking to improve their technique.

Early October Prime Day Deals at a glance: Best headphone deal Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) Headphones $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $234 (save $15) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV $847.99 (Save $652) Get Deal Best power station deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 (Save $400) Get Deal Best Memory deal SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD $251.93 (Save $48.06) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Garmin Vivoactive 5 $181.97 (save $118.02) Get Deal Best Lego Deal Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $62.04 (save $47.95) Get Deal Best for Prime members Audible $0.99 per month for 4 months + $20 Audible credit Get Deal

Amazon's next Prime Day is officially on the horizon. Its fall savings event, Prime Big Deal Days (aka "October Prime Day") is coming Oct. 6 and 7, with competing festivities at Target and Walmart.

The best Prime Day deals are your chance to get some relief from the RAMageddon price hikes impacting the tech industry this year. For its part, Amazon increased the prices of nearly two dozen Kindles, Fire TV Sticks, Echo smart speakers, and eero routers this summer because of rising component costs. Seasonal sales like Prime Big Deal Days and Black Friday should cancel out some of those markups.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

As we gear up for fall, Amazon is already dropping early October Prime Day deals, and we've hunted down the best ones for you. Savings are fluctuating quickly; for example, Fire Sticks were heavily discounted last week and are now full price. We're still holding out for more deals, considering Amazon Echo devices and Kindle e-readers have yet to go on sale.

Finally, a word of warning: We do expect prices to drop even lower on select Apple products when the sale starts Oct. 6, so you might want to hold out until then. In the meantime, we'll be regularly updating our picks in the lead-up to Prime Big Deal Days. You can also check out our guide to the top October Prime Day tech deals for more savings.

Deals marked with a ✅ are Mashable editor favorites. Deals marked with a strikethrough are no longer available.

Best headphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) Headphones $319 at Amazon
$359 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

Ahead of October Prime Day, we spotted the first deal on the second-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones. Mashable's audio expert Bethany Allard says that the Bose QuietComfort (2nd gen) are the best combination of comfort, noise cancellation, sound quality, and value. And right now, they're an even better value as they're 11% off. Get them for $319, and save $40 on the headphones that are usually $359.

More headphone deals

• JBL Tune 730BT headphones — $59.95 $89.95 (save $30)

• Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones — $149.95 $199.95 (save $50)

• Skullcandy Crusher 720 headphones — $139.99 $209.99 (save $70)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $189.99 $229 (save $39.01) ✅

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — $249.99 $299 (save $49.01) ✅

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 ✅ $234 at Amazon
$249 Save $15   Get Deal Why we like it

The basic AirPods just got an upgrade with the new AirPods 5, and last year's Apple AirPods Pro 3 are back on sale. Ahead of October Prime Day, shop the Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $234, a $15 discount. The earbuds have ANC, a more comfortable fit, and bring live translation to the AirPods experience. They're perfect for commuters and even measure your heart rate, which is great for athletes who love a good workout playlist.

More early Prime Day Apple deals

AirPods

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129.99 (save $30.99)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $479 $549 (save $70) ✅

iPads

• Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $427 $449 (save $22)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi) — $729 $749 (save $20) ✅

MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,839 $1,999 (save $160) ✅

• Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Max, 48GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $4,499 $4,999 (save $500)

Accessories

• Apple MagSafe Charger — $39.99 $49 (save $9.01) ✅

• Apple Pencil USB-C — $69.98 $79 (save $9.02)

• Apple AirTag 2 (4-pack) — $89 $99 (save $10) ✅

Best Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Finally! Amazon's Echo devices are officially on sale ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. Right now, grab the Amazon Echo Dot for just $39.99. While that's not the lowest sale price we've ever spotted on the Echo Dot, it's the best price since Amazon increased prices on its devices.

The Echo Dot is a perfectly compact smart speaker. Plus, it's compatible with Alexa+, a smarter home assistant that helps you do everything from meal planning to booking dinner reservations.

More Amazon device deals

Echo devices

• Amazon Echo Glow — $22.99 $29.99 (save $7)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Show 11 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Amazon Echo Show 21 — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150)

Fire tablets

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) — $72.99 $154.99 (save $82)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 (64GB) — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50) ✅

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (64GB) — $94.99 $169.99 (save $75)

Fire TVs

• Amazon Fire TV Stick HD — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $49.99 (save $32)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick Voice Remote Pro — $19.99 $34.99 (save $15)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $37.99 $69.99 (save $32)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $44.99 $84.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire TV Cube — $89.99 $199.99 (save $110)

Blink cameras

• Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera — $23.99 $39.99 (save $16)

• Blink Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera — $39.99 $99.99 (save $60)

• Blink Outdoor 4 and Battery Doorbell — $104.99 $369.98 (save $264.99)

Smart home

• Amazon Smart Plug — $12.98 $24.99 (save $12.01)

• Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor — $46.99 $69.99 (save $23)

• Amazon Smart Thermostat — $56.99 $79.99 (save $23)

Best TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV ✅ $847.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $652   Get Deal Why we like it

"The Hisense U7 series delivers Mini-LED performance you'd expect on higher-priced models. It packs a 165Hz refresh rate, 2.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos audio, a Google TV with a Gemini interface, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Its backlighting features full-array local dimming as well, which means clusters of tiny LED bulbs precisely control brightness levels within specific sections of your screen for more accuracy and depth. The U7 is a step up from our favorite budget TV of 2026, but with this massive price drop, it's actually a much better deal. At $847.99, the 65-inch model is already $2 cheaper than it was on Prime Day proper back in June." — Christina Buff, Mashable Contributor

More TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

• Amazon Ember 40-inch 2-Series Fire TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70) ✅

• Roku 43-inch Select Series 4K TV — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Sony 48-inch Bravia 6 OLED 4K TV — $1,098 $1,299.99 (save $201.99)

50 to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 4K TV — $159.99 $299.99 (save $140)

• Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $299.99 $347.99 (save $48)

• Hisense 50-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,299.99 (save $502)

• LG 55-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)

65-inch TV deals

• Roku 65-inch Plus Series QLED 4K TV — $449.99 $649.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 65-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $597.99 $999.99 (save $402)

• LG 65-inch LX7B Gallery Mini LED 4K TV — $1,099.99 $1,799.99 (save $700)

• Toshiba 65-inch G700 ArtVision QLED 4K TV — $1,097.99 $1,999.99 (save $902)

• Hisense 65-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,197.99 $1,999.99 (save $802)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $1,999.99 (save $602)

• TCL 65-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,499.99 (save $802) ✅

• Samsung 65-inch S90H OLED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,002) ✅

• Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 II QD QLED 4K TV — $2,498 $3,299.99 (save $801.99)

75-inch TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $547.99 $729.99 (save $182)

80 to 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Hi-QLED Mini-LED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• Hisense 85-inch S7 Canvas Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,998.99 $3,999.99 (save $2,001)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,202)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $1,996.96 $2,999.99 (save $1,003.03)

• Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $2,999.99 (save $502)

• TCL 98-inch QM7L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

Best power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 ✅ $499 at Amazon
$899 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

"Ahead of Prime Day, this Bluetti power unit has $400 off the list price. It comes with a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output, with 11 ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. It can also fully recharge in about 70 minutes with TurboBoost AC charging, making it a great option for last-minute use.

The 10-millisecond UPS (uninterruptible power supply) means this is a great model for plugging into your workstation or the WiFi router at home when a storm threatens to take out grid power. A 10 UPS means the Ecoflow will take over providing power within 10 milliseconds of losing wall power." — Lois Mackenzie, Mashable Contributor

More power station deals

• Jackery Explorer 300 — $259 $289 (save $30) ✅

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.99 $599 (save $99.01) ✅

• Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 — $549 $649 (save $100) ✅

• Bluetti Elite 100 V2 with 200W Solar Panel — $698.98 $999 (save $300.02)

• Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 and 200W Solar Panel — $699 $879 (save $180)

• Anker Solix S2000 — $679.99 $1,199 (save $519.01)

• Bluetti FridgePower — $898.97 $1,499 (save $600.03)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $898.99 $999 (save $100.01) ✅

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $899 $1,199 (save $300) ✅

• Ecoflow Delta 2 Max — $1,029 $1,399 (save $370)

• Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,098.99 $1,499 (save $400.01)

• Jackery HomePower 3000 — $1,349 $1,499 (save $150)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,709 $1,899 (save $190)

• Anker Solix F3800 — $2,499.98 $2,799.99 (save $300.01)

Best memory and SSD deals Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD ✅ $251.93 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $48.06   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: SanDisk SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 $159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

"SanDisk is a favorite of mine when buying memory products, and I use their Extreme portable SSDs to back up my own photo and video collection. (As a tech editor, I take a lot of photos and videos.) Thanks to RAMageddon, you have to take any opportunity you can find to save on portable SSDs, flash drives, microSD cards, and hard drives. Already, some of SanDisk's most popular memory products are on sale, like their microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and the new version of their popular Extreme drive." — Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable Tech Editor

More SSD and hard drive deals

MicroSDs

• SanDisk 32GB Ultra microSDHC — $20.95 $23 (save $2.05)

• SanDisk 128GB High Endurance Video microSDXC — $36.99 $60.99 (save $24)

Portable SSDs

• SanDisk 500GB Portable SSD — $119.99 $128.99 (save $9)

• Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB — $229.99 $274.99 (save $45)

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB — $936.93 $1,144.99 (save $208.06)

Portable HDDs

• UnionSine 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive — $37.46 $39.43 (save $1.97)

• Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)

• WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive — $214.99 $284.99 (save $70)

• Western Digital 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive — $236.70 $274.99 (save $38.29)

• WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive — $254 $319.99 (save $65.99)

Internal hard drives

• Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Internal Hard Drive — $94.99 $134.99 (save $40)

• Western Digital 1TB WD Blue Mobile Hard Drive — $127.82 $144.99 (save $17.17)

• Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 — $389.99 $639.99 (save $250) ✅

Best fitness tracker and smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Vivoactive 5 $181.97 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $118.02   Get Deal Why we like it

Many runners believe Garmin is the gold standard of smartwatches and fitness trackers. And ahead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, you can grab the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for just $181.97. That saves you over $118 off its retail price.

The Vivoactive 5 features an AMOLED display and up to 11 days of battery life, so you can wear it around the clock. It provides energy monitoring and a sleep score, so you get personalized tips to improve your sleep. Plus, it has 80 built-in types of sport tracking.

More fitness tracker and smartwatch deals

• Garmin Lily 2 — $222.99 $249.99 (save $27)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, 40mm — $259.99 $299.99 (save $40) ✅

• Google Pixel Watch 4, 41mm — $329.99 $449.99 (save $120)

Best Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement $62.04 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $47.95   Get Deal Why we like it

"The Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement is an absolute delight for adult builders, with its 1,161 pieces coming together to create a display of 14 flowers (including camellias, peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, bouvardia, and lilies) in a white vase. If it's one you've had on your radar, Amazon has a sweet little early October Prime Day treat for you: it's currently at its lowest-ever price of $62.04. It's retiring soon, making now an excellent time to grab it for less.

It's not the only Botanicals deal we've spotted, either. You can see even more of our favorite floral sets on sale below." — Hannah Hoolihan, Mashable Contributor

More Lego deals

• Lego City Advent Calendar 2026 — $25 $34.99 (save $9.99)

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

• Lego Botanicals Succulents — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 — $35 $44.99 (save $9.99)

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart — Wario & King Boo — $35.99 $49.99 (save $14)

• Lego Star Wars Darth Vader Bust — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart — Interactive Mario & Standard Kart — $41.99 $54.99 (save $13)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)

• Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina — $63.95 $79.99 (save $16.04)

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Baby Peach & Grand Prix Set Home Circuit — $63.99 $79.99 (save $16)

• Lego Star Wars: Andor K-2SO Security Droid — $71.99 $89.99 (save $18)

• Lego Star Wars SMART Play: Millennium Falcon — $79.95 $99.99 (save $20.04)

• Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart — Bowser’s Castle — $89 $99.99 (save $10.99)

Best streaming and subscription deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Audible $0.99/month for four months Get Deal Why we like it

Right now, Prime members can save 80% on four months of Amazon's audiobook service, paying just $0.99 for their first four months. Your membership lets you download one title per month. including classics, new releases, and BookTok faves like the ACOTAR series. And if 99 cents feels a little high, you can also sign up for a 30-day free trial.

More Amazon subscription deals

• Kindle Unlimited — 3 months free

• Amazon Music Unlimited — 4 months free with Prime

• Save $20 on your next Grubhub+ order with Prime

• Buy or lease a new car, get a $1,500 gift card for free with Prime

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The best early October Prime Day deals on power stations: Best Jackery deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $499 (save $60) Get Deal Best Ecoflow deal Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel $699 (save $400) Get Deal Best Bluetti deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 (save $400) Get Deal Best Anker deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 (save $150.01) Get Deal Best DJI deal DJI Power 1000 v2 $419.99 (save $280) Get Deal Best camping deal Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $1,079 (save $120) Get Deal Best refrigerator backup deal Anker Solix S2000 $679.99 (save $699.01) Get Deal

Portable power stations are useful for everything from camping trips to keeping your gadgets running when you're away from a plug socket. They come in a wide range of prices and styles, with some reaching the thousands of dollars. They're not exactly the kind of thing you look to buy every week. But when they're on sale, a discount can make a purchase much easier to justify.

Now that we're rolling into fall and winter storm season, it's an ideal time to snag a model that's on sale. Plenty of models will be excellent for serving as backup power for your refrigerator. Other models that are on sale are perfect for fall camping.

SEE ALSO: 20+ of the best early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Apple, Nintendo, and Garmin

With Prime Big Deal Days coming up on October 6-7, Amazon has already started cutting prices on some popular power stations, so now is a great time to pick one up at a lower-than-usual price. Below, we've rounded up the best early deals worth checking out.

A great beginner model from Jackery

For those new to portable power, Jackery makes some of the most beginner-friendly and uncomplicated models. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a compact, portable power station with a 1,070Wh capacity and 1,500W output, making it suitable for powering devices such as fridges, electric pots, and other appliances. It can also go from empty to fully charged in an hour with emergency charging switched on, and the LFP battery is designed to retain more than 70% of its capacity after 4,000 charge cycles. Plus, it weighs under 24 pounds, so it's easy to carry around the house or the campground.

If you don't love the traditional black and orange look of Jackery portable power stations, the Explorer 1000 v2 comes in a modern cream color called dune white. That version is also on sale for $499 ahead of Prime Day, marked down from its list price of $589.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $499 at Amazon
$559 Save $60   Get Deal A classic EcoFlow station with a solar panel

One of the major benefits of a portable power station is the ability to recharge using solar power. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic bundle with a 220W solar panel is a great choice ahead of Prime Day. You'll get the 1,024Wh portable power station, which has a 1,800W output that can handle even big appliances like fridges. It has X-Boost providing up to 2,600W for higher-power devices, and can charge to 80% in 45 minutes via AC.

With full sun, EcoFlow says the Delta 3 Classic can recharge in about 6 hours with the 220W solar panel. Of course, you can also recharge using standard wall power or a generator. When plugged into a wall outlet, the EcoFlow can reach 80% capacity in just 45 minutes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecoflow Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel $699 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $400   Get Deal A Bluetti power station with major solar recharging power

Ahead of Prime Day, this Bluetti Elite 100 v2 unit has $400 off the list price. It comes with a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output, with 11 ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. It can also fully recharge in about 70 minutes with TurboBoost AC charging, making it a great option for last-minute use.

But one of the highlights of the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is its ability to connect with up to 1,000W of solar power. That's a massive amount of solar compatibility for a portable power station in the 1kWh range. If you have access to both 1,000W of solar and full sun, the Elite 100 V2 will recharge in just 70 minutes.

The 10 millisecond UPS (uninterrupted power supply) also makes this is a great model for plugging into your workstation or the WiFi router at home when a storm is threatening to take out grid power. A 10 UPS means the Bluetti will take over providing power within 10 milliseconds of losing wall power.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 at Amazon
$899 Save $400   Get Deal An Anker deal on one of Mashable's favorite models

This unit has a 1,056Wh capacity and 2,400W output, with 11 ports for powering multiple devices and appliances. It can reach 80% charge in 43 minutes with UltraFast charging enabled through the Anker app. It's built a LiFePO4 battery, so it's designed to last a long time, up to 10 years, which is around 3,000 battery cycles.

The original Anker Solix C1000 also has a few advantages over the new C1000 Gen 2. For starters, the older model has a built-in lightbar, which is incredibly useful when camping or carrying the power station around at home during a power outage. The original C1000 is also expandable to add an additional 1,056Wh of power, doubling capacity.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150.01   Get Deal A portable power station that doesn't mind the rain

If you plan on heading out for fall camping, you might run into some rain or dewy mornings. The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra isn't afraid of getting wet, so it's perfect for all-season camping. It carries an IP65 rating, which means it's both water- and dust-proof. Jackery also tested this model for drops, and it'll be just fine when it takes a tumble of about three feet or less.

Important stats include a 1,536Wh battery capacity, a metal cooling base, and protective covers for all ports. This is also a great model for using in a dusty workshop since the air intake is located toward the top of the unit rather than near the bottom, which tends to suck up dust or wood shavings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $1,079 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $120   Get Deal Backup for your refrigerator

When the power goes out at home, a major worry is keeping food from going bad. Now that grocery prices have gone wild, the thought of having to toss it all out is worrying. Instead, plug the fridge into the Anker Solix S2000, which packs a massive 2,010Wh of battery capacity. Anker says this can keep a standard refrigerator on for up to 35 hours. Keep in mind that the exact number will depend on factors such as your fridge's capacity, the kitchen's ambient temperature, and how full the refrigerator is.

The Anker Solix S2000 has AC ports on both the front and the back of the station, so you can plug the fridge into the back and keep the front ports open for other kitchen appliances like the coffee maker.

During Prime Day in July, we saw this model drop to an incredible price of $599, which means it's possible it'll drop again next week when the sale officially kicks off on Oct. 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix S2000 $679.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $519.01   Get Deal Backup power designed for creators

We all know DJI as the brand that launched drones into our everyday lives, as well as the company that makes excellent creator cameras and mics. But DJI also makes a stellar lineup of portable power stations. Oftentimes, they're on sale for a price that's so competitive anyone should consider them as a front-runner for portable power, but they're especially great for those who have DJI drones.

Like the name suggests, the DJI Power 1000 v2 comes with a solid 1,024Wh battery capacity with peak output of 2,600W. It has your standard AC ports, USB-C, and USB-A, but it also features dual SDC ports that can fast-charge DJI drone batteries. This feature makes it incredibly friendly for content creators. Additionally, it's super quiet, operating as low as 26 decibels, making recording video or audio near the power station no big deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 $419.99
$699.99 Save $280   Get Deal An older Jackery model with a solar panel at a great price

These days, a huge number of Jackery portable power stations are on their second version, or v2. Most of them have improvements such as being lighter to carry, faster charging, and a USB-C port that can handle more power. But this doesn't mean you have to count out older models. The Jackery Explorer 300 still has plenty of great features for a 293Wh portable power station.

For starters, it weighs only about 7 pounds and has a 100W USB-C port. Jackery mentions that the battery can recharge a phone about 13 times. But one of the best parts about this deal is the inclusion of a 40W solar panel. The Jackery SolarSaga 40W air is a compact panel that measures about the size of a sheet of paper and weighs under two pounds.

On its own, the SolarSaga 40W Air solar panel costs $129 at full price, although it's on sale for $108.99. Given this pricing, snagging both the Jackery Explorer 300 and the 40W Air solar panel for $339 is a great option.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 with Jackery SolarSaga 40W Air $339 at Amazon
$379 Save $40   Get Deal Whole-home backup ahead of storm season

For those who live in an area prone to hurricanes or ice storms, the Anker Solix F3000 could be a lifesaver. Its massive 3,072Wh capacity means you can keep almost everything in your home powered up, from the refrigerator to lamps and the coffee maker. Plus, it has the capacity for major expansion to 24kWh.

Thanks to the 30amp plug, you could even do a load of laundry with the Solix F3000 or take it along in the RV. Plus, the Anker is capable of powering gadgets while recharging, and even better for storm situations, you can recharge via a generator in a bit over an hour.

Of course, Anker added durable wheels and a telescoping handle to this model since the 3kWh battery weighs about 91 pounds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix F3000 $139.99 at Amazon
$1,699 Save $1,559.01   Get Deal A petite model for a weekend of camping

Not everyone needs or wants major power backup. For short trips to the campground for a few nights or for using at home during short outages, the Anker Solix C300 is packed with useful features. The 288Wh capacity will recharge small gadgets like cell phones and earbuds while camping, and the carrying strap makes it ideal for transporting at the campsite.

The Solix C300 comes with four USB-C ports, including two that support 140W, making it possible to recharge your MacBook Pro at the campsite. Plus, you can recharge the Solix power station in 2.5 hours via the car socket. The pop-up lantern adds to the campsite-friendliness of this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C300 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal A refurbished model at an incredible price

We already mentioned the benefits of buying the Jackery Explorer 300 with a 40W solar panel, but if you don't mind buying used and you don't want the solar panel, this deal is pretty awesome. A renewed version of the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale at Amazon for only $156. It's certified by Amazon's renewal program to retain at least 80% of its original battery capacity.

This isn't the fanciest or newest model, but if you're looking for a more affordable way to get into the portable power station game, this could be your ticket.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Refurbished Jackery Explorer 300 $156 at Amazon
$259 Save $103   Get Deal A Bluetti that doesn't mind the cold

Most batteries don't perform well in deep chills, but the Bluetti Pioneer Na is designed specifically to be cold-proof. It can safely recharge your devices and tools at temperatures as low as -13 degrees and at temperatures as low as 5 degrees. That makes it ideal for ice fishing, working in an uninsulated shed or garage in the winter, or leaving for the cabin.

Instead of using lithium-ion battery cells, the Bluetti Pioneer Na uses sodium-ion which is not only better to use in deeply cold weather, it avoids using rarer metals like lithium and cobalt.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Pioneer Na $799 at Bluetti
$899 Save $100   Get Deal

Early October Prime Day iPad deals at a glance: Best budget iPad deal Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 (save $22) Get Deal Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 (save $30) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $999 (save $100) Get Deal Best iPad Pro deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 (save $200) Get Deal

Fall has just begun, but the holiday shopping season is already heating up. No longer do things kick off on Black Friday: Amazon's annual Prime Big Deal Days on Oct. 6 and 7 will be your first chance to start scoring year-end deals.

In the lead-up to this "October Prime Day," as it's often called, Mashable's team of shopping experts is tracking all the best early deals on the biggest brands, including Apple. When it comes to iPad deals, they're a real grab bag so far. Most configurations of the latest iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro are just $30 off — nowhere close to the prices we expect them to hit once Prime Big Deal Days starts. However, a few models are cheap enough to think about adding to your cart already.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day Apple deals guide: Buy now or wait?

Below, we've rounded up the best early October Prime Day iPad deals we could find. We've also made some predictions for the iPad deals we're likely to see next week based on our experience covering Prime Big Deal Days in the past. Decide for yourself if you're willing to wait for them; even the meager savings now are still something to celebrate, considering all iPads got price hikes this summer.

Save up to $30 on the regular iPad

The standard iPad with the A16 chip is our favorite Apple tablet for budget shoppers. "Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro," writes Mashable's Samantha Mangino, "it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading." It's rated for up to six hours of battery life.

Ahead of Amazon's sale, the base iPad with 128GB of storage is $30 off with or without cellular connectivity. It was $70 off last Prime Big Deal Days, so it could dip further to $379 next week (normally $449).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $427 at Amazon
$449 Save $22   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $569 at Amazon
$599 Save $30   Get Deal Take up to $30 off the iPad mini

If you wish e-readers were more powerful, more versatile, and equipped with way more storage, get Apple's smallest iPad instead. The iPad mini's compact size and anti-reflective display make it our favorite tablet for reading.

The iPad mini also saw a $70 discount during Prime Big Deal Days 2025, so we think it will drop to $529 when this year's sale begins on Oct. 6 (typically $599). Right now, the base model is up to $30 off, depending on whether you'd like cellular connectivity.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $569 at Amazon
$599 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $729 at Amazon
$749 Save $20   Get Deal Score $100 off an iPad Air with cellular

The iPad Air is our favorite iPad for most people. It has a 10-hour battery life, a beautiful, crisp display, and an M4 processor that makes it as powerful as many laptops. In his iPad Air review, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth deemed it "a premium device for creators, artists, and college students."

Most configurations of the M4 iPad Air are just $20 to $30 off right now, save for the 13-inch base model with cellular connectivity. It's already enjoying a $100 discount that brings it down from $1,099 to $999. It could get $50 cheaper once Prime Big Deal Days starts — the M3 model was $150 off during last year's sale — but this is one of the more solid early deals we've spotted.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) $999 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $100   Get Deal More iPad Air deals

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $729 $749 (save $20)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi + cellular, 128GB) — $870.08 $899 (save $28.92)

• Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $929 $949 (save $20)

Save $200 on select M4 iPad Pros

If you're a professional creative in the market for an iPad Pro, consider buying last year's M4 model instead of the freshest M5 version, which just has a newer chip and newer wireless connectivity tech (WiFi and Bluetooth). The best early October Prime Day iPad deals we've seen feature $200 discounts on two upgraded M4 iPad Pros: One is a 13-inch model with 512GB of storage; the other is an 11-incher with 2TB of storage and a nano-texture display. Both of them are sitting at some of their lowest prices of the year so far. If anything, they might get $50 cheaper during Prime Big Day Deals... if they don't sell out first.

Prefer an M5 iPad Pro for future-proofing's sake? Amazon's deals on both sizes max out at $100 off right now. Come Prime Big Deal Days, they could be up to $200 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 512GB) $1,299 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $200   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB, nano-texture glass) $1,899 at Amazon
$2,099 Save $200   Get Deal More iPad Pro deals

• Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,139 $1,199 (save $60)

• Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $1,345.99 $1,399 (save $53.01)

• Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi + cellular, 256GB) — $1,616 $1,699 (save $83)

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to a Matt’s Flights Premium Plan for $39.99 (reg. $197) for a limited time and start watching for holiday flight deals early.

Opens in a new window Credit: Matt's Flights Matt's Flights Premium Plan Lifetime Subscription: Save up to 90% on Domestic & International flights $39.99
$197 Save $157.01   Get Deal

It’s never too early to think about Christmas travel, especially once you start pricing flights home. Instead of refreshing search tabs every night, you can have someone else watch the fares for you.

That’s the idea behind Matt’s Flights. There’s a real person behind it: Matt scans airlines for sales and mistake fares, then emails the deals to members. Premium members get five times as many deals as free users on both domestic and international routes and can save up to 90% on airfare.

SEE ALSO: I hunted down the top early October Prime Day MacBook deals: Save $600 on on the M5 Pro

The direct line to Matt is especially handy for the holidays. You can email him for 1-on-1 flight and travel planning support, and send custom search requests for a specific route, such as getting home for Christmas. There’s no cap on how many requests you can submit.

The Premium Plan includes:

• 3+ flight deals per week, domestic and international

• Mistake fare notifications

• 1-on-1 flight and travel planning support via email

• Unlimited custom search requests

There are a couple of things to know before you buy. Deals are based on departures from 60 U.S. airports and six Canadian airports, so check that your home airport is on the list first. The plan is also only available to new users, and you’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase.

At $39.99 for lifetime access, one well-timed booking could more than cover the cost. Get a lifetime Matt’s Flights Premium Plan for $39.99 (reg. $197) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.