IT General

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried more than 80 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure involving real-world stress tests and artificial benchmarks to evaluate our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models we've tried across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

A note about laptop prices

A recent boom in AI data center construction has caused a global shortage of RAM and SSD storage chips (often referred to as "RAMageddon"). As a result, many consumer tech devices that use these components, including the best laptops, have seen steep price hikes this year. The shortage is expected to worsen and could last into 2028, driving up prices even further and making good values in the budget and mid-range tiers even scarcer. Most recently, Apple raised its MacBook prices by $100 to $300, depending on the model.

This is something the Mashable team is taking into consideration as we assess laptops and select ones to recommend to our readers. Moreover, we've gone back and re-evaluated several models that have gotten more expensive since we first tested them. At the time of writing, only one previous top pick has gotten so unreasonably pricey that we think it's no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumped from an already-high $750 to $1,000 as tested. We've since replaced it with a much more cost-effective option that's less snazzy, but still apt for most Chromebook users. You can read more about it and our other current picks below.

One thing to know before you buy a Windows laptop

Many great Windows laptops we've tried run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. The Zenbook A14 and A16 are two great examples of outstanding ARM laptops.

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they're not compatible with some specialty software and PC games. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you're a college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my best Windows laptops guide.

Recent updates to this guide

The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI is officially the most portable laptop we've ever tested: It only weighs 2.18 pounds and measures 0.37 inches thin at its slimmest point. I added it as a new pick in July 2026.

In the previous update, I made the Asus ExpertBook Ultra our new favorite business laptop and named the Asus Zenbook A16 the best 16-inch laptop. I also removed the Alienware 16X Aurora as our top gaming laptop because the configuration we tested has been discontinued. We're currently testing potential replacements.

SAVE $70: As of Aug. 3, the Anker Solix C1000 is on sale for $529.99 at Amazon. That's a 12% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 $529.99 at Amazon
$599 Save $69.01   Get Deal

Portable power stations keep you powered and connected in all kinds of environments. Whether it's an off-grid camping trip that still needs some home comforts or a power outage at home, a unit like the Anker Solix C1000 can see you through all kinds of situations. And as of Aug. 3, it's on sale at Amazon for $70 off, bringing the price down to $529.99.

This portable power station offers 1,024Wh capacity and up to 2,000W output (3,000W peak) via 10 ports, allowing you to power multiple devices at once. It recharges fast thanks to HyperFlash technology. This means it can reach a full charge in just 49 minutes at 1,600W when enabled through the Anker app. It's also compatible with solar panels (sold separately), which can fully recharge the unit in around 1.8 hours with up to 600W of solar input.

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And it's not just designed for at-home use. This design is 14% smaller and 11% lighter than similar models, making it easier to transport for camping trips, RV use, or general outdoor activities. It also has an integrated carrying handle, making it easier to take with you on the go.

This Anker deal is available at Amazon right now, so don't miss out.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box is on sale for $145.88 at Amazon, down from its $167.76 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box (24 Packs) $145.88 at Amazon
$167.76 Save $21.88 Get Deal

Magic: The Gathering’s Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box may have shot up in price after launch, but Amazon has now pulled the 24-pack box back below $150 for anyone still looking to start making some fun comic book-themed decks.

As of Aug. 3, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box is available at Amazon for $145.88. This lowest-priced Amazon option is sold and shipped by third-party seller Gaming Universe Corp, with free delivery currently scheduled between Aug. 6-10 at the time of writing. Amazon also has several other sellers matching the same $145.88 price, although their delivery windows extend as far as Aug. 12.

For those who would rather order directly from the retailer, Amazon is selling and shipping the box for $150.79. That option is slightly over the $150 mark, but Prime members can currently get delivery as soon as Aug. 4. It is marked as a final sale with no returns, so make sure it is the version you want before checking out.

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As is usually the case with these types of price drops, lower prices are available outside Amazon for those willing to shop elsewhere. Against TCGplayer’s market price at $125.44, the dedicated trading card marketplace has listings sitting as low as $115.99 plus $9.99 shipping — $125.98 altogether. 

Inside the box are 24 Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Boosters, each holding 20 Magic cards. Every pack follows one of 51 possible themes built around Marvel Heroes and Villains, with the Land cards needed to play already included. 

Among those two-dozen packs are plenty of pricey singles you can pull (or buy individually from TCGplayer) — including the Borderless Mind Stone, Thanos, The Mad Titan, Borderless Doctor Doom, and Ultron Artificial Malevolence. 

For anyone who’s new to this type of MTG box, Jumpstart is all about getting you ready to play with just a couple of packs. Specifically, open two packs, shuffle them together, and you have an instant deck ready for a two-player game. The boosters can also be mixed with packs from the Jumpstart boxes of other Magic expansions, giving existing players plenty of room to try different combinations without constructing a full deck from scratch. 

TL;DR: Get Skoove Premium lifetime access for $149.99 (reg. $299.99) and learn piano with an AI-powered app that provides real-time feedback and includes 400+ interactive lessons plus ongoing updates.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99
$299.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Looking for a new hobby to unwind after a long day of work? Skoove Premium Piano Lessons brings the learning to your home, helping you master the piano or keyboard with an app on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. And right now, you can lock in a lifetime of lessons for only $149.99 (reg. $299.99).

When was the last time you learned a new skill? If mastering the piano has always been on your bucket list, it’s time to make it happen with this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. This AI-powered app lets you pick up piano in your spare time without ever leaving your house.

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All you need to get started with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons is a keyboard or piano and your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. The app does the rest, as it can hear you play, recognize your notes, and give you real-time feedback so you get better as you go.

Whether you’re totally new to the instrument or you have some lessons under your belt, Skoove offers lesson options ranging from beginner to advanced. And it’s not like the boring old piano lessons from your past; you’ll get to pick up skills by playing your favorite music — from Adele to Beethoven.

Your lifetime subscription includes permanent access to more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos, and you’ll never run out of content because new ones are added every month. There’s also one-on-one support available from real music instructors when you need it.

Get this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $149.99 (reg. $299.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Grab a lifetime subscription to iScanner for just $39.99 (reg. $199.90), while it’s on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$199.90 Save $159.91   Get Deal

There’s no reason to stress about scanning documents in 2026, and apps like iScanner are why. This document-scanning app lets you ditch clunky home scanners and trips to the local print shop, putting fast, convenient scanning right onto your iPhone, iPad, or Android for just $39.99 (reg. $199.90) for life.

Using the iScanner app is as easy as taking a picture. Simply point your camera at your assignment, contract, receipt, or page, then let the app scan it. What’s more, it will also automatically adjust the borders, straighten out the document, and make lighting adjustments for clarity. From here, you can export your document in whatever format suits you — including TXT, XLS, PPT, JPG, DOC, or PDFs.

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And if your documents need a bit of extra work, the app can handle that for you, too. Every scan you make can be edited, marked up, and merged thanks to its PDF editing and management features. Plus, you can also protect confidential documents via lock and PIN protection. You can even insert page numbers, headers, footers, watermarks, and e-signatures directly from the app.

In addition, the built-in AI can recognize text in over 20 languages, making it a great product for remote workers, digital nomads, students, and anyone handling multilingual documents. So, why not try it out?

Get your iScanner Lifetime Subscription for $39.99 (reg. $199.90).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal using their independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.

SAVE 90%: As of Aug. 3, the QuickBooks' Workforce Payroll plan is 90% off for the first three months, covering full-service payroll, automatic runs, 1099 e-filing, and basic HR tools like document sharing and an employee portal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Intuit QuickBooks QuickBooks: Workforce Payroll 90% off QuickBooks' Workforce Payroll plan for the first three months (Aug. 3-31) Get Deal

If you run a small business, this is a solid moment to get payroll off your plate. The QuickBooks Workforce Payroll plan is 90% off for the first three months, starting Aug. 3, and it covers a solid range of what most small teams need to get payroll off their plate.

The plan handles full-service payroll and runs it automatically once it's set up, so you don't have to process pay manually each cycle. It also handles 1099 e-filing for contractors, and deposits go out the next day rather than making your team wait for funds to clear. So if anything comes up, you've got standard product support to lean on.

SEE ALSO: How AI is revolutionizing time management for entrepreneurs and small business owners

Beyond the payroll basics, there's a decent set of team management tools bundled in too — you can upload and share documents, manage employee data, and give your team access to their own employee portal.

There's also built-in background check functionality through Checkr, which is handy if you're actively hiring. Besides that, Intuit's built-in AI feature quietly does some of the legwork behind the scenes, tracking down hours and flagging anything unusual before payroll runs, so there's less room for costly errors.

A few things worth knowing before signing up: the discount applies to the monthly base price only — it doesn't cover per-employee fees, per-contractor fees, or state tax filing fees. You also need to be a new Workforce customer to qualify, and the offer can't be combined with other promotions for the same product.

90% off a payroll that runs itself — grab it at QuickBooks before Aug. 31.

Imagine it's Friday night — the best, most exciting night of the week — and you find yourself with nothing to do. You're bored, alone, and at the loosest of loose ends. But there's one activity guaranteed to tackle that boredom: Finding a hookup and then, well, hooking up.

These days, you're almost spoilt for choice with the sheer number of apps and dating sites to trawl through. The wild world of online dating becomes ever more vast as the years go by, but that doesn't change the fact that two dating sites stand out above all the rest — particularly when you're keeping things fun and casual. They are, of course, Tinder and AdultFriendFinder. Both are veterans of the online dating game, but they've cornered opposite ends of the hookup spectrum. One's for casual, everyday fun; the other is spicier and geared towards NSFW frolics. They also take different approaches to connecting you with strangers.

Does that mean that one is inherently better than the other? Absolutely not. Everyone is looking to get something different out of online dating, so it's more about which of these platforms works best for you. It's about finding a particular kind of person and a particular kind of hookup. And we all tend to search for potential connections in different ways.

To help you choose your best hookup option, we've looked at some of the key differences between AdultFriendFinder and Tinder.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Tinder Tinder   Learn More AdultFriendFinder vs. Tinder for hookups

Historically, both of these options are notoriously hookup-focused — so you've certainly come to the right place with these platforms — but they operate in entirely different ways. That means they also attract very different people, so it's important to understand the differences if you're going to get the most out of them.

But don't forget that while both are hookup platforms, they offer slightly different things — Tinder is a hookup but also a place where you can find a relationship, while AFF is more sex focused and can be pretty NSFW.

Do you prefer an app or a website?

Tinder began as an app and will likely remain an app, but AdultFriendFinder is one of the few dating websites that never opted for native smartphone support. It's kind of an old-school internet approach. So, if you prefer to do your swiping on the couch or on the toilet, Tinder is your best bet. But if you don't mind using a desktop to score your next hookup, you'll appreciate the richer selection of features through AdultFriendFinder, which includes chat rooms, discussion boards, and live webcam broadcasts. 

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

From a hookup perspective, Tinder's algorithm-driven approach can be somewhat limiting, since the only way to speak to someone is to match first, whereas AdultFriendFinder is more generous, allowing you to use the traditional match-first-and-then-talk approach while also offering more public spaces to interact with people based on shared interests.

If you're looking for the fastest possible connection, AFF is probably the way to go, but if you can be patient, Tinder's ability to serve up an endless array of nearby singles shouldn't be underestimated. There's a reason that just the name Tinder has become shorthand for the whole internet dating phenomenon.

The cost of using both services

Both services offer a free tier, but it's worth noting that Tinder is the better option for anyone who doesn't want to provide credit card information. A free Tinder account allows you to browse, swipe, match, and talk to people. There's no subscription fee necessary. A free account on AdultFriendFinder only allows you to create a profile, explore the public areas, and interact with people in group settings. If you want some one-on-one interaction via AFF, you'll need to upgrade to a Gold membership.

That being said, if you really want to make the most of both services and maximize your chances of scoring a hookup, the premium membership tiers do offer some valuable features. Tinder has three subscription Tiers — Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum — that offer unlimited likes, the ability to "boost" your profile in the search results, and even, at the highest tier, the ability to message people you haven't already matched with or see people who like your profile. Tinder uses a dynamic pricing model, depending on your age, gender, and location, but you should expect to pay between $6 and $17.99 in the United States for a Plus membership, and above that for the higher tiers.

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

AdultFriendFinder's Gold membership costs between $19.95 and $35.95 per month, depending on the subscription length you choose, and it really helps the site shine. A premium membership unlocks one-on-one messaging, upgrades your search options, and gives you insights into who is checking out your profile, making it much easier to find a hookup. 

The user demographics

Another major difference between Tinder and AdultFriendFinder, and one that can make or break your hookup search, is the demographic data. Both Tinder and AFF skew male, with AdultFriendFinder clocking in at approximately 65 percent male, 35 percent female, and Tinder posting even more lopsided numbers, with roughly 75 percent of its users identifying as male. That's pretty common with any mainstream dating app or site. But that's not even the most important demographic statistic for AdultFriendFinder and Tinder.

The big difference between AdultFriendFinder users and Tinder users isn't gender but age. Tinder is most popular among the young, with its average user between 18 and 24 years of age, while the average AdultFriendFinder user is between 30 and 38 years of age.

So which option offers you the best chance of success? If you're younger, or if you live among a younger demographic, like in a city or college town, you're probably better off dipping your toe into Tinder's waters. But if you're in your 30s or 40s and looking for something fun and casual, AdultFriendFinder will have the best options for you.

It looks like House of the Dragon Season 3 is going to be bookended with big battles.

Back in episode 1 we had the long-awaited Battle of the Gullet and now it looks like things are about kick off at Tumbleton. In the finale trailer above we see both Team Green and Team Black amassing their forces in the wake of news that Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and his dragon Sunfyre are still alive — but who will come out triumphant?

We'll find out soon enough.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $82.45 at Amazon, down from its $118.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box $82.45 at Amazon
$118.99 Save $36.54   Get Deal

Chaos Rising has been steadily dropping in price since the expansion launched in May, and you can now grab the Elite Trainer Box for well under the $85 mark. 

As of Aug. 3, the Pokémon TCG’s Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is now ready to buy at Amazon for $82.45. With $36.54 off its $118.99 list price, that works out to a very nice 31% discount on the sealed box packing nine booster packs and plenty of other expansion accessories.

Rather than being shipped directly by Amazon, this comes from third-party seller Collectors Expedition, with free delivery currently scheduled for Aug. 6-7 at the time of writing. Amazon also has a lower $74.95 option sold and shipped directly by the retailer, but only two are left in stock at this point.

That said, Amazon is still not quite the cheapest place to buy the Chaos Rising ETB right now. For instance, TCGplayer has one unopened English listing for $73.99 with delivery included, sitting just above the Elite Trainer Box’s current $73.10 market price. As a backup, if you prefer to use an official retailer, Walmart is selling the Chaos Rising ETB for as low as $77.89. 

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As for what you’ll be getting in this Chaos Rising ETB, the box contains the nine aforementioned titular booster packs, one full-art foil promo card featuring Fennekin, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin-flip die, one plastic coin, and a collector’s box with six dividers. There is also a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. 

Chaos Rising has some valuable chase cards you can pull (or buy separately on TCGplayer), including SIR Mega Greninja ex, MHR Mega Greninja ex, SIR Cinccino ex, SIR Mega Dragalge ex, and SIR Mega Floette ex — now worth as much as $220+ in terms of market price. 

SAVE $322: As of Aug. 3, the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (256GB) is down to $977 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount off its $1,299.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra $977 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $322.99   Get Deal

Samsung just wrapped its latest Unpacked event, unveiling the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new wider Z Fold 8 Ultra, the Z Flip 8, updated Galaxy Watches, and its first-ever smart glasses built with Gemini AI. The foldables and watches launch Aug. 7, with the glasses following this fall.

With all that fresh hardware stealing the spotlight, it's easy to miss that the S26 Ultra — Samsung's non-folding flagship is quietly having a good week of its own: it's 25% off at Amazon, down to $977 from $1,299.99. If you'd rather have a proven flagship than a first-generation foldable, this is a solid window to grab it before the price climbs back up.

Mashable got hands-on with the S26 Ultra at the first Unpacked in San Francisco, and Mashable's Chris Taylor, a longtime iPhone user, walked away genuinely impressed by one specific feature: the privacy screen. As Taylor put it, the ability to limit the privacy screen specifically to notifications solves the anxiety of showing someone your screen while worrying about a message popping up.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera also uses Galaxy AI for editing, not just capturing. With Photo Assist, you can type or tap to add objects, restore missing details, or apply entirely new styles to a shot in seconds. For low-light situations, Nightography is built to keep photos and videos clear rather than grainy, whether you're at a concert or just out shooting city lights after dark.

Share your screen, keep your secrets — grab the Galaxy S26 Ultra at Amazon while it's 25% off.

SAVE $70: As of Aug. 3, the Google Pixel 10a is on sale for $424 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 10a $429
$499 Save $70   Get Deal

The Google Pixel 10a has just dropped in price at Amazon, making now a great time to upgrade if you're in the market for a new smartphone. As of Aug. 3, it's dropped by $70, bringing the price down to $429 from $499.

The Google Pixel 10a is an unlocked Android smartphone designed for everyday use, with a durable build that includes a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display and IP68-rated water and dust resistance.

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Display-wise, it features a 3,000-nit Actua display for improved visibility in bright conditions. And if you like a phone with an impressive camera system, this phone will not disappoint. It's designed for high-quality photography, with built-in features like an 8x zoom. It also includes Camera Coach, an AI-powered feature that uses Gemini models to analyze your subject and provide suggestions on framing and lighting to help improve your photos.

This phone is also designed to last all day (and more), with a battery life of over 30 hours on a full charge. And for everyday ease and use, enjoy access to Google's built-in Gemini AI assistant, which can help with tasks such as brainstorming ideas, screening spam calls, and other everyday productivity features.

Get this smartphone deal from Amazon now.

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free from T-Mobile when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free   Get Deal

Samsung is still the center of attention. Samsung just dropped three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses, so it deserves its moment in the spotlight. But won't someone think about Apple for a change?

Apple prices are bumping in the face of RAMageddon, but you can still secure a limited-time offer on iPhones from T-Mobile. This popular mobile carrier has just dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals on the latest handsets:

• iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required

• iPhone 17 — free when signing up for 24 months of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan and trading in an eligible phone

• iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these free deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee. That's a small catch, but that's how it often goes with this kind of deal.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter." That's enough for us to consider upgrading.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free this week with T-Mobile.

The Moon is now losing more of its light, with the next major milestone in its cycle being the Third Quarter phase. Here's what you can spot on its surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, Aug. 3, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 79% of its surface visible.

With just your naked eye, tonight you can spot the Copernicus Crater and the Tycho Crater. If you have a pair of binoculars, these will help you see the Alphonsus Crater, Mare Humorum, and the Mare Frigoris. Finally, if you have a telecope, this will help you see the Apollo 11, 14 and 15 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon goes through a complete cycle of eight phases roughly every 29.5 days. As it travels around Earth, the angle between the Sun, Earth and Moon constantly changes, meaning we see different amounts of the Moon's sunlit side. This is what causes the familiar progression from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the cycle repeats.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 3, 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 August 3, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 3 Pips

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 3 Pips

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

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 3 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 0-6, 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 if you've ever watched basketball and 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: New York basketball

• Green: East Coast baseball

• Blue: Golfers across the pond

• Purple: Trade terminology

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: New York Basketball Teams

• Green: NL East Teams

• Blue: English Golfers

• Purple: Trade___

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 #679 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• New York Basketball Teams: KNICKS, LIBERTY, NETS, ST. JOHN'S

• NL East Teams: BRAVES, METS, NATIONALS, PHILLIES

• English Golfers: FITZPATRICK, FLEETWOOD, RAI, ROSE

• Trade___: BLOCK, DEADLINE, OFFER, RUMORS

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.

Many dragons have died so far in House of the Dragon, but now we have one who's come back.

Season 3, episode 7 ended with the shock revelation that Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) may have switched to Team Green, but one scene before that, we had an even bigger surprise: Aegon's (Tom Glynn-Carney) dragon Sunfyre, who comes rumbling out of the woods to save him and Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) from imminent death.

So, what happened, and how did Sunfyre manage to revive himself?

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon': Who is Dreamfyre, and why are her eggs so important? What happens with Aegon and Sunfyre?

After Larys (Matthew Needham) finally convinces him to flee to Braavos, Aegon and co. encounter an army coming in the opposite direction. They're apparently looking for Tyland, but rather than taking Larys' advice and making themselves scarce, Aegon decides to make a last stand. Larys flees, Tyland stays — and for a moment, it looks as though they may be at the end of the road. Then Aegon reveals who he really is, and the men start to fall back, looking afraid. But it's not the former king they're scared of, it's what's standing behind him: his dragon Sunfyre, badly scarred but still very much alive, and more than happy to scorch anyone foolish enough to stand in his path.

Featured Video For You 'House of the Dragon' cast unpack Season 3, episode 2's biggest moments How is Sunfyre still alive?

Remember back in episode 4, when Aegon and Larys find the (apparent) corpse of Sunfyre in the forest? At the time, the dragon looked very much dead, so much so that some locals had even turned his ostensible corpse into something of a pay-to-see zoo attraction.

The only person who thought he may still be alive was Aegon, who seemed pretty convinced. And while Aegon may have been wrong about most things up until now, he clearly wasn't wrong about that. In hindsight, it makes sense. There's a strong connection between a Targaryen and their dragon, so Aegon may have been the only person able to sense that Sunfyre hadn't yet departed the realm of the living.

Like his master after the battle at Rook's Rest, the dragon just needed a long time to recover. Maybe Sunfyre was in the equivalent of a coma, and hearing Aegon's voice a few episodes back started the process of bringing the dragon back to consciousness — just in time to save Aegon from almost certain death.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like to take the scenic route.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 August 3, 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: Backroads

• Green: Same color

• Blue: A, E, I, O, U

• Purple: To annoy

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Road less traveled

• Green: Shades of green

• Blue: "Y" is the only vowel

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "pester"

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 #1149 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Road less traveled: ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY, LANE

• Shades of green: FOREST, HUNTER, MINT, SAGE

• "Y" is the only vowel: FLY BY, MYRRH, NSYNC, RHYTHM

• Starting with synonyms for "pester": BUG FIX, NAP CHAMPA, NEEDLESS, TEA SET

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 3, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a rare gem.

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 August 3, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: There's nothing like it

The words are related to difference.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe distinction.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is One of a Kind.

NYT Strands word list for August 3

• Sole

• Singular

• Only

• Special

• One of a Kind

• Unique

• Exclusive

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a good communicator.

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 August 3, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 3, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To respond.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

REPLY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A squirrel's favorite nut.

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

ACORN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Cutter.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 3, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PARER

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Brilliance.

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

ECLAT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To mature.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

RIPEN

Final Hurdle hint

Fiery crime.

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

ARSON

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