IT General

Mashable staff and contributors have tested nearly a dozen popular Chromebooks over the course of the past two years, and as of late 2025, there are five I recommend in particular. My top pick for most people is the Lenovo 5i Flex Chromebook Plus, a mid-range convertible with excellent build quality, upper-level performance, and an all-day battery life. It's priced at $599.99 in two configurations, and one is usually on sale for well under $400.

My complete guide to the best Chromebooks includes other picks for budget shoppers, splurgers, kids, and casual gamers, so keep scrolling. (And if you aren't sure whether a Chromebook is right for you, check out my explainer on how they're different from regular Windows laptops and MacBooks.)

MARKET VALUE: As of Nov. 18, the Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box is $89.48 at Amazon. This is at market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box $89.48 at TCGPlayer
$95.49 Save $6.01   Get Deal

Mega Evolution has been dominating the Pokémon TCG landscape, with stock levels looking better than ever. Phantasmal Flames is doing the same, with single cards becoming more affordable just days after release. It looks like Pokémon TCG is actually upping print runs.

The same applies for the Scarlet and Violet era, with the Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box still available and now at market value when compared to TCGplayer. That's $89.48, which is nowhere near MSRP and an unfortunate result of Pokémania 2025. But if you apply and get accepted for an Amazon Visa card, the price plummets to $29.48 thanks to an instant $60 gift card credited to your accounts.

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Want to save even more? AMEX and Discover card holders have been snagging up to 50% off Pokémon TCG at Amazon recently by spending $1 on their orders using their card. That knocks the Black Bolt ETB down to a ridiculous $14.74.

The Black Bolt ETB includes a Thundurus 209 Illustration Rare promo card, 65 Black Bolt-Themed sleeves, themed dice, and eight booster packs. With the box even serving as a great storage unit for your cards.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Prices for Black Bolt and White Flare Single cards have been fluctuating recently, and it's usually cheaper to just buy single cards outright rather than ripping open 100s of booster packs to find what you're seeking. Here's where to buy the top chase cards from the final Scarlet and Violet expansion with up-to-date market value info:

1. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $468.99
   Most recent sale: $430

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $432.27
   Most recent sale: $440

3. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $480.87
   Most recent sale: $445.98

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $369.99
   Market price: $371.22
   Most recent sale: $375

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $237.20
   Market price: $238.43
   Most recent sale: $230

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $187.31
   Market price: $188.80
   Most recent sale: $186.23

The first-ever U.S. TikTok Awards are happening on Dec. 18, 2025 — and yes, fans can already vote.

Designed to honor the creators, trends, and memorable cultural moments that defined the platform this year, the show is shaping up to be TikTok's biggest attempt yet at turning internet fame into a full-blown awards spectacle.

So what can you actually expect? Think of it as the For You Page brought to life, with all the unpredictable energy that implies. TikTok is promising creator-led segments and live performances, meaning some of your favorite viral personalities will be doing what they do best — only this time without the safety net of a million drafts. There will be immersive TikTok Shop activations (basically, the impulse-buy scroll turned IRL), plus fan-oriented pop-ups engineered to be filmed, posted, and immediately stitched into oblivion.

SEE ALSO: Viral TikTok songs are changing the music industry

The lineup will blend viral creators with musicians, athletes, and celebrities, making the night feel like a crossover episode between every side of TikTok at once. And because this is TikTok, expect meme-by-morning chaos and at least one moment destined to live forever in reaction GIF form. Officially, TikTok describes the show as "a celebration of creativity, community, and culture." Unofficially, it sounds like the kind of award show where absolutely anything could happen, and probably will.

Whether you're wondering how to vote in the TikTok Awards, who’s nominated, when the show starts, or where to watch, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.

When are the TikTok Awards 2025?

The TikTok Awards 2025 ceremony will air live on Thursday, Dec. 18, from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

• Red carpet begins at 5 p.m. PT

• Main show starts at 6 p.m. PT

• You can watch live on TikTok (@TikTok) or stream the ceremony on Tubi

This is the first U.S.-based TikTok Awards show, celebrating the creators, trends, and viral moments that shaped the platform in 2025.

How to vote for the TikTok Awards 2025

TikTok users can vote directly for their favorite creators within the app. Here's how to vote:

• Open the TikTok app

• Go to the TikTok Awards hub (visible on the For You page or search "TikTok Awards")

• Browse categories and nominees

• Tap to submit votes (you can vote daily!)

You can cast your votes for your favorite creators starting Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, 2025. This is the only way to officially vote for the TikTok Awards, as there doesn't appear to be any web-based voting.

TikTok Awards 2025 nominees and categories

Here are the nominees for the TikTok Awards categories this year:

Creator of the Year

• adamw

• alixearle

• brookemonk_

• keith_lee125

• kristy.sarah

Video of the Year

• bretmanrock

• chrisandfinck

• ronclark__

• taylortiminskas

• turkuazkitchen

Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by e.l.f. Cosmetics)

• calebsaysthings

• drewkey5000

• findjeremiah

• soyeddynieblas

• thatgirlsydjo

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

• alexwarren

• katseyeworld

• laufey

• ravynlenae

• sombr

Storyteller of the Year

• jordan_the_stallion8

• katievanslyke

• logagm

• thelawntools

• tinekeyounger

Muse of the Year

• angelreese10

• cocogauff

• giannis_an34

• parishilton

• shaymitchell

TikTok for Good Award

• alexisnikole

• cybersecuritygirl

• samueljhyun

• thepsychdoctormd

• valentinebrothers

My Show is On Award [Film & TV]

• cvnela

• dayanechrissel

• guywithamoviecamera

• justthenobodys

• supes

MVP of the Year [Sports]

• brittany1wilson

• daniel_buyeske

• mariahcrose

• mkiatipis

• moalifc

Okay Slay Award [Fashion/Beauty]

• glamzilla

• katiefanggg

• meredithduxbury

• missdarcei

• wisdm8

I Was Today Years Old Award [Learning] (sponsored by H&R Block)

• afamstudies

• alexisanddean

• astro_alexandra

• lawbymike

• oddanimalspecimens

Immediately Added To Cart Award (presented by TikTok Shop)

• boise_brooke

• giniglow

• itsmekelsc

• klothesminded

• lexirosenstein

CapCut Creator of the Year

• chloeshih

• liahyoo

• moniqueyvonne

• paigepiskin

• recider

TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year

• eliesparzaa

• ezeexnatalie

• jonathantilkin

• jourdanblue

• kiralise

TikTok notes that additional nominees may be announced leading up to the show.

If you want real-time updates, red carpet chaos, and all the "did we just witness that?" moments, make sure you're following @tiktokcreators and keeping an eye on #TikTokAwardsUS.

This is TikTok, after all. If something wild happens backstage, it’ll be on your For You Page within minutes.

The Queen of Versailles has opened on Broadway, and the reviews are scorchingly negative. 

Critics are jeering everything from its concept and messaging to its songs, structure, and runtime (nearly 3 hours with the intermission included). Few theater fans could have predicted such an intense lashing for a musical that reunites two Broadway legends who contributed to Wicked becoming a smash hit from stage to screen: composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz and actress Kristin Chenoweth. 

SEE ALSO: How eat-the-rich comedies changed during COVID

Frankly, having seen The Queen of Versailles musical, I'm even more befuddled by the barrage of pans, because it is outrageous fun. But that's not all. It's a brazen exploration of the achingly American pursuit of happiness through obscene wealth. And far from being simply a finger-wagging cautionary tale, it becomes a hilarious and thought-provoking commentary on not only Americans' burning desire for more, but also our snarling schadenfreude as we watch the wealthy fail. 

Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Shouldered by the petite powerhouse that is Chenoweth, The Queen of Versailles is a bold and bonkers musical that had me cackling in Act 1 and tearing up in Act 2, with my mind left spinning as the curtain called. So, what's the deal with this peculiar production? 

The Queen of Versailles goes beyond its eponymous inspiration point.  Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Broadway and off-Broadway have been home to a slew of plays and musicals inspired by movies. Right now, you can see Death Becomes Her, The Outsiders, Beetlejuice, Heathers: The Musical, Romy & Michelle: The Musical, or Exorcistic: The Rock Musical. However, it's far less often that the movie inspiration for a musical is a documentary. 

The Queen of Versailles is based on Lauren Greenfield's 2012 documentary about Jackie Siegel (Chenoweth), a former beauty pageant winner turned trophy wife of "timeshare king" David Siegel (played onstage by F. Murray Abraham), who was 30 years her senior and massively wealthy. Together, they dreamed of rebuilding the Palace of Versailles — in central Florida. However, the Great Recession of 2008 put a hold on their plans, threatened their holdings, and put an intense strain on their relationship. 

Where the movie ends with the Versailles house unfinished and the Siegels flailing to save it from sale or foreclosure, the musical follows Jackie and her family through the film's Sundance premiere and her subsequent reality-TV stardom (like her appearance on Celebrity Wife Swap). While her 2022 show, Queen of Versailles Reigns Again, is not directly mentioned, the pink, glittery fashions she favored there, as well as the ongoing obsession with finishing Versailles even in the face of great personal tragedy, does make it into Act 2. However, Jackie and her family get a major Broadway musical overhaul. 

Kristin Chenoweth is the indisputable star of The Queen of Versailles. 

Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Reimagined for Broadway, Jackie's never-say-die attitude is translated as an unflappable and girlish resilience in Chenoweth's performance. The first act digs deeper into Jackie's blue-collar roots ("Champagne Dreams") and less-than-glamorous jobs ("Keep on Thrustin'"), including waitressing at Red Lobster and washing down corpses for an old folks home. Chenoweth tackles these bits with a bouncy showmanship that suggests Jackie uses a smile as a shield to get her through the tough times, including an abusive marriage to her first husband ("Mrs. Florida"). 

However, it's when Jackie is singing about her grand ambitions to be a queen "like Marie Antoinette" with zero self-awareness that Chenoweth is at her bubbly best. Like she did as Glinda with "Popular," Chenoweth is a force of unrepentant whimsy as she trots and glides around the stage in furiously sequined mini-dresses and heels. Sometimes, she'll carry a fluffy white Pomeranian (an ode to the real Siegel's pack of pets). Other times, she'll give grand gestures to the comical baubles Jackie has spent a fortune on (in real life, too). 

No matter how garish or absurd the moment, Chenoweth is so enchanting that you might well be spellbound by her sales pitch of more, more, more. In song (Schwartz) and book (by Lindsey Ferrentino), Jackie spins a yarn about coming from immigrant grandparents, growing up in a small town, and just wanting more for her children. It’s a story echoed less laughably in the experience of the Siegel’s immigrant nanny Sofia Flores (a heart-wrenching Melody Butui). But when is enough enough?

Jackie is such a larger-than-life figure that she feels more like a caricature than a flesh-and-blood person. But The Queen of Versailles balances its anti-heroine's intense energy, insatiable desires, and determined (and toxic) positivity with her two teen daughters. 

Nina White and Tatum Grace Hopkins are stellar as the princesses of Versailles. Credit: Julieta Cervantes

While in the documentary all nine of the Siegel children get some camera time, the musical smartly keeps most of them offstage. Instead, the focus narrows to Jackie's eldest, Victoria (Nina White), and Jackie's niece/adopted daughter, Jonquil (Tatum Grace Hopkins), who grew up in extreme poverty only to be thrust into a life of perverse luxury ("I Could Get Used to This.") 

Through these two girls, The Queen of Versailles digs deeper into themes that were only lightly touched on in the movie. Self-conscious Victoria looks to her mother and Jackie's beauty queen friends and feels she's falling short of their superficial but stringent standards ("Pretty Wins"). Feeling isolated from parents focused more on failing finances than nurturing, the two girls bond over a silly song, "Pavane for a Dead Lizard." But within the lizard's funeral, the girls themselves seem like pets abandoned to the whims of a fickle master. As the second act turns darker, these two ground the heartache, where Jackie can't help but squirm toward a silver lining. 

In that, Jackie becomes a tragic figure, like King Lear or Anna Nicole Smith. She'd hoped her wealth would save her children from the harsh realities she knew growing up, be it pining, heartbreak, or abuse. But in building her castle, she didn't create a safe space for her children. Her endless thrusting toward the dream cost her more than she could imagine. And in the end, she is a victim of her own desires, damned by her wish come true. 

The Queen of Versailles is a compelling commentary on American culture.  Credit: Julieta Cervantes

In the musical, Jackie is influenced by the elegant affluence seen in TV shows like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous or Dynasty. But her style is deeply nouveau riche. Covered in bubble-gum pink sequins, with big, implanted boobs, high, high heels, long blond locks, and a bejeweled necklace that reads "Queen of Versailles," she is undeniably tacky, feeding her massive family with super-sized McDonald's orders. She's a trophy wife who flung herself into reality TV to maintain her fortune through dubious fame; the kind of rich woman America loves to loathe. Hell, Bravo's built a collection of reality shows all about our obsession with watching the rich and tasteless. 

However, through the plotline of Jackie's daughters, audiences of this Queen of Versailles are pushed toward an empathy not found in the 2012 documentary. The musical urges us to get in on the guilty pleasure of gawking over Jackie and her preposterous displays of wealth in Act 1. But with Act 2, we're urged to consider what she lost for all she gains. What's more tragic, we are given a better insight into her life than the character is. (This is also true of the documentary, in which she tells the filmmakers on camera that the movie might teach her things about her life and marriage that her husband won't share with her.) 

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Within the show, Schwartz works in a curious (and at times wobbly) device: Scenes in which members of the French aristocracy (King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and unnamed hangers-on) sing about the clever maneuvering of American millionaires, who can become self-proclaimed royalty without fear of being violently overthrown. This cheeky historical angle gets less laughs than the allusions to the Trump Administration's extravagances. (Lines about Versailles' ballroom being finished, but the East Wing being a wreck, got laughs and hoots from the audience when I attended.) However, this comparison does create a broader context for Jackie's absurdities. 

Credit: Julieta Cervantes

Beyond that, however, The Queen of Versailles also offers something exceptional for the cheap seats. Bringing the making of the documentary into the musical, a large TV screen occasionally plays helpful imagery or offers close-ups of Chenoweth in some of her flashier moments. Even the balcony has a great view of the screen depicting this Broadway icon giving her all. So, you don't need to be in the pricey orchestra seats to see a hell of a show. 

The Queen of Versailles will find its audience. 

By intermission, I marveled that critics were so overwhelmingly panning the show. What I was seeing was fun, surprising, and occasionally savage, yet with an emotional intelligence. Audiences weren’t urged to like Jackie but, rather, to at least understand where she came from. The second half of the show is less rollicking than the first, and some songs stumble to capture the agony of being a teen ("Book of Random"). But still, I was riveted. 

SEE ALSO: 'Wicked' review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire for movie musical magic

There's something deliciously unhinged about this production. Perhaps critics didn't expect that from a Broadway show with such prestigious talent attached. Personally, I was reminded of the electric energy and ludicrousness of off-Broadway's Titanique, which imagined if Celine Dion crashed a Titanic museum tour to regale attendees with the movie of Titanic — as she remembered it — and lots of Celine Dion songs. That show is still one of the silliest things I've ever seen, and a treasured memory of life theater. The Queen of Versailles is less scrappy, flaunting a confident production design that entails multiple sets, including the French Versailles and the Florida copy — ever in construction. Yet this had the charm of such off-Broadway experimentation. 

There's a beguiling complexity, though it’s not so much to Jackie herself. She is so resolute in pursuit of her goals that she becomes essentially trapped in her self-serving vision. But The Queen of Versailles takes a step back from the doc, the reality TV, and the people who inspired it to wonder what might have happened when the cameras weren't rolling. In this space, they somehow made room for "eat the rich" humor and earnest humanity. Is the balance flawless? No. But is the show fantastically entertaining? Absolutely. 

The Queen of Versailles is now playing at the St. James Theater. 

TL;DR: This Grade A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch with Touch Bar (2017) is just $299.97 (reg. $1,499) through Nov. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2017 (Refurbished) $299.97
$1,499 Save $1,199.03   Get Deal

Looking for MacBook Pro performance without the premium Apple price tag? This Grade A refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro (2017) is sleek, reliable, and available for just $299.97 (reg. $1,499) through Nov. 20.

Why you’ll like it:

• Fast Intel i5 processor — 3.1GHz dual-core with Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz.

• Ample memory and storage — 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD for smooth multitasking.

• Stunning Retina display — 13.3″ screen with 2560×1600 resolution and 500 nits brightness.

• Touch Bar + Touch ID — Smarter controls and secure login.

• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports — Expand, connect, and charge easily.

• Grade A refurbished — Near-mint condition with minimal signs of use.

• Lightweight design — Just three pounds with a slim aluminum build in Space Gray.

It’s an ideal buy for students, entrepreneurs, or anyone who wants a pro-level MacBook at a fraction of the price.

Get a like-new MacBook Pro while it’s just $299.97 (reg. $1,499), only through Nov. 20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Which MacBook should you buy?

Apple just released a new 14-inch MacBook Pro, its first laptop with the M5 chip. Still, I think the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people. (Its 13-inch counterpart is also a good option for students since it's cheaper and a little more portable.) The M4 Air offers quiet, Pro-level power with a more portable design and a more reasonable price point. Better yet, it's frequently on sale for under $1,000 at Amazon and Best Buy.

SEE ALSO: Apple is finally working on a touchscreen MacBook Pro

The new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is the superior pick if you want a nicer 120Hz display, cooler multitasking performance, a better variety of ports, and the best battery life — and you've got some wiggle room in your budget. Its predecessor is also worth considering when it's on sale.

Below, I've detailed all of my recommendations for the best MacBooks to buy in 2025, including more options for students, bargain hunters, and creative professionals who can splurge.

What's new

In mid-November 2025, we added the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro's results from our battery life test. It lasted 21 hours and 17 minutes before dying, making it the longest-lasting MacBook we've ever tried.

TL;DR: As of Nov. 18, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box is $87.94 at Amazon, which is $11 46 more than TCGplayer. However, if you qualify for an Amazon Visa card, you'll get an instant $60 gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box $87.94 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $12.05   Get Deal

Phantasmal Flames is in every trainers crosshairs right now, but I'm still collecting Mega Evolution. And that's working out because I've found three different ways to get the Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box for less.

First, you could go to TCGplayer and save a solid $11.46. That's nice and simple with no credit card required. Next up is applying for an Amazon Visa card to get a $60 instant gift card applied to your Amazon account, knocking the price down to $27.94. This is a great option because you don't actually need to use the card.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Finally, you can upgrade the Amazon Gift Card offer if you have AMEX or Discover cards thanks to loyalty discounts. Trainers can use their AMEX or Discover to pay for a minimum of $1 for their order to knock up to 50% off. That means you could potentially get the Mega Evolutions ETB for a ridiculous $13.97 if you use in tandem with the Amazon Visa hack.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Like Phantasmal Flames, Mega Evolutions single card pricing has dropped hard. It's standard for cards to drop in value after release across the board, but it's now happening as soon as they release in most cases. It's no secret how hard these cards are to pull, which means it's usually going to save you money over ripping open endless packs. Here's where to buy the top chase cards from Mega Evolution, including up-to-date market values:

1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $445
   Market price: $478.19
   Most recent sale: $353.01

2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $347
   Market price: $369.14
   Most recent sale: $317.52

3. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $225
   Market price: $217.66
   Most recent sale: $212.36

4. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $271.99
   Market price: $223.78
   Most recent sale: $215.41

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $162.33
   Market price: $159.45
   Most recent sale: $155

SAVE $99.98: As of Nov. 18, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $349 at Amazon. That's the lowest-ever price for this popular model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $349 at Amazon
$448.98 Save $99.98   Get Deal

A portable power station becomes your best friend in tricky situations. A camping trip, power outage, roadtrip, wherever you are, something that can keep your most important devices on and charged is always a handy thing to have on side. And right now, there's a great early Black Friday deal on a Jackery model that's perfect for just about anything.

It's more affordable than some of the more serious units, which means it's lighter and more portable for camping vacations. Meet the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2. As of Nov. 18, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is on sale for $349, its lowest-ever price. This even beats its October Prime Day price.

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This model is both powerful and compact, offering 1,500W AC output with a 3,000W surge peak to run multiple appliances, including AC units and fridges. It has two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a DC car port, three pure sine wave AC ports, and a PD 100W fast USB-C for charging your phone quickly. It's also lightweight, coming in at just 23.8 pounds, and has a foldable handle design that makes it easy to carry, perfect for camping off-grid.

It has fast charging, and can get from 0% to 100% in just one hour using the emergency charging feature in the Jackery app. A standard full charge takes 1.7 hours to preserve battery health. It is built to last too, with the durable LFP battery maintaining over 70% capacity even after 4,000 charge cycles, giving it a lifespan of more than 10 years.

Get this great portable power station deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $650: As of Nov. 18, the Roborock Qrevo CurvX is on sale for $849.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock Roborock Qrevo CurvX $849.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $650   Get Deal

Black Friday may not officially start until the end of the month, but this year we're being treated to a bunch of great early deals on tech. Robot vacuum deals have been particularly impressive, with many at their best-ever price. And that's exactly what we've found on the Roborock Qrevo CurvX. As of Nov. 18, this robot vacuum is on sale for $849.99. That's a saving of $650 and its lowest-ever price.

For a robot vacuum of this standard, this is a seriously good deal. It has a powerful 22,000Pa HyperForce suction and a Zero-Tangling Design that can handle deep carpet debris, pet hair, long strands up to 40cm, and residue found in floor gaps. And it's only 7.98cm tall, so it reaches under sofas and cabinets, picking up hard to reach dust.

And it's not just a vacuum, this model mops your floors too. It uses 80°C hot water to remove stains and grease and keep the mops hygienic with every use. When it returns to the dock, it washes the mop with hot water and dries it with warm air, so it’s always ready for the next clean. The dock also allows the vacuum to self empty and refill the tank, all with minimal effort from you. In fact, you'll only need to empty it around every 70 days.

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For navigation, it has a built-in Reactive AI Obstacle Recognition that uses structured light and an RGB camera to detect and avoid all types of objects. This means it navigates your home easily, even in bad light or a dark room. It even has a feature called the AdaptiLift Chassis which allows the robot to lift or adjust sections of its body up to 4cm for smooth movement over high thresholds and around furniture legs.

Get this robot vacuum deal from Amazon ahead of Black Friday.

SAVE OVER $300: As of Nov. 18, the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is on sale for $294.99 at Amazon. That's a 55% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501AE AI $294.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $355   Get Deal

If you've been on the hunt for a great, affordable robot vacuum, we've found the perfect early Black Friday deal for you. As of Nov. 18, the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is reduced to just $294.99, saving you $355 on list price. It might not be Black Friday yet, but why wait when there's a deal this good? Not to mention, this is the lowest price it has ever been according to camelcamcelcamel.

And you're not sacrificing anything with a price this low, because this model is beyond impressive. It has a strong suction that works across all floor types. It even has a feature called Matrix Clean Navigation which helps it move in a precise grid and take multiple passes over heavy dirt to make sure no mess is left behind. It's perfect for homes with pets thanks to its self-cleaning brushroll and HEPA filtration. It also has a bagless base so the vacuum will self-empty. It will store this for up to 60 days, and only then do you need to empty it yourself.

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The 360° LiDAR system is a great feature, helping the vacuum map your home accurately and clean methodically while detecting and avoiding objects. For battery life, you'll get up to 120 minutes of runtime, plus the Recharge and Resume feature means if it runs out mid clean, it will pick up where it left off after a quick recharge.

Pick up this robot vacuum deal for its best-ever price at Amazon.

SAVE $1,000: As of Nov. 18, the Bluetti Apex 300 is on sale for $1,399 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price and its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Apex 300 $1,399 at Amazon
$2,399 Save $1,000   Get Deal

Portable power stations are a hot product right now, and as we come into the winter months (aka the storm months), it’s easy to see why people are looking for something that keeps their phones, laptops, and appliances going during outages. And with Black Friday deals going live, it’s a good time to pick one up for way less than normal.

As of Nov. 18, the Bluetti Apex 300 is on sale for its lowest-ever price. Get this power station for $1,399 at Amazon. That's a $1,000 discount on the list price.

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This is a great option for backup, whether at home, camping, or taking on an RV vacation. It has 2,764.8Wh of storage and 3,840W output, with the option to run two or three units in parallel for 5.5 to 8.3kWh. And you can power multiple devices at once thanks to its six AC outlets, allowing you to run things like refrigerators, AC units, and even EV chargers.

Charging options are flexible too, and include built-in 2,400W solar input (which is expandable to 6,400W), fast AC charging that reaches 80% in 45 minutes, and generator compatibility with most models. And with any product that has a high price tag, you want it to last. And thanks to the LiFePO4 battery, this model is rated for over 6,000 cycles and a lifespan of around 17 years, so you'll get your money's worth.

Pick up this great power station deal from Amazon. For more Black Friday deals on power stations, check out our breakdown of everything on sale right now.

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.

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 large fruit.

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

GOURD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Trash.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WASTE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Demanding.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BOSSY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Metamorphic rock.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SLATE

Final Hurdle hint

Enthusiasm.

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

VERVE

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

There's still a small sliver of moon on display tonight, but not so much to see anything. This is because we're approaching the New Moon phase of the lunar cycle. Keep reading to find out what exactly this means.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Nov. 18, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 3% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Don't strain your eyes tonight, there's too little moon to see anything. As we move towards the next lunar cycle, the moon will be small (and even out of sight) for a few days.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, this will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The last full moon was on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are are part of a recurring lunar cycle (every 29.5 days), according to NASA. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes throughout its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all (aka, the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases:

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, the 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 onto 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 for 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 November 8, 2025

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 November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 18 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 18 Pips

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

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

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

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 18 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this orange space must add to 9. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this purple space must add to 9. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (9): Everything in this dark blue space must add to 9. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this green space must add to 9. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

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 isn't too bad if you're familiar with head coaches.

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. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: 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: A natural

• Green: Run in this

• Blue: Lead playcaller

• Purple: Summer events and people

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Special Ability

• Green: Running Shoe Brands

• Blue: NFL Head Coaches

• Purple: Summer___

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 #421 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Special Ability - FLAIR, GIFT, SKILL, TALENT

• Running Shoe Brands - ASCIS, BROOKS, HOKA, SAUCONY

• NFL Head Coaches - HARBAUGH, PAYTON, RYANS, VRABEL

• Summer___: LEAGUE, MCINTOSH, OLYMPICS, SANDERS

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 today's Connections.

If you hate the idea of your information being used to train AI, you're going to love the minor but vital tweak Apple just made to the iOS App Store.

"You must clearly disclose where personal data will be shared with third parties, including with third-party AI," the company told app developers — adding that all apps must "obtain explicit permission before doing so."

The updated language — Apple's first guidance on third-party AI — is part of a document called App Review Guidelines. And lest the name fool you, the introduction makes clear that adhering to these guidelines is pretty much mandatory.

"We will reject apps for any content or behavior that we believe is over the line," Apple tells developers later in the guidelines. "What line, you ask? Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, 'I'll know it when I see it.' And we think that you will also know it when you cross it."

The update, which dropped last week, marks the first time that AI has even been mentioned in the guidelines. Apple under CEO Tim Cook has been highly skeptical about AI, slow to include AI features in Siri, and sometimes hesitant to even use the letters "AI"; Cook has preferred to use the similar term "machine learning" in past keynotes.

Sourcing data to train AI models has become one of the most legally contentious activities in Silicon Valley. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit in April against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

And even Apple, the AI laggard that is reportedly going to use Google Gemini to power Siri soon, isn't immune.

Last month saw two lawsuits alleging Apple has improperly used other people's work for its own AI training. In separate filings, two neuroscientists and two authors said Cook's company had used data from "shadow libraries," or pirated content available online.

While Apple's response remains to be seen, the legal landscape doesn't look all that promising for the company. AI giant Anthropic settled a class-action lawsuit over shadow library usage in September for $1.5 billion.

But at least Apple can now legitimately claim to be protecting its users from AI data-scraping within its apps.

As one of Mashable’s sex toy and dating app experts, I have the inside scoop on the news and deals way before they hit the masses. I also get exclusive access to products before they launch (you should see my office closet — it’s nothing but boxes and boxes of sex toys). I truly love what I do as a service journalist, and if there’s one thing I’m passionate about, it’s making sure our readers have the right tools and info they need to get all the pleasure and self-love they deserve.

I’ve also been covering Black Friday sales since 2022, and I have a pretty good grasp of the genuine sex toy deals versus inflated price tags masquerading as deals. (Even deals like to role play!) Now that holiday sales are starting to drop (they literally get earlier and earlier every year), I’m starting the season off with a comprehensive guide to the best early Black Friday sex toy deals.

In this guide, you’ll find all the sex toy deals I’d recommend to friends. Spoiler: Most of these deals aren’t at Amazon, but that’s OK! While Amazon does have some worthwhile deals, its selection of sexual wellness products is limited compared to specialized retailers, and most items are sold by sketchy third-party sellers. The real deals come directly from the manufacturers themselves or from reputable retailers who specialize in sexual wellness products.

With all that said, there’s no way this is the final list. We haven’t even seen the actual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales yet, so be sure to check back frequently for updates as more deals become available.

Lovers Loyal 5.5in Dildo

I have endometriosis and I struggle with pelvic pain, so I’m not always down for penetration, but when I am, my go-to dildo is the Lovers Loyal 5.5in Dildo. This little guy is super soft (like, unbelievably soft) and flexible, and it has a suction cup base so you can stick it to the floor, the side of a bathtub/shower, a chair, your headboard, or wherever else it’s safe to do so. (I wouldn’t stick it to a mirror, even though that does sound like a good idea in theory.) The suction cup base also makes for a great handle if you don’t actually want to stick it to anything, but the option’s there if you want it.

It’s 5.5 inches long and 1.48 inches in diameter, and it’s harness-compatible. You’ll want to use lube with this toy, but stick to water-based lubes — other types, like silicone and oil, can break down the material over time. I know the actual phallic look can be a turn-off (I wasn’t a fan of realistic toys until I met this one), but I assure you it's incredibly comfortable and versatile. You can use it for anal, too!

For Black Friday, Lovers is offering 20% off all purchases with the code JUST4U. This code is valid through Nov. 30. That means, you can get this dildo for $38.40 (that’s a $9.60 discount).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lovers Lovers Loyal 5.5in Dildo $38.40 at Lovers
$48 Save $9.60 Use the code JUST4U to get this deal! Get Deal Bellesa G-Stroking Rabbit

I’m waiting with bated breath for Bellesa Boutique's 12 Day Advent Calendar to drop (it’s currently out of stock, but it’s totally worth the wait — I tried it out last year and will be praising it until I find a better alternative). But, right now, you can get up to 80% off select Bellesa toys, including the G-Stroking Rabbit, which is perfect for anyone who loves deep, G-spot stimulation paired with external clitoral vibration.

This dual-action vibrator is only $79 with the discount (or you can do four interest-free payments of $21 with Klarna). At this price, I’d definitely recommend snatching it up before it’s gone. (A handful of toys are already sold out!) The overall aesthetic of Bellesa toys is pretty basic, but their functionality and effectiveness in the orgasm department are unmatched.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bellesa Boutique Bellesa Boutique G-Stroking Rabbit $79 at Bellesa Boutique
$119 Save $40   Get Deal LELO Smart Wand 2 Medium

This is the first wand vibrator I ever fell in love with: the LELO Smart Wand 2 Medium. It's the perfect size and shape (especially if you have wrist limitations or pain) for targeted clitoral stimulation. The vibrations are strong, rumbly, and if set correctly, can get you from 0 to orgasm in seconds. Right now, you can get the LELO Smart Wand 2 at the LELO site for $126.75. It’s also on sale at Lovers with code LELO20, but the better deal is at LELO. You’re saving $42.25, and you’ll get a free Sona 2 Travel if you spend $62.26 more (so, all you’d need to do is add another LELO product or accessory to your cart to qualify for the free gift).

Opens in a new window Credit: LELO LELO Smart Wand 2 Medium $126.75 at LELO
$169 Save $42.25   Get Deal LELO Enigma Wave

If you’re interested in adding a second toy to your cart so you can get the Sona 2 Travel for free, I’d recommend the LELO Enigma Wave (but only if you’re into intense clitoral and G-spot stimulation). This toy came out in 2023, and fair warning, it is intense. So, if you prefer gentler sensations, this might not be the best option for you. I had to move it around a bit to get the perfect angle, but once I found it, the combo of G-spot and clitoral stimulation sent me into orgasmic bliss. It also helps that it's totally hands-free once you get it in position. (Bonus: Your partner will love watching you converse uncontrollably.)

The difference between this toy and other dual-stimulation toys is that it features a proprietary WaveMotion technology and three synchronized motors to mimic that come-hither motion while also providing intense external clitoral stimulation. I’d definitely recommend using lube with this toy or getting revved up before putting it inside of you. With the discount, you can get the Enigma Wave for $201.75 directly from LELO. Again, it’s also 20% off at Lovers, but LELO currently has the better deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: LELO LELO Enigma Wave $201.75 at LELO
$269 Save $67.25   Get Deal Tracy’s Dog OG Sucking Vibrator

If you want a similar clitoral suction experience at a more accessible price point, I can’t recommend Tracy’s Dog OG Sucking Vibrator enough. If you can get past the weird name, you’ll see that this little vibe can hold its own compared to more expensive models, and it’s currently 40% off. (You can also find Tracy’s Dog at Amazon, but not all of the brand’s products can be found there.)

This vibrator is famous, and if you haven’t heard of it, you definitely need to go and read this review. It basically broke the internet in 2019 thanks to its unbeatable clitoral suction technology. The viral reviewer was so into this toy that she said her “soul left” her body and “God himself” spoke to her. “I shook for a good five minutes; I couldn’t get up off the bed if I even wanted to,” she wrote. While not everyone will have this out-of-body (and maybe out-of-mind) experience, I can truthfully say this little toy has exceeded my expectations, especially for an under-$50 toy. At the time of writing, Tracy’s Dog OG Sucking Vibrator is available for $29.99 at the Tracy’s Dog website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tracy's Dog Tracy's Dog OG Sucking Vibrator $29.99 at Tracy's Dog
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal More Black Friday deals on Tracy's Dog toys

At Amazon specifically, virtually the entire Tracy's Doc toy lineup is discounted by at least 10% right now. You can also find special coupons, free toys, and other promotions. So, if you're a Prime member, head ot Amazon to shop Tracy's Dog early Black Friday discounts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Tracy's Dog Tracy's Dog Flexible Rabbit Vibrator with Suction $35.99 at Amazon
$43.99 Save $8   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tracy's Dog Tracy's Dog Powerful G Spot Vibrato $29.69 at Amazon
30% off with qualifying purchase Get Deal FemmeFunn Thruster Rabbit

If you have an afternoon or evening to yourself and you want to get completely wrecked, the FemmeFunn Thruster Rabbit is my go-to. This is for those days/nights when you have 0 plans. (Big Samantha Jones vibes here.) The FemmeFunn Thruster Rabbit, fortunately, is available in purple in addition to its flesh tones (I have the dark purple one, which is the brand's signature color), and it comes with a remote. The suction cup base makes it easy to stick to just about any flat surface. (Place a pillow or something soft where your knees are going to go if you plan on getting on all fours, which I totally recommend trying at least once).

Unlike other thrusters on the market, the FemmeFunn Thruster Rabbit is designed to keep going even when your muscles are contracting — this means it won’t stall out at the good part. And, thanks to the remote, you can adjust the settings while you’re playing without having to reach down to fumble with the buttons.

From Nov. 18 (tomorrow) to Nov. 27, you can get this toy for 15% off. OR, you can buy two toys for 20% off, or three toys for 30% off. If you wait until Nov. 28, you can get 30% off sitewide, so it really just depends on how willing you are to wait after I just gave you that juicy rundown.

Opens in a new window Credit: FemmeFunn FemmeFunn Thruster Rabbit $111.99 at FemmeFunn
$159.99 Save $48.00 The price below shows the 30% discount. Get Deal More Black Friday sex toy deals

Here’s a lightning round of all the other sitewide and product-specific sales to have on your radar, straight from my inbox.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babeland Babeland The retailer is running an early offer for up to 50% off air pleasure and suction toys from Nov. 17-23. But the real sale is up to 69% off sitewide from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: b-Vibe b-Vibe The leading anal play brand is offering 40% off sitewide from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2. This also includes "up to 80% off selected items," so it's a great time to shop. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: biird biird From Nov. 21 to Dec. 1, Biird is offering up to 50% off on its official site and Amazon store. Purchases on the Biird website also get a free gift (a Vulvii necklace for $75+ or an Evii Green for $159+). Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Good Vibes Good Vibes This retailer is offering up to 50% off G-spot vibes from Nov. 17-23. The bigger sale — up to 50% off sitewide — runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Hot Octopuss Hot Octopuss Get up to 60% off for bestsellers like the Pulse Queen, Pulse Solo, and Pulse Duo. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Je Joue Je Joue Je Joue For all of November, Je Joue has up to 50% off some of its most popular products. This includes 50% off the Amour Pink, Duet Lilac, all Onyx butt-plugs, Naughty & Nice Gift Boxes, and G-Spot Favourites (Uma and Juno), and 15% off fan favorites like the Mimi & Mimi Soft and the new ILY Collection. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kiiroo Kiiroo This sale is wild. From Nov. 18 to Dec. 4, their bestsellers are on sale, with some getting massive discounts. The Titan stroker is 70% off, dropping from $149 to just $45. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Le Wand Le Wand The premium wand brand is having two sales. First, from Nov. 18-24, get 40% off all wands. Then, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2, the sale expands to 40% off sitewide, plus up to 80% off select items. Shop Now

AI music is beginning to fill up music streaming libraries, and a lot of music lovers aren't happy about it.

However, according to a new study conducted by French music streaming service Deezer and Ipsos, 97 percent of people surveyed couldn't tell that a song was fully generated by AI instead of a human. Out of that group, the majority, or 52 percent, felt uncomfortable about the fact that they couldn't tell the difference.

AI-generated music has certainly advanced over the years, but that's not the only reason people can struggle to identify AI songs. A lot of popular music is rather formulaic, meaning it's rather easy for AI to mimic, at least when it comes to instrumentals. 

SEE ALSO: No, that AI country song isn't No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Yes, it is terrible.

The study from Deezer and Ipsos is an interesting one, as it finds people aren't completely opposed to AI. For example, 46 percent of people surveyed thought AI could be used to help them discover new music. In addition, 66 percent of people said they would give AI music a try at least once out of curiosity.

However, it seems like people start to feel an opposition to AI music once they feel deceived. The survey found that 80 percent of people want AI music clearly labeled on platforms. Another 72 percent would want to know if a platform was recommending fully AI-generated music to them. Nearly half, or 45 percent of users, would filter out AI-generated music, and 40 percent would skip AI music if they came across it.

Music fans also have a negative view of AI songs when it comes to supporting music artists. The survey found that 65 percent of people don't think AI should train on copyrighted music, and another 70 percent believe that AI threatens the livelihood of artists.

Only 11 percent of those surveyed think that AI music should be given equal treatment on the top music charts.

It's important to note that much of the critical reaction towards AI-generated music is specific to fully AI-generated songs. Musical artists and producers have long used emerging technologies in their work, such as autotune, to digitally fix or alter their music. However, even those tools require human expertise and input to actually create the final sound or composition.

According to Deezer, around 50,000 fully AI-generated music tracks are uploaded to streaming services every day, accounting for a whopping 34 percent of all daily music releases.

AI-generated creative works, such as AI-created illustrations and videos, have received lots of backlash online over the past couple of years. In fact, the push back against AI in art has been so strong that some social media platforms, like Pinterest, have given its users the option to filter out AI content completely.

As AI-generated music evolves and the blowback against AI continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how streaming platforms like Spotify and Deezer treat AI-generated music on their platforms.

The world is a noisy place, and sometimes, it's nice to have the option for a bit of volume control.

For many people, that means turning to noise-cancelling headphones, but they're not always the best option. For starters, their ability to block out noise depends on their battery life. Wearing headphones or earbuds also means it's easier to stay plugged in to digital distractions, which isn't ideal for situations where you're looking for quiet and focus.

Enter: Loop earplugs. The colorful earplugs first hit the scene in 2016, thanks to co-founders Dimitri O and Maarten Bowdes wanting to provide a solution for people who enjoy live music and loud spaces, without the side helping of tinnitus.

Which Loop earplugs are right for you? Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Nearly 10 years later, the brand has expanded its earplug options to yes, give concert-goers a way to protect their ears, but also to help people stay focused, sleep better, and generally exist more peacefully in overstimulating environments. They're reusable and cleanable, so they're less wasteful than swapping out a new pair of foam earplugs.

So, which are the best Loop earplugs overall? With eight different earplugs ranging from $24.95 to $59.95, it's a valid question. To find the answer, I tested out a selection of some of the most popular earplugs from the brand: I landed on the Quiet 2, Experience 2, Dream, Engage 2, and Switch 2. For now, I omitted the Plus versions (due to wanting to compare the base models head-to-head first), as well as the kids' versions (due to not being a child). I tested all of these earplugs personally, except for the Loop Experience 2, which were tested by my colleague Haley Henschel.

Are Loop earplugs worth it?

On a general level, your hearing health is something worth investing in. According to the World Health Organization, "most common causes of hearing loss in adults, such as exposure to loud sounds...are preventable." The WHO also estimates that more than a billion young adults are at risk of incurring permanent damage to their hearing from unsafe listening practices.

Obviously, that alone doesn't mean Loops are worth it — they're far from your only option when it comes to earplugs. There are the classic foam earbuds, which are ultra-affordable. However, they aren't meant to be reusable in the long term and lack the tailoring of the Loop line. And they're not the most subtle option.

SEE ALSO: I tested sleep earbuds for over a month: Here are the 3 I'd buy

Other reusable earplug brands are out there, like Happy Ears and CURVD come in at similar price points to Loop earplugs — all three brands are cheaper than getting custom earplugs made, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

All this to say, purely based on the market and their performance, I find Loop earplugs to be worth it, but generally encourage you to wear some form of earplugs next time you go to a loud environment. If you're not too keen on the Loop price points, I recommend waiting for a sale, like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, to pick up a pair of earbuds. While we don't see these earplugs get discounts often, most of the line goes on sale during shopping holidays. For more details on which prices to buy at, you can check each of the Loop earplugs we recommend below.

Which Loop earplugs are best for me?

The right Loop earplug match will depend on your reasons for seeking out earplugs in the first place, whether that be better sleep, finding focus, or saving your ears at live shows. Below, I break down the differences between five different Loop earplugs, and where each shines, to help you find the ones that suit you best.

Best for concerts: Loop Experience 2 The Loops Experience 2 earplugs dampened the sound of a roaring crowd at Beyoncé's latest tour. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

My colleague Haley Henschel put these earplugs to the test in possibly the way a person could: by taking them to the Cowboy Carter tour. Her report: "I could hear Beyoncé and her band perfectly, but the din of the stadium was almost completely suppressed. Curious to hear what I was missing, I removed my right earplug at one point during the set and was shocked to hear that the crowd was close to singing over Bey. The Loops were tuning out everyone else without making her sound muffled." That level of balance is what landed the Experience 2 our pick as the best Loop earplugs for concerts, even if they are the most obvious choice.

Henschel did note that they worked so well that she missed a couple of mid-song comments from her friend, but that's to be expected with earplugs. She also remarked that she was especially impressed with the fit — while she usually needs to wear a tight beanie to keep her Apple AirPods Pro from slipping out, the smallest size of the Experience 2 stayed in without a hitch. (Though I didn't test the Experience 2 personally, I also have a hard time finding earbuds that fit, and often have to go for the XS eartips. In Loops, I typically favor the S ear tip.)

As for their pricing, the Experience 2 clock in at $34.95 for their standard colorways, but during sales, we've seen them drop down to $27.95.

Decibels filtered: 17dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Silver, black, gold, rose gold, holographic black (costs extra), holographic ruby (costs extra), Loop x Coachella (costs extra)

Loop Experience 2 $34.95 at Amazon
$38.95 Save $4   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Best for focus: Loop Quiet 2 The Quiet 2 earplugs are the perfect work companion. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Quiet earplugs were my introduction to Loop a couple of years ago as I was looking for a solution to deal with a noisy neighbor. Though I used the original Quiet model then, the Quiet 2 hold up. For less than $30, the Quiet 2 earplugs are amazing for blocking out sound to focus, but also for getting the best bang for your buck. If you're not necessarily looking for something to wear to live events, these may be the best Loop earplugs for you. The silicone loop is soft enough to lie on with relative comfort, so they're as great for sleep as they are for working or reading. (Not to mention, they're $25 cheaper than the Loop Dream at full price). During this past October Prime Day, we saw the Quiet 2 earplugs drop down to $14.49 — their lowest price ever, and the lowest price among the recs on this list.

What does 24dB of blockage mean in practice? For me, it meant that I could work right next to my partner watching TV at a normal to low volume, and barely hear what he was watching. While I work in the office with my door closed, I can hear the sound of my own typing, but can only hear the murmur of my partner talking in the other room behind a closed door (where, without earbuds, I can make out his every word perfectly). Wearing these earbuds feels like turning the volume of the world around you not entirely off, but to low, making them a great option for when you need to focus or sleep, or even travel.

Decibels filtered: 24dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: White, violet, black, mint

Loop Quiet 2 $20.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Best for staying aware: Loop Engage 2 The Engage 2 are great for a coffee date, or a trip to the grocery store. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Loop Engage 2 earplugs are very similar to the Experience 2: both are designed to let in more sound, both cost $34.95, and both come with four sizes of silicone ear tips. Though I didn't get to personally test them head-to-head, here's where I can tease out the differences.

According to Loop, the Engage 2 block 16 decibels to the Experience 2's 17 decibels. Henschel mentioned that when wearing the Experience 2 to a concert, she missed a few comments from her friend standing right next to her. That makes sense: the Experience 2 are designed to lower the volume overall (without distorting the sound quality of the music you're listening to), while the Engage 2 are designed to lower the volume on background noise (which tends to be at a higher pitch than human voices), but keep you in tune with voices around you, so you can hold up a conversation with more ease. Wearing the Engage 2 around my apartment, while ordering coffee in a loud coffee shop, and at the grocery stores proved that they worked without issue. I did hear my voice a little louder, but not distractingly so — it was certainly less distracting than the bangers my local H-Mart likes to bump on a Tuesday night. If you find yourself often overstimulated by sound when trying to socialize or simply live your life, the Engage 2 are a great way to turn down the volume, but still stay present.

At $34.95, they're the same price as the Experience 2 at full price, but their sale price has dropped ever so slightly lower. This past Prime Big Deal Days in October, they hit the record-low price of $24.95.

Decibels filtered: 16dB | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Clear, dusk, green, rose

Loop Engage 2 $35.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Best for sleep: Loop Dream Prioritizing a good night's sleep? Check out the Loop Dream. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

As a disclaimer, a family member gifted these earplugs to me after I told them how much I enjoyed using the original Quiet earbuds to sleep. And though the price is surprisingly steep compared to the rest of the line, I would happily buy these with my own money, as I primarily use earplugs to help me sleep.

Why? They're restless, side sleeper-approved. Though they block just a few more decibels than the Quiet 2, I find the Loop Dream to be even more comfortable to wear at night. The ear tip is a foam interior surrounded by a silicone exterior, which provides a slightly better (and more secure) fit than I experienced with the Quiet 2. (That's not to say the Quiet 2 aren't secure, but I move a lot when I sleep, so any extra features that help these earbuds stay in place are welcome by me. If, for whatever reason, you don't vibe with the foam tips, these earbuds also come with four sizes of Dream Double tips, which are a doubled-up silicone.

SEE ALSO: Elemind is the sleep headband that cured my insomnia

The Dreams also deviate from the rest of the Loop lineup with the closed-loop silicone shape, which is genuinely softer than the Quiets (and significantly more so than the Switches), making six to 10-hour wear incredibly reasonable. I experienced a slightly higher learning curve in putting them in my ears initially, but once I found the right fit, these fell out less than the Quiet earplugs. Finally, the case of the Dreams is ever so slightly larger, with a no-slip bottom that means they're far less likely to be knocked off your nightstand. The price may be steep, but if you anticipate mostly using your earplugs for sleep, the Dreams are worth it. Historically, they've gone on sale less frequently than other earplugs in Loop's lineup, so if you catch them marked down during a shopping holiday, they're worth grabbing. During October Prime Day, select colorways were on sale for $37.46.

Decibels filtered: 27db | Ear tips: Foam-silicone, eight different types in four sizes each (XS-L) | Available colors: Lilac, black, peach

Loop Dream $49.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Best for versatility: Loop Switch 2 The Loop Switch 2 live up to their name. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

If, after reading all of the above, you find yourself wanting the benefits for multiple pairs of Loops, the Switch 2 are your best bet. Impressively, a small switch allows you to toggle between noise blocking on 20dB, 23dB, and 26db, meaning they let enough sound through to hold up a conversation, but also can block out nearly as much as the Dreams for maximum peace. The only use case I don't see these working out great is for sleep, due to the hard plastic switch on the outer loop not being as comfortable as the Quiet 2 or Dream earplugs.

Throughout my testing period, I found myself reaching for these earplugs the most due to their flexibility. I could go from being locked in while working to having a conversation without taking them out. While by far the most expensive of all the available Loop earplugs, they're still cheaper than buying a pair of Experience and Quiet earplugs separately. They also got a decent discount during October's Amazon Prime Day sale, dropping all the way down to $44.95 from their $59.95 full price.

Decibels filtered: 20db, 23db, 26db | Ear tips: Silicone, four sizes (XS-L) | Available colors: Emerald, black, gold, silver, McLaren papaya (costs extra)

Loop Switch 2 $59.95 at Amazon
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