IT General
Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend (May 1 - 3)
Are you ready for another lineup of fun Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend? Today I’m showing you how to cut monthly subscriptions by self-hosting your own network video recorder, speech-to-text platform, and even how to organize your fridge like never before.
A homelab disaster taught me why simple backups are better than complicated redundancy
I made a mistake. I didn’t set up proper backups in my homelab, and it caused me to lose multiple virtual machines and Docker containers. I put off setting up a simple backup system because I had never needed it before, and didn’t think it was that important. Boy was I wrong.
Andy Serkis on Animal Farm, George Orwell, and AI in Hollywood
Director Andy Serkis' animated Animal Farm adaptation features several key differences from George Orwell's classic anti-authoritarian satire. For starters, there are far more fart jokes. There's also a brand new main character: a piglet named Lucky (voiced by Gaten Matarazzo).
SEE ALSO: How Lonely Island's Jorma Taccone and BriTANick went from 'SNL' to HollywoodIn a Say More interview with Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards, Serkis explained that the character of Lucky was created as part of the film's bigger project: to bring Orwell's work to younger audiences.
"One thing about the book is that it's very objective. There is no protagonist," Serkis said. "In a movie, on the whole, you need to see the movie through a set of eyes. I just thought it would be really interesting if we see this world of Animal Farm through a young piglet's eyes, because the piglets obviously become the elite."
Lucky becomes the audience's entry point into Animal Farm, acting as an innocent character caught between the two pigs jockeying for control of the farm: intellectual Snowball (voiced by Laverne Cox) and brash Napoleon (voiced by Seth Rogen). Serkis likened Lucky's dilemma to Robert De Niro's A Bronx Tale, which sees a young man similarly torn between his hard-working father and a flashy gangster.
"We really wanted to put young kids in that position in this story, and let them be the ones who are accountable," Serkis explained.
Check out the full video above to hear Serkis discuss his 15-year journey of bringing Animal Farm to the screen, the enduring quality of Orwell's work, and the perils and potential of AI in Hollywood. Plus, stay tuned for the second part of the interview, coming May 3, where Serkis breaks down his upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
Stop following these 7 smart home tips—they’re all completely wrong
If you're setting up a smart home, you might look online for tips and advice. Not every suggestion you find is worth following, however. Here are some common smart home tips that you'd be better off ignoring.
5 VS Code settings that instantly make coding less annoying
VS Code is a fantastic editor until you realize that some of the default settings aren't optimized for most of us coders. I've been tweaking VS Code settings to see how I could turn this favorite code editor of ours into a more refined version that causes less annoyance while coding. These changes take about 10 minutes to set up. But once you do, VS Code feels faster, calmer, and much easier to trust.
3 new Paramount+ shows to obsess over this weekend (May 1 - 3)
Paramount+ may have abruptly cancelled its newest Star Trek spinoff, Starfleet Academy, with little warning, but the streamer seems to be making up for it by locking down the rights to another major sci-fi space franchise that it has released in all its glory, starting May 1st. And if that wasn't enough, aside from the pending Warner Bros. merger closing, P+ has earmarked a reported $1.5 billion for new content this year, which is sure to make its formidable library even harder to sift through.
Open-source alternatives are everywhere, but I still pay for Microsoft 365
The "open-source is better" argument for everyday users is usually convincing on paper: free software, full control, no subscriptions. But I've spent long enough in both worlds to know that what looks simple in theory often behaves very differently in practice. There's a gap between how these tools are described and how they feel day to day, and that's why I still choose Microsoft 365.
The Raspberry Pi isn’t the bargain Home Assistant server it used to be
For a long time, a Raspberry Pi was a common suggestion for people looking to set up their first Home Assistant server. While it wasn't perfect, it was good enough for many setups. Sadly, the Raspberry Pi is no longer the bargain that it once was.
The Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box is nearly $25 off at Amazon
TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box on sale for $139.99, down from its $164.70 list price. That saves you $24.71 on a 30-pack box, bringing each booster down to under $5.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box $139.99 at Amazon$164.70 Save $24.71 Get Deal
As of May 1, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Secrets of Strixhaven Play Booster Box listed for $139.99, down from its usual $164.70 price. That's the best price this box has been with the retailer so far (confirmed via camelcamelcamel). It'd also a 15% discount, saving you $24.71 on the full Play Booster display.
Better yet, Amazon’s main listing is actually shipped and sold by Amazon, with free delivery as early as May 6 — or May 4 for Prime members.
Amazon is not the only place worth checking out. TCGplayer’s market price is currently sitting lower at around $134.58, with a listed median of $143.97. Walmart has also been listing the box at $141.99, putting Amazon somewhere in the middle for price, but ahead if you prefer Amazon as your go-to trading card retailer.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Inside the box, you’re getting 30 Secrets of Strixhaven Play Boosters, with each pack containing 14 Magic cards. Each booster includes one to five rares or higher, three to six uncommons, five to eight commons, and one land card. Every pack also comes with at least one Traditional Foil card of any rarity, while 20% of packs swap in a Traditional Foil Land.
The latest Strixhaven expansion’s big hook is the Mystical Archive card included in every pack, giving you one instant or sorcery spell with special art and a showcase frame. That makes the set an easy pick for drafting with friends, cracking packs for fun, or heading back to Magic’s mage-school plane of Arcavios without paying full list price.
Among boxes for other popular MTG expansions, you can also buy the 30-pack Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box on sale for $125. Meanwhile, Avatar fans can score 24 packs of Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender packs for just under $95.
The ASUS V16 gaming laptop has dropped to $1,099.99 at Amazon — act fast to save $200
SAVE $200: As of May 1, the ASUS V16 gaming laptop (Intel Core 7 Processor 240H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) has been marked down to $1,099.99 at Amazon. This is $200 off its list price of $1,299.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS V16 Gaming Laptop $1,099.99 at Amazon$1,299.99 Save $200 Get Deal
Have you been thinking about dropping some serious cash on a gaming laptop? Well, now's a great time to have a look around, as Amazon has a selection of portable builds on sale right now.
This includes the ASUS V16 gaming laptop (Intel Core 7 Processor 240H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD), which is down to $1,099.99 at Amazon.
Since the ASUS V16 gaming laptop is usually listed for $1,299.99, this deal ultimately saves you $200. It's worth keeping in mind that it may not last for long, as Amazon has this listed as a limited time deal. Be quick to take advantage of this discount.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The ASUS V16 is a solid portable gaming option. Featuring a sleek, slim design, it's not as bulky as some other gaming laptops, and packs in a blue backlit keyboard for a little extra flare.
It's fitted with an RTX 5060 mobile graphics card so your favorite titles should look great on its 16-inch display — the 1920x1200 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate will ensure the games you play look nice and run smooth. This particular model is also fitted with 16GB of RAM, more than enough for great gaming performance, and a 512GB SSD for storage.
If this has caught your eye, now is the time to grab the ASUS V16 gaming laptop at Amazon.
If you're curious what other gaming laptops we'd recommend, it's worth checking out our roundup of the best gaming laptops of 2026 to see some of our top recommendations.
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3 new Netflix shows worth binging this weekend (May 1 - 3)
We finally made it to May, and things are looking fresh and new and exciting—and I'm not even talking about the weather outside. It may be that awkward changeover period before Netflix's slate of hot new titles for the month make their way to the streaming service over the coming weeks, but for Netflix's U.S. subscribers, it still has some new blood left in it that have hit recently, and they're making fantastic weekend binges.
The AI delusion: Why Copilot won't clean up a messy Excel spreadsheet
It's the ultimate AI delusion: the idea that a chatbot can untangle years of disorganized Excel data in seconds. In reality, messy data creates ambiguous prompts and unreliable output. Automation won't fix broken logic; it just helps you make mistakes faster.
Josh Johnsons Daily Show response to SCOTUS Voting Rights Act ruling is a must-watch
The U.S. Supreme Court continued its attack on the Voting Rights Act (VRA) on Wednesday, with a ruling on the 1965 civil rights law that will have major implications for racial discrimination. Specifically, the court's conservative majority ruled that Louisiana's congressional map, which has two Black-majority districts, was an "an unconstitutional racial gerrymander" and will be redrawn. The 60-year-old act, as the Guardian describes it, "has acted as a central shield for minority voters in largely southern states that have relentlessly resisted granting them equal political influence," and has worked for Black voters' rights to "proportionate electoral power." After Wednesday's ruling, this shield is gone.
The Daily Show's Josh Johnson responded to the ruling in a segment on Thursday night's show, and it's a must-watch.
"Obviously, the Supreme Court didn't come right out and say that states can be racist. Justice Palpatine isn't that dumb, alright? They played it much smoother," he said, noting that Justice Samuel Alito said that states only violate the VRA when "evidence supports a strong inference that the State intentionally drew its districts to afford minority voters less opportunity because of their race."
"So just to be clear, for Alito, the map is not racist unless the guy drawing it finishes it and goes, 'Man, I'm racist.'" Johnson said.
"It almost feels like we're going in reverse, because the people from the '60s in black and white TV were like, 'Wow, this country is being pretty racist. We should pass some legislation.' And the people crippling that legislation are from now, in 4K," he continued.
"We don't have to pretend here," Johnson concluded. "At the end of the day, we all know that this decision was not about moving on from race. This is a Supreme Court majority handing a win to Republicans. I know that. You know that, and the Republicans definitely know that because their leader said it out loud."
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The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box is now under market price at Amazon — buy for under $60
TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box up for preorder at $59.99 with free shipping. TCGplayer’s unopened listings start at $64.66 shipped.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box $59.99 at AmazonPre-order Here
If you’re the type of Pokémon TCG collector who loves playing the trading card game, as well as filling their binders with chase cards, you can get the Chaos Rising’s upcoming Build and Battle Box for under market value.
On May 1, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Build & Battle Box listed for preorder at $59.99. The listing is shipped and sold by MVP Marketplace.
By comparison, over at TCGplayer, unopened presale listings for the same Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box start at $64.32 with shipping included. With the market price sitting at $64.45, that makes Amazon around $4.33 cheaper than the lowest shipped TCGplayer listing, and $4.46 below market price. Walmart is also matching Amazon’s $59.99 preorder price with free shipping, sold and shipped by Cataclysm Games. However, the Walmart listing is marked as final sale and nonreturnable, while Amazon’s page currently shows a 30-day refund or replacement policy.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!For those who’ve not bought one of these before, Pokémon Build and Battle Boxes are generally a stronger pick for players vs. collectors. You still get a handful of boosters, but you’ll also be able to build out a playable deck and enjoy playing from the get-go.
Here's what you'll get with a Chaos Rising Build and Battle Box:
40-card ready-to-play deck
One of four unique foil promo cards
Four Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs
A code card for Pokémon TCG Live
Chaos Rising continues the Mega Evolution series with Mega Floette ex throwing the city into havoc, while Mega Greninja ex gathers other Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, including Mega Pyroar ex and Mega Dragalge ex — among other Pocket Monsters which appeared in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game.
If you want to buy as many packs as possible, you can also secure the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Booster Display Box for a decent price. You can also preorder the Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box at almost $20 off.
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The Garmin Forerunner 165 is back on sale at Amazon — save $50 this weekend
SAVE $50: As of May 1, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is on sale for $199.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at Amazon$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal
If watching the recent London and Boston marathons has inspired you to take up running, we get it. There’s nothing like watching world records to put a spring in your step. And if you’re looking for a fitness tracker to accompany your training, Amazon has a great deal on the Garmin Forerunner 165 live right now.
Garmin’s Forerunner range is built for runners. You’ll get detailed performance stats and guided training features. And the 165 is an excellent choice, especially now that it's under $200. As of May 1, this smartwatch is down from $249.99 to $199.99, saving you $50.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!This watch has a bright AMOLED display and is controlled both by a touchscreen and traditional buttons. You'll get a whole range of stats for both health and fitness. These include sleep reports, training outlook, menstrual tracking, and HRV status. You'll also get guidance on your training effects (whether you're maintaining, productive, overreaching, etc.) along with recovery time guidance after workouts.
The battery life is reliable too, giving you up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode. So if you're aiming for longer runs, the Forerunner 165 will last throughout.
This Garmin deal is available at Amazon now.
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The Dyson Supersonic Nural is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save over $100
SAVE OVER $100: As of May 1, the Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale for $349 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Nural $349 at Amazon$449.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal
While the Airwrap might be the most well known of Dyson's hair styling products, it's not the only feather in its cap. The brand's styling range is vast and advanced, and if you've been looking for an intelligent hair dryer for drying and styling, there's a new deal on the Dyson Supersonic Nural live right now.
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is a hair dryer designed with intelligent sensors that automatically adjust heat and airflow to optimize styling while helping protect the scalp and hair. Scalp Protect mode adjusts air temperature to maintain a target of 130°F at the scalp for more comfortable close-up drying, while Attachment Learning recognizes each attachment and remembers preferred airflow and heat settings, adjusting automatically when you next use it.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!It has four heat settings along with the Scalp Protect button. There are also three airflow settings: high, medium, and low. The device should be used on clean, wet hair and includes attachments for all hair types, including the Gentle air attachment, Styling concentrator, Flyaway attachment, and Wave+Curl diffuser.
As of May 1, the Dyson Supersonic Nural is on sale at Amazon for $100.99 off. This takes the price down to $349, which is the lowest-ever for this model. Head to Amazon to score the deal now.
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The Shokz OpenRun headphones are under $90 at Amazon — save $40 right now
SAVE $40: As of May 1, the Shokz OpenRun headphones are on sale for $89.94 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenRun $89.94 at Amazon$129.95 Save $40.01 Get Deal
If you're looking for a great pair of bone conducting headphones, you'll be pleased to hear the Shokz OpenRun headphones are back on sale at Amazon. These are a less advanced pair compared to the Pro and Pro 2, but you get the benefit of a much lower price. In fact, as of May 1, these are priced at just $89.94 for a limited time.
These are a great choice if you want to start making your runs feeling safer. How, you ask? These headphones use bone conduction technology to transmit sound through your cheekbones, so you can hear your audio while still keeping your ears clear to hear any sounds that are happening around you. So, you stay alert and spatially aware at all times.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!They're also IP67-rated for both sweat and water resistance, with a moisture detection alert for safer charging. So for sweaty or rainy runs, they can survive. This water resistance isn't strong enough for swimming, however.
Battery life is strong, lasting up to eight hours with a 10-minute quick charge giving you up to 1.5 hours of use. They connect via Bluetooth and are compatible with all kinds of devices including Android, iOS, Windows, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
This Shokz deal is only around for a limited time, so don't miss out.
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Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for under $200 at Amazon — save over $100 this weekend
SAVE OVER $100: As of May 1, Bose QuietComfort headphones are on sale for $199 at Amazon. This is $160 off their full list price of $359.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $199 at Amazon$359 Save $160 Get Deal
Whether you've been hoping to pick up these high-quality headphones for yourself, or want to give them as a fun Mother's Day gift this year, select colors of Bose QuietComfort headphones are back on sale at Amazon. As of May 1, you can grab the petal pink or moonlight grey models for just $199.
This is strong discount from the list price of $359, saving you $160 in total. If you were hoping to pick them up as a Mother's Day gift, Amazon notes on the store page that they'll arrive before the big day if you order now. That's perfect timing for a Mother's Day surprise.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The Bose QuietComfort headphones are an excellent investment if you want comfortable over-ear headphones with great noise cancellation and sound quality. They even have a battery life that lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge, so they're perfect for your next big vacation this spring or summer. Mashable's Samantha Mangino had very high praise for them in her review, calling them her "all-time favorite headphones."
As for why they're so special, Mangino adds that "They're comfortable, have actually intuitive controls, and boast impressive noise cancellation and sound." To add to that, they even made our roundup of the best Bose headphones.
If the Bose QuietComfort headphones have been on your radar, either for yourself or your mom, this is a fantastic opportunity to save on select models at Amazon.
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NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for May 1, 2026
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT gameHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, May 1, 2026:
Across"Zip-a-___-Doo-Dah"The answer is Dee.
The answer is Grad.
The answer is House.
The answer is OBGYN.
The answer is Pisa.
The answer is Drugs.
The answer is Easy A.
The answer is Eden.
The answer is Gobi.
The answer is Hop.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.
The Dreame FP10 air purifier cleans fur off its own filter. Just as crucially, it matches my living room aesthetic.
One thing about vacuum companies? They're all gonna release an air purifier eventually. Then, most of those vacuum brand purifiers just start blending together. Dreame dropping an air purifier feature called "Furcatch" immediately hinted that the Dreame FP10 wasn't just another purifier touting a filter that lasts longer than usual, like the Dyson HushJet or Shark NeverChange.
I've been running the Dreame FP10 Furcatch purifier in my two-cat apartment for about two weeks. Here's how it's going.
Design: Kinda big, but a complete vibeAs someone who tests robot vacuums at home every week, I've grown excruciatingly bored with plasticky black appliances shoved into every corner of my living space. I was naturally drawn to the Dreame FP10's curb appeal, like the minimalistic rounded shape and the modern cream color that doesn't stick out like a sore thumb amongst my decor or white walls.
Sansa is comparing Dreame color options in my unintentional Dreame corner. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Leota appreciates the ambient night light as much as I do. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableThe FP10 measures just over two feet tall with a diameter of around 14 inches. That's standard for a large room purifier, and there's something to be said for a large room air purifier that doesn't aggressively look like it was meant to live in a garage.
The vent runs 360 degrees around the bottom of the cylinder, so the FP10 does its best work when it can suck particles from the air in every direction. I've been pulling the purifier out from the wall while I work from home during the day, as well as overnight. But given its size (and close proximity to the foot of my couch chaise), it's just easier to leave the FP10 in the corner during heavy foot traffic hours in the living room. My cats spend a ton of time at the living room windowsills and nearby cat tree, so there's constant hair and dust floating near that wall, anyway.
Furcatch roller = no interaction with the filter for two yearsThe Dreame FP10 gets the "Furcatch" part of its name from a fur-cleaning microfiber roller that lives under the hood with the HEPA filter. Every so often, the roller flicks back and forth for several seconds to comb hair off the rotating filter as it passes through. The roller's material and motion remind me of using a ChomChom to clean cat hair off furniture.
You'll be able to see when the hair compartment is full through the window. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Use these touch buttons or the app to switch settings. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableIf you have pets, you're probably familiar with the gray fluff that builds up unsettlingly quickly on the filter of an air purifier or vacuum. (If you're not familiar and are wondering why your vacuum stopped sucking stuff up, that's probably why.) The more gray fluff caked onto the filter, the more air flow is cut off into the purifier — which means no new air is actually being filtered.
Depending on the severity of shedding in your home, pet parents could wind up pulling tufts of fur out of a filter on a weekly basis. It's enough to get you to ditch the air purifier altogether, even if you know deep down that it's kind of crucial for your health. Dreame's genius roller idea does that for you, meaning the FP10 purifier requires no regular cleaning or replacement filters. FP10 filters are expected to last nearly two years each, and the app keeps you posted on exactly how many days are left.
A moment for the other pet-friendly featuresAs any air purifier geared toward pets should, the FP10 was designed to anticipate various cat behaviors — like sitting on top of your air purifier, whether they're "supposed to" or not. Its flat canvas top supports a maximum weight of 33 pounds and is bottom-heavy to prevent toppling over. (It automatically shuts off if tipped over.)
The adjustable LED light strip that circles the FP10 has also turned out to be a great night light for my cats when I'm out and about. It feels less wasteful than turning on a whole lamp, and I never have to stress over whether I actually did remember to turn on a light before I left. It's just always on.
Noise level: Surprisingly subtle for its sizeThe Dreame FP10 Furcatch purifier has a few purification modes: AI Purify, Pet Purify, and Sleep Purification, plus a custom option to drag the fan level up or down as you please. Sleep Purification, plus AI Purify or a fan speed at 4 or less, is as good as silent to me — you'd think the whole thing accidentally got unplugged if the light wasn't on.
Pet Purify (around 52 decibels from an inch away) is a more audible constant hum, and fan speed 10 is the loudest (about 61 decibels from an inch away), but neither is "loud" at all. The Dreame FP10 doesn't get much louder than the Dyson HushJet's strongest setting.
Performance: The app says particles like fur are, in fact, being caughtThe Dreame FP10 purifier has been doing an excellent job of mitigating lingering odors in my living space with shitty ventilation. Why would someone design a kitchen with no windows or HVAC vents? I would love to know! But you can imagine the potential mugginess.
I've noticed that I don't really catch a whiff of a full Litter-Robot unless I'm on the floor to swap the drawer liner. The stench from the open drawer doesn't hover as long, either. Dreame's website specifically says that the FP10 was designed with pet odors like feces, litter and urine, and pet food in mind. The activated carbon layer of the filter traps the stinky gas, which then hits the unique metal layer where they're chemically neutralized.
The FP10 also monitors indoor temperature and humidity. Credit: Screenshot / Dreame Here's the smidgeon of accumulated fur after two weeks. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableThe Dreame app monitors two types of indoor pollution: VOCs (volatile organic compounds that can come from paint, bleach and other harsh chemicals, or new furniture) and PM1, 2.5, and 10 (tiny particulate matter and allergens like dander, mold spores, or smoke from outdoor emissions or lit candles). I hated finding out that microplastics are another type of microscopic particle that can float and live in dust, and that there are a ton of them seeping off just about everything I own. So I'll take any crumb of relief I can get, like when my Dyson PencilVac laser points out that less dust and cat hair are settling on the hardwood in the FP10 room.
While my apartment's VOC levels have been in the green (shout-out to non-toxic cleaning products), I've noticed several spikes in the particulate matter department. Most of them seem to coincide with fume-heavy cooking (frying seitan and cooking bacon) or the times that I'm burping the common area by opening the singular openable window. The graph would be easier to read if it would let me toggle to a 12-hour clock.
SEE ALSO: The PetSafe ScoopFree is a budget Litter-Robot alternative if your cat hates enclosed litter boxesThe Dyson HushJet that I was previously using has since been moved to my bedroom. It did a pretty good job of clearing smells from the entryway and couch radius, but its 203-square-foot capacity just didn't have the reach to freshen such a large open-concept living space. The Dreame FP10's 1,346-square-foot capacity is much better suited to my ~800-square-foot common area.
No firm disadvantages yet, just things to keep in mindI have nothing bad to say about the Dreame Furcatch air purifier yet. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the right air purifier for every single household. Even if you need more oomph than a true tabletop air purifier, the FP10 Furcatch is hardly the most compact floor air purifier for a small space. Most of Dreame's staged product photos show the Furcatch casually chilling in the middle of a huge room with no cord in sight. In the real world, the ease of incorporating a larger model like this one into your home relies a lot on convenient outlet placement.
Is the Dreame FP10 air purifier worth it? One final vibe check. Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableAs long as you have the floor space, I'd say that the Dreame FP10 is the best air purifier for homes with multiple pets. If the Furcatch roller remains as self-sufficient over the next two years as Dreame claims, it's hard to picture a heavy-duty air purifier better equipped to deal with a shit ton of shedding.
For comparison's sake, the Dreame FP10 air purification covers six times the square footage that the Dyson HushJet does, yet only costs $150 more. The 1,346-square-foot FP10 does cost $100 more than the 1,400-square-foot Shark NeverChange model, but NeverChange doesn't mean NeverClean — the Shark filter still requires manual maintenance on a regular basis, whereas the Dreame is completely hands-free. Is Dreame's FP10 Furcatch purifier more expensive up front than the long-lasting purifiers from Shark and Dyson? Yes. But is Dreame's Furcatch a better value over time? Also yes.
Dreame FP10 HEPA Air Purifier with Self-Cleaning Pet Hair $424.99 at Amazon$499.99 Save $75 Shop Now at Amazon


