Technology

Home Assistant gives you a high level of control over how you run your smart home. In your rush to add devices, integrations, and automations, you might overlook some basic customization options.

Six years after YouTube kicked direct messages to the curb, the platform is bringing them back.

Announced Wednesday after six months of testing, YouTube now allows users to share videos through a rebooted messaging feature. In Nov. 2025, platform owner Google described DMs as a "top feature request."

SEE ALSO: YouTubers Dan and Phil built one of the internet's most loyal (and intense) fan communities

Direct messages will appear on YouTube's app as a new messaging icon, through which you can send an invite to friends to share videos. Users will be able to accept or decline the invite, in a move that'll hopefully tackle spam and creeps. The only catch is that you'll need to be over 18 with your age verified, and signed in to a personal YouTube channel with your Google Account to send them.

The new DMs icon sits next to "Cast". Credit: YouTube / Mashable edit

YouTube removed direct messages from the platform in 2019, two years after launching them in 2017. At the time Google said it was "reevaluating our priorities" and instead focusing on updates to public conversations like comments and posts.

Direct messages will now be rolled out on YouTube in the U.S., UK, Brazil, and Singapore, having already been available from March across European countries including Spain, Ireland, Croatia, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, Greece, Austria, Poland, Belgium, and more.

Featured Video For You How Shirley Raines broke through the noise of TikTok and Instagram to inspire millions

In its announcement, YouTube said its Community Guidelines will apply to all shared content and messages. As Mashable's Matt Binder reported during YouTube's testing phase, YouTube "will uphold its moderation policies for content sent via direct message as it would with public content, and will review flagged material."

It's a long overdue reissue for YouTube, considering practically every other social media and video platform, from TikTok to Instagram to Threads, has a DM feature.

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Melania Trump has been speaking about AI again, this time at a White House AI Challenge Awards event on Tuesday.

In the clip above, Daily Show host Desi Lydic plays a clip of Trump's speech, with the First Lady telling the audience to "use this chapter of your life to sail away with your dreams."

"What was the prompt to write that speech?" asks a confused Lydic. "ChatGPT, give me metaphor. No! Give me all metaphors."

Lydic goes on to play a compilation of Trump talking about AI and robots, finishing with the First Lady saying, "The robots are here."

"The robots are here, asking you to join us," says Lydic, in Melania impression mode. "I mean them. Them. Delete previous sentence."

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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're good with computers.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 10, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Oozing

The words are related via rhymes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words rhyme with ooze.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Rhymetime.

NYT Strands word list for June 11

• Fuse

• Blues

• Brews

• Rhymetime

• Shoes

• Choose

• Schmooze

• Cruise

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a drama kid.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 10, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Going to the gym

• Green: Horns

• Blue: Cars

• Purple: Spelled like an app

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a Workout Routine

• Green: Things with Horns

• Blue: Homophones of SUVs

• Purple: Payment Apps Minus A Letter

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 #1096 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a Workout Routine: BALANCE, CARDIO, STRETCHING, WEIGHTS

• Things with Horns: BRASS BAND, DEVIL, RHINO, VIKING HELMET

• Homophones of SUVs: BRONCHO, FORERUNNER, TROUPER, UCONN

• Payment Apps Minus A Letter: ELLE, PAPAL, STRIP, VENO

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 10, 2026

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're easily annoyed.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 10, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 10, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Easily annoyed.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

TESTY

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

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

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require soccer knowledge.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Game locations

• Green: Other club names

• Blue: Same player

• Purple: Teammates

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: 2026 World Cup host cities

• Green: Nicknames of World Cup Teams

• Blue: Christian Pulisic Teams

• Purple: Argentina World Cup Players

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 #626 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• 2026 World Cup host cities: ATLANTA, MEXICO CITY, PHILADELPHIA, TORONTO

• Nicknames of World Cup teams: LES ÉLÉPHANTS, ORANJE, SOCCEROOS, THREE LIONS

• Christian Pulisic: AC MILAN, BORUSSIA DORTMUND, CHELSEA, UNITED STATES

• Argentina World Cup Players: LO CELSO, MAC ALLISTER, MESSI, PAZ

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

Another day, another piece of gold Trump merchandise for sale.

In the clip above Jimmy Kimmel talks about Donald Trump's commemorative gold coin, being sold for "the low, low price of only $11,999" to mark the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.

"You can see though it's a beautiful coin — Julius UFCaesar is pictured," says Kimmel. "This is one ounce of pure PF70-rated gold. Just for comparison, an ounce of PF70-rated gold in coin form without his head on it goes for about $4,500, so this is a deal."

Jimmy Kimmel then goes through the site's fine print, pointing out that the coin is not intended for "investment purposes", is not "legal tender", and has "no face value".

"You really have to hand it to Trump, it takes a special kind of con man to sell your supporters money they cannot spend any place," says Kimmel.

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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 game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, June 11, 2026:

AcrossKindergarten basics

• The answer is ABCS.

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

Santa's "present" for naughty kids

• The answer is Coal.

With 2-Down, body parts that are a spoonerism of "bunny phones"

• The answer is Funny.

Cookie with blue-and-white packaging

• The answer is Oreo.

Acid's opposite

• The answer is Base.

DownHigh-end division of Honda

• The answer is Acura.

See 6-Across

• The answer is Bones.

Something to paddle across a lake

• The answer is Canoe.

Sneaky

• The answer is Sly.

Electronic key

• The answer is Fob.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Online dating as a gay man is a rite of passage. From the Craigslist m4m era to today's endless scroll, it's been a part of gay culture since the early days of the web. But for all the high rewards, even the best dating apps come with a unique set of challenges for LGBTQ men: ghosting, catfishing, straight guys who shouldn't be in your feed, and even some not-so-subtle fetishization. It's a lot to take in when you're just trying to find a cute guy.

Yet, despite the BS, the best gay dating apps are still one of the main ways to meet new guys. In fact, a 2026 report by SSRS found that 63 percent of LGBTQ adults have used a dating app (and 14 percent are currently using one), compared to just 34 percent of non-LGBTQ adults. It makes sense when you consider that Pew Research found that about one in four lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults met their partner online — a significantly higher rate than straight couples.

We love to complain about the apps, but the reality is, we still need them.

We have to talk about Grindr

Of course, we can't talk about gay dating without talking about Grindr. It's still the undisputed king of gay dating apps, even if the user experience has been suffering of late. The free version of Grindr is now stuffed full of ads, leaving many guys longing for an alternative. Plus, because of its well-deserved reputation as a hookup app, it's not always the right place to make a love connection.

"Grindr is a tried and true app that many queer men gravitate toward to find partners or for relationships that require lesser commitment, so it’s easy to point to it as the No. 1 app," Michelle Herzog, LMFT, AASECT-certified sex therapist, tells Mashable. "However, like Tinder, it’s gained a reputation as a hookup app — but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t men looking for long-term commitments, either."

SEE ALSO: The great Grindr glossary: all terms and acronyms explained

The good news is that the gay dating app landscape is bigger than Grindr. Mainstream apps like Hinge and OkCupid have made huge strides in inclusivity, while niche apps like Scruff and Feeld cater to specific communities, kinks, and desires. We're also seeing a major resurgence in map-based dating websites like Sniffies and Squirt for those who want to skip the small talk entirely.

The key is figuring out which dating apps are worth your time. So, here's our in-depth guide to the best gay dating apps for men in summer 2026.

What happened to Archer?

For a long time, Archer has been our go-to recommendation as the best dating app for LGBTQ guys looking for serious relationships. But no longer. The Match Group is shutting down Archer on June 17, 2026. Mashable Associate Editor Anna Iovine reported on the mid-Pride Month shutdown and talked to the Match Group about the decision.

SEE ALSO: Gay dating app Archer is shutting down, but why?

Recent changes to this dating app guide include:

• Archer: As of June 17, 2026, the Match Group is shutting down Archer. Previously, this was our favorite gay dating app for finding serious relationships, and it will be missed.

• Feeld: As of October 2025, we've added Feeld to this guide as our top pick for "Best for Kink and Threesomes."

• Hinge: As of October 2025, we've added Hinge as another alternative to Archer, as it's also great for finding serious relationships. We've also selected it as the best gay dating app for younger guys due to its popularity with Gen Z.

• Squirt: As of early 2026, we've added Squirt to this guide. In an era of aggressive paywalls, Squirt makes a strong case for itself with a highly functional free tier that offers unlimited direct messaging to members worldwide.

Which gay dating apps didn't make the cut?

You'll notice a few well-known apps are missing from our main list. Here's why they didn't make our "best of" guide.

• Taimi: While Taimi markets itself heavily as a queer community space, we've opted to leave it off the list. The feedback from real users is frankly brutal. Redditors say the free version is "completely unusable"; you need a premium subscription just to view a basic profile. Worse, users reported feeling unsafe, noting the app is filled with scammers, "obvious homophobes," and "more straight cis-men and creeps than even Tinder or Bumble." Skip it.

• Raya: We know, Raya is the "celebrity dating app," but we're not recommending it. Why? Because, as our own Chance Townsend discovered, its exclusivity is "a bit overhyped." After shelling out $25 per month, he found the vibe "so Tinder-esque," and the user pool wasn't A-list celebs but "consultants, aspiring actors, medical professionals, recruiters, and even students." The consensus: Raya is basically "an expensive Tinder with a better PR team." Save your money.

• Recon: Recon has a reputation as the app for the kink community, but we've opted to leave it off the list. User reviews on Reddit are brutal. One thread described the app as "really buggy" and "not much activity on there anymore." Users in that thread complained that the app is a "waste of time," full of flakes, "catfish," and "fake doms wanting you to be their slave or boy." Other users noted that "a lot of kink/fetish guys have moved on to Instagram, Twitter/X, [or] OnlyFans" or that mainstream apps like Scruff are now "more open and welcoming spaces" for the community.

• Planet Romeo (now Romeo): Planet Romeo (which took over the old Guys4Men, or g4m, site ) is another legacy app we didn't include. While it was once a go-to for finding meaningful relationships, particularly in India and parts of Europe, it's now mostly seen as an app from a bygone era. Reddit threads on the topic are full of nostalgia for the "age of Planet Romeo" and the "slow communication" of the early 2000s.

SAVE $200: As of June 11, the Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV is back at its lowest-ever price on Amazon at $299.99. This is $200 off its full price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia INSIGNIA 65-inch Class QF Series LED 4K UHD QLED Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote $299.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $200   Get Deal

Between the World Cup and exciting new additions to streaming services this summer, it's worth having a TV that can deliver a high-quality picture to enjoy it all on. If you think it's time for an upgrade, now is an excellent time to shop. Ahead of Prime Day, we've spotted some early TV deals worth taking advantage of at Amazon, including a stellar offer on the Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV.

As of June 11, this Insignia TV has returned to its lowest-ever price at Amazon of $299.99. Considering it's normally priced at $499.99, now is the time to swoop in and save $200. It's quite a nice offer to take advantage of ahead of Prime Day's official start date.

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

Boasting a QLED display with 4K Ultra HD resolution, this Insignia TV will make the shows you're watching or the World Cup matches really shine with bright, detailed color. It also supports Dolby Atmos Audio, so you can enjoy spatial audio that makes you feel like you're at the center of the action as it unfolds, whether you're watching a movie or show or playing a game.

Plus, since it's a smart TV with Fire TV Smart OS, you can access your favorite streaming services directly from the home screen. With so many exciting shows to watch this summer, this is a great way to stay on top of them all.

Don't miss out on this great TV deal on the Insignia 65-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED TV at Amazon.

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

SAVE $60: As of June 11, the Insignia 32-inch Class F20 is on sale for $69.97. That's a 46% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 32-inch Class F20 $69.97 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $60.02   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a new TV for watching the World Cup, you don’t need to commit to spending hundreds of dollars. In fact, you don’t even need to spend one hundred dollars. As of June 11, the Insignia 32-inch Class F20 TV is on sale at Amazon for just $69.99. Normally $129.99, this deal saves you $60. 

It’s a great TV, too. It offers 720p HD resolution for watching movies, shows, and matches in high definition. It also has DTS Virtual-X audio that creates a more immersive sound experience through the TV’s built-in speakers. It's also wall-mountable, making it easy to set up and taking up less space.

It runs on Fire TV, which means you have access to many streaming options, including movies and TV episodes across apps like Prime Video and Netflix. Plus, the Alexa Voice Remote lets you use voice control to search for content or launch apps. 

Connectivity options include HDMI, composite AV, optical audio, USB, headphone jack, coaxial input, and WiFi.

Get this TV deal at Amazon now in time for the World Cup kickoff.

SAVE $70: As of June 11, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70   Get Deal

Prime Day is still a couple of weeks away, but you don't need to wait if you want to score a deal on headphones now. As of June 11, the Beats Solo 4 have dropped in price again, and they're currently $70 off at $129.95. This discount applies to all colorways so that you can choose from matte black, black and gold, cloud pink, metallic pink, and slate blue.

As you'd expect from any Beats product, these headphones promise a stellar listening experience. They have a custom acoustic architecture with updated drivers designed to deliver powerful Beats sound. Plus, you'll get up to 50 hours of battery life, and a 10-minute charge will give you five hours of playback.

The headphones also support dual compatibility with one-touch pairing for both Apple and Android devices, and include built-in microphones for great-sounding calls and voice notes.

Plus, the design is created to be comfortable for all-day wear. They're ultralight and feature a flex-grip headband, adjustable ear cups, and UltraPlush ear cushions.

Get this headphone deal online at Amazon now.

SAVE $50: As of June 11, Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $149.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Fit Pro $149.99 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $49.96   Get Deal

Looking for new earbuds? The Beats Fit Pro are back on sale at Amazon, and as of June 11, you can save $50. Normally priced at $199.95, you can currently buy the 1st generation model of these earbuds for $149.99, saving you $50.

With these earbuds, you'll get three listening modes: Active Noise Canceling, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ. These let you choose the level of noise cancellation you want, with options to fully remove background noise or keep it "transparent" so you stay aware of your surroundings.

For battery life, you'll get up to six hours of listening time. This extends to 24 hours with the included charging case. They are IPX4-rated for sweat and water resistance and feature built-in microphones for calls and voice note use.

And their standout design, the flexible wingtip, makes them an ideal choice for workouts. They give you a secure, comfortable fit that stays in place no matter the intensity of your exercise. They also come with three different ear tip sizes to ensure they fit perfectly.

Head to Amazon to score this Beats earbuds deal now.

Dyson just dropped a new flagship cordless vacuum for the first time in forever. Launched in the U.S. on June 2, the Dyson V16 Piston Animal is the first new flagship Dyson in three years. Even then, the 2023 flagship Gen5absolute and Gen5outsize vacuums didn't feel overly innovative compared to the existing Dyson V15.

The Dyson V16 finally picks up where the Dyson V15 left off, and there's more than one upgrade to discuss. Does it automatically shake up my list of the best cordless stick vacuums? Here's how my first week with the V16 has gone.

The classic Dyson chrome has been replaced with black, but we didn't ditch the turquoise and orange. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The new compressor lever creates room for 30 days' worth of dust before emptying. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable What's special about the Dyson V16 Piston?

People have been asking for years: Can a cordless vacuum replace a corded vacuum? I've always been a hard "yes" based on convenience alone. But with the V16, you wouldn't be settling for slightly weaker suction power just to free yourself from the wall. The V16 Piston Animal is the first cordless Dyson vacuum to surpass 300 AW (Air Watts) of suction power. This means that a cordless Dyson vacuum is finally the strongest Dyson vacuum across the board, even beating out the corded upright models that once felt unsurpassable. The reigning most powerful Dyson option, the Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra, maxes out at 290 AW.

The V16 Piston Animal also comes with the Fluffy Optic head for hard floors and two handheld attachments. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The V16 Piston Animal (right) is significantly beefier than the V12 Detect Slim (left). Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Other big changes include a new compressing dustbin that can hold up to 30 days' worth of dust and a new anti-tangle conical cleaning head. It's more rounded than the previous Dyson Motorbar, featuring two side-by-side cone-shaped rollers that suck long hair up the middle to prevent wrapping. The V16's All Floor Cones Sense cleaner head uses alternating strips of stiff bristles and soft fibers to pick up debris and hair on hard and soft floors. I'm strictly focusing on this new cleaning head for my initial testing, as I'm already familiar with the Fluffy Optic cleaning head after three years with my Dyson V12 Detect Slim.

In auto mode, the V16 senses which type of floor it's cleaning and the level of debris it's dealing with, automatically adjusting suction and brush roll speed accordingly — you can hear this happen while you're cleaning. You can manually switch to eco or boost mode with a button on the handle that looks way too similar to the on/off button.

Dyson V16 Piston Animal on carpet: Super strong, a little bit stubborn

I don't have any fully carpeted rooms, but the V16 Piston Animal has been dishing out some potent suction on my area rugs and runners: a flat printed Ruggable with a pad underneath, a faux fur Tumble rug, and two medium pile tufted rugs that feel like traditional carpet.

I can really feel the brush rolls digging into the rug fibers, and the amount of cat hair and gray fluff that accumulated in the dustbin after the first day was proof enough. I particularly enjoyed watching the V16 snatch up stubborn fuzzies and little balls of shedded rug fibers from the tufted rug in my bedroom, considering most robot vacuums I test struggle with those.

This pattern is really good at hiding cat hair, but the V16 found it. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable I knew the V16 would ace its lint roller test when the rug lines were this crisp. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

For testing's sake, I also spilled panko bread crumbs and protein powder all over the flat kitchen runner and sprinkles on the plush fur rug. Almost all of the bread crumbs and sprinkles were picked up in a single forward pass. A few extra passes were needed to grab the breadcrumbs that the V16 blew out of its own cleaning path. The V16 only took a few passes to make the white powder spot disappear, which is impressive considering some of it probably fell down into the Ruggable's flatweave.

Going in, my biggest question about the V16's carpet cleaning wasn't even the pickup rate — it was whether or not it'd get stuck on rugs like the old Motorbar did. The V16 Piston Animal seems to get stuck less often than the previous four Dysons I've used. The new cleaning head must have an improved airflow system that better prevents the cyclonic power from creating that frustrating seal on the rug. The catch? This is only true if the V16 is in eco mode.

SEE ALSO: The Dreame FP10 air purifier cleans fur off its own filter. Just as crucially, it matches my living room aesthetic.

When I tried to vacuum a rug in auto or boost mode, the cone rollers almost immediately got jammed and stopped spinning. It's a bummer that you can't take full advantage of the 315 AW of suction power without running into this classic Dyson glitch. Even eco mode requires some elbow grease to push and pull the vac across a rug, though the glide is much smoother if I use my other hand to give the vacuum a bit of lift off the ground — this even went smoothly on my fluffy bath mats. Luckily, even the V16's weakest setting rarely leaves visible debris behind after the first pass or two.

Dyson V16 Piston Animal on hardwood: Highly efficient in a single pass

The V16 Piston Animal's performance on hardwood and tile has been pretty immaculate so far, specifically with the All Floor Cones Sense cleaning head. More times than not, the V16 Piston Animal's debris pickup on hard floors has been so thorough that a second pass after the first forward swipe technically isn't even necessary. I still do that back-and-forth motion out of habit, but it's usually not because the V16 keeps missing spots.

I dumped out more litter than my cats track out to really test the V16's power. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The trail behind the V16 was spotless after a single forward pass. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

On hard floors, you can really see what boost mode can do. It's been phenomenal for keeping up with different types of cat litter tracked out of two litter boxes, crumbs of all sorts lodged under the counter, and so much long hair that ends up on my bathroom floor every day. During the first week with the V16, someone in my household got a new fish tank and made a mess of aquarium substrate all over the hardwood kitchen floor. In boost mode, the V16 picked up the rocks so efficiently that cleanup took maybe a minute — that includes the tiny pieces that fell into the cracks of the hardwood.

I appreciate that Dyson added the green laser to the carpet-forward cleaning head. Basically every room in my apartment has both hard flooring and a rug, and my daily vacuuming routine is much faster without having to switch cleaning heads depending on floor type. With my Dyson V12 Detect Slim, I used the cleaning head with the laser 24/7 despite the fact that it's not ideal for deep rug cleaning. I didn't feel like digging the Motorbar out of the closet that badly, and emotionally, I needed access to LED dust detection at all times.

SEE ALSO: The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones weighs nothing and fits everywhere. Don't get me started on the double lasers.

But the new cleaning head design isn't completely bulletproof. It's kind of bulky and doesn't fit as far under low-hanging dressers or credenzas as the Fluffy Optic head does. I'm most confused about why the front edge subtly comes to a point instead of being completely flat. It prevents the head from fully squeezing into a corner or up against a wall, where dust famously loves to gather. The Fluffy Optic head is elite for this exact reason, so thank goodness Dyson threw that in the box.

Why? Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Dyson V16 Piston Animal in handheld mode: Powerful but heavy

In terms of going handheld, the V16 Piston Animal isn't the most comfortable or the least comfortable stick vacuum I've ever had to hold in one hand. It makes the Dyson Gen5outsize feel like a brick and the Dyson V12 Detect Slim feel light enough that a toddler could use it.

The mini pet hair tool worked well on velvet upholstery and this fluffy material. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable I swear the base of the cat tree and nearby windowsill spawn new fur and dander every hour. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

In one session with the mini hair screw tool, I went over the whole couch and each cat tree level with a cushion. My arm got a little tired toward the end of those five minutes, but I was also pausing to take pictures for this review. The cat tree cushions aren't attached to the perches, but I was pleasantly surprised that the V16 could be gently dragged across without sucking them up. The thick layer of cat fur on the chaise of the couch was basically gone in one swipe.

Switching to the crevice tool, I used boost mode to pull kitty litter out from awkward spots behind the toilet and sticky air conditioner gunk right out of the vents. Though I wish the V16 were lighter in handheld mode, it does get tasks done super quickly.

Dyson V16 Piston Animal $979 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Dyson

The Crewmates in Paramount+'s Among Us series spend half the show running from Impostors, and the other half showing off their surprisingly nice butts.

SEE ALSO: The 'Among Us' TV show is better than it has any right to be

According to series creator Owen Dennis, the deluge of butts in the show began with episode 1, appearing in a few shots of Crewmates walking out of the elevator, or a moment when Green (voiced by Elijah Wood) climbs into a chair.

"Butt was shown a few times," Dennis told Mashable in a video interview. "Because of this, what happened was that basically every artist on the show saw that I did not say no to the butt, and so from there on out they were like, 'Well, I'm gonna add some butt too.'"

(On Bluesky, Dennis posted: "Everyone agrees: We like them having little gumdrop booties.")

About midway through the season, the Among Us team received an email asking to tone down the number of butts in the show. (And looking at just how many butts are currently in the show, you can only imagine how many more were originally in it.)

"I was like, 'I'm not going to to be the one to say which butts to take out. I don't want to take them out!'" Dennis said.

Instead, he asked for a list of which butts could stay in the show and received a detailed, timestamped breakdown in return. From there, Dennis had to remove butts or find creative solutions to tone them down.

"There's one shot where it's a close up on Red's [(voiced by Randall Park)] butt as the camera zoomed out," Dennis explained. "In animation, you can't redo a shot. The shot exists as it exists, and we'd already gotten that shot back from animation. I couldn't redo the shot from the ground up, so instead what I did was I took out the butt, then I put the tiniest little upside-down V of the bottom of a butt cheek."

Upon seeing that solution, Dennis recalled Among Us co-executive producer and writer Madeline Queripel comparing Red's butt to another famed animated rear end: that of Hank Hill. So Among Us' Crewmates' butts (or lack thereof) are in good company.

Among Us is now streaming on Paramount+.

You can never just watch a whodunnit once. You have to go back and pick out all the clues you may have missed along the way and analyze the killer's every move.

The same goes for the TV adaptation of Among Us, which presents a horrifying space-set murder mystery.

SEE ALSO: The 'Among Us' TV show is better than it has any right to be

For creator Owen Dennis, "pretty much everything" changes when you rewatch the show knowing that (spoiler!) the Impostors are none other than Green (voiced by Elijah Wood) and Orange (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown).

"I have seen people online be like, 'I didn't see any foreshadowing on any of these characters,' and I'm just like, 'Watch it again!'" Dennis told Mashable in a video interview. "If you watch it again, you'll see that every single interaction that Green ever has has something upsetting behind it... Same with Orange, and I find that to be a joyful thing."

What Easter eggs can you spot when you rewatch Among Us?

Upon rewatch, viewers will be able to catch even the smallest of details that hint at how Orange and especially Green (because let's be real, he carried the Impostor team) pulled off their murders. Take a close look at where the pair sit. If they're on a vent, you'll spot a glimpse of parasitic alien tendrils creeping through the grates, revealing how the Impostors are able to pull off murders in different rooms.

"I was afraid nobody was ever gonna find that stuff, but they did," Dennis said of the vent tendrils. "I personally animated the tiniest little triangles of stuff in them, because I was like, 'It can't be that obvious.' I don't want anyone to see it on the first go, but I do want someone to see it on the second or third. That's what I was hoping."

Dennis notes that in the first episode, eagle-eyed viewers will also be able to see the exact moment Green and Orange get infected by the alien parasite. Later episodes feature further clues at the Impostors and their weaknesses.

"Somebody also found out that there's a shadow on a wall that shows up when Black [(voiced by Liv Hewson)] steps into a salt circle. When they do, the shadow disappears because it didn't want to deal with the salt," Dennis said. "I'm just very happy people are going through, frame by frame, and trying to find what the differences are. There's still a few that people haven't found yet, which I think is fun."

For Dennis, Among Us' rich rewatch factor is a testament to the larger team that built the show.

"I keep seeing people ask, 'How did you figure out all these little clues?' I'm like, 'I didn't!' I thought of a few of them, but I work on a crew with 30 to 100 people at any given moment," Dennis explained. "Because everybody else is working towards the same goal, everybody figures out how to make a billion different clues all over the show that no one catches until later."

Among Us is now streaming on Paramount+.

It's Amazon Prime Day season again, aka the best time of year to score excellent deals on Apple gadgets (outside of Black Friday, at least). Amazon typically offers extra-low prices on Apple Watches, AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks during its members-only sale, making it less painful to splurge on a new device.

Full disclosure: There are already tons of Apple deals available on Amazon ahead of the sale, which doesn't technically start until June 23, and a lot of them are tempting. Some devices, including the Apple Watch Series 11, are currently sitting at record-low prices.

SEE ALSO: Prime Day is right around the corner: Here are 20+ early deals to start shopping now

Still, I wouldn't fill your cart just yet. Having covered Prime Day for Mashable for seven straight years now, I can tell you with 100 percent confidence that most of these offers will get even better in just a couple of weeks, once Prime Day formally begins. Amazon saves its very best deals for the main event.

I say "most of these offers," not "all," because there are two exceptional deals that I would in fact grab now. Based on past Prime Days, there's a very slim chance they'll get any cheaper in the coming weeks. Read on for my reasoning on both, plus the scoop on how low we expect prices to go on AirPods, MacBooks, iPads, and more Apple gadgets.

The only Apple deals I'd shop before Prime Day Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 at Amazon
$249 Save $70   Get Deal Why I like it

Apple's premium noise-canceling earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3, only just went on sale for $179 (normally $249). That's a 28% savings and their lowest price to date. The older AirPods Pro 2 fell to $149 last Prime Day, or $100 off, but they were much further along in their life cycle at that point.

Read our full review of the AirPods Pro 3.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal Why I like it

Last Prime Day, the M4 MacBook Airs only got discounts of $150 apiece. Ahead of this year's sale, the 15-inch M5 model is already a whopping $200 off. Its current record-low price of $1,099 (normally $1,299) is another seemingly unbeatable deal. The only reason you'd want to wait is if you prefer the sky blue, starlight, or silver finishes: This deal only applies to the midnight variant at the moment.

Read our full review of the M5 MacBook Air.

Prime Day AirPods deals to look for

• Apple AirPods 4: Apple's cheapest earbuds are now on sale for $99 (usually $129), but we've seen them hit $69 before. Dirt-cheap AirPods are a classic Prime Day sighting, so I'm expecting Amazon to revive that deal in the near future.

• Apple AirPods Max 2: These snazzy over-ear headphones have been hanging out at their record-low price of $499.99 since early June (normally $549). That's not bad, but the first-gen AirPods Max with USB-C charging were a full $100 off on their first Prime Day and $120 off last Black Friday. Let's see if Amazon can get these new ones down to around $449 at least.

Read our reviews of the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Max 2. Plus, see where they land on our guides to the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-canceling headphones.

The best early Prime Day AirPods deals for now: Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $148.99 (save $30.01) Get Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $179 (save $70) Get Deal Apple AirPods Max 2 $499.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Prime Day Apple Watch deals to look for

• Apple Watch Series 11: Apple's latest smartwatch is currently marked down to $299 (normally $399), which is its lowest price to date and a $100 savings. However, it's probably going to get even cheaper on Prime Day. Amazon has given flagship Apple Watches $120 discounts during past Prime events, so I can easily see it hitting $279 in the coming weeks.

• Apple Watch SE 3: Apple's budget wearable has hit $199 before, and its predecessor dipped down to $169 during last October's Prime Big Deal Days sale. It was on sale for $219 at the time of writing (typically $249), or only $30 off, so don't add it to your cart just yet.

• Apple Watch Ultra 3: This premium rugged smartwatch is only $20 off on Amazon right now, a measly discount that brings it down to $779 (normally $799). Wait for it to return or surpass its record-low Black Friday price of $679 come Prime Day.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Series 11. If you're not sure which model is right for you, check out our guide to the best smartwatches you can buy right now.

The best early Prime Day Apple Watch deals for now: Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219 (save $30) Get Deal Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $779 (save $20) Get Deal Prime Day iPad deals to look for

• Apple iPad: Apple's entry-level tablet is on sale for $299 right now, down $50 from its usual sticker price of $349. I'm thinking Amazon will revive its Prime Day 2025 price of $279 later this month.

• Apple iPad Air: The 11- and 13-inch M4 iPad Airs weren't around last Prime Day, but they've previously hit record lows of $519 and $699, respectively — a savings of up to $100. Ahead of this year's sale, they're $559 and $749 apiece (or just $40 and $50 off); hold out for better deals.

• Apple iPad Pro: The 11- and 13-inch sizes of the ultralight M5 iPad Pro are both at least $27 away from their all-time lows right now. Don't hit the buy button until you see them drop to $799 and $1,149, respectively (or lower, ideally). Their regular retail prices are $999 and $1,299.

• Apple iPad mini: The most compact Apple tablet is on sale for $474 in the lead-up to Prime Day (usually $499) — a hard skip. I'd be happy if it returned to last year's Prime Day price of $379, but hope Amazon can match its best-ever Black Friday price of $349.

Read our reviews of the M4 iPad Air, the M5 iPad Pro, and the iPad mini. Plus, find out which iPad you should buy.

The best early Prime Day iPad deals for now: Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $299 (save $50) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $559 (save $40) Get Deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $749 (save $50) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $937.76 (save $61.24) Get Deal Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) $1,176 (save $123) Get Deal Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) $474 (save $25) Get Deal Prime Day MacBook deals to look for

• Apple MacBook Neo: Apple's new budget laptop has been enjoying a $9 discount on Amazon for a couple of months now (normally $599). It would be suuuper cool if the retailer managed to match Apple's $499 student pricing on Prime Day, but that's very wishful thinking. Realistically, it probably won't get any cheaper than $549, if it gets any cheaper at all. A sizable MacBook Neo discount is my white whale for Prime Day 2026.

• Apple MacBook Air: The 13-inch M5 MacBook Air is only $949 right now (normally $1,099), its lowest price yet. However, I'm thinking Amazon will give it the same $200 discount as its 15-inch sibling come Prime Day: They usually get matching deals during such sales. Hold steady until it hits $899.

• Apple MacBook Pro: The 14-inch base model with the vanilla M5 chip is going for $1,549 ahead of Prime Day (usually $1,699), but its record-low of $1,499 will probably return soon.

Read our reviews of the MacBook Neo, the M5 MacBook Air, and the M5 MacBook Pro. Plus, find out which MacBook is right for you.

The best early Prime Day MacBook deals for now: Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $589.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 (save $200) Get Deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,549 (save $150) Get Deal

The aristocratic art of hosting a dinner party becomes a bloody, pustulant battleground in Savage House, a riveting dark comedy so rich it'll make you sick.

An ostentatious political commentary on 18th-century English profligacy written and directed by Peter Glanz (Captain America: Brave New World), Savage House presents two households, both alike in dignity, living within one household. However, this is no fairytale of upstairs/downstairs benevolence like Downtown Abbey or Bridgerton. Instead, it's a brutal, bombastic tale of class and social climbing, in which extravagance and overindulgence can't cover the cracks forever.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer movie preview: Every film you need to know about now

With majestic performances from a theatrical Richard E. Grant and deadpan Claire Foy, pristine production design that literally and figuratively rots from within, and over-the-top direction from Glanz, Savage House is a hilarious cautionary tale, a testament to status-seeking by any means necessary.

Savage House makes a lavish meal of 18th-century class politics and paranoia.

Political suspicion and health paranoia hang heavy in Britain when we meet the Savages, a near disgraced family of nobility only plagued thus far by reckless spending. Smallpox is decimating the population, while the Jacobite uprising is in full swing, with the exiled House of Stuart attempting to overthrow the ruling House of Hanover in the background. Trust is scarce; pestilence abounds. 

With most of the aristocracy's travel plans abandoned, there's little opportunity for the histrionic Sir Chauncey Savage (Grant) and pragmatic Lady Savage (Foy) to reach higher on the coveted social ladder. However, in a moment of pure pox-related luck, the still-traveling Duke and Duchess of Devonshire find themselves in need of accommodation — and they want to dine with the Savages.

But this is no casual soirée; this is a production. And they've only 10 days to see this "march of folly" done by the evening of the impending solar eclipse.

Pooling every last resource and rallying their skeleton crew of a house staff, the Savages will host the Duke and Duchess, and they will savor the spoils of such a lofty connection. But a dinner such as this could also cost them everything, as debt collectors circle, servants plot, and hired professionals (from tailors to providores) know that having money doesn't mean you know how to spend it. 

Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy are shining comedy jewels in Savage House.

Opportunists united, the Savages feel simply made for each other. As the heads of this noble family, Grant and Foy's unique chemistry renders their long relationship one of utter frankness and admiration. Marriage being "hard work" lies at the core of many a film, and here, it reaches more match points than a Wimbledon final. But nothing, not even inflammatory arthritis or in-house adultery, seems to be able to rattle these two, both adorned in Alex Bovaird's exquisite period costumes.

As the magniloquent, simply pestilential Sir Chauncey, Grant is an outsider in the ruling class, more terrified of returning to his working class roots than losing a limb. In his cavalier "everything's fine" manner and an increasingly large powdered wig, he scorns the Jacobites as "seditious imbeciles masquerading as revolutionaries" while performing his own ruse as an aristocrat, rehearsing speeches of feigned hospitality. A maniacal smile plastered on his starchily decorated face, Grant's Chauncey crawls to the end of Savage House, a gangrenous, gout-ridden husk of a networker who refuses to say "when" — especially if you're pouring him another drink. "Like an undercooked soufflé," the film's narrator tells us, "he was collapsing into himself."

Featured Video For You Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser talk 'Pressure' and competency porn

Meanwhile, as Lady Savage, Foy is a formidably bemused force who flourishes in a rare comedic role for The Crown star. Having actually come from wealth, the lady of the house married for love rather than social ambition, her rogue romantic choice rewarded with an undeniably compelling but unfortunately spendthrift husband. Knowing the fiscal reality of the duke and duchess' visit and their lack of means to deliver such a production, Lady Savage salvages every last glimmer of possibility, with Foy's fierce performance one of determinedly keeping up appearances while secretly relishing in the madness of it all. 

Neither have much time for their sweet, astronomy-loving daughter Fanny (Kíla Lord Cassidy), whose obsession with the incoming lunar eclipse and her mouse mansion makes for a fitting parallel with the main storyline. However, they should really keep a closer eye on the marvelous Bel Powley and Jack Farthing as their long-suffering servants, maid Dorothy Neville and valet Reginald Halifax.

These are the imperturbable working class people who empty the Savages' stinking bedpans and catch their hungover projectile vomit while lavishing praise upon them and fantasising about their demise. Notably, they're also their employers' confidantes, assisting them in various scams. A thieving brigand borne of gambling addiction, Sir Chauncey requires Reginald's help in his casual chicanery to keep his purse full, with no respect awarded in turn. "I care for you like a son…or an affectionate dog," Sir Chauncey tells his valet. When Dorothy feeds Fanny's mice and hungrily feasts on their crumbs, it's clear these rodents live better than the servants. The Savages might regret that.

Savage House's production design is so opulent it'll make you sick.

Visually, Savage House is at once magnificent and horrific, a triumph of meticulous period detail and visceral juiciness that makes you feel like you can actually smell the film. Production designer Gary Williamson deploys overt visual metaphors of rotting fruit around the mansion, routinely rotated by servants to hide the decay. 

A pendulum of lush, symmetrical wide shots and unwelcome close-ups of beheaded fowl and chewing mouths by director of photography Adriano Goldman, the film brilliantly balances abundance with disgust. Glanz, who also edited the film, delivers furious montages and quick cuts to up the drama over seven parts. As the Savage purse empties and the opulence of the estate increases, the film's set decoration follows suit. Elaborate rehearsal dinner spreads, ludicrous family portraits, a stream of auditioning entertainers, and customised fashions appear edited alongside shots of bloody pheasant bodies, trodden piles of ambiguous shit, festering sores, and grisly 18th-century medical treatments.

It's a gruesome portrait of maintaining hierarchy and influence. And it's this constant contrast between pain and pleasure, effort and guise, that makes Savage House such a compelling depiction of class politics, with the film decrying "perception is everything, especially among the ruling class."

Savage House will inevitably find itself compared to Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite, as two 18th-century dark comedies featuring gout-ridden aristocrats and underlings jostling for a sliver of power. However, Glanz's film finds its own inflamed, leech-dotted footing, as a rambunctious cautionary tale of the cost and moral quandaries of "rattling the social ladder."

Savage House was reviewed out of SXSW London and is now showing in UK cinemas and U.S. theaters.

As a toy company, Lego is simply built different.

Whether you're a kid or an adult, there's probably a Lego set that appeals to you. And with sets including everything from F1 race cars and Star Wars to house plants and classic art, there's more than a decent chance a Lego set exists that matches up with at least one of your interests. That kind of widespread appeal is what brought the company record profits in 2025, as well as high demand across a variety of audiences.

SEE ALSO: Our 15 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

The brand also refuses to rest on its plastic brick laurels, and this year has been especially exciting. Lego introduced the Smart Brick and broke its record for the largest Lego set of all time with the 12,060-piece Sagrada Família set (since it doesn't come out until November, we haven't included it here). The company is always coming out with new product lines and collabs, and no matter your level of Lego knowledge, it's an overwhelming catalog. So, as someone who's been tracking the best Lego releases for the better part the past year, I decided to round up the best new Lego sets of 2026 so far.

To narrow down the pool, I only included sets that are currently available for purchase (so that means no preorders). Below, find my top nine picks in no particular order, plus one honorable mention.

Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader's TIE Fighter Credit: Lego

Lego announced their first ever Smart Play series with three Star Wars sets at CES in January 2026. The sets brought a new level of interaction to Lego, working with smart bricks that prompt Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags to react to movement and positioning with sound and light. In other words, gone are the days of you having to create your own homegrown sound effects (though you can always add to the Smart Play symphony).

SEE ALSO: A parent's guide to Lego Smart Bricks Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Art Claude Monet Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies Credit: Lego

The Lego Art series isn't a 2026 release, but the plastic brick rendition of Claude Monet's impressionist Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies is, and it is, in fact, stunning. Given that it was created in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, that shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

Among the existing line of Lego paintings, which includes the Mona Lisa, van Gogh's Sunflowers, and Hokusai's Great Wave, it's the most expensive. That said, it's also the most impressive in size and scope, coming out to a whopping 3,179 pieces and 21 by 17 by two inches. The result is a burst of color that can be hung on your walls as legit art, which probably helped it earn its spot as one of the current bestsellers on Lego's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Art Claude Monet Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies $249.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Botanicals Magnolia Branches Credit: Lego

The Lego Botanicals doesn't miss, and while it was a challenge to narrow down which 2026 release deserved a spot on this list (the peace lily is huge for cat owners everywhere), the Magnolia Branches set exemplifies the best Lego Botanicals has to offer.

Plastic flower that'll never die? Check. A tasteful design that provides a pop of color and personality to a space? Check. A 435-piece build that takes some effort, but not so much that it ruins an afternoon? Kind of specific, but check! To top it all off, I especially appreciate that (as the reviews of this set on the Lego website show) the branch design encourages the builder to find the vase that suits them best, allowing for a fun personal touch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Magnolia Branches $49.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise Credit: Lego

How Lego made it to the big year of 2026 without a Pokémon collaboration is actually a mystery to me, but if it took the 30th anniversary of the trading card game to get this match made, then so be it.

Obviously, a $650 is nothing to scoff at — but then again, neither are the plastic brick replicas of three Kanto region icons. At 6,838 pieces, this set is a commitment, but I'm betting if you're committed enough to grind to build up a team in the games or buy the trading cards at retail price, these Legos should be no problem. If you're looking for something a little more lowkey, the Evee and Pikachu sets are also very cute.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise $649.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Ideas Floating Sea Otters This set unlocks my maternal instincts. Credit: Lego

When it comes to adorable animal sets, you really do get your pick of the lot with Lego, but even among the fantastic work the brand has already done, the Floating Sea Otters are a standout. If you're viewing the image above, you probably don't need me to describe why.

Still, I'll do my job and justify its place on this list. First, sea otters are probably one of the most adorable creatures on the planet, and this Lego set captures that. That's enough of a reason for me, but there's also something to be said for being able to pose the otter pup and mom, or swap in a clam with a pearl, to give you some options in how you display it. But ultimately — Lego otters. How can you not love it?

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Floating Sea Otters $119.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Lego Icons Project Hail Mary Credit: Lego

Obviously, Project Hail Mary was delightful, and obviously, the appropriate reaction upon walking away from a viewing is knowing in your heart of hearts that you would die for Rocky.

What better way to hold on to that feeling of movie magic by recreating a model of the ship that serves as one of the major settings of the movie? Complete with a mini Ryland Grace and Rocky, this is a set that screams 2026 excellence.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons Project Hail Mary $99.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Technic McLaren MCL39 F1 Credit: Lego

Calling all Lando Norris, Drive to Survive, F1, and fast cars doing cool things fans: this is your Lego set. Fans probably clocked it already, but this Lego models the exact car that Norris won the 2025 season in.

Along with being a great reminder of the feat, the classic Lego attention to detail comes through strong here. The removable engine cover lets you get a closer look at the V6 engine, or you can opt to check out the steering, or push-rod and pull-rod suspension.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Technic McLaren MCL39 F1 $229.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Minecraft The Fox Credit: Lego

With the first Minecraft theme park in the works, clearly, there's an appetite for bringing one of the most popular games of all time into the real world. The virtual block world is a match made in heaven with the real blocks of Lego, and the design of The Fox set proves it.

Beyond this set looking like it came straight from the game, it has some pretty sweet functionality — the legs and head can move, so you can pose it however you prefer it, whether that be with a curious head tilt or fast asleep. At $39.99, it's one of the more affordable sets on this list and is sure to please any video game fan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft The Fox $39.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith Credit: Lego

A quick glance at this set instantly tells you that it's not for casual fans of Lego or The Lord of the Rings. And that's before looking at the $649.99 price tag.

This set is one of the more recently released on this list, and as such, is currently sold out. LotR fans will want to set up that restock notification, though. With 10 minifigures and 8,278 pieces that make up the capital city of Gondor, this is one of the more jaw-dropping sets from J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic series.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirth $649.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Honorable mention: Lego Pokémon Smart Play Credit: Shannon Connellan / Mashable

I know I said I wasn't going to include any Lego sets that weren't properly out yet, but it feels criminal to omit trainable Lego Pokémon. Hence, the Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets earned a spot as the somewhat unofficial, honorable mention, 10th best set of 2026 so far.

Lego announced the newest Smart Play line in early June at SXSW London, which includes 12 sets that allow you to battle IRL with Pokémon like Mewtwo, Garchomp, Bidoof, Gengar, and more. These sets are available for preorder now and will be available on August 1.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Pokémon Smart Play Starting at $14.99 per set Pre-order Here