Technology

Streaming has taken over the music industry, and Spotify has come out as the champion—but it's lost a lot of love along the way. I personally want a streaming service that provides a better experience both for me and for artists, one where I still have the option to actually buy music to call my own.

You've likely been sitting on automation potential right in your pocket or attached to your keys. While Apple AirTags started out as a way to find lost luggage or misplaced wallets, they've quietly evolved into the coolest and most versatile Home Assistant accessory out there right now. They are devices that give you precise locations, but they can easily be used in a smart home. Location tracking doesn't have to be as simple as we make it. Using just a cheap tag, you add more features to your home without much effort.

Weather is one of the most searched-for topics on the internet, especially this time of year, with heat waves, monsoons, and tropical storms. And while there are hundreds of ways to watch and track the weather, including dozens of free apps, I still happily pay for a weather app, and here's why.

I used Windows for many years before switching to macOS, and I still regularly use Windows on a laptop and in virtual machines. Switching between the two often makes me wish that my Mac had some of the native features of Windows.

The unibody platform of the original 2006 Honda Ridgeline stood in stark contrast to the standard truck recipe when it was revealed at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Although models like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have since come along with their own unibody designs, the Ridgeline has remained perhaps the most notable outlier in the truck segment for two decades and counting.

For a long time, I've recommended an off-the-shelf NAS unit for anyone that wanted networked storage in their home. For a few hundred dollars you could get a device that worked and then add whatever storage you'd like. It wasn't necessarily the most cost-effective way to build the setup, but it was extremely easy.

Ever since the death of Flash, I've not been much of an Adobe fan. There are open-source alternatives to almost all of their Creative Cloud apps that don't lock you into a subscription or require a secondary program to uninstall them. Because of its simple interface, Pinta is one of my favorite image editing apps. It's cleaner and simpler than GIMP, and it does everything I'd use Photoshop for without the associated cost.

The market is stacked with compelling options for anyone considering a 3D printer, but three brands usually float to the top: Bambu Lab, Creality, and Prusa. These aren’t the be-all and end-all of the 3D printing world, but they earned their status for a reason.

It’s fair to say that git is one of the most complicated commands you have installed on your machine. With over 180 subcommands (in version 2.55), it’s also a pretty good bet that there are one or two you’ve never even heard of, let alone tried out.

I recently got to spend a couple hours of my workday playing with the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets, and my inner 8-year-old is still screaming. So, I'll put this the way a child might: I love the new Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets so much I want to marry them.

Seriously, though: These sets totally rule.

I'll admit that I was underwhelmed by the Lego Smart Play Star Wars sets released earlier this year. So I was a bit skeptical when Mashable got the chance to demo the new Lego Pokémon sets ahead of their Aug. 1 launch. However, my Pokémon-loving colleagues and I had an absolute blast playing and geeking out over these sets.

Lego Charizard and Mewtwo in Battle Mode. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

I'm excited to break down how they work, which sets are coming, and whether they're worth adding to your Lego collection.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far, from F1 to Monet and Pokémon What are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets? Charizard in all its glory. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Mashable has been following the Lego Smart Play rollout closely. We were there for the Smart Brick's big debut at CES 2026 and on hand for the London launch event for the Pokémon Smart Play Sets this summer.

The Smart Brick enables interacitivity with the Mewtwo's Lab Break set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Smart Play system is built around a new Smart Brick, a modified 2x4 Lego piece. Lego crammed a lot of hardware into this brick, which features an accelerometer, microphones and speakers, LED lights, magnetic field sensors, a gyroscope, and a color sensor. The Smart Brick responds to Smart Tags included with the Smart Play sets, as well as various Smart Minifigures. An included wireless charger provides extra juice when the battery runs out.

Recharge your Smart Bricks with the included charging pad. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The end result is a Lego set that responds to your play. Now, your Lego Mini Figures can talk to each other. They also light up or make noises based on your movements.

Here's the Lego Jolteon with a Smart Brick. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets take this even further: Your favorite Pokémon not only make adorable little noises, but also enter into a battle mode. You can charge up special powers, level up your Pokémon, and pit them against each other.

The Smart Brick sits right in Charizard's tummy. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable The Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets make incredibly cute noises

The real secret sauce behind the new smart Lego Pokémon sets? Pikachu, Squirtle, Bidoof, Geodude, Charmander, and Eevee make adorable little noises. They squeak and chatter back and forth when you place them near each other. When you push Squirtle's buggy around, it makes little choo-choo engine noises.

Lego Smart Play Training House with Pikachu Set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

And the pièce de résistance? The Pikachu Treehouse Set contains a hidden Murphy Bed. Place Pikachu or one of its smart friends on the bed, and they fall asleep and snore.

Lego Smart Play Pikachu takes a nap in the Training House. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

It's enough to make you squeal at the cuteness overload, which is exactly what we did as we played with these little monsters at the Mashable office.

The aforementioned battle mode is also really cool. Some of the sets come with training stations, where you can level up Pokémon for a better chance at winning a match-up. You can power up your Pokémon's special power (shake too hard, and the move fizzles out), dodge attacks, and generally just have fun.

These are just some of the primary interactive elements, and a lot of the fun here will be trying out new things. You can add the Smart Tags and Smart Bricks to different creatures to explore new ways to play.

Squirtle comes with a buggy and barbecue set, obviously. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

Again, I've never been a huge Pokémon guy (I'm an OG Harry Potter nerd), and even I had a blast playing with these cute little dudes.

The Lego Pokémon sets arrive Aug. 1

There is one thing I don't love about the Lego Smart Play sets: they don't all come with a smart brick. That's not as big of a deal here as it was with the pricey Star Wars sets, but check the product details carefully. You'll need to buy at least one set with a smart brick and charger. From there, you can build your own collection. I appreciate that the add-on sets start at $19.99, and you can get all-in-one sets for $69.99. Lego's prices aren't always so friendly.

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The adorable Training House with Pikachu and the Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle sets are all-in-one kits that include Smart Bricks.

Geodude rocks! Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

You can also buy interactive "Smart Play Compatible" sets, which include:

• Mewtwo's Lab Break

• Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt

• Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof

• Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle

• Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash

• Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown

Three of the sets are available on Amazon, and the rest are available for preorder at the Lego online store. Presumably, more smart Pokémon sets will be coming in the future.

Are the Lego Pokémon Smart Play Sets worth it?

Absolutely! We had a blast playing with these sets, and we appreciate that there are a lot of sets available for under $75. If you love Lego and Pokémon, we think this one will be fun for all ages.

The Lego Pokémon Smart Play collection All-In-One SET Lego Smart Play Pokémon Training House with Pikachu $69.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Mewtwo's Lab Break set $69.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here All-In-One Set Lego Pokémon Smart Play: Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle set $119.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play Trainer's Buggy Adventure with Squirtle $29.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play Charmander and Geodude's Cavern Clash set $19.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play Eevee and Lapras's Treasure Hunt set $59.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof set $19.99 at Lego Pre-Order Here Lego Pokémon Smart Play Cubone and Gengar's Spooky Showdown set $89.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here

Is iRobot out of the bankruptcy hole?

When iRobot filed for bankruptcy in December 2025, the company insisted that a glow-up was in the works — but we didn't know when or if we'd actually see a new Roomba again. Well, it finally happened: In July 2026, iRobot released new Roombas in the U.S. for the first time under its new ownership. But are they smart enough cleaners at practical enough prices to outpace Shark, or serve as real competition with the rest of the best robot vacuum brands?

Let's break down why Roombas were considered the best for so long, where iRobot went wrong, and what the 2026 Roombas are doing to change the "overpriced and underwhelming" narrative.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both Where Roomba wins: Small obstacle avoidance and more variety

Shark's family of robot vacuums is definitely growing. But the variety in the Roomba lineup offers slightly more flexibility for mixing and matching staple features like smart mapping, self-empty docks that also wash and dry the mopping pads, automatic cleaning boosts when a mess is detected, and most importantly, small obstacle avoidance technology.

Plus, there are just more Roombas to choose from than there are Shark robovacs. The last two Roomba drops haven't just introduced one or two new Roombas, as is the case with Shark announcements — we're used to getting at least five new Roombas at a time.

The 2025 Roombas all have LiDAR towers — a first for iRobot. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

You can still buy a few of the 2025 Roombas that were released pre-bankruptcy, and they often go on sale. The best Roombas that I've tested recently include the Roomba 105 (a standalone model with smart mapping) that has permanently dropped to $159 and the Roomba Plus 505 Combo (self-washing and -drying mopping pads, small obstacle avoidance) for as low as $499 on sale.

SEE ALSO: If your apartment's trash always stinks, consider Dreame's food waste disposer — it's been great for my small space

iRobot thankfully diverted from the traditional flat mopping pad with its 2025 overhaul. Now, several mopping Roombas use dual spinning mopping pads — a design that the majority of iRobot customers prefer, iRobot told me in a press briefing. The Roomba Max 705 Combo was actually one of the first mainstream roller mop robot vacuums, which debuted months before that became a major trend at CES 2026. Still, the Max 705 Combo wouldn't be a worthwhile purchase over better roller mop robot vacuums like the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow or the Eufy C28.

Not for nothing, iRobot heard the cries of the anti-mop crowd on Reddit and answered with a vacuum-only version of one of its more powerful models, the Roomba Max 715 Vac. A lot of people simply don't want to deal with water tanks or anything soggy at all, but finding a vacuum-only robot vacuum typically means settling for a super basic model — all of the most advanced robot vacuums are automatically hybrids nowadays. But since it's completely skipping such a main feature, I think the Roomba Max 715 should be a little cheaper than $699.99.

The Roomba Max 705 Combo has a paint roller-esque mop and a wooden dock. Credit: iRobot The new Roomba Plus 405 Combo has two spinning mopping pads — a first for iRobot. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

iRobot's widespread application of small obstacle avoidance does provide some leverage over Shark. This staple feature is what keeps the vacuum from eating common floor items like cords, shoes, and toys — and that means less pre-tidying and less babysitting on the human's end.

The cheapest Roomba with front-facing obstacle avoidance cameras, the Roomba Plus 415 Combo, is now just $599.99. Only Shark's top three premium robot vacuums feature small obstacle avoidance cameras, and they're much more expensive than this.

Where iRobot loses: Forgettable vacuums, iffy finances

iRobot isn't exactly the pioneer it once was.

The self-emptying, smart mapping Roomba S9+ of 2019 and the 2021 Roomba j7+ that could avoid cords and pet waste were huge deals when they first hit the scene — they truly set the standard for the rest of the vacuum market. iRobot's star power was so influential that "Roomba" became the colloquial generic term for any robot vacuum.

But somewhere down the line, iRobot stopped innovating in the ways that once justified its steep price points. Roombas started costing way too much for the brainpower or cleaning performance they offered. The Roomba flop era was kind of inevitable.

The Roomba Plus 505 Combo isn't anything special, but it's fine if you find it on sale. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

iRobot has released new Roombas for the first time since filing for bankruptcy and handing ownership to its manufacturer, Picea. I'll give credit to iRobot for getting more practical with its prices, specifically in terms of expanding staple smart features like LiDAR, the self-washing mopping pad system, or small obstacle avoidance to more affordable models. But none of it is anything we haven't seen before.

At this point, iRobot is merely playing catch-up to budget-friendly behemoths like Dreame and Roborock. None of the 2026 Roombas have any overly exciting features that make them stand out in any given price range. Plus, we can't pretend like iRobot's recent financial blunder hasn't soured the trust of customers who heard about the bankruptcy news. Even though things are stable enough to continue manufacturing new products, that doesn't promise that iRobot's finances are in order. After all, iRobot filed for bankruptcy less than a year after releasing eight new Roombas in March of 2025.

SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it? Where Shark wins: Spot cleaning and the UV light

Shark robot vacuums haven't exactly been known for their innovation. Historically, it felt like the Sharks were several months to a year late on premium features that all of the other brands had. So the genius packed into the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 that dropped in March 2026 was a pleasant surprise. The UV Reveal uses a real UV light to detect invisible stains on the floor that a robot vacuum using AI cameras or plain LEDs may not see.

The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

One memorable moment from my testing is the UV Reveal finding and mopping up dried cat puke that another premium robot vacuum mop combo didn't thoroughly scrub the week before. It's a game-changing feature for mopping hardwood floors.

In June 2026, Shark had the genius idea to release its two best vacuums in more colors than plain ol' black and white. The Shark UV Reveal is available in four chic earth tones that should better blend in with the room's decor: espresso, evergreen, deep harbor, and ivory. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that the aesthetic color options alone were enough to convince someone to buy a Shark over a Roomba.

The colors of the Shark Luxe collection. Credit: Shark

So yes, the Shark UV Reveal breathed life into an otherwise just OK lineup of Shark robovacs. But for everyone trying to spend less than $1,299.99 on a robot vacuum (or even $949.99, if it's on sale), are the other Shark robot vacuums worth it?

I've always found Shark to be in tune with what the average person is willing to spend on a robot vacuum. The brand consistently offers core capabilities like smart mapping and mopping at affordable price points, topped with a straightforward user experience that doesn't involve a million high-level app functions. It's a particularly enticing brand for first-time robot vacuum owners.

The Shark Matrix RV2310 is a reliable little vacuum. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Shark's approachable price points don't necessarily mean it skimps on cleaning performance, though. Shark Matrix vacuums clean in a grid pattern, approaching the area several times from multiple angles to grab anything it may have missed in the first pass or two. According to Shark, Matrix mode dishes out 30 percent better carpet cleaning than the older RV Shark models. For Shark 2-in-1 robot vacuums, a mop in Matrix mode vibrates 100 times per minute to scrub at stains that likely wouldn't budge from a single pass of a cheaper robot mop or a paper towel. Matrix mopping always comes in clutch for keeping up with the constant layer of shoe prints by my front door.

SEE ALSO: Shark CryoGlow mask review after 10 months: The only way I'll ever stop using this is if Shark releases a new one

Shark even extends the Matrix cleaning mechanism to most of its super-affordable models, making any of the RV2310 or RV2300 models a solid choice for a budget robot vacuum. Shark's spot cleaning has been such a streamlined, reliable feature in every Shark robot vacuum I tried. My ultimate spot cleaning test is the area outside either of my cats' litter boxes — even the cheap Shark robot vacuums always got to the right spot and cleared the kitty litter before I walked in there with bare feet.

Every other big brand had at least one model with self-washing and -drying mopping pads far before the Shark PowerDetect Pro series hit the scene in September 2024. They originally cost between $999.99 and $1,199.99, which seemed reasonable (at the time) compared to the models that cost $1,599.99. Both Pro models can now be found on sale for around $699.99.

The Shark PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

For good measure, the PowerDetect models are also equipped with large wheels that hoist the vac over carpet to keep it dry during mopping mode. Those hydraulics put the PowerDetect robot vacuums in the small group of robot vacuums that have never gotten stuck on one of my rug corners or scrambled up my bath mats.

Where Shark loses: Small obstacle avoidance and slow releases

Shark's biggest shortcoming might just be that it takes forever to release new robot vacuums. Brands like Roborock and Dreame seem to drop new crops of robot vacuums twice in the time period that Shark introduces a single new model, making its lineup feel outdated quickly. The typical iRobot release introduces at least three new vacuums at once.

But there are smarter robot vacuums out there for that same $699.99 or less.

Overall, Shark's lineup outside of the UV Reveal feels a little basic compared to its competitors. For instance, the original PowerDetect line was in desperate need of a successor for a while. When Shark did finally "revamp" the series in fall 2025, the upgrades were criminally underwhelming. The major difference is heated mop washing and drying for improved sanitation between mopping sessions, hence "ThermaCharged" in the title. That's not exactly a front-page headline when the vacuum is still so far behind other brands' models in the same price range.

The purple lights indicate "Dirt Detect" mode. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Another lesser-known late 2025 model, the Shark Stratos NeverTouch robot vacuum, is similarly bland. Its description mentions "ultra-powerful suction" and states that the Stratos delivers twice the suction power of the Roomba i5 Combo. A $799.99 robot vacuum is more powerful than an entry-level Roomba that came out in 2023? Yeah, I would hope so.

Shark is the lone major robot vacuum brand that hasn't really invested in small obstacle avoidance past its fanciest model. Multiple models feature Shark's NeverStuck technology to some degree, but the UV Reveal is the only one I've tested that actually felt like it was really perceiving items lying in front of it. Meanwhile, brands like Eufy, Roborock, Dreame, and now even iRobot have prioritized small obstacle avoidance in robot vacuums at the $500 to $700 range.

The lack of agility around common items like cords, laundry, or pet toys seriously cramps the "premium" feel. This is such a staple feature in my life, as I'm sure it is for anyone whose floor might be cluttered lived in from time to time. In my testing, the Shark ThermaCharged was so inept at diverting obstacles (even large ones) that it gave up on cleaning missions instead of simply driving around a tote bag of groceries or a cordless Dyson vacuum attachment lying on the ground.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

In the same vein of too-basic navigation, only the most premium Shark robot vacuums automatically stop mopping when carpet is sensed. This means vacuum and mop mode aren't possible at the same time with any of the 2-in-1 Shark Matrix models, and a person needs to manually attach the water tank to switch to mopping mode. That's enough of a pain to make someone want to skip mopping altogether. Even the cheap Roomba 105 Combo can detect carpet — the first time in recent memory where a base-tier Roomba outshines a base-tier Shark.

For the first time in forever, I think iRobot has stronger cheap robot vacuum options than Shark does. You'd be able to squeeze stronger suction power, better edge mopping, and smarter navigation out of $300 or $400 with a budget Roomba or Roborock vacuum than you would with the $449.99 Shark Navigator or $299.99 Shark IQ, which doesn't even self-empty.

It's the same story on the premium end of the spectrum: UV Reveal aside, the fanciest Sharks cost too much given their skills. They don't necessarily have any glaring flaws, but they're certainly not the most competent or most autonomous robot vacuums you could find for between $500 and $900.

Shark is still locked into a single style of mopping pad

Shark also has yet to grow out of the D-shaped mopping pad, while every other major brand has graduated to dual rotating mops or roller mops. The sonic vibrations of the PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro and PowerDetect ThermaCharged did a solid job of wiping up small spills and shoe stains on my apartment's hardwood, but they weren't able to scrub in corners and along edges as the Roomba 405 or 505 Combo's flexible spinning mops can.

Shark thankfully gave the PowerDetect UV Reveal's mopping pad some mobility. It can slide past the circular body of the vacuum to scrub against flat edges, much like the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic's design. I've personally witnessed the UV Reveal's extending mop pad scrub much closer to walls than other Sharks.

Unfortunately, the UV Reveal's mopping is only geared toward scrubbing dry stains or sticky droplets, not liquid spills. I'm still not 100 percent sold on the D-shaped pad design for that reason, and it's disappointing that Shark locks shoppers into that style of scrubbing. iRobot has branched out to spinning pads and even a roller mop, so people with different mopping needs have more options going with iRobot.

SEE ALSO: How do some robot vacuums clean and navigate better than others? They're probably using AI.

Shark doesn't do itself any favors by refusing to list its vacuums' suction power in Pascals (Pa). Almost every other major robot vacuum brand measures suction power in Pa (even iRobot now), which makes comparing options easy. Shark still insists on keeping an air of mystery by solely comparing suction power to other vacuums in its own family tree, or by making vague claims like "50% better suction than the best-selling iRobot."

Where iRobot and Shark both lose: Their apps suck

Ironically, two of the most longstanding names in the robot vacuum game have the two most outdated-feeling apps. The bare bones home maps in both the Roomba Home and Shark Clean apps are far less intricate than the color-coded maps that Roborock or Eufy offer. Pausing a clean or adding an extra room to the queue is similarly clunky on both.

Our winner: Shark

Neither Shark nor iRobot is in the running to be the best robot vacuum brand overall in 2026. But if you want to pit them against each other for old time's sake, Shark is the more reliable robot vacuum brand.

Revisiting the Shark vs. Roomba debate, my answer is pretty much, "Uh, is there a third option?" It's hard to get enthusiastic when one brand has a singular memorable robot vacuum and the other brand has... none. The Shark UV Reveal 2-in-1 is far more innovative than the latest Roomba 400, 500, and 700 Series Combo models that we have to choose from. Since the rest of the Shark and iRobot lineups are a wash, I think it's safe to give Shark the top spot based on the UV Reveal 2-in-1 alone.

The fact that Shark hasn't gone bankrupt is another bonus point by default, presumably putting it in a more cushioned financial position to keep putting out new products.

However, my mind could change once I'm able to test a majority of the newest Roombas at home.

There are other brands that deserve your attention

Overall, I still think that Dreame vs. Roborock is the new Shark vs. Roomba, and I highly recommend taking a look at all of the Dreame robot vacuums and Roborock robot vacuums within your budget. You're probably going to find an option that's smarter and more powerful than the Roomba and Shark vacuum cleaners in your cart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock robot vacuums   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame robot vacuums   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark robot vacuums   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba robot vacuums   Shop Now

If you're a Woman on the Internet, you've probably seen the Hello Nancy Lem come across your feed in one form or another — either as a "wellness" ad or in a full-on TikTok review by a sex educator/influencer.

It's the toy of the season (IMO), and it's everywhere. I honestly haven't seen a vibrator get this much attention since the Rose (you know the one) came out. And, like the Rose, dupes are now flooding the internet, but we're interested in testing the real product.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

That said, not all toys are as good as a company's marketing budget (that's an understatement). If you're wondering if the Hello Nancy Lem is as good as they say it is, I've done the research and hands-on testing to give you an honest review.

Why should you listen to me? I've been testing, reviewing, and covering sex tech for years. My office is basically a makeshift sex shop, I have a certificate from Sextech School, and probably most importantly, I have endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and occasional vaginismus spasms — so I am adamant about finding the best toys for people with pelvic pain in addition to my usual service journalism.

What is the Hello Nancy Lem?

If your algorithm hasn't served you the Lem on a carousel or 15-second hype video yet, let me introduce you.

The Lem is a clitoral massager that looks like a lemon (hence the name). It has 12 intensities and patterns, is made of medical-grade silicone (hallelujah), and has a noise level of Hello Nancy website, the Lem is slightly quieter than a refrigerator's hum at its lowest setting (~35–40 dB) and just a hair louder than "light rainfall" at max speed (

Credit: Tabitha Britt | Mashable

It's also IPX7-rated, which means it's waterproof, and it comes with either a magnetic charger or a Type-C port, depending on when you ordered. I actually have both versions; the one with the "flap" has a C-port charger, and the one without the "flap" has the magnetic charger. (Both are 100 percent waterproof!)

What's in the box?

You'll obviously get the Hello Nancy Lem Clitoral Massager, a satiny pink storage pouch, a little packet of helpful cards (a starter guide with a QR code to help you set up your toy, a 10 percent discount code that you can give to a friend, tips for getting in the mood, and a quick care guide), and of course, the charger. Note: You will not get a charging block, which isn't a dealbreaker but something to consider since the end of both the magnetic charger and the C-charger is a USB.

Your Lem may also come with a packet of lube and some toy cleaner (I believe my first Lem did; that was around the time it became popular).

How does the Hello Nancy Lem work?

The Lem is easy to use, and both versions only have one button. If you have the USB-C version of the toy, the button will actually look like a button; if your toy has a magnetic charger, the "button" will look like an "N."

Just hold the "N" (or button) down until the toy vibrates once to activate it, then press it to access the first setting. The only downside to having one intuitive control is that it's impossible to go back to a previous setting; you have to cycle through all of them to get back to the start.

The intensities range from a Level 1, which Hello Nancy describes as "gentle," and a level 7-8, which is "intense." Patterns 9-12 are rhythmic, so if you prefer some variety, those might be for you. I personally just like to keep it at a steady pace and slowly work my way towards climaxing.

It really is just a tiny, non-threatening lemon. Credit: Tabitha Britt | Mashable

Before your solo sesh, go ahead and charge your Lem to 100. It'll take about 90 minutes (or less, considering it comes with a little bit of juice right out of the box). Once it's fully charged, experiment! There's nothing worse than placing a literal sucker on your clitoris and just waiting to see what happens. Get familiar with the controls, cycle through the settings, and feel the suction on a non-sexual body part like your arm or stomach before touching your sweet bits.

You don't have to use lube, but lube does make everything better (despite the bad rep it gets on the streets; needing/wanting lube isn't a failure!). If you do decide to use lube, use a water-based one. Oil, silicone, and alcohol-based products will degrade your toy.

Start slow and gradually increase the intensity to see what works best for you. Again, the toy is waterproof, so if you have roommates or just like playing in the bath/shower (I definitely did this during college!), you can take it in there without worrying about breaking it.

Here's what I think about the Hello Nancy Lem Clitoral Massager

The Hello Nancy Lem is ideal for a few different scenarios: anyone who prefers clitoral stimulation over penetration, anyone who wants a powerful clit sucker that'll give them a run for their money while using a penetrative toy (dual-stimulation for the win), or anyone who experiences pelvic pain and just can't handle penetration.

The Lem will give you sweet, sweet butterfly kisses on your vulva until you turn it up, and then it's like ohhh. You could honestly play with it for hours if you can control yourself, or if you want to have multiple orgasms. It’s also great for foreplay if you have trouble getting wet before sex (I do, thanks to my many pelvic conditions and issues). Plus, if you've always wanted to squirt, I think this is a great toy to have in your kit.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub launches Pornhub Sapphic, a site dedicated to lesbian content

In terms of ergonomics, I love how it fits in my hand; it's not too big or too small. It also fits over the clitoris in a way that isn't awkward or weird. (Sometimes clitoral suction toys just don't fit, no matter how you position them.) Because of the easy-to-hold shape, I think it'd also be a good pick for someone with arthritis or carpal tunnel (which I also have, LOL).

Personally, I've never not come after using the Lem. It can get me there in just a few minutes sans pelvic pain. That said, I think it's important to note that not having an orgasm doesn't mean the experience was a failure. As long as it feels good to you and you're satisfied, playtime doesn't always have to end in a climax.

Design-wise, it's completely unassuming and non-threatening. It's perfect for beginners, college students, or anyone with roommates who doesn't want a vibrator sitting out. This one is cute enough that you could totally forget it on a nightstand and leave people none the wiser. It's also TSA-friendly, has a convenient travel lock (just double-press the power button to unlock it), and the drawstring pouch makes it easy to just throw it into a carry-on and go.

What do the reviews say?

I'm obviously not the be-all and end-all, so here are a few "outside" reviews gathered from the Hello Nancy site itself (there are 15K+ reviews) and Reddit:

"GIRLS!!! 🍋🍋🍋🍋 This is THE best clit stim vibe hands down! I’m obsessed. I think about this little Lem way more than I should, and I am using it at least twice a day! The O’s this little baby gives are incredible! The suck is just insane. This Lem turns me into a puddle 🫠 💦"

"Omfg! I bought this thinking 'it's just going to be another generic vibrator and nothing much to write about.' BOY! How wrong was I!? This little piece of ingenuity is the absolute best purchase I've ever made. I have never squirted without penetration before, until this! 🫠 Ladies, make sure you put a towel down first! Protect that mattress 🤭"

"Wow… it was absolutely awesome!! I have not dated for a while and have had some health issues. Furthermore, taking muscle relaxants, it was difficult to attain some pleasure, I mean the big O. I did not have great expectations, but….The Lemon was very successful. I highly recommend, and I’m over 70ish!"

"I bought the Lem about two months ago, and I use it daily, sometimes twice a day. I've never been able to give myself a clitoral orgasm. Before the Lem, I had a wand, and it never got me there. Being able to actually give myself an orgasm has been life-changing to say the least! My husband jokingly said great..now you don't need me anymore."

So, is the Hello Nancy Lem worth it?

If you're new to sex toys, struggle with pelvic pain, are perimenopausal or menopausal, have had issues orgasming in the past, or cannot tolerate penetration, the Hello Nancy Lem is definitely worth trying. It's also really good for foreplay and getting warmed up.

But, if you're someone who's used to intense clitoral suction (e.g., you're an experienced user), you might want to try Satisfyer or Womanizer first. At $89 (that's with the on-page discount), the Lem's price point is also higher than the Satisfyer (currently retailing for around $55 on its website) and several versions of the Womanizer, including the new $59 "Peach Toy," though that's currently sold out. So keep that in mind when purchasing, too.

The Hello Nancy Lem, although I think it's intense, might not be strong enough for some power users, according to a few Redditors. But for me? A cute, whisper-quiet little lemon that guarantees an orgasm without triggering my endo is worth every single penny of that $89.

Where to pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy phones: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Amazon (get a $200 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at T-Mobile (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in) Pre-Order Here AT&T Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at AT&T (get it for $0 with eligible trade-in) Pre-Order Here Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Samsung Pre-Order Here Amazon Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Amazon (get a $350 Amazon gift card) Pre-Order Here T-Mobile Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at T-Mobile (save up to $1,100 when you add a new line) Pre-Order Here

New Samsung phones are here. At Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026, three new phones were announced: the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8, and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The new phones are successors to the Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, so if you're ready for a new phone, get ready to pre-order these devices.

We've been anticipating the new models for weeks, vetting rumors of what's to come with the latest foldables. Now that we're here, we can finally confirm exactly which models are available and just how much each will cost.

Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing breakdown

Here's the pricing breakdown:

• Galaxy Z Flip 8 (pink, graphite, cream, mint) — starting at $1,199

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 (lavender, graphite, cream, pistachio) — starting at $1,899.99

• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (violet shadow, graphite, cream, green shadow) — starting at $2,099.99

Both the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra are $100 more than last year's models; no surprise in the face of the global memory crisis. All of the new models are up for pre-order as of July 22 and will be available Aug. 7.

If you've previously owned the Z Flip and Fold series, the successive models are slightly different. So here's what you need to know about the new Samsung smartphones.

About the Galaxy Z Flip 8 The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the successor to the Z Flip 7. It folds down into a pocket-sized square, flipping open to a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display. The display is phenomenal and extremely impressive; the crease of the phone is indistinguishable when flipped open. It comes with a dual-lens camera with up to 10x zoom and 4K video at 60 fps. It has 12GB of RAM (more than some computers) and either 256GB or 512GB of storage space.

The Z Flip 8 comes in four different colors: pink, graphite, cream, and mint (online only). It starts at $1,199.99.

Galaxy Z Flip 8 $1,199.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 The dimensions of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are suspiciously close to the leaked foldable iPhone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, but Samsung has already come out with a phone destined to compete. Rumors were floating about this model, with some thinking it would be called the Galaxy Z Fold Wide. Now we know it's actually the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a new model with a fullscreen ratio of 4:3.

It's a midrange option between the Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, with a 5.5-inch folded screen and a 7.6-inch full-size screen. Like the Flip, it has a dual lens camera, but is able to film in up to 8K at 30 fps. You can go for models with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, or a model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

The Z Fold 8 starts at $1,899.99. It comes in lavender, graphite, cream, and pistachio (online only).

Galaxy Z Fold 8 $1,899.99 at Samsung
  Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at T-Mobile About the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra The successor to the Z Fold 7 is the Z Fold 8 Ultra. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / CNET Group

If you've previously seen or used the Z Fold 7, its successor is the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. It's the largest phone among all of Samsung's foldables with a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch full screen. It's the only foldable with a three-lens camera, letting you film in up to 8K with 3x optical and 30x space zoom.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in violet shadow, graphite, cream, and green shadow (online only). It starts at $2,099.99.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra $2,099.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here at Amazon Pre-order Here at Samsung Pre-order Here at T-Mobile

TL;DR: As of July 25, Hostinger's Website Builder starts at $2.69 per month (down from $11.99 per month), with plans available directly on Hostinger. You can build a full site by chatting with AI, plus get a free domain for the first year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hostinger Hostinger Website Builder $2.69 per month (down from $11.99 per month) Get Deal

Building a website used to mean either paying someone else to do it or losing a weekend fighting with a clunky drag-and-drop editor that never quite matched what you had in your head. Hostinger has an easier approach: you just describe your site to their AI, and it builds a live, professional-looking site in seconds.

This weekend, you can get up to 82% off Hostinger, with prices starting at $2.69 per month.

There are two plans to pick from, and which one is right for you depends on what you're building. The Premium Website Builder is the more basic option at $2.69 per month (regularly $11.99 per month), letting you build up to three websites with 20GB of storage and a free domain for the first year. Here's what you get:

• Drag-and-drop website builder

• 300+ designer-made templates

• AI tools to write your copy and design your logo

• Free domain for 1 year

• Email campaigns with AI

• Mobile editing

That's solid if you're building something like a portfolio, a blog, or a simple business site. It's worth noting that you save the most with the 48-month plan, totaling $446.35. The 12-month plan saves less, at $100.79.

If you're planning to sell products, the Business Website Builder is the one for you. It's $3.41 per month (down from $18.99 per month), and on top of everything in Premium, you get the following:

• Sell up to 1,000 products with zero transaction fees

• Support for 100+ payment methods

• Live analytics

• Printful integration for custom merch

• AI blog post generator

• AI SEO assistant

• AI tools that write product descriptions for you

Just like with Premium, the 48-month plan saves you the most, with total savings of $747.79. The 12-month plan saves less, at $173.99.

This deal is worth considering if you're a new business owner who's been hesitant to explore website building. Between the discount and the 30-day money-back guarantee, it's a low-risk way to try it out — both plans include real hosting, a free domain, and 24/7 support.

Stop putting it off — build your dream site with Hostinger, with plans starting as low as $2.69 per month.

If a chatbot can insist it's right while being totally wrong, imagine the stakes when NASA starts leaning on artificial intelligence to help with life detection.

Could the rovers suddenly hallucinate aliens?

Michigan State University researchers wanted to know, so they trained an AI system to spot the difference between digital "organisms" that can copy themselves and others that can't, using a computer program called Avida. In test runs, the algorithm nailed the distinction, getting it right 99.97 percent of the time. 

Then, the team tried to fool it. They took nonliving chunks of code and made small changes over and over, nudging the AI to feel more confident that it was looking at something alive. Eventually, the system became almost 100 percent certain that many of the fakers were alive, even though they never exhibited the one behavior defined as "alive" in that virtual world: replication.

The work shows how AI can latch onto patterns in its training data without fundamentally understanding what makes something alive, said Ankit Gupta, a doctoral student in computer science and engineering. Gupta and his coauthor, Christoph Adami, a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, physics, and astronomy, warn that this weakness could foil space missions that send smart instruments to Mars, icy moons, or other extraterrestrial environments to hunt for signs of life.

SEE ALSO: Astronomers think some asteroids have been comets all along. Here's why.

The team will present their findings in August at the 2026 Conference on Artificial Life in Waterloo, Canada.

"AI is highly accurate at classifying things that are 'usual,'" Gupta told Mashable. "The problem occurs when it is presented with examples that are unlike the common things, which AI will misclassify with confidence. This is much more likely with extraterrestrial life, for obvious reasons."

The Perseverance rover on Mars collected a rock sample with fossilized material that ancient alien microorganisms could have created. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS

At the same time, NASA and its partners are pouring money into AI‑driven life‑detection projects, betting that machine learning can sift through huge, complex data sets that scientists could never fully analyze on their own. It's setting the stage for a future in which AI helps flag promising clues, with humans making the final call. 

In one NASA‑funded effort, a large team led by Carnegie Science's Michael L. Wong and NASA's Caleb Scharf is building machine‑learning tools to pick out patterns of life in complex chemical data. Their project, supported by a $5 million grant, aims to train AI on at least 1,000 samples — from meteorites and rocks to fossils and living organisms.

Some of the data comes from real instruments, including mass spectrometers like those already flying on NASA missions. The algorithm learns how a mix of molecules shifts when life has shaped that material versus when simple physics and chemistry have done the job.

While Wong welcomes the fresh scrutiny, he isn't sure the experiments exposed a serious vulnerability in AI approaches. In his view, the way the study actually created its fake life matters. The authors used a kind of selection process that kept refining the code until it looked increasingly lifelike.

"I don't think it's that bad, to be honest," he told Mashable. "To generate their life mimics — their spoofs — they actually had to perform natural selection, which is a living process. I don't know of any actual physical environment that performs that kind of selection, where it says, 'I will prefer entities that just look like life, but don't actually do lifelike things.'"

But the research did push Wong to think more about what kinds of examples he feeds into life‑detection models. His group wants to continue training AI not just on things that are alive, but also on the remains and byproducts of life — the fossils, goo, and waste. 

After all, if the models are only taught to identify living things, they won't be able to recognize the dead ones, he said. That could create a massive blind spot if Mars or another world hosts only the chemical leftovers of a long‑extinct biosphere. 

Some sea squirts host photosynthetic algae in their outer tissues. Credit: Hal Beral / Getty Images

"A fossil is evidence of life. So is the chair that I'm sitting on because those don't just magically pop into existence thanks to geology," he said. "A fossil and my chair are not alive, but I think they're part of life. They are a product of life."

Wong's team also spends a lot of time trying to deceive its models. In some cases, the algorithm has surprised the scientists by picking up on patterns the humans initially missed. In one test, the system kept insisting that a sea squirt sample looked photosynthetic, even though sea squirts don't make their own food from sunlight. What initially looked like an error was anything but, Wong said: Those creatures often host algae that do use sunlight, and the AI had spotted the chemical fingerprints. 

Despite the advances in technology, the Michigan State team is not convinced the tools are ready for spacecraft. The team's lab is also working on its own machine-learning methods to defend against this kind of trickery. 

"We can wait," Gupta said. "Clearly, we are not there yet." 

This week sees the release of The Dink, which — on top of being a hilarious underdog comedy about pickleball — is also the last film in which Lynne Marie Stewart appears.

Perhaps best known as the beautiful Miss Yvonne on Pee-wee's Playhouse or Charlie's mom on It's Always Sunny on Philadelphia, the American actress had a prolific career in comedy, appearing in more than 150 films and TV shows.

At the age of 78, she passed away on Feb. 21, 2025, not long after she was featured in the critically heralded Paul Reubens documentary Pee-wee as Himself. But before that, she was able to see a cut of The Dink, thanks to director Josh Greenbaum.

SEE ALSO: 'The Dink' review: Apple's pickleball movie is a laugh-out-loud crowd-pleaser

In The Dink, Stewart plays Judy, a seventy-something pickleball player who befriends recent divorcee Candace (Mary Steenburgen) and has-been tennis phenom Dusty (producer Jake Johnson). Flirty, joyful, and a fan of trash talk, Judy brings her own bounce to the pickleball comedy.

In an interview with Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, Greenbaum shared how Stewart came to join The Dink, the unique improvisation she added, and how she got to see the movie before her passing.

Jake Johnson faces off against Lynne Marie Stewart in "The Dink." Credit: Apple TV

You have an amazing cast, but I want to talk about Lynne Marie Stewart, because I love her, and I think she's so, so funny in this. Can you tell me what it was like to work with her? She is such an icon of comedy.

Josh Greenbaum: She's the best. We auditioned people for that role for Judy, and you know, a lot of very, very funny women came into the room. So many so that I was like, well, this is a difficult decision. They're all really, really funny. I think at that age, there's not a lot of roles for older women. 

Which, also to interject, I love that in The Dink, the joke is never on these women for being older. They've got jokes. There are no jokes about treating their age as a cheap punchline, which is true in [Greenbaum's other films] Barb and Star and in Will & Harper too.

You don't stop being funny when you're 70. So, no, that was never the joke. And she came in the room — I remember Jake Johnson and I were in the audition room — and she walked in with this big smile on her face, and her arms out wide. And she shuffled in as though to say, "I'm here. Here's your Judy."

And before she said a word, we both looked at each other and we were just like, "Oh well, that's, it's clearly Lynne Marie." And then, of course, she crushed her audition. Felt funny that we even had to audition her, but I hadn't seen her in a little while. Obviously, I saw her on It's Always Sunny. But you know, [it had] been a few years. But she was just, like, such a joy.

I mean, one of my favorite lines in the whole film is is her whole run about the butter knife, and that is totally Lynne. I said, give me a long, overly explained run that's supposed to be trash talk, but it's about like, "Are you in the kitchen?" And she did this long run about forgetting the butter knife because you took your butter knife and a pat of butter, but you forgot the muffin — this long explanation about how you left the butter knife in the kitchen. And it just brings me such joy when she delivers that line, and so many other lines. Unfortunately, we didn't know she was terminally ill while we were filming.

[Editor's note: Matt Wolf, the director of Pee-wee as Himself, did not know Reubens was terminally ill while they were shooting footage for that documentary.]

She discovered that shortly after filming, and unfortunately passed shortly after that, which was heartbreaking. But her sister reached out and said, "Hey, is there any chance you could get us the film? She would love to watch it." And so I sent her sister and Lynne a copy of the film. They watched it together and sent me a beautiful note back that Lynne was dying laughing and full of joy watching what obviously became her last performance. So, that's really special.

I just love her. She was such a special woman. I was able to go to her her funeral and reception here in in L.A., and it was full of thousands of people who had she had worked with and who were her friends. She just put such warmth and love out into the world. I'm just very grateful she was with us, and that I had a chance to kind of work with her, even briefly.

The Dink is now streaming on Apple TV.

TL;DR: Get the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime for $79.97 (reg. $540) through tomorrow, July 26, and access leading AI models plus millions of monthly AI credits from one all-in-one workspace.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $79.97
$540 Save $460.03   Get Deal

If your browser is filled with separate tabs for writing, image generation, document analysis, video editing, and AI chat, there’s a simpler approach. Through tomorrow, July 26, you can get the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription for a one-time $79.97, bringing a wide range of AI tools into one platform for life.

Instead of bouncing between different services, 1min.AI gives you access to leading AI models — including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Mistral, and Cohere — alongside specialized tools for content creation, design, document management, audio production, and video editing.

Some of the features users are likely to appreciate most include:

• 4,000,000 AI credits every month, plus opportunities to earn up to 450,000 additional monthly credits

• AI writing tools for blog posts, rewrites, summaries, grammar, and brand voice

• AI image generation, editing, background removal, and upscaling

• PDF chat, document translation, presentation generation, and multi-document analysis

• Text-to-video, image-to-video, YouTube summarization, and caption generation

• Unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices

Because everything is organized within one interface, it’s easier to move between projects without constantly copying content between different AI platforms.

Whether you’re creating marketing content, researching, editing media, analyzing documents, or experimenting with AI for business, 1min.AI offers a practical way to consolidate your workflow into one subscription.

Get the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription for just $79.97 (reg. $540) through tomorrow, July 26, and simplify your AI toolkit with one all-in-one platform.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Lifetime for $57.97 through tomorrow, July 26, and compare ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more side by side with unlimited messages.

Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $57.97
$619 Save $561.03   Get Deal

AI is incredibly useful, but relying on just one model can sometimes leave you wondering if there’s a better answer. That’s exactly the issue ChatPlayground AI is designed to solve.

Through tomorrow, July 26, you can get the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Lifetime Subscription for a one-time $57.97 payment, giving you one place to compare responses from 20+ leading AI models instead of bouncing between multiple websites.

Rather than copying and pasting the same prompt into different chatbots (and paying for each of them), ChatPlayground lets you ask once and instantly compare answers from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, Llama, Perplexity, and other leading AI models.

Seeing multiple perspectives side by side makes it easier to refine ideas, verify information, brainstorm, or simply choose the response that best fits your needs.

The platform also includes much more than AI chat. You can upload PDFs and images to ask questions about your files, generate AI images, save your chat history for future reference, and use built-in prompt engineering tools to improve the quality of your results over time.

With the Unlimited Plan, you’ll get unlimited messages each month, making it a practical option for anyone who uses AI throughout the workday. Writers, marketers, developers, students, entrepreneurs, and researchers can all benefit from having multiple AI models available through a single streamlined dashboard.

If you’re already using AI regularly, comparing answers rather than relying on a single response is a simple way to work with greater confidence and resources.

Get the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited lifetime subscription for $57.97 through tomorrow, July 26.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Here at Mashable, we're constantly testing the best laptops based on an exhaustive in-house methodology that combines real-world use with performance benchmarking. In the past two years alone, we've tried over 80 different models across a range of price points.

To determine which of them fit the bill for college students, specifically, I researched the top 10 public universities' hardware recommendations for the upcoming fall 2026 semester. These include processor types, operating system support, RAM and storage minimums, and other spec requirements for different majors. I honed my guidance based on the common threads I noticed.

I also gave special preference to laptops that are long-lasting and portable enough to be toted around campus, and those that are competitively priced for the current market. Laptops aren't cheap right now, but a solid splurge can last you well past graduation. (Take advantage of student discounts whenever possible.)

Based on this analysis, I eventually settled on six top picks that make the best laptops for college students. Whether you're a humanities student, a STEM major, or still undeclared, I'm confident that at least one of my options will be your ideal machine. You can read more about these picks and my research below.

What to look for in a college laptop, based on my research A Windows laptop with a mid-tier Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 7 processor is suitable for most college students. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Six of this year's 10 top-ranking public universities tell their incoming students to purchase Windows 11 laptops or MacBooks that are less than two years old. I wouldn't go any older than that for the sake of future-proofing.

Most of those schools tell their students to purchase laptops with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage at minimum. (Liberal arts majors might be able to get away with 256GB of storage, but you'll probably have to supplement that with an external hard drive.) More RAM and storage is better if your budget allows; more is mandatory if you're an engineering, design, or computer science major. Students in those fields are generally advised to get a laptop with at least 24GB to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

You can approach your processor options in a similar way. For Windows laptops, most schools suggest a mid-range CPU like an Intel Core/AMD Ryzen 5 at minimum, and a mid- to high-end Intel Core/AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 chip for more demanding workloads. Several schools recommend tacking on a dedicated GPU for such coursework, too (i.e, Nvidia GeForce RTX/Radeon RX graphics). On the Apple side, the MacBook Air and Pro with the base M5 chip are go-to recs for most students.

Two schools tell their students not to buy ARM-based Windows laptops (with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors) because they can't run certain software natively, and because they don't support older peripherals like university printers and scanners. One software example is AutoCAD, a popular 2D and 3D design app that engineering and design students rely on heavily. I love a lot of ARM laptops because they're fast and long-lasting, and I will say that their compatibility is improving every year. Still, I've opted to keep them off my list of 2026 picks out of an abundance of caution; stick with Intel and AMD CPUs for now.

Be sure to budget for an extended warranty with accidental damage protection, as suggested by over half of the top 10 public universities. For reference, AppleCare+ for Mac costs $67.99 to $139.99 a year for students, depending on the MacBook model.

What type of laptop should college students buy? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

This is a question that only your college can answer for sure, as laptop type recommendations can vary by major. For example, the University of Virginia and the University of California, Davis approve MacBooks for their general student populations, but their engineering departments tell certain tracks to avoid them. Likewise, UCLA's Anderson School of Management hardware requirement page says, "Mac computers are acceptable to use as primary computers for study at Anderson. However, please note that some elective course software is only available for Windows. Students are responsible for ensuring compatibility and configuring their Macs accordingly."

I can say for sure that you probably shouldn't buy a Chromebook. Three schools in my research pool discouraged them for some or all majors, and one school — the University of Florida — only recommended them "as supplemental devices." I included a Chromebook in a previous version of this guide as a secondary option for note-taking, but price increases amid the ongoing RAM shortage have made many of them just as expensive as Apple's budget MacBook Neo (if not more so), which is a much nicer and more powerful computer, relatively speaking.

Do you need your own laptop for college?

Yes, you should have your own laptop at college. Most universities let students temporarily borrow laptops through their libraries and/or tech desks. However, these loaners are available on a first-come, first-served basis and wiped upon return (i.e., you can't save anything on them long-term).

I wouldn't rely too heavily on your school's computer lab, either, because you can't take bring those desktops to class or your dorm. Ultimately, owning your own laptop is way more convenient and ensures you'll have the exact specs needed for your major's coursework.

The most recent updates to this guide

• July 25, 2026: Now that the Acer Swift X 14 is back in stock, we've added it to this guide in place of the Acer Swift X 14 AI. While these laptops are similar (and both excellent), we prefer the non-AI model.

• July 18, 2026: We've overhauled our selection of the best laptops for college students, with new options from Apple, Acer, and Dell; all of the products in this guide have been rigorously tested by Mashable laptop reviewers

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

SEE ALSO: What's dating in 2026 like? Single women tell all.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discreet sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a helpful panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you want. Are you here for a good time? Own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. In our most recent update in July 2026, it still earns the top spot. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

• Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.

• DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

• Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.