Technology

We're on day five of the lunar cycle, which means the moon is working on getting bigger every night. There will be more coming into view tonight than last, so keep reading to find out what you can see.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. This means 24% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

With just the naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Fecunditatis and Crisium Mares. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also be able to spot the Endymion Crater and the Posidonius Crater.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are what make up the lunar cycle, a repeating cycle that lasts around 29.5 days. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. We always see the same side of the moon, but the amount of sunlight illuminating it changes throughout its orbit. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes disappears entirely. There are eight moon phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SAVE $150: The Bose QuietComfort Headphones is on sale for $199 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 43% off the list price of $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones $199 at Amazon
$349 Save $150   Get Deal

Pardon the pun but Black Friday is a great time to listen out for great deals on headphones. With headphone technology always improving — with things such as noise cancellation, spatial audio, Bluetooth codecs, and multipoint pairing — headphones have become highly sought-after devices. But also pretty expensive. Thankfully, Amazon has lined up a nice selection of discounts on headphones for Black Friday, which includes Bose’s flagship model — the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.

The Bose QuietComfort Headphones are marked down to $199, a generous saving of $150. That’s 43% off the list price of $349.

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Though these aren’t the highest-spec headphones in the Bose range, they’re fantastic value at this price and come packed with all the features you want from Bluetooth headphones. They have active noise cancellation, which locks you deep into your tunes by blocking ambient noise from the outside world, plus a transparency mode, adjustable EQ, and up to 24 hours of battery life. And coming from Bose you know you can rely on the sound quality of these headphones.

Pick up the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for just $199, saving $150 in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

TL;DR: Enjoy a good old-fashioned family game night with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console, now $84.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through Dec. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $84.97
$159.99 Save $75.02   Get Deal

If you’re looking for a surefire way to have fun with your family this holiday season, you can’t beat a good game night. The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console provides just that — with games that span generations so everyone can enjoy them.

Right now, you can bring home the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console for just $84.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping until Dec. 14.

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Who doesn’t love a good game night? The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console gives you so many options from various decades that there’s truly something for everyone in the family. Enjoy nostalgic classics from retro consoles like Atari, Nintendo, and Sega Genesis, or download more current 3D games for free.

With the Kinhank Super Console, you don’t need to keep track of cartridges or discs. There are thousands of preloaded games to choose from, and you just have to press a few buttons.

When you get tired of gaming, the Kinhank Super Console doubles as a streaming device. It allows you to access your go-to streaming apps right on the device — just connect your TV, laptop, or projector and turn things into a movie night with a few clicks.

Make game and movie nights more magical with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console, now $84.97 (reg. $159.99) with free shipping through Dec. 14.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If your feed is inundated with AI slop these days, you're not alone. "Slop" is a squishy, subjective term — it depends entirely on what you think looks cheap, lazy, or low-effort. Still, the vibe people are describing tends to be the same: mass-produced content, shoddily plopped into the feed, neither discerning nor pleasurable. Why should AI output be any different than grayish cafeteria slop?

Generative AI has been feeding social media since its inception, but the shift has recently become more pronounced. We've covered this great slopification at Mashable. Heck, there's a laundry list of just animal-based AI slop we've covered: fake animals "caught" on surveillance tapes, emotional support kangaroos, musicians with critter companions, or heavy machinery "cleaning" barnacles off whales.

So, the obvious questions are: How much AI slop is there, really, and why?

How much AI slop is out there?

There's no definite way to know how much AI slop is out there, and your mileage may vary on what constitutes slop.

For what it's worth, AI slop was defined by Quinnipiac University technologist Adam Nemeroff as "low-to mid-quality content — video, images, audio, text or a mix — created with AI tools, often with little regard for accuracy." And there has been some research conducted on AI-generated content online. Notably, SEO firm Graphite published a study last month that found 52 percent of new articles online were generated by AI, based on an analysis of a sample of 65,000 random articles posted between January 2020 and May 2025. Graphite CEO Ethan Smith said you could glean some knowledge about other types of content from the study.

"Do I think that ad copy is generated with AI? There's probably a good amount of that," Smith told Mashable. "There's probably a lot of social media posts that are AI-generated."

He added you'd probably see more AI-generated tweets — text is easy to generate, after all — and a medium level of AI content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Even if 52 percent of the internet were AI-generated content, that's at least below at least one expert's 2023 prediction that it'd be 90 percent by 2025.

Still, it's prevalent enough that everyone with an internet connection has encountered AI-generated content out there that's obvious and, well, sloppy. Researchers at Amazon Web Services have found, for instance, that large swaths of the internet are poorly done, AI-generated translations. In other words, slop begets slop in different languages.

It's clear that if you're not prompting chatbots carefully, the output remains subpar. It may be why you see AI-generated comments that make no sense or trending videos with nonsensical, non-sequitur lists that really feel like AI.

SEE ALSO: Why meaningless lists are taking over your FYP

So, there's no exact figure for how much slop we're seeing, but you can certainly feel it. You notice swipe after swipe.

"My suspicion would be that every person who is into social media, on average, when they open their phone and scroll one of these apps, they're going to see a slop reel," said Aidan Walker, an internet culture researcher.

Scrolled a bit of TikTok for the first time in a while and oof. It's at least a third all crap genAi videos now. I didn't much care for it before that anyway for a number of reasons but at least the staged slop was human made before.

— Leigh (@newbabyfly.schism.org) October 31, 2025 at 12:50 AM

Wowww youtube sure is being swamped by artificial crap. I listen to lots of citypop and holy crap it's just so much ai music slop being pushed out.

— Silver 😵‍💫🐶🧠✨ (@spacepupsilver.com) November 19, 2025 at 3:26 AM

There is a lot of AI slop on instagram reels

— LoudLauraElena (@loudlauraelena.bsky.social) October 20, 2025 at 8:29 PM Why is there so much slop?

AI slop is everywhere because it's easy to create, and because "slop" in this context describes content made fast, at scale, with little risk or care.

"Because there is such a low bar to entry, it kind of made it a lot more possible for people not just to produce content, but to produce it at volume," Walker said. "Take a bunch of shots at the target and, inevitably, if you post 100 videos, one or two of them are going to get some traction."

Not that social media was ever a sacred space — though there was a time it was good — but we should consider what that much AI slop does to our collective online experience. What becomes of a platform that requires you to wade through mountains of junk to find the jewels?

"The proliferation of this slop and the opportunity cost of it — the real estate, the mind-share it takes up on a platform — that's the danger," Walker said. "It degrades these online spaces."

SEE ALSO: TikTok wants to help you spot AI on the platform, filter it out

Consider people's complaints about what AI has done to the quality of Google search, and then extrapolate that to your website of choice. That’s not to say all AI-generated social content is bad. AI can make memes in a snap or generate a voice clip for a joke. The tool is neutral; the intention behind the output is what shapes its quality.

Lots of slop is created by people hustling for a dollar. Its content is meant to fool you just long enough to grab a sliver of your attention. It's a commodity, not a craft. And crucially, labeling it "slop" is about how it feels to the viewer, not some objective failing.

"Nobody's really a fan of these AI slop accounts. They all blend together," Walker said.

And that's the real sensation of a feed overwhelmed with AI-generated content. It blends. It blurs. It feels grabby but artless — a morass, a muck. In a word, for many people, slop.

SAVE $350: The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is on sale for $549.95 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 39% off the list price of $899.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine $549.95 at Amazon
$899.95 Save $350   Get Deal

Make a list of all the high-ticket devices and appliances you’re hoping to find at a bargain price on Black Friday, and the coffee machine must rank near the top, right? Good-quality coffee machines doesn't come cheap — not by any stretch of the imagination — so the opportunity to find one in the Black Friday sales is not to be missed. That’s why we’re recommending a saving on the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine, currently marked down at Amazon by 39%. 

The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is on offer for $549.95, marked down from the regular list price of $899.99. That’s an overall saving of $350.

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It’s not just about the money you’re saving. The reason that coffee machines cost so much in the first place is that they pay dividends in fresh, delicious, barista-level coffee. And the Magnifica Evo pretty much does it all. It can make seven different drinks at the push of a button — including espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, and iced coffee — and comes built with a milk frother and conical burr grinder with 13 different settings. You also get 9 bar extraction and app compatibility. You'll never need to buy morning coffee again.

Get the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine for just $549.95 — a saving of $350 in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

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 Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025:

AcrossWhat Peter Pan teaches the Darling kids to do

• The answer is Fly.

Cover-up for a curse

• The answer is Bleep.

Bird perched atop a cactus on Mexico's flag

• The answer is Eagle.

Go off, as a volcano

• The answer is Erupt.

Short albums, for short

• The answer is EPS.

DownBurning emergency signal

• The answer is Flare.

Slight advantage, so to speak

• The answer is Leg up.

Checks restaurant reviews on one's phone, perhaps

• The answer is Yelps.

Spell-off

• The answer is Bee.

"What was the name of your first ___?" (common security question)

• The answer is Pet.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Seth Meyers has weighed in on President Donald Trump's meeting with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani last week, joking about the U.S. commander-in-chief's complete capitulation to his charm offensive.

Trump and his supporters made their disdain for Mamdani obvious throughout his mayoral campaign, with right-wing pundits foretelling the fall of New York if he was elected. However, months of this fearful rhetoric was swiftly undercut upon Trump actually meeting Mamdani last Friday. 

Meyers noted that Trump seemed practically smitten by Mamdani, even jumping to his defence several times during a press conference.

"That is the flirtiest I've ever heard anyone say, 'you can call me a fascist,'" quipped Meyers. "I've never seen someone so desperate to have another male friend. The nervous smile, the giddy laughter. And look, I'm not judging the man. I've been there."

Elected as New York's next mayor earlier this month, Mamdani has long been a vocal critic of Trump. Considering the president's history of hitting out at his detractors, few likely expected them to be amicable, much less that Trump would apparently try to endear himself to Mamdani.

"[Fox News host] Sean Hannity is like, 'all my friends in New York are scared,'" Meyers said. "And meanwhile Trump is like, 'I have a friend in New York too, his name is Zohran. He's so rad!'"

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

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

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

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

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

To reprimand.

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

SCOLD

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A duvet.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

QUILT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A Latin dance.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MAMBO

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A single step.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

STAIR

Final Hurdle hint

Flooded.

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

AWASH

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

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 8, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 25 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this purple space must add to 7. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (7): Everything in this orange space must add to 7. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (16): Everything in this purple space must add to 16. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 25 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this purple space must add to 7. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 25 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (17): Everything in this space must add to 17. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know defensive football.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Defense

• Green: LA gathering spots

• Blue: Golf awards

• Purple: Has a small space

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Football Defensive Positions

• Green: Los Angeles Sporting Venues

• Blue: Awards for Winning Golf Tournaments

• Purple: Things with Pockets

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 #428 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Football Defensive Positions - CORNERBACK, DEFENSIVE END, FREE SAFETY, NOSE TACKLE

• Los Angeles Sporting Venues - DODGER STADIUM, INTUIT DOME, L.A. COLISEUM, ROSE BOWL

• Awards for Winning Golf Tournaments - CLARET JUG, GREEN JACKET, RYDER CUP, WANAMAKER TROPHY

• Things with Pockets - BACKFIELD, BASEBALL GLOVE, BOWLING LANE, POOL TABLE

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

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

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

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

Social engineering attacks are probably still among the most used ways to actually infect a computer or steal someone's data. A well executed social engineering attack can have some pretty nasty consequences. This one even involves a fake Windows Update screen to round things up.

SAVE 48% NOW: In this Best Buy doorbuster TV deal, you can save 48 percent on the TCL 55-inch F35 Series 4K Smart Fire TV. This is a fantastic deal on a 2025 model TV, and one that's sure to sell out.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch F35 Series 4K UHD HDR LED Smart Fire TV (2025) $169.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $160 Doorbuster TV Deal Get Deal

Earlier this year, my local grocery store started charging $3 per avocado. Yet even as tariffs and inflation wreak havoc on consumer tech, one product category seems to be immune: Flat-screen TVs.

A few years ago, I'd get excited to find a good 65-inch TV for under $500 during Black Friday, but now you can find massive TVs for a lot less year-round. As companies get better at making super-thin displays, smart TVs keep getting more affordable. Yet even by those standards, this Best Buy doorbuster TV deal caught my attention.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

While it's in stock, you can buy the TCL 55-inch F35 Series 4K UHD HDR LED Smart Fire TV for just $169.99, a nearly 50 percent discount from its retail price of $329.99. You won't find this TV for sale at Amazon, making this a Best Buy exclusive as far as I can tell. This is one of Best Buy's official doorbuster TV deals, and if you need a new TV at a price you can afford, this one's going to be hard to beat.

We've been closely tracking the best Black Friday TV deals, from the $99.99 Amazon Fire TV 2-Series to the premium LG C5 OLED TV. (Sadly, we're still waiting on the latter to get a price drop for Black Friday.) As I said, you won't find a better price on a 55-inch TV ahead of the holidays.

Now, let's be clear about what you're getting. This is definitely a budget TV, so you'll have to live without QLED or Mini LED displays. You'll also have to compromise a little on audio quality (unless you invest in a soundbar to go with it). Gamers will also have to settle for a 60Hz refresh rate. However, besides those tradeoffs, you're still getting a solid smart TV.

This is a 2025 model TV that comes with the Fire TV OS. That means it's a smart TV that's fully capable of running all your favorite streaming apps, from Amazon to HBO Max.

SEE ALSO: 21 Black Friday streaming deals: See free offers on Peacock, Spotify, and Paramount+, plus a record discount on HBO Max

Once upon a time, Americans lined up in droves outside Walmarts and Targets, still full from Thanksgiving dinner, so they could be first in the door. Thankfully, these frenzied Black Friday free-for-alls are a relic of a bygone era. Now, not only can you order all of the best Black Friday deals online, but for the past few years, retailers have also been launching their Black Friday sales weeks in advance of Thanksgiving.

Case in point: Amazon officially launched its Black Friday sales on Thursday, and Best Buy dropped a ton of new doorbuster deals on Friday. So, ready or not, Black Friday is already here. You can tell because Mashable is once again working around the clock to bring you live updates on all of the latest sales, standout deals, price drops, and inventory updates. Already, we've spied record discounts on flagship noise-cancelling headphones, Apple laptops and tablets, Dyson appliances, and some of the year's most popular tech gifts.

Check out the top early deals so far, and keep scrolling for the full schedule of events and the latest live updates and news from the Mashable shopping team.

Top Black Friday Deals at a glance: The best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $159 (save $190) Get Deal Best Earuds Deal Apple AirPods 4 $79.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best Deal Under $25 Apple AirTag $17.99 (save $11.01) Get Deal Best TV Under $1,000 Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV $897.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best TV Under $500 Hisense 65-inch E6 Cinema Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV $349.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best Amazon Device Deal New Amazon Echo Dot Max $89.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best Apple laptop deal 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4) $749 (save $250) Get Deal Best Beauty Deal Dyson Supersonic with three attachments $299.99 (save $150) Get Deal Stocking Stuffer Deal Orastone Electric Hand Warmers $17.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Smartwatch Deal Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $79 (save $20) Get Deal

Remember: Black Friday 2025 takes place on Friday, Nov. 28, and is quickly followed by Cyber Week, which starts on Monday, Dec. 1. However, you can already shop plenty of sales at all the major online retailers. If you want to be the first to know when new sales go online, then keep checking back as we provide live updates on the shopping festivities.

Kids aren't the only ones who get excited about birthday gifts. You can be a full-grown adult and still lose your shit when you open up the gift that topped your wish list. But as you get older, it does become a little more difficult to come up with a list of birthday gift ideas. You can't just ask for all the coolest new toys anymore. Well, you can if you want — we're not going to stop you.

SEE ALSO: Try Gift Lab: Our interactive gift guide

If your birthday is coming up and you're struggling to think of what you want, don't sweat it. We compiled the ultimate birthday wish list, with gifts ranging from tech to outdoor essentials to home goods. To make your search easier, we've separated our gift ideas into categories: Our current favorite birthday gifts, gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts $50 to $150, and gifts $150+.

Read on for some birthday inspo and start casually dropping hints to your friends and family. And hey, happy birthday!

Our top picksColor-changing smart light bulbs Credit: Philips

Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern here. I have put a Hue light bulb in every lamp in my apartment, and it's so rare that I use the Big Light now. These color-changing bulbs let me dim the lights when I want to relax or emit fun colors while I'm watching a movie. And the best part is, I don't have to get out of bed to turn the lights off at night.

Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Hue Smart Bulbs $99.99 at Best Buy
  Shop Now A digital camera that captures film-style photos Credit: Camp Snap

I love taking and having film photos, but 1) film is expensive, and 2) all of the film cameras I have are chunky. The Camp Snap camera is an amazing alternative. It's digital and incredibly lightweight — and the pictures truly do look like they were taken on film. They're clear yet stylized enough to give that vintage feel. And you can take multiple versions of the same shot without feeling like you're wasting film.

Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap camera $69.95 at Camp Snap
  Shop Now Coffee from around the world Credit: Atlas Coffee Club

I personally don't drink coffee, but my dad is a big coffee guy. I got him and his wife a three-month subscription to Atlas Coffee Club for Christmas and they freakin' loved it. They sent me a text every month to let me know where their coffee came from, and they love trying new roasts from around the world. Each month, you get coffee beans and a postcard from different countries, so you get to try beans you can't get from your grocery store. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Atlas Coffee Club Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription Starting at $55 Shop Now A new Kindle Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Listen, I used to be such a physical books-only kind of person. Then I bought a Kindle Paperwhite, and it changed my reading game for good. I'm able to easily take the e-reader on the plane, to the beach, or even in the bathtub (shoutout to the Paperwhite being waterproof). Plus, I can read library books for free from the Libby app. If you're a reader, trust me when I say a Kindle should be at the top of your birthday list this year.

Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy A gorgeous TV that doubles as art Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable

Samsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.

Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED) $649.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $350   Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Amazon Birthday gifts under $25Elevate your cooking game Oil dispenser and sprayer $7.99 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $2   Shop Now at Amazon

This 2-in-1 oil dispenser pours and sprays so you won't have to buy separate olive oil and Pam cooking spray. This is a practical gift to put on your list whether you're a home chef or use an air fryer for every meal.

Whatever you want from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon / Mashable composite Amazon e-gift card   Shop Now

If your Amazon wish list is calling your name, ask for an Amazon gift card for your birthday. Get the present you've been dreaming of on someone else's dime.

Learn something new Opens in a new window Credit: Coursehorse Coursehorse Gift Card Starting at $5 at Coursehorse Shop Now

You’ve successfully completed one more trip around the sun, so to celebrate, develop a new skill or indulge a passion by taking an IRL class on the subject of your choice. Coursehorse partners with real-world instructors and schools in major cities to offer nearly 70,000 classes in subjects such as art, language, music, cooking, self-defense, gardening, and anything else you could possibly want.

Simple Lego flowers Lego Roses building kit $9.99 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $5   Shop Now at Amazon

Lego sets can be pretty freakin' expensive, but if you're looking for some more budget-friendly building kits for your birthday list, we've found a fun one. It includes two buildable roses that you can display after you've put them together. Wilting not included!

A delicious-smelling candle Opens in a new window Credit: Bonita Fierce Bonita Fierce candle Starting at $16 at Bonita Fierce Shop Now

Candles are a timeless gift that you can ask for at every single gift-giving opportunity (and will likely receive anyway if you don't specify what you actually want). We are firm believers that you can never have too many candles. Add some sweet scents from Bonita Fierce, a Latina-owned small business, to your b-day wish list this year and every year. Candles start at $16. 

A puzzle with a few tricks up its sleeve Opens in a new window Credit: Magic Puzzle Company Magic Puzzle Company (Big Rock City puzzle) $22.99 at Amazon
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Magic Puzzle Company makes incredibly fun 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles that have a secret envelope for you to open when you're done. This surprise envelope unlocks a "magical twist ending," so placing that final piece will be even more exciting. The intricate designs feature tons of little Easter eggs, like puzzle pieces in the shape of items in the scene. The Big Rock City puzzle has a hot dog-shaped piece and music note-shaped piece to name a couple.

Somewhere to put your headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Coreminded Universal headphone stand $23.99 at Amazon
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Rather than laying your headphones throughout your home or having them clutter up your desk, ask for a universal headphone stand for your birthday. This one is compatible with almost any pair of over-ear headphones or gaming headsets — and it has a pretty sleek look, too.

A stylish candle warmer lamp Opens in a new window Credit: Geezo Candle warmer lamp $24.99
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Big candle fan? Then a candle warmer should be on your birthday list. It helps your candle last longer and you don't need an open flame burning in your home. And if you're going to ask for a candle warmer, make it a cute one. With a glass lamp shade, this warmer blends seamlessly into your home decor.

Backup battery for your phone Anker portable charger $19.99 at Amazon
$25.99 Save $6   See It at Amazon

This portable charger from Anker is great for travel or being out on the town all day. It has enough juice to recharge your phone a couple of times, and it comes in four colors.

Cold hard cash Opens in a new window Credit: Visa Gift card Starting at $10 at Giftcards.com Shop Now

You really can't beat the gift of cold, hard cash — or a gift card. A Visa card is a perfect birthday gift because you can spend it on literally whatever you want; buy yourself something fun or get some help with groceries. Best of all, you don't need to decide exactly what you want before your birthday. The gift card starts at $10.

New reading materials Opens in a new window Credit: Bookshop.org Bookshop.org Gift Cards Starting at $10 at Bookshop Shop Now

Support independent bookstores from around the country with a gift card to Bookshop. Starting at $10, the gift cards can either be used to buy books from a specific shop you love, or the purchase can feed the site’s profit-sharing pool to benefit all of Bookshop's partner stores. 

Gifts $25 to $50A way to keep track of your keys Apple AirTag $17.97 at Amazon
$29 Save $11.03   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Best Buy

In our opinion, the first thing you add to your keyring should be an AirTag. You can monitor where they are in Apple's Find My app, and you'll get an alert on your phone if you ever leave them behind somewhere.

The viral Owala FreeSip reusable water bottle Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Owala FreeSip insulated water bottle $29.99 at Amazon
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The Owala FreeSip is a fan-favorite and Mashable staff-favorite reusable water bottle. The innovative spout lets you sip like a straw or chug like a cup. Plus, the bottles come in super cute color combinations.

A personalized Yeti mug Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug $35 at Yeti
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This Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug is a great size for both true coffee lovers and beer drinkers. It can also hold two Moscow mules, according to Yeti, if that's more your speed. The Rambler is available in an array of fun and neutral colors. Plus, you can customize it with an etched design or monogram. For just $6 to $10, you can choose designs from Yeti's library or upload your own file.

Our favorite incense Opens in a new window Credit: Houseplant Houseplant x ripple incense droplets $35 at ripple
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I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of the incense smell you'd experience in your local Earth Magic shop. However, I've become obsessed with Seth Rogen's incense droplets from the Houseplant x ripple collab. The scents are room-filling without being overpowering, and they smell amazing. My apartment feels so cozy every time I light one of these little incense cones. I'll definitely be buying more once I run out, and giving these as gifts to everyone I know.

An app for exploring Opens in a new window Credit: AllTrails AllTrails yearly subscription $35.99 at AllTrails
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Love to be outside, but can’t fold a map to save your life? Enter AllTrails+, the app designed to get you off your phone and into the wild. Featuring over 400,000 curated trails all over the world, the app allows you to download maps in case of a poor signal, record your hikes, create your own trails, and more. A yearly subscription costs $35.99.

Mini zodiac cupcakes Opens in a new window Credit: Baked by Melissa Baked by Melissa zodiac cupcakes $37
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Birthday cake is the standard, but might we suggest this fun alternative: mini cupcakes selected by an astrologer specifically for your zodiac sign. This Baked by Melissa offering comes with 25 cupcakes, and the flavors vary depending on your sign — though there are some fan-favorites that show up in each zodiac variation. These also make for a great last-minute ask if you're in Manhattan or Boston, as there's same-day delivery for select locations.

A custom pet portrait Opens in a new window Credit: LeFlore Studio Custom pet portrait Prices vary at LaFlore Studio on Etsy Shop Now

Sometimes, the best birthday gifts are the ones made just for you. If you're obsessed with your pet, these custom pet portraits need to be on your birthday list. There are many different styles to choose from, each one super freakin' adorable. Prices vary depending on size.

An inconspicuous fanny pack Opens in a new window Credit: FlipBelt FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt $39 at Amazon
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Whether you’re going for a run or heading to a music festival, keep your necessities at the ready with a FlipBelt Zipper pack. This handy belt can hold your phone, money, credit card, keys, and all sorts of everyday necessities. Coming in multiple sizes, the FlipBelt doesn’t bounce or chafe and is machine washable.

A cast iron skillet Opens in a new window Credit: Lodge Lodge cast iron skillet $40.75 at Amazon
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A cast-iron skillet is the true sign that you're graduating from cheap nonstick cookware and all mismatched plates. It's something you probably want, but don't particularly want to spend the money on. Lodge has different sizes depending on what you want to cook.

Authentic chai Opens in a new window Credit: Kolkata Chai Kolkata Chai Starting at $45 at Kolkata Chai Shop Now

Not satisfied with supermarket-bought chai? Get the real thing from New York-based chai-preneurs at Kolkata Chai. This small business will send authentic chai straight to your door with the Chai Trio Variety Pack ($62) or the Chai Starter Kit ($45). For devoted chai drinkers, Kolkata Chai offers subscription packages to keep that tea coming.

A Lego set that doubles as decor Opens in a new window Credit: LEGO Lego Orchid $49.99 at Amazon
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One of our favorite gifts under $50 is this Lego Orchid that's fun to build and adds a nice touch of greenery to your space that feels more unique than a plastic plant. This set is part of the Lego Icons line, which also features succulents, a bonsai tree, and a bouquet, in case orchids aren't your thing.

A smart speaker Echo Dot smart speaker $31.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $18.00   Shop Now at Amazon

If you don't have a smart speaker by now, it's time to make a change. The Echo Dot is an affordable voice-controlled companion that'll keep you in the loop on the weather and current events and keep track of your most important reminders. Also, they're great for playing music.

A media streaming stick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $49.99 at Amazon
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The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming devices we've tested, and it's also one of our favorite birthday gift ideas. If you don't already have a smart TV but want to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, and all the other streaming apps directly from your TV, ask for a Fire TV Stick for your b-day. Amazon's streaming stick has better voice control than similar products from Roku, and the 4K version normally goes for $49.99.

The delicious scent without the fire hazard Opens in a new window Credit: Pura Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser $49.99 at Amazon
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If candles are a no-go, opt for a Bluetooth-enabled diffuser to make any room in your home smell divine. The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser ($49.99) holds two fragrances and is controlled entirely through the app. Schedule one smell to wake up to and one to fall asleep to with the in-app calendar feature. Pura collaborates with brands like NEST, Anthropologie, Disney, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to source their scents, so whatever the occasion calls for, they’ve got your back.

Gifts $50 to $150Local flavors delivered Opens in a new window Credit: Goldbelly Goldbelly gift card Starting at $50 at Goldbelly Shop Now

Speaking of take-out: if you’ve maxed out your city’s culinary offerings, see what’s available from the rest of the country. Goldbelly makes it possible to order meals and gifts from restaurants around the United States. No matter your craving, a Goldbelly gift card at any price point is bound to satisfy.

A custom neon sign Opens in a new window Credit: GITM Store Custom Neon Sign $53.96 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Pick out a funny phrase, inside joke, or family name and get a custom sign in as little as one week. It might sound too good to be true, but Mashable editors have ordered from this Amazon storefront before and had a great experience. In fact, this is one of our favorite undiscovered gems on Amazon, and you can buy signs for as little as $53.96.

Coffee from around the world Opens in a new window Credit: Atlas Coffee Club Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription Starting at $55 Shop Now

Atlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription that sends you coffee beans and postcards from a different country each month. So, you get to try roasts you probably can't get from your grocery store, and you get to learn about a new place — and maybe get some travel inspo. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.

A personal blender for smoothies Opens in a new window Credit: Nutribullet NutriBullet $58 at Walmart
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Make smoothies in your own kitchen with a NutriBullet personal blender — it's fast and easy. The NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor comes with the 600W motor base, blender blade, 24-ounce blending cup, travel lid, and lip ring, plus a recipe book if you're sick of the same old smoothies.

An endless supply of veggies and herbs Opens in a new window Credit: AeroGarden AeroGarden Sprout $52.80 at Amazon
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Whether you're an enthusiastic home chef, like a bit of greenery, or simply can't stand running to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for some cilantro, a hydroponic garden is a great way to keep veggies and herbs on hand, even if you don't have a green thumb. We're fans of AeroGarden, which has gardens that start at $52.80.

A weighted blanket Opens in a new window Credit: Quilty Quilty weighted blanket Starting at $63.99 Shop Now

For what seems like an extraneous expense, an extra-heavy blanket can be a total game-changer. Besides providing all the comfort of a partner without the snoring, a weighted blanket can reduce tossing and turning and keep you extra warm. This one at Amazon comes in a bunch of colors, sizes, and weights.

Film vibes from a digital camera Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap camera $65 at Camp Snap
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Film photos are back in a big way, but not all of us have the patience to fill up an entire roll and then wait for it to get developed. Camp Snap is a really neat camera that takes film-esque photos and stores them on an SD card so you can pull them to your computer or phone and post them immediately. It's super lightweight and has a pretty low profile compared to film cameras, making it easy to slip into your purse or pocket on a night out.

A necessary Nintendo Switch upgrade Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Pro Controller $69.99 at Amazon
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It's never too late to upgrade your Switch setup, and the Pro controller can help you do just that. This controller is perfect for when you connect your device to a larger display, and it has the added bonus of zero Joy-Con drift.

A tea and coffee lover's best friend Opens in a new window Credit: Cosori Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle $69.99 at Amazon
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There's a certain electric gooseneck kettle that's beloved by design nerds, but that's also a tad overpriced (more than a tad, really). Instead, make the smart choice and opt for the infinitely more practical Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. It still has plenty of charm — not to mention pre-set buttons for tea, coffee, and boiling water.

A pack of disposable cameras Opens in a new window Credit: Fujifilm Fujifilm disposable cameras $53.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $26.00   Shop Now

We have a couple of camera options on this list, but sometimes you really just want that classic disposable camera experience. You'll capture some fun, in-the-moment memories with no do-overs. A three-pack of disposable cameras costs $79.99 (these have become kind of expensive since the invention of digital/phone cameras).

Affordable no-worry earbuds Anker Soundcore Sport X10 Earbuds $49.95 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.04   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart

Worried your earbuds will fall out of your ears and be lost forever? Get peace of mind with the affordable Soundcore Sport X10 wireless earbuds. Designed for athletes but great for anyone, these headphones hook around your ears and stay put no matter how sweaty or active you get (a fact we can personally attest to). Keep them in their case for on-the-go charging.

Fancy olive oils Opens in a new window Credit: Brightland Brightland olive oil Mini Artist Series $85 at Brightland
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This is one of our favorite gifts to give someone who's difficult to shop for, so it also makes a great gift to ask for when you aren't sure what you want. Brightland makes infused olive oils that come in super cute bottles. This set includes four mini bottles of chili, garlic, lemon, and basil-flavored olive oils. Your kitchen will feel elevated with these on display and in your cooking rotation.

Our favorite creator mic DJI Mic Mini $45 at Amazon
$89 Save $44   Shop Now at Amazon

The DJI Mic Mini is wildly popular amongst creators on TikTok, and for good reason. It's easy to use and actually sounds great. It's maybe not ideal for large productions, but for social video, it's awesome.

Color-changing smart light bulbs Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Hue Smart Bulbs $99.99 at Best Buy
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Turn your bedroom into a party with these color-changing smart light bulbs. You can control the lights from your phone and set whatever mood you're feeling. This kit includes two smart Bluetooth bulbs for $99.99.

Something to make your life a little more eco-friendly Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Stasher Bags starter kit $99.99 at Stasher
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Whether you're packing your lunch or storing leftovers, using plastic bags should be your last resort. Heck, you should be trying to stay away from all single-use plastics if you're able to. But, if you want to start small, these Stasher bags are a great option to make your daily life more eco-friendly. These silicone bags are secure and completely reusable — either wash them by hand or stuff them in the dishwasher. Grab a starter pack for $99.99.

A beginner-friendly sewing machine Opens in a new window Credit: Singer Singer M1150 sewing machine $119.98 at Amazon
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Sewing has become a popular hobby amongst TikTokkers, and whether you've never touched a sewing machine in your life or you're just in need of a new one, the Singer M1150 is a solid machine for sewists of all levels. It hits all your basics at a reasonable price point.

A year of ad-free music Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify Spotify Premium 12-month subscription e-gift card $120
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Maybe a Spotify Premium membership isn't in your budget this year, or maybe it's a monthly bill you'd just rather have someone else foot for you. Whatever the case, add a 12-month Spotify subscription gift card to your bday list. It's especially great if you've got someone shopping for you who notoriously waits until the last minute to buy gifts, since it can be delivered via email or text.

Luxurious towels Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets $129 at Brooklinen
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Multiple Mashable staff members revere Brooklinen towels as the softest towels ever. The brand's bath sheets are bigger than a standard bath towel, meaning you feel more coziness and less cold air as you step out of the shower.

The smart temperature-controlled mug Opens in a new window Credit: Ember Ember Mug 2 $129.95 at Amazon
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There's a lot of debate about what makes a good gift, but getting something that is a) practical and b) something just extravagant enough that you'd never get it for yourself may be the infallibly perfect combo. We think for coffee and tea drinkers, that combo is found in the Ember Mug 2, which retails for $129.95. This temperature-controlled mug may be unnecessary (and expensive), but boy does it feel good to take a hot sip of coffee after forgetting you poured it an hour ago.

A photo printer Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer $139.99 at Amazon
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Have some photos on your phone or Instagram that you want to pin to your fridge? Ask for the Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer. This sleek gadget connects to your Android or iPhone through WiFi, SD card, or USB stick and prints out your favorite pics in a layout design of your choosing. The printing isn’t instant (the color ink layers print one at a time), but the quality of the final product makes it worth the wait.

A cute travel bag Opens in a new window Credit: Baboon to the Moon Baboon to the Moon $145 at Amazon
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You've probably seen Baboon to the Moon bags if you've been online in the last half-decade. They're bright and colorful (or muted and neutral if you'd rather), and come in three sizes to fit your travel needs.

The gift of clean air Levoit Core 300S smart air purifier $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

We know, we know, an air purifier is not the sexiest gift, but it is a practical one. The Levoit Core 300S is a smart air purifier with a companion app that lets you control the device and see real-time stats about your home's air quality. It's suitable for spaces up to 1,095 square feet.

A portable, waterproof speaker Bose SoundLink Flex $154.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

Beach days and outdoor adventures are made complete with your favorite playlist. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker that can handle the elements while still providing stellar sound quality. It's waterproof, rust- and drop-resistant, and even floats. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. For even bigger sound, try the Bose SoundLink Max.

Gifts $150+A new Kindle Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

The Mashable team has tested every Kindle e-reader, and we think the Kindle Paperwhite is the right e-reader for most people. Instead of asking for a book, ask for a Kindle for your birthday and save yourself money and space. Sure, it doesn't smell the same as a new book, but now you'll have no excuses for not keeping up with your yearly reading resolutions. (P.s. A new Kindle Paperwhite was released in October 2024.)

The viral Hatch alarm clock Opens in a new window Credit: Hatch Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock $169.99 at Amazon
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Intrigued by sleepmaxxing? The Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock could help you get a better night's rest. It's designed to help you create a bedtime routine to help you fall asleep more easily. It's packed with different sleep sounds and light levels to ease you in and out of sleep.

Sleep earbuds that also track your sleep Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 sleep earbuds $107.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $72.00   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

The Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are our top pick for the best sleep earbuds. Our tester liked their battery life, comfort and fit, reliable performance, and sleep data. The sleep tracking was more accurate than data from a sleep-tracking phone app.

Or, upgrade to the newer noise-cancelling Sleep A30 sleep buds.

A desk you can take anywhere Opens in a new window Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk $179.99 at Amazon
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If you work remotely, you gotta get this portable desk from Logitech. The Casa Pop-Up Desk includes a wireless keyboard, wireless trackpad, and a desk stand that doubles as a discreet and stylish carrying case. It comes in three colors so you can match your aesthetic. This is an especially great tool if you like working from coffee shops or moving around while you work.

A new comforter Opens in a new window Credit: Buffy Buffy Comforter $195 at Buffy
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Comforters, like a mattress, shouldn't be an item you cheap out on. They're supposed to last you a while, so why not have something a little more luxurious? The Buffy Cloud comforter is a sustainable comforter made from recycled fiber and eucalyptus. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart reviewed it, calling it "the first piece of bedding I've used that actually feels kind of dreamy."

Sony's latest bass-heavy headphones Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Sony ULT Wear headphones $198 at Amazon
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Sony released its new ULT Power Sound lineup in April, and we adore the headphones. The ULT Wears have Sony's impressive sound quality and noise cancellation and are made even more impressive by the addition of the ULT button, which punches up the bass two additional levels. These headphones are booming, and the best part is they're relatively budget-friendly.

A pressure cooker and air fryer in one Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Duo Crisp $199.95 at Amazon
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Your new favorite kitchen appliance: a pressure cooker that can air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, slow cook, prepare rice, steam, sauté, and more. Impress guests with your culinary skills (that are in fact just throwing all the ingredients listed in the recipe into this thing and then waiting a few hours).

A trusty pet camera Opens in a new window Credit: Furbo Furbo pet camera $129 at Amazon
$210 Save $81   Shop Now

If you're anything like us, you view your pet like it's your actual child. We support that. Now, you can up your pet parent game by picking up a Furbo pet camera. Not only does it livestream what your pet is up to while you aren't home straight to your phone, but it also has the ability to toss treats and produce two-way audio for quick check-ins.

Design-friendly humidifier Opens in a new window Credit: Vitruvi Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier $229 at Amazon
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There's something to be said for a product that can marry form and function, and this Vitruvi humidifier does just that. Admittedly, $229 is probably a hefty price for a humidifier you're buying for yourself, but it's a great splurge gift if you prefer your household appliances not be eyesores.

Your own personal ice cream maker Ninja Creami $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon

If you're as chronically online as we are, you've likely seen people whipping up frozen treat concoctions with the Ninja Creami. The countertop ice cream maker has presets for gelato, ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and mix-ins if you want to channel your inner Dairy Queen. You do need to freeze your ingredients beforehand, so it's not an instantaneous sweet treat fix, but you have creative freedom to try out whichever flavors your sweet tooth desires.

A portable, smokeless fire pit Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 $199.99 at Solo Stove
$229.99 Save $30   Shop Now

Whether you're a hardcore camper or you just like unwinding with a few beers by the fire, Solo Stove's Ranger fire pit is a fantastic gift to ask for. It's designed to be smokeless and portable, making it great for balconies, backyards, beach hangs, or camping trips. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel reviewed the larger Solo Stove Bonfire and wrote that it burns "beautiful, clean fires when conditions are right." The best part? The Ranger is typically on sale for $199.99, so whoever gifts it has 30 extra dollars to spend on your birthday.

A Bluetooth record player Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Turntable $248 at Amazon
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Are your Spotify playlists just not cutting it anymore? Switch it up and go retro with a vinyl music collection. This turntable connects to Bluetooth speakers and headphones, or you can hook it up to a traditional sound system using cords.

A pair of AirPods Pro AirPods Pro 3 $219.99 at Walmart
$249 Save $29.01   Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon

When you already own a pair of earbuds, it can be hard to justify splurging on a new pair — even if you really, really want to. And that's why the AirPods Pro (Gen 3) earbuds are an ideal birthday present. Apple stepped up its audio game with these buds, which feature improved sound quality and active noise cancellation. For a cheaper alternative, ask for the latest 4th Gen AirPods, which are $129 without ANC or $179 with ANC.

A robot vacuum Shark Matrix RV2300 $214 at Walmart
$249 Save $35   Shop Now at Walmart

Stop manually vacuuming your house every day and let a robot vacuum clean your floors for you. The Shark RV2300 is budget-friendly and tough on dirt. Our robot vacuum expert called it "the most reliable cheap robot vacuum that I've tested."

A cool drone with a 12MP camera Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Magic Mini 2 SE $279 at Amazon
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This drone is small and super lightweight, but it takes stunning photos and videos. It's great for traveling or for use at home. DJI is one of the top names in drones, and the Mini 2 SE costs $279 with a remote control.

A massage gun Opens in a new window Credit: TheraGun TheraGun $299 at Amazon
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Whether you're working at a desk all day, running around, or just inexplicably tense, a massage gun will get you limber and relaxed again. What better gift than the gift of painless movement? Our best recommendation? Go for the TheraGun. The Prime model costs $299, but if that's not quite in your budget, then check out our gadget gift guide for more gifting inspiration.

Five hair tools in one Opens in a new window Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Shark FlexStyle $299.99 at Amazon
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Instead of asking for the $600 Dyson Airwrap, you can get a product that performs nearly identically for half the price in the Shark FlexStyle (trust us, we tested them head-to-head). Pick up a version for textured hair or straighter hair for $299.99.

A portable projector Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nebula Capsule Projector $299.99 at Amazon
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All of your friends will start calling your home the "cool house" if movie nights involve this mini portable projector. Use it to play movies, shows, or games outside on a screen or indoors on a blank wall. The Anker Nebula Capsule in black costs $299.99.

An Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 10 $339 at Amazon
$399 Save $60   Shop Now at Amazon

An Apple Watch lets you access smartphone features conveniently on your wrist. You can control your music, send and receive texts, monitor your health, and tons more. The latest Apple Watch isn't too different from the previous model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, which we love.

Year-round spa days TheraFace Pro $299.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $120   Shop Now at Amazon

You can ask for a day at the spa, or you can ask for the gift of getting a facial whenever you want and from the comfort of your home. In her review of the device, Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern wrote that the TheraFace Pro is "a hell of a lot cheaper than getting regular professional facials, and I truly feel like I've received a spa treatment every time I use [it]."

An indoor garden Opens in a new window Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable Gardyn Studio $499 at Gardyn
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Yard space is not easy to come by, but you can still have the garden of your dreams. Gardyn is an indoor hydroponic system that lets even the most notorious plant killers grow a thriving harvest. There are three starter kits to choose from: salad lover, budding florist, and chef faves. The smaller Gardyn Studio houses 16 plants, while the larger Gardyn Home holds 30.

The newest iPad mini Apple iPad mini (2024, 7th generation, A17 Pro chip) $623.34 at Amazon
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Our reviewer called the iPad mini 7 the "best choice" if you want a compact tablet, and said it looks better and is a lot more powerful than previous-generation iPad minis. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro and we named it the best tablet for reading.

A fancy desk chair Opens in a new window Credit: Branch Verve Chair $549 at Branch
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Our favorite type of birthday gift is something you want to buy yourself but just can't justify spending your own money on. The Verve chair is a prime example of that. It's super comfy and ergonomic, and it comes in really cute colors, but it's definitely on the luxury end of pricing. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, put this at the top of your birthday wish list.

A new bike Opens in a new window Credit: Schwinn Schwinn GTX bike $549.95 at Amazon
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Head outdoors with this hybrid bike designed for both leisure and more adventurous rides. It comes in different colors and a couple of different styles for men and women. The 18-inch Schwinn GTX 2.0 bike normally goes for $549.99.

A camera to rival your phone Opens in a new window Credit: Nikon Nikon Z 30 Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera Bundle $696.95 at Amazon
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When giving your friends and family birthday gift ideas, it's usually best to look for gifts under $50. But if you have a partner or parent who really loves you, then it's okay to dream big.

An easy-to-use mirrorless camera designed with creators in mind, the Nikon Z 30 boasts video, camera, and live streaming capabilities at an affordable price. The camera body can be purchased alone or with one or two kit lenses. There’s also the creators’ accessory bundle, which comes with a mic, tripod grip, and Bluetooth remote.

A handheld gaming console that's not a Switch Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Lenovo Legion Go $699.99 at Best Buy
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Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry described the Lenovo Legion Go as "beefier and more powerful" than the Nintendo Switch. It has a huge display, solid performance, and all-around great specs. It's not a one-to-one competitor of the Switch, but rather a portable way into PC gaming that's "really good at running all kinds of games."

A new phone Opens in a new window Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable iPhone 17 Starting at $799 Shop Now

Thinking of upgrading from an iPhone that has a Lightning port? Don't spend your own money on an expensive phone — have someone who loves you spend their money! The new iPhone 17 starts at $799, while the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1099. (Group gift, anyone?)

A robot vacuum that also mops Eufy X10 Pro Omni $449.99 at Walmart
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Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart called the Eufy X10 Pro Omni the catchall answer to the question, "Which robot vacuum should I get?" It vacuums and mops — and empties its own dust bin, refills its water tank, and washes and dries its mop pads. The Eufy is a true hands-off cleaning device.

A TV that blends into your decor Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED) $649.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $350   Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Amazon

Samsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.

A MacBook Air Apple MacBook Air (M4, 13-inch) $749 at Amazon
$999 Save $250   Shop Now at Amazon

MacBook Airs are super nice computers, but they can definitely be a bit pricey... which is what makes them such a great addition to a birthday wish list. Someone who loves you can drop the big bucks for you! The new 13-inch M4 MacBook Air starts at $999, but we've seen it dip down to $849 on sale.

Before I reviewed tech products for Mashable, I reviewed grooming tech for magazines like GQ. And while I'm now more likely to review the newly updated Apple Vision Pro than a new beard trimmer, I still pride myself on my grooming. Hey — everyone has to have a hobby, and I've made a lot of money off my beard over the years.

Usually, my friends and family don't start asking me for shopping recommendations until Thanksgiving, but this year, Black Friday started early. With all the major retailers hosting Black Friday sales, you can safely start crossing items off your holiday shopping list. As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, I'm seeing some fantastic early Black Friday grooming deals already live.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more

A lot of my favorite grooming and skincare products are on sale, and I don't expect the prices to get any lower as we approach Black Friday itself. So, whether you're trying to improve your own grooming game or shopping for a boyfriend, husband, brother, or dad, let me recommend some early deals worth shopping today.

Crest 3D Whitestrips Credit: Crest

Before you take the plunge and pay for professional teeth whitening, try this popular Crest whitening kit. These teeth whitening strips always go on sale for Black Friday, and they're a classic Black Friday deal for a reason — they really work. Take it from a former smoker and current coffee lover, they can provide a noticeable whitening effect for a lot less money (and pain) than you'd get at a dental spa.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crest Crest 3D Whitestrips Teeth Whitening Treatment $29.99 at Amazon
$45.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal The Flaus electric flosser Credit: Flaus

I've always been pretty lackadaisical about flossing. Sue me. And that's why this electric flosser is on my own personal Christmas wish list this year. This flosser comes highly recommended: It's one of Oprah's Favorite Things of 2025. It's also got a Black Friday discount that makes it much more affordable. This starter kit comes with the handle and enough refills to keep you flossing for months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flaus Flaus Electric Flosser (45 refills included) $89.99 at Amazon
$129.98 Save $39.99   Get Deal My personal favorite beard trimmer This is my everyday trimmer and shaver, and that's my bathroom counter. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable

I've been raving about Panasonic's Multishape trimmer and shaver ever since it first came out. This incredibly versatile grooming product comes with swappable heads, and with the right attachments, it can be an electric toothbrush, beard trimmer, electric shaver, nose and ear hair trimmer, body groomer, hair clipper, facial brush, and more. This starter kit from Amazon is a smart gift idea, as it comes with everything you need to shave and trim your beard.

If you're shopping for a guy who needs a new beard trimmer, I highly recommend the Multishape, especially when it's on sale. This is the trimmer and shaver I use every day, and it's lasted me for years without any issues. I haven't even mentioned the fact that it's fully waterproof and cordless. You can also see all of the attachments at the Panasonic online store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Panasonic Panasonic Multishape Beard Trimmer and Shaver $108.99 at Amazon
$134.99 Save $26.00   Get Deal A red-light therapy eye mask Credit: Lumin

I've always struggled with eye bags, puffiness, and dark circles — it's my genes. But while I've been curious about trying LED light therapy masks for a long time, I really don't need the full Hannibal Lecter mask. I really just need therapy around my eyes, which is why I've been so excited about the Luminator LED Eye Mask from Lumin.

Lumin was one of the first brands to offer products specifically for men's skincare needs, and I've had good experiences with their products before. This is at the top of my Christmas list this year, and it's currently on sale for under $100. If you're searching for holiday gifts for men, pick this up while it's only $79.99. This LED mask has never been priced this low — thank you, Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lumin Luminator LED Eye Mask $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal A Tushy bidet Credit: Tushy

I think a lot of people resist buying a bidet because they think it will be too complicated to install, but fortunately, that's not actually the case. Unless you invest in an incredibly fancy, Japanese-style electric bidet with hot water and white-noise capabilities, most bidets are easy to install. Tushy's non-electric bidets can be set up with little to no DIY experience, and so there's no reason not to invest in a cleaner tush, especially when they're on sale.

This is another classic Black Friday deal, and it's the type of product that will make you think, "How did I ever live without it?"

Opens in a new window Credit: Tushy Tushy Classic 3.0 Bidet $103 at Amazon
$129 Save $26   Get Deal

Microsoft is rolling out a substantial update to the Excel for Windows interface, introducing a completely modernized "Get Data" dialog aimed at simplifying the process of connecting to external data sources. This move is the first major step toward modernizing the Power Query experience within Excel, and honestly, it’s a necessary change.

SAVE $25: The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $24.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 50% off the list price of $49.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal

Not everyone needs or wants a huge TV upgrade over Black Friday. And with the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus, you won’t have to. With its AI-powered Fire TV search, you can find more than 1.8 million movies and TV shows. The great news is that it’s super cheap right now thanks to Amazon’s range of awesome tech deals for Black Friday week.

The Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus has been discounted to just $24.99 — that’s a major saving of 50% from the standard list price of $49.99.

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All you need to do to get the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus fired up is insert it into your TV’s HDMI input, ask Alexa to find the kind of things you want to watch, and sign up for the relevant streaming apps if required. You’ll find a near-limitless amount of content to keep you entertained non-stop. In fact, there are over 400,000 free movies and TV episodes on ad-supported apps. You can even play Xbox games without needing the console.

Don’t miss the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus for only $24.99 — a saving of $25 for Black Friday week.

If you're a Peacock subscriber and have gotten a bit tired of scrolling the same movie titles every night, I'm here to do the heavy lifting for you. Peacock's library is full of movies spanning genres from comfort-watch classics to epic animation to newer movies that you might have missed in theaters.

PC builders love to grab the best-in-class components when assembling their beloved machines. While that approach makes sense for a graphics card or CPU, spending three digits on a CPU cooler usually doesn't make sense. Here’s why.

SAVE $400: The Hisense 75-Inch E6 Cinema Series QLED is on sale for $399.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 50% off the list price of $799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-Inch E6 Cinema Series QLED TV $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400   Get Deal

It’s that special time of year once again. That’s right, it’s Black Friday week, which means that before we get to Thanksgiving and the Season To Be Jolly, it’s the season for buying massive tech at a massive discount. And they don’t come much more massive than $400 off a 75-inch smart TV.

The Hisense 75-Inch E6 Cinema Series QLED is currently on offer at Amazon for an incredible $399.99, which is a markdown of 50%. This TV is usually listed at $799.99. That's the lowest-ever price for this popular model.

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Its punchy, vibrant, AI-assisted visuals come via QLED display technology, with support for 4K, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It has a dedicated game mode — and seriously, gaming on a 75-inch screen is a truly immersive experience — plus an Alexa-enabled remote. 

There’s also filmmaker mode for movie buffs, which optimizes movies to look exactly how the director intended. Other features include auto-adjusting brightness and a Fire TV operating system, which is becoming a frontrunner for the best everyday user-friendly OS. You’ll also get access to all your favorite streaming apps. It’s an awesome package for what is essentially a Black Friday budget price.

Get the Hisense 75-Inch E6 Cinema Series QLED for only $399.99 — that's 50% knocked off the list price of $799.99. Find more in our rundown of the best Amazon Black Friday TV deals.