Technology

Your passwords aren't just hanging about on a server waiting to be stolen—there's a whole process that goes on behind the scenes to keep them safe. Just make sure they aren't common—or they'll take mere seconds to crack.

SAVE $41.88: New (or returning) to Audible? Through May 6, you can get your first three months of Audible Premium Plus for only $0.99 per month (a grand total of $2.97). Usually $14.95 per month, that's a total of $41.88 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Premium Plus $0.99/month for three months (save $13.96/month) Get Deal

Craving some screen-free entertainment? I highly recommend audiobooks. Listening to a book still feeds your imagination like traditional reading, but it doesn't tie you down to one place. You have the freedom to multitask as you take in the content. Just pop in some earbuds and open the Audible app to escape the mundanity of ordinary tasks like cleaning and cooking.

If you're new to the audiobook world, Audible is running its outrageous introductory offer again. Through Tuesday, May 6 at 2:59 a.m. ET, new (and eligible returning) subscribers can get three months of Audible Premium Plus for only $0.99 per month. The Premium Plus membership usually costs $14.95 per month, so you'll save about $13.96 or 93% monthly — a grand total of $41.88 in savings.

A Premium Plus membership unlocks access to hundreds of Audible Original audiobooks for free, as well as a monthly credit you can use to purchase titles in the premium collection (regardless of price) and exclusive access to members-only sales. Most recently, members could use a single credit to purchase two select titles in an exclusive BOGO sale.

If you need a break from screens, Audible's Premium Plus catalog will keep you endlessly entertained. It includes bestsellers and new releases like The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, as well as BookTok faves like Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and Funny Story by Emily Henry. Turn off Netflix and tune into many of the books that inspired the shows in the first place — it'll cost you less than $3.

SAVE 20%: As of May 2, you can get the Garmin Forerunner 165 running smartwatch for $199.99, down from $249.99, at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and a $50 savings. It's also the lowest price we've seen on this model since November.

Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50 Get Deal

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can handle your fitness routine, you might want to hop on this deal.

As of May 2, you can get the Garmin Forerunner 165 for $199.99, down from $249.99, at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount for $50 in savings. It’s also the lowest price we’ve seen on this model since November.

SEE ALSO: Garmin’s epix Pro Gen 2 Sapphire smartwatch is $362 off, and yes, it’s as stacked as it sounds

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is tough enough to handle any workout and comes with 25+ built-in activity profiles, including running, cycling, swimming, strength training, and more. With an 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours in GPS mode, you could go backpacking for a whole weekend without having to charge it. That’s more battery life than most Apple Watches, which only last up to 18 hours.

The Forerunner 165 can monitor your heart rate, sleep, stress, and blood oxygen levels. Plus, each morning you'll get a report that summarizes how you slept and what your training outlook is for the day ahead.

Fast cars don’t have to come with a sky-high price tag or crazy insurance premiums. Whether you're after weekend thrills or a fun daily driver, there are legit options out there that won’t empty your wallet.

SAVE $250: As of May 2, get the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) for $299.99, down from its usual price of $549.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 45%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) $299.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250 Get Deal

A robot vacuum is something that still seems like it came out of a sci-fi movie. You mean this machine is going to tidy up the house all on its own? Like it's sentient or something? Whether you know how much fun it can be to slap a pair of googly eyes on yours or revel in the feeling of a house successfully cleaned with little or no input form you, you should consider getting a robot vacuum, especially when it's a great model at an even better price.

As of May 2, get the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum (AV2501S) for $299.99, down from its usual price of $549.99 at Amazon. That's $250 off and a discount of 45%.

This robot vacuum is a serious multitasker that you can leave largely on its own to handle all types of messes, whether that's pet hair or tough, ground-in dirt or crumbs left on the kitchen floor. It works on all floor types, so you're covered there. It cleans in a special grid pattern so it can take multiple passes over your house, and then it empties itself. Its self-emptying base can hold up to 30 days of dirt, and when that time is up, you just need to empty it.

The vacuum uses 360-degree LiDAR vision to get around your home while creating a map to avoid accidental bumps and other setbacks that keep it from doing an efficient job. And if you're someone who suffers from allergies, its HEPA filter claims to capture and trap about 99.97% of dust and allergens to reduce all that sneezing.

If you're ready to leave the cleaning to your ever-present robot vacuum companion, be sure to snag this one while it's on sale, since this is such a great discount.

HP is offering a great deal on its 14-inch laptop, currently priced at $169.99 on Best Buy, but that's a big drop from its regular price of $219.99. This is a great laptop if you need a PC for basic web browsing and productivity work.

You'll have to wait a little bit longer for that video game you've been waiting 12 years for already.

Rockstar Games posted a message on its website on Friday morning confirming the news that you may have seen coming, but didn't want to hear: Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed. The game, which until now had a vague release window of late 2025, is now confirmed for launch on May 26, 2026. The full message from Rockstar is as follows:

Hi everyone,

Grand Theft Auto VI is now set to release on May 26, 2026.

We are very sorry that this is later than you expected. The interest and excitement surrounding a new Grand Theft Auto has been truly humbling for our entire team. We want to thank you for your support and your patience as we work to finish the game.

With every game we have released, the goal has always been to try and exceed your expectations, and Grand Theft Auto VI is no exception. We hope you understand that we need this extra time to deliver at the level of quality you expect and deserve.

We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

Sincerely,
Rockstar Games

SEE ALSO: The 5 Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles I can't wait to play (besides 'Mario Kart World')

The story of GTA VI has been a long and winding one. Its predecessor came out in 2013, long enough ago that it was originally an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game. I was in college when I played GTA V, and now I'm in my 30s. The incredible financial success of GTA Online and Red Dead Redemption 2 in the meantime meant Rockstar had no incentive to rush the next GTA to market, so after a decade of rumors and leaks, we got one lone trailer in late 2023. This delay announcement is the first thing we've heard from GTA VI since then.

All we really know about the game is that its set in a modern-day rendition of Vice City, the GTA universe's take on Miami. It has two central playable characters, who appear to be in a Bonnie & Clyde kind of relationship with one another, and it generally looks very expensive and pretty. And that's probably all we'll continue to know about GTA VI for a while longer.

At least we have a date now!

Ireland slapped TikTok with serious fines and, perhaps more worrying for the social media company, allegations of questionable data practices. That's a major issue for TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, which has been attempting to convince the West, most notably the U.S., that its users are safe from their data being shared with China.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) fined TikTok 530 million euros — roughly $600 million — because it could not guarantee that users' data was being stored in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements. The DPC also said that TikTok admitted it had stored limited European user data in China, which it had previously denied. TikTok told the DPC it had since deleted that data.

"The GDPR requires that the high level of protection provided within the European Union continues where personal data is transferred to other countries," DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said in a statement.

"TikTok’s personal data transfers to China infringed the GDPR because TikTok failed to verify, guarantee, and demonstrate that the personal data of [European Economic Area] users, remotely accessed by staff in China, was afforded a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU."

SEE ALSO: Trump delays TikTok ban for another 75 days

The fines from Ireland's privacy watchdog could prove damaging for TikTok, especially amid its fight to remain available in the U.S. A renewed U.S. TikTok ban was averted in early April after President Donald Trump once again issued a 75-day extension.

The U.S. law that would ban TikTok does so, in part, over concerns quite similar to those laid out by Ireland's DPC. The U.S. does not want its citizens' data in the hands of China's government. TikTok has insisted it doesn't share U.S. user data with China.

Still, U.S. companies are lining up to purchase TikTok, which may be necessary for the platform to remain in the States.

You might have seen Microsoft Word's Hyphenation tool but have never fully known how to use it. In this guide, I'll explain what hyphens are, show you how to use them in Microsoft Word, cover some less-known hyphenation options, and offer some troubleshooting tips if they're not working as expected.

SAVE UP TO $40: New and returning customers can sign up for Max yearly streaming subscriptions for up to 20% off. Ad-supported subscriptions are down to just $79.99 per year from $99.99, while ad-free tiers are down to just $139.99 and $169.99 per year from $169.99 and $209.99. But act fast; this deal is only around until Wednesday, May 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max annual subscriptions save up to $40 on any plan Get Deal

For the next few days, you can still score one of the best streaming deals we've seen since Black Friday. Max randomly decided to drop the cost of its annual streaming plans for a limited time and we recommend jumping on it ASAP if you haven't already.

Through May 7, new and returning subscribers can score a yearly subscription to Max for up to 20% off the usual cost. The ad-supported tier is down to just $79.99 per year from $99.99, which breaks down to just $6.67 monthly. Meanwhile, the ad-free tiers are just $139.99 per year (just $11.67/month) instead of $169.99 or $169.99 per year ($14.17/month) instead of $209.99. That's up to $40 in savings. Not to mention, compared to the monthly plans, you'll save up to 33%.

Whether you want to see what all The White Lotus hype is about, catch the new season of The Last of Us, or tune into some of the latest box office hits like Babygirl, Y2K, Heretic, and the Oscar-winning Flow, Max is a treasure trove of excellent content. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streamer is home to not only Warner Bros. films, but also new A24 theatrical releases and an insane array of original series. Not to mention, the Standard and Premium tiers give you access to live sports — including select games from the NBA playoffs and the NHL playoffs. Translation: you'll never be bored.

Sadly, like Netflix, the service is expected to start its password sharing crackdown very soon. Hence, there's never been a better time to sign up for your own Max account. Just note that the Max streaming deal is only valid for your first year. Afterwards, the price per year will revert back to full cost. Be sure to cancel before the year is up if you want to avoid that price jump.

SAVE 25%: As of May 2, you can get the Levoit LVAC-200 for $149.99, down from $199.99, at Amazon. That's a 25% discount and a $50 savings.

LEVOIT Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Stick Vac with Tangle-Resistant Design, Up to 50 Minutes, Powerful Suction, Rechargeable, Lightweight, and Versatile for Carpet, Hard Floor, Pet Hair, Black & White $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50 Get Deal

Stick vacuums are pretty much hit or miss. There’s nothing worse than spending $300 on something that only works for a few weeks before crapping out on you. But there are ways to get around paying a fortune for a top-notch cordless vacuum.

As of May 2, you can get a Levoit LVAC-200 for $149.99, down from $199.99, at Amazon. That’s a 25% discount and a $50 savings.

SEE ALSO: The best cordless vacuums include 3 Dyson models (and 1 alternative)

This vacuum’s built to clean up pet hair, dust, and crumbs from your hardwood floors, rugs, tile, and carpets. It has a 50-minute run time with the Crevice or Pet Tool in Eco Mode, 30 minutes with just the vacuum head, and 12 minutes in Turbo Mode. Plus, the flexible and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, even up and down stairs.

With three LED lights, an anti-tangle brush head, and a five-stage filtration system, this budget-friendly vac is a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade their cleaning routine.

SAVE $50: As of May 2, get the Razer Kishi Ultra for $99.99, down from its usual price of $149.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Razer Kishi Ultra $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you're a big fan of gaming on the go, you probably know how touch controls can be more frustrating than enjoyable. If you're playing on a small screen, you can deal with overcrowding and pressing the wrong button. Depending on what kind of phone you're using, it might feel awkward holding your phone while trying to play, too. That's where a mobile controller comes in. And right now, you can score a discount on one that should make your games feel much more fun to play.

As of May 2, get the Razer Kishi Ultra for $99.99, down from its usual price of $149.99, at Amazon. That's $50 off and a discount of 33%.

The Razer Kishi Ultra works with iPhone 15 and 16 series devices, Android, iPad Mini A17 Pro, and a variety of other mobile gadgets, so you should be covered even if you aren't using the latest and greatest tech. The controller can be fitted directly on the side of your device, so it looks like it's been cut in half, but it's a full-size option that works the same as using a regular controller.

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $90

Once attached, you can use physical controls with your favorite games, so tapping around on the screen is a thing of the past. The controller uses a tactile 8-way D-pad with action buttons, Hall Effect triggers, programmable buttons and durable analog sticks. It also has Razer Sensa haptic on board so you can feel rumbling when it matters. To make things a bit more fun and exciting, it also has Chroma RGB lighting that you can customize.

You can use Virtual Controller Mode to remap touch screen controls as well, so if a game previously did not offer controller support, you can bypass this and make a custom setup. This is for Android users only, but it's a super useful feature. If you're ready to change the way you experience mobile gaming, grab one before it goes back up in price.

AT&T has quietly added new features to its ActiveArmor mobile security app, including a built-in password manager. It's a bit weird to get your password manager from your carrier, but hey, now you can.

You have several Raspberry Pi models to choose from at different price points, and now select models are even more affordable. While the price of pretty much everything is going up these days, the Raspberry Pi Foundation is lowering its prices.

SAVE $110: As of May 2, the Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum is down to just $149.99 at Amazon instead of $259.99. That's 42% in savings and just 99 cents shy of its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet cordless stick vacuum $149.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $110 Get Deal

If you're still lugging a heavy upright vacuum from room to room in your home, it might be time to cut the cord. Untether yourself from outlets and invest in a stick vacuum instead. You don't have to spend a fortune; the Shark Pet IX141 cordless stick vacuum is on sale for under $150.

As of May 2, you can grab the Shark Pet cordless vacuum on sale for just $149.99 instead of the usual $259.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Shark's own website. That's $110 off its MSRP and a 42% discount overall. Not to mention, it's just 99 cents shy of the lowest price we've ever seen on this model.

Light enough to maneuver with one hand, yet powerful enough to tackle pet hair, the Shark IX141 is a solid choice for pet parents looking to streamline their cleaning routine. The mid-level stick vacuum features an anti-allergen complete seal, an XL 0.83-quart dust bin, a 40-minute run time on a full charge, and an included crevice tool to help you tackle tough corners and cracks. It also includes built-in LED headlights to illuminate all the dust and debris your naked eye misses. While it's not quite as high-tech as the laser-equipped Dysons, it's still a welcome feature that helps you get a more thorough clean.

Of course, it can also transform into a hand vac, which gives you deep-cleaning freedom just about anywhere — your car, the top of the curtains, under the couch, etc. For a cordless stick vacuum that's tough enough to handle your pet's endless shedding, this deal on the Shark Pet IX141 is hard to beat.

Assassin's Creed Shadows was released over a month ago, and while many have had their chance to play through the story, that isn't the end. Ubisoft has now revealed their plans for the future of the game with a post-launch roadmap focused on content coming over the next year. From free content and small changes to a big paid expansion, here are the things you should look forward to over the next year in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Spotify's iPhone app in the U.S. now offers its users new payment and subscription options — and some of them could save you money.

The move follows a new decision in Epic Games' lawsuit against Apple, in which a California judge ordered that Apple must allow third-party app developers to direct customers to external payment sites.

Following the ruling, Spotify submitted a new version of its iPhone app, which was approved by Apple on Friday.

"In a victory for consumers, artists, creators, and authors, Apple has approved Spotify’s U.S. app update," wrote Spotify in a blog post. "After nearly a decade, this will finally allow us to freely show clear pricing information and links to purchase, fostering transparency and choice for U.S. consumers. We can now give consumers lower prices, more control, and easier access to the Spotify experience."

SEE ALSO: Apple held in contempt for violating court order in Epic Games' antitrust case

In practice, this means that Spotify's iPhone app in the U.S. can now show users pricing details on all of Spotify subscriptions, including promotions that can save users money. Users can more easily switch from one type of account to another, and they can use payment options other than what Apple is offering.

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Prior to this change, Spotify was not allowed to show users that they can get a cheaper subscription option by purchasing directly on Spotify's website.

"The fact that we haven’t been able to deliver these basic services, which were permitted by the judge’s order four years ago, is absurd," said the company in its blog post.

Other publishers, including Epic Games and Patreon, have also submitted updated iPhone apps with new payment options to Apple's App Store.

SAVE $49.96: As of May 2, the Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian portable speaker is on sale for $99.99 at Amazon. That's 33% off its list price of $149.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian $99.99 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $49.96 Get Deal

Summer is fast approaching, and if you're gearing up for some exciting trips and outdoor adventures, it's worth picking up a portable speaker. With this, you can take your favorite tunes on the go. And there are some great discounts available on a few different models right now, including the Beats Pill.

A couple of the Beats Pill models made in collaboration with Kim Kardashian are on sale for $99.99 right now at Amazon. This includes the colors light gray and dark gray. A few other Beats Pill models are on sale as well, but for more. The champagne gold and matte black speakers are down to $129.95 while the statement red speaker is on sale for $126.99.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best Bluetooth speakers, tested

The compact design of the Beats Pill makes it perfect for packing up and taking on the go. And with great sound quality alongside up to 24 hours of battery life, you can keep the tunes playing all day. It's even IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, so no matter where your journeys take you, it can handle the environment.

With the weather getting warmer, there's no better time than now to pick up a portable speaker. Don't miss out on 33% off the Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian portable speaker at Amazon.

Another great portable speaker deal we've come across recently that's worth checking out is on the JBL Flip 6, which has also dropped below $100 at Amazon.

The 36th chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe throws together a band of misfits to f*** around and find out. 

Thunderbolts* sees Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and a guy named Bob (Lewis Pullman) all somehow working together, but the film digs into some deeper themes of loneliness and despair.

With Beef director Jake Schreier at the helm, Thunderbolts*  finds human moments for these super-powered individuals. Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan sat down with the director, as well as John-Kamen and Pullman, to unpack some of the underlying concepts at play amongst the action.

"I brought in a lot of collaborators who can connect with that loneliness, and they're also some of the funniest people I know," said Schreier, who worked on Thunderbolts* with Beef writers Lee Sung Jin (aka Sonny Lee) and Joanna Calo, as well as editor Harry Yoon and production designer Grace Yun.

"I think we always felt like those two things could coexist, that you didn't have to sacrifice comedy or fun to address a sense of emptiness or darkness. Those were themes that we really explored on Beef," he added. "It seems odd to make a summer blockbuster that has those ideas in it, [but] it's not actually any smaller of an idea than anything else you would make a summer blockbuster about."

Schreier, John-Kamen, and Pullman also unpacked one of the best scenes in Thunderbolts*, a life-or-death "team-building exercise" in which Yelena, Bob, John, and Ghost (aka Ava) must shimmy back-to-back up a towering shaft — a scene Schreier said came from one of his earliest pitch meetings to Marvel.

"We always described it in shooting as probably maybe the least-dynamic action sequence in Marvel history, probably," he said.

"It's just such a juxtaposition of what Marvel is," said John-Kamen. "I mean, it's the only way we can get out."

Thunderbolts* is now showing in cinemas.

We all own so many tech gadgets these days that combining functions is always welcomed. You probably have a TV at home for streaming your favorite shows, but is it good enough for gaming? If you’re not one to game on your laptop or you like to spend the weekend with friends playing co-op games in the living room, your TV needs to be up to snuff in terms of performance. Not all TVs are worthy of your gaming skills, and many top-of-the-line models come with a hefty price tag.

If you’re not in the mood to spend thousands on a new TV but you also intend to game in the living room, some of the best budget-friendly TV brands make a few models that are great for gaming.

How to choose a budget-friendly gaming TV

TV jargon is notoriously confusing, and new acronyms pop up often. Instead of leaving you overwhelmed with the decision, we asked PCMag’s Will Greenwald to help out. Greenwald serves as a lead analyst, having tested over 170 TVs for PCMag, which is also owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis. Here’s the thing about testing TVs — it takes deeply advanced technology that most of us don’t have.

SEE ALSO: I bent LG's new 5K2K bendable gaming monitor at CES 2025

When it comes to TVs capable of handling gaming without costing over $1,000, Greenwald says, “Several of Hisense and TCL's TVs are excellent for gaming on a budget.” Both brands stand out as leaders when it comes to offering a solid price-to-quality ratio.

Gaming must-haves

Gaming, or rather gaming efficiently, means your TV needs to tick a few boxes. We’re looking at the refresh rate and input lag when finding a TV that’s well-equipped for gaming. Without scoring decent numbers on those elements, your gaming experience could be stuttery and interrupted. If your game happens to be full of quick action, you’ll want a TV that can keep up, instead of leaving you in sticky situations.

“For gaming, you should look for a TV with at least a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR, at the very least,” according to Greenwald. Refresh rate refers to how many times per second your TV updates the image, measured in hertz. VRR refers to variable refresh rate, and VRR-equipped TVs are able to match the game’s FPS (frames per second) up to the max refresh rate. For this feature, Greenwald says you want to look out for a gaming TV that comes with AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. 

And then there’s input lag, which is "the amount of time between when the TV receives a signal and the screen updates,” according to Greenwald. This is where the PCMag expert testing proves essential because TVs don’t include input lag info in their stats, and you won’t be able to tell when buying a TV online or even when it’s displayed in a store.

In real-life terms, input lag is how long it takes the TV to reflect what happened IRL. Say you press the jump button in the game. Input lag measures how much time it takes for the TV to get that info and show it on screen. As you can imagine, this is a big deal when it comes to gaming.

Since buying a gaming-worthy TV can be overwhelming, we’ve intentionally kept this short and sweet — only selecting a few models that should work well for everyone, following Greenwald’s guidance and expert testing. 

Best overall TCL QM6K (65-inch) $749.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $250 Shop Now Why we like it

The TCL QM6K is Greenwald’s top pick for buying a budget-friendly gaming TV. The refresh rate comes in at 144 Hz and you’ll get AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to tick off that VRR requirement. “The TCL QM6K is a very good value and a strong performer for the price,” said Greenwald in his review. “While it isn’t the brightest TV available, its mini-LED backlight enables deep black levels for excellent contrast, its colors are wide and accurate, and it's packed with features for streaming and gaming.”

Greenwald’s measurements showed the TCL QM6K has an input lag of 7.5 milliseconds when in Game Mode, and anything under 10 milliseconds is considered good for gaming with Greenwald’s advanced equipment.

The TCL QM6K's overall design is also nice, with a slim design that looks modern. Its Google TV platform is one of the best options around, thanks to an intuitive design that keeps all of your streaming options nicely arranged and easy to access. Google Cast lets you stream from an Android device or a Chrome tab, and Apple AirPlay means Apple’s ecosystem can easily push to the TV. While it’s a small detail, the backlighting on the included remote control is really helpful for movie nights.

The 4K QLED display on the TCL QM6K is impressive when it comes to contrast, according to Greenwald, giving off accurate colors and deep blacks. “By the numbers, the QM6K’s contrast is excellent, though it only gets modestly bright compared with slightly more expensive TVs,” Greenwald found after extensive testing. But what makes the TCL QM6K our top pick is the combination of picture quality with gaming features at an affordable price.

If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly option, consider the 55-inch version of the TCL QM6K, which usually knocks about $200 off the price of the 65-inch. You could also go bigger and grab an 85 or 98-inch model. While the price increases with size, it remains a good value for the cost across the entire line.

Other sizes: 

The TCL QM6K comes in 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches.

Runner up Hisense U8N (65-inch) $947.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $552 Shop Now Why we like it

In addition to TCL, Hisense is a strong contender when it comes to manufacturing TVs with impressive specs for the price point. The Hisense U8N is one of Greenwald’s top picks for budget-friendly TVs that don’t skimp out on quality, and this model comes with gaming stats that should work well for all but the most serious of gamers. For starters, the Hisense U8N comes with a 144 Hz refresh rate in Game Mode Pro, which is more than acceptable. Plus, it comes equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, which will give you a better experience in terms of VRR.

When Greenwald tested the Hisense U8N for input lag, his equipment showed a 7.4 millisecond lag when in Game Mode Pro with Instant Game Response enabled. This is pretty quick, according to Greenwald, since anything under 10 milliseconds is PCMag’s threshold for what makes a TV suitable for gaming. Greenwald further explains that a 7.4 millisecond lag works out to just one frame drop per second at the Hisense U8N’s 144 Hz refresh rate.

The one disclaimer with the Hisense U8N’s Game Mode is that Greenwald suggests you turn that feature off once you’re done gaming and switch to watching TV. “Make sure you turn off Game Mode when not playing games, though, because I saw significant clipping in highlights (where very bright parts of the screen blend together and become indistinct) with it turned on,” he noted in his review of the TV.

Greenwald also praises the Hisense U8N’s brightness, which comes from the 4K QLED display. He was impressed with the U8N’s off-angle viewing, which didn’t have color skewing or desaturation. This off-angle viewing experience can be a big factor if you host a gaming night for friends, where not everyone will be directly in front of the TV.

With a 144 Hz refresh rate, low input lag, nice display, and budget-friendly price, the U8N is a great option. “It can put out a nearly blinding amount of light, it’s loaded with features, and it’s very affordable for the performance it offers,” Greenwald noted.

Other sizes:

The Hisense U8N comes in 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches.

Honorable mention Vizio Quantum Pro (65-inch) $698 at Walmart
$1,644.56 Save $946.56 Shop Now Why we like it

Also hanging out under the $1,000 mark, the Vizio Quantum Pro could work well as your affordable gaming TV. CNET, another Mashable sister publication also owned by Ziff Davis, considers the Vizio Quantum Pro to be a nice mid-range option. “In our tests over the years, Vizio TVs have consistently produced excellent picture quality at a more affordable price,” according to the CNET review. “The Vizio Quantum Pro continues this trend and holds up as a solid mid-priced TV option, particularly for gamers looking for a high-performance gaming TV without breaking the bank.”

It comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which is lower than our top two choices, but is still perfectly acceptable for gaming. That’s especially true if your video game preferences are on the more chill side, like spending the weekend with Animal Crossing or endless rounds of Balatro. It’s also worth noting some consoles top out at 120 Hz, including the Nintendo Switch 2, which means you might not require a 240 Hz+ TV. Regarding VRR, you’ll be in good shape with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

A slight limitation comes from the single HDMI port on the Quantum Pro that can support 4K 120 Hz. This means you can only have one console connected at a time. The other three HDMI ports cannot support these specs.

Other sizes:

The Vision Quantum Pro comes in 65 and 75 inches.