Technology

I love Anker Soundcore sleep earbuds and both pairs I own are $50 off for Black Friday

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:40
Best sleep earbuds deals for Black Friday Best for most people Soundcore Sleep A20 $107.99 (save $70) Get Deal Best upgrade pick Soundcore Sleep A30 $179.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Personally, I'm not sure it's possible to put a price tag on improving your sleep. But if anything, that just makes spotting good deals on sleep tech extra exciting.

On that front, Black Friday is delivering, with price cuts on two of the best sleep earbuds I've tested: the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 and Sleep A30 earbuds, with the former going for $107.99, and the latter for $179.99. Not only do both these buds offer a solid range of features and great performance, but they're also a much better value than other sleep earbuds on sale (looking at you, Ozlo Sleepbuds).

SEE ALSO: I test headphones for a living — these are the 15 best Black Friday deals

I spent weeks testing out both of these earbuds (and testing them against other options on the market), and these came out as the clear frontrunners in the earbuds space. So which should you pick up? I break down the differences below.

Best sleep earbuds deal for most people Soundcore Sleep A20 $107.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $72.00   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy Why we like it

The Sleep A20 earbuds aren't the newest sleep buds available, but they are absolutely the best value ones. They cover the basics of a sleep earbud well, with a flat profile fit for side sleepers, the option to be used without an app after setup, a built-in alarm, white noise features, and the option to stream your own audio (and set a timer on it). They can fall prey to some small quirks: I recommend setting the max volume quite low after you unbox them: Mashable Deputy Editor Miller Kern and I both had the experience of these earbuds switching to the white noise as we drifted off to sleep, and it was unpleasantly loud. Still, once you have the settings right, these do a great job of passively blocking noise, and at $107.99, are one of the cheaper options out there.

You can pick them up on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Soundcore's website.

Best upgrade sleep earbuds deal for most people Soundcore Sleep A30 $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Anker Why we like it

If you've looked at investing in a pair of sleep earbuds, chances are your search has led you to the Ozlo Sleepbuds (the brand founded by former Bose employees). While they're certainly nice earbuds, they're also exorbitantly expensive, clocking in at $279 on sale this Black Friday.

The Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds, on the other hand, are $179.99 on sale from their $229.99 list price, and come with active noise cancellation, unlike the Ozlo Sleepbuds. At the time of writing, you can grab them at Amazon, Best Buy, and Soundcore's website. Though their ANC isn't the strongest, it is a nice extra barrier for anyone who is an extra light sleeper or finds themselves in an especially noisy environment night after night. In addition to the ANC, the white noise features on the A30 buds are a bit more elegant and more customizable than what you'll find on the A20 buds, both in soundscape options and the adaptive snore masking tech. Altogether, these features might just be worth the extra $70 for you.

Read our full review of the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds.

Still looking for more deals and gift ideas? See the biggest discounts at Amazon’s epic Black Friday sale and save up to 70% on popular gifts, gadgets, and more goodies.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't buy a work monitor unless it has these 5 features

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:30

Buying a monitor for work can seem daunting, with so many specifications and features to consider. And with countless models on the market, even an experienced PC hardware veteran like myself sometimes struggles to find the perfect one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My favorite power station for camping just hit a record price for Black Friday — Save 50% on Anker Solix

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:27

SAVE $450: The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is on sale at Amazon for just $349, down from the normal price of $799. That's a massive 56% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen on this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $349 at Amazon
$799 Save $450   Get Deal

I'll be honest when I say I didn't think I would love portable power stations as much as I do. Sure, I knew they would be useful when camping or during a power outage, but I did not realize just how often I'd use on in my everyday normal life. After testing over a dozen portable power stations, there's one that stands out as a favorite and it happens to be at a new record-low price for Black Friday.

As of Nov. 27, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is on sale at Amazon for only $349, marked down from the standard price of $799. That works out to a major 56% discount and a savings of $450 for this new model. It's also a record-low.

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Anker stepped up their game with this Gen 2 model of the C1000. For starters, it's lighter than the original C1000 (which I also love, tbh). This newer model comes with a weight of 24.9 pounds which means super easy to carry from room to room during an outage. It's only a few pounds lighter than the original model, but it makes a big difference. Anker also redesigned the overall shape on the Gen 2 which lends to its portability.

I'm also in love with Anker's thoughtful port design on the C1000 Gen 2. Two UBS-C ports max out at 140W and all five of the AC ports are spread out enough that it should be no issue to plug in bulker items like battery rechargers.

The Solix C1000 Gen 2 powering up the life of the party. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Aside from camping and power outages, I actually find myself packing the Solix C1000 Gen 2 when I visit my parents house. Their 1950s house is low on outlets, so I pack along the power station to keep on the guest room nightstand to recharge my phone each night. In fact, it's powering my laptop as I'm typing at my parent's house before we dive into the Thanksgiving meal.

SEE ALSO: Save over $400 with the best Black Friday portable power station deal

Really, the only reason I'd choose the original Solix C1000 over the new Gen 2 is because the older model comes with a built-in lightbar. That's immensely useful during a power outage when you're carrying the power station up the stairs and need some lighting to illuminate the path. However, the Anker Solix C1000 is only on sale for $397 during Black Friday, compared to the Gen 2 sale price of $349. Unless you really want that lightbar, I'd go with the cheaper price on the Gen 2.

Before we lose this excellent discount, snag the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 while it's sitting at a record low of $349 at Amazon. This Black Friday deal could completely change your next camping trip or snagging it as a gift will earn you top marks for holiday gift-giving this year.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Depot is giving away free cordless tools for Black Friday — See BOGO offers on Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ryobi

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:08
Top Black Friday cordless tool deals at a glance: Best Free Tool Deal Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $199 (free tool with purchase) Get Deal Best Amazon Deal Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $99 (save $80) Shop Now Best Lowes Deal Kobalt 24V 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill $79 (save $70) Get Deal Best Power Tool Combo Kit Milwuakee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Combo Kit (7 tools + 2 Batteries) $599 (Free tool included ) Get Deal

Some dads only want one thing for Christmas: A Home Depot gift card. Well, here's something easier than picking out Christmas gifts for dads — a buy-one-get-one tool deal from the Home Depot.

Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy get a lot of attention for their annual Black Friday sales, but we're here to put some respect on the Home Depot's name. Just like last year, the Home Depot is giving away free cordless tools with eligible purchases in an epic BOGO promotion. As part of this buy-one-get-one sale, you can pick up a cordless drill, an extra battery and charger pack, a cordless leaf blower, a circular saw, and tons more tools with your purchase. The extra tool is absolutely free with an eligible purchase.

All you have to do is pick out a qualifying "main item" and the free tool of your choice will be included in your order. A ton of top-rated Ryobi, DeWalt, and Milwaukee products are available as freebies in this promotion. Here's an example of how it works: Add an item like the Milwaukee Cordless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit to your cart, and then you'll be able to select a free gift with purchase. Options include a $200 portable tire inflator, a $279 nail gun, or a $199 reciprocating saw, also from Milwaukee.

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

In total, more than 123 popular cordless tools and power tool combo kits are included in the Home Depot's Black Friday BOGO sale. We've included some standout cordless tool deals, as well as the best competitor deals from other retailers, below.

Best BOGO deal from the Home Depot Opens in a new window Credit: Dewalt Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $199 at The Home Depot
$438 Save $239 Free tool with purchase Get Deal Why we like it

An impact wrench is a clutch tool to have on hand for a variety of DIY jobs around the house (from assembling furniture to building a whole-ass patio) to car repairs. This well-reviewed model from DeWalt is sporting a 55% discount at Home Depot — one of the heftiest price drops you'll see on a power tool this Black Friday — and it comes with a free tool of your choice.

More BOGO free cordless tool deals from the Home DepotMore power tool deals from the Home DepotEven more Black Friday deals on cordless tools

Black Friday deals on cordless tools are just as valuable to the average non-handy person as they are to DIY experts. Just imagine being able to mount your new TV on the wall without begging a friend with a drill to come over. Or being able to assemble a new piece of furniture with an Allen wrench drill bit instead of twisting the entire thing by hand.

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

Besides the Home Depot's BOGO sale, we've found a ton more Black Friday deals on cordless power tools at Amazon, Lowe's, and Best Buy.

Best Black Friday power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dewalt Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $119 at Amazon
$179 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

This is a classic Black Friday deal that DIY-ers have counted on for years. Even if you're not a DIY expert, a cordless drill can make you feel like one. From assembling furniture to hanging up mirrors or mounting TVs, a cordless drill like this is an essential if you own your own home.

Lowe's Black Friday cordless power tool dealsBest Buy Black Friday cordless power tool deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

I love my Kindle Paperwhite, and you can get its lowest-ever price for Amazon Black Friday 2025

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:06

BEST KINDLE DEAL: At Amazon's Black Friday 2025 sale, you can save up to 22% on the Kindle Paperwhite, for total savings of $35.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal

Happy Thanksgiving! If you're looking to partake in some retail therapy on this Black Friday, then let me recommend the e-reader I trust to store my entire digital library and latest Libby finds. I'm talking about the Kindle Paperwhite, currently marked down to its lowest-ever price as part of the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Now, when I'm not hard at work as Mashable's tech editor, I also like to collect books. I have quite the collection of rare and first-edition science-fiction books. I have so many books, in fact, that I ran out of room, and now depend on my Kindle for new reads. I love my Kindle Paperwhite, and I'm not the only one.

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

Mashable reporters have tested the whole Kindle lineup, and the Paperwhite is our favorite of the bunch. However, before you click "Add to cart," please read this first. While you can pick up this e-reader on sale for $124.99, I actually recommend spending a little more for the version without lockscreen ads. That will set you back $144.99, but hear me out: It's absolutely worth it for anyone who hates ads.

When you pay more for the version without lockscreen ads, you'll see beautiful black-and-white photographs displayed on the e-reader's lockscreen. If you don't, you'll see an endless cast of ads for cheap romantasy books that you'll probably never read. So, reader, heed my advice and click the option that reads "Without lockscreen ads," especially if you're giving this e-reader as a gift this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (without lockscreen ads) $144.99
$179.99 Save $35 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Why we love the Kindle Paperwhite

The newest version of the Paperwhite has everything we look for in an e-reader: ample storage space, an easy-to-read glare-free display, adjustable warm light, and simple controls. It's also fully waterproof, so you can pack your Kindle when heading to the pool or beach. The 7-inch display is large enough that you can read without squinting, too.

And if you're looking to pay a little (or a lot) less for your e-reader, the best Black Friday Kindle deals start at just $79.99. The base model Kindle is currently 27% off at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle $79.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $30 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

50+ of the best Black Friday TV deals in 2025: Score record-low deals on Samsung, LG, and Hisense

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:01

Don't have time to read a bunch of paragraphs? Use the table of contents dropdown to skip to the best TV deals in list form, categorized by retailer and size.

The best Black Friday TV deals at a glance: Best small TV deal Amazon 32-inch 2-Series Smart Fire TV $99.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST 50-inch TV deal Hisense 50-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $199.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $499.99 (save $800) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $899.99 (save $1,600) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $697.99 (save $302) Get Deal Best giant TV deal Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 (save $700) Get Deal Best deal on The Frame Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV $897.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best OLED TV Deal Samsung 65-Inch S95F 4K OLED Smart TV $2,299.99 (save $1,000 + get a free $100 gift card) Get Deal

It's officially the best time of year to buy a TV. And you don't even have to wake up at 2 a.m., ready to throw fists in a Walmart. There are so many record-low Black Friday TV deals live across the internet now that all of the big TV destinations like Amazon and Best Buy have officially kicked off their Black Friday sales. Depending on pickup or quick delivery options, ordering your new TV on sale now could have it in your living room before Cyber Weekend even hits — just in time for holiday weekend football.

Remember: The most popular TVs do tend to sell out during Black Friday (even as of Thanksgiving, we're starting to see deals sell out at Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy). And if you see a TV deal with the retailer's "Black Friday deal" tag in the days ahead of Nov. 28, you don't have to wait it out in hopes that the price will drop further on Friday.

SEE ALSO: Streaming just got cheaper: Score Black Friday deals on HBO Max, Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and more

We're live tracking the best Black Friday deals on TVs every day through Cyber Monday. Find our recommendations organized by retailer and size below, including a heads up if a highlighted model has already sold out at another retailer (in other words, grab it ASAP).

Psst: If you're not sure what to do with your old TV, you can recycle it at most Best Buy stores for free.

Best Black Friday deal on a small TV Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 32-inch 2-Series Smart Fire TV $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Why we like it

While this mini TV won't win any awards for its display, it has all the essentials you need in an extra TV. So, if you're looking for a TV for your bedroom, kitchen, or small apartment, consider this popular Amazon TV. It's hard to argue with a $99.99 price tag, which seems like a mistake in the era of inflation and tariffs. The 2-series uses the Fire TV OS to get you connected to streaming services like Apple TV and HBO Max, and it comes with an Alexa voice remote.

Best Black Friday 50-inch TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $199.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $130 Sold out at Amazon Get Deal Why we like it

This deal really highlights why we love the Hisense TV brand so much: you can get a QLED 4K TV for under $200. The QD6 model is a well-rounded budget TV that utilizes the Fire TV platform and features built-in Alexa, as well as Dolby Vision HDR and DTS Virtual X audio for better picture quality and crisper sound. It won't wow you quite like a premium QLED would, but you'll still notice a difference from the quantum dots — particularly when watching in the daytime. This 50-inch model is great for smaller living rooms, bedrooms, and apartments, and at $199.99, it's beating its Prime Day price by nearly $40 at Best Buy.

Best Black Friday 65-inch TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $899.99 at Best Buy
$2,499.99 Save $1,600.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not sure what size TV to get, we consider 65 inches to be the sweet spot for most folks. And our top pick for most people is TCL's QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV, thanks to its impressive brightness, stellar picture quality, contrast, shadow detail, and budget-conscious pricing.

"While this intensity of brightness makes the QM8K a solid choice for watching TV in daylight, its more-precise-than-usual backlights keep details crisp in a dark room. The new anti-halo effect is an effective fix for some of the blooming its predecessor experienced," Mashable's Leah Stodart notes. It's typically a $2,500 TV, but this Black Friday deal at Best Buy has dropped the cost of the 65-inch model down below $900. Amazon has the same model listed for $2 less, but as it comes from a third-party seller, we're more inclined to go with Best Buy.

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings Best Black Friday 75-inch+ TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $697.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $302 Sold out at Walmart and Best Buy Get Deal Why we like it

Walmart's excellent deal on the TCL QM6K TV, which our friends at CNET (also owned by Ziff Davis) dubbed the "best TV under $1,000 in 2025," is currently unmatched at Amazon or Best Buy. It checks all the boxes you want in a new TV: impressive picture quality with vibrant colors, smooth streaming interface (via Google TV), a high refresh rate for gaming (144Hz), and a killer price tag. At $698, this Black Friday deal not only beats its Prime Day price by more than $50, but it marks a new record-low. It's not quite as impressive as its QM8K sibling, but the QM6K is "a stellar mini LED TV for the low-to-mid-tier price range," as our team pointed out in our roundup of the best TVs for 2025.

Best Black Friday deal on The Frame Art TV Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV $897.99 at Amazon
$1,197.99 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

We think the 2025 edition of The Frame, Samsung's cult-favorite art TV, is probably the best TV of the year on balance. While you can find premium LG and Samsung OLEDs with better displays, they will cost a lot more, and they lack the cool factor you get with The Frame. This art TV is ultra-thin, blending perfectly into your home decor. It also has a very unique matte, anti-glare display. Often imitated but never equaled, The Frame is truly special, and this is one of the year's best Black Friday tech deals so far.

More Black Friday deals on art TVsBest OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED 4K TV $2,299.99 at Best Buy
$3,299.99 Save $1,000 Comes with a free $100 gift card Get Deal Why we like it

While we do think the LG C5 is the best OLED TV you can buy right now, it's not necessarily the best Black Friday OLED TV deal. For example, the $1,399.99 "sale price" on the 65-inch C5 at Best Buy looks like an incredible deal until you realize that that TV has been $1,399.99 at Amazon since October. (Camelcamelcamel spills the price history tea once again.)

In terms of legit record-low discounts, the 65-inch Samsung S95F OLED's $1,000 discount is new for Black Friday, and you'll get a free $100 Best Buy gift card on top of that. The S95F is still one of our top OLED recommendations, mostly due to its anti-glare matte finish that's highly effective in bright rooms.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon. More Black Friday TV deals at Best Buy43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and upMore Black Friday TV deals at Walmart50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs70-inch TVs and upMore Black Friday TV deals at Amazon43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and up85-inch TVs and up
Categories: IT General, Technology

Black is the new best wallpaper for your phone

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 21:30

I've given a lot of time and thought to the wallpapers on my phones. All along, there was a simple solution—no wallpaper at all. Black is the only background color a growing number of us actually need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

50+ Walmart Black Friday deals: Score Lego, Samsung TVs, AirPods at record-low prices

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 21:19

Walmart's official Black Friday sale is on, and it runs through Nov. 30. We've combed through the latest drop of doorbusters, compared the options to competitors, and have handpicked a list of the worthwhile Walmart Black Friday deals to snag — before they sell out.

Walmart's Black Friday deals at a glance: GET ALL THE PERKS 1-Year Walmart+ Membership $49 (Save $49) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods 4 $69 (save $60.99) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 75-inch H5 QLED 4K Roku TV $378 (save $121) Get Deal Best Stick Vacuum Deal Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner $399.99 (save $330) Get Deal Best PlayStation deal PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Console (1TB) $449 (save $40) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL Magic Bullet Essential Blender with To-Go Lid $15 (save $24.99) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and Mop $459.99 (save $290) Get Deal Best laptop deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549 (save $100) Get Deal Best Carpet Cleaner Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner $78.97 (save $44.62) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Deal Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS, 40mm) $129 (save $40.99) Get Deal

Walmart is no longer in early Black Friday mode. The retailer's official Black Friday sale kicked off on Tuesday, Nov. 25 — which feels early until you remember that Target's official sale started on Nov. 23, and Best Buy's even earlier on Nov. 20. Walmart definitely brings the doorbusters to make up for that time, though: We're already seeing some jaw-dropping record-low prices, like the Apple AirPods 4 on sale for $69, the M1 MacBook Air for $549, the Lego Star Wars Executor Super Star Destroyer for $40, and Magic Bullet blenders for just $15 a pop.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Get live updates on the latest sales, doorbusters, and deal drops

We're keeping daily tabs on Walmart's Black Friday sale through its online-only Cyber Monday sale on Dec. 1:

Best Walmart Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch H5 QLED 4K Roku TV $378 at Walmart
$499 Save $121   Get Deal Why we like it

Walmart officially has the cheapest 75-inch QLED TV of Black Friday so far. The 75-inch Hisense H5 QLED TV bumps the previous winner (the $399.99 75-inch Insignia QF QLED at Amazon) to second place by $20 and some change. If you're a Roku TV person over a Fire TV person anyway, this Hisense is such a no-brainer upgrade. Compared to a regular LED TV, the QLED difference in brightness and color saturation will be palpable the first time you try to watch anything in a sunlit room.

More Black Friday TV deals at Walmart43 inches and under50 to 55 inches65 inches75 inches85 inches and upBest gaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PlayStation 5 Console 1TB Fortnite - Flowering Chaos Bundle $449 at Walmart
$549 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

As much as we love the new Nintendo Switch 2, there's no denying it: the PlayStation 5 is the king of the consoles. And you can find great bundles on PS5 consoles in stock at all the major retailers right now. We like this bundle because the console comes with a full terabyte of storage, plus access to exclusive Fortnite items for PS5 players.

Best laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $549 at Walmart
$649 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The M1 MacBook Air is the cheapest Apple laptop we recommend. It's quiet, sleek, super portable, and way faster than similarly priced Chromebooks. Walmart almost always has it on sale for $599 (regularly $649), so we were looking for an even deeper Black Friday discount. Our wish was granted: It's now just $549, or 15% off.

More Black Friday laptop deals at WalmartBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $69 at Walmart
$129 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

This AirPods deal is keeping us on our toes. We were already satisfied when Walmart dropped the AirPods 4 to a record low of $79.99 on Nov. 20, but as of Nov. 25, another $10.99 has been shaved off. How often do you get to say that the latest (non-Pro) AirPods are almost 50% off? Almost never, so bag these before they disappear.

More earbuds and headphones deals Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and Mop $459.99 at Walmart
$749.99 Save $290   Get Deal Why we like it

Roborock is quickly replacing iRobot as the most reliable robot vacuum brand. The brand made some of our favorite robot vacuums of the year, and this Qrevo Series self-emptier boasts 10,000 Pa of suction and the ability to mop your floors.

More Black Friday vacuum deals at WalmartBest deal on toys and games Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2025 $35.99 at Walmart
$44.99 Save $9   Get Deal Why we like it

This is the time of year to snag Advent calendars while they're 1) on sale and 2) still in stock. This set comes with tons of mini figures and toys Star Wars fans will love. Can you say BB-8 as a snowman, or Jawa wearing an ugly Christmas sweater? You won't find this Black Friday Advent calendar deal at Amazon.

More Walmart Black Friday deals on toys and gamesBest Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 2 (GPS, 40mm) $129 at Walmart
$169.99 Save $40.99 New price drop! Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE 2 has since been replaced by the SE 3, but except for a longer battery life, they're pretty similar devices. And as of Thanksgiving day, Walmart has dropped prices on the previous-gen model to just $129. We expect this deal to sell out fast, because there's just something satisfying about an Apple Watch that only costs $129.

More Walmart deals on Apple productsBest Black Friday kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Magic Bullet Magic Bullet Essential Blender with To-Go Lid $15 at Walmart
$39.99 Save $24.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Do we need to explain this one? It's a blender that costs $15, and from a brand we've had great experiences with before. This personal smoothie blender comes with a to-go cup and lid, so you can whip up a smoothie before work or class and take it with you.

More Black Friday kitchen deals SEE ALSO: Black Friday 2025: Live updates on the latest deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more
Categories: IT General, Technology

Social media companies to be held liable for financial scams under new EU rules

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 21:01

The European Union passed a new law early Thursday morning that will hold social media platforms like Meta and TikTok liable for financial fraud — a major escalation in the bloc’s attempt to rein in Big Tech.

After hours of late-night negotiations, EU lawmakers approved the measure, adding another layer of regulatory pressure on companies that have spent years lobbying Washington to counter the EU’s aggressive antitrust and content-moderation agenda. The law builds on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), which curbs the spread of illegal content and prevent tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta from leveraging their dominance to expand across the internet.

SEE ALSO: U.S. trade court blocks President Trump's tariffs in surprise ruling. What happens now? (Updated)

Violating either law can trigger massive fines, something the tech sector — and U.S. President Donald Trump — have repeatedly pushed back against. Trump has accused the EU of "discriminating" against American companies, framing the bloc’s enforcement as an attack on U.S. innovation.

Much of the final stretch of deliberations centered on who should shoulder the blame when these scams happen. Several MEPs argued that Big Tech and banks share equal responsibility, since platforms host the scams and banks process the money. However, European governments pushed back, arguing that banks should only be held accountable when their own safeguards fail.

The result is a compromise: banks will reimburse victims when a scammer impersonates the bank or when a financial transaction goes through without the customer’s consent, according to the EU release.

The new fraud-liability rules arrive as social media platforms have become the primary target for investment scams, impersonation schemes, and questionable ads of every kind. Under the law, platforms will now be required to compensate banks when a user is defrauded, and it’s clear the company failed to remove a reported scam.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday Amazon device deals: Fire TVs, Kindles, and Echo speakers are showing off

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:57
The best Black Friday Amazon device deals at a glance: Best Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 (128GB) $279.99 at Best Buy (save $90) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon 65-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $894.99 at Amazon (save $195) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $19.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best Echo deal Echo Dot Max $89.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Kindle $79.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Blink deal Blink Mini 2K+ $24.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best Echo Buds deal Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation 34.99 (save $85) Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale officially kicked off on Nov. 20, a full week ahead of Black Friday proper. But as you probably know at this point, the actual dates of the sale are blurred beyond recognition. Many deals, particularly on Amazon's own devices, were already live days before the event — and will likely stick around after all is said and done. Other than Prime Day, Black Friday season is the best time of year to score an Amazon device for cheap.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon.

Plenty of Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Fire TV Sticks, and Blink security cameras hit record-low prices early on. We were particularly impressed by the Fire TV deals, with some 2025 models up to $210 off. Not to mention the best Fire Stick deal I've personally ever seen is still going strong. Echo speakers and smart displays, as well as Kindles, were slower to trickle in, but have now dropped to truly epic all-time lows as well.

We're keeping track of all of the best Amazon device deals for Black Friday below. For deals beyond Amazon devices, be sure to follow along with all of Mashable's coverage in our Black Friday hub.

SEE ALSO: Mashable will send the best Black Friday deals directly to your phone — how it works Best Black Friday Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 (64GB) $279.99 at Best Buy
  Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Amazon's best iPad competitor and our favorite Fire tablet, the Fire Max 11, is down to $189.99 (for the version with double storage) at Amazon during its Black Friday sale — more than 30% in savings. As Mashable's reviewer noted, "The Amazon Fire Max 11 has a large, 11-inch display and is blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games." It also features 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, an octa-core processor, WiFi 6 compatibility, and a 14-hour battery life. While it is a couple of years old, it's the newest generation of the tablet available. (The 64GB model is currently sold out after a popular 39% early Black Friday discount. We'll let you know when it returns.)

Read our full review of the Fire Max 11.

More Fire tablet deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) $69.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $70.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids (16GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $55.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro (32GB) $74.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $75.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (32GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $75.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (32GB) $104.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $85.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) $104.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $85.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet productivity bundle $279.97 at Amazon
$406.97 Save $127   Get Deal Best Black Friday Amazon Fire TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $694.99 at Amazon
$819.99 Save $125   Get Deal Why we like it

The newest and fanciest Fire TV in Amazon's lineup, the 2025 Omni Mini-LED Fire TV is loaded up with specs. It packs hands-free Alexa, Interactive Art Mode (similar to Samsung's The Frame), a 144Hz refresh rate, and Intelligent Picture technology, which can fine-tune the details of whatever you're watching. With a 4K QLED mini-LED display featuring Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness, and 768 dimming zones, it's easily the best Fire TV picture quality to date. And now that the 55-inch model is down to only $694.99 — its lowest price on record — it's almost in budget-friendly territory.

Best Black Friday Fire Stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Though Amazon is no longer basically giving away the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (we're keeping our eyes peeled for the return of coupon code that brought it down to $9.99) it's still a pretty solid deal at $19.99. It's the newest Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup and offers vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support, a new operating system called Vega, and the same plug-and-play design you know and love. It will soon also offer support for Alexa+, Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, Amazon Kids+, and NordVPN.

More Fire TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $17.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $17.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25 with 2-year protection plan Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $249.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $80   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $190   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $329.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $70   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $150   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 65-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $419.99 at Amazon
$669.99 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 65-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $894.99 at Amazon
$1,089.99 Save $195   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $539.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $300   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $1,289.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $210   Get Deal

For more Amazon Fire TV deals, check out our full list of Black Friday TV deals.

Best Black Friday Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot Max $89.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $10   Get Deal Why we like it

One of Amazon's most popular speakers got a boost last month. Meet the Echo Dot Max — a refreshed smart speaker built for Alexa+, the superpowered AI assistant that can do more than ever before. The Echo Dot Max is small (just slightly bigger than the Echo Dot), but powerful enough to fill large spaces with its 0.8-inch tweeter and a 2.5-inch woofer that support lossless, high-definition audio. It even has an included smart home hub. This is the first discount we've seen yet on the month-old speaker.

More Echo deals Echo Dot (5th gen) $31.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal at Amazon Echo Pop $21.99 at Best Buy
$39.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Pop Kids $21.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot Kids $31.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Echo Show 5 $54.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 8 $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal Echo Show 15 $254.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $45   Get Deal at Amazon Best Black Friday Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle $79.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

I've said it before, but the basic Kindle is my pride and joy, and I annoyingly recommend it to everyone I talk to. I projected it would drop to $79.99 for Black Friday, and I've never been so pleased to be right. That's $30 cheaper than usual and its best price to date. The basic Kindle is the most compact Amazon e-reader — it's small enough to slip into my purse — and has the same screen resolution and paper-like display as its more expensive sibling. The only downside is it's not waterproof, so just be extra careful when reading near water.

More Kindle deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $309.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $140   Get Deal

Check out our full curated list of Black Friday Kindle deals.

Best Black Friday Blink deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Mini 2 $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Mini 2K+ $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 $27.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $52   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Video Doorbell $29.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $40   Get Deal Best Black Friday Echo Buds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation $34.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $85   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday deals at Home Depot: Everything you can shop right now

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:54
Home Depot Black Friday deals at a glance: Best Early Black Friday Cordless Power Tool Deal DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Variable Speed Impact Wrench $199 (Save $40) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Tool Deal Husky 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet $219 (Save $110) Get Deal Best Early Black Friday Home Deal Samsung Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Sphere Ice $1,698 (Save $1,501) Get Deal Best early Black Friday outdoor deal Starlink Mini Kit $229 (Save $270) Get Deal

If you’ve been holding off on that big renovation, looking to replace some power tools, or you just want to stock up on home essentials, now’s the moment to head to Home Depot. The retailer's Black Friday sale is well underway, so you can shop some of the season's biggest deals ahead.

Home Depot is stacking up some pretty impressive deals, perfect if you're ready to tackle a home project, update your tool collection, or find that perfect, practical gift. Expect hefty discounts on power tools, big-ticket appliances, outdoor gear, and more.

We've sifted through the Home Depot Black Friday sale to give you the rundown on what's available now, so you don't have to spend precious time doing so. The deals include some of the best artificial Christmas trees and with any luck, we'll see the Home Depot Animated Christmas R2-D2 back in stock soon or you can go with the lovable giant animatronic Christmas Chewbacca which is still in stock.

While most of us are doing all of our holiday shopping online, The Home Depot is holding an in-store event on Black Friday itself, starting at 6 a.m. The doorbuster deals include tools from Ryobi, DeWalt, and Milwaukee. You'll also be in for deals on outdoor holiday decorations and major appliances.

Check out what's on offer below at The Home Depot's Black Friday event online. Get your shopping done so you can beat the rush this year.

Best Black Friday cordless power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Depot DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Variable Speed Impact Wrench $199 at Home Depot
$239 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

This impact wrench kit is great for a variety of DIY jobs, including removing stubborn lug nuts or tackling other tough jobs at home. It's compact enough to fit into tight spaces but still delivers 450 pounds of breakaway torque, which makes it a great tool to add to your collection, especially since this kit comes with both 5Ah and 2Ah batteries as well as an LED work light in addition to a charger for under $200.

More Black Friday cordless power tool dealsBest Black Friday tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Depot Husky 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet $219 at Home Depot
$329 Save $110   Get Deal Why we like it

Keep your tools organized with this rolling tool cabinet. You can use it to store everything from small hand tools to larger equipment. With five drawers and 100-lb rated soft-close slides, everything is protected and safe while inside the cabinet. It's time to stop leaving your tools everywhere, thanks to this deal.

More Black Friday tool dealsBest Black Friday home and appliance deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Depot Samsung Bespoke 4-Door French Door Refrigerator with Sphere Ice $1,698 at Home Depot
$3,199 Save $1,501   Get Deal Why we like it

If it's high time you invested in a new fridge, go big or go home with this Samsung pick, which can save you some serious cash. This massive model has a sphere ice maker in addition to plenty of room for all your kitchen essentials. And there's even an internal dispenser and built-in pitcher for water if you're always thirsty. The fridge itself is stainless steel, so it should match all your decor, too.

More Black Friday appliance dealsBlack Friday home dealsBest Black Friday outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Starlink Starlink Mini Kit $229
$499 Save $270   Get Deal Why we like it

Looking for WiFi outdoors? It's a reality with Starlink's WiFi kits. Starlink Mini is an all-in-one kit delivering internet connection even when you're in the most remote and rural of areas, all you need is a clear view of the sky. The Home Depot is offering an exceptional deal on the Starlink Mini during its Black Friday sale. Grab it now for just $229, saving you $270. That's 54% off its $499 price tag.

Best Black Friday outdoor deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

The top 6 beauty deals of Black Friday, sourced by someone who tests beauty tech

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:38

One of the biggest advantages of being a beauty tech product tester is that I get to see firsthand if the latest multi-styler, hair dryer, or microcurrent device is worth the hype.

Combined with the experience of covering Black Friday deals for the past four years, I feel particularly well prepared to determine which beauty savings are actually worth picking up during the shopping holiday. Spoiler alert: not everything with a markdown is an exceptional deal. Plus, as someone with plenty of experience testing out the high-end products (aka basically Dyson's entire lineup) against the many dupes they inspire and seeing the latter perform well in many cases, I especially advise against adding something to your cart simply because it has the higher price tag or more recognizable brand name.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Black Friday 2025: Best early deals, sale dates, price matching, and more

With that in mind, I've gathered the top six beauty deals from Black Friday that I've spotted so far. Find my recs (and some buying advice) below:

Dyson Supersonic Nural

I'll be the first person to say that while the Supersonic is my favorite hair tool from Dyson, it's also probably overpriced for most people, especially with all the great dupes out there (more on that below). That said, it is a nice luxury upgrade. If you're determined to pick one up this Black Friday, skip the $379 standard Supersonic and spend the extra $20 to get the Supersonic Nural on sale for $379. It has better variation in the attachments, automatic temperature adjustment with some attachments, and a much better (and more unique) diffuser. If you're interested in the Nural but that sounds too expensive, you can also grab a refurbished one at Walmart for $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic Nural $399 at Amazon
$549 Save $150   Get Deal Dyson Airwrap i.d.

To be honest, I was slightly underwhelmed by the Airwrap when I first tested it out — the tech was cool, but not as easy to use as social media would have you believe. Plus, the curling barrels gave my hair more of a blown-out than truly curled look, and it fell by the end of the day. With the Dyson Airwrap i.d., the brand has addressed these issues. One of the curling barrels has a tapered design, which helped me achieve tighter, prettier, and longer-lasting curls. The other piece of the puzzle was the automatic temperature changing you can activate directly through the tool or via the Dyson app, which adjusts the heat as the hair wraps, holds around the barrel, and gets hit with the cool shot for a set amount of time. Though I anticipated it might feel gimmicky, it made styling feel way less effortful on my part.

The OG Airwrap used to go for $599 at full price, and the Airwrap i.d. is $649. However, this deal takes it down to $499.99, the same sale price found on the original Airwrap during shopping holidays (including this time around). This is still a hefty price, so if curling your hair is still a priority, I recommend checking out the T3 Aire 360 — the ceramic barrels help create and lock in curls.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d. $499.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $150   Get Deal Shark FlexStyle

The Shark FlexStyle is the original Airwrap dupe, and still stands out as one of the best. The performance is similar enough to the Airwrap that it's what I tell my friends and family to buy when they ask whether or not they should buy a Dyson Airwrap. Multiple Mashable shopping reporters and editors have purchased the tool for themselves, and all of them sing its praises. The main difference between the Shark and the more expensive tool is that you won't get the fancy heat-adjusting cycle of the Airwrap i.d., and you have to switch out the curling barrel to change the direction of the curl. (Though as a tip, you can just flip the styler upside down to easily change the direction of the curl without changing the barrel.) For $199, it's by far the best value multi-styler. And if you want a more curated version, Shark is also offering the build-your-own model, which allows you to pick four attachments for $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle $199 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal Laifen Swift hair dryer

Remember what I said about Dyson Supersonic dupes being worth a look? Enter: the Laifen Swift SE, one of the best Dyson dupes I've tried. It's lightweight, powerful, relatively quiet (as far as hair dryers go), and hasn't crapped out on me after years of use. And at the sale price of $97.99, it's a fraction of the cost of the Supersonic. It comes with basic attachments that do the job well. You can also pick up an even cheaper model of the dryer, the Swift SE Lite, for $71.99. It's slightly less powerful, with a shiny plastic casing (as compared to the matte one found on the regular Swift, but if you blow-dry your hair less often or simply want a more bargain option, it's also a great choice.)

Opens in a new window Credit: Laifen Laifen Swift $97.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $42.00   Get Deal Shark FacialPro Glow

Sadly, the Shark CryoGlow and FlexFusion bundle deal that cropped up ahead of Black Friday didn't manage to stay in stock, but you can still grab the Shark FacialPro Glow for $50 off. In her first impressions review of the device, Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart wrote, "the Shark FacialPro Glow literally felt like it was pumping life back into my skin. It felt so soft and plump after just a single extraction session at night and a single de-puffing session the next morning, and even that feels like a testament to its effectiveness."

Shark FacialPro Glow $349 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $50.99   See It at Amazon T3 Curling Straightener

I had the chance to test out T3's Curling Straightener when it launched earlier this year, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed using it. As someone who primarily curls their hair with a regular straightening iron, I was skeptical that the rounded edges and cool tip would do much in the way of ease and styling results, but on both fronts T3's hot tool performed better than a standard straightener, adding more volume and versatility in how I could style my hair. As a newer product, it hasn't gone on sale often, and at $139.99, it's hit a new record-low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: T3 T3 Curling Straightener $139.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $60   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

I’m replaying Tomb Raider for the 100th time, and these PS5 Black Friday deals are fueling my habit

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:24
Best Black Friday PlayStation deals at a glance: Best PS5 Console Bundle Deal PlayStation 5 Console 1TB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle $449 (save $100) Get Deal Best PS5 game deal Astro Bot $39.59 (save $20.40) Get Deal Best PlayStation subscription deal PlayStation Plus yearly membership $107.19 (save $52.80) Get Deal Best PS5 accessory deal DualSense Edge Wireless Controller $169 (save $30.99) Get Deal Best PS5 console deal PS5 Slim Disc Edition $449.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best Portal Deal PlayStation Portal Remote Player $179 (save $20.99) Get Deal

I’m not a "hardcore" gamer. I don’t spend eight hours a day online, and I’m definitely not competing in any tournaments. But I do play my PS5 every single day — usually for about 15 minutes right before dinner to decompress. Lately, I’ve been replaying the entire Tomb Raider trilogy (I’m on the third one now, and it holds up), but I also love the classics like Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and Kingdom Hearts.

SEE ALSO: The 50+ best gifts for gamers that they won't already have

Because I’m actually buying games and accessories for my own setup (and for my nephews this holiday), I tend to keep an eye on these prices throughout the year, so I know when a "deal" is actually just the standard price in a fancy font.

I’ve combed through the Black Friday ads from Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and PlayStation Direct to find the discounts that are actually worth it. Here are the best PS5 deals live right now.

Best Black Friday PS5 game deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot $39.59 at PlayStation
$59.99 Save $20.40   Get Deal Why we like it

Read our full Astro Bot review.

I didn't know anything about Astro until my dad asked me if I'd "found the secret game in the PS5" yet. Once I found Astro's Playroom (the free game pre-installed on every console), I spent all night playing it and bought the full Astro Bot game as soon as it came out. It’s pure joy in game form — creative, colorful, and genuinely fun to play. (It won Game of the Year at the 2024 Game Awards.) My youngest nephew, Aubry, is obsessed with it; he literally has posters of the little bot in his room and begs to play it every time he comes over.

First-party Sony titles tend to hold their value, so seeing it drop this low is a win. You can grab it for $39.97 at Amazon, but if you want to save every penny, it's slightly cheaper at $39.59 at PlayStation Direct.

More PS5 game dealsBest Black Friday PlayStation subscription deal Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PlayStation Plus annual membership $107.19 at PlayStation
$159.99 Save $52.80   Get Deal Why we like it

It's not often we see a deal on PlayStation Plus, but the mega gaming company must know we need a treat in 2025, so they're offering a 33% discount. To snag this deal, you'll need to sign up before Dec. 5 for any level of annual PlayStation Plus membership. The subscription gives payers access to hundreds of games from the Gaming Catalog, online multiplayer access, and tons more.

Best Black Friday PS5 accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation DualSense Edge Wireless Controller $169 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $30.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller $54.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re looking for a "big gift" for the serious gamer in your life, the DualSense Edge is a solid option. I bought this controller for my eldest nephew, Landon, last Christmas, and he loved it. It’s the "pro" version of the standard controller, meaning it has customizable buttons, swappable stick modules (a lifesaver for stick drift), and adjustable triggers. It doesn't usually go on sale (unless it's Prime Day or holiday season), so saving $31 is a pretty good deal. You can grab it for $169 at Amazon, or for essentially the same price ($169.99) directly from PlayStation.

If you don’t need all the pro features, the standard DualSense Wireless Controller is also on sale for $54.99 at both Amazon and PlayStation. My mom bought the pink one for my sister last year, and it’s a perfect, practical gift for anyone who needs a spare.

Best Black Friday PS5 console deal PS5 Slim Disc Edition $449 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $100.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

We’re skipping the PS5 Pro this year — at $649 without a disc drive or stand, it’s a hard sell for anyone who isn't a hardcore pixel-peeper. Instead, I recommend getting the standard PS5 Slim Disc Edition. You'll get the same great library of games, 4K graphics, and lightning-fast load times, plus the ability to actually play discs (because sometimes you just want to pop in a Blu-ray or a used game you found cheap). It’s currently $449.99 at both Amazon and PlayStation Direct, saving you a cool $50.

More Black Friday PlayStation console deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Valve just fixed several broken games on Linux with a Proton Experimental update

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:23

Valve has dropped a significant new Proton Experimental update. While today's update specifically targets launch issues in Uno and Far Cry 4. It comes after a wave of updates for other titles.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday Apple Watch deals: Save $60 on the new Series 11, $200 on Ultra 2

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:22
Best Black Friday Apple Watch deals at a glance: Best overall deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $339 (save $60) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Ultra deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $599 (save $200) Get Deal Best Deal on the SE Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget Apple Watch deal Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) $129 (save $40.99) Get Deal

It's time to carve the turkey, eat all the pies, and then get down to holiday shopping. Thankfully, the Black Friday deals are coming in hot. All the major retailers have launched their Black Friday sales events, and we're seeing record-low prices across the board on some of the best gifts like Kindles, noise-cancelling headphones, and Apple devices.

If you've been hoping to snag an Apple Watch for yourself or give one to someone truly special, then check out the year's best Black Friday Apple Watch deals. While we have Cyber Monday on the horizon, we're not expecting to see further price drops on these Apple smartwatches.

SEE ALSO: 40+ Black Friday tech deals I'd recommend to friends and family as a tech editor: Save on Apple, Samsung, DJI

Keep in mind, we don't typically see the Apple store offer fantastic deals during Black Friday. This year, the Apple Store is offering a $250 gift card with certain purchases. But Mashable only recommends taking advantage of this deal if you're buying any of the five particular deals we find worthy at the Apple store, and none of those include an Apple Watch. To help you out, we've scouted out the lowest prices on every Apple Watch model for Black Friday 2025, and now you can save up to $200 on these popular gadgets.

Best Black Friday Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $339 at Amazon
$399 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 is on sale for $339 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a full $60 off and the lowest-ever price for this model. In our review of the Apple Watch Series 11, Stan Schroeder said it "isn't all that different from last year's model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, and that's a huge deal."

Best Black Friday Apple Watch Ultra deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + cellular, 49mm) $599 at Amazon
$799 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

Need a rugged watch that can keep up with adventures? The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a solid model, especially given its early Black Friday sale price of $599 at Amazon. That takes $200 off the usual price. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with some upgrades that are great for outdoors, and it's perfect for fitness enthusiasts, with a lengthy battery life that you'll appreciate when you're out and about.

What about the Apple Watch Ultra 3? Sadly, the latest Apple Ultra is not on sale, but lucky for you, as long as you upgrade to watchOS 26, the Ultra 2 has 99% of the same features.

Best Black Friday budget Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (GPS, 40mm) $129 at Walmart
$169.99 Save $40.99   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're in the market for a new Apple Watch but don't want to spend big money, the 2nd-generation Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm) just got a price cut at Walmart, where it's available for $129 for a limited time only.

Apple has moved on to the Apple Watch SE 3 (which is also on sale), but that means you can snag great discounts on the previous model, and today is a solid case in point. But the older model is still great, offering tons of Apple Watch essentials like sleep tracking, fitness metrics, fall detection, and emergency SOS. Since this model is on sale for only $129, it could be a great gifting option or perfect for those new to the wonderful world of smartwatches.

More Black Friday Apple Watch deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS + cellular, 42mm) $439 at Amazon
$499 Save $60   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) $279 at Walmart
$429 Save $150   Get Deal

Looking for more deals on fitness trackers? See the latest deals on smartwatches and trackers at Amazon's epic Black Friday 2025 sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I test headphones for a living — these are the 15 best Black Friday deals

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:06
Best Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones $248 (save $151.99) Get Deal Best noise-cancelling earbuds deal Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 $222.99 (save $77) Get Deal Best deal under $100 Sony WH-CH720N $88 (save $91.99) Get Deal Best budget deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC $27 (save $52.99) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods 4 $69 (save $60) Get Deal

I pretty much spend every day I'm at work testing out headphones and earbuds, which means I've become well-versed in which headphones are actually worth your money.

This year has been an especially noteworthy year for headphones, with flagship releases from Sony, Bose, and Bowers & Wilkins. Flagship headphones are often the ones that get recommended on best of lists — ours included — but considering the new norm for a starting price is $449, they're not exactly the most affordable choice out there. Enter: Black Friday deals, when tech deals abound.

SEE ALSO: Mashable will send the best Black Friday deals directly to your phone — how it works

As of Nov. 27, I've spotted some especially noteworthy headphones and earbuds on sale — all of which Mashable has recommended in some capacity. In this case, a noteworthy deal is not simply something on sale. In fact, I've only selected deals that are actually great Black Friday deals (and not easy to grab on sale at other times of year).

For instance, I didn't add the second generation Bose QC Ultra earbuds to this list when they were on sale for $249 — they hit that price in September, and have returned to it since (before Black Friday deals kicked off). However, with the start of Black Friday sales, they've dipped down to $216, making them a deal worth mentioning as truly one of the best.

As we approach Black Friday proper on Nov. 28, more headphones have been going on sale . Throughout it all, I've been scouring the savings to come with with this selection of the 15 best headphones and earbuds deals live for Black Friday.

One of the most comfortable pairs of noise-cancelling headphones Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $298 at Amazon
$429 Save $131   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart

The first time I put the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on, I knew they were the most comfortable headphones I'd ever worn (Mashable's Samantha Mangino had a similar experience). That belief became even firmer over years of use (and testing them against new competitors). Although the new second-generation headphones feel ever so slightly more comfortable, the originals still hold up.

SEE ALSO: We tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds. We found 5 we love, and 1 to buy on sale.

On sale for $299, they're a much better value than the $449 second-gen Ultras. Their main quirks include no passive playback and the occasional difficulty pairing to more than one device. However, when I compared them directly against their newer counterpart, I found the ANC and sound to be very similar. This is a great deal, and people are taking notice — these headphones have already sold out at Amazon in a couple of colorways.

Earbuds designed for quiet and long wear time Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) $216 at Amazon
$299 Save $83   Get Deal at Amazon

As I mentioned in the intro, despite being a relatively new release, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) have gone on sale a couple times, dropping down to $249 in select colorways. For Black Friday, not only are all the colorways on sale, but now select ones have dropped even lower, bringing these earbuds to a record-low price of $216.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds 2 are one of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available, but not a must-upgrade

I get that sale or not, over $200 is a hefty investment for a pair of earbuds. To that, I would say if you're someone looking for something you can wear all day, and prioritize top of the line noise cancellation above all else, these earbuds will be worth it for you. The fit keeps them secure without causing soreness, and helps seal you into a place of quiet that, along with the ANC, rivals many over-ear headphones I've tested.

Bose's latest flagship headphones Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd gen) $399 at Amazon
$449 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon

While the QC Ultras are one of the most comfortable pairs of headphones out there, the second generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones take the top spot. They also come with some nice quality of life upgrades, including a 30 hour battery life, passive playback support, lossless audio support with the USB-C cable, and an upgrade to their design with new colorways and a shiny metal accent. They're maybe not upgrade-worthy if you already own the first gen headphones, but if it's your first foray into the QC Ultra line, grabbing these headphones for their price drop drop ever (and a pretty solid one at that), is a smart buy.

Sony headphones that still sound incredible Sony WH-1000XM5 $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon

The thing about Sony flagship headphones is that they're going to sound incredible. With the release of the XM6s, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are the former flagship headphones, but their sound profile remains one of the best in the game. I particularly like the "find your equalizer" feature that guides the less audiophile inclined among us through the process of finding their perfect custom EQ sound, which really helps these headphones shine. More generally speaking, when I tested the XM6s and XM5s head-to-head, I didn't find any huge discrepancies in performance. Plus, the XM6s got a $50 price bump to their list price, meaning that even if they were to get a $50 price drop over Black Friday (a markdown we've only spotted once before), they'll still be $150 more than the XM5s at this price point.

And Sony's latest flagship headphones Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal at Amazon

While these are still $150 more than the XM5s, it is worth mentioning that the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are down to their lowest price ever at $398. It's certainly possible that their price will drop even further next week, but I've also seen Sony stick to their initial discounts in past shopping holidays. If you want the best sound Sony (and most brands, tbh) has to offer, industry-leading ANC, and ear cups that fold in (a convenient feature for travelers), then the XM6's are an excellent choice. In his review, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote, "if you want best-in-class noise-cancelling headphones and pristine audio quality, the headphones deliver."

Mid-range headphones for under $100 Sony WH-CH720N $88 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $91.99   See It at Amazon

Noise-cancelling headphones with great sound quality from a reputable brand don't need to cost several hundred dollars, and the Sony WH-CH720N are proof of exactly that. Mashable named them Sony's best headphones under $100, with Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti singing their praises after two years of use. He deemed their sound quality "near flagship" level, and was impressed by the 35 hours of battery life with ANC on, which beats out the current flagship models of both Bose and Sony.

Though you can often find them on sale for $98 (a feat on its own, considering their $179.99 list price), it's slightly less common to find them on sale for $88, making this a great deal ahead of Black Friday. As an added bonus, the pink colorway is more unique than you might find from other budget headphones options under $100.

The best sounding open earbuds Bose Ultra Open earbuds $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal at Amazon

Open earbuds are great if you prefer staying somewhat aware of the world around you, but in my experience, that can come in the form of less-than-stellar sound quality. In the case of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, you get the best of both worlds. I suspect that's a large part of the reason behind their $299 price tag (which admittedly feels more appropriate for noise-cancelling earbuds). That's why I recommend them as an upgrade pick for open earbuds, and why I'm an especially big fan of this $100 off deal. In addition to their surprisingly rich sound, I especially like their small charging case, smartly placed on-ear controls, comfortable clip-on design, and many options for colorways.

Excellent mid-range noise-cancelling earbuds Bose QuietComfort earbuds $129 at Amazon
$179 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon

Rounding out my picks is maybe the most underrated Bose product — the QuietComfort earbuds. Though their design isn't the most elegant, that's pretty much where their underwhelming features end. For starters, these earbuds have incredible battery life — in my weeks of testing them, I rarely had to charge them, and easily squeezed in a five-hour day of use, with ANC on and battery life to spare.

Sound and noise-cancellation-wise, they don't wow quite as much as the QC Ultra earbuds, but they're also significantly cheaper, even at full price. For their $129 sale price, they're less than half the price of the premium earbuds, and I promise, their performance doesn't reflect that. If I had to put a number to it, I'd say there's more of a $50 to $75 performance discrepancy between the two earbuds, which is why we've named these the best mid-budget earbuds currently on the market. Though we've seen them drop to $129 before, it is their lowest price ever, making this a great grab ahead of Black Friday.

A budget-friendly favorite at an unbeatable price Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones $27 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $52.99   Get Deal

I don't know if it's possible a more affordable headphones deal will pop up this Black Friday. The JLab JBuds Lux ANC headphones, already a solid value at full price, are an even better value at their usual sale price of about $40, and a downright steal at this new Black Friday price (and new record low) of $27. This beats Amazon's deal by over $12, and last year's Black Friday pricing by $2. When I tested these headphones, I was surprised by their battery life, along with how solid their sound and ANC performed, as well as the extensive customizability on their app. Mashable's Haley Henschel owns these headphones, and appreciates their comfort. They're our favorite budget headphones and one of our top picks for students for a reason.

The best earbuds for working out Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Walmart
$414.62 Save $214.67   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon

When I first tried out the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, I wasn't sure I'd like them all that much, as I had trouble finding how to properly put them on with the ear hook (my colleague Sam Mangino had a similar experience). However, there's a reason they say first impressions aren't everything — after we both found the right ear tip size and got through this small learning curve, we fell in love with these earbuds. So Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti, who gave them a Mashable Choice Award in his review.

This consensus made these an easy pick for the best earbuds for working out: though their ANC isn't the best, it's present, the ear hook keeps the buds in place without being uncomfortable, the sound is rich, the on-ear controls reliable and perfect for using mid-workout, and the built-in heart rate monitor is a convenient feature, especially if you don't already own a fitness tracker. Though they've hit this sale price before, they don't go on sale often, so I recommend grabbing them while you can.

A (better) AirPods Max alternative

Mashable loved the Beats Studio Pro when they first dropped in 2023, and after testing them again in 2025 against the rest of the Beats lineup, we found that they held up. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti compared them to another Apple over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, saying the Beats Studio Pro have a lot of overlap in features with AirPods, making the Beats a much better bang for your buck. The Studio Pro have better battery life (24 hours compared to the AirPods' 20), and according to Bracetti, better sound quality and similar ANC. The AirPods Max are currently on sale for $429.99, meaning you could buy two pairs of these Beats and still have $30 left over.

This deal in particular applies to the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian model, which at the time of writing are $20 cheaper than the regular Studio Pros' sale price (which just feature different colorway options).

Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian $149.95 at Amazon
$349.95 Save $200   See It at Amazon ANC headphones with 60 hours of battery life

Many popular flagship headphones have roughly 30 hours of battery life, which makes the whopping 60 hours of battery life found on the Sennheiser Momentum 4 all the more impressive. (And yes, that's with ANC on). This feature certainly made them a standout to us, and earned them the spot of Mashable's favorite headphones with long battery life, but that wasn't the only place they wowed.

When I tested these headphones out, trying to wear down that mammoth battery life felt like marginally less of a chore because of their excellent sound quality. The ANC stood out less than competitors, and the touch controls were on the sensitive side, but the companion app added enough customizability that it was never a real problem. I also appreciate that even with both pairs on sale, these headphones are cheaper than the Dyson OnTrac headphones, their only real competition for battery life. (And in my opinion, the Sennheisers have a much more elegant design). At $199.95, these headphones are just a couple dollars away from their lowest price ever, and in a price range I've typically only seen around the holiday season.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sennheiser Sennheiser Momentum 4 $199.95 at Amazon
$449.95 Save $250   Get Deal AirPods at a new record-low price

Indicators that Black Friday week is absolutely in full swing? The price drop on the Apple AirPods 4. It was already great to see them drop down to $79 — their former lowest price ever — earlier this month, but Amazon outdid itself before Black Friday even started. These earbuds have dropped to an impressive $69, bringing them down to yet another record low. I'd be surprised if their price drops much further, so if you're an Apple user who doesn't need earbuds with ANC, it'll be hard to beat this deal.

Apple AirPods 4 $69 at Amazon
$129 Save $60   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart See It at Best Buy Solid budget earbuds

The Raycon Everyday Earbuds may have made a name for themselves through many a YouTube sponsorship, but after testing them out for myself, I can personally verify that these are really solid budget earbuds. These are the perfect option for anyone who wants the basics done well, without the hassle of any setup. They come sans companion app (and a button for Bluetooth), but they pair easily as soon as they're powered on, and be controlled entirely by the tactile on-ear controls.

Both their sound quality and ANC are solid, they come with eight hours of charge with ANC on (the same as the AirPods Pro 3), and six gel tips for finding the perfect fit. If you're looking for budget headphones with a few more extras, the EarFun Air Pro 4 are also on sale — although they're a great value, they do drop down to this price point year-round, making them a less impressive Black Friday deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: Raycon Raycon Everyday Earbuds $55.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.00   Get Deal The best earbuds for sound

Maybe the biggest flaw of the Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds is that they rarely go on sale. With this Black Friday deal, these earbuds aren't just getting a rare price cut, but down to their absolute lowest price ever. In his review of the earbuds, Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth pointed to their audio quality as their standout feature, writing, "While Bose retains an edge on overall comfort, I'm not aware of any wireless earbuds in the world that offer better, fuller, more accurate sound."

In addition to the excellent sound quality, these earbuds come equipped with top notch adaptive ANC, three-way multipoint pairing that works without a hitch, LDAC support, and a premium design with metal accenting on the earbuds and case.

Opens in a new window Credit: Technics Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

7 networking devices that are officially too old for 2025

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 20:00

When was the last time you thought about the devices that run your home network? You might have some devices that are officially too old to be using in 2025.

Categories: IT General, Technology

As a tech editor, I found 40+ Black Friday tech deals Id recommend to friends and family: Apple, Samsung, DJI, Nintendo on sale

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 19:53

As Mashable's tech editor, I get early access to a lot of really cool products. I also have a pretty deep knowledge of the coolest new gadgets of 2025, from the latest virtual reality tech to everyday fitness trackers and new Apple laptops. I've also been covering Black Friday sales since 2019, so I know what discounts to expect and which deals you can safely skip.

In this guide, you'll find all the best Black Friday tech deals I'd actually recommend to my friends and family. Before recommending a Samsung QLED TV or Anker charger, I'll first make sure that the price is actually a good deal. Online retailers are notorious for exaggerating their sales, but I've done the work for you to find the biggest genuine discounts at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and beyond.

Keep checking back as I add new discounts on the season's best new gadgets, toys, wearables, and tech gifts. I've personally tested many of the products in this guide, while others have been tested by other Mashable reporters. If you see a deal in this story, it's because I'd truly recommend that product — and at that price — to my loved ones.

My favorite Kindle

I literally collect rare books, so when I tell you I'm a book nerd, you can believe me. And this is the Kindle that stores my digital library — the Kindle Paperwhite. For Black Friday, it's on sale for $124.99, but I actually recommend paying a little more for the version without lockscreen ads. That way, you'll see gorgeous black-and-white photos on the lockscreen instead of ads for romantasy books I'll never read.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (no lockscreen ads) $144.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $35 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $124.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $35.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal The Apple Watch SE 3

Apple just launched the new version of its starter smartwatch in September, and it's already earned a spot in my guide to the best smartwatches of the year. The truth is, while we also loved the longer-lasting Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra Watch 3, the new SE 3 is the right pick for the vast majority of people. This is a true lifestyle smartwatch that also does double duty as a fitness and sleep tracker. Plus, it even has an always-on Retina OLED display. At Amazon, you can pick up this smartwatch for $199.99, a 20% discount ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm, GPS) $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones

Bose recently released a new version of its flagship noise-canceling headphones, and in our review, we said the new model is nearly identical to the original. However, the new version will set you back $449, which is a big ask in this economy. Meanwhile, the Gen 1 version on sale for $298 is still one of the best, most comfortable headphones in the world. While it's possible these headphones might get a bigger price drop come Nov. 28, don't count on it. I love these headphones, and this is easily one of the best Prime Day tech deals of the year so far.

Editor's note: These headphones are almost sold out!

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 1) $429 at Amazon
Lowest price ever 🔥 See It at Amazon See It at Amazon See It at Walmart Rechargeable Electric Hand Warmers

Alexa informed me that New York City faces its first freeze warning of the season, and now I'm mad at her. However, I do have something to keep the chill away. I've been using and recommending these cute electric hand warmers for years, and they're one of my favorite undiscovered gems at Amazon. They're one of my go-to stocking stuffers, and they'll keep your hands toasty and warm all winter long. If you're looking for tech deals under $25, this is my personal recommendation.

Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone Electric Hand Warmer $15.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal Last-chance: A DJI drone

Have you heard about the upcoming ban on DJI drones? If not, then we have very bad news: DJI drones are almost certainly set to be banned in the U.S. by year's end, which means this is your last chance to buy one. So long as you're already flying, the potential ban shouldn't affect you, a DJI representative recently told me. Unfortunately, you can only buy these drones from third-party sellers at retailers like Amazon, but we think the risk is worth the reward in this case.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K Drone $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Samsung's famous art TV

I've said it before: Samsung's cult-favorite art TV, The Frame, is the best TV in the world. This super-thin TV doubles as an art gallery for your living room, adding to your home's decor instead of distracting from it. The 2025 model of The Frame has a fancy new AI processor, as well as a magic-like matte, anti-glare display. While you can catch this TV on sale at any retailer you like, Amazon currently has the best price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED Art TV $897.99 at Amazon
$1,197.99 Save $300 New price drop! Get Deal A new Apple laptop

We think the M4 MacBook Pro is the best MacBook for most people, and this is a fantastic price for a 2025 model Apple laptop. Powered by M4 silicon, it's also lightning fast. The M4 chip is faster than anything you'll find in the Windows world, which means this laptop is faster and more efficient than the competition. Its $749 price at Amazon is a record discount, and we're not expecting the price to drop any lower (though Apple could surprise us).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M4 MacBook Air (13 inches, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon
$999 Save $250 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal An affordable Windows laptop

Amazon isn't our go-to destination for laptops, but for Black Friday, they have a great deal on a popular Copilot+ PC. This Acer Aspire 16 AI Copilot+ PC has never been priced below $500 before now, and you can save 36% on the retail price at Amazon. Unlike most laptops at Amazon, this PC isn't sold by a sketchy third-party seller — it's sold and shipped by Amazon itself. It also has very impressive specs for an under-$500 laptop, with 16GB of RAM and a powerful Snapdragon X chip.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 16-inch AI Copilot+ PC (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Snapdragon X) $449.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $250 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal A portable Bluetooth speaker from Beats

We recently named the Beats Pill the best portable Bluetooth speaker to buy on sale. And, what do you know, it's on sale. You can pick up this powerful water-resistant speaker for just $79 at Amazon. Released in 2024 as part of a collaboration with Kim Kardashian (don't let that stop you from scoring a great deal), it plays well with Android and iOS devices. Alternatively, you can pick up the

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill x Kim Kardashian $79 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $20.95 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal DJI's cult-favorite wireless microphones

If you're a content creator or vlogger, then you've probably heard of DJI's famous pocket mics, currently 45% off at Amazon. These wireless mics replace the awkward wired lavaliers of the past, and they clip on to your shirt or collar magnetically. There's a reason you can spot these microphones all over TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube. I've personally tested these microphones, and they've been a huge help to the Mashable video team at live events.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $66 at Amazon
$119 Save $53 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Re-up on Apple AirTags

Look, the best Black Friday deals aren't always super exciting. This is your chance to stock up on products you need. Case in point: Apple AirTags are currently 50 cents away from their lowest-ever price. At Amazon, a 4-pack is 34% off, and you'll pay just $16.25 per tracker. Using ultra-wideband technology and Apple's Find My network, there's no better way to track lost items.

Apple AirTag Tracker (4-Pack) $64.98 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.02   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart See It at Best Buy Eufy robot vacuums

Eufy may not have quite the name recognition as iRobot in the vacuum space, but you'll find Eufy robot vacuums all over Mashable shopping guides. If you're looking for a premium robot vacuum and mop combo, try the Eufy S1 Pro, which has a roller mop, self-cleaning, self-drying, and a 50% discount. Our vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, has also been impressed by the Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop, which she named one of the best cleaning machines of the year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy Omni S1 Pro Hybrid Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $699.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $800 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $449.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $450   Get Deal A shockingly affordable flatscreen TV

As much as I love Samsung's The Frame, I know not everyone can afford to drop $1,000 on a new TV. Fortunately, you can count on Black Friday doorbuster deals if you need a TV on the cheap. And now that big box retailers start all their Black Friday sales early, you don't have to wait in line on Thanksgiving night. Over at Amazon and Best Buy, you can grab smart TVs starting at just $99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 32-inch 2-Series Fire TV $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 65-inch C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $329.99 at Best Buy
$529.99 Save $200   Get Deal A Roku streaming stick

If a new smart TV isn't in your budget this year, that doesn't mean you have to be locked out of the latest streaming apps. Access everything from Amazon's Prime Video to Apple TV and Spotify using this affordable streaming stick from Roku. You'll still have to pay for all those apps, but it's still a lot cheaper than buying a new TV.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 $19 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.99   Get Deal The Samsung Galaxy XR Headset Explorer's Pack

This is the ultimate splurge this holiday season — Samsung's new AR/VR headset, the Galaxy XR. It's Samsung's answer to the Apple Vision Pro, and it's significantly more affordable, though still extremely pricey. If you buy the device during the holiday shopping season, Samsung will throw in $1,140 worth of freebies, including a year of Google AI Pro, YouTube Premium, and NBA League Pass. You'll also get access to exclusive XR experiences and more premium apps. This offer ends Dec. 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy XR Explorer's Pack $1,799.99 at Samsung
$1,140 bonus pack Shop Now A Nintendo Switch 2 bundle

Over the summer, it was almost impossible to find the new Nintendo Switch 2 console in stock. Thankfully, that's no longer the case. While we haven't found any official discounts on the Switch 2 console yet, you can find some Switch 2 bundles in stock at Amazon, Walmart, and GameStop. We expect this handheld to top many Christmas gift wishlists this year, so grab these while you can.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle $499 at Amazon
  Get Deal A Blink home security camera

Amazon always discounts its devices for big sales, and right now you can grab the popular Blink Mini 2 security camera for just $17.99, a 55% discount. We don't expect this product to get any cheaper come Thanksgiving, so go ahead and stock up and protect your home.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Mini 2 Security Camera $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal A powerful portable power station

I've tested several Jackery Explorer power stations over the years, and I've never had a bad experience. The brand helped popularize this product category in the United States, and it's easy to see why. They make rugged power stations that are easy to use, have a variety of ports, and connect easily to your devices (not to mention solar panels, if you have them). If you live in fear of the power going out — or just want to charge your phone during a camping trip or tailgate — these devices are a must-have.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station $349 at Amazon
$448.98 Save $99.98 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Sony noise-cancelling headphones

Just like Bose, Sony also released a sequel to its flagship headphones this year. The new XM6 headphones are elite, truly. But having tested them against the previous-gen XM5 model, I'm strongly recommending you buy the XM5s now that they're finally back on sale. Here's the truth: They're more alike than different. And right now, you can get the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Headphones for just $248, a record-low price. Compare that to the $428 price tag on the new model, and your choice is simple.

Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99 Lowest price ever 🔥 See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy Google Pixel Watch 4

The new Google Pixel smartwatch is my favorite Android smartwatch of the year, and in our review, we called it a true runner's smartwatch. And to prove it, one of our reporters recently trained and ran a marathon while using it. So, when I say it's a good smartwatch for running, you can really believe me. For Black Friday, this smartwatch got its first-ever discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Pixel Google Pixel Watch 4 $349.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $50 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal The best robot vacuum of the year

If you want to buy a robot vacuum during Prime Day, then we recommend steering clear of Roomba. I've already recommended Eufy's popular budget and mid-range vacuums, but if you're looking for the best of the best, our favorite robot vacuum of the year is currently on sale. Our resident robot vacuum tester has tested so many robot vacuums, and this year, none outperformed the Roborock Saros 10R, a robot vacuum and mop combo. With sophisticated mapping, mopping, self-cleaning, and obstacle avoidance, it does it all. It can even act as a pet camera.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop $999.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $600 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Save on video games at Walmart

As part of its early Black Friday sale, Walmart has tons of video games on sale. You can score new titles like Madden NFL 26 and Borderlands 4, or play back old favorites like Grand Theft Auto V.

Opens in a new window Credit: 2K NBA 2K26 $30 at Walmart
$69.99 Save $39.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: EA Sports EA Sports Madden NFL 26 $27.99 at Walmart
$69 Save $41.01   Get Deal A virtual reality headset at a great price

If only the Apple Vision Pro cost $249.99. Alas, we don't live in that world. However, you can buy a Meta Quest 3S VR Headset bundle for that very reasonable price. With 128GB of storage and instant access to over 40 games, this early Black Friday tech deal lets you discover an entirely new type of gaming. Though, personally, I prefer to use VR for watching 3D movies and other types of VR video content.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S VR Headset - Cardboard Gorilla Bundle $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop

I've been waiting patiently for gaming laptop deals to pop off for Black Friday, and they finally did. The Lenovo LOQ 15 has gone on sale for as little as $864.49 in the past, but it's currently on sale for $799.99. That's a new all-time low and a great price on this gaming laptop with an AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia GeForce graphics. This is the gaming laptop you'll find on my own desk right now, and it's a good entry-level model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo LOQ 15 gaming laptop (15-inches, AMD Ryzen 7, RTX 5050) $799.99 at Lenovo
$1,189.99 Save $390   Get Deal Oura smart rings

We're big fans of Oura smart rings at Mashable, and the brand's Black Friday sale officially started, knocking $100 off its Oura Ring 4. Our reviewer praised Oura for its great balance of health, fitness, and sleep tracking metrics, and there's a reason these smart rings are beloved by many pro athletes.

Oura Ring 4 $249 at Amazon
$349 Save $100   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Amazon Apple AirPods 4

We waited so patiently for the Apple AirPods 4 to finally drop in price, and the deal is even better than we expected. The latest AirPods are now on sale for $79.99, their lowest price ever.

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds $69 at Amazon
$129 Save $60   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy The Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro

This is the year we fell for British brand Nothing. In our review of the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, we said that Nothing could be charging three or four times as much for this AMOLED smartwatch. For Black Friday, this watch finally dropped down to $79 just as we hoped. This smartwatch has an incredible display and excels as a fitness and sleep tracker, but it really puts the competition to shame when it comes to battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing CMF By Nothing Watch 3 Pro $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20 Editor's pick ✅ Shop Now Even more Kindle and e-reader deals

We love Kindles here at Mashable, and we've tested them all. I already told you my personal favorite is the Kindle Paperwhite, but the truth is all of Amazon's e-readers are fantastic. For bargain hunters, the best deals on Kindles are the basic Kindle and the Kindle Colorsoft. Amazon's basic Kindle is a perfectly pocket-sized device that reached its lowest price ever of $79.99, while the Kindle Colorsoft got an astounding price cut down to $169.99, the first time the device has ever dipped under $200.

As much as we hype up Kindles, you can't forget there are other e-readers out there. The only brand that can truly compete is Kobo, which makes a delightful collection of color e-readers. Ahead of Black Friday, the only Kobo on sale is the Libra Colour, which is our favorite color e-reader. It's down to $199.99, back down to the low price it was during Black Friday 2024.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle $79.99
$109.99 Save $30 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Libra Colour $199.99 at Rakuten
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal A well-priced iPad Air

Apple has given every iPad an update in the past year, the latest of which was the iPad Pro with M5 chip. The best Black Friday deal on iPads is on the Apple iPad Air with M3 chip. It's back down to its lowest price ever of $449, making it an affordable yet powerful device. With the latest iPadOS, the iPad Air is closer to a laptop than ever, but still a fraction of the cost. This is another device I've personally tested and highly recommend, especially at this price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M3 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $449 at Amazon
$599 Save $150 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Whoop 5.0 and MG health trackers

While Oura might be the buzzier fitness tracker, Whoop still makes great trackers. Mashable's Christianna Silva just wore seven fitness trackers while training for the NYC marathon and determined that the Whoop MG was the best overall pick for marathon training. But even for the average Joe, it's a smart pickup, not to mention our favorite sleep tracker. During Black Friday, Whoop 5.0 and MG trackers are 17%, getting you up to $40 or $60 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop MG $299 at Amazon
$359 Save $60   Get Deal A fancy espresso machine

Frankly, if you buy an espresso machine at any time of year besides Prime Day or Black Friday, you're leaving hundreds of dollars on the table. This brushed stainless steel espresso machine from Breville gets a $200 price drop this time around, and it has everything you need to satisfy your caffeine fix. This is the lowest price we've seen on this high-tech kitchen appliance in years.

Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine $499.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $200   Get Deal The world's first electric flosser

Have you heard of Flaus? It's at the top of my Xmas list this year and comes personally recommended by one of our shopping reporters. This electric flosser takes the pain and inconvenience out of flossing your teeth. For Black Friday, it now has an extremely gift-friendly price tag. Not only did this product appear on Shark Tank, but it was named one of Oprah's Favorite Things this year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flaus Flaus Electric Flosser with refill kit $89.99 at Amazon
$129.98 Save $39.99   Get Deal Stock up on boring tech essentials

As a seasoned Black Friday expert, I always tell people to use this sale as a chance to stock up on boring but essential items. And that includes batteries, light bulbs, lens cleaners, etc. This won't be the most exciting addition to your shopping cart, but you'll be glad you have them.

Opens in a new window Credit: Energizer Energizer AA Batteries Alkaline Power, 32-pack $15.99 at Amazon
$23.98 Save $7.99   Get Deal Even more early Black Friday tech deals Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee RGB LED Christmas Lights, 99-foot $74.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $55.00 Deck the halls with color-changing Christmas lights from one of our favorite smart light brands. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $21.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $18.00 Amazon device deals are starting to arrive at the Everything Store (still no Kindle deals, sadly). Pick up this cute Alexa speaker while it's 45% off. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum $399.99 at Walmart
$729.99 Save $330 Our favorite Dyson vacuum is on sale, but not at Amazon. Head to Walmart to save $330 on this laser-equipped stick vac. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet $44.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $55.00 This popular kids' tablet is ridiculously cheap at Amazon right now. Not only does it have a durable built-in protective case, but Amazon promises, "If it breaks, we will replace it." Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones $88 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $91.99 Sony's mid-range noise-cancellers may have a boring name, but these Mashable-tested headphones won't let you down. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Tablet (11 inches, 64GB, Android) $149.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $70 One of the best Android tablets gets a price drop at Amazon. While you can get Amazon Fire tablets for less, we think you'll like this one a lot more. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds $159.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $90 Samsung's answer to the AirPods have everything you want in a pair of wireless earbuds: a slick design, advanced AI features, and impressive ANC. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Panasonic Panasonic 4K Blu Ray Player $149.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $90 If you've started collecting physical media like DVDs and Blu Ray discs, you need something to play them on. This Panasonic 4K Blu Ray players will play media in high definition, compatible with HDR10 and HDR10+ formats. It's down to $149.99, just dollars away from its lowest price ever. Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Dot Kids $31.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $28.00 Amazon device deals are always a Black Friday staple, and we love the look of this kid-friendly Echo Dot smart speaker. Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

I test laptops and Id shop these 14 Black Friday laptop deals in a heartbeat. Save $530 on Microsoft Surface laptops, $250 on MacBooks.

Mashable - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 19:45
The best Black Friday laptop deals at a glance: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 (save $250) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $869.99 (save $530) Get Deal Best cheap laptop deal Acer Aspire 16 AI (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $449.99 (save $250) Get Deal Best cheap gaming laptop deal Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD Ryzen 7 250, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $799.99 (save $390) Get Deal Best Chromebook deal Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $349 (save $250) Get Deal

I write about all things laptops here at Mashable, and after spending hours digging through tech retailers' Black Friday sales, I'm delighted by the deals I'm seeing so far. A bunch of the best laptops we've tested are now on sale at steep discounts. That includes my top picks for most people, plus some more niche options in the budget, OLED, ultraportable, gaming, and dual-screen categories. You're not just saving a ton of money on laptops this holiday season — you're saving a ton of money on some truly great laptops.

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

Black Friday always coaxes out some of the best laptop deals of the whole year, so no surprises here. It's partly because retailers know that people are looking for good, giftable buys ahead of the holidays, but it's also because they're trying to offload their current inventories ahead of next-gen refreshes at the start of the following year. Enter: Record-low prices on MacBooks, Windows laptops, gaming PCs, and Chromebooks. Voila: An upgrade that's normally out of your budget is suddenly affordable.

Below, I've detailed the 14 top Black Friday laptop deals I've scouted so far. I've only picked the models that I'd happily add to my own cart if I was in the market for a new PC — they've all been tested and vetted by the Mashable team.

The M4 Apple MacBook Airs

Apple's latest MacBook Air is lightweight, quiet, and faster than 83% of the laptops in our entire testing database — it's a really impressive ultraportable. The 15-inch model is my top pick for most people, but the 13-inch model is great for college students and other users who want something a little cheaper and more portable. Both sizes were regularly on sale on Amazon for $200 off earlier this fall, and I really didn't think they'd get any cheaper at this point in their life cycles (considering they're still well under a year old). Shockingly, they're now $250 off at Amazon and Best Buy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon and Best Buy
$999 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 at Amazon and Best Buy
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal The 14-inch M5 Apple MacBook Pro

The all-new MacBook Pro is my splurge pick if you want an Apple laptop with even more power, a brighter 120Hz display, more ports for creative work, and crazy-good stamina. (At 21 hours and 17 minutes, it has the longest battery life of any MacBook we've ever tried.) It debuted in mid-October at a starting price of $1,599 to a rave review from our tech editor. Right now, the base configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is just $1,399 at Amazon and Best Buy — a whopping $200 off. That's a massive discount on a brand-spanking-new laptop.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,399 at Amazon and Best Buy
$1,599 Save $200   Get Deal A refurbished 13-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air

If you're in the market for a dirt-cheap-but-not-too-outdated MacBook, Best Buy has a refurbished 13-inch M2 MacBook Air from 2022 on sale for just $499.99. Walmart is selling the older M1 model for $549 as part of its Black Friday programming, so this is a genuine steal. It has a better 1080p FaceTime camera, a lighter design, and a bigger, brighter, display compared to its predecessor, and it runs about 15% faster. Since it only comes with 8GB of RAM, it's best suited for simple everyday tasks like web browsing and sending emails.

UPDATE: Nov. 27, 2025, 1:10 p.m. EST This deal was sold out at the time of writing, but Best Buy could revive it sometime later this Cyber Weekend. You can sign up for restock notifications on its product page.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) - Geek Squad Certified Refurbished $499.99 at Best Buy
$749 Save $249.01   Learn More The 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Microsoft's current flagship laptop is a well-rounded machine with a virtually unrivaled 23-hour battery life, speedy everyday performance, amazing build quality, and an elegant, lightweight design. The 13.8-inch model with a Snapdragon X Elite CPU is my favorite Windows laptop for most people, and the silver model with my ideal daily driver setup (16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage) is down to an all-time low of $869.99 for Black Friday 2025. It usually sells for $1,399.99, so you're saving 38%. Meanwhile, it's $999.99 at Best Buy and on Microsoft's website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $869.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $530   Get Deal The Acer Aspire 16 AI

This $699.99 Windows laptop wowed me with its 17-hour battery life, great mix of ports, relatively lightweight frame, 120Hz touchscreen, and peppy performance. (It's the fastest sub-$900 laptop we've reviewed.) Amazon has it on sale for just $449.99, or 36% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Aspire 16 AI (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $449.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $250   Get Deal The Asus Zenbook A14

The Zenbook A14 is an awesome MacBook Air alternative with a beauteous OLED display, a 22-hour battery life, and a lightweight but sturdy design. It's actually 0.3 pounds lighter than a 13-inch MacBook Air (and it starts with double the storage for the same price). Best Buy's 45% Black Friday discount brings it down to just $549.99, which is a new all-time low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $549.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $450   Get Deal The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x

If you can shell out an extra $250, you'll get an even nicer OLED display in the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x. It has a higher 3K resolution than the Zenbook A14, a better 90Hz refresh rate, and added touchscreen capabilities. It's a teensy bit faster, too, and it doesn't sacrifice much battery life — I got almost 20 hours out of it in my testing. Best Buy currently sells the base model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $799.99, down from its usual price of $1,299.99. A 1TB version is available on Lenovo's website for $929.99, or 27% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799.99 at Best Buy
$1,299.99 Save $500   Get Deal The Lenovo LOQ 15

The AMD-powered Lenovo LOQ 15 is "the perfect starter gaming laptop," says Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth; he's been working through his first Cyberpunk 2077 run on an RTX 5060 configuration. I can't find that one listed anywhere, but this RTX 5050 model is on sale for just $799.99 during Lenovo's Black Friday sale (or 33% off). It should be capable of running most graphically demanding AAA games at 60fps on a 1080p resolution. It features a 144Hz refresh rate and a spacious anti-ghosting backlit keyboard, plus a healthy terabyte of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD Ryzen 7 250, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $799.99 at Lenovo
$1,189.99 Save $390   Get Deal The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The ROG Zephyrus G14 is the ultimate non-gamey gaming laptop: With a 3.3-pound, 0.6-inch thin aluminum design and a beautiful 3K OLED display, it could easily be confused with a silver MacBook Pro. We tested an AMD model with RTX 4060 graphics last year, and I found the next-gen version on sale for only $1,299.99 at Best Buy. It usually retails for $1,799.99, so you pocket $500 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (AMD Ryzen 9 270, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,299.99 at Best Buy
$1,799.99 Save $500   Get Deal The Alienware 16X Aurora

The Alienware 16X Aurora is my favorite gaming laptop for most people. It's an excellent mid-ranger featuring a 2.5K 240Hz matte display, a satisfying keyboard with one-zone RGB backlighting, and an attractive, port-packed design. The $1,999.99 variant I tested has a high-end Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, an RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB of memory, and 1TB of storage, and it's not on sale just yet. However, the same model with double the storage is only $1,649.99 on Dell's website (normally $2,099.99). That beats a competing deal at Best Buy by $50.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dell Alienware 16X Aurora (Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD) $1,649.99 at Dell
$2,099.99 Save $450.00   Get Deal The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10)

If you need more screen space than a regular laptop offers but don't love the idea of hauling around a separate monitor, allow me to introduce you to the latest Lenovo Yoga Book 9i. It's a gorgeous dual-screen laptop with twin 2.8K 120Hz OLED displays, a smooth detachable keyboard, and a zippy processor. (It's actually slightly speedier than an M4 MacBook Pro.)

This laptop is usually priced at $2,079.99, but Lenovo has it on sale for just $1,559.99 — a 25% savings. It's a better value than ever, especially when you add the fact that its matching mouse, stylus, keyboard case, and protective sleeve case are all included.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,559.99 at Lenovo
$2,079.99 Save $520.00   Get Deal The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Lenovo's convertible Chromebook Plus is my favorite Chromebook for most buyers because of its stellar build quality, decent performance, great speakers, and nice keyboard. There are two configurations available for $599: One with an Intel Core i5-1334U processor and 256GB of storage (which we tested), and another with a less powerful Intel Core i3-1315U processor and 128GB of storage. The latter is obviously a worse value at full price, but Best Buy is currently selling it for $349 (or $250 off), making it a great option for budget shoppers with basic needs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $349 at Best Buy
$599 Save $250   Get Deal The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

Acer's all-new Chromebook Plus Spin 514 features an unrivaled 18-hour battery life and a fast processor (relatively speaking) with an NPU that supports two exclusive AI features. I've tried the Best Buy-exclusive configuration that has 12GB of memory and a 120Hz touchscreen display, which retails for $699, and I'm kind of obsessed with it. It's overkill for most Chromebook users, sure, but it's definitely worth considering if you want a high-end, super-future-proofed model — especially now that it's $100 off for Black Friday. It's never been on sale before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $599 at Best Buy
$699 Save $100   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Why file managers were once a dealbreaker (and why nobody cares about them anymore)

How-To Geek - Thu, 11/27/2025 - 19:30

There was a time when pretty much everyone installed a file manager app on their Android phone or tablet. I used to mess around with files in the root directory (remember build.prop?) and access my FTP servers all the time. However, it’s been ages since I installed one of these apps or saw anyone else use them. What happened?

Categories: IT General, Technology
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