Technology

The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're chatty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: The scoop

• Green: Seen on The Big Day

• Blue: A squad

• Purple: Found on Broadway

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Gossip

• Green: Seen at a wedding

• Blue: Team

• Purple: Musicals plus starting letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #850 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Gossip: BUZZ, DIRT, DISH, TALK

• Seen at a wedding: ALTAR, BOUQUET, CAKE, RING

• Team: BUNCH, CREW, GROUP, PACK

• Musicals plus starting letter: BRENT, CHAIR, FANNIE, SCATS

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 29, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints might not be allowed in a rental property.

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're an animal lover.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Unusual companions

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe uncommon animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Exotic Pet.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 7

• Chinchilla

• Gecko

• Skunk

• Exotic Pet

• Axolotl

• Pyhton

• Parrot

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

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

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

Happy Tuesday and welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Today's games are harder than they initially seem, but we have all the tips you need to navigate them.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 4, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 7 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add to 16. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add to 15. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 7 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this red space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Oct. 7 Pips

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add to 11. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this light blue space must add to 11. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition features answers that would wreck your fantasy league team.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Worst things to see about your fantasy football starter

• Green: Shoe names

• Blue: All-time dinger leaders

• Purple: Football players that play this hybrid offensive position

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: NFL Injury Report Designations

• Green: Adidas Shoes

• Blue: MLB Career Home Run Leaders, Familiarly

• Purple: Current NFL Tight Ends

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #379 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• NFL Injury Report Designations - DOUBTFUL, OUT, PROBABLE, QUESTIONABLE

• Adidas Shoes - GAZELLE, SAMBA, SUPERSTAR, ULTRABOOST

• MLB Career Home Run Leaders, Familiarly - ALBERT, BABE, BARRY, HANK

• Current NFL Tight Ends - HENRY, LIKELY, PITTS, WARREN

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer has a letter placed in a spot that might throw you off.

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

Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you love undergarments.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A thin, elastic fabric.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

NYLON

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 2, 2025

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

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

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

Jimmy Kimmel's ongoing feud with Donald Trump continues, with the late night host reacting on Monday to a recent YouGov poll that found his ratings to be better than those of the president.

"Remember the guy that keeps saying I have no ratings? Well, that makes two of us," says Kimmel. "They polled more than a thousand people and I lead Trump by 16 points — I'm at +3, he's at -13. It's nice, but it feels like considering I'm not a convicted felon friend of Jeffrey Epstein, and I've never paid off a porn star or sent a team of masked goons into a park to pull an old lady away from her grandchildren, I feel like my rating should be higher maybe?

"At this point finding a toenail in your salad has a seven-point lead over Donald Trump."

Constant, powerful, and notoriously difficult to harness, wave energy has become a sort of holy grail in renewables over the years. Wave and tidal converters are used across the globe, from Sri Lanka and Ghana to France and the UK, which is currently the world’s leading producer of wave and tidal power. But wave harnessing comes with its challenges.

Wave converters have to withstand the ocean’s fury, survive rust and biogrowth, and operate in a way that doesn’t disturb the marine life around them. And that’s on top of having to be cost effective enough to compete with other sustainable sources, like solar or wind. 

Oregon-based Panthalassa’s Ocean-2 wave power converter wants to tackle all these issues, and so far it seems like it could. In this video, we look into the project, how it works, and what its success could mean for the future of renewable energy.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Tenkeyless HyperSpeed is your archetypal mass-production mechanical keyboard. It has components of a reliable quality at a fair price, but cuts a few noticeable corners to get there. Put otherwise, this keyboard is unremarkably good enough, and that might be okay for the right person.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 7, the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is on sale at Amazon for Prime members for $314.98 during the Prime Big Deal Days sale. This is 10%, or $35.01, off its list price of $349.99 and marks its lowest price yet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 40mm $314.98 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $35.01 Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days has officially started, and there are plenty of exciting deals for Prime members to look through right now. If a smartwatch has been on your mind, there's already quite a few discounts available on various models. This includes the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, which has dropped to its lowest-ever price for Prime members.

While it usually retails for $349.99, Prime members can scoop up the 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98 right now as part of October Prime Day. This 10% discount saves you $35.01, but as mentioned before, it's also the lowest price its dropped to yet. So why wait to grab it? You can also choose between the graphite and silver models, which are both down to this price.

SEE ALSO: 75+ October Prime Day deals: Save on Apple, Sony, and Lego

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8 smartwatch features a sleek, lightweight design that won't look too bulky while you're wearing it on your wrist. More importantly, though, it's filled with features to provide you with health and fitness insights. These include Advanced Sleep Coaching to help you find a steady sleeping routine, Vascular Load monitoring for tracking stress, and even a Running Coach for more fitness-focused individuals.

Our review found a lot to love in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, with writer Adam Doud saying it's, "highly customizable, comes with Google Gemini AI, and offers a well-rounded suite of health, fitness, and sleep tracking features. Unless you already have a Watch 7, it's worth the upgrade for Android users."

Prime Big Deal Days only lasts through tomorrow, so now's your chance to score the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 at its lowest-ever price. And if you're looking for even more smartwatch deals available during the sale event, check out our breakdown of the best Apple Watch deals for Prime Day as well.

This month's full moon falls on different days, depending on where you are in the world. In E.T., the full moon will reach its peak late in the day, 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 6. However, in BST, the peak occurs at 4:47 a.m. on Oct. 7, according to Time And Date. The moon this month is the Harvest Moon, as it's the closest to the Autumn Equinox.

With such a big and bright moon in the sky tonight, there'll be lots to see. Keep reading to find out what you can see when you look up on Oct. 7.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Oct. 7, the moon phase is Full Moon; this means it is 100% lit up. NASA's Daily Moon Observation confirms this.

It's also a supermoon tonight, so it will be brighter and bigger than normal. With just your naked eye, there's plenty for you to spot, including the Mare Imbrium, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Copernicus Crater. With binoculars, it is also possible to see the Gassendi Crater, the Mare Nectaris, and the Apennine Mountains.

Finally, if you add a telescope to your lineup, you'll see the Apollo 15 and 16 landing spots and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.

The eight main moon phases are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

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

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

So you've been putting off finally buying an air fryer — and then kicking yourself every time your food is taking forever in the oven. Amazon's October Prime Day is as good a time as any to find an air fryer on sale, especially if you're a connoisseur of fried snacks during football games. That'll give you several extra weekends to squeeze in new halftime recipes compared to waiting until Black Friday.

The best deals on air fryers ahead of Prime Big Deal Days Best basket air fryer deal Instant Pot Vortex Plus (4-quart) $64.99 (save $60) Get Deal Best air fryer oven deal Ninja Prestige 10-in-1 XL $229.99 (save $120) Get Deal

As Prime Big Deal Days kicked off on Oct. 7, almost all of the good air fryer deals we saw at Amazon during July's Prime Day were already live again. Instant Pot, Nuwave, and Ninja deals are all in the mix, with options from mini two-quart basket designs to XL convection oven combos for the countertop. We're tracking the best air fryer deals at Amazon through the end of October Prime Day on Oct. 8 and will be updating the list as more pop up (or sell out).

SEE ALSO: Target announced dates for its fall Target Circle Week. Duh, it's during Prime Day. Best October Prime Day air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Instant Pot Vortex Plus (4-quart) $229.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $120 Get Deal Why we like it

Out of all of the Ninja air fryer deals that have sprouted, this one's the biggest — both discount-wise (34% off) and capacity-wise (20 quarts). It's even $20 cheaper than its $249.99 Prime Day sale price in July.

The 10-in-1 Ninja Prestige convection oven has such robust possibilities that you might just forget how to preheat your oven. It can bake up to 20 cookies or roast a 12-pound turkey, with an optional middle rack included to air fry two different 9x9-inch trays of snacks at once.

More air fryers on saleBasket air fryers

• Chefman Mini Air Fryer (2-quart) — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

• Instant Pot Vortex Plus (4-quart) — $64.99 $129.99 (save $65)

• Chefman TurboFry Touch (8-quart) — $74.99 $119.99 (save $45)

• Ninja Pro (5-quart) — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Instant Pot Vortex Plus (6-quart) — $89.99 $159.99 (save $70)

• Nuwave Brio Plus (8-quart) — $111.98 $159.99 (save $48.01)

• Ninja Foodi DualZone Smart XL — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

Air fryer ovens and glass cooking systems

• Nuwave Bravo Pro (21-quart) — $139.98 $199.99 (save $60.01)

• Nuwave Brio (15.5-quart) — $146.99 $209.99 (save $63)

• Ninja Flip toaster oven and air fryer — $149.94 $219.99 (save $70.05)

• Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 portable glass air fryer — $151.99 $179.99 (save $28)

If you're wondering whether self-emptying would be worth it for your robot vacuum purchase, just consider your entire justification for wanting a robot vacuum cleaner in the first place. If it's to save time and effort on a chore you don't feel like doing, you just answered your own question. Dustbin maintenance definitely counts as part of that chore, and future you will be thankful that you opted for a self-emptying robot vacuum on sale this October Prime Day.

The best self-emptying robot vacuum deals for Prime Big Deal Days Budget pick Eufy C10 $219.99 (save $260) Get Deal Affordable mop washing station pick Roborock Qrevo $399.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Space-saving pick 3i G10+ $269.99 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Premium pick Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller $1,599.99 at Amazon (save $320) Get Deal

Self-emptying robot vacuums aren't nearly as tied to the size or budget constraints that they were when they were the fancy new thing in 2021. A ton of self-emptying docks are compact enough to work in a small apartment, and almost all of the best cheap robot vacuums under $300 or $400 are auto-emptying. During an Amazon sale like Prime Big Deal Days, the number of options in any price range grows. I'm already seeing a handful of vacuums beating their own prices from Prime Day in July.

If you do have floor space or extra cash to spare, the ultimate auto-empty dock to eye would be one that also auto-washes and dries the robot vac's mopping pads. This is a main feature on high-end robot vacuum and mop combos near $1,000, but can be found for as low as $399.99 on sale.

SEE ALSO: The most underrated robot vacuum of 2025 is also a stick vacuum

I'm tracking the best deals on self-emptying robot vacuums ahead of and throughout October Prime Day. If a self-empty dock is also a mop washing station for a robot vacuum that mops, that'll also be pointed out below.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal ahead of Prime Big Deal Days Roborock Qrevo $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250 Shop Now Why we like it

This Roborock Qrevo model is the updated version of the Roborock Qrevo S: Mashable readers' most purchased robot vacuum during Cyber Monday 2024. Compared to the Qrevo S, the Qrevo with no S has stronger suction power (8,000 Pa versus 6,000 Pa) and meets my minimum number for sufficient pet hair pickup for one pet. Despite being the stronger model, the Qrevo on sale for October Prime Day is $60 cheaper than the weaker model.

Other advanced features squeezed into this $399.99 package include self-washing and -drying mopping pads and small obstacle avoidance. It's easily one of the best bangs for your buck that you'll find before Black Friday.

Best space-saving self-emptying robot vacuum deal 3i G10+ $269.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $180 Get Deal Why we like it

I've been saying it for months: The 3i G10+ is the best robot vacuum under $500, but most people have never heard of it. This up-and-coming model rocked in more ways than one during my testing, but its approach to automatic emptying is the most relevant here. There's no self-emptying dock here at all — rather, the 3i G10+ compacts debris within the robot vacuum body itself. You're still off duty from dealing with the dust bin for around two months or so.

Did I mention the 18,000 Pa of suction power? Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

3i also packed a few other high-end features into this budget vacuum: namely small obstacle avoidance and, even rarer in this price range, a livestream pet camera. And it's all contained in a compact design that can be stored under a TV stand.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on saleRobot vacuums that mop

• Yeedi C12 Plus — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• iRobot Roomba 104 Combo — $249.99 $449.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Yeedi C12 Plus— $269.99 $479.99 (save $210 with on-page coupon) 🔥

• Dreame D20 Plus — $296.99 $399.99 (save $103) 🔥

• Roborock Q10 S5+ — $299.99 $549.99 (save $250) 🔥

• 3i G10+ with dust compression — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Narwal Freo Pro with mop washing station — $479.99 $699.99 (save $220)

• iRobot Roomba 405 with mop washing station — $399.99 $799.99 (save $400) 🔥

• Eufy Omni C20 with mop washing station — $379.99 $699.99 (save $320) 🔥

• Yeedi M12 Pro with mop washing station — $379.99 $899.99 (save $520) 🔥

• Dreame X40 Ultra with mop washing station — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

• Dreame X50 Ultra with mop washing station — $1,199.99 $1,699.99 (save $500) 🔥

• Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller with mop washing station — $249.99 $449.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Roborock Saros Z70 with OmniGrip arm and mop washing station — $1,999.98 $2,599 (save $599.02) 🔥

Robot vacuums that don't mop

• Eufy C10 — $199.99 $479.99 (save $320) 🔥

• Shark AV2501S AI Ultra — $229.99 $549.99 (save $320) 🔥

• iRobot Roomba 105 — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Eufy L60 — $299.99 $559.99 (save $260)

• Eufy E20 3-in-1 robot vacuum and stick vacuum — $348.99 $649.99 (save $301) 🔥

• iRobot Roomba Plus 504 — $379.99 $749.99 (save $370) 🔥

Best Prime Day Bluetooth tracker deals Best Bluetooth tracker deal Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $74.99 (Save $24.01) Get Deal Best Android Bluetooth tracker deal Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 27.02 (Save $2.97) Get Deal Best Bluetooth tracker bundle deal Tile by Life360 Essentials $54.99 (Save $20) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day sale is here. You can save big right now on Bluetooth trackers, which you might very well want to stock up on for fall travel, cleaning, and more.

If you constantly find yourself losing important items like your wallet, keys, or bag, a Bluetooth tracker can help you find them. They're available for iOS and Android devices, and they're usually pretty affordable, but knocking some extra cash off of them doesn't hurt. We've found deals on several Bluetooth trackers that you can snag right now before Prime Day starts.

Here are some of the best deals on Bluetooth trackers to scoop up during Prime Day.

Best Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirTag (4-Pack) $74.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $24.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple AirTags are among some of the easiest Bluetooth trackers to use if you have Apple devices. They use Apple's Find My functionality to use a network of Bluetooth-enabled AirTags to help you find your item, with the option to play a sound or use directions and location to find your missing belongings. This pack of four means you get plenty of trackers to drop in luggage, attach to a keychain, or even put on a pet's collar. Plus, their battery lasts up to a year, so you can just forget about it once you put the tracker where you need it.

Best Android Bluetooth tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 $27.02 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $2.97 Get Deal Why we like it

This Android-compatible Bluetooth tracker has a hole so you can attach it to a keychain or ring and make it simple to add to any item you need to track. It's IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, and can stay powered up for up to 500 days, or 40% longer with its Power Saving Mode. It offers sound-based location options as well as ways to track it down with your Android device's directions, too. It's compatible with all Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets as well, so it plays nice with your Android ecosystem phones.

Best Bluetooth tracker bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Tile by Life360 Essentials $54.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Tile trackers offer a happy medium between both iOS and Android devices. This bundle comes with multiple form factors that you can slide in your wallet, attach to a keychain, or toss in a bag, with a 4-pack that you can get for a great price. You can locate your Tile tags by ringing them, using your phone to get directions, and even trigger SOS alerts via the tags if you find yourself in an emergency. Plus, they work with the Life360 app to help you keep track of everything.

More Bluetooth tracker deals

• Tile by Life360 tracker — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)

• MiLi MiTag — $11.99 $12.99 (save $1)

• Apple AirTag — $24.99 $29 (save $4.01)

• Tile by Life360 Slim — $37.99 $54.99 (save $17)

The best October Prime Day unlocked phone deals at a glance: Best Samsung Galaxy deal Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB) $949.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Motorola deal Motorola Razr Ultra (512GB) $1,099.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best Google Pixel deal Google Pixel 9 (128GB) $699 (save $100) Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade your phone, but don't want to spend a fortune, Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days could be your opportunity to score one for less. Instead of coordinating a trade-in and data plan at a specific carrier, you can often find better deals on unlocked devices at Amazon — particularly during sales events. Unlocked phones aren't tied to a specific carrier, so you'll have the flexibility to switch plans and shop new phones as often as you want. Not to mention, you'll be able to use local SIM cards when traveling internationally without having to jump through hoops.

Amazon's October Prime Day event kicked off Oct. 7, and we're already seeing some unlocked phone deals worth grabbing. A few Motorola and Samsung Galaxy phones have already dropped to record-low prices (marked with a 🔥). Google Pixel, on the other hand, is starting slow with just a single solid deal. If you're looking for iPhone deals, you're better off locking in a contract with a carrier, as it's rare to find a discount on an unlocked iPhone (though we'll never say never).

We'll be keeping an eye on things and updating the list below with any new deals that pop up as we inch closer to the now-annual shopping event. For now, here are the best unlocked phone deals we could find.

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

The best October Prime Day unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (256GB, Unlocked) 🔥 $949.99 at Amazon
$1,099.99 Save $150 Get Deal

The Z Flip7, the smaller of Samsung's latest flagship foldables, features a completely redesigned exterior. The new cover display goes edge-to-edge at 4.1 inches, making it the largest external display on a flip-style phone to date. It also packs a new 120Hz refresh rate, the ability to interact with AI features without opening the phone, and the option to use the camera to show things to the onboard AI. Mashable's reviewer writes, "If you appreciate the foldable form factor, then you'll definitely appreciate the Galaxy Z Flip 7. You can do so much cool stuff with this "AI Flip Phone." Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can slash $150 off the 256GB version in blue shadow, coral red, or jet black — not bad for a phone that's only a couple of months old.

More unlocked phone deals

• Motorola Moto G (128GB) — $174.99 $199.99 (save $25)

• TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER (128GB) — $222.49 $249.99 (save $27.50)

• Motorola Moto G Stylus (256GB) — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

• Motorola Razr 2024 (256GB) — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)

• OnePlus 13R (256GB) — $549.99 $599.99 (save $50)

• Motorola Razr 2025 (256GB) — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 (128GB) — $679.99 $799.99 (save $130) 🔥

• Google Pixel 9 (128GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy S25+ (512GB) — $999.99 $1,119.99 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) — $1,044.99 $1,299.99 (save $255) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 (512GB) — $1,069.99 $1,219.99 (save $150)

• Motorola Razr Ultra (512GB) — $1,099.99 $1,299.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (512GB) — $1,299 $1,419.99 (save $120.99)

October Prime Day (also known as Prime Big Deal Days) is here, running Oct. 7 and 8. Get ready to bag a Nintendo Switch bargain. 

As with most big sales, the retailer has rolled out a batch of Prime Day deals on Amazon, and Nintendo Switch fans in particular have plenty to get excited about.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

From discounts on must-play titles, old and new, to deals on consoles and accessories that can make gaming on the go a little easier, there’s already a healthy selection available. So, whether you’re hoping to top up your game library, pick up a spare controller, or even grab a Switch console itself, now’s a great time to take a look.

We’ve pulled together some of the standout Nintendo Switch deals live at Amazon right now, all ahead of October Prime Day. More discounts are sure to follow once the sale event officially gets underway, and we’ll keep updating this list as fresh offers appear.

Best Nintendo Switch deal Opens in a new window Credit: SEGA Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut - Nintendo Switch 2 $37.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $12 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to dive into Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut on the Nintendo Switch 2, this price cut is exactly that. Marked down to $37 from $49.99, it’s the cheapest we’ve seen it so far, making it one of the best-value third-party titles currently on the system.

It’s also a surprisingly sharp price drop, considering this new Switch 2 version of Yakuza 0 only launched in early June.

As a prequel to the long-running series, Yakuza 0 plunges you into the seedy underworld of late-’80s Japan, switching between the perspectives of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima in a crime drama that’s as stylish as it is brutal. Already a fantastically fun game to begin with, the Director’s Cut layers in new cutscenes and expanded story details, offering fresh insight into its central characters, while combat gives you three unique fighting styles to swap between on the fly.

There’s even a new online mode, Red Light Raid, which lets you join forces with friends to take on wave-based enemy encounters. 

The only real caveat is that the physical version uses Nintendo’s Game-Key Card system, meaning you’ll be downloading rather than slotting in a full cartridge. Still, at this discount,

More Nintendo Switch deals

• PowerA King Bowster Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch / Switch Lite / OLED Model - $26.97 $44.99 (40% off)

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch - $59.50 $69.99 (15%)

• Nintendo Switch Lite - Blue - $199.97 $229.99 (13% off)

• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo Switch - $25.99 $49.99 (48% off)

• Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express Card (for Switch 2) - $104.11 $119.99 (13% off)

• tomtoc Slim Carrying Case for Nintendo Switch 2 - $30.99 $36.99 (16% off)

• TMNT Mutants Unleashed - Standard Edition for Nintendo Switch - $19.99 $39.99 (50% off)

• Sonic X Shadow Generations (Nintendo Switch 1 & 2) - Up to $39.99 $49.99 (20% off)

• R.D.S. Industries, Inc. Licensed Nintendo Switch 2, OLED & Nintendo Switch Game Traveller Deluxe Case - $27.49 $29.99 (8% off)

If you've listened to the Strike Force Five podcast, you'll know that Jimmy Fallon has a habit of hosting incredibly confusing games where he has little to no idea of the rules.

The true or false style game he plays with Taylor Swift in The Tonight Show clip above is very much in this style, featuring a list of five rumors about Swift – one of which is apparently true – and a buzzer that nobody knows quite when to press.

The interview itself is fun, but watching the game go completely off the rails is the highlight.

"The game is not 'It's false!'" yells Fallon at one point, after Swift has hammered the buzzer. "The game is...what is the game called?"

The best Prime Day board game deals Best board game deal Scrabble $8.69 (Save $13.30) Get Deal Best kids' board game deal Don't Break the Ice $9.99 (Save $7) Get Deal Best family board game deal Ticket to Ride $49.99 (Save $5) Get Deal

Amazon's October Prime Day event is here, taking place on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. You'll be able to save big across categories that span the entire site, with board game discounts available on both days that you won't want to miss.

There are a slew of Prime Day deals on board games you can pick up right now, so if you've been looking for ways to level up your family game night or feel like getting into the hobby without putting up too much cash, now's a great time to do it and save on games like Scrabble, Twister, and much more.

We're tracking some of the best Prime Day board game deals below, so be sure to check back as we update the list with the newest sale prices that drop as Prime Day arrives.

Best Prime Day board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Scrabble $8.69 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $13.30 Get Deal Why we like it

Scrabble is one of the most popular word games on the market, and for good reason. It's easy to learn but difficult to master, even if you have a large vocabulary. The classic crossword game gives you seven letter tiles randomly drawn at the beginning of the game that you use to place on the board to build words. Once the first word is down, players continue to build on those in place, using certain letter tiles that offer higher scores to see who can achieve the highest-scoring words. It's a race to see who can use up all of their tiles and score high, but also a challenge for even the most talented wordsmiths due to letter availability. Anyone can play, and getting Scrabble for less than $10 is a steal.

More board game deals

• Tapple — $19.97 $21.99 (save $2.02)

• KerPlunk — $14 $18.35 (save $4.35)

• Candy Land — $9.99 $12.99 (save $3)

• Monopoly — $12.29 $19.99 (save $9.70)

• Guess Who? — $12.99 $16.99 (save $4)

• Hungry Hungry Hippos — $12.99 $19.99 (save $7)

• Battleship — $12.49 $16.99 (save $4.50)

• Clue Escape: The World’s Fair — $9.49 $16.99 (save $7.50)

• Operation — $18.98 $19.99 (save $1.01)

• Taboo — $13.90 $19.99 (save $6.09)

• The Game of Life — $10.14 $21.99 (save $11.85)

• Twister — $14.34 $19.99 (save $5.65)

• Scattergories — $13.69 $19.99 (save $6.30)

• Clue — $13.79 $21.99 (save $8.20)

SAVE $1,200: The Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $799, down from the list price of $1,999. That's a whopping 60% discount that beats the lowest price ever at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix F2000 portable power station $799 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $1,200 Get Deal

Anker makes some of our favorite chargers like the travel-worthy Anker Nano 3-in-1 power bank. Mashable's tech editors also have a list of their favorite Anker charging accessories, but the brand has gone big in recent years and they're now a front runner in the wonderful world of portable power stations. If you've been considering snagging a powerful model, check out this October Prime Day deal.

As of Oct. 7, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station is on sale for $799 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,999. That's a massive 60% discount that takes $1,200 off. The sale price also easily beats the previous lowest price ever at Amazon. Mashable has tested and loved the Anker Solix line of power stations, and this model is big enough to power large electronics like appliances in an emergency.

If you want big power, the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station packs in 2,048Wh with 12 ports. Recharge from four AC ports, three USB-C (all 100W), two USB-A, one 30amp, and two car sockets. That much power tends to get heavy, and the F2000 weighs almost 70 pounds. So Anker added a telescoping handle and durable wheels to the Solix F200 for easy portability.

SEE ALSO: Mashable's favorite portable power stations, reviewed

In real-life terms, 2,048Wh can keep a 350W refrigerator on for 21 hours or a 700W microwave on for 5.4 hours. Want even more power? The Solix F2000 is expandable with the Anker PowerHouse 760 expansion battery to get a grand total of 4,096Wh.

When you need to recharge the Solix F2000, you can do so via the car, standard AC power, or solar panels. It can accept up to 1,000W of solar input. Another major benefit of the Anker Solix F2000 is the top-of-the-line LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) battery which will get about 3,000 cycles before it'll only recharge to 80 percent capacity. That's over eight years of draining the battery every single day. Needless to say, it's gonna last a long time.

While it's on sale for 60% off, snag the Anker Solix F2000 portable power station. You'll be covered when the power goes out during the next fall storm, and it'll be great to pack along for summer camping.

Let's say you already have one of the best Kindles or a pair of headphones you really like. You may not be in the market for a physical item this October Prime Day, but you still have an opportunity to score a few free months of the entertainment you consume on devices.

The free Amazon deals for Prime Big Deal Days: Music deal 3 free months of Amazon Music Unlimited $0 (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Reading deal 3 free months of Kindle Unlimited $0 (save $11.99/month) Get Deal Audiobook deal x free months of Audible $0 (save $14.95/month) Get Deal

Taking advantage of these free Amazon subscriptions is one of our favorite money-saving hacks during any Prime event — here are the music, audiobook, and book deals live for Prime Big Deal Days:

SEE ALSO: Kindle Paperwhite review: I’ve tried every Kindle and the Paperwhite is the only one you need Free Amazon Music Unlimited deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get 3 free months of Amazon Music Unlimited $0 at Amazon
$43.96 Save $43.96 Typically $10.99/month Get Deal

You can be an obnoxious Spotify or Apple Music loyalist for the rest of the year — but when a Prime event rolls around to unlock a few free months of Amazon Music Unlimited, it'll pay off to temporarily ditch your comfort interface. The Prime Big Deal Days promo gives any new Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber three free months, regardless of whether you pay for Prime or not.

That'll save Spotify users $35.97 (which costs $11.99 per month) or Apple Music listeners $32.97 (which costs $10.99 per month) across three months. You probably won't find any holes in the Amazon Music Unlimited song library compared to those apps, and there are even high-quality audio options. One free audiobook per month is also included.

Free Kindle Unlimited deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get 3 free months of Kindle Unlimited $0 at Amazon
$35.97 Save $35.97 Typically $11.99/month Get Deal

It's not exactly another Stuff Your Kindle day, but it's kind of the next best thing: Three free months of Kindle Unlimited. For the books you can't seem to find for free on Libby, Kindle Unlimited's library of over four million book titles (and some audiobooks) should keep you busy for a while. It usually costs $11.99 per month, so you'll save $35.97 over the course of those three months.

Kindle titles do disappear if/when Kindle Unlimited is cancelled, but at least you can chip away from any of your devices while you do have the subscription.

Free Amazon Audible deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Get 3 free months of Audible $0 at Amazon
$44.85 Save $44.85 Typically $14.95/month Get Deal

For the true audiobooks-over-reading crowd, Audible has a more robust variety of titles than Kindle Unlimited does. An Audible subscription lets you choose one audiobook per month, bestsellers and new releases included. And unlike Kindle Unlimited, your audiobooks stay on your devices even if you cancel after your free trial expires.

TL;DR: Take your photos to the next level with this lifetime subscription to Luminar Mobile for iOS and Android for just $19.99 (reg. $47.99).

We can’t all be professional photographers. But even if you don’t have any training, you can still turn your photos into stunning images with the power of editing. Luminar Mobile for iOS and Android makes it easy to enhance your photos with AI tools in just a few clicks.. And right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to this handy tool for only $19.99 (reg. $47.99).

Upgrade your shots instantly with Luminar Mobile

Luminar Mobile is ready to transform your photos from basic to pro-level. Designed for iOS, Android OS, and Chrome OS, it comes packed with smart AI tools that elevate your photos in just a few clicks.

Need to adjust lighting? How about replacing a dull sky with a stunning one? You can make adjustments both great and small, as Luminar Mobile serves as your all-in-one photo editing toolkit. With just a tap, you can sharpen details, smooth skin, remove blemishes with SkinAI, or reshape bodies with BodyAI.

Tackle smaller fixes, such as cropping and removing unwanted objects, with Luminar Mobile. It gives you the option to edit high-quality RAW images, too.

While Luminar Mobile works on iOS and Android, some features are optimized for Apple devices. It’s both iPhone and iPad-friendly and works with the Apple Pencil. It’s also Vision Pro ready, so you can take advantage of immersive editing.

Keep an easy editing tool at your fingertips with this lifetime subscription to Luminar Mobile for iOS and Android for just $19.99 (reg. $47.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylum Luminar Mobile for iOS & Android: Lifetime Subscription $19.99
$47.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal