Technology

The Mac mini is one of the best small computers you can buy thanks to its small yet mighty footprint and value for money. Things get even better if you can score yourself a deal on the second-hand market, which is where I found mine.

Anker's 6-in-1 USB-C hub has fallen to a very low price. Right now, it is available for $23.40 at Anker, which makes it a great choice for adding more connectivity and charging options to devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. To get this discount, use the promo code Ankerhowtogeek2025 at checkout.

Federal lawmakers in the Senate are poised to take up the One Big Beautiful Bill Act next week, but a new poll suggests that one of its controversial provisions is clearly unpopular with voters on both sides of the aisle.

That measure would ban states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade. Proponents say that U.S. tech companies won't be able to succeed on the global stage if they're restrained by a patchwork of state laws that address concerns over artificial intelligence, like deepfakes, fraud, and youth safety.

But critics argue that a lengthy blanket ban would harm consumers, especially given that Congress has no plan to pass a bill with protections.

The new poll asked 1,022 registered voters across the country about their opinion on a state regulatory moratorium, and the results show that American voters largely oppose it.

SEE ALSO: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act would ban states from regulating AI

The survey was conducted in mid-May by the research firm Echelon Insights, on behalf of Common Sense Media. The nonpartisan organization supports children and parents as they navigate media and technology, in addition to advocating for related safety and privacy legislation.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents opposed the measure. Half of Republican participants opposed it as well, significantly more than the 31 percent of Republicans who supported it.

The vast majority of respondents, regardless of their political affiliation, agreed that Congress shouldn't ban states from enacting or enforcing their own youth online safety and privacy laws.

Additionally, 53 percent said they trusted state and local leaders more than Congressional politicians, when it came to regulating AI appropriately. Only 15 percent preferred politicians and regulators in Washington, D.C. The rest of the participants were unsure who they trusted more.

SEE ALSO: Character.AI opens a back door to free speech rights for chatbots

"The numbers are clear," said Echelon Insights partner and co-founder Kristen Soltis Anderson in a statement about the poll. "Voters are concerned about the potential dangers AI-generated content can pose to kids and teens, and say they don't want the federal government to tell states what they can and can't do about the issue."

Last week, Common Sense Media joined a coalition of advocacy organizations, including Fairplay and the Center For Humane Technology, in an appeal to congressional leadership to drop the AI moratorium from the GOP-led budget.

"By wiping out all existing and future state AI laws without putting new federal protections in place, AI companies would get exactly what they want: no rules, no accountability, and total control," the coalition wrote in an open letter.

Common Sense Media has also backed two bills in California that would place guardrails on AI companion platforms, which advocates say are currently not safe for teens.

One of the bills specifically outlaws high-risk uses of AI, including "anthropomorphic chatbots that offer companionship" to children and will likely lead to emotional attachment or manipulation.

In general, survey respondents overwhelmingly indicated that they're concerned about youth safety and AI. More than 90 percent of participants said they worry about kids being exposed to highly sexualized AI-generated content online.

Do you want to get an alert when your laptop’s battery level drops below a certain percentage? If so, you have multiple ways to do that on your Windows 11 computer.

We now have a tentative launch date for Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas: June 12.

How long has Tesla been testing out these driverless vehicles that will soon be on the public streets of a major U.S. city? According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, testing has been going on for "several days."

"For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in driver’s seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents," Musk posted on his X account on Thursday.

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

"A month ahead of schedule," Musk continued. "Next month, first self-delivery from factory to customer."

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Tesla has an internal deadline of June 12 for the driverless robotaxi launch in Austin.

Musk has been promising the imminent launch of Tesla's robotaxi service for years. For Example, in 2022, Musk claimed that the company's robotaxis would be ready in 2024.

Earlier this week, Fortune reported that multiple state and local agencies in Austin have yet to receive crucial safety information about the driverless vehicles that will soon be traveling around the city. Fortune reported that Tesla had yet to provide sufficient plans, guides, or training for local emergency responders in the event that a robotaxi crashes and passengers need to be rescued. Musk, in his X post, did not address whether Tesla has since provided this information to Austin officials, but Fortune cited city officials who said the information would be provided prior to launch.

Bloomberg's source said that the June 12 launch date is subject to change, but a potential change of plans has yet to come up within the company. Bloomberg also reported that robotaxi testing in Austin started this week, with Musk seemingly confirming this reporting with his X post.

Although Musk shared that the company has been testing the robotaxi without a human in the driver's seat, EV outlet Electrek says the service is expected to use "heavy teleoperation." This means a human operator could control the Tesla robotaxi remotely from outside of the vehicle.

In addition, as Electrek points out, the standard testing process for such a service typically requires zero incidents "over months of testing and hundreds of thousands of miles before launching."

Roughly two weeks seems like a very short timeline to fully test Tesla's driverless robotaxi service. However, as Bloomberg points out, Texas has "relatively relaxed rules around autonomous driving." There's no regulatory body that will stop Musk and company from launching Tesla's robotaxi on June 12, regardless of how ready the service is to drive the streets of Austin.

The Anker MagGo Wireless Charger, a handy 2-in-1 charging stand, is now on sale for $42.12 on Anker's website. This is down from its original price of $53.99. You’ll need to use the promo code Ankerhowtogeek2025 to get this big discount when you check out.

Some of the best games ever made have important plot points, characters, and unexplained events that are shrounded in mystery.

It's no secret that singles have been disenchanted with dating apps lately. Users complain that apps are copying each other with similar features and encourage bad behavior like ghosting, and they're trying to branch out into IRL activities instead (even dungeon sound baths).

Tinder's upcoming CEO, Spencer Rascoff, seems well aware of these feelings. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Rascoff — currently CEO of Tinder's parent company, Match Group — said he wants to change the app and its reputation.

SEE ALSO: Comparing AI features for Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder

"Think of Tinder like a bar where people come together to meet new people," he told the Wall Street Journal. "We have to innovate to drive more people into our establishment, and that means renovating our bar."

Rascoff told investors last month that Gen Z isn't into hookups, and Tinder needs to adapt to this reality, the Wall Street Journal reported. Young adults are having less sex and drinking less than their older peers were at their age, Rascoff cited.

Featured Video For You How Tinder and other dating apps use algorithms to find your match — Horny on Main

Tinder has long been known as the "hookup app," even blamed for the "dating apocalypse" as far back as 2015. Dating apps have undoubtedly changed the way people meet each other: according to a 2023 Pew Research Center study, around one in 10 partnered adults in the U.S. met their partner on a dating app or site, and that number doubles for people under 30 and LGBTQ people.

But dating apps are also regularly blamed for the culture around casual sex and superficial judgments of people. When someone has an abundance of choice with gamified dating, they may forget that behind the profile is a person. As Mashable previously reported, trust in dating apps has waned in recent years. Match Group was sued last year for claims that the apps are "predatory" and "addictive." (The lawsuit has since been sent to arbitration.)

Rascoff is taking over for current Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno, who posted on LinkedIn last week that she'll step down in July 2025, after eight years at Match Group. Rascoff will lead both Match Group and Tinder. His plan is to lean into AI features and implement new product changes quickly, especially safety features. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rascoff wants an improved user experience even at the expense of short-term revenue.

"Revenue growth matters, but it is an output of audience growth and improved user results," Rascoff shared in a LinkedIn post about Tinder's product principles moving forward. One of them is "failing fast": "We're making big bets, and that means we will undoubtedly make mistakes. What matters is how fast we learn and how we use failure to fuel what's next."

It's uncertain whether these adjustments will change Tinder's public image, as the app has added more features for those looking for love in recent years. But given Gen Z's penchant for the internet, Tinder is likely here to stay.

RCS is available for more people than ever, but knowing which of your contacts have been upgraded and which are still stuck in the stone age of SMS can feel like a mystery. Google Messages is finally making it easier to tell the difference.

You might've seen those viral images and videos of the emotional support kangaroo in an airport. Hopefully, you at least wondered if the video was AI-generated. Or maybe you were fooled by a quick scroll. We're here to tell that, yes, the viral emotional support kangaroo was indeed AI-generated.

Here is the video in question.

View this post on Instagram

How do we know it's AI? First, it's probably best to sit back and consider the video's content. A non-domesticated creature is acting as a service animal, calmly holding a boarding pass in its hands and staring at the camera like Jim Halpert from The Office. Brother, that is not real. Second, the original was posted to the Instagram account @InfiniteUnreality, which posts AI-generated and VFX content.

That didn't stop the video from being spread all across the internet. Most notably, it was posted by the X account @DramaAlert, where it has racked up 73 million views. The responses online were a mix of people joyfully reposting, wondering what was going on at that airport, and lots of jokes. To be fair, a number of people also pointed out that the video was AI-generated. Community Notes on X eventually noted that it was AI-generated as well.

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

Needless to say, to those who were duped, AI-generated video is getting much better, even if the scenario itself — an emotional support kangaroo — was hard to believe. So, as always in the age of AI, be careful out there for fakes.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC for just A$23 with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale through June 1.

Do you have an old computer that could use a refresh? Upgrade its operating system and give it new life with Windows 11 Pro, now just A$23 (reg. A$310) through June 1.

If you’ve got an older device lying around, you don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars for a brand-new laptop. Just give it a new lease on life with this Windows 11 Pro upgrade. This new operating system is filled with features that can help you tackle both work and play.

What’s new in Windows 11 Pro?

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro was created with modern professionals in mind, but you don’t have to be tackling work to appreciate the new features. It offers a seamless interface that’s easy to navigate, snap layouts, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience everyone can benefit from.

We should all be taking our cybersecurity more seriously, and Windows 11 Pro offers advanced security measures like a biometric login, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses to beef up your protection.

Need to get work done? Windows 11 Pro includes Microsoft Teams, and also offers some unique professional features. Azure AD lets you manage logins and permissions for employees, while Hyper-V makes it possible to create and run virtual machines to test things. You’ll also get Windows Sandbox, a way to test files safely without risking your computer.

If you’d like to ditch the mouse and keyboard, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro gives you the option to go touchscreen. And it also puts Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant, right on your desktop.

Once you tackle all your responsibilities, it’s time to start gaming. Windows 11 Pro includes DirectX 12 Ultimate, with graphics that make you feel like you’re right there in the game.

Note: You’ll need 4GB RAM and 40GB of hard drive space to run Windows 11 Pro, and if you’re running Windows 11 but can’t install upgrades via Windows Update, you won’t be able to install this version either.

Elevate your PC experience with this lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, now just A$23 (reg. A$310) through June 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Windows Microsoft Windows 11 Pro AU$23
AU$310 Save AU$287 Get Deal

SAVE $90: As of May 29, the Sonos Era 300 is on sale for just $359 (reg. $449) across retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Sonos itself. That's 20% in savings and matches its record-low price from Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $359 at Amazon
$449 Save $90 Get Deal

As much as we love the Sonos audio lineup — from their high-end soundbars to their Bluetooth speakers to their first-ever headphones — we're not fond of the steep pricing. It's rare to see Sonos products go on sale outside of big shopping events like Black Friday or Prime Day, so we're pumped that the Sonos Era 300 speaker, which we've tested and love, is back down to its best price ever on this random Thursday in May.

As of May 29, you can grab the Sonos Era 300 for just $359 instead of its usual $449 across multiple retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Sonos itself. That's 20% off, or $90 in savings, and matches its record-low from Black Friday last year.

SEE ALSO: The best smart speakers in 2025

The Era 300 is the first Sonos speaker to support spatial audio, which led Mashable's Stan Schroeder to deem it "the king of sub-$500 smart speakers." It's not the prettiest looking speaker, but it's packed with fancy audio technology, including six amps, four tweeters, and two woofers. It also features Sonos Voice Control, as well as Alexa, customizable sound in the Sonos app, and the ability to connect seamlessly with other audio products from Sonos. Not that it needs a boost from anything else, though. As Schroeder puts it in his review, "It singlehandedly produces sound that can often match larger speakers, perhaps even entire hi-fi systems."

While it's not quite as easy to use as Apple's HomePod and requires an adapter to connect a 3.5mm jack, we're willing to overlook those flaws for its absolutely booming sound. Take a rare $90 off for a limited time at your choice of retailer.

Shop the Best Audio Deals Now

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.98 (List Price $39.99)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99)

• JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95)

• Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $149.00

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00)

• JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95)

Anyone with a fear of eyes, needles, or both should steer well clear of the trailer for The Home, the new horror film from The Purge writer/director James DeMonaco and co-writer Adam Cantor.

The story follows Max (Pete Davidson), a man sentenced to work in a retirement home as part of his community service. Of course, there's a catch. (There's always a catch!) That home harbors all sorts of gnarly secrets, starting with the fourth floor, which Max is warned to avoid at all costs. There are hidden messages written on walls and people falling out of windows, and the doctor in charge of things (Bruce Altman) is entirely too fascinated by Max's "interesting eyes." It's not good!!

From the looks of the trailer, this one will be creepy and gory in equal parts.

The Home premieres in theaters July 25.

SAVE $7.60: The Joyeky Camping Lantern lets you charge your phone by hand crank. And as of May 29, it's on sale for just $22.38 at Amazon, a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Joyeky Camping Lantern $22.38 at Amazon
$29.98 Save $7.60 Get Deal

If you're planning on going camping and enjoying the gorgeous summer weather, there are a few necessities you should always make sure you take with you. A reliable power source is important, especially when there are no plugs to be found. With this Amazon deal, you can get a camping lantern that can illuminate your space and charge your phone or other tech when you're in a pinch.

As of May 29, get the Joyeky Camping Lantern for $22.38, down from its usual price of $29.98. That's $7.60 off and a discount of 25%.

SEE ALSO: The Yeti Tundra 65 hard cooler just got $75 cheaper (if you like green)

This lantern shines bright with 1,000 lumens, so it can help you make sure you've got plenty of light at your campsite. It's powered by a 6,400mAh lithium battery as well, so it has electricity to spare when you need it the most. It offers four lighting modes, as well as an SOS mode in an emergency.

It also has a USB hookup (and included cable) to charge your tech as needed. But perhaps the most interesting thing about this lantern is the fact that it has a hand crank, meaning you'll never run out of backup power. All you have to do is crank it until you're charged back up, so even when your battery fails or you have no other power source, your lantern can give you a quick power-up. It only takes 3 to 5 minutes of cranking to give you an hour of power at low brightness to use the lamp.

Don't be caught without a way to keep energized if you find yourself without electricity. For just over $20, this is a great option to do just that.

Shop the Best Tech Deals

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

SAVE $45: As of May 29, Amazon shoppers can buy a $99 Spotify Gift Card that covers 12 months of Spotify Premium, saving you $45 off the usual $144 cost.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify Spotify Premium Gift Card $99 at Amazon
Get Deal

Paying monthly subscriptions can seem less daunting than big, once-a-year payments. However, an annual payment can often save you a pretty penny. Unfortunately, Spotify only offers monthly pricing, starting at $11.99. Those little payments are small when they come once a month, but over a full year, they add up to $144. But, there's a sneaky way to get some savings thanks to this Amazon gift card deal.

As of May 29, grab a Spotify Premium gift card for $99. That's $45 in savings on a normal year of Spotify Premium. While you normally buy a gift card for someone else, it's also a sneaky way to save yourself some money. This gift card is only applicable on individual plans.

Among music subscriptions, Spotify remains one of the most popular. It has all the basics so you can build a personal library of music and playlists, which are shareable with friends and family. Plus, if you can never decide what to listen to, Spotify is great at creating daylists that cater to your different music moods throughout your waking hours. Plus, Spotify has integrations for both podcasts and audiobooks. A Spotify Premium membership gets you 15 hours a month of audiobook credits so you can listen to bestsellers all within the Spotify app.

So, whether you're buying for yourself or someone else, this Spotify Premium gift card is a great way to save on a yearly subscription.

WhatsApp Status is getting a bit of a facelift.

Status is WhatsApp's version of an AIM away message (an ancient AOL feature from the early days of the social internet), which basically allows users to say what they're up to while they're not near the app. In a new feature released on Thursday, you can personalize your Status just like you would an Instagram Story.

"More ways to express yourself on Status." Credit: WhatsApp

"WhatsApp Status is your private space to keep the people who matter most to you up to date on what’s happening day to day. Whether it's your wedding day and you’re using Status to give those who couldn’t make a front row seat or you just want to share what made you smile most today, bring even more of your personality to each Status," a press release from WhatsApp reads.

You can turn your away message into a collage, like you would in Instagram Stories, by using the layout tool. You can add music, post stickers, and add the "Add Yours" sticker, all of which you can already do on Instagram Stories.

If it isn't clear at this point, Meta owns both Instagram and WhatsApp, so the similarities aren't shocking. Plus, it's sort of Meta's MO to add in features users may or may not want as a ploy to keep them on the platform longer.

"Whether you’re sharing the everyday moments that make up your life or a big occasion, we hope these new features give you even more ways to bring those closest to you along and up to date on what’s happening," the press release adds.

The features began rolling out on Thursday and will continue rolling out over the next few months.

SAVE $450: The DJI Power 1000 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $549 with the on-page coupon. That works out to a 45% discount off the standard price of $999.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station $549 at Amazon
$999 Save $450 Get Deal

Unexpected power outages can happen at any time. Next time, instead of scrambling for shelter with power or begging to stay at a friend's house, invest in a super powerful portable power station and stay home. Thanks to a rare Amazon sale, there's a sweet discount today.

As of May 29, the DJI Power 1000 portable power station is on sale for $549 at Amazon with the on-page coupon. That's a savings of $450 (with an on-page coupon) compared to the normal price of $999, or a 45% discount.

With a battery capacity of 1024Wh and a stable output at 2200W, you'll be in good shape with the DJI Power 1000. When the power goes out, use the DJI portable power station to keep your refrigerator going for about 45 hours, or a lamp for 92 hours. Since it has multiple charging ports, you'll also be able to keep your phone going at the same time.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite Anker products are on sale at Amazon: Grab the Solix C300 for $180

But the DJI is also great for upcoming summer camping trips. Pack it along to recharge mobile phones about 57 times or keep the car refrigerator cooling for about 19 hours. If you're taking a drone along on the trip, expect that to get recharged 12 times with the DJI Power 1000.

DJI uses fast-charging technology in the Power 1000 so when it comes time to recharge the portable power station itself, expect to get back to 100% with 70 minutes of charging. If you only have 50 minutes, expect to reach 80%.

In terms of using the DJI Power 1000, take advantage of the dual 140W USB-C fast-charging outlets. Plus, it's designed for quiet operation, only getting to about 23 decibels.

Before the next unexpected storm knocks out power, equip your home with the DJI Power 1000 portable power station. Thanks to the on-page coupon, you can snag the power station for just $549 at Amazon, which is a major 45% discount off the normal price of $999. Your recently purchased frozen food will thank you.

The best tech deals to shop this week

• Roku Ultra 4K Ultimate Streaming Player (2024 Release) — $79.99 (List Price $99.99)

• Beats Pill Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $149.95)

• Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum and Mop — $899.99 (List Price $1599.99)

• Peloton Bike — $1,145.00 (List Price $1445.00)

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $74.99 (List Price $99.00)

Victoria's Secret seems to have suffered a major online security incident. The retailer's website was down on Thursday — showing only an apologetic message to customers — leaving would-be shoppers scrambling.

It appears the security incident began in the evening hours, eastern U.S. time, on Wednesday. Reuters reported at that time the company had taken down its website's functionality as well as some unspecified in-store capabilities.

Visitors to the Victoria's Secret online store are instead greeting with a statement from the company. It reads:

"Valued customer, we identified and are taking steps to address a security incident. We have taken down our website and some in store services as a precaution. Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations. We appreciate your patience during this process. In the meantime, our Victoria’s Secret and PINK stores remain open and we look forward to serving you."

Right now, we know precious little else about the security incident. Bloomberg reported, citing an internal memo it obtained, that Hillary Super, Victoria's Secret CEO, told employees that "recovery is going to take awhile."

If you're looking to make a Victoria's Secret purchase in the meantime, then you might need to put down your phone and drive to the mall.

UP TO 57% OFF: As of May 29, save up to 57% on The Last of Us Part I ($29.83) and The Last of Us Part II Remastered ($29.99) at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Last of Us Part I' $29.83 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $40.16 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'The Last of Us Part II Remastered' $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

The Last of Us season 2 just ended, and fans are already lamenting the fact that it's gone for another stretch of time. The weekly release of the live-action series kept viewers on their toes while it aired, but now that it's over, it feels like there's an Ellie and Abby-shaped void that can't be filled for the foreseeable future. Luckily, there's another way you can experience the universe of The Last of Us: their original medium. If you've never played the original games on PlayStation 5, now's your chance to save up to 57% on both games.

As of May 29, save up to 57% on The Last of Us Part I ($29.83) and The Last of Us Part II Remastered ($29.99) at Amazon. The Last of Us Part I is regularly $69.99, so you save $40.16 (57% off). The Last of Us Part II Remastered is normally $49.99, so you save $20 (40% off). These prices apply to the physical versions of both games, so keep in mind that you're getting physical copies that will be shipped to you.

These PS5 titles tell the story of Ellie and Joel from the beginning, though both come with quality of life changes from their original releases, additional content, and other tweaks to give you the definitive version of Naughty Dog's most complex story yet. You can experience every single moment of The Last of Us from the beginning through the end of the second game, with every nuance, bit of dialogue, and uncomfortable scene originally seen in the story.

It's a good time to snag PlayStation games right now, so pick up these titles at a discount and check out what Sony has on offer for the Days of Play sale as well.

SAVE $130: As of May 29, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is back down to $369 (reg. $499) for the first time since December. That's 26% in savings and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar $369 at Amazon
$499 Save $130 Get Deal

TV display tech is lightyears ahead of sound, which is why you may want to invest in a soundbar to make the most of your viewing experience. While we highly recommend the Sonos Arc Ultra as a premium pick, it's definitely not in everyone's price range at $999. If you're seeking something more affordable, the second-generation Sonos Beam soundbar is also an excellent choice — and it happens to be on sale.

As of May 29, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is back down to just $369 from $499 at Amazon for the first time all year. That's a savings of 26% and matches its lowest price on record from the Black Friday season.

The second-generation Sonos Beam improves on all the things we already loved about the original model, which Mashable's reviewer Raymond Wong said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." The upgraded design features a new grill, a better processor, and Dolby Atmos compatibility on top of its already immersive sound, convenient voice assistant support, and spectacular clarity.

We named it our favorite soundbar to pair with your TV back in 2023 and while it's no longer all that new, we still think its a worthy choice that complements a mid-size TV well. As our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) noted, its bass response is just OK. Fortunately, you can add a Sonos subwoofer to increase the low end with all the money you'll save by snagging the Beam Gen 2 while it's 26% off.