Technology

I've been buying or reviewing flagship Samsung Galaxy phones for over 14 years, and along the way, I've tried everything from Nexus, Pixel, LG (R.I.P.), HTC, Motorola, OnePlus, and more. In the end, I always go back to my Galaxy. And while One UI is a huge part of that, it's far from the only reason.

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TL;DR: New customers can lock in Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan for just $15 per month (down from $30) across three, six, or 12-month terms. Plans start at $45 upfront.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mint Mobile deal Mint Mobile   Get Deal at Mint Mobile

Most holiday phone promotions come with a catch: trade in your current device, agree to credit checks, and lock yourself into a bloated 36-month carrier contract just to save a few bucks. Mint Mobile is taking the opposite route for Black Friday.

Right now, the carrier has dropped every single plan in its roster down to $15 per month. All plans are on sale, but the Unlimited tier is the main event: you get half off the usual $30 price tag, and you don't even have to trade in a phone.

Even better, Mint isn’t capping this promo at a standard 90-day trial. You can lock in the $15 monthly rate for three, six, or 12 months.

What does Unlimited get you?

Every Mint Unlimited plan includes unlimited talk and text nationwide, and your data stays on with zero hidden fees. You get 50GB of full high-speed data each billing cycle. If you manage to blow past 50GB in per month, you won't get cut off — your speeds may just slow down temporarily in crowded areas when the network gets busy.

Besides that, the Unlimited tier includes 20GB of dedicated mobile hotspot data each month, making it easy to tether your laptop or tablet on the go without hogging up your primary phone data.

The pricing

Mint operates on an upfront bulk-pricing model. Instead of dealing with unexpected monthly invoices, you pay for your selected term at checkout:

• 3-Month Plan — $45 upfront ($15/month)

• 6-Month Plan — $90 upfront ($15/month)

• 12-Month Plan — $180 upfront ($15/month)

If you commit to the 12-month tier, you are essentially getting an entire year of unlimited wireless service for $180 before local taxes.

How to claim this Black Friday offer

Here are the simple steps you need to take to claim:

1. Head over to Mint Mobile.

2. Choose the Unlimited plan and pick your duration (three, six, or 12 months).

3. Check your device compatibility, choose between an instant digital eSIM or a physical SIM kit in the mail, and complete checkout before the promotion ends on Feb. 4.

The fine print

You'll pay for your chosen plan duration upfront, with taxes and fees added at checkout. This offer is available exclusively to new customers for their initial plan term; after that term ends, standard full-price plan options will become available. Video streaming on the Unlimited plan runs in standard definition (SD).

If you're looking to slash your monthly phone bill without sacrificing uncapped data, this is as cheap as it gets. Head over to Mint Mobile to lock in your Unlimited plan today.

TL;DR: DoorDash is taking over your holiday chores. You can now get Christmas trees delivered for 20% off, score up to 50% off Black Friday deals, order party catering for up to 150 people, and have a Dasher pick up unboxed retail returns from your porch for a flat $7.99 fee.

Somewhere between mapping out the gift list, planning the family dinner, and hunting for parking at the mall, holiday errands quickly turn into a marathon. This season, DoorDash wants to do the legwork for you. The app is expanding way beyond takeout with Christmas tree delivery, party catering for 150+, sub-one-hour Black Friday deals, and doorstep retail returns.

Here's a look at every major holiday feature rolling out on DoorDash, along with the fine print you need to know before checking out.

Christmas tree delivery

Hauling a pine tree home strapped to the roof of a car is usually the least fun part of the holidays. From Nov. 15 to Dec. 7, DoorDash lets you order real and artificial trees directly in the app from major retailers such as The Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Michaels, and Kohl's. By applying promo code LITMAS at checkout, you will save 20% on any order of $60 or more that includes a tree, up to a maximum savings of $20.

Keep in mind that your cart must include a tree, and the $60 minimum applies strictly before taxes, service fees, or driver tips. The code only knocks off merchandise costs; you can only use it once, and it’s delivery-only — so pickup orders and carts bundled with alcohol won't qualify.

Dasher Returns

With Dasher Returns, DoorDash eliminates the prep work, so a courier will come directly to your home to collect eligible retail purchases and return them directly to the store for on-the-spot processing.

How to qualify:

1. Open the DoorDash app and check your eligible retail order history for the Dasher Returns option.

2. Select the items you want to send back and schedule a pickup window.

3. Hand the bare items directly to your Dasher when they arrive — no shipping boxes, tape, or printed labels required.

The service costs a flat fee of $7.99 per scheduled pickup, with Dashers able to arrive in as fast as 30 minutes. It applies strictly to eligible retail merchandise purchased through supported stores on DoorDash. The feature is available in select launch cities and continues to roll out nationwide through Nov. 2026.

Black Friday store and gift card deals

DoorDash is turning its retail catalog into a pocket-sized digital mall, offering on-demand delivery in under an hour from brands like Ulta Beauty, Lowe's, Best Buy, Macy's, Anthropologie, GAP, Urban Outfitters, and SKIMS.

From Nov. 23 through Nov. 30, shoppers can take advantage of Black Friday discounts of up to 50% off select items, including half-off cosmetics and stocking stuffers at Ulta Beauty, and up to 40% off tools and holiday decor at Lowe's. For gift givers, DoorDash is also discounting its own digital gift cards on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27 only).

How to qualify:

1. Head to the Holiday Hub section in the DoorDash app between Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 to browse deals across featured retailers.

2. Add eligible sale items from stores like Best Buy, Ulta, or Macy's to your cart for same-day doorstep delivery.

3. On Nov. 27, visit the digital gift card portal in the app to claim your 10% or 20% discount.

The fine print: The Nov. 27 gift card promotion has a strict $25 discount cap and is limited to one redemption per customer. Sub-one-hour delivery relies on Express delivery estimates and may vary during peak holiday volume. Alcohol deliveries to stock the bar cart are strictly for 21+ and available only in select legal markets with valid ID verification.

DashPass Holiday Haul surprises

DashPass subscribers get their own digital advent calendar running from Dec. 1 through Dec. 6. Every morning, a new digital gift box unlocks in the app with an exclusive members-only perk or promo code. This promotion is strictly limited to active DashPass members. Daily deals cannot be banked or retroactively claimed after the 24-hour window closes.

Group catering and $12 meal boxes

DoorDash isn't just for solo takeout anymore — you can now order massive party spreads for 10 to 150+ people. Whether you're hosting Friendsgiving, an office hangout, or family dinner, you can order from chains like P.F. Chang's or local favorites like Zucker's Bagels.

Deliveries come with $0 delivery fees, an on-time guarantee, and your Dasher will even help set up the food. Plus, if you hate party math, the in-app "Ask DoorDash" tool will calculate portions and build the menu for you based on your headcount and dietary restrictions.

How to qualify:

1. Head to the Catering tab in the app or go to doordash.com/catering.

2. Pick your delivery date and time up to two weeks ahead.

3. Use Ask DoorDash to map out portions and build a cart of at least $200.

4. Drop in code TRYDDCATER50 at checkout to get 50% off (up to $150).

For a quick solo bite between stops, you can grab the $12 Meal Boxes — dishes like pasta, tacos, or grain bowls with $0 delivery and reduced fees in 20+ cities.

SEE ALSO: National Sandwich Day 2026 deals: Score free food from Subway, DoorDash, 7-Eleven, and more

The TRYDDCATER50 coupon is valid from Nov. 2 to Nov. 30, for first-time catering users only. Orders must meet a $200 minimum subtotal before taxes and fees, with maximum savings of $150 (excluding taxes, service fees, driver gratuity, and alcohol).

Consumer catering is currently available in select launch markets, and the on-time guarantee refund policy applies if your eligible catering delivery arrives 20 minutes or more past the confirmed window.

If your to-do list is already getting out of hand, hand it over to a Dasher and get back to enjoying the holidays.

You can actually do a lot with an ESP32 development board without ever writing a single line of code. From programming LED strips to creating smart home sensors or a network-connected speaker, these five no-code ESP32 projects work straight out of the box using a simple web flasher tool that anyone can use.

If you have a Windows-Linux dual-boot PC, you're probably familiar with the troubles that come with sharing files between the two partitions. You'd expect two operating systems with direct access to the same CPU, RAM, and storage to also be able to access each other's files. But unfortunately, that's not always the case. On Linux, you might've noticed that your Windows files are editable one day but locked in read-only mode or unmountable the next. Fortunately, all of these issues are relatively easy to resolve, and the whole process barely takes an hour.

What can you do with an ancient laptop? Well, in my case, most of them just sit in a drawer and collect dust. I'm not one to throw stuff away. For instance, I've used an old Windows 10 PC for a NAS, and I also routinely repurpose even the most useless-looking SSDs.

It's finally Election Day for the 2026 midterms and Seth Meyers has a wild recap of the final campaign weekend drama.

In his signature Late Night deep-dive segment "A Closer Look," the host examined happenings ahead of the midterms, from Donald Trump cancelling then uncancelling campaign stops in Kansas and Iowa to the tale of two Dan Sullivans on the ballot in Alaska. Meyers particularly focused on the latter, referring to a New York Times investigation that alleged "political operatives aligned with the Democratic Senate campaign of Mary Peltola recruited another candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, to run as a Republican in the Senate race and try to pull votes away from the incumbent Republican, Dan S. Sullivan."

"Wow, I am shocked. It pains me to say this, but I have to call balls and strikes: this is very fucking funny," said Meyers. "I mean, fuckin' A, they finally did it: the Democrats finally did something as dirty as the Republicans.

"I mean, it's not systematically lobbying state election officials to send alternate slates of electors to Congress as part of an illegal scheme to undermine a presidential election and then storming the Capitol, shitting in the rotunda and threatening to kill Mike Pence dirty, but it's still pretty dirty," he added.

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart roasts Trump's pre-midterms Reflecting Pool speech

Meyers also unpacked Anderson Cooper's "Game of Thrones-style burn" to Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens during a viral CNN interview on Sunday, filled with awkward silences, especially around her controversial endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

"That interview is so brutal I watched it through my fingers like a horror movie," said Meyers. "I think I heard her audibly gulp more than I heard her say actual words."

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A big name cast combines with family drama and a possible cult in the trailer for The Liberation, Guy Nattiv's 1980s-set thriller about a mother who leaves her family for the allure of something new.

Carrie Coon plays Rita, a Holocaust survivor who leaves her husband (Tracy Letts) and two daughters (Odessa Young and Bella Ramsey) to join an all-female commune led by an enigmatic spiritual leader (Lily James). But things take a tricky turn when her daughters show up looking for her, and Rita has to make a difficult choice.

The Liberation hits cinemas this winter.

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The usual AI productivity advice I come across boils down to a handful of low-stakes use cases: writing emails, writing resumes, planning meals, drafting cover letters, creating Ghibli-style art, writing essays — you get the picture. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but on the other end of the spectrum, you have power users claiming to use chatbots to "apparently" build million-dollar software businesses or land high-profile clients.

A while ago, I heard about wireless Android Auto users experiencing unusual battery drain. I was skeptical at first, as I’ve never experienced it with my phone. However, recently, I used a newer vehicle with built-in wireless Android Auto and a different Android phone. As soon as I did, I noticed the problem and decided to investigate.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been an ongoing saga during Donald Trump's presidency, so it's somewhat fitting that he chose to make what Jimmy Kimmel refers to as his "last stand" before the midterm elections there.

"Trump made his closing argument today. He chose to do that in front of his ill-fated Reflecting Pool, and where better to reassure the public that that they are in good hands than in front of a pool you've repeatedly botched to the tune of $16 million. Donald Trump, the man who famously promised to drain the swamp, made his last stand at the site of his own man-made swamp," says Kimmel in the clip above, before playing footage of Trump saying: "This is a massive piece of...er, piece of pool."

"It is indeed a massive piece of pool, when you look at the size," says Kimmel. "I don't know, maybe they'll give him a Nobel Piece of Pool Prize."

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Flock cameras have been in the news a lot in 2026, for all of the wrong reasons. This recently came to a head when the cameras were described as “indiscriminate mass surveillance” by a federal judge.

TL;DR: As of Nov. 3, the Kenneth Cole Modern Fit Performance Shirt is on sale for $41.99 at Men's Wearhouse (down from $59.99). That's an $18 discount and a comfortable, high-tech holiday gift for dads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Men's Wearhouse Kenneth Cole Modern Fit Performance Shirt $41.99 at Men's Wearhouse
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal at Men's Wearhouse

Finding a dress shirt that looks polished without feeling like a straitjacket is a surprisingly tall order. If you're searching for a low-key, brilliant holiday gift that your dad will genuinely appreciate — or just looking to refresh your own wardrobe — Men's Wearhouse has the Kenneth Cole Modern Fit Performance Shirt on sale for $41.99.

That 30% discount knocks $18 off its usual $59.99 list price, making it an easy, high-value wardrobe upgrade.

The usual complaint about traditional button-downs is that they're stiff, restrictive, and impossible to wear for long periods. Designed in New York, this piece bypasses all of that by combining clean tailoring with activewear-level engineering. The fabric is packed with four-way stretch, thanks to a flexible 86% polyester and 14% spandex blend, allowing complete freedom of movement whether you're commuting, driving, or sitting through a long dinner.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's Holiday Gift Guide is live: See our top 10 picks ahead of Black Friday 2026

Beyond the stretch, built-in cooling technology and quick-dry properties work together to regulate temperature throughout the day. The Modern Fit hits the right balance between tailored and comfortable, while classic details like a solid color, long sleeves, and a sharp point collar keep things looking sleek.

There's also a great mission behind the look: a portion of proceeds from all Awearness Kenneth Cole products directly supports veterans as they transition into the workforce. Whether bought as a thoughtful, reliable holiday gift or picked up as a versatile closet staple, this Kenneth Cole performance shirt delivers high-end style without sacrificing comfort.

Grab the Kenneth Cole Performance Shirt at Men's Wearhouse for $41.99 while this offer is still live.

The Nov. 3 midterm elections are here, and the outcome will determine the makeup of Congress and the trajectory of President Donald Trump's remaining years in office.

So if you haven't already voted, still need to mail in a ballot, or don't even know where to start, the hours are counting down. For an overview of voting deadlines, drop box and polling locations, and registration information, visit Vote.org, USA.gov, or keep reading below.

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026 trackers: Follow election results, lawsuits, and more online How to vote by mail

More than 51 million Americans have already voted in the 2026 midterm elections. The number of people voting by mail grew substantially in 2020, and eight states now host what are known as all-mail elections or offer universal mail-in voting.

Mail ballots are sent early, with most states requiring at least a week's lead time before Nov. 3. If you were issued an absentee or mail ballot and plan to send it by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by or on election day, not after. A late postmark can void your ballot. If you never received your ballot, contact your election office ASAP.

In some states, voters can also drop off their ballots at designated drop boxes (the websites of county registrars typically list drop box locations, such as the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder). Around 15 states require drop box options for voters, many located at places like libraries and parks:

• California 

• Colorado 

• Delaware 

• Georgia 

• Florida 

• Kentucky 

• New Jersey

• Nevada 

• Maryland

• Michigan 

• Oregon 

• Rhode Island 

• Utah 

• Virginia 

• Washington 

Another 11 states prohibit drop boxes, so make sure your ballot gets postmarked if you are registered in these states:

• Arkansas 

• Louisiana 

• Mississippi 

• Missouri

• North Carolina 

• Oklahoma 

• South Carolina 

• South Dakota 

• Tennessee 

• Texas 

• West Virginia 

To find more rules on drop box voting, absentee voting, and voting by mail, visit your state's registrar of voters or scroll down to the state-by-state database on Vote.org.

How to vote in person

Despite a growing number of voters skipping the polls in favor of mail, many voters still cast their ballot in person. Voters are assigned to an in-person polling location based on the address they used to register to vote, and most can start voting before Nov. 3.

Polling times vary by state, with some states offering in-person voting as early as one month before election day (this practice is usually referred to as early in-person voting). Voters with disabilities may need to go to a different polling location, depending on their accommodation needs.

What to bring to the polls

Voters do not need any special equipment or documents to cast their vote. You may need to bring a form of verification to the polls, however, depending on your state. Scroll down for more information.

Voters are also allowed to bring in personal notes, a voter's guide, and even sample ballots into the polling booth.

How to find a polling place near you

Voters can find out their nearest polling location by checking their registration or calling their local registrar of voters. They can also use an online polling locator such Vote.org or the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS).

Voting FAQ

Do I need an ID to vote?

That depends on your state. Voter ID laws vary across the country, so check with your state election officials to be sure. In some cases, you may still be able to vote without an ID by signing an identity form.

Can I track my ballot if I voted by mail?

Yes. Most states offer some form of ballot tracking for voters. Find specific information on ballot tracking via your state's registrar website or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Can my ballot be challenged?

Yes and no. Ballots can't be challenged without a real legal basis under the National Voter Registration Act. A voter purge, in which election workers "clean up" voter databases by deleting names, can't be conducted within 90 days of a federal election. If you were on the roll as of August, filled out your ballot correctly and on time, your vote should count.

Federal agents and law enforcement cannot legally seize voting machines, nullify ballots, or stop the count.

That being said, groups may still challenge swaths of ballots up until the election. If your registration is challenged at the polls, you can still cast a provisional ballot.

Are electronic voting machines safe?

Electronic voting apparatuses are overseen by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and thousands of election officials to ensure their safety and reliability. While recent studies have uncovered security flaws, election security researchers say they have not yet led to any kind of election interference, as suggested by some critics and conspiracy theorists.

Instead, experts suggest the biggest threat to election integrity is the spread of misinformation, which is increasingly enabled by AI.

SEE ALSO: The truth about voting machine security in the 2024 election

Can the president intervene in the election?

The administration has been casting doubt on the legitimacy of the midterm results, including claims that thousands of noncitizens are casting votes in this year's election. The majority of noncitizen voters charged with crimes have been found to be lawful residents.

Despite threats from the Trump administration, the president cannot issue an executive order or harness emergency powers to take over or nationalize the election process. Previous executive orders attempting to change the electoral process have been struck down or blocked by courts, and additional safeguards prevent the current Congress from refusing to seat newly elected officials.

TL;DR: Live stream Manchester United vs. Roma in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The return of the Champions League could not have come at a worse time for Manchester United. Another defeat last weekend in the Premier League leaves Michael Carrick's side languishing near the bottom three. Things aren't much better in the Champions League after two defeats in three fixtures.

Now Manchester United host Roma for an all-important clash. The visitors are fresh from beating Udinese 5-2 at the weekend, and will come into this fixture with a lot of confidence. Could it be another long night at Old Trafford? A defeat here could be the final nail in the coffin for the coach.

If you want to watch Manchester United vs. Roma in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Manchester United vs. Roma?

Manchester United vs. Roma in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 3. This fixture takes place at Old Trafford.

How to watch Manchester United vs. Roma for free

Manchester United vs. Roma in the Champions League is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK.

You don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Manchester United vs. Roma for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Live stream Manchester United vs. Roma for free on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Manchester United vs. Roma on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Stream Manchester United vs. Roma in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

With the midterms imminent, what do we think Donald Trump was laser-focused on in one of his final speeches? The economy? The cost of living crisis? No! As Jon Stewart recaps in the Daily Show clip above, the president instead decided to waffle extensively about the renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — including a moment where Trump described it as "a massive piece of...er, pool."

"Just to be clear, that is not AI," says Stewart. "That was not artificial intelligence or, really, I think you would agree, any kind of intelligence. That was the President of the United States, on the day before the midterms, choosing to make a speech at the Reflecting Pool — to talk about the Reflecting Pool. No symbolism, no metaphors, just straight up pool maintenance.

"That was Donald Trump's 'I had it cleaned' speech, if you will."

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TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is free when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is $1,200 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Free when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max $1,200 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

The iPhone Duo launched, and as you would expect, the whole world is talking about Apple's first-ever foldable. We know that the launch has not been without its issues, but the iPhone Duo is still dominating the tech conversation.

Now that we've all had some time to digest the news and reviews, the question is whether you should opt for the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo.

T-Mobile is helping you make up your mind. For a limited time, you can get your hands on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this wild deal, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number to the Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, you can save $1,200 on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by going through the same process.

T-Mobile has also dropped a fresh batch of trade-in deals. You can get the iPhone 18 Pro or Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max for free if you have an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan. You've got options.

Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year contract, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

You're making a commitment to T-Mobile and getting a flagship phone for free in return.

Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free this week with T-Mobile.

Sure, you might have your eyes on the class-leading Sony WH-1000xM6 headphones, but they'll cost you $450. It's not necessary to dish out that much money when you can get headphones for a fraction of the price (with much of the same functionality) or, better yet, noise-cancelling headphones that carry longer battery life and a stronger sonic punch than the AirPods Max.

All this to say, cheap headphones can be genuinely great headphones — if you know where to look. That's why we've tested a bunch of picks under $100 to find the best budget headphones available.

What are the best budget headphones?

If you're still an Apple loyalist when it comes to headphones, stick with us for a sec. You'll soon discover that these top picks from popular budget audio brands like JLab, Anker, and JBL are giving the market’s best a run for their money. We even have a bargain entry from Sony that’s well worth a look.

SEE ALSO: The best open earbuds that stay put, sound great, and keep you aware of the world around you

Don't believe it? You'll want to see for yourself by reading our reviews of the best headphones under $100 below.

What differentiates budget vs. higher-end headphones?

In case we weren't clear enough before, cheaper does not mean worse by any means (and vice versa) when it comes to headphones. Not always, at least.

Yet, the general trend still stands that the "higher-end" a pair of headphones is, the more likely you are to get better sound quality (aka undistorted bass), more playtime, and state-of-the-art features like adaptive ANC.

Budget headphones are known to leak sound more often than their pricier alternatives, and they'll likely have fewer extras, like spatial audio for immersive 3D sound and TalkThru technology (which amplifies your convo buddy's voice while reducing music volume instantly) featured in some of JBL’s flagship headphones.

Nonetheless, we made it our mission to find headphones — both on-ear and over-ear models — that aren't "higher-end" in price and borrow a lot of standout functionality from their more expensive counterparts.

To help you find the best pair of headphones possible, our experts test headphones year-round, from popular models to new releases to budget picks (you can learn more about our detailed testing standards below). The result of that vetting is this guide, which we keep updated regularly to give you the most accurate and current purchasing information possible.

How to choose the best headphones

We won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.

All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.

To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.

What about wired headphones?

We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us, though some of us are also fans of Apple's EarPods. With the release of the new noise-cancelling wired earbuds from Bose, we will be keeping our testing pool open to more wired models and will update this guide accordingly, should any earn a spot.

Other headphones we've tested

Most recently, we tested the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones, and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their merits, they fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.

We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.

Recent updates to this guide

• August 2026: Following the release of the second generation Bose QuietComfort headphones, we've added them to our list as the best budget pick from Bose for headphones.

• March 2025: We've designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-cancelling earbuds.

• December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

• December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they're frequently out of stock.

• December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.

• December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.

• August 2026: We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick.

Latest headphones news

A few major headphone releases happened in September: Sony's mid-range WH-10000XM4C headphones, Sony's budget WH-CH730N headphones, and the Beats 360, the first pair of over-ear headphones from the brand in three years. From Bose, we've also recently seen new wired noise-cancelling earbuds, as well as two new pairs of open earbuds. We'll be comparing them against our current picks to see if they have a spot among our favorites.

Kindles are the darling device of BookTok, where you can scroll through thousands of videos on the best accessories and gadgets to maximize your reading experience. One thing about the BookTok girlies: They're right. While I've spent hours watching videos of people decking out their Kindles with accessories, I never really understood the extras until I tried them for myself.

Kindle accessories are add-ons like remote page turners, gooseneck stands, clear cases, PopSockets, and hand straps, which are all aimed at improving your reading comfort. These accessories are so popular that even Amazon launched two of its own new accessories in 2026.

You may roll your eyes at a gooseneck stand or page-turning remote — I once did — but you're missing out on a life of luxury. A life that includes a Kindle on a stand, a remote page turner in hand, and you all tucked into the covers.

And keep in mind that while Kindles are the buzziest e-readers, there's a whole lot of love for Kobo e-readers on BookTok and here at Mashable. Even though the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is our favorite e-reader, we still have a lot of love for the Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Libra Colour.

So if you own a Kindle or use another e-reader, this guide is for you: It features the essential accessories, including stands, remotes, grips, and cases. Plus, all the recently launched remotes from Kobo and Boox.

Remote page turner Amazon's new Kindle Click connects to Kindle e-readers to turn the page and adjust brightness. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Click $34.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $29.99 at Kobo
  Shop Now at Kobo Opens in a new window Credit: Boox Boox Tappy Remote $29.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: DuRoBo DuRoBo Moodi Remote $35.99 at DuRoBo
  Shop Now at DuRoBo

Remote page turners rose in popularity on BookTok, so much so that Amazon finally launched its own, the Kindle Click, which is compatible with 2024 Kindles or newer.

At the end of the night, when you want to be cozy in bed, tucked under the blanket to stay warm, the remote allows you to do just that. Combined with the gooseneck stand? Nighttime reading is about to be the coziest it's ever been.

And while the page turner is great for getting cozy, it's also ideal for when you're using a Kindle while on the treadmill.

Amazon now makes the Kindle Click, joining the likes of Kobo, Boox, and Durobo. While the Boox Tappy and Durobo Moodi aren't my favorite, the Kobo remote is perfectly designed.

Page turn cover Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Page Turn Cover $79.99 at Amazon
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While we expected a Kindle remote to join Amazon's latest batch of Kindles, the more surprising accessory is the new Page Turn Cover. It works seamlessly with Kindles, attaching via magnetic Pogo pins. Once connected, you can use the buttons on the case to turn the page.

It works like a charm, but there's a big catch. The Page Turn Cover only works with the Paperwhite Signature Edition and Colorsoft Signature Edition e-readers, meaning to use the case, you need to have one of those e-readers. Not to mention, the case costs $79.99.

That being said, I love the Page Turn Cover and think it's a worthy investment.

It's expensive but the Kindle Page Turn Cover is worth it. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Gooseneck stand Opens in a new window Credit: Magipea Magipea Gooseneck Stand $29.99 at Amazon
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While the remote page turner helps you click through your book, to go truly hands-free, you need to prop up your e-reader, too. Enter the gooseneck stand. After seeing this viral video, I, and the rest of the internet, was influenced to get a clip-in stand for an e-reader.

And let me tell you, it is a luxury to have this stand. While a Kindle is still lightweight, when you're on a reading marathon, your arm inevitably gets tired from holding up the device. But having a gooseneck stand positions the Kindle within reading distance without any arm fatigue.

To test out a gooseneck stand, I tried the Magipea Gooseneck Stand, which is compatible with either a Kindle or Kobo e-reader (I use it with both). I find the bendy arm of this stand to be a little too stiff, but overall, it still works well.

Clear case Opens in a new window Credit: CoBak CoBak Clear MagSafe Case $15.99 at Amazon
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There are plenty of Kindle cases in the sea, but the most popular option among BookTok is a simple, clear case. Sure, that seems boring, but the exciting part is decorating it. Add-ons like charms also bring personal flair, and some people even buy inserts or stickers to swap out over time.

And if you're interested in using a PopSockets grip with your Kindle, I recommend getting a case that's MagSafe compliant so you can take it on and off. PopSockets has its own Kindle case that also happens to be MagSafe.

MagSafe PopSockets Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets MagSafe PopGrip $30 at PopSockets
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PopSockets are already the best ergonomic grip for your phone, so why wouldn't they be the best grip for another handheld device? When I'm not using my Kindle with the gooseneck stand, I like using it with a PopSockets grip for an ergonomic hold.

With a traditional PopSockets grip, you attach it to a device with adhesive, but that means once it's on, it's on. But using a MagSafe PopSockets grip allows you to attach and reattach the grip, depending on whether you want your Kindle to lie flat.

I personally use the PopSockets MagSafe Kick-Out Stand with my Kindle since that's what I use on my phone, and I like that I can prop it up to stand vertically. However, PopSockets launched a line of bookish MagSafe grips to go with its line of Kindle cases.

My PopSockets Kick-Out Grip works as a stand on-the-go. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Strapsicle Straps Opens in a new window Credit: Strapsicle Strapsicle Straps $19.99 at Amazon
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If PopSockets grips aren't really your thing, then Strapsicle makes a nice alternative. Strapsicle's straps attach to the corners of your e-reader, creating a cross pattern. Your hand then slips through the straps, delivering an easy hold on your e-reader. While I personally prefer the feel of a PopSockets grip, the Strapsicle lets your hand lie flat, so it doesn't cramp up from being in a hold. The Strapsicle works best when it has a snug fit, so using it with a case can be a little tight.

Just slide your hand in between the straps for an easy hold. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Page Kindle Cases Opens in a new window Credit: Page. Page Kindle Case $40 at Page.
  Shop Now at Page.

Before I went deep into the world of Kindle accessories, I really just wanted a good case. After several well-placed Instagram ads, I landed on a case from Page. Not only do they have a ton of really cute designs, but they also make cases for a variety of e-readers, including the full Kindle and Kobo lineups.

The case automatically wakes and sleeps your e-reader, and it includes a hand strap for a nice grip while reading. Plus, I like this case because it guards the poorly placed power button on the e-reader. This way, when I'm reading on the treadmill, the button doesn't accidentally get pressed.

You could also always go for an official Amazon case for a simple cover with good protection. Any protective case is a good choice, especially one with reinforced corners to protect against drops.