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Want to get your pulse racing and your spine tingling? Maybe you need something spooky as an excuse to cuddle up closer to your crush? Or perhaps you want to test your mettle with some supremely creepy cinema? Whatever your reasons, Paramount+ has a thrilling library of movies perfect for a scary night in.

Below, we’ve collected the highlights across a wide field of horror films. Whether you’re on the hunt for vicious zombies, sinister slashers, creepy critters, merciless monsters, or madcap mayhem, we’ve got what you want.

Here are the best scary movies now available on Paramount+.

1. A Quiet Place Shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Credit: Paramount Pictures

John Krasinski went from actor to celebrated horror director with this spine-tingling 2018 hit. Starring opposite his real-life wife Emily Blunt, The Office star plays a farmer dedicated to protecting his family from killer creatures that hunt by sound. This clever premise means the movie’s characters can't scream, because such a sound would definitely be their last. That means your own sounds of terror are weaponized while watching, crashing into the silent soundscape that’s suffocating in tension.

Ruthlessly paced and keenly realized, A Quiet Place is a superbly scary thrill ride. But what makes it top tier are the poignant performances by Krasinski, Blunt, and their onscreen children, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. Together, they make a family-frightening feature that's perfect for a quiet night at home. And if you dare to make it a triple feature, the spooky sequel A Quiet Place: Part II and prequel A Quiet Place: Day One are also available. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: A Quiet Place is now streaming on Paramount+.

2. Scream

It was the slasher movie that changed the way we looked at this stabby subgenre. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, Scream imagined what if in a charming suburban town a Halloween-like scenario — masked killer targeting teen girls — was happening to a generation raised on such movies?

Virginal Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is the good girl of her group of friends, but soon seems to be the target of the Ghostface killer. Stalked and scared but far from helpless, she — with the help of a dopey deputy (David Arquette) and an opportunist news reporter (Courteney Cox) — must survive the night and unmask the killer. A classic that launched a franchise, Scream is still the gold standard by which dastardly reveals are judged. And hey, you can also watch Scream 2-6 on Paramount+ too!  — K.P. 

How to watch: Scream is now streaming on Paramount+.

3. Pet Sematary This 2019 version of Stephen King's classic is more reimagining than remake, but what a wild ride it is. Credit: Paramount / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Stephen King has long been heralded the king of horror novels. His Pet Sematary was a book so scary that it’s been adapted to the big screen twice. The first came in 1989, yet this 2019 version is less a remake and more a reimagining. Instead of retreading the gruesome path of the original, directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer make surprising turns to keep the thrills fresh and frightening — but still deliciously ghoulish!

Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz star as parents happy to move their young children away from the bustling of a big city to a quaint Maine town. The locals are odd but friendly. (Shout-out to a perfectly morose John Lithgow.) Their house is lovely, but its location proves full of dangers and deadly temptations. Then, this dreamy family’s waking nightmare begins when a dead cat is resurrected. From there, things grow more monstrous and moldering. — K.P.

How to watch: Pet Sematary is now streaming on Paramount+.

4. Apartment 7A

A Rosemary's Baby prequel was a big gamble to take, but it paid off. Set months before the events of the 1968 classic, Relic director Natalie Erika James takes minor character Terry (Julia Garner), a neighbor of Rosemary who only has a single scene in the original, and fleshes her story out to terrifying effect.

"With Relic, Natalie Erika James spun an intimate tale of mother-daughter relationships and family curses into a rivetingly scary thriller," wrote Mashable's Kristy Puchko in her review. "Here, she uses that gift of emotional intelligence and skill for crafting unsettling scenes to tell a story that's familiar yet all the more frightening for it. We know where Terry's story will end because of Rosemary's Baby. Yet James keeps us at the edge of our seats as she expertly spins a web of rich drama and sly horror, working in heartfelt conversations, shattering jump scares, and defiant dazzle. From Polanski's foundation, she builds a glittering tale of girlhood stolen that is sick, stunning, and horrifyingly relevant."* — S.H.

How to watch: Apartment 7A is now streaming on Paramount+.

SEE ALSO: 13 best monster movies of the decade 5. Jacob’s Ladder

Adrian Lyne’s 1990 mindbender Jacob’s Ladder is a cult film that deserves a bigger cult. Tim Robbins plays Jacob Singer, a Vietnam veteran living in a dilapidated '70s New York with his girlfriend Jezzie (the late Elizabeth Peña) while experiencing horrifying hallucinations that may be the result of an experimental drug used on his platoon. Or is he being pursued by demons and the ghost of his dead son (an uncredited Macaulay Culkin)? Or is Jacob himself already dead and unaware of it? A surprisingly profound take on death and loss that happens to have one of the scariest hospitals ever seen on film. — Rufus Hickok, Contributing Writer

How to watch: Jacob’s Ladder is now streaming on Paramount+.

6. Smile 2 Naomi Scott stars as a pop diva in "Smile 2." Credit: Paramount Pictures

After the success of Parker Finn's Smile, expectations for the sequel were high — and you'd better believe that thing delivered. Following on from the events of the first movie, Smile 2 takes its cursed premise into the world of fame, following pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) on a world tour-turned-nightmare.

"To match his superstar heroine, Finn goes all in on creating an unpredictable narrative that's full of jump scares, creepy imagery, and spine-tingling sound effects," wrote Monica Castillo in her Mashable review. "There are even more violent injuries, body horror, and bloody deaths to make an audience recoil, and plenty of upsetting details, from Skye's compulsive hair-pulling habit (aka trichotillomania) to a group of smiling backup dancers chasing Skye through her apartment in choreographed formation. These scares can feel delightfully over the top, almost like a carnival ride, but they're as creative and horrific as the best parts of the Final Destination series."* — S.H.

How to watch: Smile 2 is now streaming on Paramount+.

7. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Want something exciting with a fairytale flourish? Then you'll cherish this outrageous R-rated film from 2013, which not only offers action and fantasy but also ghoulish horror.

Directed by Dead Snow helmer Tommy Wirkola, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters reimagines the classic Grimm tale as one about two vengeance-driven siblings dedicated to eliminating the magical scourge that turns children into meals. Wearing matching smirks, Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton star as the titular brother-sister team. They wield crossbows and firearms with deadly accuracy and gory results. But with a massive coven coming for them, they'll need killer snares, quirky sidekicks, and some magic of their own. Along with bursts of action, Wirkola unveils a rich treasure trove of creepy witch designs that will have horror fans squealing. So, forget historical accuracy, embrace lunacy, and enjoy a realm where witches rule, trolls drool, and Hansel and Gretel are merciless ass-kickers. — K.P.

How to watch: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is now streaming on Paramount+.

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8. Disturbia 

Want something scary that's PG-13? Then you'll get a kick out of Disturbia. This 2007 thriller is a sort-of remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, but leaning hard into the 00s thirst for teen slashers flicks. 

Shia LaBeouf stars as a teen boy who's under house arrest, and has the ankle bracelet to prove it. (Hey, at least it's not a broken leg!) Watching through his windows, he spies on his neighbors, and soon suspects that one of them is a serial killer. Is he paranoid? Or is he onto something sinister? Creepy, exciting, and slick, this twisted gem from director D. J. Caruso makes for a great watch without R-rated gore. — K.P. 

How to watch: Disturbia is now streaming on Paramount+.

9. The Menu Shocks and surprises await Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult in "The Menu." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

Usually, the only terrifying thing about bougie fine dining experiences is the price tag attached to them. And perhaps the occasional food item that grosses you out. Directed by Mark Mylod, The Menu puts a new spin on fear-inducing gastronomy with what appears to be a murderous chef played by a very sinister-looking Ralph Fiennes, and a load of unsuspecting restaurant guests who think they're all in for nothing more than a night of haute cuisine. Naturally, they all get more than they bargained for. And, no, we don't mean free dessert. Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult play a couple who travel to the high-end restaurant, which handily happens to be on a coastal island (handy because no one can hear you screaming, perhaps). Shocks and surprises await them, and the other guests, at their foodie retreat. Anyone fancy eating at home, this evening? And maybe forever? — Rachel Thompson, Features Editor

How to watch: The Menu is now streaming on Paramount+.

10. Green Room

Director Jeremy Saulnier's relentless 2015 panic attack of a movie stars Anton Yelchin (RIP), Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, and Callum Turner as a punk band on cheapo tour who find themselves performing at a skinhead bar in the middle of nowhere, Oregon. And that's not even the worst of it.

The worst comes when the band accidentally witnesses a murder in the green room. And their hosts don't want to leave any witnesses alive. Barricaded in the beer and piss-soaked back room of the title, the foursome find themselves besieged by a troupe of baddies, led by a terrifying Patrick Stewart, who is clearly relishing the opportunity to drop his StarFleet uniform for the cause of deeply freaking us out. Be warned, this one get gruesome.* — Jason Adams, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: Green Room is now streaming on Paramount+.

11. Lake Placid 

Craving a creature-feature with a jaw-droppingly star-studded cast? Then give this crocodile horror-comedy a bite. Set in Maine, Lake Placid focuses on a place where some massive, mysterious creature seems to be gobbling people up whole. Naturally, the local sheriff (Brendan Gleeson) must convene with an agent (Bill Pullman) from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a paleontologist (Bridget Fonda), and an affluent mythology professor (Oliver Platt). That doesn't mean he's happy about it. Unhappier still is local Mrs. Delores Bickerman (a foul-mouthed Betty White), who doesn't take kindly to strangers sniffing around her home. 

Written by David E. Kelley, this outrageous premise plays way smarter than you might expect. But director Steve Miner is sure to put in giddily grisly attacks and creature feature thrills for some big stupid fun. — K.P. 

How to watch: Lake Placid  is now streaming on Paramount+.

12. The Faculty

It’s a crime more people don’t know about this Breakfast Club vs. the Body Snatchers monster mashup. Not only does it boast the throwback fun of '50s alien invasion horror, but also, The Faculty scratches the itch for '90s teen horror. When the extraterrestrial-conquered teachers at an Ohio high school start acting very strange, a group of angsty teens have to stop them from taking over the town at the big football game. It’s an old story, but with Scream scribe Kevin Williamson bringing the meta-commentary, a cast featuring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Salma Hayek, Jon Stewart, and Piper Laurie, a '90s alt-rock soundtrack, fantastic creature design (by Bernie Wrightson), and Sin City director Robert Rodriguez keeping things moving quickly, it’s all too much fun. — R.H.

How to watch: The Faculty is now streaming on Paramount+.

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UPDATE: Oct. 3, 2025, 3:40 p.m. EDT This article was first published on Sept. 3, 2021. It has since been updated to reflect current streaming options.

California is riding a wave of Big Tech legislation, with the state's leaders signing several technology-related bills in quick succession.

The first, referred to as the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, made headlines as a history-making state-level law ensuring more robust generative AI safety standards. The safety and transparency bill mandates AI labs disclose potential harm created by the rising technology and disclose their safety protocols as proof that companies are designing AI systems to mitigate catastrophic risk. The requirements are enforced by the state's Office of Emergency Services. It applies to companies that reach a certain threshold of computing power reserved exclusively for model training or those that make at least $500 million in annual revenue.

The bill is designed to keep AI developers accountable to safety standards even when facing competitive pressure and includes protections for potential whistleblowers. California governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement that the legislation proves that stronger safety regulations aren't necessarily an impediment to AI innovation, as many Big Tech leaders have argued.

Many onlookers have called the bill a new national standard.

SEE ALSO: Even your side hustle isn’t safe from AI

A few days later, Newsom signed SB 576, a bill that prohibits commercial volume levels from exceeding the viewer's set volume. Importantly, it applies to streaming ads, too, which are widely underregulated. It extends the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act passed by Congress in 2010, which established average volume limits for broadcast television commercials and cable operators.

Most recently, the state has given the green light to AB 656, a law that requires social media companies to make it easier to cancel accounts and ensure that all personal account data is immediately deleted. Last year, the FTC announced new Click to Cancel rules, mandating subscription providers make it easier for customers to cancel recurring payments and delete their accounts.

Newsom — while fashioning himself into President Donald Trump's number one nemesis — has led California in passing some of the nation's most advanced tech regulation, child safety laws, and consumer protection acts. But Newsom has also cozied up to many of Big Tech's interests, including vetoing a contentious, sweeping 2024 bill that would have made AI companies liable for harms caused by its technology.

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Seventy-thousand. That's the number of users who may have had their government-issued IDs stolen as part of a major breach of the popular chat and messaging app Discord. While that may seem like a small number when considering Discord has hundreds of millions of users, there is a more concerning factor here — tech companies continuing to require identification from some of its users and the security risk involved in maintaining that information.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week What happened in the Discord hack?

Last week, the popular chat and messaging platform Discord announced that a third-party customer support vendor had suffered a breach. Any information that a user provided to a customer support representative with this third-party could have potentially been stolen by a bad actor. Discord said this included usernames, names, email addresses, chats with the customer support team, limited billing information such as the last four digits of a credit card, and photos of a "small number" of government IDs.

On Thursday, Discord updated this notice to include more details, including a specific number of affected users. In total, up to 70,000 users had their government-issued IDs exposed. According to Discord, "Of the accounts impacted globally, we have identified approximately 70,000 users that may have had government-ID photos exposed, which our vendor used to review age-related appeals."

What are age-related appeals?

In the past, Discord did not collect government IDs from users. However, many states began requiring certain internet apps and services to prove users are not minors, either through a digital ID or facial recognition.

Discord allows users to submit a photo of themselves to prove their age; those pictures are then run through automated age verification systems. These systems estimate the user's age and either let them proceed on the site or deny them access. Photos submitted are then immediately deleted from the age verification system.

However, in some cases, these age verification systems get things wrong. Users can then submit an appeal along with a photo of their government ID. Discord's breach happened when its third-party vendor that processes its appeals was hacked.

As these age verification requirements spread, more sites will be forced to collect more information from users, giving hackers a trove of new information to pilfer.

What now?

As NBC News reports, hackers claiming to be behind the breach have set up a Telegram channel where they posted thousands of users' names, email addresses, and other sensitive data. Hackers have also posted over 100 photos of individual Discord users holding up their government IDs.

Discord says approximately 70,000 Discord users have had photos of their IDs stolen by hackers who are now attempting to extort the site. The hackers claim to have more than 2,185,000 photos, but Discord has denied that number, claiming the hackers are exagerating to extort a ransom. It's unclear what actions Discord intends to take at this time.

As age verification laws proliferate, tech companies like Discord will likely have to develop new, more secure methods for verifying their users' ages.

Will Discord pay a ransom?

As is often the case in high-profile breaches, the hackers are trying to extort a ransom. However, Discord says that it will not pay a ransom or "reward" the cybercriminals responsible. A Discord spokesperson told The Verge, "we will not reward those responsible for their illegal actions."

With the film festival season drawing to a close, award season is heating up. Now is the time for aspiring Oscar hopefuls to make themselves heard. And props to one of our favorite performers of the year for raising his paw for notice.

Indy is sniffing his way into the Academy Awards conversation with a public letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The lead of the dog-centered horror/thriller Good Boy, Indy has been earning praise for his sensational performance since its world premiere at SXSW last spring. In my review as Mashable's Entertainment editor, I cheered the incredible charisma of this canine, writing, "Indy is just a star from his first frame."

More critical acclaim followed as Good Boy hit festivals ahead of its theatrical debut. Even fans of the trailer were so taken by this canine star that social media was flooded with people asking, "Does the dog die in Good Boy?" So, with such a surge of love from critics and fans, why not the Academy?

In the letter, which you can read in full below, Indy notes he's not eligible to run as Best Actor because it is an all-human category. "This news feels as if someone has yanked my leash short," Indy writes, "as apparently I am not a good enough boy for you."

Of course, Indy's performance isn't only his. Good Boy filmmakers Ben Leonberg and Kari Fischer, a married couple who are the happy humans of Indy, crafted the performance over three years, using thoughtful camera angles and clever methods to get the performance they needed without ever actually having to spook their star.

With How It Hits, contributor Matthew Fornwald explored the difficulty of creating a terrific dog performance by working with his own pet. And when Indy, Ben, and Kari came by Mashable's studios for a visit to our Say More couch, we got to see a bit of their collaboration in action.

All this to say, Mashable is Team Indy, all the way to the Oscars.

Here's Indy's letter to the Academy:

Indy from Good Boy's letter to the Academy. Credit: IFC/Shudder

For more of Indy, check out Good Boy, now in theaters.

Samsung is trying to eat Apple's lunch in the XR space, and it might have the device to do it.

Android Headlines got a hold of leaked product renders and what seem to be actual specs for Samsung's upcoming Project Moohan XR headset this week. The device, which is rumored to launch sometime this month, still doesn't have an official name, though Android Headlines refers to it as "Galaxy XR" in its piece outlining the specs. We'll stick with Project Moohan for now.

Anyway, you're probably wondering how the reported (though still not official) specs for Project Moohan compare to Apple Vision Pro, perhaps the best-known competitor Samsung has in the space. Let's dig in and find out.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR headset early report: Project Moohan beats Apple Vision Pro in 2 key ways Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Design

In terms of looks, both devices are pretty similar. They're both high-tech goggles that sit on your face, and both seem to have little techno-pucks attached via wires, which ideally would sit in your pocket or something while you use them.

One thing that's worth noting here is that Android Headlines claims Moohan isn't very front-heavy and doesn't feel like it's being propped up by your nose, thanks to a strap in the back and some additional cushioning. That stands in contrast to Vision Pro, which our reviewer noted felt a little burdensome to wear for long stretches because of how front-heavy it was. We'll have to wait to see for ourselves if what Android Headlines is saying is true, but that would be a very good thing, if so.

Left: The Apple Vision Pro Credit: Julien de Rosa / AFP / Getty Images Right: Credit: Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg via Getty Images

It's also worth mentioning that Moohan is reportedly 545 grams, while Vision Pro is anywhere from 600 to 650 grams depending on various factors. A lighter headset would be welcome here.

Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Display

Display is one area where Samsung is allegedly on top of Apple. According to Android Headlines, Moohan has a pair of 4K micro-OLED displays that offer a total of 29 million pixels. Vision Pro, on the other hand, comes in just below 4K resolution and "only" has 23 million pixels.

Apple's headset has a 100Hz refresh rate, while we still don't know that figure on Moohan yet. It would be surprising if it were any lower than that, but surprises happen.

Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Other specs

There are a lot of missing gaps in this report, so we can't paint a full picture of how Vision Pro and Moohan compare to each other just yet. However, there are a few other differences worth pointing out before we're done here today.

For starters, Moohan reportedly has two first-party motion-sensing controllers, while Vision Pro is based around hand gestures and only offers third-party controller support. To be clear, Moohan will also track hand gestures, but that won't be the only or necessarily the primary way of interacting with it, if you don't want it to be. Both devices also support eye tracking, for what that's worth.

In terms of battery life, Android Headlines says Moohan will be rated for 2 to 2.5 hours of use, depending on what you're doing. Our reviewer was able to squeeze about 3.5 hours out of a Vision Pro charge, so this is an area where Apple could potentially have a leg up over Samsung.

Again, we'll have to be patient and wait until the full spec sheet is out there from Samsung itself before we can do a full product comparison. But for now, it seems like Samsung waiting a while to enter the XR market might pay off with a superior device to what Apple is selling.

There's no shortage of midrange earbuds with good Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The only trouble is finding one that offers a good value for the money. Google is going after that goal with the Pixel Buds 2a — and it's doing an okay, but not great, job.

The Pixel Buds 2a are a decent pair of midrange earbuds. They do some things right and some things wrong. You'll either love them or hate them. I've been using a pair of Pixel 2a earbuds for a week; here's what I learned.

The Pixel Buds 2a are adorably tiny Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The good old earbuds-and-stem build has its merits. Pixel Buds are designed to reside almost entirely inside your earlobe. That's a design that I personally like, even though there are some clear shortcomings. 

The main reason I like them: size. The Pixel Buds 2a are just small enough to sleep on your side with them in. Your mileage will vary depending on the shape of your ear, but I found I could sleep in them. There is a bit of pressure on the ear when I do, but it's barely noticeable.

Despite being diminutive, these buds are good for about seven hours of playback on a single charge, with another two charges in the equally tiny case. In the week I was using them, I never charged the case – and it still has 35% charge as I write this. I'm also not the heaviest earbud user, so again, your mileage will vary.

Left: Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The downside: the stems sticking out of your ears are touch sensitive. This can cause problems when you reach up to push the bud back into your ear … and inadvertently pause your music or turn off ANC. There's also no way to adjust the volume of the buds by touch. You can tell Google/Gemini to do it, but that's a workaround at best, annoying at worst.

The Pixel buds 2a sound and ANC are solid Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The overall sound of these buds is pretty good. Out of the box, you get a pretty balanced tone, though there's a little bit less bass than I would normally like. Google provides a five band EQ that you can use to adjust sound. I'm usually more of a 7 to 9 band EQ fan, but was still able to tweak the sound to my liking. 

One welcome addition to these buds, missing from the previous generation, is ANC. I found it surprisingly good considering the price point. It doesn't drown out everything, to be sure, but it certainly filters out quite a bit. 

During my review, the office in my basement was blasted with sounds from a HVAC system, a 3D printer, and a washer and dryer, all running at the same time. Most of that noise was cancelled out. That was a very pleasant surprise.

Transparency mode is also effective. There is a bit of side tone when you speak, which can be a tad annoying. But overall, I have no complaints about transparency mode. 

These earbuds don't do very well cancelling out wind noise when out riding on a bike (of course,  you should never ride a bike with ANC turned on: don't try this at home). Still, the buds do a good job at eliminating wind noise for callers. Despite the atrocious wind noise I experienced on the phone, the person I was calling didn't even know I was on a bike. So there's that.

Hearing Health is a quiet marvel Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

One Pixel bud feature it's easy to overlook: the hearing health information it feeds you. This is a feature that should be built into Android, and frankly every operating system you can pair earbuds to. It can tell you in real time how loud your audio is, and how that loudness has changed over time.

That's an awesome feature, but Google doesn't quite go far enough with it. What I'd like to see is a widget you can put on your home screen that gives you that same information in real time so you can actually see it. 

As it is, this feature is buried inside the settings of the app; it desperately needs to be more front-facing. I would love it even more if Google didn't make it so easy to ignore.

Controls are limited Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

One pet peeve I have with these buds (and other buds that do the same thing) is they limit what you can do with the touch controls. You can control the Pixel Buds 2a with short and long taps on the buds, which is fine, except for the problem of accidentally pausing your music. But you can't control what those taps do, except for the long tap. 

A single tap pauses your music, a double tap skips forward and a triple tap skips back. You can control what a tap and hold does — either turn ANC on/off or summon Gemini, but that's the only option you have. 

I would much prefer the ability to configure your controls however you want. For the buds, I'd rather double tap left/right to turn volume down or up, and triple tap left/right to skip back/forward; but it's simply not an option. That's not cool. They're my buds; let me control them however I want.

As with the AirPods Pro 3, and some other buds such as the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the controls are in the Bluetooth settings — but Google automatically adds an "app" to access those settings as well. I put "app" in quotes because it's basically just a shortcut to the same settings panel. Definitely handy, but it's hardly an entire app.

Gemini is at your service… kinda Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

In 2025, a product cannot be released without having some kind of AI built in. The AI here, of course, is Gemini, which is generally superior to Apple Intelligence — but what's nice about Apple's AI is you can use it to directly control functions in the buds, such as turning ANC on and off. 

Gemini on the buds cannot do that, which is pretty weird. Gemini can control your smart devices, provide masses of information, or get directions. But ANC, apparently,  is not on the table. This seems to fly in the face of using Gemini to turn volume up and down (which works, by the way). Using Google's buds to access Google's AI doesn't make it superior to any other earbuds that answer to "OK Google."

Overall verdict Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Pixel Buds 2A weigh in at $129: an okay, but not amazing price for what you get. I like the sound quality and the ANC, but any set of earbuds you buy for around $100 will have pretty good sound and ANC. 

A good transparency mode helps, but the lack of wireless charging in particular is hard to ignore at this price. There are just too many good options at or below that price that have those features and wireless charging besides.

The main thing these buds have going for them over their competitors are their size, which is adorably tiny, with good battery life (considering their size), and the fact that they pair very nicely with your Google-branded phone…if you have one. Hearing health is a feature no other set of earbuds that I've tested has, and Google should build on that and make it as front-facing as possible.

If those are all things that you're absolutely looking for in earbuds, then these are the buds for you. But if you're not necessarily interested in having small buds, or you want the ability to control your volume with touch (which is much more important for me than skipping forward/back) then there are better options.

Ultimately, Google needs to either add wireless charging or bring the price down to $99 to be truly competitive in this space. Being small and having a "G" on the bud isn't enough anymore.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds 2a $129 at Amazon
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As Elvira, Cassandra Peterson has become a true icon, headlining comedies like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Elvira's Haunted Hills, hosting hordes of TV B-movie presentations, appearing in comic books, and much, much more. Now, Peterson is resurrecting her Valley girl vamp for Elvira's Cookbook from Hell, a charming coffee table book that boasts goth recipes, glossy photos, crafting guides, and very Elvira-style hosting etiquette.

Peterson came by Mashable's Say More couch for an interview with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. Together, they dive into all things Elvira, including her new cookbook, how her dear(ly departed) friend and fellow horror icon Vincent Price was an inspiration, and drag queens.

Having guest judged on RuPaul's Drag Race "Monster Ball" and The Boulet Brothers' Dragula: Titans "Halloween House Party," Peterson was happy to draw a connection between her Elvira character and the queens. "I do everything drag queens do," she said of putting together her goth goddess look, "except 'tuck'!"

Peterson also shared how Elvira's Cookbook from Hell has been a dream project for thirty years, dating back to Martha Stewart's rise. Loving to cook and host herself, Peterson began to pitch a cookbook for the goth crowd — but publishers wouldn't bite. Little did they understand the vision she had, not for a Halloween-specific cookbook, but for one that brings goth flare and Elvira's spirited sense of humor to every occasion, from a graveside picnic to a spooky cocktail hour to a chic and macabre wedding complete with a multi-tier cake. (Please note the Black Widow Smashes that Puchko tested and tasted to prepare for the interview.)

Puchko, who's long been burrowing through Price's cookbooks, wondered if he was an inspiration for a particular cucumber-based recipe in Elvira's Cookbook from Hell. From there, Peterson shared a story of how Price was the source of a recipe that didn't make the final draft of her book, but is treasured by her nonetheless. Dare you give it a try?

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Elvira, Peterson's cookbook, and how you're not getting the most out of a dishwasher unless you're using it to steam your entree.

Elvira's Cookbook from Hell is now on sale.

SAVE $130: As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is on sale for just $369 at Amazon. That's 26% off its list price of $499 and matches its best price on record.

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

If you're looking to enhance your movie marathons or football Sundays, a soundbar is the ticket to an epic home theater setup. And one of our favorites happens to be on sale for its best price ever.

As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is just $369 at Amazon post-Prime Big Deal Days. It's usually $499, so that's 26% or $130 in savings. This is just the third time ever that the sleek soundbar has dropped down to this record-low price.

The second-generation soundbar enhances what we already loved about the first generation Beam, which Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." It features a better processor, a new grill, and Dolby Atmos compatibility in addition to its immersive sound, crystal clarity, and voice assistant support. It's easy to set up and syncs with other Sonos products like a dream. So if you're already in the Sonos smart home ecosystem, it's an especially excellent choice.

Beyond just making your movies, shows, and sports pop, the second generation Sonos Beam also works double duty as a Bluetooth speaker. Even when the TV is off, you can stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services.

Though the October Prime Day event has wrapped up, you can still snag this soundbar for a budget-friendly $369, making it an extra impressive value for the money.

BUY 3 ITEMS, GET 20% OFF: As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off Get Deal

Are you all stocked up and ready for Halloween? It's still quite early, so no worries if not. You've still got time to decorate the house, stock up on candy, and pick out costumes for you and the rest of the brood. Amazon is aiming to make the process a little cheaper this year thanks to this sale, which can save you a bundle when you buy all the Halloween goodies you need this year.

As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon. Just choose from the items available on the sale promo page and add to cart. Your discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's comically large Halloween decorations are up to 50% off today only

There's a ton to choose from when it comes to candy: Nerds Ropes, candy corn, Jolly Rancher, Sour Patch Kids, and much more, including multipacks of candy you can give out to the entire neighborhood, as well as chocolates you can just sit home and eat by yourself because you're an adult.

Choose from several kids and adult costumes like pirates, cowboys, the Statue of Liberty, witches, mummies, and more. And don't forget to grab a costume for your dog or cat because they're a part of the family too. You can even shop additional accessories to finish off your costume right.

Finally, don't miss decor and party essentials like plates, napkins, coolers, and other pieces of spooky ephemera to curate your home. Now's the time to make sure you're all ready for the scariest month of the year, so buy from Amazon and save some cash whle you're at it.

SAVE UP TO 42%: As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event may be over, but some of the best deals are sticking around. If you missed out on the main event, you still have a chance to snag some popular tech at a discount.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Both models feature Amazon's improved audio for clearer vocals and deeper bass, so you should be able to stream music from services like Spotify or Apple Music without issue. The standard Echo Dot includes motion and temperature sensors to trigger smart home routines, while the Kids edition comes with a year of the Amazon Kids+ subscription for ad-free stories and games, easy-to-use parental controls, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15 Get Deal Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

There's a new TikTok trend, and it's dangerous, manipulative, and feeds off the dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity.

People are using AI to generate false images of "homeless" men entering their houses to trick their parents, roommates, or partners. In one viral video, creator Joe Mele used AI to create an image of someone who looks unhoused standing on the other side of his screened front door. He sent the picture to his dad with the text: "Hey dad there's this guy at the front door, he says he knows you?"

"No I don't know him," his dad seemingly said. "What does he want?"

"He said you guys went to school together, I invited him in," Mele responded along with another AI-generated photo of the man sitting on his couch.

"JOE PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad responds. "I DON'T KNOW HIM!!!!!!!!" Followed by, "Hello???" along with three missed calls.

"He said he's hungry, grabbing a quick snack," Mele sent again with another AI-generated photo of the same AI-generated man taking food out of an open refrigerator.

"PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad said. "Are you getting my calls?" along with a screenshot of seven missed calls.

This goes on for some time, as Mele tells it. Mele sends an AI-generated photo of the man using his dad's toothbrush and sleeping in his dad's bed. The video has wracked up over 10.4 million views, and it's not the only one. There are dozens of videos with thousands of of views all following the same trend, many of which use Google Gemini AI, according to one user. Google recently added its new Nano Banana Ai image tool to Gemini, which makes it easy to edit photos.

Of course, Mele's entire video could be some kind of scripted skit, but Mele's hardly the only one making videos like this.

Not all parents, roommates, and partners respond with panicked texts and phone calls, as intended. Some respond with an immediate call to the police. The BBC reported that Dorset Police have received calls based on the prank, and asked people to "please attempt to check it isn't a prank before [dialing] 999" if they "receive a message and pictures similar to the above antics from friends or family."

The Salem Police Department in Massachusetts also posted a news release about the trend, calling the prank "stupid and potentially dangerous."

Not only does the prank involve manipulating loved ones, but it's also a pretty blatant dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity, depicting them as scary, dirty, or invasive — all harmful stereotypes — and using them as a prop for a joke.

"This prank dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources," the City of Salem Police Department wrote. "Police officers who are called upon to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual burglary in progress thus creating a potentially dangerous situation."

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 10, the 11th generation Apple iPad (128GB, WiFi) is on sale for only $279. That's 20% off the list price of $349 and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $279 at Amazon
$349 Save $70 Get Deal

If you completely spaced on Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, you're in luck. Several deals are still live (though the event technically concluded early Thursday morning) including one of our favorite iPad deals.

As of Oct. 10, the standard Apple iPad with an A16 chip and 128GB of storage is on sale for just $279 at Amazon — that's $70 or 20% off its list price of $349 and its best price ever on record.

The 11th-generation iPad is nothing flashy, but it's not meant to be. Not every tablet needs to double as a laptop. The base model has a sizable 11-inch display, which is plenty of room for watching your favorite shows, browsing the web, reading, or using it as a drawing pad or journal (compatible with the Apple Pencil 1st generation and USB-C). It doesn't have an M-series chip like the more advanced iPad models, but the A16 Bionic chip will still deliver enough processing power for everyday use. It also packs enough storage space at 128GB to enjoy all your favorite apps without offloading them.

There's plenty of options to choose from when it comes to tablets, but if you'd prefer to stick to the basics, you can't go wrong with the entry-level iPad. It's our top pick for a tablet for most people and our favorite budget pick for Apple users. And at an all-time low $279, it's an even better value than usual.

SAVE 31%: As of Oct. 10, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $69, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount and a $30.99 savings.

Roku Streambar SE 2-in-1 Soundbar With 4K Streaming $69 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.99 Get Deal

If your TV's built-in speakers are underwhelming or its smart interface is slow, there's a way to upgrade without splurging on a brand-new TV. Enter: The Roku Streambar SE, a compact device that functions as both a soundbar and a 4K streaming player. All you have to do is plug it into your TV's HDMI port and connect to the internet to get started. And right now, you can get it for just $69.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the best thing I bought in Prime Day - and it's still on sale

As of Oct. 10, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $69, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount and a $30.99 savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was around $59 during last year's October Prime Day event), but it's still a pretty good deal for a two-in-one streaming device.

The Streambar SE is designed to make dialogue crisp and clear. It even saves you from scrambling for the remote by automatically lowering the volume during loud commercials. When it's time to stream, the easy-to-use interface delivers a 4K HDR picture from all your favorite apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock. Plus, with Bluetooth compatibility, you can easily stream music from your phone for those times you'd rather listen than watch.

SAVE $84: As of Oct. 10, get the DJI Mini 3 drone for $335, down from its usual price of $419 at Amazon. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 3 $335 at Amazon
$419 Save $84 Get Deal

Looking to take the plunge on a drone, but still feeling a bit hesitant due to the price? Now's the time to buy. When December arrives, it's not quite clear how drone sales in the U.S. will change, so you may as well go ahead and lock yours in while you can. It's a good idea to go ahead and grab one of DJI's affordable drones while it's on sale at Amazon.

As of Oct. 10, get the DJI Mini 3 drone for $335, down from its usual price of $419 at Amazon. That's $84 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: Don't miss DJI's last-chance Prime Day deals: Get DJI drones for $159, DJI Mic Mini for $99

The DJI Mini 3 is a small but powerful drone that weighs about half a pound, but still packs quite the punch. It's small and compact, but it still behaves and can be controlled like a drone that's much larger. That makes it a great option for filming on the go, taking it with you on camping or hiking trips, or just playing around with at home. Just fold it up and go.

You get about 38 minutes with standard intelligent flight and 51 minutes of intelligent flight plus, with 4K HDR video quality, vertical footage options, and a wide selection of additional features that make it the perfect starter drone for beginners and a capable option for drone professionals looking for something small and easy to pack with them.

This DJI drone is on sale from DJI instead of a third-party seller, but once it's gone, it's probably gone for a while. Make sure you snag yours before it's all out of stock, especially since you can get it at such a great price right now.

Demand remains high for Sora, OpenAI's new invite-only AI video app for iOS users. So high, in fact, that scammers are rushing to fill demand.

As TechCrunch reported, phony Sora apps somehow slipped past Apple's App Store review process. TechCrunch reported that at least a dozen copycat apps were on the App Store after Sora's launch, though most of these listings have since been removed. As of this writing, we didn't find any copycat apps using the name Sora, though there are other AI video apps claiming to grant access to the underlying Sora 2 generative AI video model.

However, over at the Google Play app store, some phony Sora listings are still live. We're not talking about unrelated, previously existing apps that use the name Sora in some way, but listings with names like "Sora 2 Video Maker."

For now, the Sora app is only available on iOS for users in the United States and Canada, "with the intent to quickly expand to additional countries," per OpenAI. The app is free to download even without an invite code, but you won't be able to do anything without an invite.

If you are downloading Sora, it's easy to find, as it's still the No. 1 app in the App Store. Before downloading, make sure it's provided "by OpenAI."

Credit: Screenshot: Apple Credit: Screenshot: OpenAI

Sora is an AI video generator with a built-in social feed, and eager OpenAI fans are still scrambling for invites. The app is currently in the midst of a copyright drama. In the days after the app launch, the Sora feed was dominated by videos of copyright-protected characters like SpongeBob Squarepants, various Pokémon, and Rick and Morty.

We've been testing the app here at Mashable to see how it compares to other AI video models like Google Veo 3 and LumaAI's Ray3, and we'll have more coverage coming soon.

In the meantime, be wary of any unknown apps you find on the app stores. Don't assume that just because an app appears in the store that it's safe to download.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

This week, Microsoft quietly announced a small but important change to Word. The popular word-processing software will now automatically save documents to OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud platform.

Microsoft announced a number of changes at a special OneDrive and CoPilot event this week. The change to the process for saving docs in Word didn't exactly earn the top billing at the event. Or, as Windows Central put it, the news was "buried in the announcements."

"NEW-Cloud-first creation: Starting today, new documents in Word desktop on Windows (Insiders) now save directly to OneDrive, with autosave enabled your work is protected and ready for real-time collaboration.

-New files save directly to OneDrive

-Autosave is enabled from the start

-Your work is protected, instantly shareable, and ready for real-time collaboration"

So, in other words, your Word documents will auto-save to the cloud moving forward.

Microsoft has touted this as a positive change. As someone who has lost many documents throughout my life — say, because my computer crashed before I remembered to save my progress — I can appreciate the auto-save feature. And saving your docs on the cloud means you can access them across different devices. That comes in handy if you think of an edit but only have your phone handy.

SEE ALSO: Did Microsoft go down? The MS 365, Teams, Outlook, and Azure outage explained.

But some users will have privacy concerns about their documents being automatically sent to the cloud. For those folks, they'll still have the option to save documents locally — but that's a change they'll have to make in their settings.

From now on, saving to the cloud will be the default for Microsoft Word users.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 10, the Apple AirPods 4 are still down to $89 post-Prime Big Deal Days. That's 31% or $40 in savings and their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89 at Amazon
$129 Save $40 Get Deal

Another Prime event has come and gone, but some of our favorite deals have stuck around after the fact. If you were hoping to snag a pair of AirPods on sale, it's your lucky day because the AirPods 4 are still chilling at their best price ever.

As of Oct. 10, the Apple AirPods 4 are still just $89 at Amazon and Walmart. That's 31% or $40 off their list price and the cheapest they've ever been. The buds have only reached this all-time low price twice: on Prime Day in July and during the Prime Big Deal Days event that just wrapped up. We're not expecting it to stick around much longer, though, so if AirPods are on your wish list, grab 'em while you can.

Apple's fourth-generation standard AirPods are a great value for the price. They pack personalized spatial audio, Siri interactions, voice isolation, a surprisingly snug fit, improved bass, mids, and highs, and a more compact charging case that's easier to find. While they don't offer active noise cancellation, you can upgrade to the ones that do for only $30 more if that's important to you. Whichever option you choose, our reviewer noted, "They sound like honey."

Battery-wise, the standard AirPods actually last a little longer than the noise-cancelling option at about five hours per charge or 30 with the charging case. And at just $89, they're a great daily driver in budget-friendly territory. According to Mashable's Kim Gedeon, they also actually stay put in your ears. So you don't need to worry as much about losing an earbud while you're taking on the town.

SAVE 17%: As of Oct. 10, you can get the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for $498, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount and $101 in savings.

Sony ZV-1F $498 at Amazon
$599 Save $101 Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days has officially come and gone, and while most of the best deals disappeared at midnight, a few stragglers are still hanging around.

As of Oct. 10, you can get the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for $498, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount and $101 in savings. If you've been thinking about getting more serious about your YouTube channel or TikToks, this is a deal worth checking out.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

This camera is purpose-built for vloggers, which is just a fancier way of saying that it's designed to help you film yourself. (Mashable's UK team voted it the best vlogging camera for beginners in 2023.) The ultra-wide 20mm lens means you can lose the selfie stick, and the side-articulating touchscreen lets you see yourself while you record (a must).

But the best part might be the little white poof that sits on top. It looks like a bunny tail, but it's actually the windscreen for the camera's directional 3-capsule mic. That little fluff ball is what lets you film outside on a windy day without your audio turning into a garbled mess.

SAVE $38: As of Oct. 10, get the Google Nest Thermostat for $91.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Thermostat $129.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

The weather is getting cooler and you're starting to wear more layers indoors. Wouldn't it be awesome if you didn't have to leave your cozy blankets to adjust your home's temperature? You don't have to any longer if you get a smart thermostat, and Amazon has an excellent price on one from Google that'll make getting your home to a cozy temperature one of the easiest things you'll do all day.

As of Oct. 10, get the Google Nest Thermostat for $91.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's $38 off and a discount of 29%. Currently, this deal only applies to the Charcoal colorway.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals new Gemini-powered smart home devices

This smart thermostat works without a C-wire for most homes, so setup is quick and easy. Depending on where you live, however, and how your heating and cooling system is set up, you may need one for your installation.

You can use it to program the temperature you prefer to have in your home, so it can turn itself down when you leave or adjust itself accordingly based on your preferences. You can also program it to make a more energy-efficient temperature schedule and save some money on your power bills with its Savings Finder, which will guide you to the changes you might need to make so that can happen.

The Nest can be controlled via app or remote control as well, so you can change settings without having to leave your couch. And if it detects that something isn't right with your HVAC, it'll let you know with an alert for maintenance.

Ready to make heating and cooling your home much simpler? Grab one of the Nest thermostats at a discount.

Anker is all charged up. The brand makes some of the most user-friendly and affordable power stations, and as of Oct. 10, that lineup is expanding. The new Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 joins the brand's portfolio of portable power stations designed for camping, and this model is especially appealing to those who head off on RV trips.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $749 at Anker
$1,499 Save $750 Pre-order Here A whole lot of power in a compact size

Packing in 2,048Wh of capacity with 4,000W peak output, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 is ready for powering up almost any appliance. Of course, it can recharge phones and laptops thanks to the USB-C ports that max out at 140W, but it's also powerful enough to keep the refrigerator cooling or keep the window AC going during the heat of summer. In total, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 packs in five standard AC ports, one TT-30, two 140W USB-C, one 15W USB-C, and one 12W USB-A.

A power station that packs in 2,000Wh that can fit on the center console? Impressive. Credit: Anker

The addition of the TT-30 port means the Solix C2000 Gen 2 is ideal for RV trips. Pair that with its durable build, and you're on your way to non-stop adventures. In real-life terms, Anker says the Solix C2000 Gen 2 can power a 190W refrigerator for up to 32 hours. Here are some highlight specs on the new power station:

Essential specs:

• Capacity: 2,048Wh

• Continuous output: 2,400W pure sine wave

• Peak power: 4,000W

• Weight: 41.7 pounds

• Dimensions: 18 in. L × 9.8 in. W × 10.1 in. H

• Power options: AC, USB-C (140W), USB-A, TT-30 port

• Recharging options: Grid, solar, alternator, generator, hybrid, car port

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

• Life cycles: 80 percent capacity after 4,000 cycles

Recharging options aplenty

Impressive ports aside, when you need to recharge the Solix C2000 Gen 2, Anker gave us tons of options. Standard grid, solar panels, generators, or a car port can all get the station juiced up again. Plus, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 can handle hybrid recharging with AC and solar. Anker says it'll take just 58 minutes to go from zero to 100 with 2,600W AC and solar recharging. Max solar input tops out at a massive 800W. Recharging from standard grid power will take about 90 minutes to get back to 100 percent.

Recharge the Solix C2000 Gen 2 with up to 800W of solar panel power. Credit: Anker Multiply the power

Snagging a portable power station that can handle expanding its power is a smart move. You never know when your power needs might increase and Anker made this model compatible with one expansion battery that doubles its capacity for a total of about 4,000Wh.

The Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 can reach about 4,000Wh with the additional expansion battery. Credit: Anker A major hats off to the portability

Batteries are heavy, and portable power stations that have over 2,000Wh of capacity can get seriously heavy and bulky. But it's not surprising to see that Anker has nailed both aspects. It's not the lightest portable power station, but it only weighs 41.7 pounds, which is pretty great for a 2,000Wh power station. By comparison, the Anker Solix F2000 (which has an identical 2,048Wh of capacity) clocks in at 67.2 pounds, and it comes with a telescoping handle and wheels so you can roll it around instead of lifting the chunk.

The Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is not much larger than the Solix C1000, but it packs in nearly double the power. Credit: Anker

Not only is the weight impressive, but the overall dimensions of the Solix C2000 Gen 2 make it genuinely campground-worthy. The Solix C2000 comes with dimensions of 18 L × 9.8 W × 10.1 H inches. Compare this to the Mashable favorite Anker Solix C1000 (which has 1,056WHh) dimensions of 14.8 L × 8.1 W × 10.5 H inches, and we're shook. The C2000 Gen 2 is just a few inches longer and a hair wider than the C1000, but it packs in nearly twice as much power.

Affordable with a capital "A"

The Solix C2000 Gen 2 carries a list price of $1,499, which is pretty average for the industry. But preorders drop it to just $749, or a major 50% discount. For a 2,000Wh portable power station, a price of $750 is a heck of a deal. Considering we're coming into fall and winter storm season, this could be a great pre-holiday purchase. Snowbirds who pack up the van or RV for sunnier winter weather are also in line for an awesome upgrade thanks to Anker's addition of the Solix C2000 Gen 2.