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TL;DR: Spain’s World Cup winners celebrated their victory wearing a one-of-one pair of custom Oakley Meta glasses created exclusively for the team. While fans can’t buy that exact edition, Oakley’s AI glasses show how wearable tech could help athletes capture plays, review performance, and train smarter.

Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Oakley Vanguard Smart AI Glasses $499 at Amazon
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Spain’s World Cup celebration came with a special piece of tech. After winning the championship, the Spanish team celebrated wearing custom Oakley Meta glasses made just for the players.

The one-of-one edition features custom packaging and lenses etched with the FIFA World Cup Champions mark. While fans can’t buy this exact pair, you can get the same AI-powered experience with the Oakley Meta glasses.

Credit: FIFA

Oakley Meta Vanguard is designed around the needs of athletes. The glasses can capture hands-free footage, letting players record practices, game highlights, or specific plays simply by saying, “Hey Meta, take a video.” The built-in 12MP ultra-wide camera records in 3K, while stabilization helps keep footage smoother during quick movements like sprints, cuts, and tackles.

The glasses can also help players review their performance after the game. When connected to apps like Strava or compatible devices like Garmin, Oakley Meta Vanguard can overlay performance data like sprint speed, distance, and heart rate on captured content, giving athletes more context around their training sessions.

Featured Video For You Hands On with Meta’s New $299+ Smart Glasses

The goal is to give players useful tech without making them think about the tech. Open-ear speakers let players hear audio while staying aware of what’s happening around them. Another key feature is Meta AI, which gives players hands-free access to information through voice commands, so they can get real-time answers and stay focused on the action.

The glasses are also built for the physical demands of sports. Oakley Meta Vanguard uses a rugged O Matter frame, Prizm lenses for enhanced clarity, and an IP67 water-resistance rating to handle sweat, weather, and tough training sessions.

Spain took home the trophy. You can take home the tech — Oakley Meta glasses are available on Amazon for $499.

TL;DR: Live stream Aston Villa vs. Walsall in a 2026 preseason friendly for free on VillaTV. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Cup was everything we hoped it would be, but now the attention has switched back to the domestic game. A number of Premier League sides are back in action over the next few weeks, including Aston Villa.

Unai Emery's side have lost a few key players this summer, but they are also bringing in some exciting new faces. There's a lot of uncertainty ahead of their opening game with local rivals Walsall.

If you want to watch Aston Villa vs. Walsall in a 2026 preseason friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Aston Villa vs. Walsall?

Aston Villa vs. Walsall in a 2026 preseason friendly kicks off at 7:30 p.m. BST on June 21. This fixture takes place at the Bescot Stadium.

How to watch Aston Villa vs. Walsall for free

Aston Villa vs. Walsall in a 2026 preseason friendly is available to live stream for free on VillaTV. To access this fixture, all you need to do is sign up for a free Essential Membership on VillaTV.

VillaTV is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on VillaTV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Aston Villa vs. Walsall for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit VillaTV

5. Stream Aston Villa vs. Walsall for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only 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 Aston Villa vs. Walsall without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for VillaTV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on VillaTV, 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 eight 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 a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Aston Villa vs. Walsall for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Geeky Sex Toys limited-edition Pokémoan Collection goes live on July 21 at 7 p.m. ET. (Note: These will sell out.)

Becoming a Pokémon "master" just got a brand-new meaning...

In 2016, Geeky Sex Toys released a small collection of Pokémon-inspired sex toys (which they very cheekily named "Pokémoan"), and it sold out instantly. (Because, like, of course it did.)

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

Now, 10 years after its first launch, Geeky Sex Toys is blessing Pokéfans with a brand-new, limited-edition collection of sex toys. I'm not a Pokémon fan per se (cue collective gasps, I know), but I always thought that Pikachu and Rapidash were super cute. And, after taking a peek at this collection, I have to say I'm coming on to Bulbasaur.

The new lineup includes four toys:

• Bulbypulse ($169): Bulbypulse is an air-pulse suction toy that features eight patterns and three speeds. It also has a pretty impressive runtime of two hours and 30 minutes (do with that what you will).

• Charmybuzz: ($169): Charmybuzz is a curved G-spot vibrator. It has eight patterns and five speeds, with a runtime of two hours and 15 minutes.

• Squirtyblast ($169): Squirtyblast (my fave name of them all) is a flexible-head wand vibrator with rumbly power. A rumbly wand is the best wand, IMO. It has eight patterns, five speeds, and a runtime of an hour and 20 minutes. Pro tip: Try deep, G-spot stimulation followed by clitoral stimulation to help yourself squirt.

• Pikyplug ($69.00–$100.00): The Pikyplug is a non-vibrating, tapered, silicone butt plug. It comes in three sizes (hence the pricing structure). The Small is 7 inches long / 4 inches circumference, the Medium is 8.5 inches long / 5 inches circumference, and the Large is 12 inches long / 7 inches circumference.

The new lineup includes four toys. Credit: Geeky Sex Toys

Each individual toy comes with a unique, 350gsm holographic trading card and a magnetic charging cable. You'll also get a hard case with the vibrating toys, but it doesn't look like the butt plug comes with one. (They're all IPX7 waterproof too, so you can take them into the bath or shower.) The site limits two of each toy per customer.

If you want to go all out, you can buy the Ultimate Collectors Edition box set on sale for $399. (This is a total steal; if you do the math, buying each toy individually is way over that price.) The full collector set includes all four toys packed in a hard case, plus an exclusive fifth "Master Bedroom" holographic card.

You'll have to act fast if you want to add these to your collection, though. The limited first-edition drop goes live on July 21 at 7 p.m. ET, and there are only 151 public collector sets available worldwide. Want to be one of the first ones to know when it goes live? You can sign up for "early access" by entering your email on the site. (At the time of writing, 299 people had already signed up.)

I love Splatoon. I have loved Splatoon since all the way back to its Wii U debut in 2015. But Splatoon doesn't always love me back.

Every time I boot up Splatoon 3, I rediscover I'm not ready for the series' signature competitive multiplayer arenas. Everyone who still plays Splatoon this long after launch is really, really good — too good for me to have much of a good time. The smattering of solo and co-op experiences that exist on the periphery can't hold my attention for very long.

It is delightful, then, to report that Splatoon Raiders is pretty damn good. The first single-player-focused entry in the decade-old series is one of the most purely fun (on a moment-to-moment basis) games on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Splatoon Raiders synthesizes some of the best side modes in previous Splatoon games into something that grabbed me and didn't let go for several days, thanks in part to some non-competitive co-op features. I can't wait to play more once it goes on sale.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo's potentially last Switch 1 game is absolutely worth your time Splatoon Raiders melds every non-competitive Splatoon mode into one game

I say this not as criticism, but as a compliment: Splatoon Raiders feels like DLC for a mainline Splatoon game that grew out of control.

This is still a third-person shooter where you, as a squid kid, use a variety of weapons to spread ink of your own color across a variety of battlefields. You don't run very fast, but if your ink color is on the ground, you can quickly swim around in it, recovering ammo and health in the process.

Everything about the basic mechanics and controls of Splatoon Raiders is exactly as they are in the previous games in the franchise, including its best-in-class use of gyroscopic aiming.

Where Splatoon Raiders sets itself apart is by excising competitive multiplayer entirely, in favor of something that feels like a combination of modes that existed in previous Splatoon titles. It's got level design and boss fights that are reminiscent of the story modes in the other games, plus the intensity and general flow of combat found in the co-op Salmon Run mode from Splatoons 2 and 3, and a helping of the variable character customization from the Splatoon 3 Side Order DLC.

I love these goofballs. Credit: Nintendo

That means a straightforward progression of hand-crafted single-player levels. Some are linear missions that combine 3D platforming with shooting; others are more open-ended and focused on collecting money and loot.

The amount of variety here feels just about right, as I never found myself getting bored or itching for something new in the 15 or so hours I spent with Splatoon Raiders.

As with the multiplayer matches in a regular Splatoon game, there's little here will take you more than five minutes to complete. Given the occasional need to replay missions for loot or leveling purposes, this is a great relief.

There is a story here, and while it might be fun to chew on for people who care a lot about Splatoon lore, I did not find myself especially engrossed. It's mostly an excuse to spend more time with series regulars Shiver, Frye, and The Big Man. The latter continues to be a very cool dude.

Customization is key in Splatoon Raiders Gadgets are key. Credit: Nintendo

Where Splatoon Raiders won me over was character customization. Not in the aesthetic sense, as that part of the game is pretty basic, but in the gameplay sense.

Your protagonist gains a constant increase in basic stats like health and damage. You can equip one of three different tanks, each coming with a series of cooldown-based gadgets that you can equip in combat.

The Tactical Tank, for instance, comes with an automatic turret you can place wherever you want, but you can also unlock and equip other gadgets that can only be equipped on the Tactical Tank. Same goes for the Speed and Power tanks, which fit the kinds of play styles you'd expect.

Customization really hits its stride once you unlock the ability to customize gadgets. One fun thing you can do with several gadgets (but not all of them) is tell them to activate the moment you hit an enemy with your weapon.

By the last third or so of the story in Splatoon Raiders, I had multiple turrets flying out automatically on weapon hit, alongside a bunch of other nonsense that basically made me a walking death machine, with very little shooting required on my part.

You will learn to love the turret. Credit: Nintendo

By the end of the story, I felt roughly as powerful as you do at the end of Hades or Risk of Rain 2. But this time it came in a game with persistent progression, rather than a random, run-based roguelike.

Splatoon Raiders' solo focus also makes it a lot easier to experiment with new builds and weapon types than the franchise's standard competitive modes. In other Splatoon games, I'm worried about not letting my team down, so I generally stick with what I know can be effective.

Here, the stakes aren't so high, so I can make a ridiculous build centered around an exploding grappling hook and an ink katana without worrying about ruining someone else's fun.

In short, if you like video games where lots of things are constantly exploding in a sort of digital projectile vomit of bright colors, complete with meters filling up and a steady stream of fun upgrades after every single level, Splatoon Raiders is for you.

How co-op works in Splatoon Raiders Hunt for treasure with the homies. Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo has been selling Splatoon Raiders as a single-player experience, and it can be one if that's what you want. Still, almost every single level in it is also playable with up to three other players in co-op. I didn't get a lot of time in the review period to test these features out, but based on a demo session with other game reviewers, the developers made basically every correct design decision.

Chiefly, they seem to have nailed difficulty balancing. In one session my character was level 42 and had completed the story, while another player in my group was only level 10. Splatoon Raiders smartly and dynamically adjusted numerical values so the difficulty feels right for everyone in the game, without arbitrarily strengthening or weakening anyone.

I was able to bring in my stupid endgame loadout and the challenge of combat felt exactly right, even though these were levels I would cruise through if I weren't playing them in co-op.

Every player also gets their own level-appropriate loot in co-op — so not only is it fun regardless of level, but it's productive, too. Nintendo is not the first company to nail this element of co-op play in games with levels and loot, but it's still one of the best experiences I've had to date.

Alas I didn't get to try is the "Call For Help" function, but the idea is you can press a button on the level select screen to matchmake with any players who have flagged themselves as available to assist you. This is similar to the way co-op works in Monster Hunter.

Not all great Splatoon elements made the jump

Unfortunately, Splatoon Raiders does fall a bit short of series expectations in some key areas — specifically, fashion and music.

The other Splatoon games have pretty deep dress-up features that allow you to look fresh and funky as hell. Here, there are a smattering of unlockable outfits, but I didn't love the way most of them look.

Dressing like a greaseball mechanic makes more sense for the treasure-hunting escapades in Splatoon Raiders, but personally, I miss the streetwise fashion of the other games. I just want to wear a snapback with a squid on it.

And while Splatoon Raiders' soundtrack is still a step above most video games, it's a bit disappointing compared to its brethren. The audio direction here goes in the direction of strange, non-standard sounds rather than catchy, hummable rock or pop melodies. Previous Splatoon games have served both ends of the musical spectrum.

Regardless of shortcomings, Splatoon Raiders is another pleasant Switch 2 surprise, along the lines of Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Pokémon Pokopia, both of which also launched this year.

Those were games I was only medium-level interested in prior to release; now they're all some of the best (or at least most interesting) games on the platform. As we wait patiently for the next big Mario or Zelda release, it's nice to experience these fun, experimental takes on existing franchises.

Where to pre-order these soundtrack vinyl releases: Blue Velvet Soundtrack — 40th Anniversary Collector’s Vinyl $29.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Scream 30th Anniversary Soundtrack “Woodsboro Bloodbath” Red Vinyl Reissue $32.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Soundtrack Picture Disc Vinyl $32.99 at Amazon Pre-Order Here

Movie scores can stick with us long after the credits roll, and three iconic soundtracks are getting the collector treatment this fall. Varèse Sarabande is celebrating three iconic movie scores with new collector releases for Scream, Blue Velvet, and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, with Craft Recordings joining select editions.

The lineup spans horror, cult cinema, and animation, with Marco Beltrami’s genre-defining Scream score returning for its 30th anniversary and Angelo Badalamenti’s haunting Blue Velvet soundtrack celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Blue Velvet 40th Anniversary Collector’s Vinyl Opens in a new window Credit: Varèse Sarabande Blue Velvet Soundtrack — 40th Anniversary Collector’s Vinyl $29.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Varèse Sarabande is celebrating the 40th anniversary of David Lynch’s Blue Velvet with a new collectible vinyl edition of Angelo Badalamenti’s original motion picture soundtrack. Available to pre-order now ahead of its Sept. 4 release, the reissue brings the 14-track album back to vinyl in a special rainbow-foil jacket.

The release celebrates Badalamenti’s haunting score for Lynch’s 1986 classic, with its dreamy melodies and unsettling arrangements that helped define the film’s unique atmosphere. The vinyl features some of the soundtrack’s most memorable moments, from the haunting “Main Title” and dreamlike “Mysteries Of Love” to standout tracks like Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams” and Ketty Lester’s “Love Letters.”

The soundtrack will also be released on CD, giving fans multiple ways to revisit Badalamenti’s iconic score.

Scream 30th Anniversary Red Vinyl Reissue Opens in a new window Credit: Varèse Sarabande / Craft Recordings Scream 30th Anniversary Soundtrack “Woodsboro Bloodbath” Red Vinyl Reissue $32.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

For Scream fans, the phone is ringing again. To celebrate the horror classic’s 30th anniversary, Varèse Sarabande and Craft Recordings are bringing back Marco Beltrami’s iconic original motion picture score with a new collector's reissue arriving Aug. 28. The original 14-track album returns to vinyl in a collectible “blood-soaked” sleeve featuring an iconic image of Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker from the film’s unforgettable opening scene.

The soundtrack captures the tension and chaos that made Wes Craven’s 1996 horror classic unforgettable, with standout tracks including “The Cue from Hell,” which scores the film’s iconic opening scene, “Trouble in Woodsboro,” and the haunting “Sidney Wants It.”

Wallace & Gromit Soundtrack Picture Disc Vinyl Opens in a new window Credit: Varèse Sarabande Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Soundtrack Picture Disc Vinyl $32.99 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

Fans of the beloved claymation duo can bring home a collectible piece of Wallace & Gromit history with the new picture-disc vinyl edition of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, arriving Sept. 18. Released by Varèse Sarabande, the picture disc features Julian Nott’s award-winning original score, produced by legendary composer Hans Zimmer, along with additional music from Rupert Gregson-Williams, James Dooley, Lorne Balfe, and Alastair King.

The vinyl includes 19 tracks across two sides, featuring fan-favorite cues like “A Grand Day Out,” “Anti-Pesto to the Rescue,” “Transformation,” and “Wallace & Gromit.” It’s a fun collector release for longtime fans of Aardman’s iconic characters and anyone who appreciates the whimsical scores that help bring animated films to life.

TL;DR: The Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) QHD gaming monitor is on sale for $219.99 at Amazon, down from its $349.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 32-Inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) $219.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $130 Get Deal

Bigger gaming monitors can quickly become expensive once you add faster refresh rates and sharper-than-Full-HD resolution, but Amazon has just made Samsung’s 32-inch Odyssey G5 the perfect go-to for upgrading your setup at a bargain. 

As of July 21, the Samsung 32-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) gaming monitor is available at Amazon for $219.99. That takes a full $130 off its $349.99 list price, leaving you with a 37% discount and the lowest price we’ve seen for this model so far (confirmed with price tracker, camelcamelcamel).

For the money, you’re getting a 32-inch Fast IPS display with QHD 2560x1440 resolution — which is shipped and sold by Amazon, getting to you as early as the next day if you’re a Prime member (at the time of writing). 

As an upgrade over older standard monitors, it offers 1.7 times the pixel density of Full HD, giving games noticeably cleaner edges and finer environmental detail without demanding as much from your PC as a 4K panel.  

The 180Hz refresh rate and 1ms GtG response time are the draws for anyone regularly playing quick multiplayer games. Whether you’re sprinting through Fortnite, tracking fast-moving enemies in Overwatch, or lining up a last-second shot in Call of Duty, the higher refresh rate should keep movement looking much smoother than it would on a typical 60Hz or 75Hz model.

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For those still worried about shaky movement with certain titles, NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync are both included to keep the screen and graphics card in check, helping reduce image tearing, lag, and choppy action. What’s more, HDR10 adds brighter highlights and more detailed shadows, while the IPS panel provides a wide 178-degree viewing angle. 

Samsung has also fitted the G50F with Black Equalizer to brighten difficult-to-see areas, Virtual Aim Point to add an on-screen crosshair, and Auto Source Switch+ to automatically switch between connected devices. 

SAVE OVER $10: As of July 21, the Lego Icons French Café has hit a new low price of $63.74 at Amazon. That's $16.25 off its full price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons French Café Paris Building Kit (10362) $63.74 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.25   Get Deal

Lego sets can be quite costly, but Amazon is a helpful place to check out for great deals. Even today, the retailer has some nice surprises in store. As of July 21, the charming Lego Icons French Café set has dropped to a new low price of $63.74 at Amazon.

Compared to this Lego set's full price of $79.99, this deal saves you $16.25. At the moment, it has a "limited time deal" tag, so the clock is ticking to pick it up while it's still on sale.

SEE ALSO: Lego is releasing the biggest Art Masterpiece ever: Everything you need to know about Gustav Klimt – The Kiss

In total, it comes with 1,101 pieces that create a classic French bistro, complete with hanging flowerpots, ornate seating, and accessories such as food and crockery to bring the scene together. The double doors at the front also open to reveal a small interior with a seating area, so you can choose whether to keep them open or closed once you're all finished.

It's a set recommended for adults, likely due to its higher piece count, more detailed assembly, and the fact that it's meant for display rather than play. However, younger builders can still get the fun of piecing it together if they want to; they'll just need an older individual around to help out.

This limited-time Lego deal may not last long, so be quick to save on the Lego Icons French Café set at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $30: As of July 21, the Bose SoundLink Micro portable speaker (2nd Gen) is on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's $30 off its list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

A portable speaker can really elevate your summertime adventures, though with so many out there to choose from, it can be hard to find a good pick. The Bose SoundLink Micro portable speaker (2nd Gen) is one we have a lot of love for — landing as our favorite Bose speaker in our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers - and it's even on sale right now at Amazon.

As of July 21, every available color of the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) has been marked down to $99. That's a $30 discount off its original list price of $129, and it even marks the lowest price for a select group of colors: sandstone, petal pink, sunset peach, and twilight blue.

SEE ALSO: 16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

The Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) has an incredibly portable design that's perfect for taking on the go, but don't let that small size fool you into thinking it also has small sound. According to our roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, "Bose made some serious upgrades to the all-new SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), starting with sound quality. Frequency range has been tweaked to provide fuller bass and more clarity. Drums hit harder, while vocals feel more intimate. There’s also less distortion at higher volumes."

On top of that, this little speaker boasts a long-lasting battery that delivers up to 12 hours of playtime. Plus, it's durable, with a waterproof design (rated IP67) and dust-, shock-, and rust-resistant features. So whether you're heading to the beach, the pool, or on a hike, it can handle the adventure.

If you've had your eye on the Bose SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen), act fast to take advantage of this great deal at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up Box is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon, down from its $49.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal

Magic: The Gathering’s TMNT crossover has plenty of products built around opening packs, but Turtle Team-Up makes it so you can have even more trading card fun with your friends. And now Amazon has made that co-operative box cheaper than we’ve ever seen.

As of July 21, the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Team-Up Box is available at Amazon for $29.99 — cutting $20 from its $49.99 list price, giving you roughly 40% off the complete multiplayer set. This not only dips well under TCGplayer’s market price of $36.80, but is also the lowest price we’ve ever seen the TMNT-themed MTG box on Amazon, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

To be clear, this is not another standard booster box designed for opening packs. Turtle Team-Up is designed for two to four players working together against an automated enemy system, rather than trying to knock one another out. Games are expected to last around 45 minutes, making it an easy fit for a casual Magic night without turning the whole evening into one drawn-out match. 

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Inside are four ready-to-play 60-card decks, with one built around Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, or Michelangelo. The box also includes a 38-card Enemy deck, featuring 11 bosses and 17 Event Cards that steadily raise the pressure as the game progresses. 

You also get four TMNT Play Boosters, each containing 14 cards, so there is still something to crack open once you have tried the preconstructed decks. Four deck boxes, a punch-out counter sheet, and a tutorial booklet round out the package. Wizards says the four Turtle decks collectively contain 29 different new-to-Magic cards, giving existing players more than just a beginner-friendly side mode to explore. 

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you can keep a secret.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 21, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 21, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A decoy.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SHILL

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a good writer.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 21, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Write there

The words are related to paper.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe writing utensils.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Stationery.

NYT Strands word list for July 21

• Envelope

• Letterhead

• Stationery

• Notepad

• File

• Card

• Sheet

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a theater kid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 21, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Shirts

• Green: Computer add-ons

• Blue: Broadway shows

• Purple: Electronic transmission

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Kinds of tops

• Green: Software downloads

• Blue: Elements of a musical

• Purple: Tele___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1136 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of tops: CROP, HALTER, TANK, TUBE

• Software downloads: APP, DRIVER, EXTENSION, PLUGIN

• Elements of a musical: BOOK, LYRICS, MUSIC, ORCHESTRATION

• Tele___: GRAM, KENESIS, PROMPTER, VISION

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 21, 2026

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

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

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

TL;DR: Lego Insiders ages 18+ can build and take home a Lego sports car model for free at select Lego Stores on July 25-26. The event is free, but supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lego Insiders have the chance to attend a free event this week.

Select Lego Stores are hosting a free, adults-only sports car-building event where members can build a Lego sports car model and take it home afterward. The make-and-take event is happening on July 25-26, 2026, at participating Lego Stores in the U.S. and Canada.

SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile — how to qualify

The Lego Sports Car build event is free for Lego Insiders aged 18+ (it's totally free to sign up). The Lego Sports Car model cannot be purchased and is only available through this event. Before heading out, check your local Lego Store event page to confirm the timing and availability.

Sure, it’s a free sports car, but the real win is leaving the store with a build you made and a fun Lego memory attached. Check the Lego Store event page for more details.

Hollywood’s next major horror franchise may already be hiding somewhere in your YouTube recommendations. Or at least studios seem to think so.

It's official: three more internet horror creations are heading to the big screen as creator-led movies continue to spark competitive bidding wars across Hollywood.

On July 2, United Artists, Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, and Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film rights to The Mandela Catalogue following an 11-studio auction. The announcement came one day after Warner Bros. won a five-studio bidding war for Siren Head, the viral monster created by artist Trevor Henderson. Less than two weeks later, Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios announced V/H/S: SCP, a 2027 movie that will bring the massive, fan-built SCP Foundation horror universe into the V/H/S found-footage franchise.

These back-to-back deals are the latest evidence of a broader hunt underway across Hollywood. After the enormous box-office success of Backrooms and Obsession, studios are searching YouTube, Reddit, and other online communities for horror concepts that already have recognizable worlds, committed audiences, and creators who have proved they can make compelling work without traditional studio backing.

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Kister was 17 when he began making The Mandela Catalogue in 2021 using basic editing tools and footage filmed around his home. The YouTube series follows a Wisconsin county terrorized by entities called Alternates, creatures that psychologically torment people before assuming their identities. The analog horror series has since become one of YouTube’s most popular, drawing over 100 million views.

But audiences do more than watch these stories. They decode clues, organize timelines, debate theories, and help expand the mythology. That same participation transformed Trevor Henderson's Siren Head from a single 2018 illustration into an internet phenomenon.

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Fans carried the towering, siren-headed creature into animations, games, short films, stories, Roblox, and Minecraft. Shutter Authority's Siren Head videos have accrued hundreds of millions of views (his first video has more than 241 million views). By the time Warner Bros. acquired the film rights, it had already become an internet urban legend far larger than Henderson’s original post.

Hollywood is also looking toward online worlds for inspiration — The SCP Foundation began in 2008 as a collaborative fiction wiki where writers document paranormal creatures, objects, and events. The planned theatrical anthology V/H/S: SCP, produced by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, will turn that community-built archive into a feature film scheduled for 2027.

Each property arrives at the studio system with similar advantages: recognizable imagery, extensive mythology, active fandoms, and creators who already understand their audiences better than anyone else.

The box-office hits behind the rush

Interest isn't happening in isolation. In May, Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, opened to more than $81 million domestically. As of July 20, it has earned approximately $384 million worldwide at the box office against a reported $10 million production budget.

The film provided the clearest proof yet that a horror world developed largely through internet culture could attract a mainstream theatrical audience. The Backrooms started with an anonymous image of an empty yellow room posted to 4chan in 2019. The concept spread across Reddit, online wikis, games, and collaborative fiction until Parsons, then 16, released his 9-minute YouTube video The Backrooms (Found Footage).

Within weeks, the video racked up tens of millions of views. Parsons then expanded it into a larger series exploring disappearances, scientific experiments, and an organization's attempts to study and map the mysterious space — all before it became a feature film.

Obsession demonstrated a similar version of the same opportunity. While the movie was not adapted from a preexisting internet mythology, its 26-year-old writer-director, Curry Barker, developed his audience and filmmaking style through online projects, including the horror short The Chair and Milk & Serial, a found-footage feature made for about $800 and released on YouTube.

Made for approximately $750,000, Obsession has since grossed more than $428 million worldwide. Barker has completed another movie for Blumhouse and is now attached to direct A24’s reimagining of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

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Together, the films expanded Hollywood’s understanding of what an online creator could bring into a studio — all in 1 summer.

Hollywood wants the filmmaker, not only the followers

These creators arrive with built-in audiences, but that is only one part of their appeal.

When I interviewed Backrooms producer Kori Adelson for Vanity Fair in May, she emphasized the filmmaking ability in Parsons' YouTube work that transferred well into blockbuster directing.

"His work is so singular and evocative," Adelson said. "And in terms of his technical skill set? It was more advanced than most experienced filmmakers."

Parsons built the original series in Blender, and those digital models became blueprints for the movie’s 30,000-square-foot set. Because he could adjust the designs himself, Parsons could show the production team exactly how each space should look.

Plus, because these creators have spent years watching audiences respond to their work, they understand what a movie adaptation needs to preserve.

"I sort of have made a contract with the audience, and I like to do everything I possibly can to hold myself accountable to that…regardless if we’re medium hopping," he told me back in May.

Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chair Mike De Luca has compared that fan connection to an unusually long development process. "By the time you get to the movie, they've had a billion test screenings," he said during the Producers Guild of America's conference.

It also helps explain why creators like Parsons and Kister are being trusted to direct their adaptations rather than simply selling the rights and stepping aside.

The internet has become a proving ground for horror

This path hasn't been completely untrodden.

Back in 2023, Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou made the leap from YouTube to theaters with Talk to Me. Before directing the horror hit, the pair had spent years creating chaotic horror-comedy videos, elaborate fight scenes, and practical-effects-heavy stunts for their RackaRacka channel. Their filmmaking experience translated: Made for about $4.5 million, Talk to Me earned nearly $100 million worldwide.

Mark Fischbach, better known online as Markiplier, followed a similar path with Iron Lung. He financed, directed, and distributed the video game adaptation himself, turning a budget of only a few million dollars into more than $51 million at the global box office.

Now, more filmmakers are lining up behind them. Dylan Clark is developing his viral YouTube short Portrait of God into a Universal feature produced by Jordan Peele and Sam Raimi, while Sam Evenson is directing a feature-length adaptation of his short Mora for Neon.

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YouTube is not the only place where Hollywood is finding horror stories with built-in online audiences. Reddit’s r/NoSleep has long served as a testing ground for writers who present fictional stories as firsthand accounts, including Elias Witherow's Tommy Taffy series about a seemingly human figure who forces his way into families and takes control of their homes.

That story is now becoming The Third Parent, a feature adaptation scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 22, 2027, with David Michaels writing and directing and Crispin Glover starring as Tommy.

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Hollywood is always searching for the next big thing, and its next major horror franchise may still begin with a single creepy image or a teenager editing footage in a bedroom. The difference is that studios are now paying attention much earlier — and increasingly trusting the original creator to bring that idea to the big screen.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is on sale at Amazon for $50.87, down from its $59.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 $50.87 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $9.12   Get Deal

It turns out that Pokémon’s second First Partner Illustration Collection has already fallen a long way from its early preorder price, and Amazon is actually now pushing the partner-inspired box much closer to the $50 mark.

As of July 21, the Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 is available on Amazon for as low as $50.87. This cuts $9.12 from its $59.99 list price, giving keen trading card collectors a 15% discount on the complete box.

You should know, however, this lower-priced listing is sold and shipped by third-party seller Collectors Expedition rather than Amazon directly — with free delivery currently scheduled for July 27-28. That said, this still comes with Amazon’s usual 30-day refund or replacement window, which gives buyers some protection if the box arrives damaged or with another issue.

On the other hand, Walmart and TCGplayer are offering even lower prices, which is not unusual compared to Amazon in the Pokémon TCG market these days. For instance, Walmart has the collection listed for $41.99, while TCGplayer has unopened copies starting at $40.71 with shipping included. That undercuts the current market price of $40.73.

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That being said, $50.87 is a far more reasonable Amazon price than the $94.79 preorder listing we spotted back in June.

Series 2 continues the collection’s 30th-anniversary theme by focusing on first partner Pokémon from Johto, Unova, and Galar. That means Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble make up the nine possible illustration rare-style promo cards.

Each box contains one special pack with three of those nine promos, so completing the full set will require more than one collection unless you trade for the cards you are missing. You also get two standard Pokémon TCG booster packs (shown in the product imagery as Perfect Order and Chaos Rising) plus a sticker sheet featuring the first partner Pokémon.

If you’re after any of the single starter cards in particular — including Totodile, Cyndaquill, and Chikorita — you can buy the individual cards from the whole Partner Illustration Collection right now on TCGplayer.

Jimmy Kimmel's latest guest host is a real gem, with Colman Domingo taking over from Ike Barinholtz and Tiffany Haddish this week.

The Oscar-nominee kicked off Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday with a look back at the FIFA 2026 World Cup final, from the first-ever halftime show to the commentators getting celebrity names wrong to the crowds booing President Donald Trump.

"How long before he claims FIFA is Antifa?" joked Domingo.

Fellow late-night show host Seth Meyers also showed a montage of clips in which the president was booed at the final, with Trump's approval rating currently at an all-time low. As Mashable's Amanda Yeo notes, "Sports fans haven't been shy about letting Trump know how they feel either, booing him at multiple events across his second presidential term. These included the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, 2025 US Open men's final, an NFL game last November, the NBA finals last month, and finally the recent World Cup final."

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SAVE $700: As of July 21, the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's $700 off its list price of $1,599.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros 10R Robot Vacuum and Mop $899.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $700   Get Deal

Roborock's Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop is a model that Mashable's Leah Stodart called "a wickedly well-rounded robot vacuum that would be a totally satisfactory upgrade in a lot of homes, especially ones with a lot of hard floors" in her review. If you've been thinking about splashing out on a robot vacuum, now is a great time to buy because Amazon has slashed $700 off its price tag.

As of July 21, this has dropped the Roborock Saros 10R's price from $1,599.99 to $899.99, making for 44% in overall savings. That's not all, though. It's also just $15 away from its lowest-ever price from Prime Day this year.

SEE ALSO: 16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

With the help of 22,000Pa HyperForce suction and dual spinning mops — paired with the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 for avoiding objects and mapping your home's floor plan — the Roborock Saros 10R can clean up a variety of surfaces. It even features a FlexiArm Riser side brush and mop for cleaning corners, and its slim 3.14-inch height allows it to easily reach under furniture or tighter spaces for a deep clean.

In our review, Stodart highlights: "Given its ultra-slim build, exceptional corner cleaning, and precise navigational features, there aren't many spots the Roborock Saros 10R can't clean. This well-rounded reliability gives it an edge over many other premium vacs."

With that kind of praise, why not grab the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum and mop while it's still on sale? Don't miss out on this great deal at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup victory was celebrated with a traditional trophy hoist on Sunday, a ritual "shared really only by the players," as The Daily Show's Jon Stewart points out in the video above.

The thing is, it wasn't just shared by the victors, with U.S. President Donald Trump lingering onstage after presenting Spain with their prize, and posing for the team photo alongside controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"What the f*** are you doing on the stage? It's for the players!" screamed Stewart in his monologue on Monday night. "Why must everything be tainted by the overinflated ego of Cankles Muldoon? Why?"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

The iPhone's virtual assistant got a glow-up with iOS 27 and finally lives up to Apple's 2011 promise. In my early testing, Siri is just here to get things done.

Whoop has made its way to the front of a crowded field of health trackers. With brand ambassadors like Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Niall Horan, it's become a tracker for elite athletes and celebrities. But what about the everyman?

Whoop has two devices in its lineup, the Whoop MG and the Whoop 5.0. While the 5.0 is technically the more basic of the two, it's anything but. This unsuspecting wristband provides a bounty of data on sleep, physical performance, and recovery. I tried the Whoop 5.0 out, wearing it round the clock, to see what this health tracker is all about.

Whoop 5.0 at a glance The Whoop 5.0 unlocks to slide onto your wrist. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Whoop 5.0 brings advanced metrics to the brand's most affordable membership tiers, One and Peak. The device accompanies the first two Whoop membership tiers, which offer plenty of health insights for the average person, including health span and stress insights. Plus, some users — including myself — think it's a far better value than the Whoop MG. The Whoop 5.0 provides a lot of data, which may be overwhelming for the average user, and it also suffers from processing delays.

The Whoop 5.0 remains the most comfortable fitness tracker The Whoop 5.0 has an extremely low profile, more so than most watches. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Whoop 5 is a smart fitness band that sits on your wrist to measure biometrics. It doesn't have a screen or watch face; instead, it operates and delivers health data through the Whoop app.

Having previously tested the Whoop 4.0, I knew the Whoop 5.0 would be comfortable. Between generations, it's maintained the same design, except the 5.0 is 7 percent smaller. What that means is a slightly slimmer profile that remains lightweight.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring 5 arrives, and it’s 40 percent smaller than Ring 4

It's easy to forget the Whoop 5.0 is on your wrist. The included knit bands are comfortable, allowing your movement to flow without restriction. Plus, the device is out of the way enough that it won't bother you when you're sleeping or bending your wrist during training. While wearing it to sleep, I've never woken up with a sore or stiff wrist. Speaking of sleeping, the Whoop 5.0 includes a haptic alarm that gently vibrates to wake you up, which I have to say, is the most pleasant way to be woken up.

The Whoop 5.0's charger slides onto the device so you don't have to take off the health tracker. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The charger slides on the device so you never need to take it off, but I wouldn't recommend that. It's designed to be worn around the clock, including in the shower. However, when the band gets wet, it feels waterlogged, and keeping it on makes it take longer to dry, which, in my experience, was a miserable sensation. Word to the wise: don't wear it while washing the dishes.

It's for people who love data In the Whoop app, dig into all the biometrics collected by the 5.0. Credit: Screenshots courtesy of Whoop

If you're looking for health data, including all the graphs you could ever dream of, the Whoop was made for you. Compared to other health-tracking apps I've used, like Apple's built-in health apps and Oura, which deliver straightforward, easy-to-digest data in an aesthetically pleasing app, Whoop's app focuses on the hardcore numbers.

The app is pretty plain, with three primary metrics at the top. Sleep, recovery, and strain data are front and center with health and stress monitors below (for those with a Peak membership). You can dig into specific measurements and view graphs tracking past measurements to see your gains.

Admittedly, it can be a lot to make sense of, especially for the average user who might just want to know their step count and sleep quality. But if you're not sure what to make of your heart rate variability and how that relates to your health, Whoop has a built-in coach.

Need some guidance? Whoop's got AI for that. Talk through adjustments to your routine with the Whoop Coach. Credit: Screenshots courtesy of Whoop

One of the best improvements in Whoop's app doesn't actually have much to do with the Whoop 5.0 specifically, but with the app. Now, Whoop Coach, which is still in beta in the app, helps you make sense of all the data.

The AI-driven feature processes all your data, making suggestions and starting a conversation with you about training adjustments based on your sleep and recovery scores. Since I'm not an elite athlete trying to dig into my biometrics every day, the Whoop Coach was far more accessible in deciphering what my scores meant and how to respond to them.

Performance is a mixed bag

The data provided by the Whoop 5.0 is accurate. The sleep score reflected how I was feeling. When I was only getting a few hours of sleep a night, my Whoop warned me to take it easy during the day, but after a full eight hours, it encouraged me to push it further in my workouts.

Whoop claims the longest battery life of any fitness tracker at almost any price, at 14 days. While my device didn't make it a full two weeks, I was able to go a full week without sliding on the charger.

Often I'd wake up to check my sleep score and find that the Whoop app was missing data. Credit: Screenshot courtesy of Whoop

What I was most disappointed in about the Whoop was its data-loading time in the app. If you close the Whoop app, it immediately prompts you to reopen it to keep the data updated, which definitely drained my phone's battery.

Even when I was keeping the app open consistently, the Whoop 5.0 was slow to load data, especially in the morning. Often, I'd wake up ready to see my sleep data, to find that the Whoop was missing data from the previous eight hours. After refreshing the app several times, the data finally appeared, but it became frustrating how frequently this happened.

Overrides Apple Watch activity

While testing the Whoop, I simultaneously wore my Apple Watch to compare data and track my workouts in real-time. I synced my Whoop with Apple Health, and a curious problem arose. Whoop data overrode all my Apple Fitness data. Suddenly, my calorie count after my typical activities was far lower than expected.

The Whoop 5.0 has more conservative calorie counts than my Apple Watch. Normally, after my morning walk, my Apple Watch shows I've burned around 400 active calories, but with the Whoop 5.0, it shows only around 200. Both programs use the same weight, heart rate, and step count data, so it raises the question of which is more accurate, and unfortunately, I can't ask my all-knowing body for that exact number.

Whoop 5.0 encompasses two membership tiers

Whoop has three membership tiers: One, Peak, and Life. One and Peak use the Whoop 5.0 while the Life tier comes with the Whoop MG. One is the most basic tier ($199 per year), but its data is far more than basic. It includes 24/7 biometric monitoring, along with sleep, strain, and recovery data. It also provides insights into automatic activity detection, step tracking, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal strain, VO2 Max estimates, and heart rate zones.

With Peak membership ($239 per year), you get all of that plus longevity data. That includes Healthspan, which tracks your Whoop age and your aging page. Plus, Peak features stress and health monitors that analyze signals from your heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen levels.

What's nice about the Whoop 5.0 is that you can upgrade from One to Peak at any time using the same device. Membership is charged annually, so you can pick the right tier for you without swapping out devices.

What's missing from the Whoop 5.0

Technically, the Whoop 5.0 is the brand's most basic fitness tracker. The more advanced option is the Whoop MG, which stands for medical grade. The Whoop MG is part of the most expensive membership, the Life tier, which costs $359. It includes everything in the Peak membership tier, plus blood pressure insights and AFIB detection. If both of those are non-negotiable for you, depending on your health concerns, then the Whoop 5.0 won't suit you.

However, browsing the Whoop community on Reddit, most users say the MG isn't worth the price for those two features and prefer the Peak membership and the Whoop 5.0.

It's cheaper than that other fitness tracker — at first

Because of Whoop's peculiar pricing structure, it's deceivingly cheap. With other fitness trackers like Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and Fitbit, you buy the device outright and use it freely, or maybe pay a small membership fee. But since you're buying a membership with Whoop and getting the device with it, the pricing is different.

An Oura Ring 5 starts at $399, plus an annual $69.99 membership fee, for a total of $468.99 in the first year. The mid-tier Whoop membership, Peak, is $239 annually. The Whoop remains cheaper after two years of use, but after three years of paying $239, it's more expensive than an Oura Ring plus three years of membership.

However, if you don't want to deal with any membership fees, that's where an Apple Watch or a Fitbit comes in.

Should you buy the Whoop 5.0? Should the Whoop 5.0 accompany you on your workouts? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Yes, the Whoop 5.0 is a great fitness tracker, best suited for individuals focused on the strain and recovery of daily life and workouts. It provides bountiful data and a Whoop Coach to help you make sense of the data. Its low-profile, stretchy knit band makes it extremely comfortable to wear all the time.

If you want training data during your workouts, you'll need another fitness tracker in addition to the 5.0, as it's screen-free. Not to mention, while the overall data is fairly accurate, the app's processing speed is frequently slow.

But for $239, or the more affordable $199 membership option, the Whoop 5.0 is a solid health tracker.

Whoop 5.0 $239 at Amazon
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