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TL;DR: Live stream Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is back with another weekend of huge matchups, including Colts vs. Falcons. The Indianapolis Colts are 7-2 going into this contest. It's going to be tough for the Atlanta Falcons to take anything from this confident team.

If you want to watch Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Colts vs. Falcons?

Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL starts at 9:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 9. This game takes place at Empower Field at the Olympiastadion.

How to watch Colts vs. Falcons for free

Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Colts vs. Falcons for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Live stream Colts vs. Falcons for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 Colts vs. Falcons in the NFL without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals for free on S4C Clic. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals continue to deliver huge contests between the best sides in the world. Wales are not in a great spot right now, but they'll still go into their matchup with Argentina believing that they can pull off a surprise result in front of a passionate home crowd.

If you want to watch Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. Argentina?

Wales vs. Argentina in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 9. This fixture takes place at the Principality Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. Argentina for free

Wales vs. Argentina in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on S4C Clic.

S4C Clic is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform 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 unblock S4C Clic to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Wales vs. Argentina for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 S4C Clic

5. Watch Wales vs. Argentina for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Wales's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for S4C Clic?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on S4C Clic, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Wales vs. Argentina in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Grumpy.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

TESTY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Squirt.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPURT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A mob.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 9, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

HORDE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Tiny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 9 Hurdle Word 4 answer

MICRO

Final Hurdle hint

To sneak.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SLUNK

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 8, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

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

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

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 4-6 placed, vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically; 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 9 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you know NFL history.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: High in the sky

• Green: In the City of Angels

• Blue: Defunct arenas

• Purple: Double dutch

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Leap

• Green: Los Angeles Teams

• Blue: Former NFL Stadiums

• Purple: Rhythmic Gymastics Apparatus

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #411 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Leap - BOUND, HOP, JUMP, SPRING

• Los Angeles Teams - CHARGERS, DODGERS, SPARKS, TROJANS

• Former NFL Stadiums - CANDLESTICK, GIANTS, SILVERDOME, VETERANS

• Rhythmic Gymastics Apparatus - CLUBS, HOOP, RIBBON, ROPE

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love to keep up with your appearance.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 9, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Found in a beauty kit

• Green: Concentrated

• Blue: To think

• Purple: Flyers

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Personal grooming items

• Green: Packed

• Blue: Ponder

• Purple: Starting with bird homophones

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 #882 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Personal grooming items: BRUSH, MIRROR, NAIL FILE, TWEEZERS

• Packed: COMPACT, DENSE, THICK, TIGHT

• Ponder: DELIBERATE, MUSE, NOODLE, REFLECT

• Starting with bird homophones: CRANIUM, CRONUT, LUNAR, PUFNSTUF

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 9, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're charming.

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 November 9, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 9, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: How enchanting!

The words are related to charisma.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to capture someone's attention.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Charmed I'm Sure.

NYT Strands word list for November 9

• Entrance

• Spellbind

• Charmed I'm Sure

• Hypnotize

• Captivate

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've had an identity crisis.

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 November 9, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 9, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Absentmindedness.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter U appears twice

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

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...

FUGUE

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 9, 2025

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

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

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

TL;DR: Secure a massive 100TB of cloud storage space forever with an Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) until Nov. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $979.97
$9,900 Save $8,920.03   Get Deal

Tired of constantly running out of cloud storage? Every time you need more space, the monthly fees climb higher, keeping you in an expensive, never-ending cycle of upgrades and charges. As we accumulate more data every day, it may be time to consider a more financially responsible approach to keeping your files safe.

With Internxt Cloud Storage, you truly own your space — there’s no more renting your data storage. And right now, you can lock in an ample 100TB of storage for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) until Nov. 20.

SEE ALSO: The best VPN routers for securing all your devices

Using iCloud to keep your files safe? The maximum storage Apple allows you to rent is currently just 12TB — and it costs $64.99 a month. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to safeguard your precious data, providing enough space to last a lifetime, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage.

With Internxt Cloud Storage, you own your storage space. That means you can say goodbye to those hefty monthly fees and rest easy knowing you can keep all your important data in one secure space. You can also rest easy knowing Internxt’s end-to-end encryption is so secure that even the company itself can’t access your data.

It’s also GDPR compliant — adhering to strict European privacy laws — and audited and verified by Securitum. That’s a major improvement over other cloud storage services, which not only access your data but also make money from it through targeted ads and data sharing.

If you’re making the switch, Internxt offers cross-platform compatibility so you can easily integrate it across all your devices and operating systems via a desktop app, web browser app, and iOS or Android app.

Never pay for cloud storage again with this 100TB Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for just $979.97 (reg. $9,900) through Nov. 20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Denmark is the latest country to take aim at Big Tech, announcing plans Friday to ban social media access for users under 15.

As reported by the Associated Press, the measure won’t take effect immediately, but the details of how the ban will be enforced remain unclear. Denmark reportedly plans to roll out an official age-verification app as part of the enforcement system, and would allow parents to grant access to children as young as 13 following an assessment process.

The move puts Denmark in line with a growing list of countries introducing similar measures as concerns over social media’s impact on youth mental health continue to mount. Australia has become the first nation to implement a social media ban for minors, which is set to take effect this December. That ban would have platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit on the hook for fines of up to $50 million AUD ($33 million USD) if they fail to comply.

In the U.S., there’s no nationwide restriction, but several states have enacted or proposed legislation limiting social media use among minors. Those laws vary widely — Nebraska, for instance, requires parental approval for anyone under 18 to open an account — and many are now being challenged in court over First Amendment concerns.

If Denmark’s plan proceeds smoothly, it could redefine the balance of power between governments and Big Tech companies like Meta, opening a new front in the global battle over who bears responsibility for verifying users’ ages — platforms, parents, or app stores.

SAVE $130: As of this weekend, Amazon has the Apple Watch Series 10 discounted by 30% which comes in at $279, down from its list price of $400. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120   Get Deal

If you’ve always wanted to spring for an Apple Watch, this might be the weekend to go all in. Or, maybe you own an Apple Watch, but your main qualm is that the screen isn’t big enough— this weekend, Amazon has an excellent deal on the Apple Watch Series 10, whose display is 30% bigger than previous models. It’s possible the Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale this weekend because of the new release of the Apple Watch Series 11. However, if a discount is a higher priority for you than having the new model, the Series 10 comes packing with a lot of excellent features.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is also thinner, lighter, and designed for increased comfort. The Series 10 builds on the features that Apple Watch is known and loved for over the past decade. For example, you can use it to track your HR, take an ECG at any time, and get notifications for abnormal low or high heart rate readings. You can also monitor your sleep, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen. It’s also an excellent tool for reaching your fitness goals by tracking your steps, activity, and calories (if you choose to).

And, of course, the Apple Watch Series 10 fits seamlessly into an existing ecosystem. Send texts, receive calls, pay for things with Apple Pay, and download seemingly endless apps.

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals for free on TF1+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals kicked off last weekend with a number of fascinating matchups and there's a lot more to come. There are a number of really interesting contests taking place this weekend, but France vs. South Africa has got to be the biggest of the bunch.

Can France put that famous from World Cup defeat firmly in the past with a big win in front of their passionate fans at the Stade de France? If you want to watch France vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. South Africa?

France vs. South Africa in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 8. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. South Africa for free

France vs. South Africa in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on TF1+.

TF1+ is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can unblock TF1+ to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. South Africa for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 France

4. Visit TF1+

5. Watch France vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of France's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1+?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1+, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including France

• 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream France vs. South Africa in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $100: As of Nov. 8, Amazon has the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones on sale for 23% off for $329, down from their list price of $429.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Cancelling Headphones $329 at amazon
$429 Save $100   Get Deal

Having a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be such a game-changer. It can be so calming to know that you have a pair of headphones in your bag that can block out all the background noise, should you need it. Whether you’re immersed in the chaotic din of public transit, trying to study next to a particularly annoying chewer at the library, or just a true audiophile, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones might be a great addition to your purse, backpack, or jacket pocket.

This weekend, Amazon has marked down the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones by 23%. They come in 6 different colors at that discounted price, including black, navy blue, deep plum, white, and silver. The headphones feature spatial audio technology, providing an immersive and dimensional listening experience. The noise-cancelling feature on these headphones is truly a market-leading strength. Some reviewers said that it’s so powerful, they have to be careful when it's turned on. For this reason, there are three separate modes: Quiet Mode, Aware Mode, and Immersion Mode. 

This model also features a 24-hour battery life, a microphone for making and receiving calls, and touch controls on the ear cups. An aspect that makes these unique is their aptly named ultra-cushioned ear cups. The headphones come with specifically designed cushions for the most comfortable (while also sleek-looking) wearing experience.

Bose also notes that the band is designed to distribute pressure evenly, hopefully preventing headphone headaches from long-term use. The sale on these Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones is a great deal if you're in the market for some noise-cancelling headphones.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restrict when commercial rockets can launch, citing heavy strain on the nation’s air traffic control system amid the ongoing government shutdown.

In an emergency order issued on Friday, the FAA stated that commercial space launches and reentries will be limited to nighttime hours, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time, starting Monday. The curfew is part of several new measures aimed at easing pressure on the National Airspace System. The same order also directs airlines at 40 major U.S. airports to reduce flights by up to 10 percent to alleviate "stress on the system."

Air traffic controllers have gone unpaid since the shutdown began in early October, and the number of worker absences has climbed. The resulting staff shortages have slowed operations and caused widespread flight delays. 

"My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is simultaneously serving as acting administrator of NASA, in a statement. "It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking."

SEE ALSO: NASA quietly sends two spacecraft to Mars — and they're going a new way

Duffy, who posts on social media multiple times a day, has frequently blamed Democrats for the consequences of the shutdown. He shared a video of himself on Friday, talking to air travelers at airports and asking people whether the reductions were a good decision.

Such limitations on commercial space launches are rare — perhaps unprecedented — and could affect some upcoming missions. The first mission expected to fall under the restriction is a SpaceX Falcon 9 flight carrying Starlink satellites. It is now scheduled for Monday evening or early morning hours of Tuesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

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Blue Origin’s planned New Glenn launch, which will carry twin Mars spacecraft for NASA, is set to blast off this Sunday, before the restrictions take effect; however, any delay could push it into the ensuing days. 

"We have been working closely with the FAA to ensure that New Glenn's upcoming launch of the ESCAPADE Mission to Mars can proceed," the company said in a post on X. "We will continue to work with the FAA to maintain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System."

The FAA can modify or lift restrictions if companies request changes and demonstrate "good cause," according to the order. The agency expects to roll back the curfew, as well as other operational limits, once the government has restored funding and the stress has been relieved.

Grow a Garden. 99 Nights in the Forest. Steal a Brainrot.

If you're a parent, you've likely heard your kids talk about one of these Roblox games at some point. They're playing Roblox. They're friends are playing Roblox. Half of all kids under the age of 16 in the U.S. are playing Roblox.

Unfortunately, with so many kids on Roblox, predators are taking advantage of the online gaming platform. And, as a result, Roblox has been hit with a slew of lawsuits over its alleged failure to keep children safe on the platform.

So, is Roblox safe for your kids? If your kid is already on Roblox, what should you do?

As a father of three young kids, two of whom play Roblox regularly and one who will likely start playing as soon as she learns how to hold a tablet, I've created this guide to help other parents navigate Roblox and ensure their kids' safety while playing the game.

What is Roblox, and should my kids play it?

Roblox is an online game where your character can explore a virtual universe and interact with other Roblox characters. The Roblox world is cartoony, with the characters resembling those of LEGO people.

At this point, Roblox is more like a gaming platform than a standalone game. Roblox users create their own games in the virtual world, which other Roblox gamers can play. Roblox even has its own economy, with some Roblox gaming developers making hundreds of thousands of dollars or more if their game gets popular. There's an in-game virtual currency called Robux, which can be used to access premium features and items.

Due to the nature of Roblox, it received an official ESRB rating of T for Teen. However, that's just because some of the games warrant that level of rating. If your child tells you they're playing Roblox, that really doesn't give you much information. It's the equivalent of them telling you they're playing video games. You need to know specifically what games they are playing on Roblox to get an idea of what is or isn't appropriate.

Obviously, whether your kids play it or not is up to you. But, I have decided it's fine for my kids in the same way I let them watch their favorite kids shows on Netflix. There are many adult movies available, but with the right parental controls and monitoring, you can also find age-appropriate content for your children.

Getting started on Roblox

So, you've decided your child can play on Roblox. Now, this is where you'll discover that Roblox actually has several parental controls in place to keep kids safe on the platform. However, parents need to actually take the time to set these things up.

First things first: Creating your Roblox accounts. 

That's right, I said "accounts" as in more than one. Your child will have an account, and you will too. Create your accounts, and then from your child's account, navigate to Settings> Parental Controls> Add a parent. Input the email for your account, and then accept the link account request in your inbox. You'll need to verify your age and identification to show you are a parent. 

Link a Parent Account Credit: Roblox

Once your account is linked, parents will need to set up a Parental PIN number to access those parental controls and prevent their kids from changing them. After that, you'll then have full access to control your child's account settings and view any pending requests your child receives.

Parental Controls and Content

Roblox offers several options to ensure your child's safety on the platform. However, you have to proactively set these things up.

In your account's Parental Controls settings, under Content Maturity, parents can set content restrictions based on the maturity level of the content itself, with levels ranging from Minimal, which means occasional mild violence, all the way to Restricted, which allows unfettered access to the most violence, scary, and crude content on Roblox. You probably don't want that last one. There are two in-between labels for older kids, Mild and Moderate, and these settings can be changed by a parent at any time.

Content Maturity settings Credit: Roblox

Blocked Experiences allows parents to block specific game titles within Roblox, even if they are technically within the Content Maturity options you set in the previously mentioned menu. As games are added to Roblox, parents may find a specific game that adheres to Roblox's content labels but still contains an attribute that makes the content inappropriate for their child. Parents can use the search bar to find these experiences and block them.

Similarly, there is a Sensitive Issues toggle to block games from your child that may be themed around social, political, or religious issues. Parents can choose to block games labeled as Sensitive Issues here, even if these titles fall within the previously set Content Maturity settings.

Sensitive Issues settings Credit: Roblox Child safety controls

Now come the privacy controls that directly address the child safety issues for which Roblox is under scrutiny.

In the Communications section of the parental controls, parents can set who their kids can communicate with in Roblox experiences. For young children, the option is simple: turn those chats off completely by selecting 'No One'.

Experience Chat settings Credit: Roblox

However, as your kids get a bit older and want to interact with their real-life friends from school, there are additional options you'll want to set. Roblox allows users to "friend" one another through Connections. Additionally, they can create a Party or a group of friends that can join experiences together.

Parents can view and manage all of their child's connections to ensure they are only connected with individuals they know and trust in real life. Furthermore, parents can adjust their child's profile visibility so that only Connections can view when their child is on Roblox and which game they are currently playing.

Visibility settings Credit: Roblox

Furthermore, parents can control the Party settings so that their child can only create a Party with users who are their Connections. Parents can also toggle Party options off entirely for small children who won't be interacting with anyone on Roblox. 

Party settings Credit: Roblox

Private Servers are another setting that will likely be vastly different for you based on your child's age. Private Servers essentially allow users to participate in Roblox experiences with a select group of people. For small children, you'll want to likely turn this off entirely. For older kids, setting Private Servers to Connections will allow them to play with their friends.

Private Servers settings Credit: Roblox

While Roblox can always do more to protect its youngest users, the platform does have pretty robust options for child safety. The problem is that parents need to be aware of them and learn how to use them. Hopefully, this guide helps. 

TL;DR: Live stream Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals for free on RaiPlay. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Internationals have already delivered a bunch of exciting games, and we're expecting more of the same from Italy vs. Australia. The Wallabies will probably be the favorites coming into this contest, but Italy will absolutely fancy their chances at home.

If you want to watch Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. Australia?

Italy vs. Australia in the 2025 Autumn Internationals kicks off at 6:40 p.m. GMT on Nov. 8. This fixture takes place at the Bluenergy Stadium.

How to watch Italy vs. Australia for free

Italy vs. Australia in the 2025 Autumn Internationals is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can unblock RaiPlay to stream the Autumn Internationals for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Italy vs. Australia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like 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 Italy

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Watch Italy vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 access free live streams of the Autumn Internationals without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream all of Italy's Autumn Internationals before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

• 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% 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 $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Italy vs. Australia in the Autumn Internationals for free with ExpressVPN.

In the past, we could only dream of staying online while camping off-grid. Instead, we told a family member or friend where we planned to be and when we planned to be back in the real world with a charged-up cell phone. But thanks to the best power stations for camping, those days are over. We now have the magical convenience of portable power stations. Some models are gigantic beasts that can keep an entire house going during an emergency power outage. Others focus on portability and can fit inside a backpack for a hiking and camping weekend. 

Regardless of the model’s size or features, portable power stations are excellent for keeping your phone charged while camping, keeping the string lights on to set the vibe at night, and powering up the induction cooker come dinner time.

Your ideal portable power station for camping depends on your overall power needs, how long you’ll be in the great outdoors, and whether you’ll be utilizing solar power to recharge. And after months of testing some of the top models, I'm finally ready to pick the best portable power station for camping in 2025.

Contrary to what you might think, you don't need to break the bank to get a great pair of earbuds. We spend a lot of time fawning over the latest tech here at Mashable, and as much as we love nerding out over the newest Sony headphones drop, we know that's not always relatable. New tech is often expensive tech, and a nearly $500 pair of headphones is certainly not always in the budget. That's why we're here to talk about the best budget earbuds.

A pair of cheap earbuds is a compact alternative to over-the-ear headphones, but let's be clear, just because these earbuds are affordable, doesn't mean they skimp on features. Two of the best earbuds we've tested are nearly $300 — Apple AirPods Pro costs $249.95, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds come in at $299 — but we've found models for even less. You don't need to spend $300 on a pair of great earbuds; in fact, you don't even need to spend $100.

Among all the earbuds we've tested, which is an extensive list, these are the best budget earbuds.

What's considered budget?

Budget is a relative term, so for this list, we're looking at earbuds under $200, but mostly under $100. Our top pick is the EarFun Air Pro 4, which have a list price of $79.99, and have the noise cancellation of a much more expensive pair of earbuds. Going the budget route might mean making compromises, but not sacrifices. For under $100, you can still get active noise cancellation and self-charging cases.

We do include a couple of models closer to $200, which we get isn't exactly everyone's idea of budget-friendly. For those models, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, we consider them budget pairs, relatively speaking. Compared to premium options, the Bose QC earbuds offer an awfully similar experience for significantly cheaper. In the case of Apple, AirPods' entire line runs at higher price points than most of the consumer audio market. That's why we recommend the AirPods 4 both with and without ANC for folks who want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, enjoy AirPods' quality sound, but aren't quite ready to make the jump to the Pros.

Currently testing

Another pair of earbuds that are currently in consideration for this list are the CMF Buds 2. We're currently testing these earbuds and will update this guide once complete.

Other models we've tested

The models on this list are pulled from our extensive testing here at Mashable. Our previous top pick on this list was the Apple AirPods 3; however, the AirPods 4 have replaced them, making them more expensive, and they also lack great Android compatibility.

Another pair of headphones we considered for this list were the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds with sound by Bose. We tested these buds, and while they're pretty good for $100, they have a bad case design and just aren't that comfortable compared to other models on this list — plus, the $100 introductory price went up to $129.99.

I ran the New York City Marathon wearing seven fitness trackers to see how they compare, and I left with a few favorites. I received a lot of strange looks, but if shame is the price to pay for finding the best fitness tracker for running a marathon, so be it.

While training for the race, I used 10 different trackers in total — deep breath — the new Apple Watch Ultra 3 (which replaced my Apple Watch Ultra 2, which replaced my Apple Watch SE), the Garmin Forerunner 570, the Whoop MG, the Pixel Watch 4 (as well as the older Pixel Watch 3), the Suunto Run, the Oura Ring 4, and the Fitbit Charge 6.

In the end, I ran the marathon using the seven most updated models of our top contenders. I was most impressed by the Whoop MG, Garmin Forerunner 570, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. The more affordable Suunto Run also has a lot to offer runners.

Fitness trackers tested for this guide BEST SPLURGE Apple Watch Ultra 3 $699.99 at Amazon (Save up to $99 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST RUNNING WATCH Garmin Forerunner 570 $549.99 at Garmin Shop Now BEST FOR HEALTH TRACKING Whoop MG $359 at Amazon Shop Now BEST GARMIN ALTERNATIVE Suunto Run Sports Watch $249.00 at Amazon Shop Now ALSO CONSIDER Pixel Watch 4 $349.99 at Amazon Shop Now SMART RING PICK Oura Ring 4 $348.97 at Amazon Shop Now BUDGET OPTION Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon Get Deal

I also wanted to find the most reliable fitness trackers for marathon training, so during each week of my training, I focused specifically on one tracker or smartwatch. To ensure the best data collection possible, I also wore it during the day and night outside of my workouts to test its battery life and recovery data collection.

While I focused on a different tracker each week, I wore all seven models during all of my workouts during the entire 18-week training season. In total, I ran 508 miles, had 30 weightlifting sessions, rode a bike for 110 miles, and practiced yoga or Pilates about once a week. And I did all of that looking like Bucky Barnes.

Meet my marathon training partners for the past four months... Credit: Joe Maldonado

Reader: It was humiliating, and I did it all for you.

I wanted a wearable that had a comfortable design, easy-to-understand workout metrics, useful recovery metrics, a long battery life, and was worth the price. I wanted it to help me train, recover, and run the marathon. So, here's everything I learned during my 508-mile quest to find the best fitness trackers for running a marathon.

Best health tracker for marathon trainingMy pick: Whoop MG 4.0 I wore the Whoop MG for 18 weeks and 500 miles of training. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The new Whoop MG is an incredibly comfortable, minimalist tracker designed for health and recovery rather than in-the-moment performance, and I really liked it. 

Its soft, lightweight band feels almost invisible, and because there’s no screen, you’re blissfully free from constant notifications or distractions — something I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. 

That said, the lack of display, GPS, and heart rate feedback during workouts makes it essentially useless for live training metrics, such as pace or distance. So, like with many health trackers, you'll likely need to also use a secondary fitness tracker to get real-time data on your run, including pace, heart rate, and elevation.

Still, the post-workout insights are impressive: you can literally see spikes in strain or stress — even pinpointing moments like a fall or tough interval — making it feel personal and validating. 

The recovery metrics are where Whoop truly dominates. Its journal feature is flexible, allowing you to log habits like alcohol use, weed, or even eating beans, all of which are correlated with sleep, stress, and recovery. The sleep tracking is top-tier, breaking down stages, disturbances, and recovery readiness into clear, actionable data that helps you decide when to push or rest. The battery system is genius — a slide-on charger means you never have to take it off, not even in the shower. 

While the subscription model is financially frustrating, Whoop’s depth of recovery data makes it arguably the best tool for understanding your body.

Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop MG fitness tracker $359 at Amazon
  Shop Now Also tested: Oura Ring 4 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Oura Ring is probably the best-looking wearable I tried during training season. It's sleek, comfortable, and surprisingly unobtrusive, and it excels at recovery tracking. Obviously, much like the Whoop MG, this shouldn't be the only wearable you use for marathon training — there's no workout data, because there's no screen, and it has no ability to provide live training feedback like pace or heart rate. It provides almost no useful data during or immediately after workouts, making it more of a wellness tracker than a performance tool.

It never pinched or became uncomfortable — though I wouldn’t recommend wearing any rings at all while lifting weights. When it comes to workout metrics, the Oura Ring simply isn’t built for live training feedback. 

However, where it truly shines is in recovery tracking. It monitors key health indicators such as heart rate, heart rate variability, body temperature, sleep quality, and general activity, delivering consistently insightful data that helps you understand your readiness and recovery trends. 

It’s also surprisingly useful for cycle tracking (if you're into that sort of thing), offering accurate temperature-based insights. The Oura Ring 4 battery life is excellent — it can easily last several days, and I simply charge it while showering without ever running into low power issues. 

Though it’s pricey and requires a subscription, it’s HSA/FSA eligible, which helps. Overall, the Oura Ring is an exceptional sleep and recovery tracker, best paired with a dedicated fitness device for training.

Read Mashable's full review of the Oura Ring 4.

Oura Ring 4 $348.97 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Target Best lifestyle smartwatches for marathon trainingMy pick: Apple Watch Ultra 3 The Ultra 3 easily beat other smartwatches, but it's also pricey. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is one of the most advanced smartwatches yet — powerful, durable, and thoughtfully designed, though not without its quirks. 

Its massive screen and hefty build make it feel substantial on the wrist, but despite its size, it remains surprisingly comfortable, even for sleeping. It’s not the lightest watch out there, but it’s well-balanced enough for all-day wear. 

During workouts, the metrics are simple but reliable, giving you accurate readings of heart rate, pace, and time, with the option to plan structured workouts directly on the watch. You can pause your run by clicking any two buttons at once, and start a new segment by clicking the orange button. I appreciate how easily I can switch between media, segments, and workouts.

Post-run data is basic compared to dedicated running watches, but still plenty for casual runners. The recovery and health tracking features are robust — it tracks sleep, cycle phases, blood oxygen, respiration, and cardio fitness, and you can manually add data on nutrition, medication, or symptoms for a more holistic picture. 

Battery life is the best of any Apple Watch, lasting through a full marathon without dying and recharging quickly. For instance, I wore it all day and all night, during workouts and travel, but just charged it while I showered, and had no problem with the battery life. 

At $799, it’s by far the priciest watch I tested, but its massive screen proved unexpectedly useful during my marathon — I could easily read notes and spot friends on the course, and even reply to texts mid-race without missing a step. For runners who aren't training for a marathon, the new Apple Watch Series 11 also impressed our Apple expert.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 $699.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $99.01   Get Deal at Amazon Also tested: Google Pixel Watch 4 If you're looking for an Android smartwatch for running, Mashable has been very impressed with the Pixel Watch 4. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I really enjoyed using the Pixel Watch 4 for my training, but it had one huge flaw that moved it below the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for marathon training: it died during the marathon. I never had an issue during marathon training, including a long run that was 22 miles long. So, it's still one of the best smartwatches for running in general. But during the race itself — which includes leaving my apartment about five hours before actually starting the race, sitting in a relatively cold start village, and running the race — my Pixel Watch 4's battery died. My Apple Watch SE also died during the 2023 New York City Marathon, so I'm not unfamiliar with the pain, but it's not what you want. 

However, during training, I was pleased with the watch. It's a solid, well-rounded smartwatch that balances comfort, performance, and smart integration. It’s lightweight and easy to wear around the clock — comfortable enough to sleep in, with no irritation or bulk. During runs, it delivers all the essential workout metrics like pace, heart rate, and time, displayed on a bright, easy-to-read screen that holds up even in direct sunlight. 

The buttons feel a bit mushy, but their presence is still appreciated for sweaty workouts when touchscreens fall short. Post-run, the Fitbit app provides deeper insights such as stride length, step cadence, ground contact time, vertical ratio, and oscillation. 

While Fitbit isn’t my favorite tracking platform, its integration here is smooth and responsive, especially with the option to create custom workouts, from interval sessions to threshold runs, and even receive AI-powered daily run recommendations. 

Recovery tracking is solid, too, with accurate sleep scoring that aligns closely with health trackers like the Oura Ring and Whoop. 

The battery life (say it with me: boooooo) is supposed to last around 48 hours for regular use, which isn’t stellar for hardcore fitness users but is fine for a lifestyle watch, and charging is faster and more reliable than previous Pixel Watches.

At $350, it’s a fair value — particularly if you already own a Pixel phone.

Read my full review of the Google Pixel Watch 4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Pixel Pixel Watch 4 $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now Best fitness tracker for running and marathon trainingMy pick: Garmin Forerunner 570 Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

I'm not saying anything revolutionary or shocking when I say Garmin is a runner's watch.

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is one of the most advanced fitness watches on the market, and it's obvious from the second you wear it for a run. The workout metrics are nothing short of incredible. During workouts, it covers all the essentials — pace, heart rate, time — and presents them clearly on a bright, easy-to-read display. I don't love the buttons (they're a bit mushy for my taste), but they’re responsive enough.

Post-run data is where Garmin really shines: run/walk detection, training effect, power output, and running dynamics like vertical oscillation and stride length offer a level of insight few devices can match. It even provides adaptive training plans based on your data. 

On the recovery side, Garmin’s training readiness and body battery features combine sleep, stress, and HRV for actionable insights that rival Oura and Whoop.

Of course, it isn’t without its drawbacks — starting with comfort. I struggled with how it felt on my wrist; during a rainy run in the middle of my training block, the band dug into my skin and rubbed it raw, leaving it sore enough that I couldn’t wear it for the rest of the day. Other people have complained that they've gotten rashes from the Garmin, too. You can get new straps that might solve the issue, but boy was it unpleasant.

The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 11 days, and while the $550 price tag is steep, it’s easy to see why athletes swear by it.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 570 $549.99 at Garmin
  Get Deal More affordable running watch: Suunto Run Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Suunto Run also has so, so, so much data. What makes it slightly lower on the list than the Garmin Forerunner 570 is that it has fewer smartwatch perks than the Garmin does — it doesn't have the third-party app support, music, and contactless payments available on the Garmin and, in general, it feels kind of cheap — especially the charger.

But I did really like the Suunto Run. It delivers an impressively balanced experience for runners who want reliable data, comfort, and battery life without overcomplication. Its Velcro strap is lightweight, breathable, and secure — it doesn’t rub, slip, or shift during workouts, and it’s comfortable enough to sleep in, which makes wearing it around the clock surprisingly easy. 

During runs, the watch focuses on the essentials: pace, heart rate, and cadence, all displayed clearly on a bright, easy-to-read screen. The physical buttons feel responsive and satisfying to press, a big plus when you’re sweaty mid-run. 

After workouts, the Suunto app unlocks a deeper layer of training metrics, including training load, stress score, and normalized graded pace. While not every stat will matter to a casual marathoner, the breadth of data is impressive and well-organized. 

On the recovery side, Suunto nails clarity: it combines heart rate variability, sleep quality, and training balance into a single, easy-to-read recovery score that aligns closely with results from Oura and Whoop, though HRV readings can vary slightly. 

The battery life is excellent, lasting up to 12 days in smartwatch mode or 20 hours in performance mode, so you’ll rarely think about charging. At $249, the Suunto Run is a smart, well-priced choice for dedicated runners who don't want all the fuss of a smart watch but do want all the data of a running watch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Suunto Suunto Run sports watch $249 at Amazon
  Shop Now Also tested: Fitbit Charge 6 Good for counting steps, but not much more. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Fitbit Charge 6 is the least expensive option I wore, and it shows. It's lightweight, but don't let that fool you — it's a relatively uncomfortable tracker in comparison to the other trackers I tested. In fact, after two nights of sleeping with it on, my wrist was bruised. 

During workouts, it struggles to keep pace with more advanced fitness watches. The GPS accuracy is inconsistent, overestimating distance on one run and underestimating on the next, which throws off pace data — a dealbreaker for serious runners. It also doesn't track elevation gain, which is an important part of training for a particularly hilly race like the New York City Marathon. 

Mid-run readability isn’t ideal, and the connection with my phone dropped more than once, but heart rate tracking shines — responsive, accurate, and enhanced by helpful haptic alerts when you shift zones. 

Recovery tracking is surprisingly strong, offering clear sleep scores and resting heart rate data that feel well-calibrated for general wellness, even if not the most detailed. The real standout, though, is battery life, which easily lasted a full week with heavy use — truly impressive for a device at this size and price point. 

At $159, the Charge 6 delivers solid value for everyday athletes who want the very least. If you're looking for the best fitness tracker for running for beginners, this is a budget pick worth considering. For marathon training, it can't keep up. It's effectively a fancy pedometer, and you might be better off buying one of those.

Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   See It at Amazon See It at Amazon See It at Walmart After 500 miles, what would I recommend to a friend?

So, after 18 weeks of training, 500 miles, and so, so many funny looks (that's what happens when you wear seven fitness trackers at the same time), what did I decide?

Here's what I'd recommend to a friend training for a marathon: I'd wear the Whoop MG for health tracking, particularly during training and recovery. I'd wear the Suunto Run during training, unless I had a lot of money to play with, and then I'd get a Garmin Forerunner 570. If I was specifically running the NYC Marathon and was worried about finding people, I'd keep the Apple Watch Ultra 3 on my wrist for the marathon. 

For now, I think I might go without any device for a few weeks. Free me from the data.

First off: What is a Chromebook, exactly? The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is one of the newest Chromebooks. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Chromebooks are laptops that run on Google's ChromeOS instead of Microsoft's Windows 11 or Apple's macOS. They support Android apps from the Google Play Store as well as cloud-based apps (meaning apps you access over the web). Google offerings like Gmail, Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and YouTube come pre-installed on all Chromebook models.

ChromeOS is basically just the Chrome web browser, so Chromebooks work best when they're connected to the internet. However, you can change your Google Drive settings to enable offline use of Docs, Sheets, and Slides files and folders.

Google rolled out an initial batch of Chromebooks in 2010 as part of a school pilot program, and the first consumer-facing models made by Acer and Samsung hit shelves a year later. (We reviewed the latter.) Additional manufacturers entered the fray soon after, including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Google itself. Google now no longer makes its own Chromebooks, called "Pixelbooks," having discontinued the line in 2022.

What is a Chromebook Plus? The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a great mid-range option. Credit: Sarah Chaney / Ian Moore / Mashable composite

In late 2023, Google expanded the Chromebook category to include Chromebook Plus laptops. These models are guaranteed to meet certain upgraded hardware and performance requirements, and they support some exclusive software features. More on those momentarily.

Chromebook vs. laptop: Specs Chromebooks don't look much different from regular laptops. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

When most people think of Chromebooks, they probably picture the bulky, thick-bezeled education models that schools often issue to K-12 graders, which are designed to be rugged above all. But most consumer-ready Chromebooks look like any other budget laptops, save for an identifying logo in the corners of their lids.

Chromebooks range in size from 11 to 16 inches and come in both clamshell and convertible designs. (Convertible/hybrid laptops have touchscreens and 360-degree hinges so they can double as tablets.) Chromebooks' chassis are usually made from plastic in boring shades of silver and gray. Because of their plastic builds, and because they lack heavy-duty hardware, they skew lighter than other cheap laptops.

SEE ALSO: Laptop specs explained: A jargon-free guide to what's inside your computer

Chromebooks and traditional budget laptops are also very similar on the inside. Both are designed for basic everyday tasks, such as browsing, word processing, and streaming, so their specs are equally basic. You'll generally get a small amount of RAM (either 4GB or 8GB), an entry-level processor, integrated graphics, and a teeny chunk of onboard storage — anywhere from 64GB to 256GB. Some low-end Windows laptops have 512GB of local storage, but that's not necessary in a Chromebook, which stashes most of its data in the cloud.

Chromebook Plus models have to meet some spec minimums that guarantee better-than-baseline performance. These include:

• At least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor

• At least 8GB of RAM

• At least 128GB of storage

• A 1080p webcam with temporal noise reduction

• An IPS display with a resolution of at least 1080p (Full HD)

Again, those are just minimums. Google's most recent Chromebook Plus devices blow past them with OLED and 2.8K touchscreens, 256GB of fast SSD storage, 5MP webcams, 12 to 16GB of RAM, and high-end chips with neural processing units (NPUs) for handling AI tasks.

What are the advantages of a Chromebook? Chromebooks are ideal for workloads that revolve around the Google ecosystem. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Cheapness is a Chromebook's most obvious appeal. Prices range from the low $200s for the most primitive configurations and top out around $800 with the latest, most advanced Plus models. As with any kind of laptop, specs and build quality improve the more you spend.

Affordability aside, there are several other reasons to consider buying a Chromebook.

Simplicity and ease of use

If you've ever used Chrome, you've low-key used a Chromebook. Between their simple OS and their pre-installed Google apps, Chromebooks will make people embedded in the Google ecosystem feel right at home.

Setting up a Chromebook is as easy as picking a WiFi network and signing into a Google account. Android smartphone users can get started even faster by scanning a QR code that kicks off a data transfer.

Chromebook users also have the option of syncing their Google account activity to the device for an even more seamless setup experience. Chrome tabs, bookmarks, passwords, themes, and browsing from previous sessions will populate automatically, so you can pick up right where you left off on another computer or phone.

Built-in security

Chromebooks have several layers of built-in protection against malware, viruses, and other security attacks, including automatic software updates every four weeks. All models released since 2021 get 10 years of these updates.

Great battery life

Recent-gen Chromebooks tested by me and other Mashable writers are slower than most cheap Windows laptops and MacBooks. However, they're very strong competitors on battery life.

Google rates Chromebooks at up to 10 hours of use per charge, but the median battery life for our testing pool is 12 hours and 47 minutes. One new Chromebook Plus we tried lasted just over 18 hours, putting it on par with M4 MacBooks and Qualcomm-powered Windows laptops. Now that's impressive.

Gaming is workable The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a gaming-ready Chromebook. (That's a thing!) Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Chromebooks can run the Android versions of games like Roblox, Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Among Us locally, but they lack the necessary hardware to support more graphically intensive PC games (i.e., dedicated GPUs). Fortunately, cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming offer an easy workaround: They let you stream games from powerful remote servers right onto your Chromebook's screen.

SEE ALSO: I played AAA games on a 'gaming Chromebook' with GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass — which one is better?

All Chromebooks support cloud gaming, but some of them are better at it than others. One such model is the $649 Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (short for "Gaming Edition"), which features a large 120Hz display, an RGB keyboard, and a mid-range Intel processor.

Chromebook Plus is AI- and creator-ready

Chromebook Plus models have exclusive AI features that you won't find on standard Chromebooks. These include a built-in Gemini chatbot, custom-generated wallpapers, Live Translate, Help me read, and webcam enhancements. Two of the newest, priciest Plus models throw in an additional tab-sorting tool and an on-device image editor within the Gallery app. (They're the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514.)

Chromebook Plus owners also get complimentary trials of Adobe Express Premium, a photo editing app called Luminar, and Google's AI Pro service, which unlocks tools like Veo 3 Fast and Gemini 2.5 Pro. These perks are meant to highlight the machines' ability to handle light multimedia editing and AI tasks.

What can a normal laptop do that a Chromebook can't? The Asus Zenbook A14 is my No. 1 budget Windows laptop. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The biggest difference between Chromebooks and regular budget laptops really boils down to the kind of software they can run.

Robust desktop apps

Some popular productivity and creative apps are only available for Windows 11 and macOS. Two popular examples are the Microsoft 365 apps and the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Free, pared-down web versions of them work on Chromebooks, but the full-featured desktop versions do not.

Most top public universities actively discourage their students from using Chromebooks as their primary computers for similar reasons: They don't support the programs needed to complete some college coursework. (Conversely, Chromebooks make great laptops for younger students because they're not very robust.)

The Android version of the Slack app is optimized for mobile view. You can't resize these windows on Chromebooks. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I'll also add that Android apps can look funky on Chromebooks if they're only designed for mobile view. You won't be able to make their windows any bigger than the size of a phone or tablet screen. They still run, but you won't get the full, laptop-y desktop experience.

Full-fledged PC gaming

As mentioned earlier, Chromebooks don't have the brawn to download and run AAA PC games locally (and starting in January 2026, they won't support Steam). You're also limited to the games in cloud streaming services' libraries, so titles like Elden Ring, The Last of Us, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are all off limits.

Furthermore, the quality of a cloud gaming session is heavily dependent on the strength of your internet connection. You might run into issues with input lag.

Final thoughts: Which is better, a Chromebook or a regular laptop? The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is my favorite Chromebook for most people. Credit: Lenovo

I think a lot of people might be surprised to find out that the best cheap laptop for them is actually a Chromebook.

In 2025, Chromebook hardware is better than ever. Sure, most traditional laptops still outpace them, and options with dedicated graphics are nonexistent. But a lot of modern Chromebooks translate to really good deals on nicer specs in the budget market.

Take the newer Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which starts at $649.99 with a 2K OLED display. The cheapest OLED Windows laptops are at least $50 to $100 pricier unless you find them on sale. The $699 Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514, another 2025 release, has a 120Hz touchscreen, 12GB of RAM, and a 5MP webcam. It's only $50 more expensive than the cheapest MacBook you can buy these days, the 13-inch M1 MacBook Air, which has a crappier 60Hz display, 8GB of RAM, and a 720p webcam.

This continues at lower price points. You won't find a 2-in-1 Windows laptop that's cheaper than the $399.99 Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11, for example.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2025: Compare the M4 MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, and more

I encourage any Chromebook skeptics to think hard about what kinds of apps they actually, truly use on a regular basis. Is the versatility of a traditional laptop a necessity or a glut? Are you sure the web versions of Microsoft 365 and Adobe Photoshop don't already have what you need? Would a Chromebook limit your workload, or would it actually streamline it?

Our reviewer said the original 2011 Chromebook was great at "anything most people would want to do with a small laptop," and I still think that's true. If you're someone with a chill email job who's just bopping between Chrome, Gmail, and YouTube all day, a Chromebook is totally up to the task.

Between the two Chromebook tiers, I like standard Chromebooks for kids and for adults who want a secondary device they'll use occasionally when traveling or working remotely. (These start at $229.) If you want a peppier, premium-feeling Chromebook that's relatively future-proofed and suitable for use as a daily driver, upgrade to a Chromebook Plus model. They start at only $369.

Full-time creatives, hardcore PC gamers, and college students should think of Chromebooks as fallback plans. They tick many of your boxes, but they make some crucial compromises that lessen their long-term viability for your particular use cases. You'll miss the software flexibility of a cheap Windows laptop or MacBook. You'd also benefit from the additional onboard storage they offer.

As of late 2025, I think the best Chromebook for most people is the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, an attractive mid-range convertible that retails for $599.99. If you can splurge a bit, I'm obsessed with the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 ($699 to $799.99). If you're on a stricter budget, I recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 ($449.99). Check out my complete guide to the best Chromebooks for more buying guidance.

Shop the best Chromebooks we've tested: Best Chromebook for most people Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (Intel Core i5-1334U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $349.00 at Best Buy Shop Now Best splurge Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 (MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910, 12GB RAM, 256GB UFS) $799.99 at Acer Shop Now Best budget Chromebook Acer Chromebook Spin 312 (Intel Core i3-N305, 8GB RAM, 128GB eMMC) $379.99 at Acer Shop Now