Mashable
Zelda Switch 2 restock: Live restock updates at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy (Nov. 10)
If your current morning ritual involves violently hitting refresh on a dozen retail tabs, you already know the vibe: finding the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is turning into an Olympic sport.
Between automated bot armies scooping digital drops, surprise order cancellations at Walmart, and inventory vanishing in seconds on Amazon, this custom black-and-gold console feels like a myth. But while digital storefronts look completely barren, stock is actively circulating behind the scenes.
Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock right nowBefore getting into the restock details, bookmark these retailer pages to check for surprise drops:
Nintendo Store — Out of stock right now, but you can add it to your wishlist to get pinged the second a restock hits.
Amazon — Dropping tiny batches of consoles randomly throughout the day.
Walmart — Stock exists but only for third-party listings selling at way over market price, so make sure your in-stock email alerts are turned on.
Target — Sold out online, but periodic drops have taken place in-store.
Best Buy — Sold out online, but select stores ran midnight openings on Nov. 5 with walk-in stock.
GameStop — Online orders are off; you will have to walk into a store to find one.
The feeding frenzy is being supercharged by Nintendo’s staggered release calendar. While the custom Zelda 40th Anniversary hardware dropped first on Oct. 29, the flagship game driving demand — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 — arrived on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The remake rebuilds the 1998 classic from the ground up with modernized controls, a fully orchestrated soundtrack, reworked dungeon puzzles, and expanded Hyrule environments. Since the $520 console doesn’t include the game, everyone is rushing to lock down a system before launch day.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 $59.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon What comes with the Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2?
The package includes the special-edition Switch 2 system sporting a custom black-and-gold finish, themed Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a matching dock decorated with the gold Triforce emblem. It retains the platform's signature flexibility, letting you switch between TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes whenever you want.
Inside the themed chassis, you get 256GB of built-in storage (expandable with microSD Express cards), a vivid display in handheld mode, faster load times, and support for up to 4K resolution on compatible TVs when the console sits in the dock.
The magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers add mouse-style tracking in supported games, while the new GameChat hub lets you voice chat and share your screen directly as you play. It also plays your older Switch games and supports standard multiplayer options.
How can you improve your chances of finding stock?Landing limited-edition Nintendo hardware takes a little prep work, but these battle-tested habits will give you a real edge over the bots:
Save your checkout details everywhere — Log in to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and the Nintendo Store to save your shipping address and default card. Stopping to type a card number or billing zip code during a live drop is how you lose an order.
Hands off the refresh button in Best Buy's queue — When an online drop goes live, Best Buy puts shoppers into a randomized waiting line to filter out scrapers. Touching the reload button resets your spot and boots you straight to the back.
Watch for Walmart+ early-access paywalls — Walmart frequently locks headline console drops behind paid Walmart+ subscriptions for the first 30 to 60 minutes. If you have a membership, keep that tab signed in; if not, wait for the general public window to unlock.
Dodge third-party sellers — Double-check the seller before buying. Marketplace scalpers frequently list units for jacked-up prices; make sure it says "Sold and shipped by [Retailer]" at the standard price.
Skip the web wars and head to physical stores — Online checkout bots grab website stock in under 15 seconds. Showing up in person is easily your most reliable path to securing one without paying scalper markups.
Most likely, yes.
Stores like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy often hold onto popular gaming hardware to use as headline deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week.
With that said, Black Friday restocks are usually the hardest ones to catch. You will be fighting website crashes, gift shoppers, and automated bots all at once. If you can grab a console during the Nov. 5 launch drops at Target or Best Buy, take it. Think of Black Friday as a backup plan, not your main bet.
Console hunting sucks right now, period. But between the surprise micro-drops and Thursday's physical store restocks, you still have real shots at retail price — just be ready to move the second that button turns yellow.
Black Friday 2026 at Walmart: See the ad and check out early deals
Walmart's Black Friday sale is arriving in three waves this year, with the first big deals drop kicking off this week on Nov. 12 and running until Nov. 15. If you're eager to see what the retailer will have in store during this time, you don't even have to wait for the sale to start: a couple of the retailer's ad scans are already live, offering shoppers a little sneak peek at what's to come during its early Black Friday sale.
Credit: WalmartThis three-day-long event is just the start, though. The retailer also has a main Black Friday sale planned for Nov. 23-29, plus a Cyber Monday sale running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Walmart+ members can even get early access to the sale (plus exclusive online-only deals during the first 24 hours). If that's piqued your interest, check out our guide to signing up for Walmart+ to learn more.
There are quite a few early deals up that are worth a look before the sales kick off. As of the time of this writing, we've spotted discounts on AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, a 65-inch LG C6 TV, and even the Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball, which has hit an all-time low price. These are just a few highlights.
Check out more of our favorite finds below, or for a deeper dive into what's available, our rundown of early Black Friday deals at Walmart can help you out.
Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Walmart$249 Save $50 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
AirPods Pro 3 are our favorite pair of buds for Apple users, so it's always exciting when we spot a discount. Ahead of Black Friday sales, they're currently marked down to $199 at Walmart, saving you $50 off the regular price.
There's a good chance they'll drop a bit lower during the main sale (the lowest price they've dipped to is $169, according to price tracker camelmart), but this is still a pretty good deal if you're itching to pick them up now. They're certainly worth the investment, with Active Noise Cancellation, high-quality audio, built-in heart rate sensing, and up to eight hours of battery life with ANC.
More Apple dealsApple AirTag 4 Pack (2nd Generation) — $79.99 $99 (save $19.01)
Apple AirPods 4 — $89 $129.99 (save $40.99)
$899.99 Save $400 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
It's not even Black Friday yet, and this Roborock Qrevo S5V is already down to its lowest price at Walmart. It's currently on sale for $499.99, which is $400 off its list price of $899.99. That's a huge discount, and this combo cleaner is certainly worth the pick-up if you need a little extra assistance with your floors.
It features 12,000Pa suction for lifting dirt, debris, hair, and more, plus dual spinning mops that can hit 200 RPM to scrub out stains. Its Obstacle Avoidance System is very helpful, steering clear of any objects that might be in its way as it cleans around, and PreciSense LiDAR Navigation helps it map out your home for an efficient clean.
More home dealsBissell Little Green Portable Deep Cleaner — $74.62 $101.97 (save $27.35)
Roborock Q10 X5+ Robot Vacuum and Mop — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
Black Friday is a great time to upgrade your TV, and this 65-inch LG C6 TV offers an impressive 4K OLED display, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and a 165Hz Refresh Rate for gamers. Walmart has slashed $1,300 off ahead of its early Black Friday sale, bringing its price down from $2,699.99 to $1,399.99. That's a massive drop, and not too far off from its lowest-ever point of $1,339.99.
More TV dealsSamsung 65-inch Class M70HB Series Mini LED 4K UHD Smart TV — $378 $478 (save $100)
TCL 75-inch Class QM6K Series QD-Mini LED QLED 4K UHD HDR Smart TV — $798 $999.99 (save $201.99)
$199.99 Save $40.04 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
The 2,050-piece Lego Pikachu and Poké Ball set is an absolute delight for Pokémon fans, and it's recently received a surprise price drop ahead of Black Friday. Walmart currently has it on sale for $159.95. That's $40.04 off its original price, marking the lowest price we've seen since its launch. If it's been on your radar, this is a great time to act.
More Lego dealsLego Pokémon Eevee — $47.96 $59.99 (save $12.03)
Lego KPop Demon Hunters Derpy Tiger and Sussie Bird — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)
Lego Harry Potter Diagon Alley Wizarding Shops — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)
$549 Save $60 Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it
The Ninja Luxe Café Premier is an espresso/coffee maker we have a lot of love for, with Mashable's Samantha Mangino writing that it "strikes the perfect balance of user-friendly design with high-end settings." If you've had your eyes on it, Walmart's knocked it down to a new low price ahead of Black Friday. This has brought its price down from $549 to $489, making now an excellent time to add it to your shopping cart.
More kitchen dealsNespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee and Espresso Maker — $84.97 $119 (save $34.03)
Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker — $149 $169 (save $20)
Apples new iOS 27.2.1 fixes critical bugs, and you should install it now
Apple's new iOS 27.2.1, released on Monday, doesn't bring any new features, but that doesn't mean you should sleep on it.
In fact, you should install it right away, as it includes patches for numerous bugs, including some critical software vulnerabilities.
SEE ALSO: Apple might turn Siri AI into an agent next yearApple's official release notes for this release (alongside iPadOS, which was also updated to version 27.2.1) highlight nine separate bugs, including one in which an app could be used to access sensitive user data, one in which an attacker could pair with a user's device without user interaction, and one in which a remote attacker could be able to join an iMessage group chat and receive its messages.
One particularly nasty bug was highlighted on Tuesday by cryptocurrency exchange Binance, which infamously had a massive security breach in late October.
"A vulnerability (worse_query) affecting iOS 26.7.1, 27.0.1, and 27.2 allows malicious apps to read local files from other apps, putting seed phrases, private keys, and login credentials at risk across the entire ecosystem. This is an iOS-level issue, not unique to Binance," wrote Binance in a tweet, urging users to delete apps installed from untrusted sources, and to update iOS and all apps to the latest official versions.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Apple's iOS 27.2.1 is available to iOS users through Settings -> General -> Software Update. Users who haven't switched to iOS 27 should install the latest version of their OS; namely, iOS 26.7.3 or iOS 18.7.12.
The best early Pokémon Black Friday deals: Price cuts on 30th Celebration, Delta Reign, and more live now
Black Friday is weeks away, but Pokémon fans already have a vast selection of trading card deals to consider. Whether it’s the heavily in-demand 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box or the new Delta Reign expansion you're shopping for, there's something for everyone right now.
Black Friday falls on Nov. 27, but a massive number of price cuts are expected to arrive between now and the main event. The best early deals on Pokémon TCG stock could sell out quickly, so we'll keep this page updated regularly as we move towards the end of the month.
These are the best early Pokémon Black Friday offers we've found on Amazon, including an invitation-only ETB and a 36-pack display box for under $190.
Best 30th Celebration deal: Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $59.99 at Amazon$83.44 Save $23.45 Get Deal at Amazon
Amazon's $59.99 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box offer remains the go-to deal that’s hard to beat in the Pokémon TCG, especially against its typical $83.44 price. That's $23.45 off nine anniversary booster packs, a full-art Nidorina promo, 16 foil Energy cards, sleeves, and other playing accessories. It’s not only the best price seen on Amazon (confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel), but it's also $54.61 below its estimated $114.60 market price on TCGplayer.
The expansion also features 30 different Pikachu rare cards, with one included in every booster pack. As we’ve mentioned previously, the catch is that getting an ETB at this price isn’t 100% guaranteed, because you need to hit "Request invite" on Amazon and wait for approval when invitations to purchase are sent out as the retailer gets new stock. Quantities are limited, so selection isn't guaranteed, but requesting access costs nothing.
Best Delta Reign deal: Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $99.64 at Amazon$134.45 Save $34.81 Get Deal at Amazon
Shortly after Walmart’s Delta Reign ETBs slipped under $100 last week, sellers have brought the Elite Trainer Box to its lowest-ever price on Amazon (confirmed with camelcamelcamel).
This ETB comes with nine Delta Reign boosters, a full-art Kyogre promo, 65 sleeves, six damage-counter dice, a coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box plus dividers to keep everything organized, and a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.
Best multi-pack deal: Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Tech Sticker Collection $39.95 at Amazon$49.99 Save $10.04 Get Deal at Amazon
If you don’t feel like paying three figures for a display box or waiting for an ETB invite, you can still buy into Pokémon’s 30th Celebration expansion with the Tech Sticker Collection — now under $40 via third-party seller TCG & MORE.
In this particular collection, you get three boosters, a Lucario or Alolan Exeggutor foil promo, and a matching sticker sheet. Plus, camelcamelcamel has shown this is another all-time low from third-party sellers. At a new low price of $39.95, you’ll be paying $13.32 per pack before factoring in the extras.
Best display box deal: Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Display Box Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Display Box $187.28 at Amazon$198.99 Save $11.71 Get Deal at Amazon
To get the best per-pack price on Pokémon cards, no matter the expansion, Perfect Order’s Display Box is the best option — starting at $187.28 vs. a typical price of $198.99.
That's the lowest price this box has been since September (according to camelcamelcamel). With 36 packs inside, that's $5.20 per pack before delivery — giving you plenty of chances to pull its go-to chase cards, like Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, and Mega Starmie ex.
Best Pokémon game deal: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch) $58.99 at Amazon$66.99 Save $8.00 Get Deal at Amazon
After shooting up in price in October (according to camelcamelcamel), Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch is back down to $58 through third-party seller Hollow Ridge Supply — saving you $8.99 compared to Amazon's $66.99 featured listing.
If you’ve never had the chance to play since it came out last year, this is an ideal chance to jump into Lumiose City and revel in the game’s introduction of real-time battles and the comeback of Mega Evolution. What’s more, if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch 2 and want to enjoy higher resolution and framerates, you can also buy the digital upgrade pack for $9.99 from Nintendo.
More early Black Friday Pokémon dealsPokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle — $43.99 $69.99 (save $26)
Lego Pokémon Eevee — $47.85 $59.99 (save $12.14)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle — $51.08 $59.95 (save $8.87)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus — $54 $59.99 (save $5.99)
Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box — $155 $179.99 (save $24.99)
Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball — $159.95 $199.99 (save $40.04)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box — $205.95 $219.95 (save $14)
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box — $237.50 $254.
Pikmin 4 cemented the Switch 2 as the best console for clearing out my backlog
Both as a matter of personal interest and professional obligation, I try to play as many first-party Nintendo releases as I can. But sometimes even the best ones fall through the cracks.
That's what happened to me when Pikmin 4 launched in 2023. I'd never really been able to vibe with the franchise's fascinating blend of plant-based task management and time-limit stress, so even though the fourth entry garnered rave reviews, I never made proper time for it.
I feel like a big old idiot now because, after playing a few hours of the new Switch 2 upgrade, I can see that Pikmin 4 is kind of incredible, even with a fairly modest set of upgrades for Nintendo's new console. My biggest takeaway from this experience, though, is that there really isn't a better current-gen console for catching up on old games and clearing out your backlog than the Switch 2.
SEE ALSO: Review: 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' remake is gorgeous, but plays it a little too safe Pikmin 4 on Switch 2 is beautiful and lovelyThere are two things I want to note right off the bat. First, the official title for this release is Pikmin 4 – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Dandori Academy, which is a comically tedious thing to type out more than once, so I won't be doing that. Second, this is just a $10 upgrade for those who already own Pikmin 4 on Switch 1, and the changes this new version brings are not exactly paradigm-shifting.
As with every "Switch 2 Edition" release of an older game, Pikmin 4 has received a boost in resolution. This was already a gorgeous game on Switch 1, with varied and colorful environments, expressive lighting, and a generally warm and welcoming atmosphere, but the Switch 2 version is sharper and pops even more on a nice TV. Unfortunately, the frame rate, which was capped at 30 frames per second on Switch 1, has not been upgraded at all for Switch 2. That's a bummer, but not a deal-breaker.
Players can also use the Switch 2's microphone to bark voice commands at Oatchi, their loyal space dog friend, and this is a feature. I turned that off almost immediately because it's impossible to hold a conversation with someone while playing the game that way. The beefiest addition is Dandori Academy, a mode with a series of new challenge levels. I haven't had time to really dive in yet, but Pikmin 4 veterans looking for something new to do will probably welcome it.
You'll learn to love these little guys, like I did. Credit: NintendoThe thing is, aside from the visual boost, I'm not really concerned with what's new in the Switch 2 version of Pikmin 4 because the whole game is new to me. And what a delight it is! Pikmin is all about plucking dozens of cute little plant dudes from the dirt, color-coded according to their unique abilities, and ordering them to do things for you. They can clear obstacles, open up shortcuts, defeat enemies, and most important, carry treasures you find back to your spaceship so you can unlock upgrades and become even more efficient at managing this whole operation.
Strategy games are typically not my cup of tea, but Pikmin scratches a substantial itch for me in that it lets me plant the seeds (literally, in this case) for efficient, automatic processes to play out, and then lets me sit back and observe. It's eminently satisfying to order 10 Pikmin to go open up a shortcut while 10 others defeat an enemy and use the shortcut to carry its corpse back to your ship for harvesting.
And while the decision to give Pikmin 4 no overall time limit might be a detriment to series die-hards, it's a huge boon to me, a guy who stresses out easily. Even after just a few hours, I can see that this is one of the coolest games Nintendo has made in the past five or six years, and the Switch 2 version helped me arrive at that conclusion.
The Switch 2 makes it easier to stop chasing new releases 'Stranger's Wrath' is a weird game from 20 years ago about loading bugs into a crossbow, and it rules on Switch 2. Credit: Oddworld Inhabitants/SteamGaming is an expensive and time-consuming hobby, and it can be nearly impossible for anyone who doesn't review games for a living to play most new releases and participate in the zeitgeist around them. What I've come to realize since the Switch 2 came out, though, is that playing older games all the time instead of feverishly speeding through every new release actually kicks ass, and for my money, this is the best current console platform to do that on.
Nothing will ever beat a PC in this regard, but if you don't have one of those, the Switch 2 is your best bet right now. The PS5's ability to play games from before the PS4 generation is limited at best, and while the Xbox Series consoles can play some games from every Xbox generation, Microsoft has more or less stopped adding new old games to the console backwards compatibility list.
Meanwhile, the Switch 2 can play most Switch 1 games, including countless re-releases, remakes, and remasters of games from across all of gaming history. You can play (versions of) almost every mainline Final Fantasy game on Switch 2. You can play many Resident Evil games on Switch 2, and in fact, that's how I finally learned to love Resident Evil 4 earlier this year. Thanks to Capcom's preservation efforts, I can also play basically every Mega Man game on this machine.
I keep meaning to check out 'Tail of the Sun.' Credit: Artdink/NintendoThat's before you even get into more obscure stuff that's been preserved on Switch, like the Arcade Archives collection, or quality modern ports of weirdo games like Tail of the Sun and Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. There's just so much to dig into.
A lot of the above is also true of PS5 and Xbox, but those machines lack decades of first-party Nintendo games that exist either as native Switch 1/2 releases, or as part of the Nintendo Classics collection. With Nintendo Switch Online, I can turn on my Switch 2 right now and play dozens of NES, SNES, and Game Boy games. The Expansion Pack adds N64, Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and GameCube games to the mix, and I've greatly enjoyed digging through those libraries since the Switch 2 came out.
All of that, combined with Nintendo's "Switch 2 Edition" releases, which give some Switch 1 games a sorely needed upgrade, has given me my old games mojo back after it went missing for a few years. I realize it sounds strange to recommend a $500 machine on the basis that it's great at playing old games, but, well, here we are.
Matthew McConaugheys Pantalones Tequila made an iPhone case that holds a mini shooter — where to buy
TL;DR: Matthew McConaughey's Pantalones Organic Tequila launched the Phone Phlask, a vegan-leather iPhone case designed to strap a 50ml mini-shooter directly to the back of your phone. Shop for $36.99 starting Nov. 10.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pantalones Phone Phlask $36.99 at PantalonesShop Now at Pantalones
Phone cases have spent the past few seasons evolving into wearable utility belts, morphing to hold everything from lip gloss and perfume to card sleeves and kickstands. Matthew McConaughey's spirits label, Pantalones Organic Tequila, is taking that trend into considerably more spirited territory for the holidays.
The Pantalones Phone Flask is an iPhone case engineered to holster a mini tequila shooter on the back of your device. Crafted from vegan leather, the case features pants-inspired stitching and detailing designed to keep your drink locked down on the go.
The case drops alongside the nationwide rollout of Pantalones 50ml minis, which are hitting store shelves for the first time. They look just like shrunken versions of the brand’s regular bottles and come in both organic blanco and reposado.
Credit: PantalonesAs for the case itself, it is made from vegan leather and fits both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro. The back features a functional buckle strap with cheeky "Buckle Up" stitching that holds the bottle in place, but you can also slip your hand through it to use it as a regular phone grip.
Pantalones is selling the whole thing as a holiday bundle. Along with the phone case, you get two 50ml bottles, one Blanco and one Reposado, so you have everything you need right out of the box.
It is ridiculous, completely unnecessary, and guaranteed to be the most popular item in the room. Grab the Pantalones bundle for $36.99.
Clickeez are selling out everywhere: Where you can buy the viral Series 3 and Hello Kitty packs
Every holiday shopping season brings one runaway toy craze that vanishes from retail shelves overnight, and this year that title belongs entirely to Clickeez. What started as an online obsession with the clicky sound and feel of mechanical keyboards has quickly turned into a massive playground trend. Demand has heavily outpaced supply since launch, turning the hunt for stock into a wild goose chase.
The appeal is simple: satisfying, screen-free fidgeting. Each piece is an individual keycap that clicks and clacks like a real computer keyboard. Kids clip them onto keychains, hang them off backpacks, or trade different characters with friends.
The Sanrio crossover serves as an easy stocking stuffer and an approachable introduction to the craze. The Series 1 Hello Kitty & Friends 3-Pack bundles three character keys featuring favorites like Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and Hello Kitty herself, alongside a bonus charm, a connector keychain, and a collector guide. There are over 30 Sanrio characters across the series to track down, plus an ultra-rare Golden Hello Kitty keycap with 1-in-10,000 blind-box pull odds.
Credit: ClickeezDie-hard Sanrio fans who want a broader character roster right away will get much more out of the Series 1 Hello Kitty & Friends 7-pack. Packing seven character keys, a bonus charm, and a connector ring, it is the most practical way to assemble a kawaii collection without gambling on individual blind boxes.
Anyone after the updated rounded keycaps can pick up the Series 3 Bubble Pops lineup, which swaps out the classic sharp clack for a softer popping sound across 70 characters from the Pink Life, Baked Goodies, Magical Glow, and Forest Pals themes. If you just want a starter set, the 5-pack gives you five keys, a bag clip, and a shot at the rare Bubbly Cow chase key.
For kids who want to assemble multiple keychains right away, jumping to the 12-pack is the smarter move — it packs a dozen characters and includes two separate keychains so they can build multiple clips or swap a loaded chain right away.
Tweens who prefer a dedicated backpack accessory over loose keys can check out the Clickeez Series 3 Deluxe Keychain Bubble Pops kit. The set swaps out standard loose chains for a multi-sided fidget cube holder, a lanyard, two clip tags, three logo caps, and four Bubble Pops keys that click, pop, and fidget on the go.
The biggest build in the lineup is the Clickeez Keyboard Mega Pack. Instead of just clipping onto a bag, the set comes with a full set of clicky keys and frames you can snap together into a mini keyboard for a desk or shelf.
Credit: ClickeezIf you want to browse other packs or see what else is in stock, head over to Amazon's Clickeez storefront before the viral clicky keycaps sell out.
Ring is launching an indoor home security drone, new Rover Cam robot
Amazon's Ring Robotics announced two new security devices on Tuesday: the Ring Drone Cam for residential use and the Ring Rover Cam for commercial use. Amazon also announced the release of a new tool called AI Pilot, a cloud-based tool that will power the navigation for both devices.
Ring Robotics is a division of Amazon's home security brand Ring, which makes a popular line of security cameras, video doorbells, and related products. The Ring Drone Cam is essentially a flying indoor security camera, and it's priced at $249.99 and set to be released on Jan. 27. The Ring Rover Cam is priced at $999.99, will be released on Dec. 16, and is available to pre-order now.
The Ring Rover Cam is geared toward enterprise customers, not residential use. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupThis isn't the first time Ring has announced a flying indoor security camera, yet this is set to be the first Ring drone that will actually ship to customers. Ring previously announced home security drones in 2021 and 2025, but at a press briefing, Ring founder and chief inventor Jamie Siminoff stated that the new Ring Drone camera is fully ready to ship to customers this time. He also said the assembled-in-the-USA product is fully compliant with the Trump administration's recent ban on drones and robots made overseas.
Siminoff said that the new drone solves the problems the company faced with its earlier attempts to create drones.
The Ring Drone Cam packaging and charging dock. Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group"As we tried to fix the edge cases that we were running into to make this work inside of a home, that would add a sensor or more processing," Siminoff explained.
"More processing and sensors had more need for power. More power, more battery. More battery, more weight. More weight, you have to spin the rotors faster. The faster you spin the rotors, the more dangerous it is. The more dangerous it is, the more you have to shroud it. The more you shroud it, the less aerodynamics, and you get into this vicious cycle, where you basically keep fixing things, which then breaks things and makes them worse."
Siminoff said the company decided at the last minute not to ship the drone announced in 2025 and ultimately redesigned the product.
Mashable attended a short demo of both products ahead of their launch, and spoke with Siminoff about the new products, how they work, and Ring customer privacy concerns.
The Ring Drone Cam The Ring Drone Camera features built-in LED spotlights for deterrence and low-light conditions. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupPrice: $249.99
Release date: Jan. 27, 2027
Availability: Sign up at Amazon for email updates
The Ring Drone Cam is a new flying indoor security camera that navigates via a new custom-built system called AI Pilot. The vision-based system relies on an internet connection to operate, though the drone can land safely if the internet cuts out mid-flight.
When a Ring Drone Cam is installed in a customer's home and connected to other Ring cameras, sensors, or alarms, it will automatically fly to investigate the potential disturbance. Siminoff explained that it can help provide an on-the-ground view of sensitive areas like bedrooms or bathrooms in case of emergency, without customers needing to install a permanent security camera.
The Ring Drone Cam ready for unboxing. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupThe Ring Drone Cam has features such as:
Programmable custom flight routes and patrol schedules
Automatic response to Ring camera, sensor, and alarm alerts
2K video with a 148-degree field of view and the ability to rotate 360 degrees
Five to eight-minute flight time
Automatic take-off and landing
Two built-in LED spotlights for low-light conditions
The Ring Drone Cam is unusually loud, particularly since it's flown in indoor environments. However, Siminoff stated that Ring considers this a feature, not a bug, as the LED spotlights and loud noise can act as a deterrent for home intruders. The drone is meant to be used while customers are away from home, though it may surprise any pets in the household.
The drone operates with the new Alexa Home Map, an interactive 3D map showing all internet-connected devices in a user's home. The new Alexa Home Map was announced at a recent October Amazon event, where the company introduced new Echo smart home products.
Ring Rover Cam The Ring Rover Cam has a periscope camera. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupPrice: $999.99
Release date: Dec. 16, 2026
Availability: Pre-order now at Amazon
For those who've followed Amazon's previous product announcements, the new Ring Rover Cam may look familiar. It shares a base with the Amazon Astro, a roving residential security robot released in 2021. Privacy experts sounded the alarm on the Astro robot at the time.
However, for the Ring Rover Cam, Siminoff said the company was specifically targeting enterprise customers with small- and medium-sized businesses.
The Rover Cam can patrol warehouses, offices, and other commercial environments after hours, through routine patrols, remote navigation, or emergency response. The Rover Cam features a periscope camera and records and streams 4K footage.
The Ring Rover Cam shoots 4K video. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupUnlike the Astro, the Rover Cam is a first-party Ring device that can integrate with other Ring cameras and security products.
In a press release shared with Mashable, Ring said the new roving robot is "like having a guard on patrol who never clocks out. Ring Rover can do a sweep of the floor after close and investigate when sensor trips at 2 a.m. — streaming it all to your phone, wherever you are. For a business with a lot of ground to cover, Ring Rover delivers security that moves."
What potential customers should know about privacy Ring founder and chief inventor Jamie Siminoff. Credit: René Ramos / CNET GroupRing has a complicated history with privacy, to say the least.
Mashable has reported on Ring's repeated privacy controversies in recent years, which included a settlement with the FTC; the agency accused Ring of allowing employees and contractors to view customer security footage without their consent. Progressive critics have also taken issue with the company's work with law enforcement, although that's not unusual for a security company.
Last year, the company announced new AI security features such as Familiar Faces, which would automatically recognize trusted visitors to a user's home. However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said at the time that the feature could potentially violate some states' privacy laws, which require an active opt-in for facial scanning. The company later faced a class-action lawsuit over the controversial feature.
At a media event demoing the new devices, Mashable asked Ring's founder about customer privacy concerns.
Credit: René Ramos / CNET Group"I think we've been a leader in privacy," Siminoff told Mashable, citing the company's early use of two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption. "You know, we've done a lot with privacy. Our customers have shown us that trust in continuing to buy our products and put them out there, and I think we've earned that trust."
Mashable actually criticized Ring for waiting too long to employ two-factor authentication back in 2020.
Despite these privacy issues, Ring remains a popular home security brand. Tens of millions of American homes now use video doorbells, and Ring won a Mashable Reader's Choice award in 2025 in the smart home security category.
The company also faces increased competition in the space, as Apple recently entered the smart home market with a new line of video doorbells and home security cameras.
When asked about Apple's entry into the market, Siminoff didn't seem worried.
"I have always focused on the mission to make neighborhoods safer and inventing the future," Siminoff said. "And so if we keep building products that are the best for making neighborhoods safer, our customers and our neighbors will continue to reward us and buy our stuff, and that's what we have to focus on."
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The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box drops to best-ever price at Amazon — save over $30 with rare early Black Friday deal
TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $99.64 at Amazon, down from its list price of $134.45.
Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box $99.64 at Amazon$134.45 Save $34.81 Get Deal at Amazon
Black Friday hasn't really started yet, but the Pokémon TCG's recently released Delta Reign expansion is already seeing huge discounts on Amazon. This time, the Rayquaza-themed Elite Trainer Box has finally slipped below $100, setting a new record-low price with the retailer.
As of Nov. 10, the Pokémon TCG’s Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is available for just $99.64 at Amazon, saving you $34.81 against its usual $134.45 price. That's an impressive 26% off, bringing the cost of its nine booster packs down to $11.07 apiece, before factoring in the extras.
That's $3.59 cheaper than the previous $103.23 Amazon low we covered on the Nov. 6 launch day.
SEE ALSO: Pokémon card drops and restocks: Best deals from Amazon, Walmart, TCGplayerWhat’s more, this bargain has brought the ETB much closer to market price, now only $10.10 above its estimated value determined by dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer — currently $89.54.
Note that this $99.64 listing comes from third-party seller Thumbs Up Distribution, rather than Amazon directly.
Buyers are getting nine Delta Reign packs, an exclusive full-art foil Kyogre promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, seven dice, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.
McDonald’s x Pokémon collab is now live: How to collect 15 new toys and 15 trading cards
TL;DR: Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal returns to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 collectible toys and 15 collectible trading cards.
We cover a lot of collabs, because there's something special in seeing two of your favorite brands come together to create something fun. And you clearly feel the same, because fans go wild for the limited-edition merch that drops.
Of course, there are levels to this game. The Burger King x Hello Kitty collab was popular. The Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collab went down well. But when we talk about McDonald's x Pokemon, you know it's going to be absolute chaos.
McDonald’s and Pokémon are reuniting this November. Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal is returning to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 toys and 15 trading cards to collect. Fans and trainers can also scan the QR code on their Happy Meal box to access a digital game where they can look for the 15 Pokémon Happy Meal toys hidden around a virtual classroom and playground.
This 2026 rollout will mark the first time since 2018 that customers get a genuine 3D collectible toy with playable cards. The mini-boxes are designed to resemble iconic McDonald's cartons shaped around fan-favorite Pokémon. Here's the roster of 15 collectible character boxes:
Bulbasaur
Charmander
Chikorita
Eevee
Espeon
Espurr
Minccino
Munchlax
Pikachu
Piplup
Rowlett
Sobble
Squirtle
Sprigatito
Weedle
Inside each meal, you will also find two randomized cards drawn from a specialized 15-card McDonald's reprint set, including seven foil cards.
These new Pokémon Happy Meals are available for a limited time, while supplies last, at participating McDonald’s. Check out the full release schedule below:
November 2026: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Spain, and USA
December 2026: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and Vietnam
January 2027: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Uruguay, and Venezuela
February 2027: Ireland and UK
Anthropic announces Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2. Theye already solved black hole physics problems.
Anthropic dropped two new frontier AI models on Monday, Claude Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2.
According to the AI company, Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 were designed to "tackle the most daunting technical challenges" and present "improvements in areas like coding, reasoning, and vision."
New frontier models from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Meta have been released at a rapid clip in recent months, and the two new Anthropic models closely follow the release of Google Gemini 4 Carbon, Meta Muse Wonder, and OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra. On launch day, Claude Fable 5.2 claimed the top spot on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence leaderboard, previously held by Gemini 4 Carbon.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Jensen Huang Nvidia affair scandal: What we know, what we don’tAnthropic said that in pre-release testing, the models "designed three working electronic devices from scratch, solved two open problems in the physics of black holes...and formalized the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem in 30 hours."
Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 also generate these outputs 30 percent faster than their 5.1 predecessors and "communicate more clearly" than previous models, Anthropic said.
Fable 5.2 Benchmarks Credit: AnthropicPerformance is up across the board with Fable 5.2 with benchmarks showing significant increases when compared to other AI models.
For example, Fable 5.2 scored a whopping 74.6 percent on Terminal Bench Science benchmark. This is a significant increase from the 52.6 percent of its predecessor. It even scores higher than OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra's 68.1 percent.
Fable 5.2 also scored a 74.2 percent on the Humanity's Last Exam benchmark, another increase over its predecessor's 65.6 percent.
Fable 5.2 and Mythos 5.2 pricing and availabilityPricing for the new models is also lower than their predecessors at $8 per million input tokens and $40 per million output tokens.
Fable 5.2 launches today for all Claude users. The company said that Fable 5.2 has "strong cybersecurity and biology safeguards to guard against misuse," which is why it's available to all users. Mythos 5.2, however, is only available for verified organizations working on cybersecurity or biomedical research.
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Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Will Ferrell returns as Buddy the Elf to heckle Jimmy Kimmel interview
Being heckled mid-interview is bad enough, but it adds an extra dimension of humiliation when the heckler is wearing a full elf costume.
In the clip above Andy Richter appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote Elf Unwrapped, a book he wrote about making the movie Elf — only to be interrupted by Will Ferrell sitting in the audience dressed as Buddy the Elf.
"Well this is such a great surprise, and it means so much to me that you're here to help me promote the book I wrote about making Elf!" says Richter.
"What?" comes Ferrell's gruff response. "Are you high? Who even are you?"
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Legos Black Friday centerpiece is a 5,300-piece Godzilla with an attachable heat ray: How to buy with a free gift
TL;DR: The Lego Godzilla is priced at $449.99 and launches on Nov. 27. Buy the Godzilla set from Nov. 27-30, and you will receive the Lego Ideas Godzilla Logo and Footprint set for free.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Godzilla (21375) Learn MoreLego has revealed a monstrous 2026 Black Friday centerpiece: The Lego Ideas Godzilla (21375) is dropping on Nov. 27 for $449.99. Weighing in at a colossal 5,363 pieces, the titan takes the crown as the largest Lego Ideas set ever produced.
It's the perfect gift for fans of Godzilla movies and monster merch collectors. But you know what? Maybe keep this one for yourself.
Credit: LegoMeasuring 27.5 inches tall (with the attachable heat ray), 10.5 inches wide, and 15.5 inches deep, this model stands over two feet tall. The segmented tail can be constructed sweeping left or right, while articulated joints across the neck, jaw, arms, wrists, and individual claws allow for constant adjustments.
Godzilla’s standard tongue can be swapped out for an attachable, translucent-blue Heat Ray. Tilting the head skyward lets you stage its iconic atomic breath attack.
Credit: LegoPlanning to blow your Black Friday budget on this beast? To sweeten the launch-weekend sting, early buyers can score an exclusive Godzilla Logo and Footprint gift for free from Nov. 27-30 while supplies last. The 359-piece bonus build features a brick-built logo with Mothra perched atop a skyscraper, along with a 1:1-scale replica of the main model’s footprint. This free bonus will disappear fast.
Jimmy Kimmel responds to the White House saying he has a peanut-sized brain
The White House is going after Jimmy Kimmel again.
In the clip above the host responds to yet another statement from spokesperson Davis Ingle, who this time has accused Kimmel of having a "peanut-sized brain".
"Sick burn, bro. You know what, you should enter a rap battle spitting dope rhymes like that. Trump now has interns insulting me," says Kimmel. "This guy says I have a peanut-sized brain. Let me explain something. I know you're young. That's impossible. You know what happens when you try to run a full human body with a peanut-sized brain?"
Cue a clip of Trump trying and failing to pronounced the word "gnome" on stage.
"You start saying things like that guy," Kimmel says.
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Jon Stewart breaks down Trumps viral 60 Minutes interview
Donald Trump was asked some tough questions in his recent 60 Minutes interview, and he gave some answers on immigration that appeared to confuse some people in his base.
In the Daily Show clip above, Jon Stewart breaks down some of the key moments — including the U.S. president saying "I'm really good at money and finances" before saying "I guess it's gone up, I don't even know" when asked about his own net worth increasing.
"So when it's global finance, Trump is Keanu Reeves from The Matrix," says Stewart. "But when it's his own $3 billion post-election windfall, he's Keanu Reeves from Bill and Ted."
Another entertaining moment? Trump being asked about what happens after we die and whether he'll go to heaven, with the president responding, "I hope so, I don't wanna go to hell."
"You know that's not how hell works, right?" says Stewart. "It's not a check your preference, like fish or steak."
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T-Mobiles early Black Friday sale is live: Shop free phones from Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and Google
It may be a couple of weeks until the big day, but this year Black Friday seems to be kicking off earlier than ever. Deals are already starting to appear on everything from household essentials to tech and gaming. These early offers are particularly useful if you're looking to finally upgrade your phone.
T-Mobile is one retailer that has dropped discounts early, with a range of Black Friday deals already live.
It's worth checking the terms and conditions before jumping on a deal, as many of these offers require a new line, a qualifying plan, or a trade-in to unlock the full discount. Some savings are also delivered through monthly bill credits rather than an upfront price reduction.
Best Apple deal at T-Mobile Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 18 Pro $0 at T-Mobile$1,199.99 Save $1,199.99 Get Deal at T-Mobile Why we like it
You can get the iPhone 18 Pro 256GB for free with T-Mobile, thanks to $1,200 in bill credits spread across your monthly payments. To qualify, you'll need to open a new line, transfer your number from an eligible carrier (such as AT&T or Verizon), and sign up for a qualifying plan costing at least $95 per month with AutoPay. You'll also need to keep your line active and continue with the financing agreement to receive all the credits. If you cancel early or pay off the phone ahead of schedule, you could lose the remaining credits.
More Apple deals at T-MobileApple Watch SE 3 (40mm) — $0 $299.99 (save $299.99 with monthly bill credits)
iPhone 17e (256GB) — $0 $699.99 (save $699.99 per phone with monthly bill credits)
iPhone 17 (256GB) — $0 $929.99 (save $929.99 with monthly bill credits)
iPhone Duo (256GB) — $799.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,200 with monthly bill credits)
$1,199.99 Save $1,199.99 Get Deal at T-Mobile Why we like it
This deal gets you the Samsung Galaxy S26+ 256GB completely free, with T-Mobile offering up to $1,200 in monthly bill credits to cover its $1,199.99 retail price. To qualify, you'll need to open a new voice line and sign up for a qualifying plan costing at least $95 per month with AutoPay. You'll need to keep the line active and stay on the financing agreement to receive the full discount. Unlike some of T-Mobile's other phone offers, this one doesn't require you to transfer a number from another carrier.
More Samsung deals at T-MobileSamsung Galaxy Watch9 (40mm) — $0 $429.99 (save $429.99 with monthly bill credits)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 (47mm) — $269.99 $699.99 (save $430 with monthly bill credits)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (256GB) — $699.99 $1,899.99 (save $1,200 with a new line and qualifying plan)
$1,099.99 Save $1,099.99 Get Deal at T-Mobile Why we like it
Another "for free" deal: you can wave goodbye to the $1,099.99 retail cost and get the Google Pixel 11 Pro (256GB) for nothing thanks to $1,100 in monthly bill credits. To qualify, you'll need to open a new voice line and sign up for a plan costing at least $75 per month with AutoPay. You'll also need to have two Picks for the duration of the financing agreement and keep your new line active and in good standing to receive all the credits. Just bear in mind that there's a $35 device connection charge, and you'll pay tax on the phone's full price upfront.
More Google deals at T-MobileGoogle Pixel 11 (256GB) — $0 $899.99 (save $899.99 with monthly bill credits)
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (256GB) — $999.99 $1,899.99 (save $900 with monthly bill credits)
Pixel 11 Pro XL (256GB) — $199.99 $1,299.99 (save $1,100 with monthly bill credits)
Google Pixel 10 (128GB) — $0 $699.99 (save up to $700 with monthly bill credits)
$999.99 Save $999.99 Get Deal at T-Mobile Why we like it
The Motorola razr+ is one of the many phones you can pick up for nothing in T-Mobile's Black Friday sale. Its $999.99 retail price is covered by up to $1,000 in monthly bill credits, although getting the deal means opening a new voice line and signing up for a plan costing at least $75 per month with AutoPay. You'll also need to put two of your plan's Picks towards the promotion for the length of the financing agreement. A $35 device connection charge applies, and tax is due upfront on the full price. Remember, the line needs to stay active and in good standing for you to receive all the credits.
More Motorola deals at T-MobileMotorola razr ultra (512GB) — $0 $999.99 (save $999.99 with monthly bill credits)
Motorola moto g stylus (128GB) — $9.99 $309.99 (save $300 with monthly bill credits)
Motorola razr fold (512GB) — $599.99 $1,699.99 (save $1,100 with monthly bill credits)
Amazon has cut $430 off the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max power station before Black Friday
SAVE $430: As of Nov. 10, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max is on sale for $2,469 at Amazon. That's a 15% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max $2,469 at Amazon$2,899 Save $430 Get Deal at Amazon
If you're looking to add some serious backup power to your home, Amazon has an early Black Friday deal on a Jackery unit that is capable of powering many of your devices. The Jackery HomePower 3600 Pro Max is currently available with two 200W solar panels for $2,469, down from $2,899. That's a saving of $430.
This portable power station delivers 4,000W of power and supports both 120V and 240V appliances from a single unit. Its starting capacity is 3.6kWh, but you can expand it to up to 43kWh with additional batteries, so it's a great choice for full-home backup.
It can switch to UPS backup in under 10 milliseconds, keeping connected electronics running during a power supply interruption. It also uses EV-grade LFP battery cells rated for 6,000 cycles, with Jackery saying this gives it a lifespan of more than 16 years. A fire-resistant housing and an emergency power-off switch also provide additional longevity and safety features.
Plus, the included solar panels give you another way to keep the system topped up, alongside its eight other supported recharging methods, including gas generator and DC-DC alternator charging.
Find this Jackery deal at Amazon now.
We tested dozens of earbuds: These 8 are the best for noise-cancelling
Every top brand has its own take on ANC earbuds, each with a unique style and a plethora of features. Since you can't possibly try all the latest earbuds, the Mashable team has taken on the task of reviewing the best ANC earbuds for you.
What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds? Not all earbuds are created equal — some are far more comfortable than others. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableWhile there are plenty of audio brands that provide good sound quality and noise cancellation, the best of the best ANC earbuds can elevate your listening experience. Not only do they offer phenomenal ANC, but they also make music and podcasts sound better. Trust us — on the right pair of earbuds, Olivia Rodrigo's latest album will have you singing along even louder, somehow.
Earbuds usually aren't as comfortable as over-the-ear headphones. I know this well, as I've found many pairs of earbuds that just plain don't fit in my ear. Others are downright uncomfortable. Once again, Bose offers the most comfortable headphones and earbuds. However, Bose and Sony aren't the only brands out there. That's why we set out to test the best the market offers and see what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds.
How do noise-cancelling earbuds work? Noise-cancelling earbuds are small enough to slip in your pocket. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableAll noise-cancelling headphones, including earbuds, have some passive noise cancellation. While over-the-ear headphones naturally block out noise by wrapping around the ears, earbuds don't block sound as effectively. Instead of covering your ears, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal to drown out other noises. They rely more on active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce environmental noise.
ANC is an electronic process within the headphones. Internal microphones listen to your surroundings and then invert the sound, effectively canceling it. Sometimes, with noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, you'll hear a slight buzzing or humming in the background, and that's the ANC at work. The best ANC earbuds shouldn't have this buzzing, however.
What about wired noise-cancelling earbuds?We focus on wireless earbuds in this guide, because historically, wired noise-cancelling earbuds haven't really existed. Until recently, that is. In late September, Bose dropped its Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds for $99 — we'll be evaluating them as a contender for a spot on this list, but Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern had positive initial thoughts on their performance.
The 8 best noise-cancelling headphones we use, love, and recommend
Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger by the month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. So, which brand comes out on top?
For most people, we think the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer the best overall value, with the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you're looking for the best active noise cancellation overall, we have to give it up to the Sony XM6 headphones. Fortunately, there are no bad choices here.
To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best options at every price range.
SEE ALSO: How we test headphones and earbuds How do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?Even cheap headphones can block some noise from the outside world. And you can always blast your music loud enough to drown out nearby conversations and street noise via passive noise cancellation. However, if you really want to turn the volume of the world down to the limit, then you need headphones with active noise cancellation.
Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings. They use internal microphones to listen to the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears, providing an extra layer of passive sound blocking.
Testing the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which didn't make the final cut for this guide. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Getting up close and personal with Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones. Credit: Molly Flores / MashableIf you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.
Other headphones may be great at blocking low tones, but more prone to letting in high-pitched tones. Typically, premium headphones will yield better results all around, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.
In the past, not many wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal (or fit as many mics) that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, stick with over-ear headphones.
No need to wait until Black Friday — the Nintendo Switch 2 is on sale right now
Save $30: The Nintendo Switch 2 is available for $469 at Woot. This deal is live through Nov. 30 or until sold out. The console rarely goes on sale and is usually listed for $499, making this a 6% discount.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $469 at Woot!$499 Save $30 Get Deal at Woot!
Struggling to get your hands on the Zelda edition of the Switch 2? How about grabbing a discounted Switch 2 instead, weeks ahead of Black Friday?
Yes, you read that right. Nintendo's console rarely goes on sale — and even less so since its $50 price hike in September — yet Woot is offering a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 for $469. That's a $30 price drop from the usual $499, bringing it closer to its former $449 list price. Admittedly, it's not a huge discount, but again, it's rare. According to the price tracker camelcamelcamel, the console has dropped in price a grand total of zero times since its price hike.
For comparison, the Switch 2 is holding firm at $499 on Amazon and Best Buy.
Going into my fifth year covering Black Friday at Mashable, I can confidently say that gaming console deals can be a tricky one during the shopping holiday. A lot of folks wait until sales kick off to grab deals, meaning if there is an impressive price drop, it sells out fast. I would expect this situation to be even more competitive during the year of RAMaggedon.
In other words, sneaking in and grabbing some savings ahead of time on a truly excellent console is a great way to go this holiday season. Just make sure to grab it while supplies last, or before Nov. 30 when the deal expires, if stock is still available.
