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Depending on what time of year you're reading this, it's either starting to get a little chillier during the nights or it's just downright cold. All of which means it's time to get warm and snuggly. But here’s the problem: Nothing is getting any cheaper. On the contrary, in fact. Everyone's been hit by energy prices, and we're all thinking twice about putting the central heating for a few hours, let alone the entire night.

There is a solution, however: Get yourself an old-school electric blanket. Actually, there’s nothing old-school about the tech being used to heat electric blankets in this day and age. Modern electric blankets have all kinds of features, such as dual controls, targeted areas for warming, and multiple heat settings. And for just a fraction of the price of running the central heating all night long.

But which electric blanket should you choose? There are so many out there it’s hard to know which products are the hottest. Luckily, we’ve hunkered down and done the research. But before you buy, let us warm you up with some handy information. 

What is an electric blanket?

An electric blanket plugs into the mains and warms up via heating elements within the fabric itself. Most electric blankets are actually “toppers” or under blankets, which mean you secure them on top of your mattress and lie on them. They fix onto the mattress with corner straps or elasticated skirting. The heat is managed by a remote control that’s attached to the blanket. This can usually be detached so you can machine wash the blanket. Also available are electric throws to wrap around yourself.

Are electric blankets safe to use?

While safety experts recommend that no heated appliance should be left on unattended, or while you sleep, electric blankets have safety measures such as timers which switch the heat off, or an automatic shut-off that prevents overheating. 

Are electric blankets expensive to run?

This, of course, is the most crucial question as the price of energy soars and the general cost of living increases. The cost of running an electric blanket varies, depending on which heat setting you use (some blankets have up to nine different heat settings).

Most of the blankets in this roundup claim to cost from 1p per night (on their lowest setting), based on a runtime of eight hours. Real-world tests have found the figure to be slightly higher, from 3p to 9p. Either way, it’s significantly cheaper than central heating, which can currently cost between 4.6p and £1.20 per hour.

What is the best electric blanket?

That all depends on what features you need to keep you warm, and which blanket suits you best. That’s why we’ve researched all the best brands and available options and pulled together a wide selection of options to consider. All you need to do is make your bed and lie in it. Well, and switch your new electric blanket on, of course.

These are the best electric blankets in 2025.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 28, 2025 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: Baseball field

• Green: Found in the City of the Brotherly Love

• Blue: Events where players get picked

• Purple: SEC shorthand

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Materials Found on a Baseball Field

• Green: Philadelphia Teams

• Blue: Words That Precede "Draft"

• Purple: Starts of SEC Team Names

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 #342 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Materials Found on a Baseball Field - CHALK, DIRT, GRASS, RUBBER

• Philadelphia Teams - EAGLES, FLYERS, TEMPLE, UNION

• Words That Precede "Draft" - FANTASY, MOCK, NFL, SNAKE

• Starts of SEC Team Names - BULL, GATO, SOON, WILD

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.

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.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game 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. Like dominoes, the tiles 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 August 29, 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 August 30, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must equal 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must equal 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

Equal (1) : Everything in this space must equal 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Greater than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Greater than (6): Everything in this space must be greater than 6. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 0-4 placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Aug. 31 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (13): Everything in this space must add up to 13. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Every dot in this space must be 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Every dot in this space must be 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, 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.

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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 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: To condemn

• Green: Parts of Monopoly

• Blue: They have various meanings

• Purple: Twigs

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Criticize harshly

• Green: Common components of board games

• Blue: Heteronyms

• Purple: ___Sticks

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 #813 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Criticize harshly: BASH, BLAST, FLAME, ROAST

• Common components of board games: BOARD, CARDS, DICE, PIECES

• Heteronyms: AXES, BASS, COORDINATE, DOES

• ___Sticks: CHOP, DRUM, FIDDLE, FISH

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 August 27, 2025

Are you also playing NYT 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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Up the hill

The words are song-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are found in a classic nursery rhyme.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Jack and Jill.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 30

• Tumbling

• Water

• Fetch

• Jack and Jill

• Broke

• Pail

• After

• Crown

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for August 4 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's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Part of a flower.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PETAL.

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 August 4

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: Give an old PC an upgrade with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows, now just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through Sept. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97
$219.99 Save $180.02 Get Deal

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SEE ALSO: Back to school, AI edition: College students get big discounts on AI tools like Gemini and Grammarly

Don’t let the year of this edition worry you. The 2021 version actually offers some unique advantages like redesigned features, the ability to work offline, and no cloud dependency. Just make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11, as these apps are not supported by Windows 7 or 8.

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