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Kindles are the darling device of BookTok, where you can scroll through thousands of videos on the best accessories and gadgets to maximize your reading experience. One thing about the BookTok girlies: They're right. While I've spent hours watching videos of people decking out their Kindles with accessories, I never really understood the extras until I tried them for myself.

Kindle accessories are add-ons like remote page turners, gooseneck stands, clear cases, PopSockets, and hand straps, which are all aimed at improving your reading comfort.

You may roll your eyes at a gooseneck stand or page-turning remote — I once did — but you're missing out on a life of luxury. A life that includes a Kindle on a stand, a remote page turner in hand, and you all tucked into the covers.

And keep in mind that while Kindles are the buzziest e-readers, there's a whole lot of love for Kobo e-readers on BookTok and here at Mashable. Even though the Kindle Paperwhite is our favorite e-reader, we still have a lot of love for the Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Libra Colour.

So if you own a Kindle or use another e-reader, this guide is for you: It features the essential accessories, including stands, remotes, grips, and cases. Plus, all the recently launched remotes from Kobo and Boox.

Remote page turner Opens in a new window Credit: Datafy Datafy Remote Control Page Turner $15.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $4.00   Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Remote $29.99 at Kobo
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Boox Boox Tappy Remote $29.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: DuRoBo DuRoBo Moodi Remote $35.99 at DuRoBo
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The remote control page turner was one of the first Kindle-adjacent gadgets to come across my feed. It clips onto the side of a Kindle, and then you press a button on the remote to turn the page, rather than tapping or swiping the screen. Tapping the screen is easy enough, but the page turner is an added layer of convenience.

At the end of the night, when you want to be cozy in bed, tucked under the blanket to stay warm, the remote allows you to do just that. Combined with the gooseneck stand? Nighttime reading is about to be the coziest it's ever been.

And while the page turner is great for getting cozy, it's also ideal for when you're using a Kindle while on the treadmill.

Kindle does not make a remote for its e-readers, while Kobo, Boox, and Durobo all do. While the Boox Tappy and Durobo Moodi aren't my favorite, the Kobo remote is perfectly designed.

Gooseneck stand Opens in a new window Credit: Magipea Magipea Gooseneck Stand $29.99 at Amazon
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While the remote page turner helps you click through your book, to go truly hands-free, you need to prop up your e-reader, too. Enter the gooseneck stand. After seeing this viral video, I, and the rest of the internet, was influenced to get a clip-in stand for an e-reader.

And let me tell you, it is a luxury to have this stand. While a Kindle is still lightweight, when you're on a reading marathon, your arm inevitably gets tired from holding up the device. But having a gooseneck stand positions the Kindle within reading distance without any arm fatigue.

To test out a gooseneck stand, I tried the Magipea Gooseneck Stand, which is compatible with either a Kindle or Kobo e-reader (I used it with both). I find the bendy arm of this stand to be a little too stiff, but overall, it still works well.

Clear case Opens in a new window Credit: CoBak CoBak Clear MagSafe Case $15.99 at Amazon
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There are plenty of Kindle cases in the sea, but the most popular option among BookTok is a simple, clear case. Sure, that seems boring, but the exciting part is decorating it. Add-ons like charms also bring personal flair, and some people even buy inserts or stickers to swap out over time.

And if you're interested in using a PopSockets grip with your Kindle, I recommend getting a case that's MagSafe compliant so you can take it on and off. PopSockets has its own Kindle case that also happens to be MagSafe.

MagSafe PopSockets Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets MagSafe PopGrip $30 at PopSockets
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PopSockets are already the best ergonomic grip for your phone, so why wouldn't they be the best grip for another handheld device? When I'm not using my Kindle with the gooseneck stand, I like using it with a PopSockets grip for an ergonomic hold.

With a traditional PopSockets grip, you attach it to a device with adhesive, but that means once it's on, it's on. But using a MagSafe PopSockets grip allows you to attach and reattach the grip, depending on whether you want your Kindle to lie flat.

I personally use the PopSockets MagSafe Kick-Out Stand with my Kindle since that's what I use on my phone, and I like that I can prop it up to stand vertically. However, PopSockets launched a line of bookish MagSafe grips to go with its line of Kindle cases.

My PopSockets Kick-Out Grip works as a stand on-the-go. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Strapsicle Straps Opens in a new window Credit: Strapsicle Strapsicle Straps $19.99 at Amazon
$21.99 Save $2   Shop Now

If PopSockets grips aren't really your thing, then Strapsicle makes a nice alternative. Strapsicle's straps attach to the corners of your e-reader, creating a cross pattern. Your hand then slips through the straps, delivering an easy hold on your e-reader. While I personally prefer the feel of a PopSockets grip, the Strapsicle lets your hand lie flat, so it doesn't cramp up from being in a hold. The Strapsicle works best when it has a snug fit, so using it with a case can be a little tight.

Just slide your hand in between the straps for an easy hold. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Page Kindle Cases Opens in a new window Credit: Page. Page Kindle Case $40 at Page.
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Before I went deep into the world of Kindle accessories, I really just wanted a good case. After several well-placed Instagram ads, I landed on a case from Page. Not only do they have a ton of really cute designs, but they also make cases for a variety of e-readers, including the full Kindle and Kobo lineups.

The case automatically wakes and sleeps your e-reader, and it includes a hand strap for a nice grip while reading. Plus, I like this case because it guards the poorly placed power button on the e-reader. This way, when I'm reading on the treadmill, the button doesn't accidentally get pressed.

You could also always go for an official Amazon case for a simple cover with good protection. Any protective case is a good choice, especially one with reinforced corners to protect against drops.

If I had to buy every book I read, I wouldn't be able to pay rent. Reading for free isn't hard; I'm always exchanging books with friends, scouring my neighborhood's little free libraries, shopping Stuff Your Kindle Day, and of course, I love my local library. However, as an e-reader expert and enthusiast, I'm almost always using a device for reading. But as I use and test e-readers, I still need to be able to use my library card and read for free. That's where Libby comes in.

Libby is an app that connects you with your library's digital collection so you can borrow e-books, audiobooks, and magazines. You can then enjoy these digital copies on your phone, tablet, or e-reader. The best part — it's totally free.

Having used Libby for several years, it's a crucial part of my content diet and an invaluable resource for staying well-read. This guide walks you through how it works, how to use it on Kindle and Kobo, plus some details on its updated hold system.

How does Libby work with your library card? Felt like hitting the jackpot to find Emily Henry's "Great Big Beautiful Life" as ready to borrow. Credit: Screenshot: Libby After several weeks, my copy of "Stag Dance" by Torrey Peters was finally ready to borrow and be added to my library. Credit: Screenshot: Libby

Libby, which is part of the OverDrive system, connects you with your library's digital collection. More than 90 percent of public libraries in North America use OverDrive, and Libby is available in 78 countries globally, so it's a universal system.

To use Libby, sign in using your library card information from a participating public library. Have multiple library cards? You can attach as many cards to your account as you want. Once logged in, you can browse your library's digital collection.

You can search for specific titles, or you can get suggestions from Libby as it highlights and curates titles. Some books will be ready to borrow right away, which you can check out and will automatically be added to your library.

Other books will require you to place a hold. New and popular books will often require long waits, because borrowing follows a licensed-copy model, but a pro tip: Having multiple library cards allows you to compare wait times at different libraries, so you can get in the shortest line.

Once a hold is ready to borrow, it will appear in your library, allowing you to check it out. The app also sends notifications for holds and loans. So if your library doesn't have a title, add a smart tag on it, and you'll be alerted when it gets a copy.

Libby lets you borrow books for up to 21 days, depending on your library's rules. Some books can be renewed, while others that have people waiting to borrow them can't be renewed. Books are returned automatically, which means no late fees.

A major 2025 Libby app update View this post on Instagram

If you're new to Libby, this change won't mean much to you, but existing users may have noticed a change to how holds work.

On Sept. 18, 2025, Libby made a major change to its hold system that upset some users. Now, instead of being able to delay holds for a certain amount of time, users will need to suspend holds until they're ready to receive them.

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Users complained about the change, saying they won't remember to unsuspend their holds. In response, Libby explained via Instagram that the new system: "helps libraries serve more readers by keeping books moving and reducing expired holds."

Where can you read books with Libby? When you borrow a book on Libby, it'll give you multiple options on how to read. Credit: Screenshot: Libby

You have a couple of options on how to read your e-books, whether that's in the Libby app on a smartphone or tablet, in a browser through the Libby website, or on a supported e-reader.

The best part about using the Libby app or website is that it syncs your progress across all devices. That way, if you leave your iPad at home, you can read on your iPhone and pick up right where you left off. Within the app or on an e-reader, you can adjust the font size, book layout, and background color for a truly customizable reading experience.

Libby also allows you to read its books as ePUB files. The best way to do so is by using Adobe Digital Editions, so if you have a device with Adobe access but not Libby access, like Boox e-readers, you can still access your borrowed books.

To read on an e-reader, you can either have it automatically sync to a Kobo or send it to your Kindle device. However, the Kindle and Libby integration is only available with U.S. libraries and Amazon accounts.

Kobo has the smoothest Libby integration. You can log in via Overdrive (Libby's parent company) on your device, and when you borrow books, they'll auto-populate in your library.

For Kindle users, there are a couple of extra steps in the process.

Featured Video For You Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kobo Clara Colour: Which one is better? How to read Libby books on Kindle To read Libby books with Kindle, you'll have to manually send it to your Kindle library. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon Once you send your Libby loan to the Kindle, it will automatically populate to your library. However, you still need to download it to your device. Credit: Screenshot: Kindle

To read Libby books on a Kindle, select the "Read With Kindle" option within the Libby app, which lets you send borrowed e-books to your Kindle (only in the U.S.). That'll take you to Amazon, where you'll click the "Get Library Book" button. From there, the book will automatically appear in the library of your Kindle app and devices. Just remember, once the book is in your library, you'll need to download it on your Kindle to start reading.

What's the best e-reader for Libby? The Kindle Paperwhite and Kobo Libra Colour are easily the best e-readers for Libby. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best e-readers for Libby are either the Kobo Libra Colour or the Kindle Paperwhite. Which one you go for depends on how you use Libby. If you just have one library card, the Kobo is the best e-reader for Libby. All of your borrowed Libby books automatically populate on the device without needing to press any extra buttons. The downside is that you can only have one Libby account attached to your Kobo at a time.

If you have multiple library cards, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best e-reader for Libby. While it requires one extra step to get your books on the device, you can borrow with multiple cards simultaneously.

If you don't want to buy an e-reader, you can get started with Libby immediately by reading on a smartphone or tablet that you already own. If you're going to read on a tablet, I recommend the iPad mini, which is smaller than other models, preventing wrist strain while holding the device. The screen of an iPad is sometimes too glossy for reading, and if that hurts your eyes, you can add a paper-like screen cover.

Avoid the Barnes & Noble Nook and Boox e-readers for reading with Libby, as both require tedious steps to get your library books on the devices.

If you're primarily using Libby for audiobooks, you don't need an e-reader. The Libby app on your phone also works well for audio, letting you download for offline reading or stream if you need to save space on your device. Its built-in player lets you control playback speed, which ranges from 0.6x to 3.0x. Listening in the car? It will play via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kobo Kobo Libra Colour $229.99 at Rakuten
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Downsides to Libby

There aren't many downsides to Libby — I'd argue there technically are none. But as a word of warning, I think it's important to view Libby as the library that it is and not as an e-book store. With an e-book store, you can buy nearly any title you want, but with a library, sometimes books aren't available.

This can sometimes be because libraries have limited copies, so you have to wait weeks or even months for a book to become available to borrow. The change to the Libby hold system will hopefully cut back on long wait times. And if you're stuck waiting on e-book waitlists in Libby, explore your library's vast collection of digital magazines, which have unlimited simultaneous use.

Sometimes your library just won't have a book in its collection at all. The best way to avoid this issue is to get multiple library cards since different networks have varying catalogs.

Updated on Aug. 1 at 6 a.m. ET — On June 25, Apple announced sweeping MacBook price increases due to the global memory crisis. The MacBook Neo now starts at $599 with an education discount and $699 without it. The version with 512GB of storage and TouchID now costs $799. We've updated our MacBook Neo review and adjusted the Mashable score from 4.8 to 4.7.

On March 11, Apple dropped the MacBook Neo like a bomb on the laptop market. I was at a New York City launch event to see its big unveiling, and the colorful budget laptop made a strong first impression. As I wrote at the time: If I were a Windows laptop that cost under $1,000, I'd be shaking in my boots.

Since then, we've seen a wave of price increases in the Windows world. Eventually, the MacBook Neo got a $100 price increase, too. But even at its new $699 starting price, the MacBook Neo offers unbeatable value, and I think it's easily the best laptop under $1,000 right now. And after spending an extra four months with this laptop on my desk, I've updated this review.

The Neo brings premium MacBook features — Liquid Retina Display, the intuitive macOS, a sleek aluminum design — to an entirely new market segment. For the first time, we have a true budget laptop from Apple.

Even with its repurposed A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, this is a laptop with no viable competition, full stop.

Who is the MacBook Neo for? The MacBook Neo in citrus and indigo at the Mashable office. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo is Apple's first MacBook without an M-series chip since 2020. For that reason, the Neo is not a laptop for professionals like myself. If you need to do heavy-duty photo or video editing, work with 3D modeling programs, or run open-source AI models on your device, you'll want that MacBook Air or Pro with the latest M5 chips.

SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo vs. MacBook Air (M5): How Apple's new laptops compare

Instead, the MacBook Neo is meant to be baby's first laptop, and I mean that as a compliment. It's a starter laptop you might buy for a high school or college student who will eventually graduate to the Air or Pro, depending on their needs. But I also foresee another popular use case for this device — the party laptop.

Lots of people, including myself, use two laptops on a daily basis. You have your work laptop — in my case, a MacBook Pro — and then you have what I call the party laptop. It could be a simple Chromebook, an old work laptop, a gaming laptop, or even a tablet. When your workday is done, you put away the work laptop with your email and calendar, and fire up your party laptop for streaming, music, casual browsing, and retail therapy.

The MacBook Neo would be a perfect party laptop or Chromebook alternative, and while it lacks storage and RAM, Apple definitely didn't skimp on the entertainment features.

MacBook Neo design: We gotta talk about the colors Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

No tech brand does design better than Apple, at least, not for the mass market. And in the under-$1,000 laptop category, the Neo stands out for its premium design. Lately, we've seen many Windows laptops imitating the MacBook's metal body and rounded edges, but those are typically Ultrabooks that cost quite a bit. The Neo offers a budget price without compromising on Apple's signature all-aluminum build quality.

Let's look at the competition: Our favorite Windows laptop under $1,000 as of August 2026 is the Framework Laptop 13, which costs $899. We also love the Acer Aspire 16 AI, which costs $699 (if you can find it in stock). It's a good laptop, but it also has a flimsy hinge and plastic components. With the Neo, you get an aluminum chassis, plus it's $100 cheaper, plus it comes in fun colors, plus it has Dolby Atmos speakers. The keyboard and components also have a premium feel. Apple even matches the color of the key caps to the laptop's color, a very nice touch.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable The Neo has an all-aluminum design; Apple matches the color of the keys to the aluminum. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo comes in four colors: silver, indigo, citrus, and blush. Now, I will say, the blush is a very subtle pink. I say, if you're going pink, go pink. But in person, the citrus and indigo really pop. Apple also color-matches the keys to the aluminum finish, and it's those little details that elevate the design. The Apple team has been having a lot of fun with this product launch, and I think shoppers will, too.

MacBook Neo: Performance and battery Be honest, did you notice the home screen artwork says "MAC"? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

When Apple unveiled the Neo, two competing opinions spread in the tech world. The MacBook Neo, with its fun colors and killer price, would either disrupt the entire Windows laptop market, or it would be an underpowered waste of space with its old iPhone chip and a measly 8GB of RAM.

In this case, the optimists were proven right.

To be sure, you're not going to edit a professional music video, mix a song, or work on an animation project with 8GB of RAM and the A18 Pro chip, first introduced for the iPhone 16 Pro. But don't believe what the haters are saying online: You can still do a lot with 8GB of RAM.

Here's what people are forgetting: Over the past few years, Apple has quietly made its MacBook Air and Pro laptops way overpowered for the average user. (The same is true for the iPad Air and Pro, as I explain in my M4 iPad Air review.) The original M1 MacBook was a legendary laptop that truly changed the category for good. Six years later, I know professional film editors who are still working on M1-era MacBook Pros and have zero complaints about performance or speed.

Apple M-series silicon changed the laptop market for good. Credit: Mashable SEE ALSO: Apple's M series chips are too powerful for their own good

As you can see in this chart, ever since Apple launched the M1 chip in 2020, the company's M-series silicon has progressed by leaps and bounds. At one point, it seemed like Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip might finally offer some true competition for Apple silicon, but then Apple released a new M chip.

Apple's M series chips have made such massive leaps in performance that you have to be a serious superuser to tax these devices to their limits. So, a simpler MacBook with less firepower makes sense for a ton of reasons. You don't need 16GB of RAM and an M5 chip to stream Netflix, make Word documents, and send emails.

But let's get specific. Let's talk benchmarks.

MacBook Neo review: Geekbench performance and stress tests

When testing a new laptop, Mashable runs a series of standardized tests, including the latest Geekbench 6 benchmark. The MacBook Neo received a multi-core score of 8,770, nearly identical to the 8,783 we recorded for the M1 MacBook Air. We also assessed its single-core performance, since that's a good measure of what we call snappiness, or how quickly it responds in everyday use. And this is where it gets interesting. The MacBook Neo achieved a single-core score of 3,484, significantly higher than most other laptops.

For reference, the Razer Blade 18 with an Intel Core i9-275HX processor scored 3,057 in single-core testing. So, it's no wonder I've been able to do a surprising amount with the A18 Pro Chip.

I was able to edit a simple, cheesy video in Final Cut Pro using the MacBook Neo without struggling against the spinning wheel of death. Even when I layered video clips on top of each other and added a series of totally unnecessary transitions, the Neo handled the tasks just fine, as you can see for yourself:

For my MacBook Neo review, I also set up multiple Apple Shortcuts to perform complex tasks. I set up one Shortcut to automatically convert raw image files into JPEGs, crop them into a 16:9 aspect ratio, auto-adjust the color balance, hue, and saturation, and then save them in a specific folder. Using this Shortcut, the Neo edited a dozen massive image files with ease in under 30 seconds.

I set up another Shortcut to automatically convert all my video files into GIFs, also without problems.

Featured Video For You Budget MacBook arrives, AI tutoring gets an upgrade, Uber launches women-only feature | Tech Today The MacBook Neo does have one big flaw The lack of Thunderbolt 4 ports is a big drawback. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

In stress-testing the Neo, I found its kryptonite, which won't be a surprise. Because the Neo lacks a Thunderbolt 4 port, it can only offer transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s, compared to 40Gb/s with the latest MacBook Air. Likewise, the A18 Pro chip offers 60GB/s memory bandwidth, compared to 153GB/s memory bandwidth on the M5 Air.

The A18 Pro chip offers:

• 6-core CPU (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)

• 5-core GPU

• 16-core Neural Engine

The only time I encountered the spinning wheel of death? When importing or exporting large files. M-series MacBooks can multitask while doing this, but as you can see in my screen recording, the Neo really struggled to multitask while transferring large video files.

MacBook Neo battery life

Apple promises "all-day" battery life with the Neo. Specifically, the company promises up to 16 hours of battery for video streaming (and 11 hours for wireless web browsing). In our battery rundown test, we got exactly 14 hours and 50 minutes of battery performance.

If you want the MacBook Neo to last for an entire day of classes or a long travel day, I think it will be up for the challenge. And once again, it compares very favorably to Windows laptops under $1,000. In Mashable's testing database, the media battery life for this category is only 10.5 hours. So, once more, the MacBook Neo can do more for less money.

MacBook Neo: Display and speakers The headphones jack and side-firing speakers. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo has the same Liquid Retina display tech that you'll find on the $1,299 M5 MacBook Air (previously priced at $1,099) and other Apple laptops. The Neo's Display is 0.9 inches smaller than the Air, however. It can offer up to 500 nits of brightness on its 13-inch, 2,408 x 1,506 resolution display. The color, clarity, and sharpness are as impressive as ever, particularly when you compare them to the average Windows laptop in this price range. It's a premium display in a budget laptop.

The MacBook Neo isn't simply a MacBook Air with a bunch of performance sacrifices, however. Apple actually improved the speaker system for the Neo (further solidifying it in my mind as the party laptop). Apple added two side-firing speakers, which you might mistake for SD card readers at first. The result is a speaker system that's surprisingly loud, clear, and compatible with Dolby Atmos.

MacBook Neo: What's missing? The MacBook Neo has the MacBook's signature all-aluminum design. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The MacBook Neo does make both performance and hardware sacrifices to keep its price low, of course. Before buying the Neo, you need to understand what you're not getting:

• No 12MP Center Stage Camera (the Neo has a 1080p FaceTime HD camera)

• No True Tone technology

• No fast-charging capabilities

• No Thunderbolt 4 ports (it has one USB-C 3 and one USB-C 2 port)

• Only supports one external display

• $599 version only has 256GB of memory and no Touch ID (the $799 version has 512GB and Touch ID)

The MacBook Neo has a Magic Keyboard, but it's not backlit like you're used to. It also features a different trackpad. While it's extra-clicky, it's not quite as nice as a standard MacBook. That's hardly a breaking point, though.

Will Siri AI work with the MacBook Neo?

At WWDC 2026, Apple finally introduced Siri AI, which will be coming with macOS 27 Golden Gate. Even though the Neo lacks M-series silicon, Apple says it will be ready to support the new OS, the updated Siri, and new Apple Intelligence features.

For now, these features are only accessible on the Neo via the macOS 27 developer beta, but they will be widely available starting in the fall.

Final thoughts: Is the MacBook Neo still worth it for $699? Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

My verdict: The MacBook Neo is 100 percent worth it for budget shoppers, even after the recent price increase. Unless you need a Windows laptop, or if your educational institution recommends a laptop with more processing power, you won't find another laptop under $1,000 than can go head-to-head with the Neo.

I will continue to update this review for as long as I'm using the Neo. But as someone who works with a lot of video, photography, and AI tools, the MacBook Neo can handle quite a bit of my daily workflow. First-time buyers will also appreciate how easily it works with the iPhone and iPad. As per usual, your files can instantly sync across devices, and AirDrop fills any gaps.

As I said, if you're comparing the $699 MacBook Neo with a similarly priced Windows laptop or Chromebook, it's going to be really hard to say no to the Neo, especially as Dell, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Acer raise prices. And if you qualify for the $599 education pricing (unfortunately, Apple has cracked down on the requirements), don't overthink this one.

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

UPDATE: Jun. 14, 2026, 5:00 a.m. EDT We updated our MacBook Neo review after conducting addtional testing.

UPDATE: Mar. 11, 2026, 11:18 a.m. EDT We replaced one of the images in this review to correct a photo-editing mistake.

How to watch the 2026 NFL preseason at a glance: ESPN Unlimited $299.99/year (save $59.89) Get Deal YouTube TV Sports free 10-day trial, then $54.99/month for 12 months (save $120) Learn More ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium bundle $39.99/month (save $4.99/month) Get Deal Fubo Sports $54.99/month for 1 month (save $10) Get Deal NFL+ Premium $79.99/year (save $20) Get Deal

While preseason might not bring all the action of the regular season, which kicks off in September, it does give football fans a glimpse into the new talent pool for 2026. You'll see the 2026 NFL Draft Class take the field in hopes of earning starting spots on each team. And, of course, scout players for your fantasy team and build up excitement for the best time of year.

Watching live sports, particularly football, is exceedingly complicated in the streaming era. Yes, that even includes the preseason schedule. So, I've done the grunt work for you and broken down the necessary details you need to know to tune in. Here's a handy watch guide for the 2026 NFL preseason so you don't miss out on your team's early exhibition games.

When is the 2026 NFL preseason?

The 2026 NFL preseason begins with the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET, featuring the Carolina Panthers vs. the Arizona Cardinals. The official preseason schedule then runs from Aug. 13 through Aug. 29, with the regular season kicking off on Sept. 9.

How to watch NFL preseason games live

There are 48 games total in the 2026 NFL preseason schedule; 32 of those games will be broadcast on either ESPN/ ESPN Unlimited or NFL Network. The other games will be dispersed between Prime Video and your local CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox stations.

The good news is all of these networks will also carry regular season games. So, if you make the investments now in your streaming lineup, you'll be set for the full NFL season. The bad news is, you'll need at least a couple different subscriptions to watch your home team. While there are a number of different ways to gain access to every game, I recommend one of two options. You can buy a digital antenna for access to local networks (CBS, NBC, Fox) and sign up for subscriptions to ESPN with NFL Network and Prime Video. Or you can sign up for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo to get access to local networks as well as ESPN and NFL Network in most markets. Unfortunately, you'll still need to sign up for Prime Video separately if you're not already a Prime member. Make note that blackout restrictions apply to local broadcasts, just as they do in the regular season. To access out-of-market preseason games, you'll need an NFL+ subscription.

Note: The only preseason game on Prime Video is the Aug. 27 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. Feel free to skip the Prime Video subscription for preseason if you don't care about this game.

Let's break down what those two options would cost you.

Option 1: Digital antenna + ESPN/NFL Network + Prime Video

Digital antenna options and prices vary depending on the range. Do a quick search of how far you live from your local TV stations by miles, and be sure to grab an antenna that has a range of at least that far. Mashable's sister site, PCMag, has some recommendations if you need help in your search. On average, you're looking at about a $30 to $40 purchase. That will grant you access to local games on Fox, CBS, and NBC. In order to access the 32 games on ESPN and NFL Network, you'll need an ESPN Unlimited subscription with the NFL+ Premium add-on (scroll down to the "Looking for more?" section on the ESPN website). This will cost you $39.99 per month for the bundle. Throw Prime Video into the mix for $8.99 per month, and you have a grand total of around $80 to $90 for a month. After your initial investment in the digital antenna, however, that price will go down to just $49 per month for the ESPN bundle and Prime Video, making this a better deal in the long run.

Option 2: Live TV streaming service + Prime Video

Another smart option to watch preseason NFL games is to sign up for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV. Recently, YouTube TV added a more affordable Sports Plan, which grants you access to NBC, CBS, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN — all of the networks you'll need for the preseason. It'll only cost you $54.99 per month for your first year, which is a pretty solid deal. All you'll need in addition to the YouTube TV Sports Plan is a Prime Video subscription for $8.99. That brings the grand total to $64 for a month.

The best streaming deals for the 2026 NFL preseason Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99/month Learn More

ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99 per month, but you can save $59.89 by signing up for a full year at $299.99. Unfortunately, if you want to bundle it with NFL+ Premium for the ultimate football streaming package, you'll have to stick with the monthly plan. However, you'll save about $5 per month on the bundle deal.

ESPN Unlimited deals:

• ESPN Unlimited annual subscription — $299.99/year $359.88/year (save $59.89/year)

• ESPN Unlimited and NFL+ Premium — $39.99/month $44.98/month (save $4.99/month)

• Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited bundle — $35.99/month $53.97/month (save $17.98/month)

• ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle — $39.99/month $49.98/month (save $9.99/month)

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Sports plan free 10-day trial, then $54.99/month for your first year Learn More

We're big fans of YouTube TV's massive 100+ channel lineup, which includes nearly all of the networks you'll need to tune into the NFL preseason live. We're even bigger fans of the 10-day free trial offer. We're not so thrilled with the full price of the Base Plan, however, so we recommend going for the new Sports Plan.

YouTube TV will cost you $67.99 per month for your first three months of the Base Plan, then $82.99 per month thereafter. The Sports Plan, on the other hand, is just $54.99 per month for your first 12 months and $64.99 per month thereafter.

YouTube TV deals:

• YouTube TV Sports — free 10-day trial, $54.99/month for your first year $64.99/month (save $120)

• YouTube TV Base — free 10-day trial, $67.99/month for your first 3 months $82.99/month (save $45)

Honorable mention live TV streaming deal:

• Fubo Sports — $54.99/month for 1 month $64.99/month (save $10)

Opens in a new window Credit: NFL+ NFL+ Premium annual plan $79.99
$99.99 Save $20 *Best for out-of-market preseason games* Get Deal

If you're a fan of a non-local team, you'll need an NFL+ plan to watch out-of-market preseason games. Fortunately, NFL+ is running a preseason deal just in the nick of time. Save 20% on an annual plan to NFL+ or NFL+ Premium and catch your favorite team on your mobile devices. Of course, if you're already an ESPN Unlimited subscriber, the best deal is to bundle it with NFL+ Premium for an extra $10 (see above).

Note: Though you can watch out-of-market preseason games, you'll only be able to watch your local in-market games during the regular season with NFL+. I don't know why and I don't make the rules, but it's something to consider.

NFL+ deals:

• NFL+ — $39.99/year $49.99/year (save $10)

• NFL+ Premium — $79.99/year $99.99/year (save $20)

Farewell, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel).

House of the Dragon's most-hated knight came to the end of his prolonged death march in Season 3, when he took three arrows to the chest and face. But before he met his unceremonious fate, he proved why he called himself the realm's greatest warrior, killing at least 10 enemy soldiers over the course of a brutal ambush.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3, episode 6: We counted Criston Cole's body count in the first 5 minutes. It's more than you think.

Even though Criston makes mincemeat of several Rivermen, Frankel never wanted the fight to feel like a walk in the park.

"The big thing I found with all those fight scenes in general, in medieval-adjacent films, [is that] everyone always looks like it's so easy, and I wanted him to look exhausted," Fabien Frankel told Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards in a Say More interview.

He continued: "They've been on the road for so long, and we really worked super hard, me and the stunt team, to build the beats in where you find him exhausted, where you find him out of breath."

Criston's rising exhaustion is just one of the many stories House of the Dragon spins throughout the fight scene. Another has to do with Criston's weapons of choice. He begins the fight with a flail, the very same weapon he uses against Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in their tourney fight in House of the Dragon's very first episode. Later, he picks up a sword, reminiscent of his days in the Kingsguard and as a commander. He also pulls a dagger on his enemies, and this particular dagger is one that Frankel has been eager to use since Season 1.

In Season 1, Criston tries to stab himself with that same dagger, before a young Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) stops him. He's been carrying around that dagger at his back ever since.

"I had this dagger for a long time, and I wanted to find a reason to use it because it's unbelievably uncomfortable," Frankel said.

Enter Criston's last stand at the Butcher's Ball.

"We were looking for a few extra beats in the fight, and I was like, 'Guys, this is the moment, and the dagger has to come out now,'" Frankel said. "We had that amazing beat, which was so cool. They choreographed that so well, and the weapon progression was really joyful to do."

Watch Mashable's full interview with Frankel above.

House of the Dragon Season 3 is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Magic: The Gathering has produced plenty of expensive trading cards over its long history, but you do not need to dig through sets from the 1990s to find singles worth hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.

The current Standard format (used for competitive MTG) stretches from 2023’s Wilds of Eldraine through to Marvel Super Heroes, covering traditional Magic planes alongside Universes Beyond crossovers such as Final Fantasy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Even among these relatively new collections, you can find enough expensive chase cards to fully fund a pension plan and then some.

With that, we’ve checked the top five leading cards from every Standard-legal set using TCGplayer market prices — including those sporting alternate artwork, premium foil aesthetics, and coveted serialized versions. Just like with the most valuable Pokémon cards in the modern TCG, Magic prices can change as more copies are opened and sold, but these are the five most valuable chase cards right now.

Wilds of Eldraine

Wilds of Eldraine is one of the more affordable Standard expansions at the upper end, with none of its five leading cards currently stretching far beyond $50:

• Agatha’s Soul Cauldron (Extended Art, #366): $50.29

• Agatha’s Soul Cauldron (#242): $38.31

• Beseech the Mirror (Extended Art, #336): $35.51

• Beseech the Mirror (#082): $18.73

• Moonshaker Cavalry (Extended Art, #325): $18.56

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan sits at the opposite end of the scale to Wild of Eldraine. Not only are its top five cards dominated by rare borderless Cavern of Souls variants, but the most valuable version carries a market price of roughly $4,900:

• Cavern of Souls (0410a, Borderless, #410a): $4,900

• Cavern of Souls (0410e, Borderless, #410e): $797.16

• Cavern of Souls (0410d, Borderless, #410d): $528.68

• Cavern of Souls (0410c, Borderless, #410c): $480.07

• Cavern of Souls (0410f, Borderless, #410f): $256.52

Murders at Karlov Manor 

Murders at Karlov Manor’s biggest cards have been dominated by serialized versions of familiar Ravnica characters:

• Niv-Mizzet, Guildpact (Serial Numbered, #319): $695

• Vannifar, Evolved Enigma (Serial Numbered, #323): $600

• Trostani, Three Whispers (Serial Numbered, #322): $500

• Rakdos, Patron of Chaos (Serial Numbered, #320): $400

• Lazav, Wearer of Faces (Serial Numbered, #318): $329.99

Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Outlaws of Thunder Junction is considerably cheaper than many of the sets that came before and after. That’s slightly surprising, given Bristly Bill, Spine Sower, and Terror of the Peaks account for four of its five leading cards:

• Bristly Bill, Spine Sower (Extended Art, #338): $62.40

• Terror of the Peaks (Extended Art, #337): $45.76

• Bristly Bill, Spine Sower (#157): $42.35

• Terror of the Peaks (#149): $30.04

• Goldvein Hydra (Extended Art, #341): $12.20

Outlaws of Thunder Junction: The Big Score

The Big Score was released inside Outlaws of Thunder Junction boosters, pushing the wider set’s value much higher than one might normally expect. Its Raised Foil Vaultborn Tyrant and Sword of Wealth and Power sit very comfortably above the main expansion’s biggest pulls, with market prices well over $200 and $150, respectively:

• Vaultborn Tyrant (Showcase, Raised Foil, #061): $220.83

• Sword of Wealth and Power (Showcase, Raised Foil, #064): $164.13

• Vaultborn Tyrant (Showcase, #050): $86.94

• Simulacrum Synthesizer (Showcase, #036): $68.76

• Sword of Wealth and Power (Showcase, #056): $54.32

Bloomburrow

Bloomburrow's animal-focused setting might be an approachable set to dive into, but its most desirable Raised Foils carry some seriously high prices:

• Lumra, Bellow of the Woods (Borderless, Raised Foil, #343): $769.57

• Baylen, the Haymaker (Borderless, Raised Foil, #345): $412.83

• Ral, Crackling Wit (Borderless, Raised Foil, #353): $359.81

• Camellia, the Seedmiser (Borderless, Raised Foil, #346): $244.41

• Vren, the Relentless (Borderless, Raised Foil, #354): $226.66

Duskmourn: House of Horror

Duskmourn: House of Horror has a strong collection of premium cards without reaching the four-figure price brackets of Standard’s biggest releases:

• Valgavoth, Terror Eater (Showcase, Textured Foil, #407): $303.06

• Enduring Vitality (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #404): $282.09

• Overlord of the Balemurk (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #401): $256.26

• Enduring Curiosity (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #398): $197.46

• Overlord of the Hauntwoods (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #405): $191.82

Foundations

Magic: The Gathering’s Foundations offers plenty of recognizable Magic staples, and its Fracture Foil treatments have ended up becoming very high value in terms of chase cards:

• Llanowar Elves (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #439): $778.73

• Doubling Season (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #438): $624.11

• Twinflame Tyrant (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #437): $469.21

• Bloodthirsty Conqueror (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #436): $354.33

• Progenitus (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #441): $294.72

Aetherdrift

Aetherdrift's most valuable cards are relatively cheap compared to other expansions released around the same time. Radiant Lotus and Loot, the Pathfinder lead through their Fracture Foil treatments, but neither currently reaches much beyond $140:                                                                                         

• Radiant Lotus (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #416): $136.34

• Loot, the Pathfinder (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #414): $104.25

• The Aetherspark (First-Place Foil, #496): $86.59

• Chandra, Spark Hunter (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #411): $72.86

• Cursecloth Wrappings (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #410): $51.73

Tarkir: Dragonstorm

Tarkir: Dragonstorm was released with one enormous chase card separating it from almost everything else in the expansion. The serialized Mox Jasper carries a market price of roughly $1,757, putting it more than $1,200 ahead of the Halo Foil Ugin, Eye of the Storms:

• Mox Jasper (Serial Numbered, #419): $1,757.08

• Ugin, Eye of the Storms (Showcase, Halo Foil, #409): $464.06

• Elspeth, Storm Slayer (Showcase, Halo Foil, #411): $303.04

• Craterhoof Behemoth (Showcase, Halo Foil, #414): $270.18

• Dracogenesis (Showcase, Halo Foil, #412): $125.90

Final Fantasy

Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy expansion was one of the most anticipated trading card releases in a long while — and is now one of the most expensive by far. Unsurprisingly, for those who kept up with MTG Final Fantasy at launch, all five of the most valuable chase cards are the Traveling Chocobo variants:

• Traveling Chocobo (Borderless, Japanese Exclusive, #551): $5,950

• Traveling Chocobo (Borderless, Neon Ink Blue, #551c): $1,937.28

• Traveling Chocobo (Borderless, Neon Ink Green, #551d): $1,862.90

• Traveling Chocobo (Borderless, Neon Ink Yellow, #551a): $1,766.81

• Traveling Chocobo (Borderless, Neon Ink Pink, #551b): $1,754.61

Edge of Eternities

Edge of Eternities mixes a single four-figure showstopper with several more moderately priced Fracture Foils. Leading the top five by far is the Singularity Foil version of Sothera, the Supervoid, with a market price of over $1,200, while Icetill Explorer drops to around $348 in second place:

• Sothera, the Supervoid (Singularity Foil, #382): $1,222.82

• Icetill Explorer (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #388): $347.95

• Exalted Sunborn (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #384): $222.85

• Starfield Vocalist (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #385): $196.77

• Sothera, the Supervoid (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #386): $128.71

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man unexpectedly included a high-priced Infinity Stone sitting at the top of its rankings, with the borderless Soul Stone carrying a market value of nearly $1,700:

• The Soul Stone (Borderless, #243): $1,698.11

• Spectacular Spider-Man (0235, Borderless, #235): $417.15

• Spectacular Spider-Man (0236, Borderless, #236): $308.02

• Spectacular Spider-Man (0240, Borderless, #240): $267.55

• Spectacular Spider-Man (0238, Borderless, #238): $264.05

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Magic: The Gathering’s Avatar: The Last Airbender expansion brought the iconic Nickelodeon series’ bending to the tabletop and has one of Standard’s most valuable collections of premium treatments:

• Avatar Aang (Raised Foil, #363): $3,908.42

• Toph, the First Metalbender (Borderless, Neon Ink Foil, #362): $900.80

• Aang, Swift Savior (Borderless, Neon Ink Foil, #359): $534.64

• Katara, the Fearless (Borderless, Neon Ink Foil, #361): $479.35

• Fire Lord Zuko (Borderless, Neon Ink Foil, #360): $466.79

Lorwyn Eclipsed

Lorwyn Eclipsed returned to the land of light and shadow with a noticeably smaller gap between its premium pulls and the rest of the expansion. Bloom Tender leads through its Fracture Foil treatment at approximately $356, followed by Moonshadow at just under $150:

• Bloom Tender (0400, Showcase, Fracture Foil, #400): $355.52

• Moonshadow (0396, Showcase, Fracture Foil, #396): $147.77

• Selfless Safewright (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #401): $75.11

• Spinerock Tyrant (0399, Showcase, Fracture Foil, #399): $74.81

• Winnowing (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #392): $70.75

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles emerged from the sewers and became another heavyweight Universes Beyond release, largely thanks to its beautiful Gold-Stamped borderless cards:

• Leonardo, Sewer Samurai (Borderless, Gold-Stamped, #301): $2,957.03

• Donatello, Mutant Mechanic (Borderless, Gold-Stamped, #302): $2,700

• Michelangelo, Improviser (Borderless, Gold-Stamped, #304): $2,250

• Raphael, Ninja Destroyer (Borderless, Gold-Stamped, #303): $2,175

• Super Shredder (Showcase, Fracture Foil, #295): $320.47

Secrets of Strixhaven

Secrets of Strixhaven has perhaps the most uneven top end of any expansion on this list. Its serialized Double Rainbow Foil Emeritus of Ideation is valued at approximately $2,900, but the second-place card sits at only around $18:

• Emeritus of Ideation (Retro Frame, Serial Numbered, Double Rainbow Foil, #306): $2,900

• Emeritus of Woe (Extended Art, #324): $18.04

• Witherbloom, the Balancer (Borderless, #288): $13.30

• Improvisation Capstone (Borderless, #294): $12.99

• Emeritus of Woe (#080): $12.86

Marvel Super Heroes

Magic: The Gathering’s fun Marvel Super Heroes expansion closes out the current Standard lineup with another hugely valuable Infinity Stone:

• The Mind Stone (Borderless, #386): $1,641.39

• Thanos, the Mad Titan (Borderless, #400): $222.82

• Doctor Doom (Borderless, #394): $150.50

• Ultron, Artificial Malevolence (Borderless, #401): $93.71

• Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu (Borderless, #396): $84.89

TL;DR: Get the iPhone 17 for free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 17 for free Switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan. Get Deal

While Samsung continues to dominate the news cycle with its latest wave of foldables and smart glasses, we can't simply ignore Apple.

With memory costs creeping up under global RAMageddon supply squeezes, getting your hands on the latest iPhone usually requires a steep upfront cost. However, T-Mobile is cutting through the noise with a major carrier deal: you can score an Apple iPhone 17 for free right now when you switch networks. The best bit? Unlike most promotions that force you to trade something in to qualify, this offer bucks that trend.

To qualify for this promotion, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile finances the $829.99 device balance over 24 months, then applies an equal monthly bill credit to cancel out that fee. You are responsible for local sales tax on the full pre-credit price plus T-Mobile’s standard $35 device connection charge due at checkout. This is a 24-month carrier agreement. If you cancel the service, switch to another plan, or leave T-Mobile before the 24-month period is up, the remaining unpaid device balance becomes due immediately.

If you’re still clutching an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, you’re missing out on Apple’s most transformative generational leap in years. The iPhone 17 is the first base-model handset built to run Apple Intelligence features without lag. Check out our review for a more detailed breakdown.

If you’re already planning to switch carriers or want a premium unlimited plan with high-speed data, grabbing Apple’s latest flagship for free without giving up your old phone is a no-brainer upgrade.

SAVE $50: You can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 bundled with a $50 Amazon gift card for $379.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 + $50 Gift Card   Get Deal

Samsung Unpacked brought the usual overwhelming wave of new gear — new Samsung phones, new watches, and even Samsung Galaxy Glasses — because, apparently, Samsung decided to surprise everyone.

Here's where it gets good: Amazon is currently bundling the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 with a free $50 gift card. Pre-order now and it'll ship Aug. 7. It's not just a good preorder deal — it's a good preorder deal with a little something extra tucked in for later.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Unpacked: What to expect from Samsung's new smartwatches

Once it's on your wrist, the Watch 9 tracks your vitals while you sleep and flags anything that's off from your normal patterns, so you get a heads-up on anything that might need your attention. There's also a Fitness Index feature that adjusts its coaching based on what you're training for, whether that's building endurance for a hike or just getting stronger.

The AI assistant skips the wake word entirely — just raise your wrist and start talking, and it's already listening. And instead of making you check five different health stats separately, the watch combines sleep, BMI, activity, and vascular load into one Heart Health Score that tells you how your heart's doing at a glance.

Quick note on the gift card: you'll need to select the gift card bundle variation at checkout to get it, and the offer ends Aug. 6 — a day before the watch even ships. So if you want that $50 gift card, grab the Galaxy Watch 9 asap.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for just $54.99 (reg. $249.99) and own Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access with a lifetime license for one PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows: Lifetime License $54.99
$249.99 Save $195   Get Deal

So many of us are happy with Microsoft’s classic Office apps, but less enthusiastic about recurring software payments. That’s what makes this version worth a closer look.

Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus is available for $54.99 for a limited time. Instead of signing up for an ongoing Microsoft 365 subscription, you’ll get a lifetime license tied to one Windows PC. That’s also why this version costs less than account-based Office licenses — it’s licensed to a specific device rather than your Microsoft account.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Inside the suite are the apps many people rely on every day:

• Word for document creation and editing

• Excel for spreadsheets and analysis

• PowerPoint for presentations

• Outlook for email

• OneNote for note-taking

• Access for database management

Office 2024 Professional Plus is designed with long-term stability in mind. Rather than frequent feature changes, it focuses on reliable performance, a streamlined interface with Dark Mode support, enhanced security features, and compatibility with Windows 10 and Windows 11.

This makes it a practical choice for professionals, small businesses, students, or anyone who prefers software they can install once and continue using without worrying about another monthly charge.

One important detail: this license is device-linked, not Microsoft account-linked. Once activated, it’s tied to the Windows PC where it’s installed.

Get Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus for Windows for $54.99 (reg. $249.99) and enjoy a lifetime license with no ongoing subscription fees.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan for just $69.97 through Aug. 9 and bring leading AI models and other tools into one lifetime workspace.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $69.97
$540 Save $470.03   Get Deal

AI subscriptions aren’t cheap, but it’s manageable if you only use one model like ChatGPT. However, if you need tools for generating images, writing copy, analyzing documents, or translating between languages, a platform like 1min.AI is a more viable option. 

1min.AI gives you lifetime access to some of the most popular AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Mistral, and many others. It’s also only $69.97 for a lifetime subscription through today (reg. $540).

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

1min.AI runs in your browser and pulls a ton of everyday work into one place. You can research keywords, draft blog posts, rewrite and shorten text, generate social posts, and keep a consistent brand voice across projects.

There are tools to summarize or translate documents, chat with multiple PDFs at once, and spin up slide presentations. For visuals, you can generate images from prompts, upscale low-resolution pictures, remove backgrounds, extend edges, or turn rough sketches into cleaner artwork.

Here’s a small sample of the AI models you’ll get access to:

• GPT-5.5 Pro, GPT-5.4 Pro (OpenAI)

• Claude 4.1 Opus, Claude 4.5 Sonnet, Claude 4.6 Sonnet (Anthropic)

• Gemini 2.5 Flash, Gemini 3.1 Pro

• Llama 3

• Mistral models

The Advanced Business Plan includes 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 more through daily logins and other tasks. Credits are shared across writing, images, audio, and video, so you can lean harder on whichever tools you need that month.

The plan supports up to 20 members, with shared workspaces, an unlimited prompt library, unlimited storage, and unlimited brand voices. If you don’t use all your credits, they just roll over, so you aren’t missing out if you have a lighter month.

It’s currently only $69.97 (reg. $540) to get a 1min.AI lifetime subscription, but that’s only through today, Aug. 9, at 11:59 pm PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get "dates" (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality? That’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are.

SEE ALSO: What's dating in 2026 like? Single women tell all.

Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.

I’ve spent the past three years (yes, years) researching, downloading, and testing dozens of the top dating apps to find the best ones for all kinds of daters, including the one-night-stand crowd. From discreet sexting apps to dating sites for serious relationships, I've swiped through them all. I also consulted a helpful panel of sex and relationship experts to make sure my picks are solid.

How to get the most out of hookup apps

My number one rule is to be brutally honest about what you want. Are you here for a good time? Own it. That means staying in your lane; don't go looking for a one-night stand on an app like eharmony.

"Hookup apps help prevent situations where people are on mainstream dating sites with the intention of having a casual hookup but are unclear about these intentions," Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Biird and author of Subjectified: Becoming a Sexual Subject, tells Mashable. "They also give women a space to be openly sexual creatures without judgment."

And here's a little secret I picked up from Alexander Liebisch, the CEO and founder of TinderProfile.ai: Timing is everything. He found that people messaging on Tinder's "free tonight" feature after 10 p.m. on a weekend had a 45 percent higher chance of hooking up.

So, whether you're looking for a one-night stand, a regular FWB situation, or just a space to explore your sexuality, I've got you covered. Based on all my hands-on testing and expert consultations, I’ve broken down the best hookup app for every type of person and mood.

Recent updates to this guide

• Hinge: Hinge just keeps getting better, so I’ve bumped it up higher on my list as of October 2025. In our most recent update in July 2026, it still earns the top spot. Its user base is growing, and my own recent tests on the app have been surprisingly positive.

• Sniffies (added September 2025): I've added Sniffies, the map-based app for queer men, because it's been gaining a lot of traction. (It got a little too spicy for Apple and was pulled from the App Store, so it's now technically a dating site.) Don't say I didn't warn you about the NSFW content.

• FetLife (added September 2025): FetLife is my new favorite "Honorable Mention." It's not your typical hookup app; it's more of a social network for the kink community (and, oddly enough, the best hookup app for gamers). Just remember: it's a community, so don't treat it like Tinder.

• Plenty of Fish (removed January 2025): POF went through a rebrand recently, and honestly, I'm not impressed. My latest tests showed they got rid of key features like free messaging for non-matches, and I kept running into the same old profiles.

• Match (removed August 2025): I know some people say they've found casual hookups on Match, but that's not what it's for. Match is where you go to find a serious, long-term relationship, and I still recommend it for that. But for a hookup? You're just fishing in the wrong pond.

Why some popular hookup apps didn't make the cut

You might notice a few apps that pop up in ads or other lists are missing here. That’s intentional. I swipe through the good, the bad, and the downright sketchy so you don’t have to. For an app to make my list, it has to be effective, safe, and worth your time.

Here's a shortlist of apps that didn't make the cut this year:

• Wild: You’ve probably seen ads for this one. On paper, Wild sounds like the perfect casual dating app. In practice, the paywalls are aggressive, the distance filter doesn't work, and you have to pay for anything that's even remotely useful. Unless you're willing to spend serious cash upfront (and hope for the best), the experience feels limited compared to more open apps like Tinder.

• DOWN: This app (formerly "Bang With Friends") is known for its simple "Get Down" vs. "Get Date" feature. It sounds clever, but in reality, the experience is messy at best. Many users report feeling scammed by subscriptions that don't deliver matches, or finding that the few real people on there are... let's say "odd." It’s hard to recommend an app when the main user complaint is "Is anyone real?" Hard pass.

• Facebook Dating: Yes, Facebook has a dating section, and it’s surprisingly massive (and completely free, which is huge). While it's a decent option for casual dating, the vibe tends to be a bit more "friends of friends" and "relationship-focused" than the anonymous, no-strings energy you get from apps like Pure or Feeld. (For Mashable's Chance Townsend, signing up was "the most uneventful dating experience" of his life.) It's worth a shot if you're already on Facebook, but it didn't quite crack my top tier for hookups specifically.

TL;DR: Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (256GB, unlocked) for $1,899.99 at Amazon and get a free $350 Amazon gift card bundled in — no trade-in required.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 + $350 Gift Card   Get Deal

Samsung's Unpacked event didn't hold back — new Samsung phones, new watches, and even Samsung Galaxy Glasses all landed within the same event. With that much new hardware announced at once, it can take some digging to figure out which deal on which device is actually worth your money.

Amazon is currently bundling the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a free $350 gift card, no trade-in or discount code needed — just the phone at $1,899.99 with the gift card tacked on.

SEE ALSO: How to skip the $1,800 price tag and score a free Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 at AT&T

Unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 turns into a mini tablet for watching movies and reading books. Whatever you're watching looks immersive on the big screen, and Samsung claims it's the lightest fold they've made yet, so you're not lugging around a brick to get there.

Folded back up, it handles texting and everyday use just like a normal phone. The display also claims the title of the brightest screen on any Galaxy phone, so glare from being outside won't ruin your movie or your doomscrolling session.

On the camera side, you get a 50-megapixel dual camera setup paired with the screen, so you can see your shot clearly before and after you take it. If you're filming something chaotic, Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock keeps the shot leveled even if you're not.

However, the gift card isn't instant here — you'll get an email once it's available after the phone ships. The offer runs through Aug. 6, so pre-ordering sooner gets you in before the window closes.

Grab the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (256GB, unlocked) at Amazon to claim your bonus.

The Moon is now well into its waning phase, gradually appearing less full as it moves closer to the New Moon. Here's what you can still see on its surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Aug. 1, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 93% of its surface visible.

Without visual aids, tonight you should still be able to see the Mare Tranquillitatis, Copernicus Crater, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars will help you see the Alphonsus Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Clavius Crater. Pull out your telescope (if you have one) to see see all clearer, plus the Apollo 14 landing spot, the Rupes Altai, and the Linne Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon goes through a complete cycle of eight phases roughly every 29.5 days. As it travels around Earth, the angle between the Sun, Earth and Moon constantly changes, meaning we see different amounts of the Moon's sunlit side. This is what causes the familiar progression from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the cycle repeats.

The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 1, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Hit the sack

• Green: Iconic movie stars

• Blue: Dig deep

• Purple: Carb-loaded

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Bedding

• Green: Oscar-winning actors since 2010

• Blue: Perform some hole-machining operations

• Purple: Starting with bread shapes

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 #1147 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Bedding: COMFORTER, SHAM, SHEET, THROW

• Oscar-winning actors since 2010: BALE, JORDAN, PHOENIX, WALTZ

• Perform some hole-machining operations: BORE, COUNTERSINK, DRILL, REAM

• Starting with bread shapes: BOULEVARD, BUNDLE, LOAFER, ROLLS-ROYCE

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 1, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you can laugh it off.

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 August 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "As if!"

The words are related to ridiculousness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe being unreasonable.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Get Real.

NYT Strands word list for August 1

• Absurd

• Laughable

• Get Real

• Preposterous

• Ludicrous

• Silly

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a cold treat.

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 August 1, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Mush.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SLUSH

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

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

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

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

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.

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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

Quickness.

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

SPEED

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Duck sound.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

QUACK

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Deadly.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FATAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not before.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AFTER

Final Hurdle hint

A red bird.

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

ROBIN

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

Lamborghini spent the early 1970s trying to fix a problem most carmakers would have envied: a car that was already a legend yet still had room to improve. That car was the Miura, and “the fix” became the Miura SV, the model Lamborghini credits with starting a naming tradition it still uses today.

TL;DR: Take your coding skills to the next level with the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle for just $37.97 (reg. $1,999.99) with code COURSE30 now until Aug. 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle $34.97
$1,999.99 Save $1,965.02   Get Deal

Whether you’re learning to code for work or just mastering this skill as a hobby, the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle sets you up for success. This combo gives you the education you need, plus software that makes the process easier.

Right now, you can score it all for only $37.97 with code COURSE30 through Aug. 2.

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These days, you can master new lucrative skills without even setting foot in a classroom. This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle gives you all the tools you need — from the software to the lessons.

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Hybrid SUVs have become increasingly efficient, but most earn their reputation by excelling in stop-and-go city driving. Maintaining that efficiency at highway speeds is a much tougher challenge, where the gasoline engine does far more of the work.