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If you're tired of closed-source smart home ecosystems like Alexa and Google Home, then Home Assistant can give you far more freedom. If you miss voice commands, you can use the native Assist voice assistant in Home Assistant. While hooking it up to an LLM can give Assist natural language understanding, there's a lot more you can do with the default version of Assist than you might think.

SAVE OVER $10: As of June 12, the Lego Ideas Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. set (#21357) is discounted to $55.99 at Amazon. This is $14 off its full price of $69.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego LEGO Ideas Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. (#21357) $55.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal

In what feels like perfect timing with Toy Story 5 coming out soon, the delightful Lego Ideas Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. set (#21357) has been discounted at Amazon before the retailer's big Prime Day sale. As of June 12, this Lego set is marked down to $55.99.

This saves $14 over its full price of $69.99, but it's also just pennies away from its lowest-ever price at the retailer. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it was $55.95, so why not take this opportunity to scoop it up for a Pixar fan in your life? Again, with Toy Story 5 releasing soon, the timing couldn't be better to build it.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for Prime Day

This Lego set - comprised of 613 pieces and recommended for adults ages 18 and up - brings to brick-built life adorable Luxo Jr., the little lamp who first appeared in Disney Pixar's animated short of the same name, back in 1986. Luxo Jr. is fully poseable, too, so you can display it however you like once it's fully pieced together. You'll also piece together the ball that Luxo Jr. knocks around, which is a very fun touch.

If the Lego Ideas Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. set has been on your radar, now is a fantastic time to scoop it up at Amazon and save.

If you're curious what other Lego sets are worth picking up right now, check out our rundown of the 10 best Lego sets of 2026 so far to see some of our favorites.

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

June is chugging along nicely, as World Cup fever prepares to dominate everyone's algorithms for the next six weeks. But if you're not exactly a fan of the football, there are definitely some great movies you can check out to get you in the mood, or you can just steer clear of it altogether with a good show on Netflix.

A new gay dating app will soon enter the crowded landscape: Goose.

Its founder, Derek Chadwick, is a model, actor, and founder of Chaddy Cosmetics. He teased the app on his Instagram in May with a selfie video lamenting, "How come there's no cool gay dating apps in 2026?" Last week, he posted photos declaring that it's "Goose boys summer."

SEE ALSO: Madonna streamed a surprise concert on Grindr

Goose proclaims to be an "anti-algorithm gay dating and lifestyle platform," according to information sent to Mashable. Its tagline is "for the boys," leaving no ambiguity about its target audience.

The app will be "intentionally social-first," offering something different than its hookup-focused competitors like Grindr and Sniffies. Goose also promises a "curated community" and will have an application-based membership, harking to "exclusive" dating apps like Raya.

"It's encouraging men to date how they actually live, sans swiping, born from the mind of someone who's been there, and wanted better," an email to Mashable states. Goose doesn't have matches; users can "wave" to each other, though, and if both people do it, they're connected. But you don't have to connect to match — users can match anyone, while waving signals interest.

Goose will have a live map that shows where people are, so users can discover who's around them. But they can also scroll to meet new people. Profiles will have photos, videos, and ongoing updates; you also won't have to say what you're looking for upfront. Chats can also disappear, as well, and screenshots will apparently be protected, though information sent to Mashable is vague.

Goose doesn't appear to be on the App Store yet, nor does it have a website, but an Instagram account has popped up and already has 12,000 followers at the time of publication.

The news of Goose's launch comes shortly after the announcement that Match Group's "intentional" gay dating app, Archer, will shut down on June 17.

SAVE $100: As of June 12, select colors of the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are back to their lowest-ever price at Amazon of $199. This is $100 off their full price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $199 at Amazon
$299 Save $100   Get Deal

The Bose Ultra Open earbuds are among our favorite early Prime Day earbuds deals at Amazon right now. If you've had your eyes on them, there's no need to wait for the sale event to officially start to save. As of June 12, Amazon's slashed the price of most colors of these earbuds down to $199.

Compared to their list price of $299, this is a huge $100 discount and a return for some colors to their lowest price point so far at the retailer. If you're curious which colors have dropped to this price, you can save on the white smoke, black, desert gold, driftwood sand, midnight violet, and moonstone blue earbuds.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for Prime Day

If you're someone who prefers to be aware of the world around you while listening to music rather than completely tuned out through noise-canceling, open earbuds like the Bose Ultra Open are worth looking into. Writer RJ Andersen gushed over these earbuds in Mashable's review, saying they're "extremely comfortable and score top marks for battery life, spatial audio, and sound quality."

To really emphasize how comfy the Bose Ultra Opens are, they've even landed as our top pick for comfort and sound in our overall roundup of the best open earbuds. Mashable's Bethany Allard notes that they "stood out as the most comfortable pair of open earbuds we tested." On top of that, "they simply sound way better than any pair of open earbuds has a right to."

With a battery that can last up to seven hours on a charge, the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are great to have on-hand for a workout or commute in the day. If you've had your eyes on them, now is the time to pick them up while they're still on sale at Amazon.

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

SAVE $50: As of June 12, the Beats Pill speaker is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal

If you’ve had your eye on the Beats Pill speaker, it’s just dropped back down to $99 on Amazon as of June 12, saving you nearly $50 off the usual $149.95. There are three colors to choose from too, including matte black, champagne gold, and statement red.

With this speaker you'll get an impressive battery life, with up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge. It's a robust device, rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, so it's made for a range of outdoor situations. For portability, it even comes with a removable lanyard and soft-grip silicone backing.

Beats audio is always one you can rely on, and it's no different with the Beats Pill. It features a larger racetrack woofer that displaces 90% more air for deeper, fuller bass. It also benefits from high-resolution lossless audio, supported when connected via USB-C to compatible devices. And for a bigger sound, two Beats Pill speakers can be paired together in Amplify or Stereo mode.

It is also compatible with both Apple and Android devices, as well as Find My or Find My Device support, so you'll always be able to find it.

Get this speaker deal from Amazon now.

Are you using Waymo so much that you'd pay thirty bucks per month to get a 10 percent cashback and some fancy perks on top? If so, you're in luck.

On Thursday, the robotaxi company announced Waymo Premier, an invite-only membership program that Waymo says its users asked for.

SEE ALSO: Waymo using old EV batteries to power Texas, California

The highlight perk of the program is the cashback, with users earning 10 percent Waymo Cash on every trip, and "even more during busy times."

Other perks include priority pickups that allow you to skip the waiting line, early access to Waymo in new cities as the company expands coverage, and up to five free ride cancellations per month.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

The price is pretty steep: $29.99 per month. In comparison, Uber and Lyft have similar programs (Uber One and Lyft Pink), both of which cost $9.99 per month. Uber One cashback is only six percent, so the math favors Waymo Premier, but only if you ride very, very often.

Waymo Premier will initially be offered to "select riders" in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. The program will be expanded to more cities sometime in the future, the company said.

Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO has reportedly made him the world's first trillionaire (or at least very close — there are some mixed reports), and nobody's happier for him than Jimmy Kimmel.

"What makes that even more unsettling is that this man, our first trillionaire, the richest man in the world, is also one of the weirdest people we've ever seen on this planet. This obscenely wealthy weirdo has the ability and means to blow up the moon if he chooses," the host says in the clip above. "Wasn't he supposed to be going to Mars? Can't we chip in to help speed that up?"

Kimmel then uses a graphic to show exactly how much stuff Musk could buy with all his money, before going on to speak a little about the SpaceX CEO's personal history.

"Elon musk came to the United States from South Africa in 1995, the son of a humble emerald mine owner, and he is so grateful to this country that allowed him to become a trillionaire, Tesla paid almost no federal income tax over the past three years," says Kimmel. "You know, for a guy who has been openly cheering immigrants getting kicked out of the country for stealing from us, sure seems like an immigrant who's been stealing from us to me."

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

SAVE $30: As of June 12, the Apple AirPods 4 are on sale for $99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

Looking for a new earbuds deal? As of June 12, the Apple AirPods 4 are back down to $99, saving you $30. And with Prime Day still over a week away, this is a nice little early deal if you need to upgrade now — especially as getting the timing right with Apple deals is a whole exercise. This price is for the earbuds without active noise cancellation, however these are available at a reduced price too, down from $179 to $148.99.

You'll get a great listening experience with these AirPods, which are powered by Apple's H2 chip. Both music and calls will sound great quality, and the Voice Isolation feature helps make sure you're heard nice and clearly too.

The earbuds include Siri support, so they make listening and hands-free tasks easy. You can use voice commands such as playing music or checking schedules, along with Siri Interactions that enable simple head gestures like nodding or shaking to respond. They also feature automatic pairing and in-ear detection for playback control.

They're also compatible with the Find My app, helping you locate both the earbuds and the case should you misplace them. Plus, the battery life gives you up to five hours of listening time per charge and up to 30 hours total with the case.

Head to Amazon to secure this Apple deal.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require soccer knowledge.

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports 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 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 before 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Same second word

• Green: Legendary players

• Blue: Legendary locales

• Purple: Legendary maneuvers

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Boards

• Green: Hall of Fame Spurs

• Blue: Locations of famous auto races

• Purple: Soccer skill moves

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 #627 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Boards: SKATE, SNOW, SURF, WAKE

• Hall of Fame Spurs: DUNCAN, GERVIN, GINOBILI, PARKER

• Locations of famous auto races: DAYTONA, INDIANAPOLIS, LE MANS, MONACO

• Soccer skill moves: NUTMEG, OLIMPICO, RABONA, STEPOVER

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

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $90: As of June 12, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are on sale for $87.95 at Amazon. That's a 51% discount on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N $87.95 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $92.04   Get Deal

If you're looking for a quality pair of headphones, without needing to spend a fortune, this deal on the Sony WH-CH720N headphones is perfect for you. As of June 12, this Sony model is down to just $87.95 from $179.99, so you're saving over $90. Not only that, this is the best-ever price for these headphones, so you're really getting a great deal.

These also happen to be Sony’s lightest wireless noise-cancelling headphones, with whole thing weighing just 192 grams including the headband. This doesn't mean it sacrifices on performance, however. Dual Noise Sensor Technology and the Integrated Processor V1 work together to enhance noise cancellation for a more immersive listening experience. They also include adjustable Ambient Sound Mode and Adaptive Sound Control, which automatically tailor audio based on your environment.

The battery life can last up to 35 hours, and you'll also get a quick charging feature that provides an hour of playback from a three-minute charge. And for calls and voice notes, these headphones benefit from Precise Voice Pickup Technology with beamforming microphones that help make sure your voice is recorded nice and clearly.

Get this headphones deal online at Amazon now.

Having a clean and tidy home is a joy. Cleaning and tidying said home is less of a joy. Though there are some elevated beings among us who find scrubbing their stovetop a meditative experience, most people consider such tasks exhausting, reviled chores only undertaken with reluctance.

Fortunately, the steady march of technological advancement continues to lighten the burden of domestic labour. The popularisation of washing machines and dishwashers revolutionised everyday chores in the '50s, freeing up precious time for millions of people. New devices are now furthering the cause, seeking to become the next ubiquitous household cleaning essential.

Here are seven gadgets to help keep your home clean with minimal effort.

SEE ALSO: How to clean your laptop screen 1. Roborock Saros 20 robot vacuum Its threshold clearance just keeps getting better. Credit: Mashable composite: Roborock

Roborock's flagship Saros 20 robot vacuum is one of the most tricked out models in its current lineup (with the exception of the Roborock Saros Z70 and its robotic arm). Boasting 36,000 Pa, the Saros 20 has over 60 percent more suction power compared to the previous Saros 10, while its FlexiArm Design side brush can literally reach out to sweep up corners and under low furniture. 

The Saros 20's docking station offers all the features you'd expect from a premium robot vacuum, capable of automatically emptying its dust bin, refilling its water tank, topping up its detergent, and drying its dual spinning mops. These mops automatically detach in vacuum only mode as well, so you don't have to worry about it getting your bedroom carpet wet.

SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuums of 2026 so far: I've tested 10+ new models since January, but these 4 stood out

In addition to this, one of the Saros 20's most notable features is its improved threshold clearance. While the Saros 10 requires multiple steps to climb 1.57-inch (4-centimetre) thresholds, the Saros 20 is capable of clearing 1.77 inches (4.5 centimetres) in one go. If taking multiple steps, it can climb a further 1.69 inches (4.3 centimetres), for a total of 3.46 inches (8.8 centimetres). Of course, taking full advantage of this would require your home to include a threshold of two tiny ledges. However, the Saros 20's initial 1.77-inch clearance should be enough to let it navigate many homes.

All these features will cost you, as the Roborock Saros 20 is one of the pricier robot vacuums currently on the market. But if you have the cash to spend, a few small thresholds to navigate, and are after a set-and-forget floor cleaning solution that can both vacuum and mop, the Saros 20 may be an option to consider.

Roborock Saros 20 robot vacuum $1,599.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon 2. Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster Blow away dust with ease. Credit: Wolfbox

Dusting off your electronics is one of those cleaning chores that you know you technically should do, but it's just so easy to overlook. There's never a compressed air canister on hand when you want to clean, and going to buy one feels like a hassle. The Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster makes it much easier to keep your electronics clean, turning dusting from an occasional chore to a regular part of your routine.

Blasting air at a maximum speed of over 190mph, the MegaFlow 200 weighs less than 1lb and charges by USB-C, making it easy to keep on hand for a quick clean at any time. While its four interchangeable nozzles are too wide to really reach into the nooks and crannies of electronics, the MegaFlow also comes with two brushes to help with that job, allowing you to dislodge debris while the powerful fan blasts it away. 

Featured Video For You The same engine powering supersonic flight wants to power AI

The MegaFlow 200 isn't just intended for dusting off electronics either. It can also tackle tasks such as clearing away sawdust in your workshop, helping light campfires, or blowing up inflatable mattresses — basically any job that requires a concentrated blast of air. Instead of handling a myriad of disposable air canisters and air pumps, you can do it all with just one gadget.

It is worth noting that the MegaFlow 200's considerable power does come with a drawback. The fan is incredibly loud, enough that it may hurt users' ears while in operation. Mashable's testing found that the noise from the MegaFlow 200 was over 100dB, as measured by Apple Watch Ultra's environmental noise detection. According to Apple, just a few minutes of sound at this volume per day can cause temporary hearing loss. As such, you'll definitely want to wear earplugs or noise-cancelling earphones while using the MegaFlow 200.

Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster $85.49 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $44.50   Shop Now at Amazon 3. Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner A powerful and versatile cleaning gadget. Credit: Mashable composite: Kärcher

Steam cleaners are severely underrated cleaning gadgets, sanitising surfaces and blasting away grime that would otherwise take extensive scrubbing to remove. If the grout in your bathroom is perpetually mouldy or you hate scouring your stovetop, you should seriously consider investing in a steam cleaner.

The Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner is a versatile household steam cleaner which heats up in less than a minute, so you can quickly get to cleaning before your motivation evaporates. Relatively compact at around 14 inches long, the SC 3 EasyFix has a 33 oz (1L) water tank which can easily be topped up even during operation, no stopping and depressurising required. Its replaceable descaling cartridge removes limescale from the water to lengthen the steam cleaner's lifespan as well.

The SC 3 EasyFix comes bundled with several attachments and accessories, including a floor nozzle, cleaning cloth, and extension tubes so you can steam clean your floor without getting on all fours. Kärcher also has various other accessories to expand your unit's versatility, such as a carpet glider, handy replacement brush sets, and a power nozzle for reaching into narrow areas.

It isn't entirely magic — you will still have to scrub a little. But scrubbing with a steam cleaner as opposed to without one is like pushing a tricycle instead of a truck.

Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner $207.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $52   Shop Now at Amazon 4. Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner Roborock claims it can even steam wood floors. Credit: Roborock

While robot vacuums are great at maintaining general floor cleanliness, sometimes a deeper manual clean is required. The Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a versatile option for such occasions, offering mopping, steam cleaning, 187°F (86°C) hot water cleaning, and sponge functionality all in a convenient upright cordless gadget. It can also lay completely flat, allowing you to reach those difficult spots underneath furniture for a satisfyingly thorough clean.

Boasting 22,000Pa suction power, the F25 Ultra features tight edge-to-edge cleaning on either side, mopping right up next to furniture and walls without missing spots. While its auto and sponge modes are suitable for standard cleaning and sucking up spills, the F25 Ultra's hot water and steam modes deal with oiler, more stubborn stains. The F25 Ultra also has a separate onboard compartment for detergent, which automatically dispenses in appropriate modes. This means you can switch between the steam and non-steam functions on the fly without having to worry about detergent interfering with the internal mechanisms.

Significantly, Roborock claims that the F25 Ultra's steam mode safely be safely used on wood floors. Many other wet and dry vacuums advise against such use due to fears that the hot steam may cause the wood to warp. In contrast, Roborock states that tests on the F25 Ultra included using its steam mode on a solid wood floor, which didn't result in any damage even after 18,000 strokes.

The F25 Ultra comes with a charging base and self-cleaning mode, which makes maintenance fairly simple. All you need to do run the self-clean, then empty out the dirty water tank and brush away the accumulated debris. While clearing out a dirty water tank is never an enjoyable task, the convenient lever handle on the F25 Ultra's tank helps make it as quick and easy as possible.

Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Shop Now at Amazon 5. Dremel Versa electric scrubber Scrubbing made way easier. Credit: Dremel

Keeping a home clean unfortunately often necessitates scrubbing for hours on end until your fingers are permanently, painfully stuck in a clawed position. The Dremel Versa is an electric scrubbing device designed to make this chore much easier, replacing your elbow grease with 2,200 RPM.

The Versa has a slew of attachments available to suit a variety of scrubbing needs, whether you want to clean steel, grout, or glass. While its brushes screw in, the sponges adhere to the Versa via a Velcro-like pad, keeping them firmly attached while also making them ridiculously easy to swap out.

Dremel has a handy chart to help you determine the appropriate sponge for a variety of tasks, though it's still fairly nerve-wracking at first. As someone who has inadvertently scratched shower glass with a drill-powered scrubbing brush, you don't want to be applying such power unless you're absolutely sure you have the right attachment. You should consider wearing hearing protection as well, especially if you're using the Dremel Versa in an enclosed space such as a shower. After all, it is essentially a drill.

Though once you've figured it out, the Dremel Versa can go a long way to making home upkeep less taxing.

Dremel Versa electric scrubber $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon 6. Coway Airmega 200M air purifier A good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. Credit: Coway

As someone who lives in a fairly suburban area, I used to think air purifiers were largely unnecessary gadgets. Having now been through several dire bushfire seasons which smothered my home in smoke, I now know better.

Whether you're dealing with wildfire smoke or city smog, a good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. After all, it's difficult to relax if you can't even get a lungful of good, clean air. The Coway Airmega 200M is a relatively unobtrusive workhorse that can maintain clean air in a 361 square foot area, whether you're binge-watching Netflix in your living room or optimising your sleep in your bedroom. The result is an environment that feels undeniably fresher and more peaceful.

The Airmega 200M has four stages of filtration: a pre-filter for larger particles such as hair and dust; a deodorisation filter to capture smells; a True HEPA filter for ultra fine particles like pollen, viruses, and germs; and a vital ioniser to catch any ultra fine particles the previous filters missed. 

Operating at a whisper-quiet volume, Coway's air purifier has a timer which can be set to one, four, or eight hours, as well as three different fan speeds. It also has an Eco Mode, which will save you energy by turning the fan off if the Airmega 200M doesn't detect pollution for half an hour, then turning it back on when it does.

Coway Airmega 200M air purifier $161 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $68.99   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart 7. Bosch GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum A gadget that aims to simplify window washing. Credit: Bosch

Having an abundance of windows can make a home feel refreshing and bright, allowing in natural light to transform an otherwise gloomy space. Unfortunately, these benefits are significantly diminished if you can't keep said windows clean.

Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum aims to simplify this chore, squeegeeing and sucking up liquids for a tidy, streak-free finish. Bundled with a spray bottle affixed to a microfibre cloth head, this handheld gadget is designed to clean windows, mirrors, shower screens, tiles, and other such surfaces. Just turn it on, squeegee as usual, and watch as dirty water collects in its 100mL tank instead of on your window sill. 

The vacuum isn't quite as effective when running the GlassVAC Solo Plus horizontally across surfaces as opposed to vertically, and it may not get every last drop. Depending on how wet your window was, you may still need to give the sill a quick wipe. Even so, the GlassVAC Solo Plus does an excellent job of substantially minimising mess, and is particularly handy when dealing with morning condensation on bedroom windows.

The Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus also doesn't make that grating squeaking sound that most standard squeegees do, which is an undeniable bonus.

Bosch Glass VAC Battery Cordless Vacuum Cleaner $89.90 at Walmart
$110 Save $20.10   Shop Now at Walmart

UPDATE: Dec. 8, 2025, 4:43 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published July 2024, and was most recently updated in June 2026.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, June 12, 2026:

AcrossVertical post in a doorframe

• The answer is Jamb.

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

What "E" stands for in the musical mnemonic EGBDF

• The answer is Every.

6:7, e.g.

• The answer is Ratio.

Rap or tap

• The answer is Knock.

Quick puff on a joint

• The answer is Toke.

DownKind of seasoning for Jamaican-style chicken

• The answer is Jerk.

___-garde

• The answer is Avant.

"That makes two of us!"

• The answer is Me too.

Badly missed jump shot, in hoops slang

• The answer is Brick.

Oxen's harness

• The answer is Yoke.

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

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

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

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

To ignite.

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

SPARK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An important part of diet.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

FIBER

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The hedgehog.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 12, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SONIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Open.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AGAPE

Final Hurdle hint

To squeeze.

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

PINCH

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

SAVE $60: As of June 12, the Fitbit Charge 6 is on sale at Amazon for $99.95, marking a return to its lowest-ever price at the retailer. Overall, this is $60 off its full price of $159.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Amazon Prime Day's next sale starts in just over a week on June 23, but there's already some exciting early deals available to shop. In the world of fitness trackers, Fitbits have been popping up with some excellent discounts at the retailer recently. This includes our favorite mid-range fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 6.

As of June 12, every available color of the Fitbit Charge 6 has been marked down to $99.95 at Amazon. This is $60 off its full price of $159.95, but it also marks a return to its lowest price point so far at the retailer. It's currently sitting as our favorite Fitbit deal ahead of Prime Day, so why wait to grab it?

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for Prime Day

From all-day activity tracking to 24/7 heart rate tracking to sleep tracking and more, the Charge 6 is a great option for those who want a variety of features for keeping an eye on health and fitness stats without a premium price tag. It's one we actually said is "a shining example of what a mid-budget fitness tracker can be" in Mashable's roundup of the best fitness trackers, where it landed as our favorite mid-range pick.

This is because, as Mashable's shopping team writes, the Charge 6 "offers fantastic value for what you pay, and packs in a lot of the features you'd expect from more high-end fitness trackers like a built-in GPS, 40 exercise modes to choose from, and heart rate connectivity with select exercise machines, just to name a few." However, if you're a trail runner, it is missing an altimeter. Mashable writer Lois Mackenzie wrote about this, but still expressed that the "Fitbit Charge 6 has many great qualities, and if tracking elevation isn't necessary for you, it's a fantastic option."

No need to wait for Prime Day. Don't miss out on this chance to save on the Fitbit Charge 6 at Amazon.

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

How to watch the Knicks vs. Spurs, Game 5 at a glance: ESPN Unlimited $29.99/month Learn More YouTube TV free 10-day trial Learn More Hulu + Live TV free 3-day trial Learn More Fubo TV Pro free 5-day trial Learn More

Fortunately for New York fans, the alleged Trump curse was lifted for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and the Knicks took a 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs after a historic comeback. I'm not even a basketball fan, and I thought the game was pretty dang electric. The teams will now head back to San Antonio for Game 5.

The Spurs are desperate for a win to stay in, but the Knicks could take it all this weekend for the first time in over 50 years. Even if you're not a huge fan of either team, Game 5 is sure to be epic. Here's everything you need to know to watch the action unfold live.

SEE ALSO: The Knicks' historic comeback broke the internet When is Game 5 of the NBA Finals?

Game 5 of the NBA Finals will take place Saturday, June 13, in San Antonio at Frost Bank Center, with tip-off scheduled at 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. Spurs, Game 5 live

Game 5 will air live on ABC for cable subscribers on Saturday. For cord-cutters, you'll either need an ESPN Unlimited subscription, which gives you access to live sports on ABC, or you'll need a live TV cable replacement service like YouTube TV or Fubo.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99/month Learn More

ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year (save $59.89/year), and unfortunately, there's no free trial. You can also bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu ($35.99/month for all three) or Fox One ($39.99/month for both) for the ultimate streaming package. The good news is that an ESPN Unlimited subscription will give you access to Game 5, plus any other games that may be necessary in the NBA Finals, as well as the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, NFL Monday Night Football, select college football games, and more.

ESPN Unlimited deals:

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

• 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 all of the networks you'll need to tune into the Stanley Cup playoffs live. We're even bigger fans of the 10-day free trial offer. With 10 days of free streaming, you'll be able to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals on ABC, as well as any other games necessary in the series, plus so much more across over 100 different channels.

Should you choose to keep your subscription going, it will cost you $67.99 per month for your first three months of the YouTube TV Base Plan ($82.99/month thereafter) or $54.99 per month for your first 12 months of the new YouTube TV Sports plan ($64.99/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 mentions:

If you've already exhausted your YouTube TV free trial offer, check out one of these honorable mentions to watch the Knicks vs. Spurs Game 5 for free this weekend.

• Fubo TV Pro — free 5-day trial, then $58.99 for one month $73.99/month (save $15)

• Hulu + Live TV (includes ABC) — 3-day trial, then $82.99 per month

• DirecTV My Sports (includes ABC) — 5-day trial, then $44.99/month for two months $64.99/month (save $40)

The best robot vacuums of 2026 so far at a glance Most well-rounded robot vacuum of 2026 so far Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,599.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best roller mop robot vacuum of 2026 so far Narwal Flow 2 $1,499.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best budget robot vacuum of 2026 so far Eufy C28 $499.99 with coupon at Eufy Shop Now Prettiest robot vacuum of 2026 so far Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 Luxe Collection $1,299.99 at SharkNinja Shop Now

The pool of 2026 robot vacuums so far is significantly more diverse than it has been in years past.

Previously, it's been the same old battle of suction power or a corner cleaning competition between five or six bots with near-identical mopping functionality. This year, though, robot vacuum brands like Dreame, Shark, Roborock, Eufy, and Narwal seem to be more concerned with genuine yet realistic innovation. All of the biggest robot vacuums of the year have one or two cool cleaning features that are unique to that brand. We've seen three or four totally different mopping pad designs, AI mess detection and UV light-driven mess detection, and a refreshing variation in the aesthetics of dock designs.

SEE ALSO: I tried the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai at home. I was cursing it out more often than I was cheering it on.

This time a year ago, I had just wrapped up testing the flop of a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm. I then wrote a thinkpiece about how robot vacuum companies were losing the plot with half-baked high-tech features that aren't all that appealing to the average consumer. People just want a robot vacuum that works without intervention, and then maybe they'll be down to pay a more premium price. And that's just what we got this year: A robust selection of robot vacuum advancements at surprisingly generous price points. The most expensive robot vacuums in 2026 cost between $1,499.99 and $1,699.99 — the same price point as their weaker counterparts from 2025.

Since CES in January 2026, I've tested more than 10 of those 2026 robot vacuums in my own home. Here are the four robot vacuums that have impressed me the most so far this year:

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete I like the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete for its impressive suction power and hot-water mopping. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is the most well-rounded robot vacuum of 2026 so far. Its 35,000 Pa of suction power is nearly the most powerful you'll find this year, and I appreciate the fact that it actually lives up to its specs. Cat hair pickup on multiple rug piles was consistently solid, and I found the X60 Max Ultra Complete to have more reliable debris pickup than the Roborock Saros 20's 36,000 Pa. Though it's a beast in terms of suction, it's quite humble in terms of presence in your home. It's pretty quiet and extremely slim at just 3.1 inches tall.

At $1,699.99, the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is also tied for the most expensive robot vacuum of 2026 so far with the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic. That's still steep in my eyes, but your money would be spent on premium features that actually improve the experience. Hot water is used during mopping (not just when washing the pads in the dock), and I think that helped a lot to prevent a greasy residue left behind after wiping up a liquid spill. The X60 Max Ultra Complete's AI cameras perform some of the most perceptive mess detection that I've seen this year — if it notices a spill during a casual clean, it automatically makes multiple passes over the extra-dirty area until the job is done.

Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,599.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $100   Shop Now at Amazon Narwal Flow 2 The Narwal Flow 2's suction power and mess detection make it the best roller mop robot vacuum of 2026 so far. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Narwal Flow 2 is the best roller mop robot vacuum of 2026 so far. The Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow is a close second here, but Narwal's latest pulls ahead with 31,000 Pa of suction power (compared to the Roborock's 20,000 Pa) and incredibly perceptive AI mess detection. The Narwal Flow 2 had a great track record of identifying large piles of debris or large spills bigger than a droplet or two. Its forward-facing camera snaps a before picture before conducting intensive spot cleaning on the area.

Roller mop robot vacuums are known for rinsing their mop as they clean, making them better at preventing smearing a spill or dragging dirty water across the floor. Narwal takes it a step further with heated mopping — and as I've learned over the past few months, hot water usage is a critical mopping feature that any flagship mopping robot vacuum should have by 2027. Hot water loosens the bonds that make grease slimy and tricky to lift off hard surfaces. Since roller mop robot vacuums are particularly geared toward soaking up liquids, they're bound to deal with a lot of greasy, oily, or just plain sticky kitchen spills. To keep hard floors residue-free, those stubborn consistencies need to be dissolved with heat (rather than relying on scrubbing alone). Despite some quirky settings, I'm wickedly impressed with the Narwal Flow 2, and would recommend it to any spill-prone household.

Eufy C28 The Eufy C28 is my favorite budget robot vacuum that I've tested in 2026 thus far. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The Eufy C28 is the best budget robot vacuum of 2026 so far. The $799.99 MSRP isn't bad as it is, but the C28 can almost always be found on sale between $499.99 and $549.99. You won't find a robot vacuum in that price range that handles liquid spills as well as the C28's self-rinsing roller does. (In fact, you're unlikely to stumble across another roller mop robot vacuum this cheap at all.)

In my apartment, the C28's mop also came in handy for wiping up super-fine debris and dust, like kitty litter and pet hair, on hardwood. On rugs, the C28's 18,000 Pa suction power was far more effective on cat hair than I ever expected. I'm not sure that it's the best robot vacuum for homes with multiple shedders, but for one or two animals, the C28 would be more than enough. I appreciated how seriously the Eufy C28 took spot cleaning, especially when it came to straddling rug edges to get the debris that hides near the flaps. The dock and robot itself aren't the sleekest, but the C28 has too stacked a skillset to ignore.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy C28 $499.99
$799.99 Save $300   Shop Now Shark UV Reveal 2-in-1 Luxe Collection The new Luxe Home Collection from Shark includes the most chic vacuums you can buy right now. Credit: Shark I'm obsessed with Shark's UV stain detection. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

The new Luxe Home Collection shades make the Shark UV Reveal 2-in-1 the prettiest robot vacuum of 2026 so far. Before these four earth tones came out, I tested the UV Reveal 2-in-1 at home and was floored by the blacklight detection of invisible dried stains on my hardwood floors. Now, this unique robot vacuum and mop comes in evergreen, ivory, espresso, and deep harbor (navy-ish blue). I haven't seen these colors in person, but I'm sure they're just as stunning as the green Shark PowerDetect Speed cordless vacuum that I'm testing at home.

If you want to automate sweeping and mopping at home, chances are that you're hoping for more frequent cleaning because you care about the state of your home. Ironically, that often means that you're forced to disrupt the state of a room's cohesiveness with a big plastic black or white box that simply looks cheap or too techy. Robot vacuums and their big self-empty docks aren't designed to be hidden under furniture anymore, so Shark's realization that robot vacuums have every right to be stylish is just as innovative as the cleaning itself.

It pains me to remember that the Shark UV Reveal's flat mopping pad isn't really built for dealing with large spills while they're still wet. However, Shark's innovative use of science-backed cleaning tech is refreshing amid the race to have the best AI stain detection cameras. I can see the UV Reveal inspiring a new wave of mopping robot vacuums that react to messes in real time more accurately than ever before, and for that, Shark deserves a spot in the best of 2026 list.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 Luxe Collection $1,299.99 at SharkNinja
  Shop Now

Astronomers now have stronger evidence that mysterious "little red dots" found in the early universe could come from black holes wrapped in thick clouds of gas disguising their light.

Little red dots have puzzled astronomers since their discovery in 2022. Initially, some researchers thought they "broke cosmology," unsure how unusually mature galaxies could have formed so fast after the Big Bang, forcing scientists to rethink their understanding of the dawn of time. 

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has taken a deep look at one of these strange objects, a distant source called GLIMPSE-17775. It appears so small, so compact, and so red that it defies standard classification. By studying the space object's light, a team of researchers teased out more than 40 distinct chemical features. Taken together, they gave scientists a model for what the environment inside the object must look like. 

The verdict: GLIMPSE-17775 behaves like a voracious supermassive black hole, gobbling up a meal while encased in layers of gas. The team's study was published in The Astrophysical Journal. 

"Everything fits, nothing is broken, and I think that makes the puzzle that is our universe even better," said Vasily Kokorev, lead author of the paper, in a statement. "Looking ahead, I'm eager to dive deeper and learn about what is powering the central engines of little red dots." 

SEE ALSO: NASA picked its next Artemis crew. Here's what they'll do.

Earlier studies suggested perhaps these little red dots were ordinary galaxies, just heavily altered in appearance by surrounding dust. Others proposed something more radical: supermassive black holes feeding inside dense balls of gas. The concept became known as a "black hole star." 

Scientists based the idea on broad clues, like the objects' compact size and unusual hydrogen patterns. But those alone couldn't tell them what physical processes were occurring to shape their light.

The James Webb Space Telescope observes GLIMPSE-17775, south of the Abell S1063 galaxy cluster, the bright white light in the center of this image. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / V. Kokorev / A. Pagan

Kokorev's team created a spectrum of GLIMPSE-17775, which existed about 1.8 billion years after the Big Bang, by splitting its light into its component colors. The technique can reveal the presence and absence of different elements and conditions. These new observations allowed them to test the idea of a black hole star from several different angles. 

One of the clearest clues came from the way the little red dot's light behaves. Instead of traveling directly into space, it appears to have ricocheted. That only happens in a dense cocoon of gas — far denser than what astronomers would see in an ordinary galaxy. 

At the center of that gas shell likely sits an actively feeding black hole, aka a quasar, according to the paper. As matter falls toward it, it releases energy. But instead of making a clean getaway, much of that energy gets absorbed and recycled by the surrounding gas. 

That process would naturally explain why the object appears very red and very compact. The gas changes the light before it ever reaches us.

Some researchers think the "little red dots" in the early universe may be supermassive black holes, feeding inside dense balls of gas. Credit: T. Müller / A. de Graaff / Max Planck Institute for Astronomy illustration

"When we saw the spectrum for the first time, it was like having all the pieces of a puzzle scattered on the floor," said Kokorev, an astrophysicist at the University of Texas at Austin. "Maybe a few pieces looked like nothing at first, but then a couple of them came together, and we realized that there was something there."

The study also discusses the masses of these objects. Because earlier estimates relied on measuring how fast gas moves around the black hole, those figures may be unreliable, according to the paper. In an environment of dense gas such as this, the light could become extremely distorted before it reaches telescopes.  

If that's the case, then some early-universe black holes may be smaller than they seem — just growing very quickly and shrouded in gas. That could resolve one of the biggest problems with little red dots: how something so early in cosmic history could grow to be so seemingly large.

Whenever you play a game of Among Us, the Impostor's identity is completely random. Red could just as easily be the culprit as Blue, and there is no narrative reason why any character in particular gets chosen.

But when Among Us made its jump from video game to TV show, the choice of Impostor had to be intentional and character-driven. So, how did series creator Owen Dennis decide that the show's Impostors would be (spoiler!) eager unpaid intern Green (voiced by Elijah Wood) and overly peppy HR rep Orange (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown)?

The answer was rooted in murder mystery tropes.

SEE ALSO: The 'Among Us' TV show is better than it has any right to be

"If you think about the various tropes that come with murder mysteries, you end up with the classic: The butler did it," Dennis told Mashable in a video interview. "Why did the butler do it? Why is that the idea? It's because the butler is the person that's always there. At the time period that these sort of mysteries were written, they're basically the lowest on the totem pole."

Who, then, is the lowest person on the totem pole on Among Us' spaceship, The Skeld? None other than the unpaid intern.

While Green gets taken over by the Impostor alien parasite, Dennis views the harm as also coming from MIRA, the mining corporation behind the Crewmates' mission. After all, their nefarious pursuit of Ore+ — otherwise known as the alien eggs — is what caused this mess in the first place.

"The entire ship is just like this negligent corporation," Dennis said. "Who would the negligent corporation hurt first and hardest? It would be the person who has the least power, and that would be the intern."

Featured Video For You Genndy Tartakovsky breaks down the animation of "Fixed" while drawing his iconic characters

The aliens' parasitic nature acts as a stand-in for MIRA and its wrongdoings, which is why Orange, the company's main presence on the ship, also wound up as an Impostor.

"The first person to turn in this [situation] would be the one who is the most pro-corporation, who, of course, would give themselves willingly to this horrible machine that they're a part of," Dennis explained.

Anti-corporate, anti-capitalist messaging was one of the last things I'd expect to see from an Among Us adaptation, but for Dennis, the idea jumped out at him from the sheer isolation of the game's Crewmates.

"Why isn't there anybody to help them?" Dennis asked. "There's so many systems that seem to fail them over and over again throughout this whole process. There's no government system that can help them. There's no corporate system that seems to help them. Even when they follow their own rules that are given to them by the corporation, where you have to do a vote, it's still an extremely imperfect system that can get a lot of innocent people killed."

Among Us' combination of murder mystery tropes and anti-corporate rhetoric became a potent fuel for its Impostor choices, and Dennis wouldn't have it any other way.

"If there's anything that I'm always happy to push out into the light of day, it's how shitty corporations are," Dennis said.

Among Us is now streaming on Paramount+.

Gather ‘round, witches and wizards. One of my favorite portable power station brands has made a hat for those who dabble in the dark arts. Jokes aside, there’s no denying the EcoFlow Power Hat looks like it’s something out of Harry Potter. But it’s actually a well-designed hat for anyone who spends time outside, and it might be the best way to keep your phone charged up when you’re adventuring off-grid.

The EcoFlow Power Hat uses eight mini solar panels on the brim. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

In my quest for the best way to keep devices online while outdoors, I knew I needed to test out the EcoFlow Power Hat, which is genuinely a solar panel you wear on your noggin. I spent days wearing the hat in my backyard, while out on walks, and generally while living out my life to see just how functional it was. My niece, who’s 16 months old, gave me a judgmental and unapproving look every time she saw me wearing the hat. She clearly didn’t like it, but did I? Here’s what I experienced while testing out the EcoFlow Power hat, which sells for $129.

EcoFlow Power Hat $129 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Wearing a solar panel on my head recharged my phone at a surprising speed

We’ll talk about the looks of the hat later, but what matters most is that the EcoFlow Power Hat recharged my phone at a speed that I wasn’t expecting. To test the Power Hat’s abilities, I set it outside in direct Georgia summer sun for half an hour. I did my best to position the hat so all eight mini solar panels were getting full sun. It took my Google Pixel 8 from 83 percent to 93 percent charge. With those metrics, I was getting about 20 percent charge per hour, or five hours to get my phone from dead back to 100 percent charged. That’s not bad for a clothing accessory.

Testing the EcoFlow Power Hat to recharge my phone. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

I used a USB-C power meter to take a reading of the power input the hat was giving my phone. EcoFlow says the hat can get up to 12W of power, but I only reached a max of 7W, and it mostly hung out near the 6W range. Still, I was impressed that my phone recharged by 10 percent in just 30 minutes of full sun. Here's some useful technical info about the solar panel hat.

Spec teardown on the EcoFlow Power Hat

• Size options: M/L (22 to 22.8 inch head circumference), L/XL (23.2 to 24 inch circumference)

• Rated power output: 12W

• Hat weight (M/L): 13 ounces (0.8 pounds)

• Input options: 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A

• Includes: Solar-panel hat, adjustable hat strap, carrying case

A hat built for function, not fashion

Not that I thought wearing a solar panel on my head would be fashionable, but the hat has a distinctly unfashionable vibe going on. The upper part is a trucker hat design, with a structured front panel and a mesh back for breathability. The brim consists of eight mini solar panels. There’s also an adjustable chin strap you can add to the hat for extra functionality.

The solar panel brim is stiff and stays in a semi-bent-up position, no matter how long I set it on a flat surface to relax. Wearing it for more than half an hour at a time left indents on my forehead, presumably because it’s pretty heavy. The medium/large size I tested weighs about 0.8 pounds. Another downside I noted is that the solar panels get hot to the touch; hot enough that it was uncomfortable to touch for more than a few seconds when sitting in full sun. 

An underside view of the hat with the included strap. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable The hat has one USB-C and one USB-A port. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

But looks aside, the hat serves its intended function very well. Wear it around during a day outside, and you’ll get power into your small electronics. In terms of sun protection, this hat is incredible. The brim is wide and offers 360-degree coverage. If you’re out on a multi-day hiking excursion, this is the exact type of sun protection you’ll want.

Who should own the EcoFlow Power Hat

After wearing the hat around for a few weeks, I’m convinced certain people will love the functionality of the Power Hat. If you head out on fishing trips, spend the day cruising on the boat, or love to spend the summer at festivals, recharging your phone via a hat is a genius move. Plus, you’re getting sun protection. 

It’s also a great idea for people who take multi-day backpacking trips and are trying to keep weight as low as possible. The hat removes the need to pack a power bank and a hat, combining the two. You could also wear the hat for a day at Disneyland, which is a notorious situation for dead phone batteries because you’re not gonna not take endless pictures of Minnie Mouse. 

Why the EcoFlow Power Hat might not be right for you

Despite being a cool gadget, I’m not convinced the EcoFlow Power Hat is right for most people. Consider this: The EcoFlow 45W Portable Solar Panel costs $99 at full price, making it cheaper than the Power Hat and significantly more powerful at recharging small devices. That hat maxes out at 12W, according to EcoFlow, but I never got that much.

While testing the hat, power output maxed out at about 7W. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

The super portable EcoFlow 28W Ultra-Light Solar Panel is also less expensive than the Power Hat when both are at full price. The 28W solar panel sells for $119 and could easily hang on a hiking backpack or sit on a boat deck. Comparing those prices to how much solar power they can harness, the EcoFlow hat only makes sense if you prefer the hat design. Otherwise, you can get more power for less money. And not have to wear a solar panel on your head.

Where to buy the EcoFlow Power Hat

The EcoFlow Power Hat is listed at $129, but it’s currently on sale for $89.99 at Best Buy, and it’s gone as low as $79 at Amazon. If you don’t dig the hat design, I’ve included two solar panel options I’d consider to be solid alternatives.

Where to buy the EcoFlow Power hat and solar panel alternatives: EcoFlow Power Hat $129 at Amazon Get Deal EcoFlow Power Hat $99 at EcoFlow (M/L) (save $30) Get Deal EcoFlow Power Hat (L/LX) $89.99 at Best Buy (save $39.01) Get Deal EcoFlow 45W solar panel $99 at Amazon Get Deal EcoFlow 28W solar panel $99 at Ecoflow (save $20) Get Deal