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TL;DR: The Motorola Razr and Motorola Razr+ are available for free with T-Mobile. You do not need to trade in anything to qualify for these deals.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Free when you activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr+ Free when you activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

We're well aware that Apple recently launched the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Duo, but not everyone is totally obsessed with Apple. We know that's hard to believe, but there are people out there shopping for foldable phones from other brands.

Take a look around the live deals from T-Mobile, and you'll soon discover that the free iPhone deals have largely disappeared. That's a shame, but do not fear. You can still pick up Motorola's latest handsets for absolutely nothing. And the process of claiming these free phones is straightforward. You don't even need to trade anything in to qualify:

• Motorola Razr — free when you activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

• Motorola Razr+ — free when you activate a new line on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

The total cost is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the three-year promotional period, you’ll owe the remaining balance on the phone’s full retail price. You will also need to pay taxes and a one-time $35 connection charge.

In the market for a new phone but aren't convinced by the iPhone Duo? T-Mobile has you sorted with free Motorola Razr deals this week.

When you need a power tool and head to the hardware store, you'll see options from Ryobi, DeWALT, RIGID, Makita, Milwaukee, and more displayed in a rainbow of colors. Once you choose a brand, you'll start stocking up on battery packs, chargers, and endless tools. Here's what you need to know about one of the most recognizable names, Milwaukee, and whether they're worth buying.

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried over 90 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure involving real-world stress tests and artificial benchmarks to evaluate our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models we've tried across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

Why are laptops so expensive right now?

Laptop prices have skyrocketed in 2026 for several reasons. One is the recent boom in AI data center construction, which has caused a global shortage of RAM and SSD storage chips (often referred to as "RAMageddon"). As a result, many consumer tech devices that use these components, including the best laptops, have become vastly more expensive than they would've been otherwise. Most PC makers have been affected, including Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer.

The memory crisis is expected to worsen and could last into 2028, driving up prices even further and making good values in the budget and mid-range tiers even scarcer. On top of that, the Trump administration is reportedly mulling new tariffs on semiconductors that would apply to laptops and other electronics.

SEE ALSO: RAMageddon is reportedly causing a MacBook Air shortage

Further complicating things is that Microsoft reportedly raised its Windows 11 licensing fees by higher-than-usual percentages. In other words, both hardware and software prices have gone up for PC makers this year, forcing them to pass on the extra costs to consumers. Lucky us.

The Mashable team is taking the current state of the market into consideration as we assess and select laptops to recommend to our readers. Moreover, we've gone back and re-evaluated several models that have gotten more expensive since we first tested them.

At the time of writing, only two previous top picks have gotten so pricey that we think they're no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumped from an already-high $750 to $1,000, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, which went from $479 to $649. We're currently testing some other Chromebook options and will update this guide with a new top pick soon.

Recent updates to this guide

• Mid-September 2026: I've added the Dell XPS 13 as a new pick following our latest round of testing. It's now the best budget Windows laptop we've tried. I also checked all of our current picks for any new pricing and availability updates; there are none to report at this time.

• Early September 2026: I added more information about the various factors affecting laptop prices right now. I also added a new section about some new laptops that shoppers can look forward to in the coming months. Finally, I updated three of our picks in the wake of recent pricing and availability changes. I removed the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 as our top Chromebook because of its value-zapping $170 price hike, and I'm now looking for its replacement. The Asus Zenbook A16 got a $300 price bump, but I'm keeping it as our best 16-inch laptop (for now) because it's still not a rip-off in the current market. Lastly, the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI was out of stock at the time of writing, but may not be sold out for good. I'll continue to monitor its listings over the next few weeks and will swap it for another model if it turns out it's actually been discontinued. In the meantime, a refurbished Swift Edge 14 AI is readily available.

• July 2026: The Acer Swift Edge 14 AI is officially the most portable laptop we've ever tested: It only weighs 2.18 pounds and measures 0.37 inches thin at its slimmest point. I added it as a new pick.

• June 2026: I made the Asus ExpertBook Ultra our new favorite business laptop and named the Asus Zenbook A16 the best 16-inch laptop. I also removed the Alienware 16X Aurora as our top gaming laptop because the configuration we tested has been discontinued. We're currently testing potential replacements.

What to look forward to

In early September, PC makers showed off a slew of new Windows laptops at IFA, an annual tech trade show in Berlin. Among them are the ultralight Acer Swift Blade 14, the very repairable Acer Swift Vero 16, two new Lenovo creator laptops running on Nvidia RTX Spark, and a pair of colorful MacBook Neo competitors: the Lenovo IdeaPad Vibe and the pared-down Dell 14S. The IdeaPad Vibe is confirmed to arrive this October, starting at $699.99, but most other IFA debutants don't have set prices or release dates just yet.

On the MacBook side, Apple is rumored to be working on a refreshed MacBook Pro with an M6 chip (first seen in this summer's new Mac mini), as well as a higher-end MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen. The latter might be called the "MacBook Ultra," if the gossip mill is correct. The M6 model is reportedly coming this fall, while the Ultra could debut at the end of this year or early next.

Read this before you buy a Windows laptop

Many great Windows laptops we've tried run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. The Zenbook A14 and A16 are two great examples of outstanding ARM laptops.

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they're not compatible with some specialty software and PC games. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you're a student or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my dedicated guides to the best Windows laptops and the best laptops for college.

To help you find the best pair of headphones possible, our experts test headphones year-round, from popular models to new releases to budget picks (you can learn more about our detailed testing standards below). The result of that vetting is this guide, which we keep updated regularly to give you the most accurate and current purchasing information possible.

How to choose the best headphones

We won't beat around the bush: There's no definitive "best" product here. Sure, elite audio brands put out high-quality products across the board, but even within each of those brands, you'll find different tiers of products. Some will deliver better value, and some will deliver better hardware and active noise cancellation.

All this to say, the best pair of earbuds or headphones largely comes down to personal preference and how you plan to use them. Some listeners swear by over-ear headphones, while others prefer the minimalism of earbuds — one is not necessarily better than the other. Athletes who like to use headphones at the gym will appreciate waterproof materials and the best open earbuds, while frequent fliers will prefer devices with long battery life, comfort, and portability. Finally, music lovers and audiophiles will want to invest in premium features like a custom equalizer, spatial audio, or best-in-class active noise cancellation.

To help you pick your pair, we tested all of the headphones in this guide (and a lot that didn't make the cut). Here, you'll find the top headphones of 2026 for noise cancellation, music, price, and wired connections.

What about wired headphones?

We focused primarily on the best wireless headphones for this guide. While wired headphones have their fans, wireless headphones are just more convenient for most of us, though some of us are also fans of Apple's EarPods. With the release of the new noise-cancelling wired earbuds from Bose, we will be keeping our testing pool open to more wired models and will update this guide accordingly, should any earn a spot.

Other headphones we've tested

Most recently, we tested the Marshall Monitor III, JBL Tour One M3 headphones, and the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC, and though they had their merits, they fell short of winning the best of the best spot on this guide.

We've also tested the Sonos Ace headphones and Dyson OnTrac headphones. And while we loved them both for sound quality and noise cancellation, they fare in the way of AirPods Max — left out of our recommendations for their high price points.

Recent updates to this guide

• August 2026: Following the release of the second generation Bose QuietComfort headphones, we've added them to our list as the best budget pick from Bose for headphones.

• March 2025: We've designated the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds as the most comfortable ANC earbuds and crowned the Sony XM6 earbuds as the new best noise-cancelling earbuds.

• December 2025: We replaced the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds, which are no longer available, with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 sports earbuds.

• December 2025: We removed the Marshall Mode wired earbuds, as they're frequently out of stock.

• December 2025: We added the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones as the best headphones under $100.

• December 2025: We added the Sony XM5 headphones, originally released in 2022, as our new honorable mention pick.

• August 2026: We replaced the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with the Nothing Headphone (a) as our best battery life pick.

Latest headphones news

A few major headphone releases happened in September: Sony's mid-range WH-10000XM4C headphones, Sony's budget WH-CH730N headphones, and the Beats 360, the first pair of over-ear headphones from the brand in three years. From Bose, we've also recently seen new wired noise-cancelling earbuds, as well as two new pairs of open earbuds. We'll be comparing them against our current picks to see if they have a spot among our favorites.

Apple fans are infamous for defending the company's every decision. The notch, sticking with the Lightning cable for too long, the price of extra storage, etc. But bring up the iPhone keyboard in a room full of iPhone owners, and the mood quickly turns.

We wanted to test our way through the best Ninja had to offer in kitchen appliances. We brought the most popular products from the brand into our kitchens to see how the Creami, Slushi, Foodi, and Ninja Kitchen System stacked up.

Why buy Ninja?

There are plenty of kitchen appliance brands out there, so why Ninja? Generally, we find its products to be some of the best value products. They tend to be the most affordable options on the market that still deliver excellent performance.

Plus, Ninja products are really beginner-friendly devices that are easy to use with minimal setup required. The appliances bring ease with delicious end products. The Creami is a perfect example of this. Traditional ice cream making requires a bit of skill, knowing how to cook custards to the right temperature with hours of churning. But the Creami simplifies ice cream making with a user-friendly product that still delivers a fantastic end result.

Just because they're beginner-friendly devices doesn't mean they're only for beginners. They're convenient devices with professional-level performance that help develop a more efficient kitchen.

Other products we tested

Having rounded up the best Ninja kitchen appliances means we tested a lot of products and not all of them made it to the list, two notable exceptions being the Ninja Creami Deluxe and Foodi Grill and Air Fryer.

The Ninja Deluxe was my introduction to the Creami lineup, and it is great. It spun up creamy frozen confections and even featured a frozen drink setting. However, compared to the Swirl, it required several re-spins to get the right texture.

Meanwhile, the Foodi Grill was another great multicooker from Ninja. The indoor grill made delicious, juicy chicken breasts with actual char marks. Plus, its air-frying capabilities were a little too good. It got things crispy fast, but often felt like it dried out food in the process. Plus, it was just so large that it didn't feel like a practical device for most people.

That being said, these devices are good, but not in our all-star line-up.

When it comes to gifting, kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will write a long list of the precise items they'd like as a birthday or Christmas or Hannukkah gift and put it up on the fridge with pride. But sometimes, it can be as much of a crapshoot as coming up with a gift idea for someone else's kid. Without further ado, here are the best gifts for kids of all ages — including toy and non-toy gifts alike.

Whether you're a DIY homeowner or a professional, you know that buying a cordless power tool means getting trapped in a single brand's battery ecosystem. If you buy any other brand, you'll need a new set of batteries and chargers. However, the complete opposite is true with the Bosch Power for All system, which lets you use a single battery with 10 brands across more than 150 tools.

Apple's most affordable iPhone is getting some neat new features, but a 120Hz display isn't one of them.

This is according to leaker Digital Chat Station, who shared his findings on Weibo.

According to the report, the iPhone 18e will have a 60Hz, 6.12-inch OLED display, Apple's new A20 chip, a single, 48-megapixel camera, and a 24-megapixel front camera.

That last one sounds a bit unlikely, as even the latest iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max only have an 18-megapixel selfie camera. Apple doesn't typically bestow top features on its most affordable device.

The A20 chip sounds more likely; the iPhone "e" series traditionally had a powerful chip, with the company cutting costs on cameras and displays.

Speaking of display, the 60Hz refresh rate is a bit disappointing, but it also seems pretty likely, given that the new iPad mini, which launched earlier this week, features a 60Hz OLED display.

SEE ALSO: Apple officially rolls out iOS 27.2. Here's what's new

The iPhone 18e is likely to launch in spring 2027, alongside the iPhone 18 and Apple's super-thin iPhone Air 2.

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

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Oct. 26-30. Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, offers thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books for Kindle and Kobo users.

Stuff Your Kindle Day provides an awesome opportunity for bookworms to add to their TBR list without any guilt.

We're blessed with a pretty busy Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule in 2026, including romance, thriller, and young adult giveaways. Now that it's officially spooky season, Get Spooked has launched with 100s of free thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books.

Get Spooked, hosted by Indie Author Collective, is aimed at Kindle and Kobo users. Everything you download is yours to keep forever, so you can go wild.

SEE ALSO: T-Mobile is giving away the 2026 Motorola Razr for free — how to qualify

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Get Spooked takes place from Oct. 26-30. This five-day giveaway doesn't carry the same stress as a 24-hour event. You can consider your options and take your time. You could dip into the selection today and come back later in the week.

Which books are free?

Get Spooked is offering a huge selection of thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, and horror books. The helpful hub page has filters for price, retailers, e-reader, representations, and genres. Play around with the filters and find exactly what you want to read. Chances are you'll find something for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so what's holding you back?

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

These popular e-readers let you take your entire library on the go, with weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase for a limited time.

The release of any brand-new operating system means the inevitable discovery of bugs and even device-breaking issues, and Googlebooks are no exception. It's simple to factory reset a Googlebook if you simply need a fresh start or are encountering minor problems, but in the event your Googlebook is effectively unusable, a more complete and in-depth recovery may be necessary. If you're in that boat, follow this guide to completely reinstall Googlebook OS and hopefully save your laptop.

One of the most commonly repeated SSD tips is not to fill your drive all the way up to full. It makes perfect sense, and even manufacturers will tell you to leave 10-20% empty, so you should probably listen to them.

TL;DR: Burger King has announced a Cartoon Network collab in the UAE, including collectible figures of Finn, Ben 10, Courage, Bloo, Johnny Bravo, and Rigby with King Jr. Meals.

Burger King is officially resurrecting classic Cartoon Network figures, but you won't find them at your local drive-thru.

The fast-food chain is launching a six-character collectible capsule featuring heavy-hitting icons from back in the day. The problem? The promotion is currently live exclusively across the United Arab Emirates, leaving U.S. collectors stranded on the secondary market. Does that mean we shouldn't cover this collab? Absolutely not. Collectors will always find a way.

View this post on Instagram What’s inside the collection

Each figure from the collection comes bundled with a King Jr. Meal:

• Finn (Adventure Time)

• Ben Tennyson (Ben 10)

• Courage (Courage the Cowardly Dog)

• Bloo (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends)

• Johnny Bravo (Johnny Bravo)

• Rigby (Regular Show)

Do not expect these to roll into your U.S. drive-thru anytime soon. The focus in the U.S. remains on the Hello Kitty collab.

If you're an obsessive collector who absolutely needs Johnny Bravo or Courage on your desk, you're going to need to track eBay importers. International toy resellers in Dubai are already listing complete sealed sets on eBay. Keep search alerts on "Burger King UAE Cartoon Network 2026."

Obama recently spoke out against Trump during a rally in Detroit, where he – as Jimmy Kimmel puts it in the clip above – roasted Trump "like a suckling pig".

The host plays a clip of the former president talking about what the current one has done to the White House, saying all the gold looks like "Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."

"Fox News of course jumped on that, they called Obama an out-of-touch elitist for making fun of the Cheesecake Factory," says Kimmel. "Right, but the guy building the 90,000 square foot ballroom? Man of the people, absolute salt of the Earth."

Kimmel goes on to play Trump's reaction, with him addressing Obama directly and saying his comment "just shows why you were a lousy president."

"I think there's only one way to settle this," says Kimmel. "Roast battle on the White House lawn, live."

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

ArtCraft, a free alternative to Adobe's creative suite built with AI-assisted coding, is making people question whether they should pay for creative apps anymore.

Gift giving is an art form. But picking a truly wonderful gift that the recipient is sure to love for years to come? Now that’s a science. 

Of all the products we’ve tested and loved this year, the following 15 are the ones that we’ve deemed as a Gift of the Year. Everything on this list was rigorously tested in a real world, at-home setting by a member of the Mashable staff. These are the products that sit at the top of our “best of” lists, the ones we gift to others — or may be coveting for ourselves.

In the world of tech gifts, you’ll find our favorite headphones, a laptop that won’t wipe out your gifting budget, and the season’s must-have gaming device. We have gifts that make your home smarter, your dinner faster, and your music louder. For the kids on your list, we’ve chosen the toys that will evolve and grow with them as they get bigger, and for the smartphone obsessed teen there’s the one piece of tech that will help them find some much-needed balance.

Read on to discover which products made the cut for our inaugural Gift of the Year awards and consider this your must-have shopping list when it comes to Christmas gifts, Hanukkah presents, and beyond.

Best Tech for Teens Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Camp Snap Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap 2 Digital Camera $69.99 at Camp Snap
  Shop Now at Camp Snap Why we like it

Originally designed for summer campers who want a digital camera to capture camp memories, the Camp Snap is screen-free. However, the Camp Snap has attracted an audience beyond summer campers, thanks to its nostalgic-looking photos. The photos the camera takes are reminiscent of photos from a disposable camera, just digitized. It looks like film, but it has the convenience of digital. Don't expect crisp, detailed photos; everything has a slight fuzz to it, but that's part of the style to just embrace. —Samantha Mangino

Best Audio Player for Kids Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Yoto Opens in a new window Credit: Yoto Yoto Mini (2024 Edition) $79.99 at Yoto
  Shop Now at Yoto Why we like it

There is perhaps no device more universally beloved in my house than the Yoto Mini. Great for a wide range of kids, my 6-year-old and 3-year-old are particularly smitten. The Yoto is a screen-free audio player that puts the power into the hands of the kids. Compatible cards power up everything from chapter books and shorter stories to music and learning-based content and are available to check out at many local libraries. There’s also an ad-free, kid-friendly radio station built-in, as well as a daily podcast, plus others that are accessible via the compatible app. Custom cards allow you to create your own content, including mix tapes, books, family messages — whatever you can come up with. It’s great for little hands, will adapt and grow as kids get bigger, and is both rugged and travel-friendly. We love that this is the kind of device that keeps kids engaged and entertained — without a screen — and will adapt to the whims of our family for years to come. —Nicole Cammorata

Best Toy for Preschoolers Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Tonies Toniebox 2 $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

As our kids have grown, we’ve noticed that compared to the Yoto Mini (above), the Toniebox is particularly well-suited for preschool-aged kids. We’ve had one in our family for the last couple of years and our kids have loved being able to listen to stories, choose their own content, and be in charge of their own entertainment. As parents, we love that it’s screen-free, keeps them entertained, travels well, and offers a wide library of content to choose from. The Toniebox is powered by a collection of Tonies — small figures preloaded with content from a multitude of beloved movies and TV shows, including those from Disney, Pixar, Bluey, Peppa Pig, National Geographic, and more. Our kids are often just as smitten with the characters as objects as they are with the content itself. —Nicole Cammorata

Best Headphones Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Bose Bose QuietComfort (Gen 2) $359 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Bose Why we like it

These headphones are nearly $100 cheaper than the Bose QC Ultra 2 headphones, but offer many of the same features. For starters, the comfort and noise cancellation are nearly on par with the significantly more expensive headphones, which is to say it's very, very good — like easily wearable for a full day of travel. The tactile controls are intuitive and functional, the colors are varied and unique while remaining appealing, and there's an Immersive Audio listening mode for changing up how you hear your music. In a time when most tech prices are rising, it's refreshing to see a brand release a pair of headphones that strive for ultra-premium performance, while sticking to a more mildly premium price. —Bethany Allard

Best Kitchen Gadget Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Ninja Ninja Crispi $179.95 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Ninja Kitchen Why we like it

Air fryers are great for anyone, but the Ninja Crispi is made for meal preppers. With its portable design, it stores nicely and can be used on the go. Plus, it actually works. The controls are simple, and the glass baskets come with storage lids for easy food storage. Since we originally tested this device, it's become a favorite of the Mashable shopping team. Not to mention, the Crispi has gotten quite a bit of attention online as folks seek a plastic-free air fryer, and the Crispi is really the best option available. —Samantha Mangino

Best Wellness Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Oura Oura Ring 5 $499 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

Oura outdid itself with the Ring 5. Before its release, we rated the Oura Ring 4 the best smart ring available, but the Ring 5 blows it out of the water. It's the most comfortable, accurate, and well-designed smart ring we've tested. The new Oura Ring 5 still offers the same biometric data and in-app experience, but now it's 40 percent smaller. It's thinner and lighter, meaning the battery had to shrink. But it didn't sacrifice battery life, as it still lasts six to seven days on a single charge. The ring contains a red and infrared LED, a green and infrared LED, a movement-tracking accelerometer, and digital temperature monitors that all work together to calculate your biometrics, which are presented in the app. With a slim fit and rounded edges, it looks like a classic band that blends right into your wardrobe but remains comfortable without digging in or pinching your finger. —Samantha Mangino

Best Stocking Stuffer Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Brick Opens in a new window Credit: Brick Brick $59 at Brick
  Shop Now at Brick Why we like it

Sometimes the best tech is the device that helps us take a break from our tech. The Brick is a small, square device that does exactly that — and makes for an excellent stocking stuffer. A quick tap via the app will shut down all the apps you’ve deemed unnecessary, and the phone will stay that way until you re-tap it to the Brick. For anyone looking to break free from a phone addiction, get some mental clarity, or find more digital balance, it’s an incredible device that allows all of us to get a break from that tiny screen without losing the convenience of a mobile phone. I love that the app restrictions are customizable and that accessing the forbidden parts of my phone requires a physical action — a much-appreciated counterpoint to the mindless scrolling that comes with phone addiction. —Nicole Cammorata

Best Laptop Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Apple MacBook Neo $689 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

Even after a $100 price bump this summer, the MacBook Neo is still an unrivaled value in the budget category. Most cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks have plastic components, but this little guy has the same luxe, all-aluminum build quality as any other MacBook. The Neo's A18 Pro processor is technically a pared-down iPhone chip, but don't be fooled: It's extremely impressive for a budget laptop CPU. In simple single-core workloads (web browsing, word processing), the Neo is just as fast as a last-gen M4 MacBook Air. In such scenarios, it feels snappier than most Windows laptops we've tried lately, including 10 that cost $2,000 or more. —Haley Henschel

Best Robot Vacuum Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Eufy Eufy C28 $599.99 at Eufy
$799.99 Save $200   Shop Now at Eufy Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

The C28 finally answers the call of spill-prone households who need something more heavy-duty (and less likely to smear). The HydroJet system rinses the mop nine times per second as it's mopping to prevent smearing. From catnip flakes to tufts of dryer lint to handfuls of crushed chips, I really had to squint to find a few tiny pieces that the C28 left behind. The Eufy C28 gets bonus points for its slow, deliberate vacuuming when spot-cleaning the tricky area where a rug changes to hardwood — its crumb pickup around rug edges has actually been more reliable than premium Roborock and Dreame models. Its performance on hardwood and tile has been even more stellar. The damp roller presses down firmly to wipe up dust and pet hair on hardwood that would stick to the floor during regular vacuuming. —Leah Stodart

Best Smartwatch Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Apple Apple Watch Series 12 $389.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Why we like it

The Series 12 has a new S11 chip that adds support for Audio Intelligence tools and offers more battery life during workouts (plus faster charging). The Apple Watch Series 12's chip and sensors are the exact same ones you'll find inside the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 4, which costs twice as much. The Ultra 4 is awesome in its own right, especially if you prioritize battery life and durability, but this means you don't need to splash out on Apple's most expensive smartwatch in order to use its most advanced features. The mid-tier option has never been a smarter buy or a more worthwhile upgrade from an older model. —Haley Henschel

Best Smart Home Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Amazon Echo Show 8 $199.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

It can act as a sous chef in the kitchen, serving up recipes while keeping your hands free, and it can just as easily make video calls to keep up with friends and family or stay productive while WFH. You can also "Drop-In" on any other Alexa devices in your household, including video chat with other Echo Shows. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Echo Show 8's visual feats, though, and the gorgeous display really opens up the door to an incredible amount of enhanced Alexa functionality. The Echo Show 8 can even function as a security camera, and you can check in on what it sees via the Alexa app on your phone while you're away. That said, you can close the camera shutter and shut off the mic for more privacy. —Samantha Mangino

Best Handheld Gaming Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $499 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart Why we like it

Those who want to stay on the cutting edge of handheld gaming consoles need to get a Nintendo Switch 2 at some point. It's the latest and greatest version of the handheld, with more power, improved features and accessories, and a constantly expanding slate of games that'll almost certainly induce FOMO if you don't hop on the bandwagon. If you're excited about playing the long-awaited The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, love all things Pokémon, or have a kiddo that needs to be introduced to the joys of Mario Kart, then the Switch 2 is a must-have. —Timothy Werth

Best TV Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/TCL TCL 65-inch QM6K Mini LED 4K TV $647.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $152   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Why we like it

The TCL QM6K is the quintessential beginner fancy TV between the absolute cheapest and most expensive QLEDs out there. Compared to regular LED TVs, the QM6K is brighter and sharper — better for daytime viewing and watching sports. Compared to more premium mini-LED TVs, the QM6K stays comfortably under the $1,000 mark. —Leah Stodart

Best Outdoor Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Bose Bose SoundLink Plus $269 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

Bose's SoundLink line includes an array of excellent speakers, and we've found the Plus to be in that sweet Goldilocks spot between the SoundLink Flex and SoundLink Max. It's incredibly loud with crisp, clear audio. And its size makes it portable and not too heavy (though it does have some heft to it), while still producing room-filling sound. Whether you're at the beach, hosting a pool party, camping, or just hanging out at home, the Bose SoundLink Plus is a stellar Bluetooth speaker. It can also easily pair with other Bose SoundLink speakers for extended sound. —Miller Kern

Best Beauty Tech Gift of the Year Credit: Rene Ramos/Mashable/Shark Shark Cryoglow Mask $349 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Why we like it

It would be hard to argue that any mask is a better value or offers a more premium experience than the Shark CryoGlow. The Shark mask is lined with 160 evenly spaced tri-wick bulbs. Every single bulb can emit red, near-infrared, or blue light, and each bulb can emit all three light types simultaneously for 480 light sources total. That's true full-face coverage for the duration of any setting, compared to other masks that turn red light bulbs off completely if you're on the blue light setting. —Leah Stodart

SAVE $6: As of Oct. 27, the latest second-generation Apple AirTag has dropped to its all-time low price at Amazon. Snag one for $23, down from its standard $29 sticker price — a 21% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) $23 at Amazon
$29 Save $6   Get Deal at Amazon

If you are gearing up for holiday travels and need an easy way to keep tabs on your luggage, keys, or backpack, today is your lucky day. The brand-new second-generation Apple AirTag just dropped to $23 at Amazon, down from its standard $29 sticker price. That shaves $6 right off the top, marking the lowest price we have ever tracked for Apple's upgraded tracker.

On the outside, the new AirTag looks identical to the original silver-and-white disc, but the hardware gets some serious bumps. Apple gave it upgraded wireless chips that expand its Precision Finding range by up to 1.5 times, along with a built-in speaker that is 50% louder.

When Mashable's Stan Schroeder put it through its paces, the real-world tracking gains were immediately obvious. While the first-gen model lost signal past 30 feet, Stan's iPhone locked onto the new AirTag from nearly 50 feet away through two walls, pinpointing its exact spot at 36 feet. When he tucked it deep inside a backpack in another room, that louder, punchier chime was still a breeze to hear.

Beyond range and volume, the second-gen tracker brings a couple of new tricks to the table, including the ability to run Precision Finding straight from your wrist on newer Apple Watch models. If your suitcase ever goes on an unplanned solo vacation, you can now securely share the tag's live location directly with more than 50 airline partners through the Find My app. You also get the same dependable IP67 water resistance and a user-replaceable battery that lasts about a year, meaning you can toss it into a bag or hook it to a bike without babying it.

Grab the Apple AirTag (2nd Generation) while it's sitting at its all-time low.

Obama has fired some jabs at Trump in the run-up to the midterms, resulting in some inevitable backlash from right-wing news pundits — and Jon Stewart has thoughts.

In the Daily Show clip above, the host plays footage of the former president speaking to a crowd about what Trump's done to the White House.

"There's gold everywhere, what's up with the gold?" says Obama. "He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory."

"Ohh! Barack Obama with an illegal joke strike on an American citizen," responds Stewart, before playing a montage of Fox anchors getting angry about Obama's reference to the Cheesecake Factory. "The part of the comparison that bothered you was the Cheesecake Factory part? Not the Saddam Hussein part? The Cheesecake Factory is not an actual factory, you know that? We did not ship Cheesecake jobs to China. What a slap in the face to the hard-working Americans on the cheesecake assembly lines. My pee-paw lost his hand making their skinnylicious avocado tacos."

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My smart home has a lot of complicated automations, many of which have their own quirks. When guests visit, they just want to be able to do simple things like turning on the lights, watching TV, or turning up the heating. I decided to turn an old Android phone into a dedicated guest remote that's simple enough for anyone to use.

Best early Costco Black Friday deals: Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones $179.99 (Save $120) Get Deal Best holiday deal Complete Gourmet Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner (Serves 8) $199.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Tiki Brand 25-Inch Celebration Smokeless Fire Pit $239.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Philips 800 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother $299.99 (Save $140) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock QX Revo Ultra 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $779.99 (Save $200) Get Deal

Costco's holiday ad scans are out, and if you love hunting for bargains, the savings schedule is pretty packed. The markdowns roll out in waves, starting with early pre-Black Friday savings on Oct. 30 and running through Nov. 30. Physical warehouses will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the online sale kicks off that day, before doors reopen for regular hours on Black Friday.

To get in on the deals, you will need a Costco card, which starts at $65 a year. That membership gives you access to member-only discounts on laptops, soundbars, TVs, and more, plus Costco's 90-day return policy on electronics.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday 2026 deals: See holiday gift guides from Amazon, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Ulta, and more

The good news is you do not have to wait for the official kickoff to start saving. Costco already has member markdowns live right now on some appliances, robot vacuums, Beats headphones, and outdoor gear. If you want to skip the packed aisles and get ahead of your holiday shopping early, you can grab them online today.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones $179.99 at Costco
$299.99 Save $120   Get Deal at Costco Why we like it

The Beats Studio Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones deliver rich, balanced sound with custom drivers that keep music crisp without turning muddy at high volumes. They block out background chatter effectively with adaptive active noise cancellation, and flip easily into transparency mode when you need to hear traffic or flight announcements. Unlike older models, they play equally well with both iPhone and Android, pairing in a single tap and connecting seamlessly to your cloud accounts.

More headphone deals

• Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — $119.97 $179 (save $59.03)

• Bose QuietComfort SC Headphones (2nd Gen) — $319.99 $359 (save $39.01)

Best holiday deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fortune Gourmet Complete Gourmet Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner (Serves 8) $199.99 at Costco
$269.99 Save $70   Get Deal at Costco Why we like it

The Complete Gourmet Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner takes all the chaos out of holiday hosting, delivering a 30-pound feast that feeds eight people without any stress. You get an antibiotic-free, Amish-raised turkey breast that comes pre-brined, netted, and ready to roast, along with generous trays of classic sides like buttery mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, mac and cheese, and green bean casserole. Round that out with dinner rolls, rich gravy, and both pumpkin pie and apple cobbler for dessert, and all you have to do is heat, serve, and enjoy your holiday.

More holiday deals

• Happy Halloween Tower of Treats — $28.99 $36.99 (save $8)

• Mrs Prindables Halloween Caramel Apple (6-pack) — $46.99 $59.99 (save $13)

• The Fruit Company Harvest Gift Box — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)

Best outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tiki Tiki Brand 25-Inch Celebration Smokeless Fire Pit $239.99 at Costco
$289.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Costco Why we like it

The Tiki Brand 25-Inch Celebration Smokeless Fire Pit keeps backyard hangs warm without leaving your clothes smelling like a campfire for days. It produces a steady, low-smoke flame with a 4-foot heat radius, keeping everyone comfortable around the patio on brisk evenings. Setup takes just a couple of minutes by twisting on the legs and sliding in the removable ash pan, and you can burn either regular firewood logs or quick-lighting wood pellets depending on how easy you want cleanup to be.

More outdoor deals

• Blackstone 36-inch Omnivore Griddle with Hinged Hood — $429.99 $529.99 (save $100)

• Greenworks 2x24V Mower, Trimmer, Blower Combo Kit with (4) 4Ah Batteries — $599.99 $699.99 (save $100)

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips 800 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine with Milk Frother $299.99 at Costco
$439.99 Save $140   Get Deal at Costco Why we like it

The Philips 800 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine makes getting coffeehouse-quality drinks at home completely effortless. With just one touch, its built-in ceramic grinder grinds fresh beans, tamps them down, and brews a rich cup of espresso or drip coffee in under a minute. You can tweak both the strength and the drink size through the simple menu to match your taste, while the attached classic steam wand lets you whip up warm, frothy milk whenever you crave a latte or cappuccino.

More coffee deals

• Starbucks Holiday Blend K-Cup Pods (72-Count) — $35.99 $44.99 (save $9)

• Bosch 800 Series Fully Automatic Espresso and Cold Brew Machine — $1,199.99 $1,599.99 (save $400)

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock QX Revo Ultra 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $779.99 at Costco
$979.99 Save $200   Get Deal at Costco Why we like it

The Roborock QX Revo Ultra 2 takes the grunt work out of floor care, packing strong 25,000 Pa suction that digs deep into carpets and pulls up everyday pet hair without flinching. Its smart obstacle sensors steer clear of toys, power cords, and stray pet messes, while anti-tangle brushes keep shedding fur from jamming up the works. Best of all, the hands-off dock does the gross chores for you: it washes the mop pads with hot water to melt away sticky spills, then blows warm air over them so damp pads never sit around smelling funky.

More robot vacuum deals

• Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop with NeverTouch Pro Base — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Dyson R2 Nurovi Wash Dry Robot Vacuum — $409.99 $549.99 (save $140)

• Dreame Aqua10 Roller Robot Vacuum with AquaRoll Mopping — $699.99 $899.99 (save $200)