Blogroll

This app recovered files I deleted years ago—and it creeped me out

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 17:00

It's happened to all of us at some point. You're cleaning up your PC, or uninstalling something, and then you realize you've deleted something important. It's not in the recycle bin, it's not in any of your cloud drives, and you don't have any backups. So what to do?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple launching its first water-resistant iPad soon

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 16:54

For years, iPhones have had various levels of water resistance. However, if you've previously submerged your iPad in water, you'll know that Apple's tablets, however, are not water-resistant. 

That will soon change.

Apple's first water-resistant iPad is currently planned to launch by the end of this year, according to a new report. The water-resistant model is expected to be the new, redesigned iPad mini.

SEE ALSO: Why pay more for iPhone Fold? This reminds me of Apple's first iPhone

The report says that Apple's approach to water resistance in the iPad differs from the iPhone. According to the report, Apple designed a "vibration-based speaker system," where sound transmits from the surface of the tablet's chassis. This means that the new iPad mini will not need physical speaker holes, which will greatly limit points of entry for water, dust, and other unwanted particles.

MacRumors points out that Apple described such a technology in a 2014 patent, which means the company has been working on this for some time.

The new iPad mini's IP rating, which measures a device's resistance to dust and liquids like water, is currently unknown. The iPhone 17 has an IP68 rating, which means it could be submerged in a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

The iPad mini line last had a refresh when it received the A17 Pro chipset in 2024. However, other than that, the device remained the same. The iPad mini was last redesigned in 2021. 

Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman has previously reported that the iPad mini was set to get some big upgrades, including an OLED display, which would be a first for the device. 

A release before this summer's beach trips and pool parties would've certainly been ideal. But you could always start planning for next summer. The new iPad mini is expected to launch by October.

Apple currently sells the base model iPad mini for $599 after the company hiked prices across its products earlier this year. However, according to Gurman, the addition of an OLED display could result in even higher prices for the new iPad mini.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Samsung Galaxy camera feature completely changed how I take photos

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 16:30

Smartphones have great cameras, and Samsung Galaxy phones are some of the best, but I always end up tweaking a few settings for an even better camera experience. If you're looking for the easiest, fastest way to instantly improve all your photos and videos, you'll want to turn on one setting.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Free iPhone deal: T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 17 for free — how to qualify

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 16:17

TL;DR: The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro are available for free right now with T-Mobile. Here's how to qualify for this limited-time offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 17 Pro Free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

Samsung has been the center of attention this week, and that makes total sense. It's not every week that a major brand drops three new foldables smartphones, two smartwatches, and smart glasses. But can we hold some space for Apple?

Apple prices are bumping in the face of RAMageddon, but you can still secure a limited-time offer on iPhones from T-Mobile. This popular mobile carrier has just dropped a fresh batch of free iPhone deals on the latest handsets:

  • Apple iPhone 17 — free when you trade in your eligible phone on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

  • Apple iPhone 17 Pro — free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan (no trade-in needed).

Needless to say, T-Mobile isn't handing over a new iPhone without some strings attached. The retail cost of your new phone is offset by 24 consecutive monthly bill credits. Your monthly statement will show a standard charge for financing the phone, which is immediately balanced out by an equal credit.

What exactly does this mean? You're signing up for a 24-month commitment with the network, and any unpaid balance on the phone's retail value will become due immediately if you decide to cancel your service, switch to another carrier, or upgrade to the iPhone 18 before the end of your deal.

You will also need to pay standard upfront taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee, but that's a small price to pay for the latest iPhone.

We get that at this point, it's tempting to wait for the next batch of iPhones to be announced. According to our rumor tracker, Apple is "widely expected to launch a new lineup of iPhones later this year, including the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the rumored iPhone Ultra, the company's first-ever foldable." That's exciting news for iPhone fanatics, but with prices on the rise, this could be the last example of mobile carriers offering new phones for free.

Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows won't let you fix these 3 annoyances without PowerShell

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 16:15

Windows 11 is still my go-to operating system, but using it sometimes feels like a constant tug of war between how I want to work and how Microsoft thinks I should work. I like Windows, I know my way around it, and it fits my workflow better than the alternatives. What frustrates me is how often Microsoft gives me plenty of ways to customize the little things while making some of the bigger annoyances much harder to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 must-see crime shows without a single bad season

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 16:00

While the television and streaming landscapes are littered with many excellent crime shows, not all of them maintain a consistent level of quality for their entire run. In fact, few offer flawless seasons throughout their run that have kept fans hooked from start to finish with their tight, high-stakes narratives and exceptional character development, eliminating the need for any filler episodes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to pick your second 3D printer (it's a bigger decision than your first)

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 15:45

So you’re thinking about a second 3D printer. You’re enjoying the hobby to the extent that you’re rubbing up against limitations that can only be solved with a hole in your wallet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one customization is worth jailbreaking your Kindle for

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 15:30

I held off jailbreaking my Kindle for a long time, as I was afraid of bricking a device I was still using. When Amazon dropped support for my Kindle 4, there was no longer anything holding me back, so I performed the jailbreak and installed KOReader. Now I wish I'd done it sooner; KOReader's PDF support is so much better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your sleek flat Ethernet cable is picking up interference like an antenna

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 15:07

Flat Ethernet cables give you a sleek, out-of-the-way option instead of those big, round cables that are just tough to conceal and many are great for gaming. Its thin, ribbon-like shape makes it great for tucking under carpets, along baseboards, or neatly behind your entertainment center. This helps you get that clean, professional look without needing a lot of in-wall wiring.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Can't see The Odyssey in theaters? Matt Damon's great sci-fi movie is the perfect weekend watch

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 15:06

If you're having trouble landing IMAX tickets to The Odyssey, another Matt Damon movie now streaming on Prime Video. The sci-fi epic is the perfect weekend watch, especially for fans of the famous Boston native.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons I don't trust my Amazon Kindle anymore (and you shouldn't either)

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 15:00

I love my Kindle. I've used it for 15 years, and it's served me well throughout that entire time. The problem isn't the hardware; it's the ecosystem that goes with it. That's why I won't ever buy another Kindle; I don't trust Amazon to give it the long life it deserves.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon hid years of my digital music purchases—here's how I added them to my Jellyfin library

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 14:30

I'm frustrated with various companies because we live in a time when everything is licensed to us; we don't own it after making the purchase. Amazon has never been one of my favorite corporations. But, like many of you, I've bought things from them numerous times over the years. That includes quite a bit of my current music collection.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a free network dashboard in Home Assistant that beats expensive router apps

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 14:00

If you want to monitor your home network, router apps can often provide useful information. Some of these apps require paid subscriptions to access the most useful data. I built my own network monitoring dashboard in Home Assistant, and it cost me nothing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why homelabbers are ditching Unraid for Proxmox

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 13:30

Anyone building a homelab today has more choices than ever. A few years ago, Unraid was often the first recommendation for anyone who wanted to store files and run Plex. It made home servers approachable, especially for users who did not want to learn enterprise virtualization.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3D-printed wall art is a trend you should follow fast

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 13:00

I like to think that my house is full of interesting things, but I’m very aware that the walls are a bit bare. One option is to use a 3D printer to brighten the place up since there are so many decor options available.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 non-FOSS apps I refuse to give up on Linux

How-To Geek - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 12:30

Free and open source software (FOSS) is the default choice when you're running Linux—it is a huge talking point and a very real part of Linux culture. However, while that is an ideal worth striving for, the reality is that some of the best tools available for a given job don't yet have FOSS alternatives.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch F1 live streams online for free

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 12:25
How to live stream 2026 F1 for free: Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

This season of F1 is unlike any other. Every season of F1 has a number of fascinating storylines to follow, but due to a major set of regulation changes, there's so much uncertainty right now. And uncertainty can lead to exciting racing.

Lando Norris secured an incredible title victory on the final day of last season. Now the pressure is on McLaren to defend that title against a long list of talented drivers and motivated teams. The likes of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton are all challenging for race wins this season. Mercedes are the team to beat this season, but Ferrari are not far behind.

If you are interested in watching F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is F1?

Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars. A season consists of a series of races (Grands Prix) that take place in multiple countries and continents on either purpose-built circuits or closed public roads.

Lando Norris is the defending champion. McLaren won the Constructors Championship in 2025.

When is F1 in 2026?

The 2026 F1 season is the 77th edition of the championship. This year's championship features 24 Grands Prix events held all over the world between March and December:

  1. Australian Grand Prix — March 8

  2. Chinese Grand Prix — March 15

  3. Japanese Grand Prix — March 29

  4. Miami Grand Prix — May 3

  5. Canadian Grand Prix — May 24

  6. Monaco Grand Prix — June 7

  7. Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — June 14

  8. Austrian Grand Prix — June 28

  9. British Grand Prix — July 5

  10. Belgian Grand Prix — July 19

  11. Hungarian Grand Prix — July 26

  12. Dutch Grand Prix — Aug. 23

  13. Italian Grand Prix — Sept. 6

  14. Spanish Grand Prix — Sept. 13

  15. Azerbaijan Grand Prix — Sept. 26

  16. Singapore Grand Prix — Oct. 11

  17. United States Grand Prix — Oct. 25

  18. Mexico City Grand Prix — Nov. 1

  19. São Paulo Grand Prix — Nov. 8

  20. Las Vegas Grand Prix — Nov. 21

  21. Qatar Grand Prix — Nov. 29

  22. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Dec. 6

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore GPs will host a sprint race.

How to watch F1 for free

For the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available for free to viewers in the U.S., with live coverage of the Austrian Grand Prix from June 26–28. Fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.

In the U.S., F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV. If you want access to the whole season, an Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year.

Apple TV Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV (7-day free trial) Apple TV comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. This is a sneaky trick, but you could sign up to watch the next F1 race and then cancel your subscription before you need to spend anything. This obviously isn't a long-term fix, but it does give you the opportunity to live stream select F1 race weekends for free. Shop Now Apple TV Prime Video Channel Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel (7-day free trial) Already an Amazon Prime member? You're in luck. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. This lets you watch select F1 races live with the Prime Video app. The subscription typically costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch select races without actually spending anything. Shop Now Apple One Opens in a new window Credit: Apple One Apple One (30-day free trial) Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial. Time it right and this trial could provide access to up to four race weekends for free. You do need to be a new or returning subscriber to each of the included services to get the free trial. Shop Now

It's worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple TVs. This special offer goes live for 90 days after the new device is activated — that's a good chunk of the season.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im watching the Hungarian GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 12:25

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Hungarian GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Hungarian GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

Another weekend, another battle between the best drivers in the world. Seriously, what would we all do without a little bit of F1 to see us through to Monday?

This season of F1 continues to throw up interesting storylines. Mercedes is flying at the top of the standings, but there are clearly some issues between George Russell and his team. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli raced away from the competition to win again at the Belgian GP. He extended his lead over Lewis Hamilton, but Ferrari continues to cut the gap. Will we see another epic battle this weekend in Hungary?

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Hungarian GP?

The Hungarian GP is the 11th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Hungaroring:

  • Practice 1 — 7:30-8:30 a.m. ET on July 24

  • Practice 1 — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on July 24

  • Practice 1 — 6:30-7:30 a.m. ET on July 25

  • Qualifying — 10-11 a.m. ET on July 25

  • Race — 9 a.m. ET on July 26

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Hungarian GP for free

Most subscribers hang onto Amazon Prime for the fast shipping, Prime Day discounts, and Prime Video library. But for F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video is a secret weapon. Because Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you full access to stream select races — including this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix — for free. While the subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after seven days, you can cancel auto-renewal in your settings right away and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

Of course, if you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is open to interpretation. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you are genuinely spending nothing to stream the race.

If you've already burned through that specific loophole earlier in the season, you still have a few solid workarounds:

  • Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

  • Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

  • Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best laptops of 2026: We tested 80+ models to find our favorites

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 11:30

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 more than 80 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.

A note about laptop prices

A recent boom in AI data center construction 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 seen steep price hikes this year. The shortage 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. Apple was the most recent brand to raise laptop prices, with MacBooks getting $100 to $300 increases.

This is something the Mashable team is taking into consideration as we assess laptops and select ones 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 one previous top pick has gotten so unreasonably pricey that we think it's no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumped from an already-high $750 to $1,000 as tested. We've since replaced it with a much more cost-effective option that's less snazzy, but still apt for most Chromebook users. You can read more about it and our other current picks below.

One thing to know 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 example 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 college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my best Windows laptops guide.

Recent updates to this guide

I added two new picks to this guide in late July 2026:

  • The Asus ExpertBook Ultra is our new favorite business laptop for its dazzling ultra-thin-and-light design and impressive brawn.

  • The Asus Zenbook A16 joins the ranks as the best 16-inch laptop for most people: It's also quite portable, its everyday performance is virtually unrivaled, and it's a stellar value to boot.

  • I removed the Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop because the configuration we tested was out of stock at the time of writing. We're currently testing potential replacements.

I've also adjusted the prices of the three MacBooks featured in this guide. Apple made them $100 to $300 more expensive in mid-June because of the ongoing memory shortage.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tried the Jackery FridgeGuard portable power station: Its both functional and pretty

Mashable - Sun, 07/26/2026 - 11:00

For a short amount of time, a power outage feels nice. It’s an excuse to cancel plans and settle on the couch with a good book (or an e-reader) instead. That calm feeling fades once a low-battery alert shows up on your phone, and it’s never convenient to not have WiFi at home. But maybe even more inconvenient is the threat of the refrigerator heating up during a power outage.

Food spoilage is one of the biggest bummers of a power outage. It’s never fun to start calculating how many hours you’ve been without power and how many times someone has opened the fridge, releasing precious cooling. Jackery, one of the leaders in portable power stations, has a new solution. I’ve tested dozens of portable power stations, and I’ll admit I find this model to be both functional and one of the best-looking models out there.

Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco
$799 Save $249.01   Shop Now at Costco Shop Now at Jackery What’s special about the Jackery FridgeGuard?

Immediately, you’ll notice the Jackery FridgeGuard does not look like most other portable power stations. Instead of the standard box shape with a handle, the FridgeGuard is a slim rectangle, measuring just a bit over 2.5 inches tall. The unique shape makes it ideal for sitting on top of the refrigerator. Jackery also includes two metal feet that attach to the bottom of the power station if you’d rather have it stand up vertically next to the fridge.

She's just 2.63 inches thick. Credit: Lauren Allain

But looks aside, the primary goal of the Jackery FridgeGuard is to keep your refrigerator cooling during a power outage. It has 1,024Wh of battery capacity, which Jackery says should keep a standard refrigerator cooling for about 15 hours.

When testing the Jackery, I plugged it into my bedside Blueair Blue Signature Air Purifier, and set it on a high fan speed, which pulled 17W. That power use means the Jackery would keep my bedroom air purifier powered up for about 27 hours. It also looked pretty slick when I used it at my home workstation.

Testing out the FridgeGuard as a laptop backup system. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

I was pleasantly surprised by the weight of the Jackery FridgeGuard while testing. At a bit over 23 pounds, I was able to get it on top of my fridge without asking for help. That was pleasing to my independent nature that much prefers to not ask for help. 

Spec highlights of the Jackery FridgeGuard
  • Capacity: 1,024Wh

  • Battery type: LiFePO₄

  • Surge: 1,600W

  • Weight: Approx. 23.2 pounds

  • Dimensions: 23.6 in × 12.8 in × 2.6 in

  • Ports: AC (1)

  • Expected battery lifespan: 6.000 cycles to 70%+ capacity

  • Charge temperature: -4 to 113 degrees F

  • Discharge temperature: -4 to 113 degrees F

  • Expandability: One Jackery FridgeGuard Battery (1,024Wh)

Easy plug-and-play solution

On top of the physical design, the very nature of how the FridgeGuard functions is unique. Jackery used a plug-and-play function for this power station. Stick it on top of the fridge, plug it into the wall, and then plug your refrigerator into the Jackery, and you’ll have consistent power to the fridge when grid power fails.

The Jackery has a 10-millisecond uninterrupted power supply (UPS), which means it’ll take over powering the fridge within 10 milliseconds of a grid outage. Since we’re often not home or are asleep when the power goes out, using the Jackery FridgeGuard means there’s no concern about a gap in power to the refrigerator.

Once grid power comes back online, the Jackery will recharge itself to 100 percent and be ready for the next outage. From the Jackery app, you can monitor battery level, power output, and power input. 

The sleek design makes it versatile at home

In all honesty, portable power stations are for function, not looks. For the most part, we don’t need a power station to look nice. We’re hauling them to the campground, the job site, or using them in the yard to power up tools. But if you’re placing a portable power station on top of your refrigerator to live there permanently, the slim Jackery FridgeGuard looks a lot nicer than a standard brick of a portable power station.

The gray colorway blends in well with my stainless steel fridge. That wouldn’t be the case if I placed the black Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 up there with its orange accents.

While the name suggests using it in the kitchen, I found it great to use around the rest of the house while testing. It makes for a great power backup solution if you sleep on an adjustable base or have a bed cooling system like the Eight Sleep Pod.

I tested out the Jackery FridgeGuard with an air purifier beside my bed. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It’s also great for keeping the WiFi router online during a power outage or using it as backup for your home computer. If you sleep with a CPAP, it offers reassurance that you’ll have support all night in case the power cuts out. When testing, I found the Jackery FridgeGuard to be either silent or have a barely detectable fan hum. I never found the noise to be bothersome, even when I had it next to my bed at night.

SEE ALSO: Can a $250 alarm clock break my doomscrolling habit? I slept next to the Dreamie for a month to find out. What I don’t love about the Jackery FridgeGuard

The most glaring downside to the FridgeGuard is the port selection. It’s not even fair to say selection because the FridgeGuard has a single AC port. That’s sufficient if you’re using the Jackery for refrigerator backup power since it only requires a single port. Otherwise, you’re going to have to prioritize what gets to utilize the power of the FridgeGuard. 

The on-unit display includes information like remaining battery, total output, and total input. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable The back of the FridgeGuard has the single AC port, the charging port, and a vent. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

It’s also not the best deal when it comes to portable power stations. At full price, Jackery lists the FridgePower at $799. That’s the same list price as the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2, which has a smidge more power at 1,070Wh but a lot more functionality. The Explorer 1000 V2 has three AC ports, two USB-C, one USB-A, and an onboard light.

Should you get the Jackery FridgeGuard?

If your main concern during a power outage is food spoiling, the Jackery FridgeGuard could be a great solution. Its unique design can easily tuck on top of your fridge, and the plug-and-play nature means you’ll have immediate power backup when grid power fails. That’s the ultimate convenience for powering your fridge, an aquarium, or a CPAP machine should the power go out in the middle of the night.

If you’re looking for a portable power station to take camping or use on the jobsite, you’re probably better off with a different model.

Other models worth considering

Both Bluetti and Anker Solix introduced fridge-specific models in the same quarter that Jackery launched the FridgeGuard. The world of portable power stations is getting crowded with models that only have the minorest of minor differences. So I’m surprised to say, all three fridge-backup models are glaringly different. 

The Jackery FridgeGuard is the thinnest, so if that’s your main priority, go with the FridgeGuard. Otherwise, here’s a brief rundown of the other two models I’d consider for fridge backup.

Anker Solix S2000

Coming with double the power of the Jackery FridgeGuard, the Anker designed the Solix S2000 as a model that’ll sit nicely atop or beside a refrigerator. Anker says this 2,010Wh is capable of keeping a standard refrigerator running for up to 35 hours. If your home tends to experience longer outages, this capacity might be a better fit compared to the Jackery.

The Solix S2000 also has more ports. You get three AC on the front and dual AC on the back. When placed on your countertop, you can use a rear AC for powering the refrigerator while keeping the front AC ports open for the coffee maker or a lamp. It also has dual USB-C and a USB-A for recharging phones, earbuds, and other small devices. But keep in mind the Solix S2000 has a more traditional portable power station shape. You can set it on top of your fridge, but it might block cupboards.

Anker Solix S2000 $599.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $599.01   Shop Now at Amazon Bluetti FridgePower

The Bluetti FridgePower has a nearly identical physical layout to the Jackery FridgeGuard. The main difference is the battery capacity. The Jackery comes with 1,024Wh while the Bluetti has almost double at 2,016Wh. In short, that’s going to keep the refrigerator cooling for twice as long. It has two AC ports compared to the single AC port on the Jackery.

The slim design is similar to the Jackery, but the Bluetti is a bit larger and much heavier at 41 pounds compared to the FridgeGuard’s 23ish pounds. The Bluetti FridgePower also tends to be the most expensive model compared to the Jackery and Anker Solix.

Bluetti FridgePower $898.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $600.01   Shop Now at Amazon How to buy the Jackery FridgeGuard

At the time of launch and writing, the Jackery FridgeGuard is exclusive to Costco and Jackery. Costco members get a better deal, however, where the fridge backup is available for $549.99. If you’re lucky enough to find it in stock at Jackery, the station sells for $799. Jackery also sells a mounting bracket for $49 if you’d rather attach it to a nearby wall instead of setting it on top of the fridge or on the floor.

Jackery FridgeGuard $549.99 at Costco
$799 Save $249.01   Shop Now at Costco Shop Now at Jackery
Categories: IT General, Technology
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