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SAVE OVER $30: As of Aug. 13, the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set is on sale for $145 at Walmart. This is $34.99 off its list price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon Building Set $145 at Walmart
$179.99 Save $34.99 Get Deal

If you're a Star Wars fan, there are plenty of exciting Lego sets to consider from a galaxy far, far away. August alone has seen some fun new drops, but if you're on the hunt for a good deal on a Star Wars-themed Lego set, you're in luck. Walmart's offering a discount right now on the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set that's worth a look.

The Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set is usually listed for $179.99, but it's currently marked down to $145. If you've had it on your radar, now is a great time to grab it. It's a set that's worth the pickup.

SEE ALSO: Our 13 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans

Coming to 1,579 pieces and recommended for ages 10 and up, the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set allows you to piece together a dark version of the Millennium Falcon that was seen in the Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Disney+ special. Alongside the ship — which features a detailed interior, removable cockpit, spring-loaded shooters, rotating cannons, and a removable gunner post — it also comes with six minifigures of Darth Jar Jar, Bounty Hunter C-3PO, Darth Dev, Darth Rey, Beach Luke, and Jedi Vader.

Don't miss out on the Lego Star Wars The Dark Falcon set on sale at Walmart for $145. And if you'd prefer to build the regular Millennium Falcon, the good news is the Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon is also on sale right now at Amazon.

SAVE $16.75: As of Aug. 13, the Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Collection is $51.74 at TCGPlayer, compared to $68.49 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Collection $51.74 at TCGPlayer
$68.49 Save $16.75 Get Deal

If you play or collect the Pokémon TCG, you have probably heard the buzz around Scarlet and Violet’s Black Bolt and White Flare expansions. They have been filling card shops and trade binders with stunning special illustration rares, strong competitive trainer cards, and some eye-catching secret art rare ex Pokémon that are making an impact in tournaments.

The Black Bolt Binder Collection is an easy way to dive into the set without having to track down booster packs one at a time, and right now TCGPlayer has it for much less than Amazon.

SEE ALSO: A new Nintendo Switch 2 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' bundle is available for preorder

Amazon is asking $68.49 for the collection, which is well above the current market value. TCGPlayer has it for $51.74, saving you $16.75 that you could put toward extra boosters or a few singles to finish your deck. Inside the Black Bolt Binder Collection you get a durable nine-pocket binder with set artwork, five Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt booster packs, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live so you can bring your pulls into the online game.

This product works for both sides of the Pokémon TCG hobby. Players can crack the boosters in hopes of pulling a card that improves their tournament list, while collectors can use the binder to store and display their favorite pulls from Black Bolt and White Flare. The binder is sturdy enough for regular use and the pockets fit cards snugly, so your rares and holofoils stay in top condition.

Opening sealed product is a big part of the fun in this hobby, and the Black Bolt Binder Collection offers that thrill along with a practical storage upgrade. It is also a neat way to keep your cards from the paired White Flare expansion together, since many collectors like to display both sets side by side.

TCGPlayer market data shows the Black Bolt Binder Collection averages around $52.94, which makes Amazon’s price more than 29% higher than what most people are paying. If you want to enjoy the excitement of Black Bolt and White Flare without overspending, TCGPlayer is the clear winner.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: The Pokémon Company / Mashable Photo Composite

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Black Bolt and White Flare right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Most recent sale: $450

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Most recent sale: $418

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Most recent sale: $445

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Most recent sale: $438.60

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Most recent sale: $199.95

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Most recent sale: $188.99

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To get one's attention

• Green: A section

• Blue: Popular singers

• Purple: Five-pointed shape

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

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

• Yellow: Captivate

• Green: Excerpt

• Blue: Member of a girl group

• Purple: Star ___

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 #795 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Captivate: CHARM, ENTRANCE, RIVET, THRILL

• Excerpt: CLIP, EXTRACT, PASSAGE, QUOTE

• Member of a girl group: BANGLE, CHICK, GO-GO, SUPREME

• Star ___: BOARD, FISH, GATE, STRUCK

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

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

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

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

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

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

The words are media-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are popular movies by an iconic director.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Film Title.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 13

• Topaz

• Notorious

• Vertigo

• Lifeboat

• Psycho

• Rope

• Film Title

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Strands.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A fermented milky drink.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

KEFIR.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

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

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

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

SAVE $12.66: As of Aug. 13, the Pokémon TCG Unova Victini Illustration Collection is $38 at TCGPlayer, compared to $50.66 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Unova Victini Illustration Collection $38 at TCGPlayer
$50.66 Save $12.66 Get Deal

If you’re a Victini fan or just love promo cards, the Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet Unova Victini Illustration Collection is looking like a great pickup right now. TCGPlayer has it for $38, which is $12.66 cheaper than Amazon’s $50.66 price tag. That’s a solid chunk of change saved, especially if you’ve been holding out for a better deal.

Amazon currently lists the set at $50.66, but TCGPlayer’s price undercuts it by about 25%. If you’re after the promos, this is one of the lowest prices you’ll find on a sealed box that still gives you booster pack variety.

SEE ALSO: Surprise! Pokémon drops adorable new puzzle game on mobile and Switch

The collection includes one full-art foil promo card featuring Victini, one premium parallel foil Victini, and one oversize illustration rare-style foil card. You’ll also get two Black Bolt booster packs, two White Flare booster packs, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

For collectors, this is a Victini showcase piece with both standard and oversized cards to display. For players, it’s a chance to pull from two different sets in the Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet era while picking up useful promos for Fire decks.

If you’re looking to add Victini’s latest promos to your binder or you just want more packs at a better price, now’s a good time to strike. The savings here are significant enough that you can throw in a few extra singles or accessories without going over Amazon’s price.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Here are the most valuable cards you can pull in Black Bolt and White Flare right now. Don't want to leave it to chance? You can just buy them for the best price on TCGPlayer right now:

1. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $450
   Market price: $474.25
   Most recent sale: $450

2. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $445.20
   Most recent sale: $418

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $400
   Market price: $406.80
   Most recent sale: $445

4. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $430
   Most recent sale: $438.60

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $203
   Market price: $208.05
   Most recent sale: $199.95

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $190
   Market price: $203.13
   Most recent sale: $188.99

The 2026 Genesis Electrified G80 isn’t just a good-looking luxury EV—it’s a full-blown attention magnet. And now that it’s bigger, sleeker, and more upscale, it’s turning heads even harder.

Recteq set out to do something unique with its new X-Fire Pro 825 pellet grill—replace your gas grill. Like most pellet grills, it can easily do low and slow cooks, but its Dual Mode feature gives you the speed and sear of a gas grill and can reach 1250°F. After cooking some burnt ends, brisket, and a 24-oz porterhouse, I'm sold.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Aug. 13, Amazon is offering a like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) for $126.99. This is $53 off its list price of $179.99, and also marks a return to its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Like-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) $126.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $53.00 Get Deal

If you're a big reader, or know someone who is, it's worth picking up a Kindle to boost your digital library. And every once in a while, these e-readers get some nice discounts at Amazon, and today is one of those lucky days. If you don't mind getting a refurbished model, you can actually score a like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) back at its best-ever price right now.

This like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) is usually listed for $179.99, but it's currently marked down 29% to $126.99. Again, this marks a return to its lowest-ever price, so there's no better time than now to buy.

SEE ALSO: Stuff Your Kindle Day is live until Aug. 16 — download 100s of free historical fiction and contemporary books

We consider the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition to be the best upgrade on our list of the best Kindles, offering "twice the storage with 32GB". Alongside its hefty storage, it also boasts 25% faster page turns, a higher contrast ratio, an auto-adjusting front light, and it offers wireless charging.

On top of that, its slim design is perfect for travel and its battery can last up to 12 weeks, so you can stay busy working through your book list. Who knows how much longer this deal will last, so act fast to score this refurbished like-new Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32GB) back at its best-ever price on Amazon. There's also a refurbished like-new Kindle Paperwhite on sale there as well, if you'd prefer the standard version.

People are still using Threads! And according to the man in charge, the numbers are actually getting bigger.

On Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to Threads to share an update on the platform's monthly users.

SEE ALSO: Threads unveils improved Insights metrics to help creators understand their audience

"Threads on the up and up," he wrote. "Just passed 400M monthly actives on here."

View on Threads

Threads' monthly user figures have been steadily climbing since the app launched in summer 2023. Starting with around 100 million sign ups in its first week, Threads had reached 275 million monthly active users by November 2024.

X, by contrast, has been struggling since Elon Musk took over. The site has been losing users in the EU in recent months, and recent data suggests that Threads is nearing X in terms of daily active users.

Anker feels like a cheat code in the tech world. The brand has a massive product lineup that consistently impresses in both quality and affordability. Anker makes some of Mashable’s favorite charging accessories, travel-worthy power banks, and budget-friendly earbuds. You could grab a pair of headphones, earbuds, a charger, extra high-capacity USB-C cables, and a power bank, all for way less than a single pair of Sony XM6 headphones, as an example. If you need portable power for the campsite, your RV, or you want to keep your phone charged up during a power outage, the Anker Solix C1000 is a dependable workhorse and a great addition to Anker’s product offerings.

Anker actually has several brand divisions, and there are highlights in all. Anker Soundcore is the brand’s go-to all things audio like earbuds, headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and even sleep earbuds. The brand also encompasses Nebula, which makes a lineup of projectors like the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser — the perfect host for outdoor movie nights. Eufy makes stick vacuums, robot vacuums, home security devices, and robot lawn mowers if you’re really hoping to step into the future. Anker’s Solix is all about power, covering both portable power you can take to the campground and whole-home backup solutions.

Plenty of port options here. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

The Anker Solix C1000 portable power station is a versatile model that offers 1,056Wh of battery capacity, which is pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of portable power stations. Anker lists the MSRP at $999, but we often see it on sale at Amazon for about $500, making it an affordable option for the size. Does that mean it’s a must-buy or a flop? We put it to the test to find out.

What’s to love about the Anker Solix C1000

Opening the box and doing some initial testing, I’m not surprised the Anker Solix C1000 is simply perfect. I’m sorry to disappoint any naysayers, but the Solix C1000 comes with so few flaws that I had to thoughtfully dig for potential issues. I did find some, yes, but the Anker Solix C1000 is a great option for most people, well deserving of its price for camping, RV life, keeping charged up during power outages, and plenty more. It comes with enough charging ports to keep almost every device happy, and it’s powerful enough to recharge your laptop and your phone, all while making dinner in a power-station-fueled air fryer.

The Solix C1000 provided the juice for an outdoor movie night at the cabin. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Anker doesn’t explain why it went with the word “Solix” for its power stations, but it would make sense that it's playing off the Latin root for the sun, sol — the Anker Solix C1000 plays very well with solar charging. On its own, 1,056Wh of battery isn’t a huge amount, but if you hook the Solix C1000 up to a solar panel while you’re camping, you’re in line for unlimited power. Take this puppy with you on your summer adventures, and you can power up your entire living set-up with just the Anker Solix C1000.

Technically, Anker classifies this as part of the “camping series,” and that feels like an honest representation of where it shines. This isn’t gonna power up your whole house if the power goes out for days. Instead, this is a portable option for weekends away or for content creators who are spending the day in the field to capture video and drone footage. Here are some specs to check out when deciding if the Solix C1000 is right for your power needs:

Specs

• Capacity: 1,056Wh

• Continuous output: 1,800W pure sine wave

• Weight: 28.44 pounds

• Dimensions: 14.8 in. L × 8.1 in. W × 10.5 in. H

• Power options: AC, USB-C (100W), USB-A

• Recharging options: Grid power, solar, car

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

• Life cycles: 80 percent capacity after 3,000 cycles

• Warranty: 5 years

What does 1,056Wh look like IRL?

One of the hardest parts of choosing a portable power station is coming to grips with what the battery capacity means in real-life terms. All of our gadgets require different levels of juice to get charged up, but it’s safe to say the Anker Solix C1000 is great for a weekend of camping for most people. The 1,056Wh will be able to keep phones charged, the campsite string lights lit up, and the projector showing nightly movies.

Anker says the C1000 can recharge an iPhone 92 times, a drone 21 times, or keep a coffee maker on for over 2.5 hours. When testing, I used the portable power station to recharge my phone while watching a movie on the CineBeam Q projector. In the morning, I used it to heat water in the electric kettle for my portable espresso machine. 

More essential than s’mores when camping

It’s obvious Anker designed the Solix C1000 to be camping-friendly. It weighs less than 30 pounds, so it’s pretty easy to carry around, especially since it has ergonomic handles on both sides. When testing, I had no problems carrying it around aside from going down an especially steep staircase, which led me to angle sideways so I could keep the stairs in view. Otherwise, this thing is a dream to carry around the campground. 

The 1,056Wh combined with the physical size of the Solix C1000 makes it the perfect option for a weekend of camping. It’ll keep your phones charged, the lights on, and keep entertainment options charged, like a Bluetooth speaker, without being overkill. Plus, you can recharge via solar at the campsite. 

A portable size, manageable weight, and lightbar all make the power station extra user-friendly. Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable

Another aspect of the Anker Solix C1000 that’s awesome for camping is the built-in lightbar. This automatically means you’ve packed ambient light for the campsite, and the lightstrip has several settings from blazing high-noon light to calming warm light that’s awesome for evening.

Ports-a-plenty

For its compact size, Anker packed the Solix C1000 with port options. You’re in for two USB-C ports, one of which can pull 100W, two USB-A, and six AC ports. I can’t imagine what kind of camping trip would require connecting six devices to AC power, but you have it should you need it. The 100W USB-C port is a thoughtful touch, although it’s lower powered than some portable power stations that incorporate a 140W USB-C port. But again, given its compact size and even more impressive compact price, the Anker Solix C1000 is really an incredible bang-for-your-buck in terms of charging ports.

When the storm hits, the Solix C1000 keeps you charged

While Anker lists the Solix C1000 as a camping model, it’s gonna be your best friend when the power goes out at home. You’ll be able to keep the living room light on, use the hairdryer, and sleep with a CPAP should you need it. The power never goes out when your phone is fully charged, so the Anker Solix C1000 can help out with that dilemma, too. 

Personally, I require a portable power station to have a built-in light if I intend to use it during home power outages. Image schlepping a portable power station up the stairs in the darkness of a power outage. It’s not gonna be a great time. But turn that strip light on and you can light your path up the stairs from the garage or as you bring it from room to room.

In a power outage situation, Anker says the Solix C1000 can keep a CPAP going for over 18 hours or your refrigerator cooling for up to 14.

Portable power can keep your workstation going during a power outage. Credit: Anker How does the Anker Solix C1000 recharge?

If you’ve hit zero battery on the Anker Solix C1000 and use standard wall power to recharge, you can get back to 80 percent in under 45 minutes. That tiny amount of recharging time is just wild. My electric toothbrush takes something like eight hours to recharge. Granted, my toothbrush has a super tiny battery, but you get the idea. Getting the Solix C1000 back to 100 percent power happens in under an hour. 

You can also charge the Solix with solar panels. With 600W of solar input (the max this station can handle), you can get back to full power in under two hours. If you’re going on a weekend camping trip, it’s not super likely you’re toting around 600W of solar input, so I wouldn’t count on the two-hour recharging time frame, but it’s reassuring that even with a portable 100W panel, you’ll be heading back into recharged territory, eventually.

Hats off to the affordability

One of the major benefits of buying any Anker product is the affordable price. This is compounded by the fact that Anker usually offers great sale prices at Amazon, especially during major sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. At the time of writing, Anker lists the Solix C1000 with an MSRP of $999, but we often see it hover around the $500 mark at Amazon when on sale. For starters, who doesn’t love getting a 50% discount? But the sale price of $500 for this portable power station is borderline ridiculous given its capacity, quick recharging, and port options. 

Expandable power, but with a limit

Most (good) portable power stations can handle expanding the battery. This involves buying an extra battery from the manufacturer and stacking it with the portable power station. The Anker Solix C1000 nails this expansion by offering the BP1000 Expansion Battery. Together, you’re in line for 2,112Wh of capacity, doubling what the portable power station can offer on its own. Thanks to this expandability, the Anker could be perfect for longer camping trips.

Double the power with the expandable battery. Credit: Anker

The only downside to this expandable feature on the Solix C1000 is that the power station can only handle just the one expansion battery, so it tops out at 2,112Wh. By comparison, the DJI Power 2000 portable power station can connect with up to 10 expansion batteries for a total capacity of over 22,000Wh. Is it still portable with 10 expansion batteries? Definitely not, but some people might want that option to get massive power, if desired.

Since the Anker Solix C1000 can only accommodate one expansion battery, this probably isn’t the right model if you’re looking for something to take on a weekend camping trip that would double as backup for your home’s power should it get knocked out for days.

Is the Anker Solix C1000 worth buying?

The combination of functionality and affordability makes the Anker Solix C1000 a fantastic portable power station. It’s the perfect accessory for a weekend of camping, it’s great for RV life, and it shows up to keep you on-grid during a power outage. If you’re a content creator on assignment, the Solix C1000 offers plenty of ports for recharging without adding major bulk to your packing list. It’s also terrific to use in the backyard when doing yardwork if you don’t want to run an extension cord across the yard to the shed.

When testing, I found it incredibly intuitive to use and recharge, and since it weighs under 30 pounds, it’s not a major inconvenience to carry around. At the end of the day, I think every home could find a use for the Solix C1000, even if it’s simply offering reassurance that you can keep the milk chilled during a power outage and have hot coffee come morning.

Anker Solix C1000 portable power station $469 at Amazon
$799 Save $330 Shop Now

SAVE OVER $150: As of Aug. 13, the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine is on sale for $1,149.03 at Amazon. This is $150.92 off and marks its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: De'Longhi De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro Espresso Machine $1,149.03 at Amazon
$1,299.95 Save $150.92 Get Deal

An espresso machine is a great way to kickstart your mornings. If you've been on the hunt for a new machine for your kitchen to create a little at-home cafe, look no further than Amazon. Right now you can grab a De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine for its best-ever price.

The De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine is usually listed for $1,299.95, but you can score it for $1,149.03 right now. This deal saves you $150.92 and marks its best-ever price on Amazon. This machine is well worth the splurge for espresso fans.

SEE ALSO: The best coffee machines for modern kitchens

Featuring a built-in grinder with 15 settings, the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine can help you brew up your perfect cup in the morning. It even comes with eight presets — including espresso, americano, coffee, flat white, latte macchiato, cappuccino, iced espresso, and cold brew — so you can quickly make up your favorite drink right away.

Now's your chance to score the De'Longhi La Specialista Maestro espresso machine at its best-ever price at Amazon. And if you want more espresso machine recommendations, check out our roundup of the best espresso machines to see more of our favorites.

Seth Meyers knows how to keep his writers on their toes.

"They write hundreds of jokes every day just to get the 10 or 12 we use in the monologue, and honestly a lot of those jokes just aren't good," says Meyers in the Late Night clip. "Sometimes I think they throw in a few stinkers on purpose just to fill the page."

SEE ALSO: Seth Meyers roasts Trump's completely nonsensical press conference about crime in Washington D.C.

Cue a "surprise inspection" in which Meyers reads out jokes from various writers that were too bad, offensive or nonsensical to make the cut, complete with an actual naming and shaming of the writer in question. Most of them elicit groans or silence from the audience, but there is one gem in there about an alpaca that definitely should have made the main monologue.

The best Netflix deals at a glance: BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for those on Go5G, Experience Beyond and Experience More plans (save $7.99/month) Learn More BEST BUNDLE DEAL Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $7.99 per month) Learn More BEST FOR COMCAST CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard with ads, Apple TV+, and Peacock Premium $15/month with Xfinity StreamSaver Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE PLAN Netflix Standard with ads $7.99 per month Learn More

It's been a dozen years since Now You See Me hit theaters and nearly a decade since the sequel. In other words, with the upcoming third film, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, coming this fall, it's a good time to revisit the originals. Or, maybe even watch them for the first time.

The films feature a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the Four Horsemen, Morgan Freeman as master magician Thaddeus Bradley, Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, and more. All are expected to return in Now You See Me 3, so it's essential to get caught up with the characters and lore of the films before heading to the theaters this fall. Movie marathon, anyone?

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't.

How many Now You See Me movies are there?

The fall release of Now You See Me: Now You Don't will be the third film in the Four Horsemen trilogy. The first film, Now You See Me, arrived in 2013 as a surprise hit. It grossed over $350 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel, Now You See Me 2, hit theaters in 2016 and brought in over $334 million.

When does Now You See Me: Now You Don't come out?

The upcoming third film in the Now You See Me franchise will arrive in theaters on Nov. 14, 2025. That's nearly 12.5 years to the day since the original film made its mark at the box office. In a time when cinema is struggling, it will certainly be interesting to see if Now You See Me: Now You Don't can live up to its predecessors.

Check out the official trailer below:

How to watch Now You See Me 1 and 2 online Credit: Lionsgate Films

There are a few different ways you can watch Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 at home: buy, rent, or stream. We've broken down all the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

To watch Now You See Me 1 and 2 individually without signing up for a streaming service, you can rent or purchase them at digital-on-demand retailers. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep. Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the films at the four main digital retailers.

Now You See Me:

Prime Video — $3.79 to rent, $4,99 to buy

Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $5 to buy

Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Now You See Me 2:

Prime Video — $3.79 to rent, $4.99 to buy

Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $5 to buy

Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Stream on Netflix

Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 are streaming on Netflix through Sept. 30. You can revisit the first two (or watch them for the first time) with plenty of time to reflect before the third installment is released in theaters this November.

Sadly, Netflix doesn't offer free trials, and it has really cracked down on password sharing. So you'll need your own Netflix subscription in order to stream the NYSM franchise. Fortunately, there are a few membership tiers to choose from.

Watching Netflix with ads is the most affordable option — it'll cost you $7.99 per month. Don't want ads? Your next-best choice is to sign up for Netflix Standard for $17.99 per month, which is a steep price jump. Finally, there's a third tier for new subscribers dubbed Netflix Premium. It'll cost you an outrageous $24.99 per month and will let you watch on four household devices at once (as opposed to the other plans' two devices) in 4K Ultra HD + HDR with no ads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix subscription Starting at $7.99 per month Learn More Are there any Netflix deals?

If you're lucky enough to be eligible for one of the deals below, you can score Netflix for free — or at least at a discount. Be sure to check the terms for more details and sign up before the deals disappear.

Best Netflix deal for T-Mobile customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

T-Mobile customers on most Go5G plans, as well as Experience Beyond and Experience More plans, get Netflix Standard with ads for free (reg. $7.99 per month). You just need to have two or more lines of any type of Go5G or Magenta plan, or at least one line of Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, Experience More, or Experience Beyond — and keep your account in good standing — in order to be eligible.

While the Netflix subscription is free for eligible customers, you'll have to manually activate it by logging into My.T-Mobile and selecting manage add-ons. Once there, add Netflix in the services section and you'll be prompted to either create a Netflix account or sign in to an existing one. Then, T-Mobile will take your Netflix bill out of your hands each month. Check out the terms and FAQs on the promo page.

Best Netflix deal for Verizon customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan Get Deal

As of December 2023, Verizon customers with myPlan can add a Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) for just $10 per month ($6.99 per month in savings). Since HBO Max costs $9.99 on its own, that essentially gets you Netflix with ads for free (or one cent if you want to nitpick). Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Eligibility details, terms, and FAQs can be found on the Verizon support page.

Best Netflix deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV+ / Peacock / Netflix Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and Apple TV+ $15 per month with Xfinity StreamSaver Get Deal

Last year, Comcast announced its Xfinity StreamSaver package, which includes Netflix Standard with ads ($7.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and Apple TV+ ($9.99 per month). If you're an existing or new Xfinity Internet or TV customer, you can add the StreamSaver bundle to your services for only $15 per month. Typically $28.97 per month for all three, you'll save about $13.97 monthly.

SAVE $170: As of Aug. 13, the Ruko F11PRO 2 drone is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruko Ruko F11PRO 2 Drone $399.99 at Amazon
$569.99 Save $170 Get Deal

With the threat of a potential Chinese-made drone ban looming over the U.S., popular options like DJI drones are quickly selling out. If you've had a drone on your wishlist for a while, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on the Ruko F11PRO 2? As of Aug. 13, this drone is on sale for over $100 off, now priced at $399.99.

This drone is a top pick for just about anyone, shooting sharp 6K photos and smooth 4K video, with an image sensor that picks up fine details and vibrant colors. The three-axis brushless gimbal also helps to keep your shots steady, even if it’s a bit windy, and you get two batteries for a total of 70 minutes of flight time.

It's also a great choice for beginners, thanks to its GPS flight modes like follow-me, orbit, cruise control, and waypoint planning that help you get great footage without much effort. And Night Mode makes evening flights possible, keeping your shots clear after dark, and with a range of up to 10,000 feet, you can cover a lot of ground.

For charging, Ruko stresses the importance of sticking to the dedicated Ruko charger; try to avoid using chargers designed for other devices.

Get this drone deal from Amazon before it flies off the shelves.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like YouPorn with a VPN. The best service for unblocking free porn sites is ExpressVPN.

There are many locations around the world that block access to porn sites like Pornhub, Redtube, and YouPorn.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws. Visitors from those states are now banned from visiting sites owned by Aylo (Pornhub, Redtube, and YouPorn). The same situation is taking place in France, so where's next?

There are complicated reasons for these restrictions, but sometimes you simply want to access your favourite site at an entirely appropriate moment. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock YouPorn for free fro anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock YouPorn for free

VPNs can help you access porn sites from anywhere in the world. By hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in another location, you can trick these sites into providing you with access, even if there is a block in place over your network.

Unblock YouPorn from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to YouPorn

4. Unblock YouPorn

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free. However, many leading services offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can unblock porn sites like YouPorn without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can temporarily unblock sites like YouPorn for free. This method can come in handy if you're travelling and frequently using unknown or unsecured networks.

What is the best VPN for porn?

When it comes to bypassing content restrictions, ExpressVPN leads the way. This high-speed service offers a wide range of streaming-friendly features:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock YouPorn for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The DJI Mini 4K drone is available to purchase for $299 on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 4K Drone $299 at Amazon
Shop Now

DJI is one of the biggest names in drones, with a strong reputation for creating incredible aerial shots. The DJI product range is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers. That being said, we were surprised to see the DJI Mini 4K drone as one of the best-sellers in recent months. We knew these drones were popular, but surely not as popular as AirPods?

Then the real reason hit us like a drone to the head.

President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at helping the U.S. drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. The measures don't actually order a full ban on Chinese-made drones (yet), but talk of a ban on DJI drones has been doing the rounds for a while now. That uncertainty is clearly causing an uptick in sales.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

The good news is that you can still find the DJI Mini 4K drone on Amazon, listed for $299 right now. This popular drone is being sold by Fly Image Tech at the time of writing. We generally don't recommend third-party sellers, but they have decent reviews and times are tough right now. We'll take what we can get at this point.

The DJI Mini 4K is full of helpful features for beginners and advanced users alike. It has a one-tap takeoff function and a helpful return to home feature. But perhaps most importantly for content creators is the three-axis gimbal and 4K quality, as well as advanced wind resistance and extended battery life. It's a step up from the DJI Neo Mini 4K that we think creators will appreciate.

Get the DJI Mini 4K drone for under $300 at Amazon.

A new school year provides a clean slate. You've got a fresh schedule of classes and a dorm room that's quite literally a blank canvas. Even if decorating isn't your thing, adding just a few simple pieces will make your space feel more welcoming and somewhere you actually want to hang out.

If you're not sure where to start or want a little inspo, we dug into the latest dorm decor trends that have us wishing we were headed back to campus this year. But all of these pieces aren't just great for dorms, they're items that can come with you after your dorm days and into your first apartment. Besides the Twin XL sheets — at least treat yourself to a full-sized bed once you get your degree.

And a little advice as a former RA, check your college's dorm rules before hitting purchase on any of these items. Many dorms have rules against upholstered furniture like rugs, tapestries, and bean bags because they can be a fire hazard so check what's allowed before purchasing.

So if you've got your laptop and noise-cancelling headphones ready to go for the school year, here are the decor items that will turn your space into a study, sleep, and social sanctuary.

Ruggable Washable Area Rug Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Washable Rugs $199 at Ruggable
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Whether your dorms have cold, tiled floors or carpeted floors with some questionable stains, an area rug adds some color and texture to an otherwise plain space. Keep in mind, not all dorms allow for rugs, but if they do, go the washable route. We love Ruggable's washable rugs that can get tossed into the washer since accidents happen.

Spoonflower Peel and Stick Wallpaper Opens in a new window Credit: Spoonflower Spoonflower Peel and Stick Wallpaper $90.30 at Spoonflower
Price per panel Shop Now

For the particularly design-minded, peel-and-stick wallpaper offers the chance to totally transform your room. Keep in mind that you can face fines for any damage left behind to dorm walls, but peel-and-stick wallpaper is a removable and renter-friendly option.

Spoonflower has a massive catalogue of prints. This is one of the pricier decor routes to take, but worth it if you'll lose your mind staring at boring white walls — even a singular small accent wall can revamp your dorm room.

Pottery Barn Teen Custom Neon Light Opens in a new window Credit: Pottery Barn Teen Pottery Barn Teen Custom Neon Light $149 at Pottery Barn Teen
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To help make your and your roommate's spaces feel distinct but cohesive, how about some custom neon signs? Pottery Barn Teen makes custom neon signs up to nine characters long. They come in electric colors that make your dorm glow.

Urban Outfitters Bean Bag Chair Opens in a new window Credit: Urban Outfitters Dylan Striped Bean Bag Chair $249 at Urban Outfitters
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Dorm room furniture doesn't have a reputation for comfort — make sure you have a mattress topper on your list — so to break up the long hours in your wooden desk chair, a bean bag chair is both comfy and a decor opportunity. Urban Outfitters has some particularly unique options, like the Dylan Striped Bean Bag Chair, which comes in both single chair and loveseat options.

Target Throw Pillows Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Floral Decorative Throw Pillow $10.50 at Target
$15 Save $4.50 Get Deal

Throw pillows are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add some personality to your space. Since they may get tossed around with college living, don't spend a ton of money on them. Target's collection of throw pillows is fun and cheap and includes options like this cute blue floral pillow, this vibrant corduroy half moon, or this cross-stitch number.

Lego Botanicals Happy Plants Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Happy Plants $22.96 at Amazon
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Let's be honest — as much as you'd like to think that you'll be able to keep a plant alive in between classes and work and your social life... you won't. But to keep your dorm room from feeling drab, Lego Botanicals are the solution. This Lego Happy Plants set is absolutely adorable, featuring cheery planters with faux succulents. These planters sit on desks or window sills, ready to greet you when you come home from a long day of lectures.

SEE ALSO: Our 13 favorite Lego sets, sourced from actual Lego fans Ban.do Oat Milk Vase Opens in a new window Credit: Ban.do Ban.do Oat Milk Vase $28.95 at Amazon
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We love Ban.do for its delightfully quirky decor that adds some color and cheer to any space. The brand has a whole line of cheeky vases, but we're partial to its ceramic oat milk vase. Even if you're not keeping live flowers in it (you could opt for some faux or Lego stems instead), it's still a fun way to show your personality and penchant for the dairy-free.

Dahapyboo Cork Board Opens in a new window Credit: Dahapyboo Dahapyboo Cork Board $10.99 at Amazon
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Since I am quite a few years out of college, I did a deep dive into the latest college dorm decor trends. And let me just say I am immensely impressed by the elaborate cork board collages that I spotted on TikTok and Reels. While I saw quite a few cork boards DIY'd from top to bottom, if you want to save time, this Dahapyboo cork board is a great starting point with its linen backdrop and bottom-hanging rope so you can hang photos.

Juxyes Brass Photo Frames Opens in a new window Credit: Juxyes Juxyes Brass Photo Frames $16.99 at Amazon
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Another favorite among the college students — floating picture frames. Rather than the classic picture frame with matting, these hanging pictures create the illusion of photos hanging freely, surrounded by a gorgeous brass frame. The Juxyes brass photo frames come in a two-pack on Amazon, giving you a jump start on creating your dream dorm gallery wall. And since you can't drill into your dorm walls, don't forget to order a pack of Command hooks.

Woozoo Globe Oscillating Fan Opens in a new window Credit: Woozoo Woozoo Globe Oscillating Fan $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

While, yes, this fan is technically more of a straightforward appliance than a piece of decor, you have to admit that this Woozoo compact globe fan is totally adorable. It's a fan favorite online for dorm rooms because it won't take up a ton of real estate — including floor space — but still oscillates so you can get some air flow in stuffy dorms. If you need to create some more space for your fan and have it at the perfect angle for sleeping, this fan shelf is ingenious.

Rosanbella Name Pennants Opens in a new window Credit: Rosanbella Rosanbella $22.99 at Amazon
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To make your dorm feel like home for both you and your roommate, grab a couple of custom pennants. Little-known fact: Amazon has a subset of its website dedicated to handmade artisans, like its version of Etsy. These pennants are customizable, coming in a variety of colors and fonts. And since they're customizable, instead of writing your name on the pennant, you can even get it with your hometown for a little reminder of home.

Room Essentials Squiggle Lamp Opens in a new window Credit: Target Room Essentials Squiggle Lamp $8.40 at Target
$12 Save $3.60 Get Deal

Just the other day, whilst browsing the aisles of Target, I came across this lamp and had to practice some major impulse control and not scoop it up for myself. But if I had a dorm room to shop for, I'd absolutely buy this lamp. One universal truth about dorms: the lighting sucks. If you can't stand the harsh overhead fluorescents, you'll need to bring some lamps to warm and cozy up the space. This lamp totally fits the bill, just make sure to buy warm light bulbs so you don't end up with harsh lighting after all.

Threshold Scalloped Edge Floral Sheets Opens in a new window Credit: Target Threshold Scalloped Edge Floral Sheets $30 at Target
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The easiest way to brighten up your space is to try lively twists on things you already need. So if you're buying sheets, go for something with a little more personality. These Threshold sheets at Target come in a darling floral pattern and have a chic scalloped edge for a little something extra. Target cotton sheets are totally underrated, and with a 300-thread count, they're deliciously soft, get even better with time, will keep you cool, and are easy to clean.

Curtain Fairy Lights Opens in a new window Credit: Hxweiye Hxweiye Curtain Fairy Lights $7.89 at Amazon
$9.99 Save $2.10 Get Deal

String lights are a dorm room classic, but rather than deal with a bunch of strings of fairy lights, go for this curtain design. The Hxweiye Curtain Fairy Lights create a wall of ambiance so you can turn off the bright overheads and actually relax.

Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights $13.49 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $1.50 $1.50 off with on-page coupon Get Deal

One of the most memorable pieces of dorm decor for me was my friend's LED strip lights that synced to the audio of whatever was playing (can you tell I went to art school?) That being said, a set of these Govee LED strip lights is the ultimate lighting experience and sure to impress your dorm mates.

FREE LABUBU: Steak 'n Shake is giving away over 100,000 Labubu from Aug. 4. Find your nearest location and enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win.

Opens in a new window Credit: Steak 'n Shake Steak 'n Shake: Free Labubu Toys from Aug. 4 Learn More

I'm not going to pretend that I know a lot about Labubu. In fact, I had to ask my wife what these things were when I stumbled upon this promotion. She reliably informed me that they are like Furbies with teeth, and they are sold in blind boxes. I also don't know what blind boxes are, but I was afraid to admit that at the time.

But what I do know is that Labubu is popular. Seriously popular.

SEE ALSO: Lego is giving away a free Boombox model. Here’s how to get yours.

And that's why it's my duty to inform you that Steak 'n Shake to set to give away over 100,000 Labubu from Aug. 4. Steak 'n Shake is inviting guests to find their nearest location and enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win. All the details on how to enter can be found here. The Sweepstakes begin on Aug. 4 and conclude on Oct. 4 (or once all prizes have been claimed).

This has to be one of the weirdest promotions we've ever come across. It doesn't make a great deal of sense and details still aren't super clear, but this is Labubu we're talking about. We don't need clarity. We simply need Labubu.

All links in this article may lead to NSFW content.

Alexis James first learned about OnlyFans in 2020, while watching an episode of 90 Day Fiancé in which a cast member mentioned she'd started an account. A long-time porn fan, James had daydreamed for years about making adult content, but ultimately pursued a career in finance. Thanks to the pandemic, though, she had some time on her hands, and OnlyFans sounded pretty accessible. So she signed up, too. 

"I was like, 'This is going to be an easy side hustle,'" James recalls. She'd film when she could, post on a schedule, and "get super rich off of it." 

SEE ALSO: How to unblock porn sites and stream porn anonymously

That's how OnlyFans seems to work, if you're going off of blaring tabloid headlines about people like rapper Lil Tay, who reportedly joined OnlyFans days after turning 18 and made about a million bucks in three hours. 

But after weeks of low engagement and virtually no income from her account, James realized her approach to the platform just wasn't working. She pulled out some finance-world tricks and tools, running analyses on profitable pages and reading up on best practices in an attempt to suss out the secrets to OnlyFans success. And she soon realized that, as she puts it, "the amount of work that goes into content creation is way beyond anything I could have imagined."  

While the content on OnlyFans and similar platforms may look super casual, a ton of invisible setup and editing goes into each photo or clip. Successful creators do loads of market research as well, to build a unique personal brand, market themselves to potential fans via social media, and figure out what content their fans want. Because the internet's lousy with free porn, these fans ultimately pay less for that content and more for access to creators. So, performers have to engage constantly in a way that feels individualized and authentic, or face backlash from sometimes parasocial and pushy folks. 

The average creator only makes about $1,300 a year. Those who want to make a living have to treat OnlyFans like a serious, full-time job. "You have no fucking idea," says Andie Anderson, who's been on OnlyFans since 2020. "I use my business degree every day… more than I did while working for [mainstream] corporations." 

And those who want to make it really big — to be a top-earning success story — basically have to start and manage a small business. "I work over 90 hours a week and have a 15-person team," says Bryce Adams, one of OnlyFans' top earners. "My yearly payroll is over $1 million." 

Creators are increasingly open about the work that goes into OnlyFans success. And many of their fans "recognize and respect the amount of labor it takes to consistently produce high-quality content," says Emily van der Nagel, an academic who's studied the OnlyFans ecosystem. 

But the notion James had in her head in 2020 — that OnlyFans must be easy money — remains widespread, says Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith, a researcher who studies gig-economy sex work. "Everyone thinks you just take off your clothes and money appears out of thin air," adds Adams. 

Where does that wildly inaccurate idea come from? And why does it persist, despite an ever-growing body of conflicting evidence? Mashable reached out to a half dozen academics who've studied OnlyFans and similar platforms, and a dozen prominent content creators, to try to get to the bottom of this mystery. 

The roots of the belief are complex but worth untangling, because the idea that OnlyFans prints low-effort cash is not only demeaning to talented and hard-working creators. It's also potentially dangerous. 

Why people think sex work is "easy money"

"The idea that sex work is easy money is an old trope," explains Heather Berg, a feminist scholar of sex and labor who's studied the experiences of sex workers. 

Stormi Maya, who worked as a dom, a stripper, and a sugar baby before breaking into OnlyFans, says some of that's down to the fact that you don't need any experience or training in order to earn some decent cash. "People are like, 'Well, anyone can enter the field, therefore it's easy.'" 

But folks are quicker to dismiss sex workers than other supposedly low-skill fields, like manual labor, because most cultures view it as dirty and thus worthless. Outsiders see tons of money flowing into the adult industry, says Cherie DeVille, a longtime porn star who's cultivated a strong OnlyFans following, and assume they could get a fat slice of that pie — if they weren't "a well-raised person, a good person, an ethical person." 

Everyone thinks you just take off your clothes and money appears out of thin air. - OnlyFans top earner Bryce Adams

As Easterbrook-Smith puts it, "The unspoken second half of the sentiment 'OnlyFans is easy money' is, 'and they don't deserve it.'" 

"Most people featured in OnlyFans content, and porn more broadly, are women," adds van der Nagel. "And women's work is denigrated and dismissed across industries." 

"If women can succeed at it, the logic goes, it must be easy." 

Maya believes that particular view is growing stronger and more visible thanks to the growing popularity of explicitly misogynistic influencers like Andrew Tate.

Sites like OnlyFans turbocharge these ideas because, as digital porn platform researcher Maggie MacDonald explains, they're designed to seem easy. Modern porn platforms thrive on network effects — i.e., on shepherding as many creators and users into their ecosystem as possible. Not only do they make it simple to sign up, putting an emphasis on security, privacy, and self-determination, but they also subtly mainstream and normalize sex work, blurring the lines between adult creators and other influencers and keeping their platforms in the zeitgeist. 

"You see OnlyFans in pop culture, hear it in songs," says DeVille. It makes opening an OnlyFans account feel more acceptable, more doable, to most people than, say, opening a porn clip store. 

Lifestyle publications and tabloids also run a steady stream of success stories: of women who went from living on benefits to making "£10k a month with sexy pics" overnight, or bankers who quit their corporate jobs to earn "$400k a year" doing fulfilling OnlyFans work on their time. (James is pretty sure these sorts of stories led to her own skewed view of OnlyFans work.) These pieces may mention the work that goes into running a page, but they focus on low-stress wealth and empowerment. 

"There are a few anomalies where, yeah, maybe that happened for one lucky person," says Anderson. "But all of these girls are like, 'I'm making a million dollars a month, blah, blah, blah."

"Bullshit."

Susanna Paasonen, a longtime digital porn researcher, believes this genre took off in the press at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, when people were flocking to OnlyFans for extra cash and human connection. At their best, they were feel-good stories for a dark period. But they persist, suggests OnlyFans creator Bea York, because "our culture loves a get-rich-quick story."

MelRose Michaels, the founder of Sex Work CEO, an adult creator education and resource hub, believes that creators themselves play a major role in perpetuating this rosy coverage.  

Most creators sell the idea, as MacDonald puts it, "that you're getting a little glimpse into my extremely sexy life." That means making it seem like they're incredibly successful and happy, explains Easterbrook-Smith, while obscuring the work that goes into creating that "authentic" image. Most consumers want that easy-breezy fantasy of joyful, prosperous exhibitionism and open intimacy rather than a complex human story. Typically, the more successful a creator is, the more effortless they make success seem.   

"Cherie DeVille doesn't exist," DeVille explains. She's a character, bound by rules of engagement and presentation like any other brand presence on social media. "There's never going to be a day where I go on OnlyFans with my woes. That doesn't make money." 

Even people who flame out on OnlyFans rarely talk about their struggles, adds creator Penny Barber, if only because "it's pretty embarrassing to fail as a sex worker. To see that there's a dollar value affixed to your attractiveness — and it's low." 

"Many veterans only share the good parts because we are also trying to fight the stigma that comes with being a sex worker," argues York. "We can't talk about the tough stuff or the labor that goes into our success, because anti-sex work folks will just weaponize that against us." That imperative is especially strong now, as a fervent anti-porn movement picks up strength, especially in the United States. 

Anderson acknowledges that there's logic to all of this, but "it sets expectations that aren't real." 

How predatory agencies exploit the "easy money" myth

As OnlyFans grew increasingly saturated at the turn of the 2020s, a parallel industry emerged — management agencies — to help creators manage the backend work of branding, marketing and even engaging with fans, in exchange for a cut of their profits. (Beyond the cut OnlyFans itself takes.) The field is inherently controversial; fans have tried to sue agencies, creators, and even OnlyFans itself for fraud upon realizing they were chatting with a proxy rather than a creator. But many large and established agencies seem to operate with transparency and good faith. 

Mashable reached out to several prominent agencies for this story. Only two replied, indicating that they would, or would consider, getting back to us. Neither ultimately did. 

A slew of small and shady agencies, however, make their money by actively perpetuating the "easy money" myth — sometimes targeting young women on other social media sites, promising to make them a steady stream of cash. All these newbies have to do, they say, is start an account, take some explicit photos and videos, then turn over their credentials and contents to the agencies. 

That may sound like an obvious scam, but far too many people buy into this promise for the same reasons we buy into the wider "easy money" narrative: "A lot of people have jobs they don't like, and a fantasy that doing some other job would be better, easier, more fun," says DeVille. 

"The idea of doing OnlyFans is nice," adds creator Chloe Amour, "because you can work from home and choose your own schedule." 

People (typically non-sex workers) want to believe in the dream of OnlyFans so badly that some even hold onto the "easy money" notion despite personally knowing creators. James, who decided to get serious about OnlyFans in 2022, broke into traditional porn in 2023, and now has a thriving, full-time adult industry career, says most of her friends still maintain that view, "and it won't change, because they've never lived it." But the few who've "helped me actually film and edit some content, they have definitely altered their perspective. They're shocked by how much work it takes."   

This is not a harmless belief. 

The real financial hardship sex workers face

No matter the source or intent, the belief that OnlyFans is easy demeans and belittles creators who put a great deal of time, skill, and effort into crafting an image of effortless sexuality.  

This view is also, argues creator Jessica Ryan, "really dangerous" for newcomers. 

The mainstreaming of OnlyFans has softened some of the stigmas around at least some forms of sex work, DeVille acknowledges, but the social consequences of entering the industry are "still real enough." Adult creators face risks of financial discrimination and legal scrutiny, family strife and social rejection, and especially doxxing and stalking. "99.9 percent of my fans are awesome, normal people who would probably take a bullet for me," says Adams. "But that risk still exists."

SEE ALSO: Is AI porn the next horizon in self-pleasure — and is it ethical?

In Maya's experience, creating content for OnlyFans is definitely safer than working at a strip club, where people felt entitled to grab at her, make advances on her, and follow her around. However, she says, "You'd be surprised how many men will pay just to harass you." 

"The internet is forever," adds Anderson. If you put up even one video, it may float around indefinitely. You have to operate on the assumption that everyone you know will see it someday. "So you really have to make it count," rather than diving in because it seems easy. 

The worst small, off-grid agencies — the downright predatory ones — also lure in happy-go-lucky young folks with the promise of easy money, only to steal profits from them, hold their content over their heads as blackmail, or even in a few rare but horrific cases traffic and abuse them.  

"If somebody pulls you into this world without giving you a breakdown of the issues with it, they're likely not good people," cautions Maya, who knows creators who've been exploited. 

"This doesn't mean you shouldn't go for it," if you're interested in OnlyFans, DeVille notes. "Just go in with your eyes open." 

Confront the risks. Decide how to mitigate them and if you can live with them. Only commit if the benefits for you outweigh the risks. And if you're ready to put in some real, hard work. 

"But if you want an easy life," DeVille says, "keep your nine to five." 

Creators Cubbi Thompson and Rachel Steele also provided insights that informed this article.