The Razer Blade 16 is discounted in various configurations, now as low as $1,600.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the absolute best moments of the year to buy a laptop. While several thin, lightweight productivity machines have dropped to their lowest prices, so have a batch of exciting, powerful gaming laptops.
We handpicked several gaming laptops at a variety of price points and performance levels that are currently offering the biggest discounts. It’s easy to be tempted by super low prices on years-old hardware, but these are all options running the latest (or just last-gen) chips — ensuring your purchase goes years before feeling outdated.
Below, you’ll find a little something for everyone, from the entry-level 1080p laptops that excel with games like Fortnite and Roblox to pricier options made to power through the latest AAA games at 2.5K resolution and high frame rates.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)
Our favorite gaming laptop that pulls double duty for everyday use and travel (and with actually solid battery life).
HP’s Omen Max 16 with high-end Intel CPU and RTX 5080 GPU plays just about anything at high or even ultra settings, and it’s slightly cheaper than its closest competitors.
If you were planning to gift someone an Apple product, we have a big roundup containing the biggest Apple Black Friday deals. However, if you aren’t exactly sure what kind of tech they want, getting them a gift card is a solid idea — save them the runaround of having to return something if it isn’t just right.
Currently, there’s no better retailer to buy Apple gift cards from than Amazon, as the online retailer is including $15 in credit when you buy $100 or more in Apple gift cards. Might as well get a little kickback for your generosity, am I right?
I am not The Verge’s foremost smart home expert, but I sure do love my fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat. (As does our actual senior smart home reviewer Jennifer Pattinson Tuohy — she gave it a 9 in her review.) It’s sleek, looks gorgeous on my wall, is easy to use (and install), and most importantly, it helps me save on my utility bills. It also comes with a temperature sensor, which is handy if you live in a multifloor house, or if one room tends to fluctuate a couple degrees more often than others.
Amazon and Best Buy both have the thermostat at about $50 off its retail $279.99 price, but if you opt for the polished gold version, you can get it for $209.99 — an all-time low price for the device since it launched. Speaking as someone with the polished gold version, it’s totally worth it. I say this as someone with cool-toned decor, but the gold doesn’t clash like I feared it would, and it offers a cozier vibe overall.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat offers a sleeker design, support for Matter, and a Soli radar sensor to detect if a person is approaching. It also includes a second-gen remote temperature sensor for monitoring the temp in a room of your choosing. Read our review.
Also, I can’t stress this enough: if you’re a smart home newbie, the Nest Thermostat’s easy installation is a major plus. Last year, I was a blundering first-time smart home owner and I tried installing a different thermostat. I ended up with a bloody foot and a $975 bill when the professional electricians told me “Just go with a Nest.”
Black Friday is technically a thing of the past, but many of the best deals we told you about yesterday — including deep discounts on the AirPods Pro 3, the Pixel Watch 4, and the latest Kindle Paperwhite — are still kicking for now. In some cases, gadgets are out of stock at certain stores, or certain configurations are tougher to find at this point. You don’t have to worry, though, as we’ve confirmed that every deal below is both in stock and selling at a great price.
Below are the results of our weeks spent sifting through deals and continually adding new, noteworthy deals as we come across them. We’re coming to you live once again today, so if you’re shopping, we think it’s worth returning here every few hours to see our latest finds. While we’ve primarily focused on tech — we are The Verge, after all — we’ve also included discounts on tools, Legos, and board games.
If you’re looking for deals on digital gifts, we’ve also highlighted great deals on streaming services, including HBO Max, Paramount Plus, and a bundle comprising Disney Plus and Hulu. Headspace and MasterClass have also discounted their annual subscriptions, if you’re open to trying meditation or want to pick up a few new skills.
The recently released AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our review.
Amazon, Walmart, and Target have marked the AirPods 4 down to around $69 ($60 off), which is their best price to date. Apple’s latest non-Pro AirPods sound great despite their open-style build, support voice isolation for clearer-sounding calls, and have a streamlined setup process and multipoint pairing with Apple devices. You can also get the version with active noise cancellation on sale for a new all-time low of $99.99 ($80 off) at Target. Read our review.
13-inch MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Powered by the M4 chip, Apple’slatest 13-inch MacBook Air is faster than its predecessor and offers double the base RAM. It can also connect to two external displays with the lid open, unlike prior models, and features an improved 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam. Read our review.
The 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 is $949 ($250 off) at Best Buy and Amazon — the same discount as the 13-inch. It’s much the same excellent computer as the 13-inch version, just with a bigger screen, more battery life, and better speakers. Read our review.
If you need to sizable step up in power for a Mac laptop, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro processor is $1,749 ($250 off) at Best Buy and Amazon. It has a 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU, 512GB SSD like the base M5 model, but 24GB of RAM and faster Thunderbolt 5 ports. You can also step up to a bigger and beefier 16-inch version with a 14-core / 20-core M4 Pro chip, 48GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD for around $2,535 ($360 off) at Best Buy and Amazon.
The Mac Mini is one of the best bargains available if you want a lot of computing power in a wildly small desktop. The base M4 model is down to $479 ($120 off) at Best Buy and Amazon, which is just $10 shy of its all-time low. Meanwhile, the more powerful M4 Pro version is going for $1,199.99 ($200 off) at Amazon, which is also one of its better prices to date. If you already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, there’s no better deal for this kind of power. Read our review.
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2025, M5)
The M5-equipped MacBook Pro is mostly a chip bump from the M4 model of 2024. But it remains an excellent choice for beginners and students in creative fields. Read our review.
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a 5G cellular modem, a display that’s twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
You can also buy the newfangled Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon with either an Ocean Band, a Trail Loop, or an Alpine Loop for its all-time low of $699.99 ($100 off). Apple’s latest wearable is its most rugged and capable to date, with a larger wide-angle OLED display, satellite and 5G connectivity, and a battery that can last up to 42 hours on a single charge (up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2). Read our review.
You can pick up the 40mm Apple Watch SE (second-gen) with GPS at Walmart starting at $129 ($120 off), which is a new low price (the 44mm variant is also on sale starting at $159). If you’re on a tight budget, the last-gen Apple Watch SE is still worth considering. It lacks some of Apple’s newer sensors and doesn’t offer an always-on display, but it remains relatively fast, given that it uses the same chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8. It also provides all the essentials, including daily activity and sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, fall and crash detection, and access to the newer Vitals app in watchOS 26.
Apple Watch SE 3
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
The second-gen HomePod is Apple’s latest smart speaker, and you can pick one up for $269.99 ($30 off) at Best Buy right now. The great-sounding speaker can play Dolby Atmos tracks with proper separation, though you can also pair two together for even better separation. The speaker doesn’t support Bluetooth, which means your device has to be on the same network to stream music to it. You can also ask Siri to play tunes, control various smart home accessories, set timers, or answer questions, but all of those functions still require a stable internet connection. Read our review.
The latest 11-inch iPad Pro has only been out for about a month, but that hasn’t stopped Amazon from cutting the price of the 256GB / Wi-Fi model to $899 ($100 off). Apple’s newest, most powerful iPad has the same design as last year’s model, but features a faster M5 processor, which you’ll notice most when performing resource-intensive tasks like playing games. Lower storage configurations of the iPad Pro also have 12GB of RAM (up from 8GB), while all models have faster memory bandwidth. Read our review.
11-inch iPad Air M3
The new 11-inch iPad Air comes with Apple’s M3 chip and GPU upgrades. It’s available in dark gray, blue, purple, and a “starlight” cream shade. Read our review.
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use. Its high resolution screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
Bose’s last-gen flagship headphones are a replacement for the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 that offer a more travel-friendly design, spatial audio, better call quality, excellent comfort, and some of the best noise cancellation around. Read our review.
Sony’s latest pair of flagship headphones feature improved comfort, better noise cancellation, and the ability to charge while in use. They even fold down for travel, which can’t be said about the last-gen XM5. Read our initial impressions.
Bose’sUltra Open Earbuds are the brand’s boldest, most unique earbuds — and you can pick them up at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $199 ($100 off), their lowest price to date. Instead of sitting in your ear canal, the earbuds cling to your outer ear like a piece of jewelry. That design means you’ll always hear external noise, which isn’t ideal if you want to block out noisy coworkers; however, it’s great if you need to remain aware of your surroundings, such as when walking or riding a bike. Read our review.
EarFun is offering up to 65 percent off its already affordable headphones, earbuds, and speakers. The EarFun Free Pro 3, a great pair of cheap wireless earbuds, are currently down to just $27.99 ($52 off) at Earfun’s online storefront with coupon code PDFP3. The wireless earbuds feature ANC, wireless charging, and over seven hours of continuous playback on a single charge. The EarFun Tune Pro, meanwhile, are on sale for $48.99 ($21 off) with code TUNEPRO56. The over-ear headphones feature noise-canceling tech and support for multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also offer stronger noise cancellation, a crystal clear transparency mode, and lengthy battery life. Read our review.
The second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds. They’re a terrific pick if earbuds you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.
Now through December 1st, you can snag the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds for $228 ($101 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony’s online store, which matches the price drop we saw during Amazon’s most recent Prime Day event. Sony’s flagship earbuds improve upon the prior model with richer sound, slightly more powerful noise cancellation, and vastly superior comfort thanks to their reduced size and weight. They also come with four foam-style ear tips, offer around eight hours of battery life with ANC enabled, and carry an IPX4 rating with support for multipoint connectivity. Read our review.
Nothing Ear (a)
Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same general design as the company’s previous earbuds — but you can get these in a snazzy yellow. They include ANC, more than decent sound quality, and other features like multipoint for just under $100. Read our impressions.
The OpenRun Pro 2 are Shokz’s best bone conduction headphones yet, with better sound and more bass than their predecessor. Our reviewer Victoria Song praised their cozy fit as well as their USB-C charging (goodbye, proprietary charger!). Read our review.
The Pixel Watch 4 has a bigger display, longer battery life, more repairable design, and new Satellite SOS mode. It also leverages Google Gemini, and introduces an AI Health Coach. Read our review.
The Fitbit Charge 6 features a haptic side button, an improved heart rate algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the ability to broadcast your heart rate on certain Bluetooth gym equipment. Read our review.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is down to around $99.95 ($80 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy, which marks a new low price. The fitness tracker is designed specifically for kids, with movement-based games that encourage physical activity. It also supports GPS location tracking, along with the ability to send messages and place calls to a limited number of contacts. However, keep in mind that a Fitbit Ace Pass subscription ($9.99 per month / $119.99 per year) is required for location tracking, messaging, and access to the Fitbit Arcade. Read our hands-on impressions.
The Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $119.95 ($80 off), which is the lowest price we’ve seen this year. The smartwatch features heart rate, activity, sleep, blood oxygen, menstrual health, and stress tracking, as well as more than 40 exercise modes that automatically detect and track specific workouts. Although it doesn’t support ECG, it can record heart rate variability and monitor it 24/7. It also supports services like Fitbit Pay and Google Maps, extending its usefulness beyond its core fitness tracking capabilities.
Fitbit Sense 2
The Sense 2 delivers premium health tracking, highlighted by top-tier stress sensing via continuous EDA and heart-rate variability. It also offers strong battery life and monitors sleep, ECG, and temperature. Read our review.
The entry-level Fitbit Inspire 3 has returned to its all-time low of $69.95 ($30 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. The basic fitness band nails the basics, providing heart rate, sleep, exercise, blood oxygen, and menstrual health tracking. It can also provide you with a sleep score every morning, along with tips for improving your sleep. You can also remove the Inspire 3 from its band and wear it as a necklace, which is less obtrusive but disables heart rate tracking. Read our hands-on impressions.
Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm, Wi-Fi)
Google’s last-gen smartwatch features a large screen, a battery that lasts up to 24 hours, and sensors for measuring your blood oxygen levels and taking an EKG. The wearable also offers a host of useful Google integrations and can provide you with custom running workouts. Read our review.
The Venu X1, one of Garmin’s more premium smartwatches, is available from Amazon for a new low of $599.99 ($200 off). The X1 features a 2-inch OLED display and Garmin’s thinnest case yet. It can also track your activity, heart rate, blood oxygen level, and sleep (including naps). It’ll provide you with a morning report based on recorded health metrics, and it offers stress tracking and guided meditations. It can even track over 100 activities and create a running or strength training regimen via Garmin Coach.
Garmin’s midrange Vivoactive 6 is on sale for $249.99 ($50 off) — its best price to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI. The watch features a circular 1.2-inch OLED screen, a battery that can last up to 11 hours per charge, and Bluetooth support. It can also track your activity, blood oxygen level, sleep, and heart rate, as well as generate fitness plans using the built-in Garmin Coach.
Garmin Forerunner 265 (42mm)
Garmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds an OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.
The 46mm OnePlus Watch 3 is available from Amazon, Best Buy, and OnePlus for $249.99 ($100 off) — its best prices to date. The newer wearable retains everything we loved about its predecessor, including dual-frequency GPS and long battery life, but improves the experience with a rotating crown that scrolls and up to 120 hours of battery life. It can also provide a quick snapshot of your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, and more. Read our hands-on impressions.
Garmin Venu 3S
The Venu 3S remains our favorite Garmin smartwatch. It’s a comfortable wearable with up to 10 days of battery life and a vibrant 1.2-inch OLED display, not to mention solid sleep tracking, Atrial Fibrillation detection, and a built-in EKG reader. Read our review.
The Amazfit Active 2 remains our favorite fitness tracker because it offers a surprising feature set given its modest price tag, especially now that you can get it for an all-time low of $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The budget-friendly smartwatch can track your sleep, heart rate, and a slew of activities, while providing a daily readiness score based on what its sensors record. It also features a vibrant OLED display, an estimated 10 days of battery life, and enough built-in sports modes to accurately track every part of your workout routine. Read our review.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is an excellent complement to a Samsung smartphone, and it’s hit an all-time low of around $249.99 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s online store. The newer smart ring has a slim, lightweight design, long battery life, and, unlike competitors like the Oura Ring, doesn’t lock features behind a paywall (yet). That said, its battery lasts longer when paired with a Samsung phone, and certain features — including the ability to view your daily Energy Score or use the camera shutter by pinching your fingers — aren’t available when paired with another Android phone. Read our review.
Tablet and e-reader deals
Kindle Paperwhite (12th-gen)
Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite — aka our favorite ebook reader — is waterproof, has a seven-inch display, and lasts weeks per charge. Read our review.
The 16GB Kindle Colorsoft, Amazon’s newest color e-reader, is down to a new low of $169.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. It features a 7-inch screen with 300ppi when viewing text and black-and-white imagery, or 150ppi when viewing color. It has 16GB of storage, a battery that lasts up to eight weeks, and a waterproof design. If you want to carry around more books, the Signature Edition has 32GB of storage, plus wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light sensor. You can pick the latter up for $229.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.
Kindle (11th-gen)
Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle retains a six-inch, 300ppi display and USB-C charger. It’s brighter and slightly faster than its predecessor, though, and features longer battery life.
Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have all marked the 2024 Kindle Scribe with 16GB of storage down to an all-time low of $279.99 ($120 off). The Scribe has a 10.2-inch display and a battery that can last up to 12 weeks, and it comes with Amazon’s Premium Pen, which you can use to annotate books or jot down ideas. The e-reader’s built-in AI features, meanwhile, allow you to clean up your handwriting, summarize your notes, or adjust the length and tone of what you’ve written. However, keep in mind that Amazon recently announced a new model, though we still don’t have a firm launch date. Read our review.
Kobo Libra Colour
The Libra Colour is one of the first e-readers from Kobo with color. It packs physical-page turning buttons, stylus compatibility, and supports a broad range of file formats, while making it easy to borrow books from the Overdrive library system. Read our review.
The latest Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet is matching its all-time low of $104.99 ($85 off) at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy. The tablet features a 10.1-inch 1080p display, a kid-proof case, and up to 13 hours of battery life. It also comes with 32GB of storage for loading up apps and other content, along with robust parental controls and a two-year warranty. It also comes with a year of Amazon Kids Plus, which features access to ad-free, age-appropriate content, including books, movies, apps, and more.
If you’re looking for something more compact, the latest Amazon Fire 7 Kids is currently available at Target, Best Buy, and Amazon, for $44.99 ($55 off), its lowest price to date. The basic tablet offers many of the same features and services found in the larger 10.1-inch model — including an extended two-year warranty, extensive parental controls, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus — but the base Fire 7 Kids comes with 16GB of storage and features a smaller 7-inch display. The device also offers up to 10 hours of battery life, providing plenty of fun while on the road.
You can get an ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle for $4.99 a month ($8 off) for an entire year. Both streaming services feature a deep catalog of new and classic shows and movies, including The Simpsons, Andor, Toy Story, The Fantastic 4: First Steps, and Freakier Friday.
An HBO Max Basic subscription provides access to shows like House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, and The Pitt, as well as films like Superman and Weapons. You can get a year of the monthly, ad-supported subscription for $2.99 ($8 off) a month until December 1st.
LG’s 55-inch C5 OLED is down to $1,196.99 ($803 off) at Amazon, B&H Photo, and from LG’s storefront. The midrange TV is a good entry point into the world of OLED technology, offering a solid balance in terms of design, brightness, and high-end gaming features, including four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 144Hz with variable refresh rate tech. The C5 Series also handles glare and ambient light better than the step-down B5 Series; however, OLED panels are still not ideal for really bright rooms.
Hisense’s 65-inch S7N Canvas TV is the company’s answer to Samsung’s popular Frame TV, one you can currently grab for $847.99 ($452 off) at Amazon. The 4K set has a matte screen that makes the artwork it displays more akin to a real painting, and Hisense includes a wall mount, allowing you to hang it. The S7N features a QLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and four HDMI ports (two HDMI 2.1 and two HDMI 2.0), making it suitable for a mix of current and last-gen gaming consoles.
Apple TV (six-month subscription)
Apple is hosting a Black Friday sale that lets you lock in six months for just $5.99 per month, which is over 50 percent off the usual cost. This promo isn’t applicable to those eligible to redeem three free months earned through buying a new Apple device, nor will it work for those who get the subscription through a third party, like Amazon.
The Bravia 8 II was chosen as the “king of TV” by a panel of judges (including TheVerge’sown Nilay Patel) in Value Electronics’ 2025 shootout. The OLED TV has excellent color accuracy, a bright panel, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
If you’re looking for a solid OLED TV, but don’t need the best of the best, the Samsung S90F is one of the best 65-inch TVs you can get for its sale price of $1,397.99 (down from about $1,600 last month) at Amazon and two dollars more Best Buy. It might not be the brightest OLED of 2025 (for that, see the LG G5), but at a little over 1,400 nits, there’s plenty of light to combat a well-lit living space. The S90F is also very accurate and has excellent color gamut coverage, which translates to vibrant, lifelike colors. And for gamers, all four HDMI ports are version 2.1, the TV supports high refresh rates with FreeSync up to 144Hz for PC gaming, and its input lag is under 10ms.
Roku Pro Series 4K TV
Roku’s latest Pro 4K TV has a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI ports (two 2.1 ports), full array local dimming for even brightness, and supports both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10 Plus for better color accuracy. It also works with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home to integrate easily into most smart homes.
LG’s 77-inch G5 OLED is an expensive set, but you can currently snag it for around $3,346.99 ($1,153 off) — one of its best prices to date — at Amazon. The high-end 4K TV delivers better brightness than the aforementioned C5, allowing you to use it in rooms that are exposed to a lot of ambient light. It also features four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 165Hz with VRR, as well as support for the popular Dolby Vision HDR format.
Google TV Streamer (4K)
Google’s terrific TV Streamer (4K) is the company’s best attempt at a streaming device yet, with built-in ethernet, an excellent interface, and smart home compatibility with both Matter and Thread. Read our review.
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is noticeably faster than its predecessor, features Wi-Fi 6E, and benefits from twice the storage. It can also showcase widgets and artwork when idle, and continues to offer robust Alexa integration.
Amazon’s recently rebranded Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is the company’s midrange option, and it’s down to an all-time low of $24.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The inexpensive streaming device comes with an Alexa Voice Remote that features a built-in microphone, which lets you use Amazon’s virtual assistant to find TV shows and movies, or control compatible smart home accessories using your voice. You can also use it to access Amazon Luna or Xbox Game Pass, allowing you to play games from their respective cloud gaming libraries.
Paramount Plus (two months)
You can get a two-month subscription to either Paramount Plus Essential (ad-supported) or Paramount Plus Premium (ad-free) for $2.99 until December 2nd. The deal saves you up to $20 and includes access to a catalog of over 40,000 TV shows and movies, including Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Naked Gun, South Park, and The Daily Show.
These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in three lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.
Blink’s latest Video Doorbell is one of the best options available if you want a budget-friendly buzzer with motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life. Just know that a Sync Module is required for the doorbell to work properly.
The Ring Battery Doorbell and Indoor Cam Bundle is available at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $69.99 ($70 off), matching its best price to date. The bundle includes a Ring Battery Doorbell and an Indoor Cam, making it a great starter kit for renters and new home owners. The Ring Battery Doorbell offers head-to-toe video outside your front door, while the Indoor Cam let’s you keep an eye on an interior space. They’re easy to install, easy to set up, and easy to use.
The Blink Mini 2 is on sale for $17.99 ($22 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which matches its best price to date. The 1080p camera offers all the basics, including color night video, motion alerts, and two-way audio. It also features USB-C support and a wider 143-degree field of view than prior models, letting you see more of the room or porch. Just note that if you want to use it outside to keep tabs on packages, you’ll need a weather-resistant adapter to go with it, which you can get on Amazon for about $10 more.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is on sale for $199.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy. The stylish smart lock works with every major smart-home platform and supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also lets you unlock your door in multiple ways, including via fingerprint, touchscreen, the app, and even has an auto-unlocking feature. Read our review.
If Philips Hue’s Festavia lights are outside your budget, Govee’s Christmas Lights 2 are also on sale, with the 66-foot going for an all-time low of $63.99 ($36 off) at Amazon and Govee’s online storefront. You can also grab the 99-foot strand for $11 more (Amazon / Govee), the longer 164-foot set for $129.99 (Amazon / Govee), or the 328-foot string for $249.99 (Amazon / Govee). The Matter-compatible lights offer an IP65 rating so you can use them indoors and outdoors, but their dro-style head LEDs aren’t as attractive as the Festavia’s. Plus, the Festavia offer nicer preset scenes.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus
Ring’s Battery Doorbell Plus offers great video quality, a head-to-toe view, and a removable battery for easy charging. It works with Alexa and can send alerts for people and packages with a Ring Home subscription.
With 24/7 recording, facial recognition, reliable smart alerts, and some free video recording, Google’s second-generation battery doorbell is a great option for home monitoring.
The Google Nest Cam — which can be used both indoors and outside — is now available for its lowest price in months at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store, where you can pick it up for $119 ($60 off). The battery-powered security cam features 24/7 recording, smart alerts for people, pets, and vehicles, and up to 60 days of video history (with a Nest Aware subscription). You can also snag a two-pack for around $228.99 ($101 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store, or a three-pack for $349.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy and the Google Store.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th-gen)
The striking fourth-gen Nest is $50 off right now and a great addition to your smart home if you’re looking to save money on heating and cooling. With a bigger screen, better dial, and a room sensor included, this is one of the best thermostats you can buy. Read my full review.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive smart thermostat that offers a lot of value, Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is down to $51.99 ($28 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target — the best price we’ve seen all year. It lacks native temperature sensors, but it can learn and adapt to your habits over time, which is rather impressive for the price. It also integrates well with Alexa, though it doesn’t support other voice assistants. Read our review.
You can buy the latest Echo Show 8 for $159.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is the best price we’ve seen on the eight-inch smart display. The fabric-wrapped Show 8 offers improved sound over the prior model, along with a better LCD display with wider viewing angles and higher contrast. It’s snappier, slimmer, and sleeker; it’s also designed to run on Amazon’s revamped Alexa Plus AI assistant. Read our impressions of the latest Echo Show 8.
Reolink’s Video Doorbell is one of our top recommendations if you don’t want to pay a subscription fee to view footage, and it’s returned to its all-time low of $76.99 ($43 off) at Amazon, Newegg, and Reolink’s website. The wired doorbell can record clear 2K HDR footage and store video clips locally on a microSD card, the Reolink Hub, or an FTP server. It’s also compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but not Apple Home.
Aura Aspen
The Aura Aspen digital frame lets you upload photos via the companion app, cloud services, or email from anywhere. Its 12-inch LCD display features slim bezels, a 4:3 aspect ratio, and an antiglare screen that mimics the look of real photos.
A rare discount on our favorite retrofit door lock, the Nuki Smart Lock, makes it easy to upgrade your home security system without replacing your entire lock and supports every major smart home platform through Matter-over-Thread. Read our full review.
Makers of some of the best smart switches, Lutron Caseta is offering its customary 20 percent off select products this Black Friday. A great option if you don’t have neutral wires, you can pick up the Smart Diva Dimmer Kit for $99.95 at Amazon to get started with smart switches.
The excellent Matter-over-Thread Eve Energy smart plug, which features energy monitoring and works with Matter, Apple Home, Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and more, is down to $33 at Amazon.
SwitchBot’s simple Smart Switch Button Pusher is just $19.99 at Amazon, down from $29.99. This is a great gadget for a new smart home user, as it can turn any button into a smart one.
Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.
The first single-borehole smart lock to work with Apple Home Key, the U300 can also be unlocked with a fingerprint, making it an easy, smart addition for shed, garage, or home office doors. It works over Thread and is Matter compatible, with up to a 10-month battery life.
The Dreame X50 Ultra recently replaced the X40 Ultra as our favorite mopping bot for hardwood floors, and it’s currently available for an all-time low of $799.99 (50 percent off) from Amazon and Dreame. In addition to having a higher 20,000Pa of suction power and an improved dual rubber roller system, it has a motorized “swing arm” leg that allows it to climb over higher thresholds (up to 6cm), so it can maneuver around even more spaces than its predecessor.
You can buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav from Amazon, Best Buy, and Dyson for around $399.95 ($600 off), its best price to date. Although it lacks an auto-empty dock, the powerful robovac is one of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested for carpets, boasting a whopping 65 air watts of suction. It also features a large roller brush that can reach the edges of rooms and into corners, along with a removable 500ml dustbin. That said, it struggles with more complex floor plans, so it’s best suited to simpler setups. Read our impressions.
Ecovacs Deebot T50 Max Pro
Ecovacs’ Deebot T50 Max Pro is a robot vacuum / mop combo with tangle-resistant brushes, a side brush for cleaning corners, and deep carpet cleaning capabilities. Its charging station thoroughly cleans and dries its mopping pads automatically upon its return, and it supports Matter, allowing you to easily integrate it into any smart home.
Roborock’s Saros 10R is on sale for $999.99 ($500 off) at Amazon and directly from Roborock, which is a record low price. The pricey robovac uses an AdaptLift chassis to help it climb over high room transitions, and can even lift its mop pads out of the way when they’re not needed. It’s also exceptionally powerful, with 22,000Pa of suction, lidar navigation, and a vibrating mopping pad.
The Eufy Omni S1 Pro is also matching its all-time low of $699.99 ($800 off) at Amazon andfrom Anker’s online storefront (with promo code WS24T2080111). The robovac features an 11.4-inch roller mop and dual spinning side brushes, which work in tandem to leave your hardwood floors spotless. Plus, with 8,000Pa of suction power, it’s decent at picking up dirt and debris from carpets; it also features solid AI-powered obstacle avoidance, so you don’t need to worry about it getting stuck in clutter.
The Eufy X10 Pro Omni, our favorite midrange robot vacuum / mop, has returned to its Prime Day low of $449.99 ($450 off) at Amazon and from Anker’s online storefront (with code WS24T2351). The X10 Pro Omni is particularly great for cleaning up carpets and tiles, thanks to its 8,000Pa of suction power. It also features reliable AI-powered obstacle detection, dual oscillating brushes for mopping up floors, and a dock that handles auto-emptying, washing, and refilling.
Tapo RV30 Max Plus
Our favorite budget-friendly robot vacuum offers high-end features, including room-specific cleaning, a capable mop, carpet boost, and smart navigation. It also features an auto-empty dock.
The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni features an extendable mop that can clean itself, just like its predecessor. However, it also features Ecovacs’ Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology, which optimizes the airflow path from intake to exhaust, rather than relying solely on suction power.
Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2 audio system, meaning the soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and features multiple drivers pointed at you — and upward — for playing Dolby Atmos audio. You can also purchase the soundbar in a bundle with rear speakers if you want a more traditional surround sound setup.
Sony packed 11 drivers into the Bravia Theater Bar 8, including both side- and upward-firing drivers for a wider soundstage and better Dolby Atmos playback. If you have a Sony TV, the soundbar and its built-in speakers can work together to create an audio system tuned for even clearer-sounding dialogue.
JBL’s Charge 6 is marked down to an all-time low of $129.95 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The powerful Bluetooth speaker carries an IP68 rating, offers up to 28 hours of playback per charge, and uses JBL’s AI Sound Boost tool to prevent distortion at higher volumes. You can also plug your phone into its USB-C port and use it as a battery pack, but JBL says it can’t be used to top off a laptop.
The JBL Flip 7 has returned to its all-time low of around $109.95 ($40 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI. The portable Bluetooth speaker features several notable upgrades over its predecessor, including a more rugged design, an enhanced tweeter, and an additional two hours of playtime. It also features JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, which can boost the speaker’s volume without introducing distortion, as well as a PushLock system that lets you attach interchangeable accessories, such as the included wrist strap.
Echo Pop
The Echo Pop is one of Amazon’s smallest Alexa-enabled smart speakers. It offers a unique semisphere form factor and can function as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender.
The Wonderboom 4 might feature a compact design, but it still delivers big sound for its diminutive size. It also carries an IP67 rating, meaning it’s both water and dust-resistant (it can even float if you need it to).
The Bose SoundLink Plus is on sale for $189.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is its best price to date. Despite being about the size of a 20-ounce water bottle, it delivers loud, impressive sound with a rugged IP67 build and USB-C charging. It supports multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and, unlike the Micro, doubles as a 15W power bank, with longer battery life that lasts up to 20 hours. Read our review.
The new Echo Dot Max is on sale for $89.99 ($10 off), its best price to date, at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The snappy smart speaker delivers significantly improved audio compared to its predecessor, the fourth-gen Echo, delivering richer bass and a crisper sound. It also supports Matter, Thread, and Zigbee, and comes with Alexa Plus enabled out of the box. Read our review.
The latest Bose SoundLink Micro is on sale for a new all-time low of $109 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The rugged Micro is the brand’s smallest Bluetooth speaker, but it still offers big sound and up to 12 hours of battery life. The second-gen model also features a USB-C charging port, an IP67 rating for full water and dust resistance, and a handy utility strap, so you can clip the speaker to your bag using a carabiner.
Bose TV Speaker
The Bose TV Speaker delivers a rich, immersive sound in a compact design. It features a three-speaker setup, a dedicated dialog mode, and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use the soundbar to listen to music or podcasts.
Another soundbar that delivers surprisingly full sound and Dolby Atmos performance for its size is the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. It’s currently priced at around $699 ($200 off) for Black Friday at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, which is its best price to date. It sounds great with both movies and music, and has a nice slim profile that’s low enough for practically any TV.
Sonos Beam (second-gen)
The latest Sonos Beam fits into the middle of Sonos’ soundbar lineup. It supports Dolby Atmos through virtualized surround sound and offers eARC compatibility with newer TVs. Read our review.
The Sonos Era 100 is the company’s entry-level smart speaker, one you can grab for $169 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. The speaker has a single woofer and two tweeters, which allows it to play music in stereo — though you’ll get a far wider soundstage by pairing two Era 100s together. You can stream music to it over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or connect it to a turntable if you pick up an optional 3.5mm to USB-C adapter. Read our review.
Sonos Roam 2
Like its predecessor, the Sonos Roam 2 is a compact and travel-friendly Bluetooth speaker that easily syncs up with Sonos’ home audio ecosystem via Wi-Fi. While it looks much like the original, the Roam 2 has some small quality-of-life improvements, like a separate button for Bluetooth connections. Read our hands-on impressions.
You can pick up Sonos’ Era 300 at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $379 ($100 off), which is $20 shy of the smart speaker’s lowest price to date. It offers the same connectivity options as the aforementioned Era 100, plus the ability to play Dolby Atmos audio with surprising depth. You can also use a pair of them as rear speakers in a surround sound system when connected to a Beam 2 or Arc Ultra soundbar. Read our review.
Tribit StormBox Micro 2
The latest version of Tribit’s StormBox Micro is a compact Bluetooth speaker that delivers impressive sound for its size and features a built-in strap for attaching to to various objects.
With double the battery life of its predecessor and better-sounding stereo audio, the Sonos Move 2’s improvements don’t stop there. It supports line-in audio, can stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers, and more. Read our review.
Microsoft’s slightly smaller, entry-level Surface Laptop trims some of the size and a few features from its bigger 13.8-inch counterpart, but it maintains excellent battery life and solid performance. Read our review.
In addition to the base-model 13-inch Surface Laptop hitting a new low of $549.99 ($350 off) at Best Buy, and the same model with 512GB storage is $729.99 ($270 off) at Amazon.
If you want a Surface with a slightly bigger, nicer display and a higher-end Snapdragon X Elite processor, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition (13.8-inch) from 2024 is on sale for $899.99 ($500 off) at Best Buy and Amazon. It’s still a great machine if you prioritize battery life on Windows and want a nice screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2304 x 1536 resolution. Read our review.
Microsoft Surface Pro 12-inch
Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is smaller, with a new design and updated keyboard. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Arm64 Snapdragon X Plus chip. Read our review.
Microsoft’s flagship 13-inch Surface Pro is also on a big discount, selling for as low as $749.99 ($450 off) at Microsoft with a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. It’s quite a deal, though the keyboard and stylus are sold separately. The convertible tablet has great battery life and solid performance.
The Asus Zenbook A14 is selling for an all-time low of $549.99 ($450 off) at Best Buy. If you want a super-light laptop with an Arm-based Snapdragon chip for long battery life, the Zenbook is an impressive offering — especially since it has an OLED display to boot. I first handled this thing at CES, and the combination of its lightweight 2.4-pound chassis, unique finish with earthy colors, port selection, and OLED screen was really impressive. Now, at this price? It’s quite compelling.
I’m currently testing the 14-inch HP OmniBook 5 and liking it, especially for the value it offers. It’s very affordable for a laptop with an OLED display and marathon battery life, and it’s just $529.99 ($170 off MSRP) at Amazon and direct from HP. Its base Snapdragon X1 Plus chip isn’t very speedy, but it’s manageable if you’re not going too wild on multitasking. But the star of the show is this nice 1920 x 1200 OLED panel for such a low, low price.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)
Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G14 is the go-to choice for a portable gaming machine that’s great at regular laptop duties. It’s got a lovely OLED display, great keyboard and trackpad, and solid battery life. The base model with RTX 5060 graphics is fairly thin at around 0.63 inches, while the highest-end model with RTX 5070 Ti is a little thicker.
The base Asus ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop with a last-gen Intel Raptor Lake 14650HX CPU, RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD is $1,199.99 ($300 off) at Amazon. For a higher-end model that doesn’t skyrocket in price, the Strix G16 with AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and RTX 5070 Ti is $1,599.99 ($400 off) at Best Buy. Strix models are much chunkier than their ROG Zephyrus cousins, but they’re a better deal if you prioritize performance over portability.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16-inch, Intel)
Lenovo’s Legion Pro 7i is a well built gaming laptop with a lovely 2.5K OLED display and a powerful RTX 5080 GPU, enough to handle 4K gaming on an external monitor. It’s only major downsides are a lack of face or fingerprint unlocking and Lenovo’s tendency to pre-load some annoying bloatware.
The Lenovo Legion 7i above is one of my preferred gaming laptops if you like a beefy boy with high-end RTX 5080 graphics, but a solid alternative for less is the similarly-specced HP Omen Max 16. The Omen Max 16 with RTX 5080 graphics, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD is just $1,999.99 ($1,300 off) direct from HP. It’s also at Best Buy with a 2TB SSD for $2,599.99 ($560 off), but the one at HP is the screaming deal that you should nab before it’s gone (you can always do your own SSD upgrade later).
HP Victus 15 (2025, RTX 4050)
The Victus 15 is a popular, budget-friendly gaming laptop that now comes with RTX 4050 graphics, more RAM, and an improved 144Hz screen.
Razer’s latest and greatest version of its Blade 16 laptop returns to a thinner, more travel-friendly chassis. It comes with RTX 50-series GPU options but each configuration features an excellent OLED display. Read our review.
The closest competitor to the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which is on sale for a new low of $599.99 ($50 off) direct from Lenovo. It’s the base model with a non-touch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and the power-sipping MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor. The higher-end $749 model with a touchscreen that I tested in my review is slightly better, but these kinds of Chromebooks rarely go on sale.
Gaming deals
Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a battery-powered standalone VR headset runs the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3, along with the lenses and screen resolution as the Quest 2. It can also be connected to a PC to play VR games like Half-Life Alyx.Read our review.
Sony’s pro-style controller, the DualSense Edge, might suffer from shorter battery life than the standard DualSense model, but it features great software integration with the PlayStation 5 and plenty of customizable components. Read our review.
Nintendo’s big wave of Black Friday discounts has arrived, knocking $30 off several fantastic Switch titles that every owner should consider playing. Games like Super Mario Odyssey are $30 instead of $60. Some of these price drops aren’t unprecedented, but the timing is good if you’re getting a Switch 2, as some titles have free Switch 2 upgrades that boost visual fidelity. Also, many of the Zelda-themed amiibo that launched alongside Nintendo’s new console are just $10, down from $30.
Walmart has discounted the G7 HE Wired Xbox Controller to $37 ($13 off) when you sign in with your Walmart account, which is a new low. The wireless controller features drift-resistant Hall effect joysticks, Hall effect magnetic triggers, and Hall effect analog triggers. You can use GameSir’s Nexus app (available on PC and the Xbox store) to remap buttons and make other adjustments to optimize it for your favorite games.
Steam Deck (LCD)
The Steam Deck is a portable handheld console you can use to play PC games. Read our review.
The 32-inch Asus ROG Swift 4K (model PG32UCDM) is one of the most feature-packed OLED gaming monitors on the market, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 90W USB-C charging, a glossy screen coating, and a built-in KVM switch that lets you control different computers with a single mouse and keyboard. Right now, it’s down to $899 at Amazon, which is a big drop from its usual price of $1,299 (nobody tell Nathan Edwards).
The Backbone Pro can turn any smartphone or smaller tablet with a USB-C port into a more effective handheld, and it’s fallen to a new low of $134.99 ($35 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Backbone’s online store. The controller has an Xbox-like button layout, plus a pair of remappable rear buttons. It’s also compatible with games available on the App Store and Google Play Store, as well as cloud-based titles that are streamable via Xbox Game Pass. The Pro is Backbone’s first controller to support Bluetooth, too, which allows you to use it with everything from a Stream Deck to the latest smart TVs.
If you have (or soon plan to buy) a Nintendo Switch 2, you may need a microSD Express card if you foresee quickly expanding beyond the console’s internal 256GB of storage, as it’s the only kind of storage you can run Switch 2 games off of. Fortunately, Samsung’s 512GB P9 is down to its lowest price yet, selling for $74.99 (was $99.99) at Amazon.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller
If you want something cheaper — and in some ways better — than Nintendo’s official Pro controller, there’s 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2, which works with the original Switch and Switch 2. It features TMR joysticks with trigger switches for adjusting the feel, as well as vibration and motion-control support.
The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller apes the Nintendo 64’s unusual design in a more traditional layout. However, while it’s great for playing old school N64 games, the lack of a second joystick limits its compatibility with modern titles.
Viture’s Luma Pro VR glasses — which put a 120Hz, 1,200p screen on your face — are on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $424 ($205 off) for a limited time. The glasses can connect to most mobile devices, including the Nintendo Switch 2, and can create the equivalent of a 152-inch screen. You can also connect them to a Mac or PC if you’d like to use a wearable monitor.
If you’re looking for a new DualSense Wireless Controller, whether for your PlayStation 5, PC, or Steam Deck, every color scheme is $20 off for Black Friday. The adorable “Joyful” model, inspired by Astro Bot, is down to around $64 at Walmart and Best Buy, or, for a simpler look, you can peruse the many color options available at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $54.99 (previously $74.99).
PlayStation 5 Pro
The “pro” version of Sony’s PlayStation 5 has a bigger GPU, new PSSR AI-based upscaling, advanced ray tracing, and 2TB SSD (with expandable storage). The new features allow for better graphics at higher frame rates, allowing for the blending of “fidelity” and “performance” modes in some games. Read our review.
If your library of physical Nintendo Switch games is growing, you can easily store them in the Jsaux Game Card case for Nintendo Switch 2. Right now, it’s down to $15.99 ($10 off) at Amazon (with Prime) and Jsaux’s online storefront. The carrying case provides 40 dedicated slots for storing both game cartridges and microSD cards, so you can easily carry your collection of physical and digital titles. The case measures around 6 inches wide and is made of durable hardshell plastic, so your games stay protected in your bag.
Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 bundle
Whether you’re gaming on an original Switch or the new Switch 2, these games feature enhanced resolution, improved user interfaces, and more content. The games look much, much better than they do on the sub-HD Wii.
In Catan, up to four players strategically compete and trade for resources. The iconic board game ends when one player reaches 10 “victory points,” which is achieved by constructing a sprawling civilization of roads, settlements, and cities using sheep, ore, wheat, and wood.
You can pick up Monopoly Dealon sale for $5.59 (about $3 off) at Amazon, which is one of its best prices to date. To win in this card game, players must be the first to collect three property sets using cards that correspond to spaces on the Monopoly board. There are no dice to roll like there are in the board game, but action cards let you collect rent, steal, or swap properties to get ahead. It also takes about 45 minutes to play, which is far more approachable than an actual game of Monopoly.
Codenames is on sale at Amazon right now for $15.95 ($9 off), which is about $1 shy of its best price to date. In the excellent party game, you give your teammates one-word clues to help them figure out which tiles you’re referring to on the board without accidentally pointing them toward the opposing team’s tiles.
Exploding Kittens (Party Pack)
Exploding Kittens is a two-to-10-person game wherein each player continually draws cards until one person draws an Exploding Kitten. If the player doesn’t have the proper diffuse or action card, they’re out. You can play defensively by using cards that skip your turn or prevent another player from playing an action card. The last person to avoid an explosion wins.
Azul is a game in which you arrange patterned tiles in order to create the most beautiful tapestry possible. Arranging tiles in a strategic sequence will help you build your score while limiting your opponents’ ability to grow theirs.
This 502-piece set re-creates the heart-stopping scene when Darth Vader and a platoon of Stormtroopers board the Tantive IV in the original Star Wars. It comes with seven minifigures, including the formidable Lord of the Sith and two Rebel fleet troopers. You can also flick a lever to “blast” open the main door.
Lego Animal Crossing Fly with Dodo Airlines Airport
This kid-friendly, 292-piece playset is a nice little homage to Animal Crossing New Horizons, especially if your kiddo or someone you know has a soft spot for planes… or extinct, flightless birds.
If you want to spruce up your desk without having to worry about keeping real plants alive, Amazon has your back by discounting Lego’s Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees Building Set to its all-time low of $44.99 ($20 off). The 709-piece set comprises three bonsai trees and a pair of ornamental stands, so you can arrange them at different heights. You can also swap around their leaves to leave the trees looking fresh.
Lego’s Super Mario Captain Toad’s Camp Building set is a 159-piece kit that’s perfect for any fan of the Mushroom Kingdom, and it’s $11.99 ($3 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. It comprises Captain Toad himself along with a tent cooking equipment, and a structure to explore. Just be sure to avoid the Goomba!
Lego Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees set
Lego’s 709-piece kit lets you construct three brick-ified bonsai trees, including a black pine, a ginkgo with yellow leaves, and a wisteria with hanging lilac flowers. It also comes with three ornamental displays, just in case you want a raised stand on which to showcase them.
Who doesn’t love space? Lego’s 1,913-piece version of the Apollo Lunar Lander includes brick-ified versions of sensors, tools, and a battery pack with heating and cooling elements. It also comes with a miniature plaque displaying statistics about NASA’s actual LRV, which serves as a nice complement to the completed kit.
Lego’s Icon Pac-Man Arcade building set is a throwback to one of the most iconic arcade cabinets of all time, and it’s down to $188.99 ($81 off), a new all-time low at Amazon. The 2,651-piece set allows you to build a pretty solid replica of the arcade cabinet, complete with a light-up coin slot, movable joystick, and pushable buttons.
If you’re a fan the dark knight, Lego’s Batman Mech Armor set makes for a great little showpiece, and it’s $11.99 ($3 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The 140-piece kit includes a brick version of Batman himself, and a set of mech armor that can launch studs from one of its arms. The mech’s limbs are jointed, so you can change its pose, and equip it with its own batarang to match Batman’s.
The best charging deals
Baseus Free2Pull Retractable USB-C Cable 100W
Baseus’ slick USB-C charger supports 100W passthrough and takes a puck-like form when not in use, with male connectors on either side that retract inward with a quick tug.
Need a powerful travel adapter for all of your USB-C devices? Tessan’s 140W travel charger supports one plug (it supports types C, G, A, and I), and it features three USB-C ports and one USB-A port. You can get up to 140W max by using the USB-C ports labeled C1 and C2, making it a great pick for gaming devices, tablets, and even some laptops. It’s down to $53.99 at Amazon from its original $77 price.
If you’re planning on going camping next year, Amazon and Anker have marked the Solix C2000 down to $679.16 ($181 off). The 2,400W generator is equipped with five AC outlets and a 2,048Wh battery that can power a fridge for up to 32 hours, a Wi-Fi router for up to 105 hours, or a TV for over 16 hours. It also has a TT-30 port for powering an RV, plus three USB-C ports and a USB-A port for charging smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other portable gadgets. Also great for a power outage at home. It can be charged through the wall or solar panels.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand)
Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charging Station features a MagSafe charging stand, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Apple Watch charger, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. It also comes with a 40W USB-C power adapter and cable.
Anker’s 10,000mAh Power Bank, a solid 30W battery pack, is currently on sale for $29.99 ($15 off) at Amazon and Anker’s online storefront. The power bank has nearly enough juice to top off an iPhone 15 Pro twice, and it can charge two devices simultaneously using its built-in cable and USB-C port. It’s also a power adapter that can plug directly into an outlet.
Anker 140W 2-in-1 USB-C to USB-C Cable
Why settle for a flimsy USB-C cable that can only charge a single gadget when you can opt for a braided one designed to charge two at once? Anker’s two-headed cable supports charging speeds of up to 140W split between two gadgets.
Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 is a six-inch USB-C cable with a loop that allows you to attach it to your keyring, and it’s available for around $21.75 ($7.25 off) from Amazon (with Prime) and Nomad. The cable can carry up to 240W of power — enough to charge most laptops at their fastest speed — and data at up to 10Gbps. The accessory is a convenient way to make sure you never leave home without a charging cable.
Nomad’s 100W Slim Adapter is thin enough to fit behind most furniture, has two USB-C ports, and is fast enough to charge most laptops at their maximum speed. Amazon and Nomad have marked it down to around $59 ($20 off), which is a new all-time low. The svelte power adapter is also an excellent choice for travelers who want to maximize their backpack space.
Anker Laptop Power Bank
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
Part wall wart, part magnetic wireless charger, the StandBy-ready PowerBug is about as unique as chargers come. The simple device can top off MagSafe and Qi2-compatible devices — including the latest Google Pixel models — while supplying 35W charging speeds to a second gadget via USB-C.
The 27,650mAh battery pack has three USB-C ports (one 140W port, plus two 65W ports), a two-foot-long retractable 140W USB-C cable — enough to charge four devices at once — and it has a maximum power output of a whopping 300W.
The ChomChom is a reusable roller that works great for removing unwanted pet hair from furniture, allowing you to skip lint rollers, vacuuming, and other cleaning tools in a pinch.
The 2024 Tile Pro is on sale at Amazon for $24.99 (about $11 off), which is just $2 shy of its all-time low. The handy location tracker is our top pick for Android users, but it also works well with iOS devices. While it’s not quite as precise as Apple’s AirTag, it can still help you keep tabs on your belongings from up to 500 feet away. And if you subscribe to the $14.99-per-month Life360 Gold plan, it can even send SOS alerts.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, a sunrise alarm clock can help bring calm to your bedtime routine. Thankfully, you can snag the Hatch Restore 3 from Hatch’s online storefront for an all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off) through December 1st (discount applies at checkout). The Restore 3 features more than 50 sleep sounds and 18 adjustable light colors, with access to hundreds more through the optional Hatch Plus subscription, which runs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
LifeStraw personal water filter
LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.
The Nomad Tracking Card Air is currently down to $19 ($9 off) at Nomad’s website. The tracker is about the size of two standard credit cards smashed together (it’s officially 1.7mm thick), so it should have no problem slipping into the slimmest of wallets. It features a sturdy polycarbonate body that can withstand daily wear, as well as integration with Apple’s robust Find My network. That means that if you lose it, you can view its last known or current location in the Find My app.
Criterion Collection 4K Blu-rays, 1080p Blu-rays, and DVDs are up to 50 percent off at Barnes & Noble and Amazon right now. The sale at Barnes & Noble runs through December 7th, giving you a great opportunity to stock up on physical media. Some of the titles on sale include Michael Mann’s Thief, starring the late, great James Caan, and Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
If you’re an avid concert goer who’d like to retain your hearing later in life — and who wouldn’t? — Loop’s ultra-comfortable Experience 2 earpugs are on sale at Amazon for $27.95 ($11 off), matching their best price to date. The stylish earplugs won’t reduce noise as effectively as a custom set; however, they do carry a noise reduction rating of 12dB, which is totally adequate for that occasional Turnstile set.
Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit
Hoto’s electric screwdriver is perfect for making small- to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits.
Developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, Meta’s last-gen smart glasses can perform a range of tasks. They can capture 1080p video and play music, and thanks to a suite of AI-based features, you can even use them to translate from a myriad of languages in real time. Read our review.
Ninja’s clever 2-in-1 machine can spin up soft serve and traditional hard scoops in a few easy steps, not to mention creamy milkshakes, gelato, and frozen yogurt.
Headspace is offering 50 percent off an annual subscription, bringing the price down to $34.99 ($35 off) through December 4th. The discount only applies to your first year; after that, the subscription will renew at full price. Headspace offers access to guided meditations, online therapy, mental health coaching, and more. At a time when the world feels more dire than ever, Headspace can help bring some calm to your daily life.
Tessan 140W Universal Travel Adapter
Tessan’s 140W Universal Travel Adapter has three USB-C ports, one USB-A port, an outlet, and three sets of retractable prongs. It has the necessary hardware to charge most laptops at full speed, and be used in over 226 countries.
If you’ve got a Korean skincare nerd in your life, sighing at night, doomscrolling because TikTok keeps shoving influencers yapping about how Hailey Bieber uses this into their feed? This is a neat little splurge gift for them at a great price.
The 15-inch Skylight Calendar is an excellent tool for organizing multiple schedules without sending people reminders, and it’s currently on sale for $239.99 ($60 off) directly from Skylight. Once an event is added to the calendar, it’s automatically synced with other people’s devices, whether they use Apple’s Calendar app, Google Calendar, Outlook, or other popular services. Color coding makes it easy to see whose event it is at a glance, too, whether you’re looking at your device or the Skylight itself.
MasterClass is currently offering a 50 percent discount on any annual subscription, knocking the price of its least expensive plan to $50. The e-learning platform allows you to watch videos courses taught by famous people in their field, including Amanda Gorman, Ringo Starr, David Lynch, and Kevin Hart. You can take courses at your own pace, and re-watch lessons as many times as you’d like.
Warmups and post-workout cooldowns are easy to skip, but the Theragun Mini Plus may help you look forward to them. Fortunately, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target have all marked the triangle-shaped massage gun down to around $237.99 ($62 off) for Black Friday. The Theragun Mini Pluscan operate at three temperatures and vibration levels to help provide relief. Presets available within Theragun’s app can also help you optimize pressure and speed based on the part of your body that you’re working on.
Nex Playground
What if the dream of Microsoft’s Kinect lived on? It does in the Nex Playground, an all-in-one, motion-controlled console filled with kid-friendly games. Exhaust and entertain your little ones. You’re welcome.
The Xreal One aren’t the most affordable augmented-reality glasses available, but they are some of the best for displaying movies and games on the go. You can connect them via USB-C to your smartphone, tablet, or handheld gaming PC.
The Logitech Casa is a compact (and sleek) kit of accessories that can give you a more ergonomically-friendly laptop setup, including a stand, keyboard, and trackpad.
If you want a convenient, compact way to connect older accessories to your new Mac Mini, Best Buy has discounted Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Hub down to a new low of $69.99 ($30 off). The USB-C hub sits below your Mac Mini without restricting airflow, and has three USB-A ports, an SD card reader, and an M.2 NVMe SSD slot. It’s an easy, tool-free way to make extra storage accessible to your Mac Mini without plugging in a portable SSD.
Robot vacuums are overrated. Black & Decker’s rechargeableFurbuster — now on sale at Amazon and Chewy for $77.79 (about $42 off), its lowest price of the year — is a great handheld alternative that’s well-suited for picking up fur, dirt, and other unwanted debris, especially when you tack on the extra-long crevice tool or the included motorized pet brush.
Xgimi’s MoGo 4 is a battery-powered, 1080p projector that’s available for a new low of $399 ($100 off) at Amazon and Xgimi. The projector features a 450-lumen bulb, a pair of 6W speakers, and a battery that can last up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. A bundle comprising the projector and its PowerBase Stand is also on sale at Amazon for $439 ($110 off), if you want an additional five hours of battery life.
Insta360 Link 2
The Insta360 Link 2 offers the same auto-swiveling design as its excellent predecessor, only in a smaller form factor. It also offers a slate of new features, including group tracking and no-follow zones.
Fellow’s handsome gooseneck kettle lets you easily choose your desired water temperature and coffee time via a colored LCD display and built-in stopwatch, making it an ideal companion for pour-over connoisseurs everywhere.
De’Longhi Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker
This machine can do both coffee and espresso, depending on the pods you get. Each purchase comes with a sampler box, so you can figure out what you like.
You can buy the Insta360 X5at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Insta360’s online storefront for a new low price of $464.99 ($85 off), with Insta360 throwing in a free hardshell case. The 360-degree action camera delivers sharper, more detailed images than its predecessor with improved low-light performance. Specifically, it now allows you to capture 4K footage at up to 120fps instead of 100fps, and shoot 8K video at up to 30fps or 5.7K at 60fps, while offering support for user-replaceable lenses with a $29.99 kit. Read our review.
Smoked food is delicious, but can be intimidating to cook yourself. Brisk-It’s Zelos-450 Electric Smoker lets you manage all of its settings using an app on your phone, has beginner-friendly, guided recipes, and it’s $293.14 ($156.85 off) at Amazon for Prime members. We’ve tried the pellet smoker ourselves, and found it very easy to use — even on stressful cooking days like Thanksgiving.
Gozney’s Tread is one of our favorite pizza ovens, and it’s available for $399.99 ($100 off) from Amazon and direct from Gozney. The Tread is relatively light and features handles on top, making it easy to move the oven in and out of a car. It can get up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit, which is necessary for cooking a proper Neapolitan-style pizza, and it’s big enough to cook a 12-inch pie.
Thermapen One
An instant-read thermometer that promises speed and accuracy.
Glocuscent’s rechargeable book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.
Currently, there’s no better retailer to buy Apple gift cards from than Amazon, as the online retailer is including $15 in credit when you buy $100 or more in Apple gift cards.
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are down to their best price to date.
If you’re planning to gift an Apple device this holiday season — or treat yourself — now’s the time to start shopping. Black Friday has officially arrived, bringing with it the best Apple deals we’ve seen all year.
There’s a whole lot more on sale, and to sift through discounts more easily, we’ve rounded them up by category. We’ve even sprinkled in some historical price info, so you can spot the best deals at a glance.
The recently released AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest update to the company’s base-model wireless earbuds. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.
If you’re looking for the step-up AirPods 4 with ANC, you can buy them for around $99.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Target. Their noise cancellation performance doesn’t quite match the current- or even last-gen AirPods Pro, but it’s still impressive for the price. In addition to ANC, you also get other features not found on the base-model AirPods 4, including wireless charging, a handy transparency mode, and Find My support for the included charging case. Read our review.
The updated AirPods Max with USB-C are down to $399.99 ($140 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is their best price to date. The over-ear headphones offer a luxurious stainless steel and aluminum design that’s exceptionally comfortable, while delivering rich sound quality with lossless audio support and a surprisingly natural-sounding transparency mode. Read our original review.
Apple AirPods Pro (second-gen) with USB-C
The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with better noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and onboard volume controls. They also now ship with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our original review.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for around $199.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, which is $20 shy of their best price to date. The wireless earbuds are our favorite pair for sports and working out, with an ear hook design that helps keep them securely in place even during intense workouts. You also get solid noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and heart rate monitoring. Plus, they work with both Apple and Android devices, letting you take advantage of Find My integration, automatic device switching, and more. Read our review.
Beats Studio Pro
The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C, making them the first Apple headphones to do so. Read our review.
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a 5G cellular modem, a display that’s twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
The 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 with GPS is on sale at Walmart starting at $249 ($150 off), which is its best price to date. While the Series 11 offers slightly longer battery life, a more efficient 5G modem, and a more scratch-resistant display, the Series 10 remains an excellent smartwatch. It features a large, wide-angle OLED display and the same S10 SiP chip found in the Series 11. It also supports FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and offers the same hypertension notifications, courtesy of the recent watchOS 26 update. Read our review.
You can currently pick up the 40mm Apple Watch SE (second-gen) with GPS at Walmart starting at $129 ($120 off), which is a new low price (the 44mm variant is also on sale starting at $159). If you’re on a tight budget, the last-gen Apple Watch SE is still worth considering. It lacks some of Apple’s newer sensors and doesn’t offer an always-on display, but it remains relatively fast, given that it uses the same chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8. It also provides all the essentials, including daily activity and sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, fall and crash detection, and access to the newer Vitals app in watchOS 26.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in one size: 49mm. It offers a large, bright display along with long battery life and excellent performance. It sports Apple’s last-gen S9 SiP, too, allowing you to take advantage of Apple’s double tap feature. Read our review.
You can also buy the newfangled Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon with either an Ocean Band, a Trail Loop, or an Alpine Loop for $779.99 ($20 off), which is a far cry from its all-time low of $699.99 but still one of the first discounts we’ve seen. Apple’s latest wearable is its most rugged and capable to date, with a larger wide-angle OLED display, satellite and 5G connectivity, and a battery that can last up to 42 hours on a single charge (up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2). Read our review.
iPad deals
iPad (2025)
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use. Its high resolution screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
The 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is down to its best price to date at Amazon, where you can buy it starting at $899 with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage. Other configurations, specifically the 512GB and 1TB models, are on sale for $1,099 ($100 off) and $1,486 ($113 off), respectively. In addition to offering faster performance than their predecessor, the new Pros support Wi-Fi 7, faster charging, and start with 12GB of RAM. They also come with an N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread, and if you get the cellular version, Apple’s new C1X cellular modem. Read our review.
The latest 13-inch iPad Pro is also on sale at Amazon in its 256GB base configuration for $1,199 ($100 off), which remains the tablet’s lowest price to date. If you need more storage, the 1TB model is down to $1,768 ($131 off) at Amazon, while the 2TB version is going for $2,150 ($149 off). The heavier 13-inch model is nearly identical to the 11-incher, but it offers more screen real estate and higher resolution.
11-inch iPad Air M3
The latest 11-inch iPad Air features Apple’s fast M3 chip with GPU upgrades like dynamic caching for smoother performance in demanding apps. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro and the newest Magic Keyboard, which features a larger build and a 14-key function row. Read our review.
If you want a larger display, the 13-inch M3-powered iPad Air with Wi-Fi / 128GB of storage is also on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, where you can buy it starting at an all-time low of $649.99 ($150 off). Other configurations are also on sale, with the 256GB model going for $749.99 ($150 off), the 512GB version $949 ($150 off), and the 1TB variant $1,149.
You can buy the 13-inch M4-powered iPad Pro with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage at Amazon starting at $1,099 ($200 off). The last-gen Pro offers a stunning OLED display and a thinner build than prior models, along with a front-facing camera that’s (finally) located in the middle of the long side of the iPad. Read our review.
13-inch iPad Pro M4
The last-gen iPad Pro comes in either an 11- or 13-inch configuration with Apple’s M4 processor. Both feature an OLED display and a thinner build than previous models, as well as horizontal placement for the front camera and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. Read our review.
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
Powered by the M4 chip, Apple’slatest 13-inch MacBook Air is faster than its predecessor and offers double the base RAM. It can also connect to two external displays with the lid open, unlike prior models, and features an improved 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam. Read our review.
Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro takes everything we loved about the M4 model — including all-day battery life and a 12-megapixel webcam — and improves upon it with an M5 chip. It also offers faster storage and a 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU that’s up to 3.5x faster at AI tasks. Read our review.
The last-gen 16-inch MacBook Pro is still a powerhouse even if it runs on the older M4 Pro chip, and right now you can buy it with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $2,189 (about $310 off) at Amazon, which is just a few dollars shy of its all-time low. It sports speedy Thunderbolt 5 ports and a sharp 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam, and because the new M5-powered MacBook Pros don’t yet come in a 16-inch size, it’s your best bet if you want a larger display. Read our review of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
If you’re in the market for a desktop and don’t mind supplying your own keyboard and mouse, you can buy the M4 Mac Mini with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $479 ($120 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of its best prices to date. The desktop can handle everyday tasks with ease, along with some light gaming and 4K video editing. It can also run up to three displays simultaneously and offers a great port selection that includes three Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) ports, a gigabit ethernet jack, HDMI, two 10Gbps USB-C (USB 3) ports, and a front-facing 3.5mm audio jack. Read our review.
AirTags and other miscellaneous deals
Apple TV (six-month subscription)
Apple is hosting a Black Friday sale that lets you lock in six months for just $5.99 per month, which is over 50 percent off the usual cost. This promo isn’t applicable to those eligible to redeem three free months earned through buying a new Apple device, nor will it work for those who get the subscription through a third party, like Amazon.
Apple’s AirTags can help you find your lost items with their UWB technology. You’ll get the best compatibility with an iPhone, though Apple released an Android app to detect an AirTag’s location if one seems to be following you. Read our original review.
You can buy the Apple Pencil Pro for $94.99 ($35 off) at Amazon and Walmart, which is $10 more than its best price to date. If you own the latest iPad Pro, iPad Mini, or an M2- or M3-based iPad Air, this is a fantastic stylus that offers several features not found on the entry-level Apple Pencil with USB-C (which is also discounted to $49 at Walmart). In addition to wireless charging, you get Find My support, pressure sensitivity, and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope that allows you to easily adjust the angle of your pen with a twist.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand)
Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charging Station features a MagSafe charging stand, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Apple Watch charger, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. It also comes with a 40W USB-C power adapter and cable.
There’s no question the Apple Studio Display is beautiful, but it’s quite expensive; however, you can pick up the standard option with a tilt-adjustable stand for $1,409 ($190 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is a new low price. The Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K screen, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with Center Stage, and a three-mic array for video calls. Apple’s monitor is over three years old by now and there are reports a sequel is on the way, but if this has been on your radar for a while, it’s never been more affordable. Read our review.
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
Twelve South’s 3-in-1 charging stand offers full 15W MagSafe iPhone charging and can simultaneously top off a set of AirPods while fast-charging a compatible Apple Watch. It also includes a power supply (with travel adapters) to deliver enough juice over its 5-foot / 1.5m USB cable.
With a 10,000mAh battery, a max output of up to 30W, and a built-in USB-C cable that conveniently doubles as a carrying loop, Anker’s Nano Power Bank is perfect for charging on the go.
Ugreen’s portable power bank has a 20,000mAh battery and a maximum power output of 100W, making it possible to charge more robust devices like laptops.
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
Twelve South’s HiRise 3 Deluxe is on sale for $59.99.
We all know Black Friday is one of — if not the — best time to save hundreds on a laptop or big screen TV, but you shouldn’t forget about taking advantage of deals on lower-priced essentials like chargers and battery packs. These gadgets are easy to overlook, but if you’re still using the USB-A power adapter that came with your smartphone years ago, upgrading to a compact 30W USB-C charger will show you how much faster you can charge.
Similarly, a 3-in-1 wireless charger can help you clear your desk of cable clutter while keeping your devices fully topped up, while a high-capacity battery pack will keep your most power-hungry gadgets topped up while you’re on the go. The charging accessories below include standouts from Anker, Ugreen, and Baseus. The Qi2 magnetic chargers are compatible with both the iPhone and certain Android devices, including Google’s Pixel 10 lineup. If your New Year’s tech resolution is to spend less time waiting for your devices to charge, you’ll find everything you need below.
Anker MagGo Magnetic Charging Station 8-in-1
A Qi2 pad on the front and a party in the back, with three AC outlets and four USB ports. It can deliver up to 67W through a single USB-C port or divided between its two USB-C and two USB-A ports.
Anker’s jack-of-all-trades travel adapter packs enough ports to refill your devices during some downtime. It features one AC outlet, two USB-C ports (one tops out at 20W), and two USB-A ports. It’s not the fastest wall charger, but it’s a solid choice when you can find it at a discount.
Twelve South’s 3-in-1 charging stand offers full 15W MagSafe iPhone charging and can simultaneously top off a set of AirPods while fast-charging a compatible Apple Watch. It also includes a power supply (with travel adapters) to deliver enough juice over its 5-foot / 1.5m USB cable.
Amazon’s aptly titled Smart Plug doesn’t require a hub and lets you add Alexa functionality to any outlet, which, in turn, allows you to control a range of devices with just your voice.
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
Anker’s tiny USB-C wall charger can supply up to 30W of power, which is perfect for quickly charging your phone and other small electronics. And with foldable prongs, it’s easy to travel with.
Why settle for a flimsy USB-C cable that can only charge a single gadget when you can opt for a braided one designed to charge two at once? Anker’s two-headed cable supports charging speeds of up to 140W split between two gadgets.
Anker’s slim power strip is about the size of a large iPhone, yet it offers six ports (two AC outlets, two USB-C, and two USB-A) and a maximum power output of 100W.
Ugreen’s portable power bank has a 20,000mAh battery and a maximum power output of 100W, making it possible to charge more robust devices like laptops.
Kasa’s aptly titled Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six smart outlets with surge protection, each of which can be individually controlled via Amazon Alexa or Google Home. It also has three non-smart USB-A ports for powering phone chargers and other small devices.
Baseus’ slick USB-C charger supports 100W passthrough and takes a puck-like form when not in use, with male connectors on either side that retract inward with a quick tug.
Baseus PicoGo Ultra-Slim Magnetic Power Bank 5,000mAh
Baseus’ sleek PicoGo charger is a cable-free way to supply your iPhone with up to 7.5W of power. Its 20W USB-C port lets you charge an iPhone’s battery from zero to 55 percent capacity in 30 minutes if you plug it in using the included braided charging cable.
Anker USB-C Car Charger (75W, Built-in Retractable Cable)
You can keep up to two devices topped off with Anker’s 70W car charger, which has a 29.5-inch retractable USB-C cable and an additional USB-C port. Anker claims the charger is capable of juicing an iPhone 15 Pro’s battery from zero to 50 percent in under half an hour.
The Delta Pro is a heavy-duty power station, with four outlets, up to 3,600W of AC output, and the option to top it off with solar panels. The retractable handle and wheels also make it easier to move the 99-pound battery around your campsite or home.
With a 10,000mAh battery, a max output of up to 30W, and a built-in USB-C cable that conveniently doubles as a carrying loop, Anker’s Nano Power Bank is perfect for charging on the go.
The EcoFlow Delta 2 can charge from 0 to 80 percent in just 50 minutes. The large power station offers robust connectivity options and can expand its 1,024Wh capacity with extra power stations from the Delta 2 family (up to 3,072Wh). It also charges via your car or optional solar panels.
Anker’s Qi2 charging pads support wireless charging speeds of up to 15W, and their 5-foot cable shouldn’t feel constricting if you need to move the charger around.
A pair of AC outlets allows you to use Anker’s Prime 6-in-1 charger to power your monitor and desktop speakers while you charge your gadgets. The 5-foot cable is detachable, too, so you don’t have to replace the charger if it becomes damaged.
The Nomad ChargeKey V2 is a 4.7-inch, 240W charging cable that features a wide loop, allowing you to easily attach it to your car keys. It boasts USB-C connectors at both ends and supports transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Editor’s note: Lots of our favorite robovacs in this piece are on sale for Black Friday! Check out the biggest and best Black Friday deals we’ve covered so far.
Robot vacuums are impressive devices that will clean your floors well and — thanks to bigger batteries and better robot brains — rarely get tired of doing their job. Over the last few years, these floor-sweeping bots have gone from utilitarian devices to full-fledged home robots that vacuum and mop your home, clean themselves, and trundle off to prepare themselves for the next run.
I’ve been testing robot vacuums for over 7 years and have run more than 80 of them throughout my house. This guide features my top picks if you’re looking for the best: a robot vacuum that can do it all with limited intervention from you.
Along with my top picks, I have options to fit specific needs, such as mopping, besting pet hair, shopping on a budget, and bots for small spaces. The good news is that there are many great robot vacs out there, so whether you have a 3,000-square-foot home and three shaggy dogs or a small, stylish apartment you share with a goldfish, there’s a robot vacuum to suit your needs.
Multifunctional dock: No, charging only / Mapping: Yes, camera-based / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 3,000Pa / Remote check-in: No / Brush style: Single rubber / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes / Mop lift: Yes / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension / Works with: No smart home integrations
The Matic is a complete rethink of the robot vacuum and my new favorite bot. It has excellent camera-based SLAM navigation, superb obstacle avoidance, rarely gets stuck, and is super quiet. Combined, this means that 99 percent of the time, it will finish the job.
All this makes it my top pick because, despite their attempts to better navigate our homes — from AI-powered computer vision to arms that pick up clutter — traditional disc-shaped bots are still prone to getting stuck. If you want a robot vacuum that just gets the job done, get the Matic.
It kept my floors and carpets spotless; its large rubber roller brush and suction system demolished most of my tests, and its superb mopping cleaned up wet spills and targeted dried stains. However, some aspects of its cleaning prowess aren’t as good as those of the flagship bots from Roborock and Dreame. Its height means it can’t get under low furniture or clean baseboards as closely (although its big wheels can tackle almost every transition). It’s also very slow to finish a job, as it vacuums first, then goes back to mop with its self-cleaning roller mop. It’s super quiet, so you can easily run it while you’re home.
Matic can operate fully without a Wi-Fi connection, a big bonus compared to the competition, and all data, including maps of your home, is stored locally on the robot. However, it doesn’t currently support any smart home integrations. At $1,095 (going up to $1,295 next month), it’s expensive, especially since it doesn’t come with a multifunction dock (instead, it carries its disposable bin bags and water tank on the bot). But that also means you don’t have to deal with that eyesore in your living room.
The compromises Matic makes to provide a better experience overall are worth it in my opinion — it’s like the iPhone of the robot vacuum world.
Multifunction dock: Yes / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 22,000Pa / Remote check-in: Yes / Brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Mop style: Flat pad / Mop washing: Yes / Mop lift: Yes, 18mm, plus automatic removal / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, Matter (including Apple Home)
If Matic’s compromises don’t suit you, Roborock’s Saros 10 is the bot you should get. An upgrade to my previous pick for the best overall robot vacuum, the S8 MaxV Ultra, the Saros 10 is similar to the Saros Z70, minus the robotic arm and the eyewatering price tag.
A combo vacuum and mop, the Saros 10 uses Roborock’s unique sonic mopping system, which I’ve been a fan of since it launched on the S7. Its siblings, the Saros 10R and Saros Z70, use spinning mop pads, but I prefer the 10s flat pad mopping combined with vibration, which I find very effective and far less likely to get stuck on things like rug tassels. The 10 can also automatically remove its mopping pad before cleaning carpet, a great feature first seen on Dreame vacs, and now on all three Saros models.
The Saros 10 navigated really well, moving smoothly, dodging obstacles, and avoiding most common robot traps thanks to its ability to lift itself up 10mm and cross thresholds of up to 4cm.Its retractable lidar tower means it can get under furniture as low as 8cm.
The bot’s 22,000Pa suction and new single Duo Divide brush did an excellent job in my dried oatmeal and Cheerio tests, getting up all the fine debris. It also excelled at removing pet hair from my thick, high-pile rug. Plus, after months of testing, there was no hair tangled in it.
In a sea of complicated, buggy mobile apps, Roborock’s is easy to use and offers lots of features and customization options for ample control over your cleaning. The Saros 10 also has a built-in voice assistant, which makes getting the bot to clean the mess your kid made after dinner as easy as saying, “Rocky, clean here.” Dreame and Ecovacs also have this, but I found Roborock’s the most responsive.
Multifunction dock: No, auto-empty only / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: No / Suction power: 5,300Pa / Remote check-in: No / Brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Mop Style: Flat pad with tank / Mop washing: No / Mop lift: No / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
This capable robot vacuum and mop has some key features usually only found on vacuums more than twice its price: lidar mapping, room-specific cleaning, multiple suction and water levels, smart lidar-based navigation, and an auto-empty dock. With brands like Ecovacs and Roborock, you’re often paying double for the privilege of not having to empty the bot’s bin.
The Tapo RV30 did an excellent job of navigating my house, cleaning the perimeters of the rooms, and then using a mesh grid to clean inside. I had to tidy up before it ran, as there’s no AI-powered obstacle detection — so cables and socks will trip it up.
Its 5,200Pa suction power is impressive on a bot at this price, and it ably sucked up Cheerios and dry oatmeal on hard flooring. It left some of the finer dust and debris, as its single bristle/rubber brush isn’t super effective. It fared less well on carpet. However, in the app, I could set it to clean a room three times per job, after which it generally picked up all visible debris.
Mopping was better than average for a mop with no pressure or oscillation. It has a wide pad and a big 300ml tank (which also incorporates a 300ml dustbin), so it applies enough water to do a good surface clean. There’s no carpet sensing, so you need to tell it where carpets are in the app if you don’t want it to mop them. Its small, 2,600mAh battery meant it had to recharge in order to clean my entire 800-square-foot downstairs. For around $80 less, you can get the RV30 without the auto-empty dock.
Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 Pro Omni is the best roller mopping bot I’ve tested, and at $1,099, it is one of the least expensive flagship models – Dreame’s roller mops start at $1,600, and Narwal’s Flow is $1,500.
The X8 did an excellent job on my milk, OJ, and dried ketchup tests, absorbing the small spills with one or two passes. It covered the floors evenly, without leaving any streaks or gaps, unlike spinning mop pads. Its edge cleaning is superior to the Matic’s, as when it encounters one, it extends its mop to clean right up against it.
Like the Matic, its self-cleaning brush system kept the bot from smearing spills, but its dock offers the option of auto-dispensing cleaning solution, whereas you have to add it to the Matic’s water tank manually.
As a vacuum, it excelled in my Cheerio and dried oatmeal tests and tackled most rugs. Its relatively small, single-rubber-roller brush is less effective than Roborock’s duo-divide brush. The newer X9 addresses these issues with a redesigned roller brush and a new suction system, it calls BLAST (Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology), but I don’t think it’s a big enough improvement to be worth the extra money on this model.
With lidar and a 3D camera for mapping and obstacle detection, which is very good, the X8 easily navigated fake dog turds and cables, and its multifunction dock is sleek and attractive, especially compared to the one on the newer X11, which is a bulky monstrosity.
The downside of most roller mop bots is that they are big and heavy: the X8 weighs a whopping 12 pounds. Despite its ability to lift itself to clear thresholds, the X8 isn’t as agile as smaller, lighter robot vacs and is more prone to getting stuck under chair legs. It can only lift its mop up 10mm, which isn’t going to work for the fluffiest rugs. The X8 has carpet sensors, so it automatically avoids them, passes over them, or just vacuums them. But its best carpet feature is the option to have it vacuum the carpets first, then mop everywhere else.
The Dreame X50 Ultra is a big upgrade to my previous favorite mopping bot for hard floors, the X40 Ultra. The major change is the addition of a “motorized swing arm” that functions like a leg, allowing it to maneuver over higher thresholds (up to 6cm) thanks to a new leg-style mechanism. This means it can get into more spaces – like from my bedroom into my bathroom, and more easily tackle obstacles like high-pile rugs.
It also has higher suction power and a much-improved brush system that uses dual rubber rollers. It did an excellent job in my oatmeal-on-carpet tests, sucking up every last flake.
The X50 maintains the X40’s excellent mopping capabilities, including automatically extending its dual-spinning mops pads and swinging them to get under your cabinets and consoles. Its dual oscillating mop pads are more effective than Roborock’s thin microfiber pad on hard floors; however, if you have lots of high-pile rugs with tassels, go with the Roborock, since the X50’s spinning pads are more prone to getting stuck on rugs.
Like the Roborock, the Dreame can remove and reattach its mop pads, depending on whether it’s vacuuming or mopping, so your rugs don’t get wet. It also has a retractable lidar tower to help it get under low furniture. However, Roborock’s app is much better, more stable and easier to use than Dreame’s, which often crashes and can take a while to load.
The X50 has good AI-powered obstacle detection, although Roborock’s is just a bit better. But both still get tripped up occasionally by pencils and other small items — something that never happens with the Matic.
Best robot vacuum for pet hair on hard floors
Narwal Freo Z10
Narwal’s Freo Z10 is a great choice for homes with pets and hardwood floors, one that excels at sucking up hair without getting tangled. Its uniquely shaped, dual-sided brushes do an excellent job of picking up pet hair, while also delivering superb edge cleaning. It’s also an impressive mopping bot.
Score: 7
Pros
Cons
Excellent at sucking up hair without getting tangled
While my top picks, the Matic and Roborock, are great for pet hair on all surfaces, Narwal’s Freo Z10 is a good option if you have pets and hardwood floors. This bot is specifically designed for households with lots of long hair, making it a good, lower-cost option for families and pet owners. Its uniquely shaped, dual-sided brushes sweep long hair directly into the cone-shaped roller brush, which funnels it down into the vacuum and leaves no tangles.
The Freo is also an excellent mopping bot, a category Narwal has long excelled in. Its triangular mopping pads get into corners and crevices very well and can extend to better clean along baseboards, as well as move backwards and forwards to simulate scrubbing — great for muddy paw prints. In my flour test, it mopped up 90 percent of the white mess from the base of my blue cabinets. Better than the Matic and the Saros 10.
The downsides are that its dock is huge and it only lifts its mops by 12mm, not ideal for high-pile carpets. Its vacuuming is also not as effective on carpets. But the dock does have a large on-board bag to store all the hair it collects (some Narwals don’t have auto-empty bins).
There’s no camera on the bot, so its obstacle detection isn’t great. It dodged socks and shoes, but cables and shoe laces proved problematic, as did fake pet poop. If you want more accurate obstacle avoidance, which you might need if your pet has accidents, upgrade to the Freo Z10 Ultra. It costs $200 more but adds dual HD cameras for AI-powered detection.
Best robot vacuum for small spaces/apartments
Switchbot K11 Plus
The Matter-compatible Switchbot K11 Plus is ideal for small apartments, bedrooms, and home offices. It can easily navigate around chair and desk legs, and into tight spaces that most other bots miss. It also features a commendable 6,000Pa of suction power — which is great for this price point — and works well on both hardwood and carpet.
Multifunction dock: No, auto-empty only / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: No / Suction power: 6,000Pa / Brush style: Single rubber / Mop style: Disposable pad / Auto-refill mop: No / Mop lift: No / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, Matter (including Apple Home)
This sub-$400 bot is a great solution for small apartments, bedrooms, or home offices. Its compact size means it can easily get around chair and desk legs and into tight spaces most other bots miss.
An upgrade to the K10 Plus, a previous pick for the best robot vacuum for small spaces, its 6,000Pa suction did a great job for this price point on both hardwood and carpet in my tests. The charging dock squeezes in a 4-liter dust bag while staying under 10 inches tall, shorter than a 500ml water bottle.
There’s no AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and the mopping function is more like swiffering with a baby wipe than mopping, but for a small home with lots of carpet, or for upstairs bedrooms, it’s a great option. It’s also very quiet and surprisingly quick, and its charging dock has an attractive wooden top that fits into these rooms better than most.
Other robot vacuums to consider
My previous top pick, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra ($799.99), is an exceptional vacuum cleaner and a very good mop for a very good price. Its dual rubber roller brushes and 10,000Pa suction make it great on carpets; its sonic mopping is excellent on hard floors, and its AI-powered obstacle detection is very good. The Saros 10 is an improvement in every way, but consider this if you’re looking to save $900. Read my Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra review.
A previous pick for best mopping bot, the Narwal Freo X Ultra ($899.99) is still a good choice. Like the Freo Z10, it has spinning triangular mop pads and the ability to swing slightly to get closer to baseboards. Its large charging dock holds two big water tanks, but doesn’t have an auto-empty dustbin; instead, Narwal’s disposable onboard bin compresses the dust. There’s no loud noise when it returns to the dock, which is a bonus. There’s no camera, so its obstacle avoidance is spotty. Its anti-tangle brush and 8,200Pa suction did a good job on most carpets, but its 12mm mop lift isn’t effective on plush carpets.
The Dyson 360 Vis Nav ($999.99) is a powerful beast and the best robot vacuum for carpets I’ve tested. But its navigation needs a lot of work. It’s worth considering if you have a simple floor plan with a lot of carpets, but the short battery life and lack of an auto-empty dock are major cons. Read more in my hands-on.
What I’m testing and what’s coming next
iRobot’s new Roomba lineup starts at $299 and goes up to $999. The pricier 405 and 505 models are the first Roombas to feature full multifunction docks and dual spinning mopping pads. I’ve started testing the 505 but have run into several issues, including a failure to return to the dock. The new Roomba app is also fiddly and not as intuitive as the old model (which the previous models still use).
The Roomba Max 705 Combo ($1,299.99) is the company’s flagship model and the only one with the original Roomba’s dual rubber roller brushes. It also features the company’s first roller mop, which has a cover that automatically deploys as it cleans carpet.
Eufy’s Omni E28 ($1,399.99) is a self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-washing robot vacuum with a roller mop that can go over tough stains a second time if needed. The charging dock also includes a built-in deep cleaner that sprays water to tackle stains before sucking the mess into a separate wastewater tank.
Ecovacs X11 OmniCyclone ($1.499.99, on sale for $899.99) is a bagless robot vacuum mop with multifunction dock, a roller mop, and a whopping 19,500Pa of suction power, alongside Ecovacs’ new BLAST tech designed to improve debris removal. The mop can extend up to 15mm to reach corners. It can also tackle transitions better than the X8 and X9, thanks to “mechanical climbing levers.”
The Narwal Flow ($1,499.99) features the company’s first roller mop, which can also extend. It uses a multifunction dock for emptying the bin and refilling the water, and has a deep carpet boost mode.
The Eureka J15 Max Ultra ($1,199) is an upgrade to the J15 Pro Ultra ($999.99). A robot vacuum and mop, it can accurately spot liquids and automatically rotate its body to tackle wet spills with its dual spinning mopping pads, while avoiding getting its vacuum duct wet. Something few mopping vacs can do.
The Switchbot S20 ($799.99) is the second generation of our previous pick for the best mopping vacuum, the Switchbot S10. It adds an extendable roller mop/side brush, 15,000Pa of suction power, and the option of a multifunction dock if you don’t like the split dock design of the S10.
SharkNinja’s PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 robot vacuum mop ($999.99) can lift itself up to 20mm to get over rugs and transitions. Its multifunction dock doesn’t require bags, either.
The Roborock Q10 S5 Plus ($549.99) has an impressive 10,000Pa of suction power for a budget bot and uses Roborock’s sonic mop system, vibrating 3,000 times per minute to scrub the floors. It comes with a 2.7-liter self-emptying base that can hold up to 70 days’ worth of debris, or you can get it without for less.
The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Robot is its first combo robot vacuum and mop. It uses a roller mop, lidar navigation, and Dyson’s first multifunctional dock. There’s no pricing or release date yet. Read my hands-on for more details.
DJI’s first robot vacuum, the Romo, comes in three configurations, with the flagship model being the transparent Romo P for €1,899 (around $2,200). Then there’s the Romo A for €1,599 (around $1,700), and the more affordable Romo S, at €1,299 (around $1,500). They are currently only available in Europe. All three have multifunction docks and use wide-angle dual-transmitter solid-state lidar for navigation — the same tech found in DJI’s flagship drones — along with a pair of fish-eye vision sensors for obstacle detection.
The $1,600 Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller Complete features a roller-style mopping system that continuously cleans itself in real time. Its companion model, the Aqua10 Ultra Track Complete, adds hot-water mopping and automatically adds cleaning solution as it moves about, so you don’t have to stop and refill anything.
The $2,000 Dreame Matrix 10 Ultra comes with a multi-mop switching multifunction dock that automatically swaps between nylon scrub pads, sponge pads, and thermal mop pads based on where it’s cleaning. Its three-solution compartment also holds separate cleaners for tackling pet odors, wood floors, and general messes, which the robovac will dispense on its own depending on the situation.
How I test robot vacuums
Alongside everyday use, I put robot vacuums through a gauntlet of specific tests. I test object detection and avoidance with phone chargers, socks, a pencil, and fake pet poop. I throw in Cheerios or popcorn to see if they know to vacuum that up rather than avoid it. I run them over oatmeal and flour to see how well they pick up fine debris and have them tackle both thick and low-pile carpets. I monitor how they handle rug tassels, my high pile living room rug, skinny chair legs, and room transitions.
For mopping, I test on hardwood and tile floors with dried milk, fresh OJ, and ketchup. I monitor how quickly they fill up their bin / auto-empty dock and how efficiently they use water and clean their mop pads. I set schedules, hook them up to voice assistants, and play with the app’s advanced features.
I evaluate navigation by running them on all three floors of my house and evaluating how well they map and how easy the maps are to edit and use. I also test any advanced features, such as home security camera capabilities, AI cleaning programs, and automatic mop removal.
Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Update, November 25th: Added new picks for best overall, best mopping, and best for pet hair robot vacs. Added a new runner-up and best for small spaces category, and new options in “Other robot vacuums worth considering.” Sheena Vasani also contributed to this post.
Editor’s note: Black Friday has begun, and we’re covering the biggest and best deals you can get.
It’s hard to buy a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days, and with constant discounts and deals wherever you look, now is as good a time as any to splurge on the pair you’ve been eyeing. The market has come a long way since the early era of true wireless earbuds when we had to deal with mediocre sound quality and unreliable performance, all for the sake of ditching cables. Things are much different now. After several product generations of learned lessons, companies like Sony, Apple, Samsung, and others are releasing their most impressive earbuds to date.
You can get phenomenal noise cancellation and sound quality in the premium tier of earbuds if you’re willing to spend big. But those aren’t always the most important criteria for everyone: maybe you’re looking for the perfect fitness earbuds or for a set that works just as well for Zoom calls as for playing your favorite playlists and podcasts.
Tech companies are increasingly making their earbuds work best with their own products through exclusive features and functionality, so that’s another thing to consider as you shop around. If you want a perk like head-tracking spatial audio, you’ll need to use AirPods with an iPhone, Samsung buds with a Samsung phone, and so on.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Foam (XS, S, M, L)
Just like their predecessors, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds have again topped our recommendations for the overall best noise-canceling earbuds. Thanks to their larger drivers, the audio quality is more detailed and dynamic than before while still retaining the warmth and clarity that made the WF-1000XM4 so enjoyable. Sony has also further improved its ANC and is nearing the same territory as Bose’s QC Earbuds II. These earbuds do a terrific job of eliminating background noise. Battery life can stretch to eight hours of continuous listening with noise cancellation turned on.
Some people found the XM4 to be bulky and uncomfortable, so this time around, Sony has managed to shrink the XM5 by 25 percent. Like before, the company includes foam-style tips that expand in your ears to create an excellent seal — and now there’s a fourth (extra small) set of tips in the box.
On Android phones, the 1000XM5 support Sony’s LDAC codec for higher-quality music playback. And they’re capable of dynamic head tracking spatial audio through supported video apps like Netflix. But even if you’re not using LDAC (or have an iPhone), these are up there with the very best audio-focused premium earbuds — including Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4, only with substantially better noise cancellation. They’re also capable of multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair them with two devices at the same time.
It’s worth noting that there were many reports of battery issues with the 1000XM4 over time as those earbuds aged, but Sony claims to have rectified that problem with the new model by tweaking the charging algorithm.
Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds have the same stylish, semi-transparent design as the company’s other earbuds — but these come in a snazzy yellow. They combine decent ANC, enjoyable sound, and other features like multipoint for under $100.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 5.5hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: LDAC, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
When looking at Nothing’s Ear (a) earbuds, it’s easy to focus all your attention on the catchy yellow color or their fun, super compact carrying case. But at their $99 price, the company’s entry-level earbuds provide a ton of features, including active noise cancellation, a low-latency mode for gaming, multipoint Bluetooth pairing, and a decent IP54 dust and water resistance rating.
And the sound quality you get outperforms my usual expectations for this price point. They’re not quite on par with Nothing’s higher-end Ears, but you do get expressive, very enjoyable audio — and you can customize the EQ further in Nothing’s mobile app.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
The name Bose has been synonymous with noise cancellation for decades, and it’s again proven why with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2). They offer the best noise-canceling performance available in a set of earbuds, delivering the peace and isolation many of us crave throughout the day. The second-gen earbuds bring some much-needed improvements to call quality, too, and while they don’t match the performance of our best call quality picks, the AirPods 4 or Samsung Galaxy Buds, the Bose handle noisy environments far better and allow you to sound like you in conversations.
Although Bose added wireless charging and there’s now a little screen in the ear tips to keep earwax out of the earbuds, there’s no visual upgrade to speak of. The second-gen earbuds maintain a chunky look that’s identical to the first-gen QC Ultra Earbuds, which were already extremely similar to 2022’s QC Earbuds II. They come with three ear tips and three stabilizer sizes, providing a variety of combinations and a secure fit for different ear shapes.
As with the design, the QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) sound nearly identical to their first-gen counterpart. The bass and treble are boosted, providing more bass than competitors and a lively high-end — although it can get to be a bit much on some tracks. Bose continues to stick with its three-band EQ in the app, which doesn’t allow much meaningful adjustment, but most people will appreciate the stock sound. Bose also continues to offer Immersive Audio, first introduced with the Ultra Earbuds, which is similar to Apple’s spatial audio.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L, XL)
After a long wait, Beats finally introduced the Powerbeats Pro 2 in early 2025. They carry forward the signature ear hook design of past Powerbeats earbuds, but improve upon the original Powerbeats Pro in several key ways. Beats added active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode to the Pro 2; the first-gen pair lacked both. The earbuds themselves are lighter, too, and the charging case is noticeably smaller.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 also feature heart rate monitoring thanks to built-in sensors on each earbud. You might already have a fitness tracker, chest strap, or smartwatch for this purpose, but if not, you can use these with compatible apps like Nike Run Club, Runna, Ladder, Slopes, Open, Peloton, and YaoYao. The downside is that they can’t simultaneously play music and broadcast heart rate to gym equipment when paired to an iOS device, rendering the Pro 2 a better heart rate monitoring alternative for Android users than iPhone users.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 remain rated IPX4 for water resistance. While that’s not as robust as some other fitness-focused buds, it should be sufficient to survive sweat and outdoor runs in various conditions. The earbuds still offer easy-to-use physical buttons and a dedicated volume rocker, so it’s easy to control them in the middle of a workout.
If you’re an iPhone owner, the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds include Apple-only features like dynamic head tracking for spatial audio, auto device switching, Find My integration, and more. For Android users, Beats has an app that packs in a smaller subset of these functions.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XXS, XS, S, M, L)
Apple continually adds to the features of the AirPods Pro line — either with a new product like the second-gen AirPods Pro, or with a software update, such as the one that introduced the hearing health features last year. The AirPods Pro 3 continue the trend, with (yet again) improved noise-canceling performance, heart rate sensing, newly designed ear tips with an extra XXS size, and more battery life. The splashiest update is Live Translation, which, unlike the other improvements, still needs some time to develop into a more streamlined experience.
The new foam-infused earbuds improve passive isolation and, in combination with better ANC performance, give the AirPods Pro 3 the best overall noise canceling from a pair of Apple earbuds yet. ANC performance is incredibly close to that of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2), but the AirPods have a slight high-end hiss (although some people might not even notice it). A redesign of the acoustic architecture gives the AirPods Pro 3 improved bass performance over the second-gen model, and its spatial audio delivers a wider, richer listening experience.
But what’s important for many Apple users is how well the AirPods Pro 3 fit into the Apple ecosystem. A new heart sensor, which we first saw with the Powerbeats Pro 2 last winter, enables heart rate tracking for 50 different types of workouts directly from the iOS Fitness app. And unlike the Powerbeats Pro 2, the AirPods can work in conjunction with the Apple Watch, providing a secondary heart rate stream to ensure you always have the most accurate data.
The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung’s best-sounding wireless earbuds yet. They have a stemmed design similar to the AirPods Pro, but even if their design is a little bland, the Buds 3 Pro make up for it with great call quality, useful voice commands, and more.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: Samsung seamless, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ditch the company’s more discreet designs of the past for a stemmed style that’s similar to AirPods and any number of other wireless earbuds. Boring? Maybe, but thanks to that change, we’ve found them to be more comfortable and provide better stability than the Buds 2 Pro. The sound quality is even better than before — and it was already excellent. These are right up there with Sennheiser and Technics from an audio fidelity standpoint.
The Buds 3 Pro are also a standout performer when it comes to call quality. And our favorite thing about these earbuds are the hands-free voice commands that don’t require you to say any specific wake phrase beforehand. You can just say “volume up” and / or “next song,” and it happens.
But they’re not perfect: the Buds 3 Pro lack multipoint connectivity, so they can’t connect to two devices at the same time. Just like Apple, Samsung prefers to automatically hop between products within its own walled garden ecosystem. Some people might consider this a dealbreaker, but we’ve still enjoyed the earbuds plenty without it.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)
With the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google has addressed most of the downsides of the original pair. They’re far smaller and lighter than the chunky first-gen Pixel Buds Pro. And there’s a small nub on the buds to help lock them in place even during intensive activities like running or exercise.
Google’s active noise cancellation still isn’t on the same tier as Bose, but the transparency mode on the Buds Pro 2 is among the very best you’ll find. It offers a crisp, natural passthrough for the outside world when needed. Multipoint support is included, and Google’s latest earbuds eke out impressive battery life that surpasses most competitors.
Got a Pixel phone? With the Pixel Buds Pro 2, you can have lengthy conversations with Google’s Gemini AI while your phone stays in your pocket. Features like head-tracking spatial audio and Clear Calling are also exclusive to those within the Pixel ecosystem. If that’s you, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a big step up from the previous buds in a much smaller package.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IPX4 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)
Beats’ Studio Buds Plus are an upgraded, better-performing revision of the Studio Buds released in 2021. This time, the company has made the noise cancellation more powerful while also improving the quality of the transparency mode and extending battery life. If you’re going for style points, it doesn’t get much cooler than the translucent color option. These earbuds are very tiny and rank up with the best in terms of overall comfort.
What’s interesting about the Studio Buds Plus is that they use a proprietary chip that allows them to support native software features on both iOS and Android. Plenty of earbuds offer companion apps on each platform, but in the case of the Beats, they work with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find My Device. You also get simple one-tap pairing, no matter which operating system you’re using.
The drawback to this dual-ecosystem life is that Apple customers don’t get all the usual bells and whistles that come with AirPods or even the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2; you lose out on audio sharing, head tracking spatial audio, and other tricks. Wireless charging and an ear detection sensor (for auto-pause when a bud is removed) are also MIA, which stings a bit considering the price.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 7.5 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AptX Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: Yes / Works best with: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (XS, S, M, L)
Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless earbuds have always sounded fantastic; that’s never been the issue. But previous models in the series have been tainted a bit by bugs, unsteady performance, and battery reliability problems. The fourth-gen pair finally gets that part right while continuing to offer tremendous, detailed sound quality that stands above nearly all competitors. They’re a joy to listen to. The active noise cancellation can’t compete with the likes of Apple, Sony, and Bose, but if you care more about lush, intricate sound, the MTW4 won’t disappoint in the slightest.
These earbuds come with optional wing tips to help keep them securely locked in your ears. That could prove helpful for running or when hitting the gym. Sennheiser allows for plenty of EQ customization using its mobile app, and the Momentum True Wireless 4 support a range of Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, SBC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive. Sennheiser has also promised that they’re LE Audio and Auracast-ready for when those features become more widespread.
Noise cancellation: Optional / Battery life: 5hours / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: None
Apple’s AirPods 4 come in two different versions, with a higher-priced option that includes active noise cancellation and wireless charging. But sound quality is identical on both sets, and equally as important in this case is that the same can be said of voice call clarity.
On the AirPods 4, there’s a new “voice isolation” feature — enabled by default — that uses machine learning both on the earbuds and your iPhone to eliminate distracting background noise on your end so that you come through clearly to whoever you’re speaking with.
Overall call quality is excellent with the AirPods 4. And beyond that, compared to the third-gen model, you can expect upgraded audio quality (with richer bass), new ways of interacting with Siri through head movements, and yes… there’s a USB-C connector on the included charging case, as opposed to a Lightning port.
The AirPods still have a one-size-fits-most hard plastic form factor, so we recommend trying them before committing to a purchase. However, Apple says it used more than 50 million data points to further refine the contours and overall stability of its latest earbuds. So, if previous models worked well for you, these seem like a safe bet. The only question is whether you feel like spending a little more to gain ANC, a transparency mode, wireless charging, and a built-in speaker for Find My location tracking.
Noise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 6hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: Samsung seamless, AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: Android, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Silicone (S, M, L)
Sony’s unconventional LinkBuds were our longtime pick for the clearest voice calls on Android, but we haven’t had the chance to review their successors. For now, the aforementioned Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are an easy-to-recommend choice. The built-in “voice pickup unit” detects the movement of your mouth to help isolate your voice from background noise and keep conversations clear.
The Buds 3 Pro have proven dependable for us during video chats on Google Meet, and people have been able to hear us without issue, even when answering a quick call on the street.
Update, November 7th: Updated to add the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) and Apple AirPods Pro 3 as picks, and to reflect current pricing / availability.
The base configuration 11th-gen iPad with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage is $75 off.
For Black Friday, we’re seeing some of the best prices all year on AirPods, AirTags, and other Apple gear. And if you’ve been eyeing a tablet for streaming, browsing the web, and taking video calls, there’s no better time to save on an iPad. Right now, Apple’s latest entry-level iPad is down to a new all-time low of $274 ($75 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. You can also save $150 on the M3-powered iPad Air, while the iPad Mini has dipped back down to $399 ($100 off). For the best of the best, Apple’s latest iPad Pro has already received its first notable discount of $100 off.
iPad (2025)
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use. Its high resolution screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
Apple’s latest entry-level iPad is a great starter tablet for performing basic tasks. It has a speedy A16 chip and offers up to 10 hours of mixed-use battery life, whether you’re catching up on your favorite show, playing casual games, or even getting some light work done. You also get twice the storage as the prior model (128GB vs. 64GB), giving you more room to store photos and other media. And it supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C), so you can take notes and try your hand at drawing; however, the stylus doesn’t support pressure sensitivity and other pro features found in the Apple Pencil Pro.
11-inch iPad Air M3
The new 11-inch iPad Air comes with Apple’s M3 chip and GPU upgrades. It’s available in dark gray, blue, purple, and a “starlight” cream shade. Read our review.
While the base iPad is ideal for more basic tasks, it doesn’t support Apple’s AI-powered Apple Intelligence features. If you want a tablet that’s set up for the future, you can also save on the latest 11-inch iPad Air in its base configuration with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage, which is currently matching its all-time low of $449 ($150 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The step-up model features an M3 chip for improved performance over its predecessor, along with support for Apple’s latest Magic Keyboard, which boasts a larger trackpad and an extra row of function keys.
iPad Mini (2024)
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
Additionally, you can snag the compact iPad Mini with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage, which has returned to its best price of $399 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. If you prefer to have the latest tech, though, Apple’s new M5-equipped iPad Pro with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage is down to an all-time low of $899 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The slate is a relatively small upgrade compared to its predecessor, but it’s the model to beat if you want the best performance and best hardware in Apple’s lineup.
My tree is usually full of old ornaments passed down through my family, but they kind of look like they’re made of lead. Maybe yours are also lead! Perhaps we should replace the lead with Nintendo ornaments.
