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SAVE $120: As of April 23, the iRobot Roomba Q0120 is on sale for $129 at Amazon. That's a 48% savings on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Q0120 $129 at AmazonIf you've been shopping around for a robot vacuum for a while, the name Roomba won't be new to you. One of the top brands going, you can't go wrong with an iRobot Roomba. And as of April 23, we've found you an incredible deal at Amazon on the iRobot Roomba Q0120, now down to just $129, so you're saving $120.
And this low price doesn't mean a lack of quality, you're still getting a top-of-the-range vacuuming experience. This model has a three-stage cleaning system that delivers customizable suction for carpets and hard floors. It comes with smart navigation that vacuums in neat rows, dodges furniture, and steers clear of stairs or any other obstacles in your house. And if you have any hard-to-reach corners and edges, the Edge-Sweeping Brush won't miss any dust build-up.
SEE ALSO: Get over half off the roborock Q5 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop for a limited timeEverything is controlled from the iRobot Home App, where you can do things like schedule cleans while you're away from home, check to see where it has cleaned, and set it to charge. And with up to 120 minutes of cleaning on one charge, if it doesn't manage your whole house, it'll return itself to the charging station to reboot.
This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so if you don't want to miss out, move fast.
SAVE $300: As of April 23, Hisense’s 85-inch QD7 Series Mini-LED 4K Smart Fire TV (2025 model) is on sale for $999.99 at Amazon, down from $1,299.99. That’s a $300 discount on a massive display packed with premium features.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-inch QD7 Series Mini-LED Fire TV $999.99 at AmazonI think if your screen is going to take up half your wall, it should at least look phenomenal doing it. That’s exactly what you’re getting with Hisense’s 85-inch QD7 Series Mini-LED Fire TV, now marked down to $999.99 at Amazon. It’s a full $300 off the list price, and for a 2025 model this stacked, that’s no small thing.
This TV packs a serious picture punch. Mini-LED backlighting combined with full array local dimming means you get deeper blacks and punchier highlights without the blooming you’d see on cheaper panels. It’s the kind of contrast that actually makes dark scenes watchable and action scenes pop. Add in QLED color powered by quantum dots and you’re looking at over a billion colors rendering your content in borderline absurd detail.
SEE ALSO: Google's 4K TV Streamer is down to its lowest-ever priceThe native 144Hz refresh rate makes everything feel smoother, whether you’re watching sports, gaming, or just scrolling through menus like it’s your side gig. I want my games and action scenes to move cleanly, and this panel actually keeps up. Game Mode Pro and FreeSync Premium handle the speed side of things with a variable refresh rate up to 144Hz, so you’re not stuck in a laggy slideshow when things get intense.
Audio gets the Dolby treatment with Dolby Atmos, while visuals sharpen even further with Dolby Vision. There’s also AI-enhanced upscaling that actually does something, making old HD content look less like a relic from 2012.
Specifications:
Price: $999.99 $1,299.99
Retailer: Amazon
Screen Size: 85 inches
Display Technology: Mini-LED with QLED
Resolution: 4K UHD
Refresh Rate: Native 144Hz
HDR Support: HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Audio: Dolby Atmos
Gaming Features: 144Hz Game Mode Pro, FreeSync Premium, ALLM
Smart Features: Fire TV with Alexa voice control
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Model Year: 2025
Fire TV is built in, so no extra dongles or boxes required. You get your streaming apps, live channels, and Alexa voice control all in one spot. In my opinion, if you’re spending this much on a screen, it should do more than just look pretty — and this one delivers.
SAVE OVER $100: As of April 23, Samsung’s T5 EVO 4TB Portable SSD is on sale for $199.99 at Samsung. That’s $158.99 off the regular $358.98 price, a 44% discount, and it comes with a free Sonic the Hedgehog–branded 256GB microSD card worth $33.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung T5 EVO 4TB $199.99 at SamsungI want storage that doesn’t stress me out. The kind that can handle ridiculous video files, survive a fall off the desk, and still fit in my jacket pocket. Samsung’s T5 EVO 4TB Portable SSD checks all those boxes. Right now it’s $199.99 at Samsung, which is a $158.99 drop from the regular price. You also get a Sonic the Hedgehog–branded 256GB microSD card thrown in, which is surprisingly useful and just a little bit charming.
This drive is made for large file transfers. It runs on USB 3.2 Gen 1 and uses Samsung’s Intelligent TurboWrite tech to keep things moving at a pace that doesn’t test your patience. If you’ve ever transferred a few gigs of footage and gone to make coffee out of sheer boredom, this is your upgrade.
SEE ALSO: The best SSD in 2025The T5 EVO is also built to handle abuse. It’s rated for drops up to six feet and feels sturdy enough to take a few knocks in a backpack or carry-on. I don’t baby my gear, and I don’t expect my storage to need bubble wrap.
Specifications:
Price: $199.99 $358.98
Retailer: Samsung
Storage Capacity: 4TB
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
Durability: Shock resistant, drop protection up to 6 feet
Extras: Includes free Sonic the Hedgehog–branded 256GB microSDXC card (valued at $33.99)
Compatibility: Works with desktops, laptops, and gaming consoles
Write Tech: Intelligent TurboWrite for faster large file transfers
It works with desktops, laptops, and gaming consoles without giving you a compatibility headache. The included microSD card is a nice bonus, not a throwaway freebie. You get 256GB of extra space for backups or game storage, and the Sonic design gives it a little personality.
SAVE $34: As of April 23, the CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank (20000mAh, 140W PD3.1, Smart Display) is on sale for $85.19 at Amazon, down from $119.99. The price includes a 20% on-site coupon, bringing total savings to 29%.
Opens in a new window Credit: CUKTECH CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank (20000mAh, 140W PD3.1, Smart Display) $85.19I want fewer cords, faster charging, and a backup plan that actually keeps up. Right now, CUKTECH's 15 Ultra Power Bank is on sale for $85.19 at Amazon — that’s 29% off its usual $119.99 price with a 20% coupon applied at checkout. It's easily one of the better deals I've seen on a power bank that isn't just pretending to be high-powered.
This one puts out up to 140W via PD3.1, which means it’s not just for phones. I’ve used it to top up a MacBook, charge a Steam Deck, and still have juice left to keep my phone alive. It’s also smart enough to show what it's doing, thanks to a sharp 1.3-inch TFT display. You can actually see what protocol it's using and whether it’s cooking or coasting.
SEE ALSO: Live your Kawaii gamer dreams with this discounted Logitech POP ICON keyboard and mouse comboI think my favorite feature is its ability to recharge itself at 165W in Beast Mode. You get 70% charge in 20 minutes, which is great if you’re the kind of person who packs five minutes before heading to the airport.
Specifications:
Price: $85.19 $119.99
Retailer: Amazon
Battery Capacity: 20000mAh
Output Power: Up to 140W PD3.1, 165W total input
Ports: 3 x USB-C
Display: 1.3-inch Smart TFT screen
Compatibility: iPhone 16/15/14/13, Samsung, MacBook, Dell, Xiaomi, and more
Charging Features: PD3.1, Beast Mode Self-Charging, ADC 2.0, Built-in 3.2-foot PD3.1 cable
It works with all the charging standards that matter: PPS, QC, PD3.1, FCP, SCP, and MiPPS. And yes, it includes a 3.2-foot cable that actually supports the full power output — not one of those afterthought cords that melts under pressure.
In my opinion, most power banks are either big and slow or small and underpowered. This one manages to be neither, and now it’s under $90. If you travel with more than one device, this is the kind of thing you’ll be glad you packed.
TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from Kansas with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
More than a third of U.S. states still have restrictions in place for online adult content, meaning millions of potential users are locked out of their favorite sites. That's frustrating, but there is a simple workaround for this problem.
If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Kansas, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in KansasVPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Pornhub for free in Kansas with ExpressVPN.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, April 23, 2025:
AcrossWith 7-Across, flight option that saves money at the expense of sleepThe answer is Red.
The answer is Pale.
The answer is Grill.
The answer is Ease.
The answer is Eye.
The answer is Raise.
The answer is Elle.
The answer is Del.
The answer is Pray.
The answer is Gee.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Strong
Green: Stops the clock in basketball
Blue: Mascots in the same conference
Purple: Legendary on the mound
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Physical strength
Green: Basketball fouls
Blue: SEC teams, minus the s
Purple: Hall of Fame pitchers
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #212 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayPhysical strength - ENERGY, MIGHT, POWER, VIGOR
Basketball fouls - BLOCK, CHARGE, HOLD, REACH-IN
SEC teams, minus the S - COMMODORE, GATOR, SOONER, TIGER
Hall of Fame pitchers - FELLER, FINGER,S FORD, LEMON
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 23 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What a softie!The words have a small amount of fuzz.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are known for being soft to the touch.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is GetFuzzy.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 23Slippers
Duckling
GetFuzzy
Caterpillar
Peach
Chenille
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
TL;DR: Save 77% on Headway, an app that summarises books into 15-minute chunks, before discounted codes sell out.
Opens in a new window Credit: GTHW App Limited Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription £44.93Is reading trendy? Well, yes — if TikTok’s growing BookTok community and Facebook book club groups have anything to say. If you want to join the conversation but can’t commit to reading full-length books, this is a clever solution.
Headway’s book summary app condenses what would normally be several hours of reading into only 15 minutes. While you don’t get access to the whole book, you’ll get its key ideas and insights. Get lifetime access here for £44.93 (reg. £224.67) — you won’t find a lower price anywhere else, though only 75 codes are currently in stock.
Use Headway to fight FOMOHow many times have you seen someone share a book online and thought, "I should read that", but you knew you’d never actually get around to it? Headway changes your mentality completely, since you now only need 15 minutes to read or listen to its summary.
As you listen and rate summaries, the app learns what you like or dislike. From that, you’ll get personalised book recommendations, just like you’re in a real book club.
Explore over 1,500 nonfiction book summaries and some fiction ones, too. There’ll be something new to check out whenever you open the app. You’ll recognize a lot of these titles from your TBR:
Atomic Habits
Total Recall (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s autobiography)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
To Kill a Mockingbird
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff
The Headway app also motivates you to come back with a daily learning streak, trophies and achievements, and challenges. You might take a 14-day Self-Confidence challenge, listen to the pre-selected books each day, and earn three trophies by the end.
While codes last, get a Headway lifetime subscription for £44.93 (reg. £224.67). Less than 75 codes remain at this price.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Stream Getafe vs. Real Madrid in La Liga for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Real Madrid will be looking to turn things around after a disappointing few weeks. They lost the lead in La Liga to rivals Barcelona and got dumped out of the Champions League by Arsenal, and now they're fighting to finish the season on a positive note. A confident win against Getafe this week will help Real Madrid build some momentum before the Copa del Rey final.
If you want to watch Getafe vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Getafe vs. Real Madrid?Getafe vs. Real Madrid kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on April 23. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Coliseum.
How to watch Getafe vs. Real Madrid for freeGetafe vs. Real Madrid will be broadcast live on ITV4, with free live streaming available on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This process makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can access ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Stream Getafe vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can gain access to ITVX without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Getafe vs. Real Madrid in La Liga before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Getafe vs. Real Madrid in La Liga for free with ExpressVPN.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintOrdinary.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerPLAIN
Hurdle Word 2 hintPopular blue animated creature.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSMURF
Hurdle Word 3 hintTo complain.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerWHINE
Hurdle Word 4 hintTen more than fifty.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 23 Hurdle Word 4 answerSIXTY
Final Hurdle hintTo inspect something.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerCHECK
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Giro d’Italia for free on SBS on Demand or RaiPlay. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
There is something so special about watching the best cyclists in the world compete in the Grand Tours. The scenery is amazing, the fans are passionate, and the racing is incredibly intense. You quickly become aware that you're watching something otherwordly. These athletes are not normal, and we're blessed to be able to watch these stars compete over three weeks of gruelling competition.
The Giro d'Italia is the first Grand Tour of the season. This year's event includes the likes of Primoz Roglic, Juan Ayuso, and Adam Yates.
If you're interested in watching the 2025 Giro d'Italia for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Giro d’Italia?The Giro d'Italia is an annual multiple-stage bicycle race primarily held in Italy. The Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's most prestigious three-week-long Grand Tours (alongside the Tour de France and Vuelta a España).
When is the 2025 Giro d’Italia?The 2025 Giro d'Italia is the 108th edition of the famous race. This year's event takes place from May 9 to June 1.
How to watch the 2025 Giro d’Italia for freeIt's possible to live stream the 2025 Giro d'Italia for free on these streaming platforms:
Australia — SBS on Demand
Italy — RaiPlay
These streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can unblock these free live streams with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free streaming platforms from any location.
Live stream the 2025 Giro d'Italia for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia or Italy
Visit SBS on Demand or RaiPlay
Watch the 2025 Giro d’Italia for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 Giro d’Italia before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Giro d’Italia?ExpressVPN is the best service for live streaming top sporting events from around the world, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia and Italy
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the 2025 Giro d’Italia for free with ExpressVPN.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
For running fanatics, few things are more important than a good pair of running shoes. But ranking just below those running shoes is a quality set of headphones. Especially when combined with a killer playlist to help push you through those last miles.
Let’s face it: Getting off the sofa to actually run can be challenging enough, never mind the 5K that follows. You need motivation, and cheap headphones just aren't up to the task. It's no surprise, of course. Good fitness requires good gear.
Good headphones won't just deliver tunes and keep the motivation up, they can actually improve your performance and PB. But if this is your first time buying running headphones, it can be hard to know exactly what you're looking for. Here's some helpful information to put you on the starting blocks.
What are the types of headphones for running?There are plenty of different types of headphones out there: On-ear headphones, over-ear headphones, and in-ear earbuds. While there are on-ear and over-ear headphones designed for fitness and running, serious runners should consider (with the odd exceptions) in-ear earbuds. Not only are they best suited for running, but tech companies are gearing their fitness-specific tech towards earbuds. You'll also find an example of bone conducting headphones in this roundup, which use vibrations to transmit sound through your cheekbone directly to your inner ear.
What are the most important features for running headphones?You can go running with any pair of earbuds, but there are some specific features that will actively help your run and get you on track to smash your PB:
Volume controls — If there’s one thing guaranteed to slow you down, it’s having to dig your phone out of your pocket to fiddle with the volume or other functions. Look out for headphones that have buttons/touch controls on the ear cups or buds.
Water resistance — Water resistant/proof earbuds will ensure you can go running in any weather and that you can sweat as profusely as you like. Look out for dustproof buds too.
Workout tracking — Some headphones will connect with popular fitness apps that help track performance and goals.
The most important features will generally let you forget all about your headphones. The focus should be on your run, not what's on your head.
Do running headphones have noise cancellation?This is another key feature of modern headphones, including running-specific headphones. It's worth knowing about if you’ll double up and use them as everyday headphones too. Noise cancellation works exactly as it sounds — it blocks and dampens external sounds so you can shut yourself away from the outside world and fully immerse. It works by using tiny microphones within the ear cups/buds, which emit signals to block out incoming noise. This is called active noise cancellation (ANC).
This can be useful for runners who want to stay fully in the zone and burst through their workout distraction-free. However, it might not be advisable to shut yourself off fully if running through a location you don’t know well, or you’re running alongside traffic. Look out for ANC that has transparency or ambient modes, which allows some external noise in, keeping you partially in tune with the outside world.
What are the best headphones for running?Whether you're training for a marathon or just looking to take a jog around the block, there is a set of headphones for you. From those that are sweat-proof and have fitness tracking capabilities, to headphones with wires, earbud-style pairs, and everything in between, there is something out there that will suit you perfectly.
These are the best headphones for running in 2025.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
For some, mowing the lawn is a leisurely pastime — a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For the rest of us, however, it's a chore. In fact, we can think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon: relaxing in the sunshine while a robot lawn mower does the hard work for us. That really is a leisurely pastime.
Indeed, a robot lawn mower is a worthwhile investment that will make cutting the grass much less of a chore. Think of robot vacuums, like the ever-popular Roomba, but for the garden. Simply programme it and put your feet up. Away it goes.
Deciding to invest in a robot lawn mower is easy. But choosing the right model for you is a job as arduous as pushing a petrol mower up an especially steep garden path. That’s why we’re here to help. Here’s some need-to-know robot mower info.
How do robot lawn mowers work?Robot mowers are battery-powered and, for the most part, run automatically based on a pre-programmed schedule, which the user sets up via an app. When they're not running, they sit safely docked in a charging port plugged into an outdoor outlet.
When it's time to mow, they cut your grass to a predetermined height and generate grass clippings so fine that they essentially become mulch. Whereas you’d take a traditional mower to the lawn when the grass gets a bit long, a robotic mower will usually run daily to cut just the top of your lawn and keep it at a set level. The cutting height options may vary model to model.
How do robot lawn mowers know where to cut?Robot mowers learn where to mow based on a perimeter wire, which you'll lay around the edges of your lawn to form a boundary. It’s like an invisible forcefield that the mower automatically detects. Setting up your perimeter wire can be a bit of a headache. In fact, the majority of negative user reviews involve the perimeter wire in some way. The companies featured in this roundup offer fairly comprehensive installation guides on YouTube in addition to the instructions in the package.
Robot mowers are an example of fairly new technology in the grand scheme of things, so the category still has a few kinks to work out. It's possible, for instance, that the mower will miss a spot or two and you'll need to go back over it with some clippers.
What features do robot lawn mowers offer?Consider at least three basic categories: garden size, hills, and budget. The mowers on this list are generally better suited to gardens under one acre. Each mower also lists the maximum incline it's able to climb while still achieving a successful cut. In general, you'll pay more if you want more ground covered and higher hills climbed.
Other things to keep in mind include integrated rain sensors, companion app quality, weather resistance, and GPS, which are addressed in the recommendations below. You might also want to consider the ability to navigate narrow passages, adjust to weather conditions, or the ability to cut to the edges or around tricky areas.
What is the best robot lawn mower?That will depend on your garden and gardening requirements. The decision has to be yours, but we recommend checking out this selection of impressive models from top brands like Flymo, Bosch, and Worx.
These are the best robot lawn mowers in 2025.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 23 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Found on a Redwood
Green: Features of common house pets
Blue: SNL is full of these
Purple: The second half is the same
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Parts of a tree
Green: Canine/feline features
Blue: Comedic routine
Purple: __Pole
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #682 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayParts of a tree: BRANCH, LEAF, ROOT, TRUNK
Canine/feline features: FUR, MUZZLE, PAW, TAIL
Comedic routine: ACT, BIT, GAG, SKETCH
__Pole: BEAN, FLAG, MAY, TAD
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 23Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 23 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A gas found in Earth's atmosphere.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter O appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
OZONE.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 23Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
When the galaxy is going to hell, you're fighting with your daughter at her wedding, and you've just learned an old friend will die for the sake of the Rebellion you're leading, how do you shake it off?
If you're Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) in Andor Season 2, episode 3, here's your answer. You down some shots, hit the floor with other moms in a stunning gold number with shoulder capes when the DJ drops an EDM banger, and make like an X-wing: Lock S-foils in dance position.
"We wanted to get inside her head somehow," O'Reilly explains to Mashable. "We wanted to see the physical chaos. She was releasing ... in a way we've never witnessed before. She got to throw off the strictures of her physicality, and that says something about her."
SEE ALSO: 'Andor' Season 2 review: The best Star Wars show goes out with a brilliant bangThe result is the first electronic dance music scene in Star Wars, and arguably its best dance scene ever (sorry, Ewoks), in which the future leader of the Rebellion, plus a floor full of dignitaries from Mon's highly traditional home planet, Chandrila, throw some shapes in the church of noise.
And in context, it's all played as incredibly dark irony. Which only makes Mon's wild moves more meme-worthy.
Making the dance scene look natural, and incorporating a lot of made-up Chandrilan styles, took "days" of choreography rehearsals, and Chandrilan formalwear that was also designed to be danced in, O'Reilly says: "There's a lot of work in there."
What is that EDM banger?Mon's chaos groove moment begins after the kids hit the dancefloor. A drone-like DJ droid has floated in playing what Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy wanted for the scene: "a galactic hit."
"The young people are waiting to cut loose," Gilroy says. (After a three-day Chandrilan wedding that has been all tradition at this point, no wonder.) "And what do they want to hear? They want to hear the Tarzana EDM mix of 'Niamos!'"
"Niamos!" was composed by Nicholas Britell, the genius behind that ultimate TV earworm, the theme from Succession. It's cropped up repeatedly in the background of Andor so far, Gilroy points out — starting in the brothel scene on Morlana that opens Season 1, episode 1.
SEE ALSO: 'Andor': more, more! Burning questions for Season 2 of the best Star Wars.Prior to this brand new EDM remix, "Niamos!" has also been available in "Coruscant Lounge Mix" and the funkier "Galaxy Mix" on Britell's Andor Season 1 soundtrack albums. Niamos turned out to be the name of the vacation planet where Cassian is arrested.
Whether Britell's banger from a galaxy far, far away is also a hit in the here and now ... remains to be seen. Especially after Gilroy made the interesting choice to have this thumping track also play over Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and Bix Caleen (Adria Arjona) as they deal with some intense grief and trauma.
Why the dance scene is Star Wars' darkest moment yetMon Mothma doesn't just need some balm for that burn from her daughter (whom Mon suggested back out of an arranged marriage to a 15-year-old boy). She also just learned that Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) has arranged the death of suave old school friend Tay Kolma (Ben Miles), a banker who was suggesting a little light blackmail.
"How nice for you," Luthen says when Mon doesn't catch his meaning at first. Waves of doubt and guilt then cross Mon's face as she peeks outside her bubble of privilege — before retreating back into its safety by downing those shots and allowing herself to be pulled onto the dance floor.
She may be the coolest dancing mom in the galaxy. But while Mon shakes it off like Tay-Tay, Tay is still going to die — and at the bottom of the social ladder, far worse things are happening.
Intercut with the dance, Bix knocks out an imperial officer, ending what is the first attempted rape scene (and the first use of that R-word) in Star Wars. Cassian arrives to take Bix away, but not before their dear old Ferrix friend Brasso (Joplin Sibtain) dies on his way to save her.
Already, there may not be enough clubs in the galaxy for our downtrodden heroes to shake off their grief. And be warned: Worse is on the way as Andor continues its dark prequel path toward the Death Star and the battle of Yavin.
It's murder on the dance floor, but Andor won't kill the groove as it burns the Empire's house right down.
Other shows give you a ticking clock. Andor, which just returned to Disney+ for its second and final season, gives you a ticking calendar.
That's the meaning of "BBY 4," which appears on screen at the beginning of Andor Season 2, episode 1. Casual viewers may not remember all the way back to Andor Season 1, episode 1, when we were given another time setting: BBY 5.
SEE ALSO: 'Andor' Season 2 review: The best Star Wars show goes out with a brilliant bangGet used to it, because time jumps are coming: The second batch of Andor season 2 (dropping next week) is set in BBY 3; the third in BBY 2; and the final three episodes, hitting Disney+ on May 13, cover the events of BBY 1, and dovetail with the beginning of Rogue One.
However, Andor never explains this mysterious acronym. You'd be forgiven for thinking the "Y" refers to year. But no, BBY means Before the Battle of Yavin — another name for the Death Star-destroying conclusion to the original Star Wars movie in 1977, which George Lucas renamed Episode IV: A New Hope in 1981.
BBY and ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) became a useful dating system for Star Wars books, comics, and other media. The Empire Strikes Back, for example, takes place in ABY 3; Attack of the Clones was BBY 22. Not that either movie ever said so on screen, of course.
And the more that Lucasfilm's chief nerds thought about it, the less BBY and ABY made sense in the Star Wars universe. After all, the Empire didn't fall until the events of Return of the Jedi (ABY 4). Wouldn't the new Galactic Republic choose that as its key date?
One company veteran mocked the whole concept of the BBY dating system in a now-deleted tweet: "'I know! Let's make a calendar based around our second-greatest victory!' — The Rebels."
SEE ALSO: 'Andor': more, more! Burning questions for Season 2 of the best Star Wars.Lucasfilm's 2014 canon reset, which declared all previously published novels and comics to be part of a separate, never-happened timeline called Legends, effectively did away with the dating system. But it persisted in fan discussions, and in the online resource known as Wookieepedia.
And when director Tony Gilroy came along to create Andor as a prequel to Rogue One, he needed to indicate his time jumps to viewers. BBY made sense given that Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) dies in Rogue One, mere days before the Battle of Yavin — and far from being wiped out, BBY became enshrined on screen for the first time.
Students won't be using Pinterest during class — or, at least, they will be heavily discouraged from doing so.
The social media app is experimenting with a prompt that will encourage American and Canadian users between the ages of 13 (the minimum age for account holders) and 17 to close the app and pause notifications during typical school hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Pinterest confirmed in an email to Mashable that the prompt will reach "millions" of school-age users, and the wide-scale experiment is intended to better inform the app's teams. This comes after Pinterest CEO Bill Ready announced his support for the Kids Online Safety Act and phone-free school policies in the Washington Post.
"Focus is a beautiful thing," the prompt says, according to the Verge. "Stay in the moment by putting Pinterest down and pausing notifs [sic] until the school bell rings."
SEE ALSO: Instagram will restrict teens from going Live, as Teen Accounts expand to Facebook and MessengerPinterest also announced on Tuesday a partnership with the International Society for Technology in Education to develop digital citizenship and well-being action plans through newly established Digital Innovation Wellbeing Task Forces.
"At Pinterest, we believe that schools can take advantage of all that technology has to offer students, while minimizing the harms and distractions," Wanji Walcott, Pinterest’s chief legal and business affairs officer, told the Verge. "Tech companies need to work together with teachers, parents, and policymakers to build solutions that ensure in the hands of our students, smartphones are tools, not distractions."
When you really think about it, life is just a constant cycle of acquiring new stuff and figuring out what to do with the old stuff. And when there's not a one-size-fits-all way to properly get rid of that old stuff, clutter happens.
Most of us have been conditioned to recycle some common everyday materials, but curbside recycling isn't too helpful past paper, metal, glass, and certain types of plastic. Even then, a shockingly low percentage of recyclable items are actually recycled. I digress.
Other personal items, like clothes and shoes or electronics and batteries, are more confusing to deal with. Can they be recycled, or is throwing them away the only option?
SEE ALSO: Texas resident used Apple AirTags to track her recycling. It ended up in the middle of nowhere.Perhaps you've Googled "how to recycle insert item here" just to be given some vague instructions like "Check locally." You'll quickly learn that most municipal recycling programs don't cover much beyond trash-like recyclables. Past that, it can be hard to pin down actionable ways to downsize sustainably.
Fortunately, getting rid of hard-to-recycle stuff isn't so mysterious. In many cases, there actually are solid options for recycling all of that junk crammed under your bed and into old shoeboxes. Once you hone in on a certain category — beauty empties, coffee maker pods, smartphones, old chargers — there's usually a super straightforward answer for how to recycle said items. In fact, you can often find easy (and free) drop-off or mail-in programs.
SEE ALSO: 15+ eco-friendly gifts that someone would actually useIt just takes a little more effort than plopping them in the curbside recycling bin and hoping the recycling fairy whisks it away to the right place. That's called wishcycling, or aspirational recycling, and I would definitely sleep better at night if I were still blissfully living in "everything can be recycled" ignorance.
So, to help you recycle electronics, clothing, beauty packaging, and other awkward items, let's break it down in the most candid way possible.
How to recycle electronicsE-waste is a doozy of a rabbit hole. As with plastic pollution, a good chunk of e-waste (the umbrella term for improperly discarded electronic devices) comes from big tech corporations. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group estimates that we generate around 6.9 million tons of e-waste each year. Of that, less than 18 percent is recycled properly.
But as a species that has treated our personal devices as extra limbs for almost two decades, it's also our personal responsibility to deal with our old devices in the most sustainable way possible. Not only do electronics in landfills leak dangerous toxins into the ground, but it's also a missed opportunity to recover metals and precious rare earth minerals.
SEE ALSO: How California's high-speed rail is already helping the planetTo be fair, people aren't exactly given clear instructions on how or where to safely recycle old devices. A recent CNET survey found that over 30 percent of U.S. adults hold onto old phones, tablets, and chargers simply because they don't know what to do with them.
Cellphones, laptops, TVs, and moreYou're probably aware of the trade-in promos that your smartphone carrier offers. Similar incentives exist for devices like iPads and tablets. But even if the device in question isn't exactly in trade-in or sell-on-Mercari condition, there are still super accessible ways to recycle the gadget without smashing it for parts.
Best Buy actually has a super-expensive in-store electronics recycling program. Items accepted in store include TVs, computers and routers, audio gear (from headphones to old CD or cassette players), cameras and camcorders, and video game controllers. A household can recycle up to three items per day. You can also pay Best Buy to come haul away larger items, like an old fridge or treadmill.
No Best Buy store nearby? The company also offers a mail-in recycling service.
SEE ALSO: Want to avoid tariff price hikes? Shop our giant list of 91 refurbished tech deals.Once received, recyclers disassemble the tech to pull out and properly get rid of ozone-depleting chemicals like PCBs, mercury, and insulation, then separate materials like plastic, glass, and metal to be repurposed when possible.
Samsung device owners can also conduct a similar zip code search to find participating Samsung e-cycling drop-off centers. They pop up all over in retail stores like Best Buy and Staples, and sometimes even at your local solid waste authority. Before recycling, check to see if Samsung will offer credit to trade in your old device — yes, cracked screens count.
Apple offers its own recycling program for old Apple devices, and you can even get a prepaid shipping label.
Chargers, cables, and donglesThat harrowing nest of old cords in your basement or junk drawer is growing more powerful by the day. Rather than continue feeding it, you can recycle old chargers and similar connectors through the Best Buy recycling program mentioned above. Apple's service also takes old Apple chargers.
BatteriesCall2recycle is a nationwide battery recycling program that offers free battery recycling at partnering stores like The Home Depot, Lowe's, and Staples. Head to the website and enter your zip code to find the closest drop-off location to you. Note that not all participating locations accept every type of battery, so be sure to check the box.
If no collection boxes are popping up in a practical distance, call2recycle also has a mail-in battery recycling program — though at $80 for the smallest battery and cellphone recycling kit, it's not exactly the cheapest route.
How to recycle clothes and shoesThere are paths forward for both gently-worn clothes and too-worn-to-donate clothes that aren't merely forcing them upon Goodwill and hoping they squeeze their way onto an overflowing rack.
If the clothes are in decent enough condition, consider trying to sell them online. You don't need a ton of followers to get eyes on your items on Depop, Mercari, or Poshmark — just take well-lit, clear photos, write a detailed and honest description, and add a price. (Check out my full guide to selling your stuff online.)
SEE ALSO: Zero Waste Daniel is drag's sustainable fashion pioneerIf you don't feel like getting into online resale, there are a few mail-back options for repurposing old clothing. Give Back Box is a non-profit that partners with a slew of small charities from which you can choose to send your items, depending on what they need (i.e., kids' shoes or gently used women's clothes). Once you find a good fit, Give Back Box will just ask for $20 to cover the pre-addressed shipping label and the weight of the box. Then, pack your items in any random box you were going to recycle anyway, and send it off.
Of course, there are always the straggler pieces of clothing that are probably too worn to donate. Sustainable clothing brand Girlfriend Collective has partnered with SuperCircle (a growing textile recycling platform) to facilitate ReGirlfriend, an amazingly easy mail-in garment recycling program. Shipping labels are free, and you can pack multiple pieces in each bag, regardless of brand. As a "thank you" for not contributing to the pile of textiles in landfills, Girlfriend offers credits to girlfriend.com.
How to recycle random household itemsAh, Swiffer pads. The ubiquitous mopping and dusting thingamabob that, turns out, is a pain in the ass to recycle. That's just one of a horde of everyday household items that folks mindlessly trash. But what's the alternative?
Well, my initial suggestion would be to retire the Swiffer and buy a robot vacuum and mop combo. Even if you insist on keeping the Swiffer as backup for some pesky corner cleaning (though I have a robot mop recommendation for corner cleaning), a robot vacuum that can mop at least minimizes your Swiffer use.
When you do collect enough used Swiffer refills, you can mail them to TerraCycle: a mega-recycling business that gives average consumers an easy way to recycle everyday items that don't play well with curbside recycling. Its free mail-back system covers a ton of household items, with the cost of shipping labels funded by participating brands like Swiffer, Tide, Brita, Black + Decker, and Febreze.
SEE ALSO: Spring cleaning starter kit: 10 products to cover all your bases Coffee podsNespresso has a ton of drop-off points across the country to recycle pods. You can also request free pre-labeled recycling bags on Nespresso's website to fill and eventually mail back to Nespresso. (Each mailer can hold up to 200 Original Line pods or 100 Vertuo pods.)
Keurig has a similar setup, but it's not free — and Keurig only describes the program through the lens of office use (like "use the small box in offers that brew 24 K-Cups or less in day") with no mention of keeping a box at home in a Keurig-heavy household.
How to recycle beauty and bathroom stuffMakeup and skincareThough much of it looks recycling-friendly, most beauty packaging isn't. Many bottles that feel like glass aren't the same type of glass as a beer bottle or jelly jar, and many containers that feel like plastic are actually a peculiar type of mixed plastic, which doesn't fall under the number system used to sort at recycling plants. (This includes the pain in the ass plastic pump.)
The presence of the triangle of arrows symbol is misleading, and doesn't automatically mean that said material can be recycled. This is one time when checking locally is crucial — just Google what plastic numbers are accepted in your area. (For example, I live in Philadelphia, and plastics 1, 2, and 5 are cleared for curbside here.)
For beauty empties with a non-accepted number or no number at all, beauty-centric take-back programs are the move. Both Ulta and Sephora have partnered with Pact Collective to offer recycling bins for your empties in a ton of stores across the country. Nordstrom has a partnership with TerraCycle, offering a similar in-store drop-off option for beauty packaging.
SEE ALSO: Yes, there is a plastic bag at the bottom of the Mariana TrenchProject Beauty Share is one great option for giving opened skincare products a new home, as long as they're not expired. Accepted gently-used beauty items include moisturizers and serums, cleansers, body lotions, shower gels, perfumes, and sunscreens. Squeeze tubes of foundation or primer and pressed eyeshadow, blush, and highlighter are accepted if they're open but only barely used.
Hair toolsBeauty brand Mane repurposes hair tools also partners with Pact Collective to take your unwanted hot hair tools, whether they work or not. Hair tools in good working condition will be properly sanitized and shipped off to be distributed to young women through Project Glimmer, an organization dedicated to helping end gender and racial inequality for women and girls. Hair tools that don't work will be taken apart and processed for proper recycling. Labels are prepaid by Mane, as long as you use your own box.
RazorsSure, most disposable razor handles are plastic, and razor blades are metal. Both materials are recyclable separately, but mixed materials like that bar disposable razors from being curbside recyclable. Luckily, TerraCycle has a free recycling program for common shaving brands like Gillette and Venus, from handles, to blades, to the bags the replacements come in. Consider keeping a separate receptacle to safely house a few months' worth of used razors, then send them back to be properly taken apart and recycled. If people caught onto this, just think of the dent that could be put into the estimated two billion disposable razors thrown out each year.
ToothbrushesThe number of toothbrushes thrown out each year is just as grim. National Geographic clocks around one billion plastic toothbrushes ending up in landfills annually, and toothpaste tubes are a similar story. If you use Colgate, Arm & Hammer, or Tom's of Maine toothbrushes, tubes, caps, and more, there's a free mail-in TerraCycle program for that.
SEE ALSO: Bite Toothpaste Bits are the first eco-friendly bathroom swap I'll tell anyone to tryFor old toothbrushes, electric toothbrush replacement heads, used flossers, and toothpaste tubes from Crest, Oral-B, or Fixodent, you can collect and mail those in for free through Oral-B's direct recycling program.
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