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Kids aren't the only ones who get excited about birthday gifts. You can be a full-grown adult and still lose your shit when you open up the gift that topped your wish list. But as you get older, it does become a little more difficult to come up with a list of birthday gift ideas. You can't just ask for all the coolest new toys anymore. Well, you can if you want — we're not going to stop you.
SEE ALSO: Try Gift Lab: Our interactive gift guideIf your birthday is coming up and you're struggling to think of what you want, don't sweat it. We compiled the ultimate birthday wish list, with gifts ranging from tech to outdoor essentials to home goods. To make your search easier, we've separated our gift ideas into categories: Our current favorite birthday gifts, gifts under $25, gifts under $50, gifts $50 to $150, and gifts $150+.
Read on for some birthday inspo and start casually dropping hints to your friends and family. And hey, happy birthday!
Our top picksColor-changing smart light bulbs Credit: PhilipsDeputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern here. I have put a Hue light bulb in every lamp in my apartment, and it's so rare that I use the Big Light now. These color-changing bulbs let me dim the lights when I want to relax or emit fun colors while I'm watching a movie. And the best part is, I don't have to get out of bed to turn the lights off at night.
Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Hue Smart Bulbs $99.99 at Best BuyI personally don't drink coffee, but my dad is a big coffee guy. I got him and his wife a three-month subscription to Atlas Coffee Club for Christmas and they freakin' loved it. They sent me a text every month to let me know where their coffee came from, and they love trying new roasts from around the world. Each month you get coffee beans and a postcard from different countries, so you get to try beans you can't get from your grocery store. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.
Opens in a new window Credit: Atlas Coffee Club Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription Starting at $55 Shop Now A new Kindle Credit: Stan Schroeder / MashableListen, I used to be such a physical books-only kind of person. Then I bought a Kindle Paperwhite and it changed my reading game for good. I'm able to easily take the e-reader on the plane, to the beach, or even in the bathtub (shoutout to the Paperwhite being waterproof). Plus, I can read library books for free from the Libby app. If you're a reader, trust me when I say a Kindle should be at the top of your birthday list this year. (P.s. A new Kindle Paperwhite was released in October 2024.)
Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $159.99 at AmazonSamsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing, and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.
Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED) $762.99 at AmazonThis 2-in-1 oil dispenser pours and sprays so you won't have to buy separate olive oil and Pam cooking spray. This is a practical gift to put on your list whether you're a home chef or use an air fryer for every meal.
Oil dispenser and sprayer $9.99 at AmazonYou’ve successfully completed one more trip around the sun, so to celebrate, develop a new skill or indulge a passion by taking an IRL class on the subject of your choice. Coursehorse partners with real-world instructors and schools in major cities to offer nearly 70,000 classes in subjects such as art, language, music, cooking, self-defense, gardening, and anything else you could possibly want.
Opens in a new window Credit: Coursehorse Coursehorse Gift Card Starting at $5 at Coursehorse Shop Now A tiny bag Credit: NanobagNanobag is a tote bag that can fold up into a pocket-sized ball. It's great for keeping in the car or your bag for those unplanned grocery or Target stops. The standard size starts at $13.95 and comes in 10 different colors and patterns.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nanobag Nanobag $13.95 at NanobagLego sets can be pretty freakin' expensive, but if you're looking for some more budget-friendly building kits for your birthday list, we've found a fun one. It includes two buildable roses that you can display after you've put them together. Wilting not included!
Lego Roses building kit $11.29 at AmazonCandles are a timeless gift that you can ask for at every single gift-giving opportunity (and will likely receive anyway if you don't specify what you actually want). We are firm believers that you can never have too many candles. Add some sweet scents from Bonita Fierce, a Latina-owned small business, to your b-day wish list this year and every year. Candles start at $16.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bonita Fierce Bonita Fierce candle Starting at $16 at Bonita Fierce Shop Now A puzzle with a few tricks up its sleeve Credit: Magic Puzzle CompanyMagic Puzzle Company makes incredibly fun 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles that have a secret envelope for you to open when you're done. This surprise envelope unlocks a "magical twist ending," so placing that final piece will be even more exciting. The intricate designs feature tons of little Easter eggs, like puzzle pieces in the shape of items in the scene. The Big Rock City puzzle has a hot dog-shaped piece and music note-shaped piece to name a couple.
Opens in a new window Credit: Magic Puzzle Company Magic Puzzle Company (Big Rock City puzzle) $22.99 at AmazonRather than laying your headphones throughout your home or having them clutter up your desk, ask for a universal headphone stand for your birthday. This one is compatible with almost any pair of over-ear headphones or gaming headsets — and it has a pretty sleek look, too.
Opens in a new window Credit: coreminded Universal headphone stand $24.99 at AmazonBig candle fan? Then a candle warmer should be on your birthday list. It helps your candle last longer and you don't need an open flame burning in your home. And if you're going to ask for a candle warmer, make it a cute one. With a glass lamp shade, this warmer blends seamlessly into your home decor.
Opens in a new window Credit: Geezo Candle warmer lamp $24.99This portable charger from Anker is great for travel or being out on the town all day. It has enough juice to recharge your phone a couple of times, and it comes in four colors.
Anker portable charger $12.94 at AmazonYou really can't beat the gift of cold, hard cash — or a gift card. A Visa card is a perfect birthday gift because you can spend it on literally whatever you want; buy yourself something fun or get some help with groceries. Best of all, you don't need to decide exactly what you want before your birthday. The gift card starts at $10.
Opens in a new window Credit: Visa Gift card Starting at $10 at Giftcards.com Shop Now New reading materials Credit: Getty Images / iStock / Extreme-PhotographerSupport independent bookstores from around the country with a gift card to Bookshop. Starting at $10, the gift cards can either be used to buy books from a specific shop you love, or the purchase can feed the site’s profit-sharing pool to benefit all of Bookshop's partner stores.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bookshop.org Bookshop.org Gift Cards Starting at $10 at Bookshop Shop Now Gifts $25 to $50A way to keep track of your keys Credit: AppleIn our opinion, the first thing you add to your keyring should be an AirTag. You can monitor where they are in Apple's Find My app, and you'll get an alert on your phone if you ever leave them behind somewhere.
Apple AirTag $24 at AmazonCelebrate your favorite furry creature by eating their face — in a good way. Send in a photo of your best pet friend to this Etsy store and get a four-inch-wide, food-safe PLA cookie cutter of their likeness in return. Whether you’re taking care of the baking or you’re leaving the prep work for the recipient, you’re going to be hailed as an absolute gift-giving wizard. Order these custom birthday gifts for $30 from Etsy seller the FormaCookieCutters.
Opens in a new window Credit: FormaCookieCutters Custom Pet Portrait Cookie Cutter $30 at EtsyStep up your take-out game and do right by the environment with a set of elegant, reusable chopsticks. The bundle of six bamboo chopsticks is available in two color palettes and retails for $32.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pingto Pingto Bamboo Chopstick Sets $32 at AmazonThis Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug is a great size for both true coffee lovers and beer drinkers. It can also hold two Moscow mules, according to Yeti, if that's more your speed. The Rambler is available in an array of fun and neutral colors. Plus, you can customize it with an etched design or monogram. For just $6 to $10, you can choose designs from Yeti's library or upload your own file. (Mashable's review editor owns the king crab orange mug with a cowboy boot and flowers etched on the side, pictured below.)
Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Rambler 24-ounce mug $35 at YetiAre you a proud Type A over-planner and over-thinker? Or maybe your meticulously organized BFF is having a birthday soon? This spiral-bound planner can be customized with the recipient's name and three personal photos.
Opens in a new window Credit: Papier Personalized Photo Strip 2025 Planner $36 at PapierLove to be outside, but can’t fold a map to save your life? Enter AllTrails+, the app designed to get you off your phone and into the wild. Featuring over 400,000 curated trails all over the world, the app allows you to download maps in case of a poor signal, record your hikes, create your own trails, and more. A yearly subscription costs $35.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: AllTrails AllTrails yearly subscription $35.99 at AllTrailsBirthday cake is the standard, but might we suggest this fun alternative: mini cupcakes selected by an astrologer specifically for your zodiac sign. This Baked by Melissa offering comes with 25 cupcakes and the flavors vary depending on your sign — though there are some fan-favorites that show up in each zodiac variation. These also make for a great last-minute ask if you're in Manhattan or Boston, as there's same-day delivery for select locations.
Opens in a new window Credit: Baked by Melissa Baked by Melissa zodiac cupcakes $37Sometimes, the best birthday gifts are the ones made just for you. If you're obsessed with your pet, these custom pet portraits need to be on your birthday list. There are many different styles to choose from, each one super freakin' adorable. Prices vary depending on size.
Opens in a new window Credit: LeFlore Studio Custom pet portrait Prices vary at LaFlore Studio on Etsy Shop Now An inconspicuous fanny pack Credit: FlipBeltWhether you’re going for a run or heading to a music festival, keep your necessities at the ready with a FlipBelt Zipper pack. This handy belt can hold your phone, money, credit card, keys, and all sorts of everyday necessities. Coming in multiple sizes, the FlipBelt doesn’t bounce or chafe and is machine washable.
Opens in a new window Credit: FlipBelt FlipBelt Zipper Running Belt $39 at AmazonA cast-iron skillet is the true sign that you're graduating from cheap nonstick cookware and all mismatched plates. It's something you probably want, but don't particularly want to spend the money on. Lodge has different sizes depending on what you want to cook.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lodge Lodge cast iron skillet $40.75 at AmazonNot satisfied with supermarket-bought chai? Get the real thing from New York-based chai-preneurs at Kolkata Chai. This small business will send authentic chai straight to your door with the Chai Trio Variety Pack ($62) or the Chai Starter Kit ($45). For devoted chai drinkers, Kolkata Chai offers subscription packages to keep that tea coming.
Opens in a new window Credit: Kolkata Chai Kolkata Chai Starting at $45 at Kolkata Chai Shop Now A reusable water bottle Credit: HydroflaskIt's always a good time to get more serious about hydration. A HydroFlask is a great way to make sure you have a cool (or hot) beverage on hand, and they're super durable during outdoorsy activities.
Opens in a new window Credit: HydroFlask Hydroflask $44.95 at AmazonOne of our favorite gifts under $50 is this Lego Orchid that's fun to build and adds a nice touch of greenery to your space that feels more unique than a plastic plant. This set is part of the Lego Icons line, which also features succulents, a bonsai tree, and a bouquet, in case orchids aren't your thing.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Orchid $49.99 at AmazonIf you don't have a smart speaker by now, it's time to make a change. The Echo Dot is an affordable voice-controlled companion that'll keep you in the loop on the weather and current events and keep track of your most important reminders. Also, they're great for playing music.
Echo Dot smart speaker $39.99 at AmazonThe Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming devices we've tested, and it's also one of our favorite birthday gift ideas. If you don't already have a smart TV but want to access Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, and all the other streaming apps directly from your TV, ask for a Fire TV Stick for your b-day. Amazon's streaming stick has better voice control than similar products from Roku, and the 4K version normally goes for $49.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $49.99 at AmazonIf candles are a no-go, opt for a Bluetooth-enabled diffuser to make any room in your home smell divine. The Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser ($49.99) holds two fragrances and is controlled entirely through the app. Schedule one smell to wake up to and one to fall asleep to with the in-app calendar feature. Pura collaborates with brands like NEST, Anthropologie, Disney, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City to source their scents, so whatever the occasion calls for, they’ve got your back.
Opens in a new window Credit: Pura Pura Smart Fragrance Diffuser $49.99 at AmazonSpeaking of take-out: if you’ve maxed out your city’s culinary offerings, see what’s available from the rest of the country. Goldbelly makes it possible to order meals and gifts from restaurants around the United States. No matter your craving, a Goldbelly gift card at any price point is bound to satisfy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Goldbelly Goldbelly gift card starting at $50 at Goldbelly Shop Now A custom neon sign Credit: GITM StorePick out a funny phrase, inside joke, or a family name and get a custom sign in as little as one week. It might sound too good to be true, but Mashable editors have ordered from this Amazon storefront before and had a great experience. In fact, this is one of our favorite undiscovered gems on Amazon, and you can buy signs for as little as $53.96.
Opens in a new window Credit: GITM Store Custom Neon Sign $53.96 at AmazonAtlas Coffee Club is a coffee subscription that sends you coffee beans and postcards from a different country each month. So, you get to try roasts you probably can't get from your grocery store and you get to learn about a new place — and maybe get some travel inspo. You can select from whole beans, grounds, Keurig pods, and Nespresso pods. Subscriptions can be three, six, or 12 months.
Opens in a new window Credit: Atlas Coffee Club Atlas Coffee Club gift subscription Starting at $55 Shop Now A personal blender for smoothies Credit: NutribulletMake smoothies in your own kitchen with a NutriBullet personal blender — it's fast and easy. The NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor comes with the 600W motor base, blender blade, 24-ounce blending cup, travel lid, and lip ring, plus a recipe book if you're sick of the same old smoothies.
Opens in a new window Credit: NutriBullet NutriBullet $58 at WalmartWhether you're an enthusiastic home chef, like a bit of greenery, or simply can't stand running to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for some cilantro, a hydroponic garden is a great way to keep veggies and herbs on hand, even if you don't have a green thumb. We're fans of AeroGarden, which has gardens that start at $60.75.
Opens in a new window Credit: AeroGarden AeroGarden Sprout $60.75 at AmazonFor what seems like an extraneous expense, an extra-heavy blanket can be a total game-changer. Besides providing all the comfort of a partner without the snoring, a weighted blanket can reduce tossing and turning and keep you extra warm. This one at Amazon comes in a bunch of colors, sizes, and weights.
Opens in a new window Credit: quilty Quilty weighted blanket Starting at $63.99 Shop Now A necessary Nintendo Switch upgrade Credit: NintendoIt's never too late to upgrade your Switch set up, and the Pro controller can help you do just that. This controller is perfect for when you connect your device to a larger display, and it has the added bonus of zero Joy-Con drift.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Pro Controller $69.99 at AmazonThere's a certain electric gooseneck kettle that's beloved by design nerds, but that's also a tad overpriced (more than a tad, really). Instead, make the smart choice and opt for the infinitely more practical Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle. It still has plenty of charm — not to mention pre-set buttons for tea, coffee, and boiling water.
Opens in a new window Credit: Cosori Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle $69.99 at AmazonWe have a couple of camera options on this list, but sometimes you really just want that classic disposable camera experience. You'll capture some fun, in-the-moment memories with no do-overs. A three-pack of disposable cameras costs $79.99 (these have become kind of expensive since the invention of digital/phone cameras).
Opens in a new window Credit: Fujifilm Fujifilm disposable cameras $53.99 at AmazonWorried your earbuds will fall out of your ears and be lost forever? Get peace of mind with the affordable Soundcore Sport X10 wireless earbuds. Designed for athletes but great for anyone, these headphones hook around your ears and stay put no matter how sweaty or active you get (a fact we can personally attest to). Keep them in their case for on-the-go charging.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Sport X10 Earbuds $79.99 at AmazonThis is one of our favorite gifts to give someone who's difficult to shop for, so it also makes a great gift to ask for when you aren't sure what you want. Brightland makes infused olive oils that come in super cute bottles. This set includes four mini bottles of chili, garlic, lemon, and basil-flavored olive oils. Your kitchen will feel elevated with these on display and in your cooking rotation.
Opens in a new window Credit: Brightland Brightland olive oil Mini Artist Series $85 at BrightlandTurn your bedroom into a party with these color-changing smart light bulbs. You can control the lights from your phone and set whatever mood you're feeling. This kit includes two smart Bluetooth bulbs for $99.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Philips Philips Hue Smart Bulbs $99.99 at Best BuyMaybe a Spotify Premium membership isn't in your budget this year, or maybe it's a monthly bill you'd just rather have someone else foot for you. Whatever the case, add a 12-month Spotify subscription gift card to your bday list. It's especially great if you've got someone shopping for you who notoriously waits until the last minute to buy gifts since it can be delivered via email or text.
Spotify Premium 12-month subscriotoin e-gift card $99 at AmazonWhether you're packing your lunch or storing leftovers, using plastic bags should be your last resort. Heck, you should be trying to stay away from all single-use plastics if you're able to. But, if you want to start small, these Stasher bags are a great option to make your daily life more eco-friendly. These silicone bags are secure and completely reusable — either wash them by hand or stuff them in the dishwasher. Grab a starter pack for $99.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Stasher Stasher Bags starter kit $99.99 at StasherSewing has become a popular hobby amongst TikTokkers, and whether you've never touched a sewing machine in your life or you're just in need of a new one, the Singer M1150 is a solid machine for sewists of all levels. It hits all your basics at a reasonable price point.
Opens in a new window Credit: Singer Singer M1150 sewing machine $119.98 at AmazonThere's a lot of debate about what makes a good gift, but getting something that is a) practical and b) something just extravagant enough that you'd never get it for yourself may be the infallibly perfect combo. We think for coffee and tea drinkers, that combo is found in the Ember Mug 2, which retails for $129.95. This temperature-controlled mug may be unnecessary (and expensive), but boy does it feel good to take a hot sip of coffee after forgetting you poured it an hour ago.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ember Ember Mug 2 $129.95 at AmazonFilm photos are back in a big way, but not all of us have the patience to fill up an entire roll and then wait for it to get developed. Camp Snap is a really neat camera that takes film-esque photos and stores them on an SD card so you can pull them to your computer or phone and post them immediately. It's super lightweight and has a pretty low profile compared to film cameras, making it easy to slip into your purse or pocket on a night out.
Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap camera $65 at Camp SnapHave some photos on your phone or Instagram that you want to pin to your fridge? Ask for the Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer. This sleek gadget connects to your Android or iPhone through WiFi, SD card, or USB stick and prints out your favorite pics in a layout design of your choosing. The printing isn’t instant (the color ink layers print one at a time), but the quality of the final product makes it worth the wait.
Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon SELPHY CP1500 Compact Photo Printer $139.99 at AmazonWe know, we know, an air purifier is not the sexiest gift, but it is a practical one. The Levoit Core 300S is a smart air purifier with a companion app that lets you control the device and see real-time stats about your home's air quality. It's suitable for spaces up to 1,095 square feet.
Levoit Core 300S smart air purifier $149.99 at AmazonBeach days and outdoor adventures are made complete with your favorite playlist. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable speaker that can handle the elements while still providing stellar sound quality. It's waterproof, rust- and drop-resistant, and even floats. Plus, it comes in five fun colors. For even bigger sound, try the Bose SoundLink Max.
Bose SoundLink Flex $149 at AmazonThe Mashable team has tested every Kindle e-reader, and we think the Kindle Paperwhite is the right e-reader for most people. Instead of asking for a book, ask for a Kindle for your birthday and save yourself money and space. Sure, it doesn't smell the same as a new book, but now you'll have no excuses for not keeping up with your yearly reading resolutions. (P.s. A new Kindle Paperwhite was released in October 2024.)
Kindle Paperwhite (2024) $159.99 at AmazonIntrigued by sleepmaxxing? The Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock could help you get a better night's rest. It's designed to help you create a bedtime routine to help you fall asleep easier. It's packed with different sleep sounds and light levels to ease you in and out of sleep.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hatch Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock $169.99 at AmazonIf you work remotely, you gotta get this portable desk from Logitech. The Casa Pop-Up Desk includes a wireless keyboard, wireless trackpad, and a desk stand that doubles as a discreet and stylish carrying case. It comes in three colors so you can match your aesthetic. This is an especially great tool if you like working from coffee shops or moving around while you work.
Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk $179.99 at AmazonComforters, like a mattress, shouldn't be an item you cheap out on. They're supposed to last you a while, so why not have something a little more luxurious? The Buffy Cloud comforter is a sustainable comforter made from recycled fiber and eucalyptus. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart reviewed it, calling it "the first piece of bedding I've used that actually feels kind of dreamy." Snag a full/queen size comforter for $195 at Buffy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Buffy Buffy Comforter $195 at BuffySony released its new ULT Power Sound lineup in April, and we adore the headphones. The ULT Wears have Sony's impressive sound quality and noise cancellation and are made even more impressive by the addition of the ULT button, which punches up the bass two additional levels. These headphones are booming, and the best part is they're relatively budget-friendly.
Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Sony ULT Wear headphones $198 at AmazonTurn traditional jump roping on its head with Crossrope. The weighted jump rope (available in 1/4, 1/2, one, and two-pound weight options) and associated app keep you on your toes and strengthen your entire body through guided workouts. For those with downstairs neighbors or curious pets, the weighted ropeless option provides a silent solution for an otherwise noisy activity. Upgrade to the Bluetooth-connected AMP handles for a more individualized experience.
Opens in a new window Credit: Crossrope AMP Jump Rope Set $199 at CrossropeMaybe not quite as heavy duty as a cast-iron skillet but just as useful: a pressure cooker that can air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, slow cook, prepare rice, steam, sauté, and more. Impress guests with your culinary skills (that are in fact just throwing all the ingredients listed in the recipe into this thing and then waiting a few hours). The Instant Pot 11-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker will cost your gift-giver $199.99, but they can reap the rewards when you cook for them with it.
Opens in a new window Credit: Instant Pot Instant Pot Duo Crisp $199.95 at AmazonIf you're anything like us, you view your pet like it's your actual child. We support that. Now, you can up your pet parent game by picking up a Furbo pet camera. Not only does it livestream what your pet is up to while you aren't home straight to your phone, but it also has the ability to toss treats and produce two-way audio for quick check-ins.
Opens in a new window Credit: Furbo Furbo pet camera $129 at AmazonThere's something to be said for a product that can marry form and function, and this Vitruvi humidifier does just that. Admittedly, $229 is probably a hefty price for a humidifier you're buying for yourself, but it's a great splurge gift if you prefer your household appliances not be eyesores.
Opens in a new window Credit: Vitruvi Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier $229 at AmazonIf you're as chronically online as we are, you've likely seen people whipping up frozen treat concoctions with the Ninja Creami. The countertop ice cream maker has presets for gelato, ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and mix-ins if you want to channel your inner Dairy Queen. You do need to freeze your ingredients beforehand, so it's not an instantaneous sweet treat fix, but you have creative freedom to try out whichever flavors your sweet tooth desires.
Ninja Creami $199.99 at AmazonWhether you're a hardcore camper or you just like unwinding with a few beers by the fire, Solo Stove's Ranger fire pit is a fantastic gift to ask for. It's designed to be smokeless and portable, making it great for balconies, backyards, beach hangs, or camping trips. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel reviewed the larger Solo Stove Bonfire and wrote that it burns "beautiful, clean fires when conditions are right." The best part? The Ranger is typically on sale for $199.99, so whoever gifts it has 30 extra dollars to spend on your birthday.
Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 $199.99 at Solo StoveAre your Spotify playlists just not cutting it anymore? Switch it up and go retro with a vinyl music collection. This turntable connects to Bluetooth speakers and headphones, or you can hook it up to a traditional sound system using cords.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Turntable $248 at AmazonWhen you already own a pair of earbuds, it can be hard to justify splurging on a new pair — even if you really, really want to. And that's why the new AirPods Pro (Gen 2) earbuds are an ideal birthday present. For people still using lightning cables, the new USB-C version will be a welcome upgrade. Apple stepped up its audio game with these buds, which feature improved sound quality and active noise cancellation. For a cheaper alternative, ask for the latest 4th Gen AirPods, which are $129 without ANC or $179 with ANC.
AirPods Pro 2 $199 at AmazonStop manually vacuuming your house every day and let a robot vacuum clean your floors for you. The Shark RV2300 is budget-friendly and tough on dirt. Our robot vacuum expert called it "the most reliable cheap robot vacuum that I've tested."
Shark Matrix RV2300 $249 at WalmartThis drone is small and super lightweight, but it takes stunning photos and videos. It's great for traveling or for use at home. DJI is one of the top names in drones and the Mini 2 SE costs $279 with a remote control.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Magic Mini 2 SE $279 at AmazonWhether you're working at a desk all day, running around, or just inexplicably tense, a massage gun will get you limber and relaxed again. What better gift than the gift of painless movement? Our best recommendation? Go for the TheraGun. The Prime model costs $299, but if that's not quite in your budget, then check out our gadget gift guide for more gifting inspiration.
Opens in a new window Credit: Theragun TheraGun $299 at AmazonInstead of asking for the $600 Dyson Airwrap, you can get a product that performs nearly identically for half the price in the Shark FlexStyle (trust us, we tested them head to head). Pick up a version for textured hair or straighter hair for $299.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle $299.99 at AmazonAll of your friends will start calling your home the "cool house" if movie nights involve this mini portable projector. Use it to play movies, shows, or games outside on a screen or indoors on a blank wall. The Anker Nebula Capsule in black costs $299.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nebula Capsule Projector $299.99 at AmazonAn Apple Watch lets you access smartphone features conveniently on your wrist. You can control your music, send and receive texts, monitor your health, and tons more.
Apple Watch Series 10 $299 at AmazonYou can ask for a day at the spa, or you can ask for the gift of getting a facial whenever you want and from the comfort of your home. In her review of the device, Mashable's Deputy Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern wrote the TheraFace Pro is "a hell of a lot cheaper than getting regular professional facials, and I truly feel like I've received a spa treatment every time I use [it]."
Opens in a new window Credit: TheraGun TheraFace Pro $399 at TherabodyOur reviewer called the iPad mini 7 the "best choice" if you want a compact tablet, and said it looks better and is a lot more powerful than previous-generation iPad minis. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro and we named it the best tablet for reading.
Apple iPad mini (2024, 7th generation, A17 Pro chip) $399 at AmazonOur favorite type of birthday gift is something you want to buy yourself but just can't justify spending your own money on. The Verve chair is a prime example of that. It's super comfy and ergonomic, and it comes in really cute colors, but it's definitely on the luxury end of pricing. If you work from home or just spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, put this at the top of your birthday wish list.
Opens in a new window Credit: Branch Verve Chair $549 at BranchHead outdoors with this hybrid bike designed for both leisure and more adventurous rides. It comes in different colors and a couple of different styles for men and women. The 18-inch Schwinn GTX 2.0 bike normally goes for $549.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Schwinn Schwinn GTX bike $549.95 at AmazonWhen giving your friends and family birthday gift ideas, it's usually best to look for gifts under $50. But if you have a partner or parent who really loves you, then it's okay to dream big.
An easy-to-use mirrorless camera designed with creators in mind, the Nikon Z 30 boasts video, camera, and live streaming capabilities at an affordable price. The camera body can be purchased alone or with one or two kit lenses. There’s also the creators’ accessory bundle which comes with a mic, tripod grip, and Bluetooth remote.
Opens in a new window Credit: Nikon Nikon Z 30 Mirrorless Digital Vlogging Camera Bundle $696.95 at AmazonMashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry described the Lenovo Legion Go as "beefier and more powerful" than the Nintendo Switch. It has a huge display, solid performance, and all-around great specs. It's not a one-to-one competitor of the Switch, but rather a portable way into PC gaming that's "really good at running all kinds of games."
Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Go $699.99 at Best BuyThinking of upgrading from an iPhone that has a Lightning port? Don't spend your own money on an expensive phone — have someone who loves you spend their money! The new iPhone 16 starts at $799 while the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $999. (Group gift, anyone?)
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 16 Starting at $799 at Best Buy Shop Now A robot vacuum that also mops Credit: Leah Stodart / MashableSenior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart called the Eufy X10 Pro Omni the catchall answer to the question, "Which robot vacuum should I get?" It vacuums and mops — and empties its own dust bin, refills its water tank, and washes and dries its mop pads. The Eufy is a true hands-off cleaning device.
Eufy X10 Pro Omni $549.99 at AmazonSamsung's The Frame TV made waves when it came out a few years ago, but the price is just not attainable for everyone. The Hisense CanvasTV is an amazing, budget-friendly (well, friendlier) alternative if you want an art TV for your birthday. The Google TV interface is amazing and the TV truly does blend in with your art and decor. This is a bougie birthday ask, but one that's worth it.
Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch, QLED) $762.99 at AmazonMacBook Airs are super nice computers, but they can definitely be a bit pricey... which is what makes them such a great addition to a birthday wish list. Someone who loves you can drop the big bucks for you! A 13.6-inch MacBook Air M2 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD goes for $1,099 at Best Buy.
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With the Amazon Spring Sale over, this deal won't last long.
There's allegedly been a significant data breach at Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter.
Over the weekend, the cybersecurity team at SafetyDetectives discovered a post on the prominent hacking message board BreachForums from a poster named ThinkingOne. The post included a 34 GB .CVS file containing more than 201 million entries of data reportedly belonging to X users. This data includes plenty of metadata on each account, plus the email address connected to the account.
SafetyDetectives said they checked a sample of users included in the leak and found that the information was correct and that the emails listed were valid.
Where did the leak come from?It's unclear exactly how the breach occurred. This particular leak affects more than 200 million users. However, roughly 2.8 billion X accounts are reportedly affected, potentially making this one of the largest social media data leaks of all time.
According to ThinkingOne, there was a massive data breach at Musk's X earlier this year, which saw data belonging to more than 2.8 billion X users leaked in a massive 400 GB file. In their post, ThinkingOne claims that there is “no sign that X or the general public is aware of the largest social media breach ever” and that they “tried contacting X via several methods with no response.”
This particular data breach did not disclose any sensitive information about X users. In fact, many of those accounts probably don't even belong to real users. Based on current estimates from analytics platforms like Statista, X likely has around 400 million global users. Billions of those leaked X accounts likely belonged to bots, spammers, or individuals who deactivated or deleted their own accounts.
However, the leak allegedly includes plenty of metadata belonging to real accounts. And that meta data contains information such as account creation dates, locations, current and former display names, tweet count, favorites count, and other similar details.
X data leak threatOn its own, this data may not seem like much of a threat to users. But ThinkingOne went ahead and cross-referenced this latest leak with data belonging to 209 million users from a 2023 X data breach. The older breach contained much less metadata from each account but did include the email address connected to each user, which is typically not made publicly available.
By doing this, ThinkingOne created a file on 201 million active users from the 2025 leak whose email addresses had previously been leaked.
With the email addresses and metadata combined, hackers could easily target X users with phishing emails, social engineering campaigns, and other scams.
X downplayed the first of the leaks mentioned in 2023 but has not yet confirmed or even acknowledged the alleged 2025 leak. Musk's social media platform X was just sold to Musk's own AI company, xAI, on Friday.
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Opens in a new window Credit: LearnNow The Project Manager Certification & Exam Prep for PMBOK® 7 $19.99A call from someone pretending to be an IRS agent is, for most of us, just part of the furniture of modern digital life. We hang up, we block the number, we move on. But for Ashton Bingham, then an aspiring actor in LA, one such call in August 2016 was an opportunity to have some fun.
"I was getting a ton of them, and I just decided to film one as a Facebook video," Bingham says. "The call went on for an hour, and it was absolutely insane. Long story short, it went viral" when the scammer ended up blocking Bingham's number — and changed his life. Now Bingham and Art Kulik, a Russian immigrant and former Olympian who met Bingham prior to a Law and Order audition, have turned baiting scammers into their full-time job via Trilogy Media, a YouTube channel with more than 1.6 million subscribers.
But baiting scammers, it turns out, is an art form popular enough to sustain multiple entertainers with wildly different styles. In 2019, another LA resident — musician and voice actor Rosie Okumura — decided she'd chase down a scammer who bilked her mother out of $500 via a Windows pop-up window on her PC. Again, she recorded the call on an hour-plus Facebook video; again, it went viral, this time in large part because Okumura fooled the scammer by claiming she was Kim Kardashian.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?"After that, I got so many requests in my DMs [for more scam-baiting content]," Okumura says, "and the rest is history" — or rather, the rest is another popular YouTube channel, IRLRosie, which also has 1.6 million subscribers, plus a TikTok channel, with bite-size scambaiting clips and 1.2 million followers.
With online scams growing fast — the FTC says reported scams cost people in the U.S. more than $12.5 billion in 2024, which was a 25% increase on the 2023 figure — it shouldn't be a surprise that opposing them should be big business too. Indeed, this new form of entertainment is enough of a rising tide to lift all boats.
Instead of being competitors, Trilogy Media and IRLRosie are effectively colleagues who swap notes and sometimes tag-team the same scammers in the same video. Okumura still favors the simple home-based style, where the humor comes from her wasting scammers' time via voice acting. Bingham and Kulik, meanwhile, have charged off in the direction of internet vigilantism, reinvesting their YouTube revenue into filming elaborate in-person scammer traps in the U.S. and abroad.
"They get in pretty deep that way, whereas I do not feel safe," Okumura says. If she feels a particular scammer warrants that kind of attention, she'll pass on the details to Bingham and Kulik. Ironically, given the name of her channel, "It's Trilogy Media that does things more IRL [in real life]."
SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025Bingham and Kulik, meanwhile, say they've just sealed the deal for an unscripted TV show with an as-yet-unnamed channel — which, along with their paid channel Trilogy+, should help take the edge off the fact that some of their videos are de-monetized by YouTube for getting a little too real, such as mentioning names and locations of scammers.
"We're more vulgar, we're a little bit more edgy" than most scambaiters, Kulik says — but that's just their true personalities coming through. "The only way we know how to do this long term is to stay true to who we are."
Even these two channels are just the tip of an online iceberg of scambaiting. Here's a quick guide to the most popular luminaries in a growing landscape of YouTube creators devoted to tweaking scammers, in the order they began.
Jim BrowningYouTube subscribers: 4.4 million
Earliest video: 2014 (on YouTube)
Location: Northern Ireland
Most popular video: "Calling scammers by their real names" (2020), in which Browning tracks down the nefarious companies behind fake virus messages, has garnered more than 45 million views.
Biggest claim to fame: Working with the BBC investigative series Panorama in 2020 to bring down an Indian call center full of scammers.
Style: Browning (not his real name) is no LA entertainer. He's more of a behind-the-scenes figure who rarely shows his face, preferring to share his screen while tracking down scammers — essentially walking viewers through the steps needed to turn the tables.
Trilogy MediaYouTube subscribers: 1.6 million
Earliest video: 2016 (on Facebook)
Location: Los Angeles, worldwide
Most popular video: "Hunting a scammer with cops" (2022), seen 5.6 million times, in which Bingham and Kulik and the authorities arrive at the front door of a "refund scammer" carrying $40,000 in fake cash.
Biggest claim to fame: Winning the "collaboration award" at the 2022 Streamy awards for a video with Jim Browning and another popular YouTube creator, former NASA engineer Mark Rober. The video covered a "glitter bomb" delivered to the home of a scammer, who is later arrested.
Style: With more than 600 scam-baiting videos, most filmed on location, and 169 million YouTube views, and the most collaborations with other creators, Bingham and Kulik can claim to be the hardest-working duo in scambaiting.
IRLRosieYouTube subscribers: 1.6 million
Earliest video: 2019 (on Facebook)
Location: Los Angeles
Most popular video: "Scamming the scammer in 5 voices!" (2019) has 13.3 million views. Okumura knows why: the final voice she uses is that of Britney Spears, in which she tells the scammer that she's hosting a revival of the MTV show Crank Yankers.
Biggest claim to fame: Probably the most frequently recognized scambaiter, Okumura receives thanks for her anti-scam activities everywhere she goes. "The best part is getting recognized at restaurants," she says. "They will comp my bill!"
Style: Friendly and fun; the payback part is simply wasting the scammers' time so they can't move on to someone more vulnerable. "I feel like teaching people how to avoid scams is better than helping someone who's lost a ton of money, or putting myself in a dangerous situation," Okumura says.
Scammer PaybackYouTube subscribers: 8.12 million
Earliest video: 2019 (on YouTube)
Location: U.S.
Most popular video: "Scammer begs for his deleted files as I drink his tears" (2020) with more than 24 million views.
Biggest claim to fame: The People's Call Center, a collaboration with the anonymous Scammer Payback team. The Call Center worked with AnyDesk, a software company that allows remote desktop access, to shut down more than 2,000 scammer-run accounts on the service.
Style: Also known as Pierogi, Scammer Payback is like a mix of Browning and Trilogy media; he mostly shares his screen, but appears superimposed above it. He likes to elicit "extreme scammer rage" from his targets.
ScambaiterYouTube subscribers: 2.7 million
Earliest video: 2021
Location: India
Most popular video: "Showing a scammer his own webcam on my computer" (2021), with more than 34.5 million views.
Biggest claim to fame: Arguably the most popular scambaiting channel not based in the US or UK.
Style: Scambaiter is the pseudonym of an Indian engineer who focuses on the scam-based "call centers" on the rise in his country, sometimes by hijacking their webcams — and in one notable case, hacking into their PA system. There's no entertainment frills, no voice acting, just pure uncut tech-based scam baiting.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Online scams aren’t just becoming more common, they’re changing in approach, and getting harder to spot. These days, there are scams all over the internet, and while some are relatively easy to spot, others are highly sophisticated – and you might not notice them until it’s too late.
That said, a bit of knowledge of online scams and how they work can go a long way. For the vast majority of online scams, there are telltale signs, and spotting them could save you from falling victim. Here are some of the most common online scams and the warning signs associated with them.
Phishing scamsPhishing scams are a common type of online fraud where scammers impersonate trusted companies, like banks or online retailers, in an effort to steal personal information like passwords or credit card details. These messages, often sent via email or text, are designed to convince you to click on a link to a web page where you’ll share sensitive data. For example, you might get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, warning of suspicious activity and prompting you to “verify” your account. Click the link, and you’ll be taken to a website that looks like your real bank’s website – but it’s not, and when you enter your password, you’re actually handing it over to scammers.
SEE ALSO: Online phishing scams and what to look out forTo spot phishing attempts, look for generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” suspicious sender addresses, and poor spelling or grammar. Be wary of urgent requests or threats that push you to act quickly. If something feels off, don’t click any links. Instead, visit the company’s official website directly to check your account. For example, if you get an email that looks like it’s from your bank, don’t click the link – navigate manually to your bank’s website to log in and find out if the email is the real deal.
Investment scamsInvestment scams lure people in by promising guaranteed or unusually high returns with little to no risk. Scammers often pose as financial advisors or representatives of legitimate-sounding companies, pushing opportunities in areas like cryptocurrency, stocks, or forex trading. These schemes might show fake testimonials, flashy websites, or even forged documents to appear credible and pressure you into investing quickly.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?The warning signs include promises of “guaranteed” profits, pressure to act fast, or being asked to invest through unregulated platforms. Be cautious if someone you don’t know reaches out about an investment opportunity, especially if they only communicate online. Always research thoroughly and consult a trusted financial professional before sending any money.
Job offer scamsJob offer scams target people by advertising high-paying, low-effort jobs or sending unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true. Scammers pose as recruiters or hiring managers from real or fake companies and quickly move to offer you a position without a formal interview. Often, these scams involve requests for personal information, upfront payments for training or equipment, or sending you a check and asking you to wire back part of the funds – only for the original check to be fake.
SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025To avoid falling victim to a job offer scam, watch for vague job descriptions, poor communication, or requests for money early in the hiring process. Be skeptical of offers that promise large sums of money for little or no work. A legitimate employer will never ask you to pay fees or share sensitive information like your Social Security number as part of the screening or interview process.
Tech support scamsTech support scams trick people into believing their computer or device has a serious issue, like a virus or security breach. Scammers may use pop-up warnings, fake antivirus alerts, or even cold calls pretending to be from companies like Microsoft or Apple. The goal is to scare you into giving them remote access to your device or paying for unnecessary repairs and services.
Warning signs include unsolicited messages claiming your device is infected, requests to install remote access software, or demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate tech companies won’t call you out of the blue or pressure you to act immediately. If you’re unsure, close the pop-up or hang up and contact the company directly through official support channels – if you believe the scam might be impersonating a legitimate company.
Online marketplace scamsOnline marketplace scams happen when buyers or sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay try to defraud others. Common tactics include sellers offering high-demand items at suspiciously low prices, or buyers sending fake payment confirmations and asking you to ship the item before funds are actually received. Some scammers even overpay with a fraudulent check and request a refund of the difference. And, sometimes these scams come in the form of cheap rental properties advertised on websites like Craigslist.
To avoid these scams, be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, buyers or sellers who refuse to meet in person, or anyone asking for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Always verify payment before shipping an item and stick to secure payment methods offered by the platform whenever possible.
Charity scamsCharity scams exploit people’s goodwill by posing as legitimate nonprofits, especially after natural disasters or during the holiday season. Scammers often create fake websites or send emails and phone calls asking for donations, sometimes using emotional stories to pressure quick contributions. These fraudulent charities often request untraceable payments like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
To spot a charity scam, be wary of urgent pleas for help, vague details about how donations will be used, or organizations you’ve never heard of. Legitimate charities are transparent, have clear contact information, and allow you to donate securely through their official website.
Stay skepticalThe basic gist of avoiding online scams is that you should never trust someone you don’t know when they’re asking for money or personal information, especially if they contacted you rather than the other way around. There are so many more online scams than just those listed here. Pay close attention to website URLs and email addresses, and look for any that are close to the real deal, but not quite the same.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Harald Bluetooth, a 10th century Danish king, knew nothing of the wireless device connection technology that bears his name. But King Bluetooth died fighting a rebellion started by his son, which means both Bluetooths have a common problem: unexpected security issues caused by nefarious connections.
That's not just a cautionary tale for medieval monarchs. It's also smart for us in 2025 to beware of rebellious Bluetooths. Dependent devices (like your favorite Bluetooth headphones) can seem like your children, essential to your life. And they can also be treacherous if they hook up with the wrong kind of people, namely hackers and thieves.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?Bluetooth has gone through a few iterations since 2019, when Mashable advised turning it off as much as possible, and will likely be improved by widespread implementation of Bluetooth 6.0 in 2025. Bluetooth 6 offers devices the ability to know where the other one is, down to the centimeter, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) that oversees the technology. In theory, this should prevent so-called Man In The Middle attacks that can suck up data from devices, or control them.
The problem with BluetoothNone of this, however, solves the essential cybersecurity problem of Bluetooth. A Bluetooth device just loves to shout about itself to the world. That's essentially what the low-power radio technology is, constant low-level boasting (again, like a child) while looking to play with others.
SEE ALSO: Secret commands found in Bluetooth chip used in a billion devicesAnd it's up to you, as the parent, to turn off these traits when the child is most vulnerable.
To see the scale of the parental problem here, download one of the free Bluetooth scanner apps on the App Store or Google Play. I write this with BT Inspector open on my iPhone. It can see and name about a dozen of my devices, and see about a dozen more unknown devices, probably my neighbors'.
If any one of those devices does not require a pairing code or similar security for a connection, they're essentially open to any hacker that walks by. But hey, I mean, it's not like one of the most commonly used Bluetooth chips on the planet just turned out to have a bunch of nefarious undocumented commands nobody knew about before baked into it. Oh wait, it did.
Bluetooth creates unexpected vulnerabilitiesMeanwhile, petty thieves have caught on to Bluetooth scanner apps. Time was when an opportunistic car break-in was just that, a gamble that there might be something of value in the vehicle. Now a scanner can tell you for sure, since any Bluetooth device in the car is likely pretty valuable.
I personally witnessed the efficiency of this kind of theft, in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 2024. A vehicle crawled along a line of parked cars, in broad daylight. Out jumped a man in a ski mask, carrying a smartphone; he ran immediately to one car, smashed the rear window, grabbed a bag, and had time to flip off the guy honking behind him before jumping back in the car and speeding off.
That's just the world we're living in now: Gone in six seconds, never mind 60. One Outside magazine writer, after testing Faraday envelopes and in-car safes, found some success wrapping devices in his car in tin foil. If you must leave devices in your car at a trailhead, say, we have a better solution: just turn Bluetooth off.
It's a Bluetooth world (and universe)This is the solution overall: Simple awareness. Good Bluetooth hygiene, if you will.
You turn Bluetooth off on devices when they're in vulnerable situations (a parked car, a DEFCON hacker convention). You don't connect any Bluetooth device to a Bluetooth device that you don't own. (If you must, say in connecting your phone to a rental car, or connecting to a speaker at a party, you remember to delete the connection afterwards.) If a device doesn't have any pairing security, consider buying an alternative that does or make sure it's turned off when you're not using it. And if you're in charge of your organization's security, you get really paranoid about every leaky device in the office.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?But as for consumers: is it realistic, any longer, to expect us to live a Bluetooth-free life? You might as well ask us to live without screens.
King Bluetooth is everywhere, and its conquest of the planet is just getting started. More than 5 billion new Bluetooth devices ship around the planet every year, and that number is expected to surpass 7 billion a year in 2028. That's the equivalent of every single person on the planet getting a new Bluetooth device every year. This cheap, easy, low-power connection technology, this glue for the Internet of Things, it's a universal standard.
As of 2024, it's even being used off-planet, by satellites that can detect a Bluetooth signal at a distance of 600 km. The company behind the satellites, Hubble Network, has a vision of connecting all Bluetooth devices on the planet via satellite — a much cheaper Starlink, essentially.
So you might not be able to avoid using Bluetooth on a daily basis – but switch it off when you're done with it and stay mindful of where you leave your Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Scams on the Internet are big business. Consumers reportedly lose more than $10 billion annually to them, and every year there is a new wave of scams to bilk people out of their hard-earned money. You may be a victim of such a scam and that’s why you’re here. We’ll do our best to help.
Giving your personal information to a potential scammer is a stressful situation where answers need to come quickly. Minimizing your risk when you are vulnerable requires time and decisive action. Here are several steps you can take to attempt to freeze out scammers from using your personal information.
Stop interacting with the scammers immediatelyIn short, the harm has already been done and there is no need to continue talking to the people who just stole your information. Block them by whatever means necessary. That means blocking their phone number if it happened over a call or text and their email if it was done over email.
That includes blocking them on messaging services as well. Discord scams are rather popular these days, so it’s not unusual to see a scam occur on a messaging service like that. In short, block them everywhere and don’t communicate with them anymore.
If the scammer has your payment infoThe first step is making sure to cut off the scammer from your money and then attempting to recoup your losses. This is easier said and done since there is a lot of ways to send money to people these days.
If you paid with your credit card, debit card, or bank accountIf you used your real bank account, debit card, or credit card, the first step is contacting your financial institution. This also applies to wire transfers through your bank account. I took a look at over 30 random banks and credit unions. The overwhelming majority of them have a fraud reporting helpline that is open 24/7.
Calmly tell your bank that you were the victim of a scam and that any money taken by them was fraudulent and unauthorized. Your bank may go through your recent purchases with you, so make sure to check your bank account transactions so you know which charge was the fraudulent one.
Many banks also have online reporting methods.
Per the FTC, your bank should be able to work with you on reversing those charges so that you get your money back.
In addition, you’ll want to have a new credit or debit card issued to you, and you’ll want to change the PINs on those cards once they arrive. It’s also a good idea to change your password to your bank account to something stronger.
If you paid a scammer with a wire transferThe same rules apply here. Contact the wire transfer company and tell them that you have been scammed. All major wire transfer companies like MoneyGram and Western Union have fraud claim forms you can fill out and phone numbers you can contact. Once you get the forms filled out, you should be on your way to getting your money back.
If you paid a scammer with a gift cardScammers going after gift cards is also something that happens fairly often and the method here is the same as above.
The FTC recommends contacting the issuer of the gift card and telling them that your gift card was the victim of a scam. Unfortunately, most sources say that you likely won’t get your money back, but quickly reporting the fraud will increase your chances, especially if you still have the gift card and the receipt showing that you paid for it.
If you paid a scammer by sending cashThis one can be one of the easier scams to recover from as packages can be intercepted and delivery ceased – assuming the scammer hasn’t already received the package. Below is a list of links and phone numbers you can use depending on which service you use. It may cost you a few bucks but it’s better than giving a scammer money.
USPS - Package intercept FAQ or call 1-800-275-8777
UPS - Package intercept FAQ or call 1-800-742-5877
FedEx - Package intercept FAQ or call 1-800-463-3339
DHL - Package intercept FAQ or call 1-800-225-5345
If you used a different carrier, check their website for package intercept instructions or call their customer service number to have the package stopped.
If you gave the scammer your personal informationGiving a scammer your personal information can have devastating ramifications. Fortunately, the solution is rather simple but you must act fast.
If you fear the scammer has enough information to steal your identityThe U.S. government has an identity theft tool that you can use to monitor your credit and identity in case someone tries to steal it. Here’s how it works.
Go to IdentityTheft.gov
Click the Get started now link
Follow the prompts as directed.
The tool will help you create a recovery plan.
If the scammer has your social security number, you should also call the Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline at 1-800-269-0271 to report the fraud.
Change any passwords, PINs, or other login credentials for any account that you suspect has been tampered with.
You can find more information about IdentityTheft.gov here, which has additional bits of advice to help you.
Another step you should immediately take is to freeze your credit. This is a relatively simple step to take that prevents anyone — including you — from taking out a new line of credit in your name. To save you some time, here are the links and phone numbers you’ll need to do that.
Equifax - Credit freeze FAQ or call 1-888-298-0045
Experian - Credit freeze FAQ or call 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion - Credit freeze FAQ or call 1-800-916-8800
You can unfreeze your credit once the risk has been mitigated.
Finally, in addition to the above, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) recommends documenting every interaction you have with the authorities and financial institutions. This includes (but is not limited to) the following:
Log all dates, names, and phone numbers.
Any correspondence sent through mail should be certified mail with a delivery receipt.
Do not delete any emails regarding the issue.
Keep all copies of physical letters and documents sent to you.
Keep track of any expenditures you incur while fighting the scammer as these may be recovered in court if the scammer is caught.
This can happen either through giving the scammer login access or through the many data breaches that hit the Internet every year. It doesn’t matter how the login credentials got out there because the answer to the problem is the same. Let’s go through the steps
If the hacker or scammer hasn’t logged into your account yetThis one is easy, change your password as soon as you can. Every service on the Internet that has accounts has a change password function and that’s what you’ll use.
We recommend using a strong password that isn’t close to what you had previously. If you want the strongest possible security, a random password generator grants the most comprehensive passwords that are the hardest to crack.
You should also immediately enable two-factor authentication on any account that has it. This extra layer of security makes it much more difficult to access your accounts even if they have the password.
While you’re at it, there’s a nifty online tool called Have I Been Pwned? that can help you see which accounts may be at risk. Simply go to the link above and enter your email address. You’ll get a list of websites. You should change your password at each website listed since the credentials are out in the wild.
One more thing to note. If you reuse passwords — which many people do — you’ll also want to change your password on any account that uses the same password that you gave to the scammer or was revealed in a data breach.
If the hacker or scammer has logged into your accountThis is where things get difficult. If the scammer has taken your account and changed all of the information, it becomes very difficult to get that account back.
There are multiple reasons for this. The first is that every website has a different approach on how to recover a lost or stolen account and the methods for each one differ. The FTC has a helpful list of the most popular websites on the Internet, including Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, Google, Instagram, and others.
To start, the first thing you want to do is change your email password, assuming that isn’t the account that got hacked. If the scammer gets a hold of that alongside your social media account, it’s mostly game over.
After that, you’ll want to contact support for the service and do everything you can to get your account back. Anecdotally, this appears to be hit or miss with some folks getting their accounts back while others having to settle with making a new account and going at it from there. Those who were verified before being hacked — like Meta Verified — have a much larger success rate based on what we’ve seen. The only thing you can do is try your best as there is no quick and easy way to recover a stolen account
The reason is that your username and password are the credentials that you would use to prove the account is yours. If the scammer takes them over, changes the information, and adds things like two-factor authentication, then there’s virtually no way to resecure the account.
Protect yourself in the futureBeing scammed sucks, for lack of a better word. If you did become the victim of a scam, then you already know how bad it is. Hopefully, the above information helped out in some way but the best way to avoid being scammed is to protect yourself in advance. Here are some small reminders to keep yourself safe in the future.
Never give your password, ever. No legitimate business asks for your login credentials over the phone or chat. Ever.
Use strong and varied passwords. If a scammer gets your password to one thing and you use the same password everywhere, then the scammer has access to your entire digital life.
Always enable two-factor authentication along with account recovery options like a backup email or your phone number. Two-factor authentication makes account theft vastly more difficult.
There are plenty of other tips and tricks for avoiding scams as well. One of my personal favorites is bypassing the email and going straight to the source. When I get an email telling me that my Amazon account is compromised, I don’t click any links in the email, I go straight to Amazon and contact support directly.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Back in August 2022, password manager LastPass suffered a massive breach.
A still-unknown cyber criminal successfully targeted one of LastPass' four DevOps engineers who had access to the decryption keys for the cloud storage service. Using the engineer's stolen credentials, the hacker was able to infiltrate LastPass' systems undetected. This breach lasted for months and continued even after LastPass believed the threat had been contained.
The LastPass breach enabled the threat actor to obtain access to the "backup customer vault data." According to the company, encrypted data such as usernames and passwords as well as unencrypted data like website URLs were affected.
Breaches at large companies and online platforms are not new. In the case of the LastPass breach, hackers don't need to find some technical flaw to exploit either.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?By targeting the human beings who work at these companies, using tactics such as social engineering, every organization technically has a weakness that can be taken advantage of.
However, the LastPass breach was different.
Hackers breached a password manager, a platform meant to protect your passwords and make it possible to use highly secure credentials for each of your logins. And it proved highly successful for the hackers.
Breaching password managers highly lucrative for hackersOver the past few months, there have been a number of reports detailing how the LastPass breach appears to be linked to cryptocurrency-related heists. Hundreds of millions of dollars have allegedly been stolen allegedly as a result of the LastPass breach.
In one such incident, U.S. federal investigators claim that the LastPass breach seems to be the source of a cryptocurrency heist that resulted in $150 million being stolen from a crypto wallet last year. Authorities arrived at this conclusion after finding that the login credentials were stored in the victim's password manager. In addition, investigators did not find any evidence that the victim's devices were hacked.
And it appears that the worst is yet to come.
Thanks to the hackers' success with the LastPass intrusion, password managers are now under attack. Hackers have realized that instead of wasting time breaking into one platform at a time when targeting a user, they can gain access to all of their login credentials if they can break into their target's password manager.
Here's a great example of how hackers are honing in on password managers and even getting creative in order to target them.
Just a year and a half after the LastPass breach, a threat actor was somehow able surpass Apple's usually stringent review process in order to convince the company to approve a fake LastPass app in the App Store. The LastPass imposter was basically a phishing app that attempted to fool LastPass users into believing it was the official app so they would input their login credentials, which would then go right to the bad actor who created it. It's unclear how many, if any, LastPass users were affected by this specific incident, but it shows what great lengths cyber criminals are going to in targeting password managers.
But, don't be fooled into thinking this is just about LastPass. Hackers are targeting password managers in general. A new report released last month from cybersecurity firm Picus Security found that 25 percent of all malware is now targeting password managers or other credential storage services.
"Threat actors are leveraging sophisticated extraction methods...to obtain credentials that give attackers the keys to the kingdom," said Picus Security co-founder and VP of Picus Labs, Dr. Suleyman Ozarslan.
How to protect yourself from password manager breachesThere are a few lessons here going forward.
For one, we can no longer assume that just because you're using a password manager that your login credentials are somehow more secure. It might be more convenient to use, but breaches can still happen.
Users looking into password managers should should also prioritize encryption. Hackers were able to obtain plain-text website URLs in the LastPass hack. While this may not seem crucial on its own, it provides hackers with a blueprint basically. It shows what platforms you have accounts on, which can be an extremely important tool for a hacker looking to craft a phishing email.
It might not have been as easy to obtain the login credentials themselves, but they knew exactly where to go and how to target users in order to gain unauthorized access. In May 2024, LastPass learned from its mistakes and the company announced it was rolling out URL encryption.
But, the most important lesson is the importance of two-factor authentication. Yes, you may use a password manager in order to make the login process as easy as possible and two-factor authentication will require that you input credentials to get passed yet another layer of security. But, even if a hacker were to break into your password manager and steal your password, they still couldn't access your account unless they had access to your physical mobile device.
Also, in the event that your password manager is breached, you'll need to change your password. No, not just your master password. You should change your password for each and every platform with a login credential saved in your password manager.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Brad K. was — to put it mildly — exhausted. In May 2024, he was a brand-new father to a weeks-old baby, balancing the new responsibility with his role as a husband and dog dad.
"They say the three biggest life stressors are having a kid, moving, and starting a new job," he said in an interview with Mashable. "And I did all three at the same time, within a month of one another."
Sleep deprived and facing one of life's most stress-inducing transitions, Brad, admittedly, wasn't his normal, clearheaded self when an unknown number called him after a long day of grocery and Home Depot runs, driving home with dinner for him and his wife.
A man was on the other end, speaking in what Brad recognized as a regional accent. He explained, with the lack of urgency stereotypically associated with civil servants, that Brad had misfiled his taxes. He still owed more than $800 to the federal government and, the man explained, he needed to pay ASAP.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?Brad wasn't clueless when it came to common scam strategies, though. He knew that people (including himself) are frequently inundated by robocalls asking for sketchy money payments, like gift card scams. He also knew that many scam calls come from unregulated (sometimes illegal) call centers overseas, and they can be easily spotted just using the speaker's accent. But this particular call didn't match up with any of those previous experiences — the man had personal information, like his address and wife's name, that would have been found on his tax records. And he sounded very legit. He was also very persistent. Brad had to pay today or risk a penalty or even jail time.
"They knew enough about me to talk intelligently about me," he said. "They knew a lot more than I even think is searchable online. I just thought, 'Oh my god. I have a new kid. I've got a wife. I provide a lot of the income for our household. I can't go to jail.'"
SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025 Good digital hygiene is important but not always enoughBrad had practiced smart digital hygiene long before the call, too. On a prior vacation in Aruba, he spent a poolside afternoon setting up Google alerts for sites sharing his personal information rather than soaking up the tropical rays. He still gets the emails today. In high school, Brad worked a brief summer as a telemarketer — the second job he took as a teen after a failed attempt at twirling pizzas — and understood the tactics phone operators use to get people on the line and talking. Brad's late uncle had been defrauded of thousands of dollars after a scammer got a hold of his retirement log-in information, as well, so his family was familiar with the ways bad actors take advantage of technological illiteracy and confusion, especially among older Americans.
I just want other people to know that these scams are evolving. - Brad K.And, adding to the complexity of the situation, Brad's own father was his accountant. Despite them knowing their way around a tax form, there was a chance one of them could have overlooked something. So he approved the payment to the "tax man," unwittingly giving him access to his bank account in the process.
What Brad didn't know at that moment, and what he would only learn weeks later from a friend, is that the IRS does not make personal calls. Ever. In fact, Brad now explains to anyone who cares to listen, the agency, by mandate, only conducts tax-related activities by mail — and using very specific certified mail at that. The IRS doesn't reach out over email or text or social media, and they never make home visits unless scheduled by the taxpayer, either.
But it was too late.
"It's a feeling that I can't even really describe. Almost like that roller coaster feeling where your stomach drops out from inside of you," he said. Brad immediately contacted his bank and closed the account, fortunate that the scammer hadn't taken out more money. He also froze his credit and filed a report with the FBI — part of a series of steps recommended by agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the Social Security Administration. But after that there wasn't much he could do. The money couldn't be recovered. Brad was left adrift.
Tax scams are shockingly common, data revealsAbout 23 percent of people in the U.S. have been the victim, or know someone who was a victim, of a tax scam, according to a 2025 survey by McAfee. The majority of these scams are for less than $1,000, the report found, amounts that may slip by an individual's alertness. And the majority of victims are actually young adults (ages 18 to 24).
That landscape is getting even more complex, as improved generative AI tech makes it easier to create realistically deceiving voice calls — Brad still doesn't know if the voice on the other end was a real person. Around 87 percent of survey respondents said they were concerned about AI's growing role in producing fraudulent content and facilitating scams.
Additionally, many are increasingly worried about the security of personal information stored online. According to a recent report by TransUnion, researchers uncovered 970 data breaches in 2024 alone. These breaches, which exposed 640 million consumer records, provided bad actors with personally identifiable information required for various forms of tax fraud, including full Social Security numbers.
The common thread in all of these stories, the fantastical and the real, is that scams can happen to anyone.Despite making up a large community, many scam victims are hesitant to share their stories, facing the shame and social stigma of being the target of an insidious financial scam. Brad has yet to tell his own family. Instead, he sends articles on victims of scams to the family group chat, hoping to subtly hint at his own experience. He's processed in his own way, with practical measures to regain his stolen money and save for the future. And he's speaking more publicly about the experience. But Brad hasn't found any spaces that offer emotional support for his experiences, either, online or in the real world — he's joined by others who face rippling emotional and mental effects of being the victim of a financial scam.
"I'm very embarrassed about it," he explained. "I try to be positive… I said, 'Okay, I'm gonna have to put this behind me. I've got so much else going on right now.'"
Anyone can be scammedPopular culture often presents fraud as the result of a victim's negligence or ignorance, like in 2024's indie hit film Thelma, in which an elderly woman is defrauded of thousands of dollars after a scammer uses an audio deepfake to impersonate her grandson. She goes on a sympathetic, action-packed adventure to get her money back, and she succeeds despite the world believing she couldn't. That same year, The Cut financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles published a personal story about being the victim of a financial scam that forced her into handing over a (now infamous) shoebox filled with $50,000. Many online admonished her apparent foolishness, others applauded her vulnerability — It didn't take long for it to become a meme about the cluelessness and audacity of the rich.
The average person, however, will not confront their scammer IRL, or post to thousands, if not millions, of sympathetic readers as part of their path toward processing the experience. The majority of scam victims are like Brad: Individuals who are targeted during vulnerable moments in their lives and are left without a clear path of where to go next, save for online forums or their loved ones.
Still, the common thread in all of these stories, the fantastical and the real, is that scams can happen to anyone. They can happen to folks being left behind by technological acceleration or to society's financial experts. They can target individuals for thousands of dollars or a moderate sum of a couple hundred. Scams are non-discriminating, and the outcome often depends on something as simple as a misread number or just a few hours of sleep.
"I really don't want other people to get scammed, " said Brad, when asked why he was now sharing his story out loud. "I just want other people to know that these scams are evolving." And, his story poses, with millions of people at risk, why isn't there more being done to help them?
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Debbie Deem has spent the past four decades helping crime victims, including a stint as a victim specialist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
She's worked with people who've experienced assault, trafficking, and terrorism, among other horrific crimes. Retired since 2019, she's now a volunteer advocate and coach who focuses on what she describes as transnational fraud victim assistance.
Deem prefers the term "transnational fraud" over scam, because she believes it more accurately describes how organized international criminal networks and gangs use sophisticated methods in order to steal money and valuable data from their targets.
"Increasingly, there is recognition that anyone can be defrauded by these networks, just by employing differing psychological tactics," Deem says.
This context is often absent from discussions about digital financial crimes, and victims can pay an emotional price as a result, Deem says. Fraud victims seek help from law enforcement or adult protective services, or support from a loved one, clergy member, or therapist, but because of the stigma and blame associated with the crime may be treated as foolish or incompetent instead.
SEE ALSO: Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?In addition to feeling intense emotions like embarrassment, despair, and betrayal, the added isolation of judgement often only worsens a victim's mental health, Deem says.
Yet Deem helps victims and their families focus on their recovery, connecting them to as many resources as she can marshal. While the process of rebuilding their well-being may seem daunting, experts says fraud victims can incorporate a number of strategies to boost their confidence and restore their sense of purpose in life.
Figure out your needsMore than a third of Americans have been defrauded or scammed in the past year, according to the results of Bankrate's latest financial fraud survey. Among those victims, two in five people were robbed of their money. Thieves stole sensitive information as well.
Despite the prevalence of fraud, Deem says that some victims don't tell anyone what happened to them. They may feel ashamed or rightly worried about a loved one's critical response. In Deem's experience, family members of older victims sometimes look at their loved one differently, and decide that they're unable to take care of themselves because of cognitive issues.
But living in silence as a victim can also lead to challenges with getting practical help and emotional support. Victims may not realize they can report fraud to local law enforcement, state adult protective services, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. They might be less inclined to use services like AARP's Fraud Watch Network, which hosts a hotline that offers tips for avoiding scams and what steps to take if you've been victimized.
SEE ALSO: Get ready for these scams in 2025Deem says that every victim has different needs in their recovery. For people who've been defrauded by an imposter who posed as someone trustworthy, like a law enforcement officer or love interest, the sense of betrayal and subsequent paranoia can run deep.
Often, if the scheme was designed around frequent, even daily, engagement with the imposter, a victim will need help identifying how that relationship was fulfilling so that they can find something else to replicate it.
Once they feel ready, some victims decide to receive training in order to support victims who are just coming to terms with the fraud they experienced. Others find renewed life purpose in new activities or hobbies that make them feel useful or special.
"The most critical thing and the hardest thing...is what to replace that behavior, relationship, or reason to get up in the morning [with]," Deem says.
Don't blame yourselfAnyone can be the victim of fraud, says Dr. Anthony Pratkanis a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Pratkanis has conducted extensive research on scammers and victims. He's never identified a victim profile, which he believes is because criminals who practice fraud use social influence as a key weapon.
To a bystander, the fraud may often seem obvious. But a criminal's skills of deception and persuasion, for example, can be so good that they're able to convincingly play a new Facebook friend or trustworthy investment counselor for the only audience that matters: the victim.
"Everything is designed to make it so you can't tell," Pratkanis says. "That's probably the single most difficult thing about fighting fraud."
Plus, people receive a barrage of daily fraudulent messages, comments, emails and other communications designed to draw in victims, making it hard — and exhausting — to remain in a constant state of skepticism and hyper-vigilance.
Reframe negative thoughtsFraud victims often think negatively about themselves after they've been deceived.
But Asia Schmidt, a licensed clinical addiction specialist, says it's important for victims to normalize their experience. Instead of branding themselves stupid, for example, victims should remember that they're human, and that someone took advantage of them by preying on their emotions.
In general, reframing negative thoughts about their aptitude or character can be powerful. Schmidt, who is also the coach operations team lead for the AI-powered coach platform Wysa, encourages victims to take a compassionate approach by treating themselves like they would a friend.
"Often times we are harder on ourselves than we are on others," Schmidt says. "Giving ourselves that same compassion is definitely essential."
Seek peer and professional supportExperts agree that it's important for victims to talk about their experience, but note that victims benefit most when their conversation partner can demonstrate understanding and empathy.
The AARP Fraud Victim Support Group program tries to offer this by hosting free virtual meetings run by trained facilitators. FightCyberCrime.org also offers recovery groups specifically for victims of so-called romance scams.
Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for AARP's Fraud Watch Network, says that many victims come to their first meeting feeling quite alone. Nofziger says that she's noticed participants' tense posture relax once they realize they're amongst people who know what they've endured.
Some victims may want to seek professional mental health support too. Deem says it's important to vet potential therapists by asking how they treat fraud victims. Unfortunately, she notes, some clinicians may believe stigmatizing myths about who can be deceived by fraud.
High-quality chatbot platforms, which have been designed specifically by psychologists to support a user's well-being, could be a valuable option for someone who can't or doesn't want to talk to a therapist. Such a tool might be useful when challenging emotions strike at inconvenient times, like the middle of the night.
Deem says that may be of particular interest to younger victims, but she would want any conversations about their experience to happen on trusted platforms that are frequently updated, reviewed by humans, and built with monitoring and intervention for comments related to suicide and re-victimization.
Deem adds that, regardless of where they take place, conversations about their experience shouldn't feel generic.
In AARP Fraud Victim Support Groups meetings, for example, people often express frustration and anger over not only being digitally robbed but also losing their sense of security and faith in strangers. Eventually, many victims recover, particularly after they've been able to reclaim normalcy in their daily lives.
"There is anger that these scams and these crimes are happening, and that someone targeted you," Nofziger says. "But then...eventually you hear peace."
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
In an unspoken sort of way, Roomba has been crowned "the best" robot vacuum simply because it's the most established brand in the market. But Shark has always had competitive street cred when it comes to vacuums, and its newest rounds of robot vacuums finally make Shark a force to be reckoned with among Roombas and Roborocks.
Having personally tested the top bots from Shark, iRobot, and the other big players, I picked the three best Shark robot vacuums to buy in 2025.
Are Shark robot vacuums as good as Roomba?The short answer? It's complicated. That's not the definitive one-word answer you were hoping for, but making an unequivocal call between the two brands just wouldn't make sense. Both vacuum brands are constantly improving their product lineups and introducing new features. Both brands have several options with mopping, smart room mapping, and automatic emptying, including vacs that can do all three or offer some mix-and-match combo of those features.
So, where does Shark outperform the best Roombas? While Shark has way fewer options to choose from after iRobot randomly overhauled its Roomba lineup in March 2025, Sharks are more likely to be a bang for your buck than Roombas. Shark consistently puts out more budget-friendly robot vacuums, often without skimping on the most crucial features. If you were capping yourself at $300, the $300 Shark vacuum is going to be more competent than the $300 Roomba (unless you're finding a premium Roomba on sale for that price).
SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Roomba: Comparing top-rated robot vacuum lineupsAdmittedly, Shark takes a little longer to roll out new features and doesn't have product drops very often. (For instance, it was late to self-emptying, self-washing, and self-drying compared to iRobot — and everyone else, for that matter.) But when Shark does release a model with new in-demand features, it's typically at a much more digestible price than the competition. Even Shark's most premium robot vacuum, the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Pro Base, debuted at around $400 less than the most premium Roomba, the Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock, despite them being nearly identical in capabilities.
Plus, Shark vacuums also go on sale throughout the year, even when it's not Black Friday or Prime Day. So, don't take the prices for the Shark vacuums below too seriously — I've noted the most common sale price for each vac in "The Good" section.
Shark really shines at spot cleaning but has one major blind spotSometimes, there's an unexpected mess that you want to clean without messing around with a map on the app. In those cases, Shark Matrix robot vacuums make spot cleaning much easier than Roombas do. Setting a zone for a one-time clean in the Shark app is as easy as dragging a square in the designated spot cleaning tab, compared to having to create and name an official cleaning zone in the iRobot app. Most modern Shark robot vacuums also have a physical cleaning button if you want to pick the robot up and place it in the right area — an underrated feature that modern Roombas completely skip.
On the other hand, Shark's one big blind spot — literally — is small obstacle avoidance technology. While Roombas at several price points can steer clear of phone chargers, cords, socks, and pet waste, Shark hasn't mastered this coveted skill yet.
SEE ALSO: I've tested 20+ robot vacuums and these are the best for every budget in 2025After testing Shark robot vacuums in my own home — as well as comparing them to robot vacs from iRobot, Roborock, Eufy, and others that I've put through the same standardized obstacle course. Based on my home testing, here are the three best Shark robot vacuums you can buy in 2025:
SAVE $70: As of April 1, the Beats Studio Buds+ are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 41% on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $99.95 at AmazonThe Amazon Spring Sale is over, but you can still bag a last-minute bargain on Beats Studio Buds+. As of April 1, these popular earbuds are reduced to just $99.95 at Amazon. Saving you $70, this is the biggest discount on these earbuds we've seen.
One of our favorite features of these earbuds is the two listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode. Transparency mode allows you to listen to your music or podcasts while still being able to hear noise around you, such as cars, bikes, or other loud noises. This is also ideal for runners who want to remain safe and aware of their surroundings but also need good music to keep them motivated.
SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel 9 is still at its lowest price this year in the Amazon Spring SaleLike most Beats earbuds, these are designed with comfort in mind. They come with three soft ear tip sizes for a secure and comfortable fit. They also boast a nine-hour battery life, with an additional 36 hours provided by the charging case. And if you take your earbuds on the go, these are IPX4-rated sweat- and water-resistant earbuds, so there's more protection for strenuous use or any accidental mishaps.
Head to Amazon now to grab this great deal.
SAVE $200: As of April 1, the Google Pixel 9 is on sale for $699 at Amazon. That's a 22% saving on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 $699 at AmazonAmazon's Big Spring Sale is over, but there are still plenty of discounts to be found. There's a lot to consider, but we really love this latest deal on the Google Pixel 9. It's a great all-rounder — just check out our review to see what we thought.
As of April 1, you can find this model at Amazon for 22% off, now just $699. This deal is for the 256GB option in obsidian, porcelain, peony, and wintergreen. This is also the lowest price it has been so far this year.
SEE ALSO: The best Amazon Spring Sale deal on Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones is still liveThis smartphone includes a 6.3-inch OLED display with vibrant colors as well as the latest Google Tensor chip for fast, non-laggy performance. It has dual rear cameras to take incredible pictures, both in bright and low light.
This model also features Gemini, Google's next-generation AI technology. It offers assistance with tools including advanced photo editing such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur, enhanced voice recognition for dictation, and Google Assistant capabilities. It also uses real-time translation to allow for seamless language support in messaging or live conversations, and it even powers predictive text.
Head to Amazon to upgrade now.
Moving to a new city or working at a new job where you don't know anybody can seriously be depressing, especially if you're already introverted as it is. What are you supposed to do? Sit at the bar by yourself? And talk to strangers?
Then comes the lightbulb idea: You can make friends online! If online dating is so popular and successful, there's no way there aren't a few legit sites where you can make adult friends in your area with similar interests. Hmm, AdultFriendFinder.com sounds like the right ballpark.
So you're on your lunch break at work, type in the URL, and the next thing you know, you're frantically closing the tab and hoping nobody walked behind you for that split second.
Our point: AdultFriendFinder is not what it sounds like.
This site is for making adult "friends," not friends who are adults. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder What is AdultFriendFinder?AdultFriendFinder is one of the most well-known sites for finding quick sexual encounters, regular hookups, and literally anything else even remotely related to sex. The rowdy feed of matches, jumble of explicit photos, and stimulating calls-to-action offering all types of sex makes it heaven for anyone looking for a good time with no filter — and hell for someone who wouldn't be caught dead clicking on a "There are hot singles in your area" ad.
SEE ALSO: Tired of Pornhub? These raunchy dating sites are worthy alternatives.Even if you're not using it for physical sex, it's always nice to have spank bank material in your back pocket. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, sexting, nudes, and Pornhub searches all saw a spike thanks to the vast number of people who started social distancing at home. Those who didn't want to risk quarantine sex or weren't finding people on their level of horniness on Tinder were pretty much guaranteed to get their rocks off somehow via AdultFriendFinder. And now, with Pornhub blocked in some states, you might be looking for sexy material elsewhere.
On AFF, you can find someone to sext via messaging or video chat (and plan to get it on IRL, if that's what you're looking for), watch live streams, or join niche group chat rooms. Is it worth $20-something per month? Depends on how much fishy content you're willing to overlook for a juicy sexting session.
We reached out to Kalyn Sanders, a business development executive at Friend Finder Networks, for updated AFF demographics. Right up there with Tinder's monthly flock, AdultFriendFinder snags the attention of over 55 million visits around the world per month, on average. (To whet your appetite upon signup, the main landing page flashes a few statistics, including "98,897,765 hot photos" and "3,495,277 connections," but we're not exactly sure what that means.) Most traffic originates from the United States, followed by visitors from the United Kingdom and Canada. Visits to AdultFriendFinder have dropped in the last year or so — it used to be the 25th most-visited adult site in the U.S. according to SimilarWeb, but as of May 2024, it was ranked 33rd, and as of April 2025, it was down to 67th. People are likely finding better alternatives.
SEE ALSO: Is Tinder Platinum worth it? I tried it for 3 months to find out.Specifics on the demographic that most people care about — the gender ratio — can be hard to track down. Sanders told us that "there's a two to one ratio of single men versus categories like single women, couples, and groups." The split between men and women is an expected one for a lot of hookup-centric sites. At the end of the day, it's a paradise for straight men, hit-or-miss for straight women and LGBTQ men, and likely an actual hellscape for LGBTQ women.
AFF lets you identify as and search for a man, woman, a couple, or trans. Despite trying to be a sex-positive site with blog posts, groups, a sex academy, and more, its language for the LGBTQ community has historically been anything but inclusive or positive. Previously, the AFF sign-up page listed "TG/TV/TS" as the "trans" gender selection — we'll let you infer what those stand for. After reaching out to AdultFriendFinder about it, this language has improved some with more gender options that are appropriately labeled — though "trans" is still a separate selection from "man" or "woman," which feels more like fetishization than inclusivity.
There are a handful of sexual orientation options that go beyond straight or gay, so that is a positive for AFF. Although, for such a sex-positive site, it shouldn't be surprising to see a variety of sexual orientations present.
The sexual oreintation selection is a bit more inclusive than the "searching for" section. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Should you sign up for AdultFriendFinder?If you're 100 percent over being grilled with relationship questions and the slow-and-steady pace on traditional dating sites like eharmony or Match, AdultFriendFinder is your golden ticket to instant communication. Registering takes about 30 seconds — it requires nothing from you aside from an email address, a username, a password, and an introduction. Your notifications will start pouring in even without adding any juicy info (because people see nothing wrong with hitting up a profile with a gray silhouette as a profile photo, apparently), but it's probably best to add a few photos and a detailed description — both to up your chances of flirtation or finding someone who shares a super-specific fantasy, and also to signal to other users that you're not a bot.
AdultFriendFinder features a personality questionnaire to personalize your profile and up your chances of finding a compatible match. Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinderAfter registering, there are a ton of ways to personalize your account (way more than you'd expect for a hookup site, honestly). The more you fill out, the more attractive your profile will be to new viewers. There are the basic physical appearance questions about eye and hair color, and since I identified as a woman, cup size was an option. (If you identify as a man, I'm sure you can guess what question they ask.)
SEE ALSO: How to unblock Xnxx porn for freeMany self-proclaimed hookup seekers can probably admit that they'd still like to hook up with someone they'd also like to grab a beer with, especially if they plan to see that person multiple times. Those people will appreciate that AFF gives a compatibility score with each user you come across: a metric that rates how well you might mesh with someone in the bedroom based on how you answered questions about what turns you on, whether you're dominant or submissive, and so on.
The site also features a personality test and a "My Kinks" form where you can select whether or not you're "curious about, into, or can't live without" a certain kink (e.g., anal, bondage, role play, etc.). It also lets you choose whether you're a voyeur, the giver, or the receiver.
One weird thing about the Personality Type test is that it asks several questions about whether or not you enjoy shopping at discount stores — not really sure what that's about. It also asks whether or not "a quiet time for prayer should be allowed in school." You can choose "strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree."
Once you finish the personality test (20 questions), you can opt to have your Personality Type show up on your profile or have it hidden. It will also show you which personality types complement yours.
Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Finding a match on AdultFriendFinderLike a traditional dating site, AdultFriendFinder gives you a collage of potential matches and will let you know who's online or close distance-wise. These will be random right after you sign up, but you can opt to update your preferences to refine your results: Choose your preferred gender(s), age range, location and mile radius, race, sexual orientation, body type, and marital status.
You barely have to scroll before noticing that there's no shortage of nudity. Depending on whether you set your preferences to men, women, or both, you'll see all of that stuff up close, personal, swinging around, in action. You name it, it'll pop up.
AdultFriendFinder is basically like a PornHub that you can interact with. We probably don't have to say this, but AdultFriendFinder is NSFW and not safe to be on while kids are in the room. If you'd rather not see the site's raunchier side, it offers a "no nudity" option, but I still wouldn't trust this filter enough to be online in a family setting or at work. Some videos will be blurred out and read "Naughty video" until you upgrade to a Gold Membership, but trust me — you'll get to see a lot, even with the free version.
The message section is set up similarly to a Gmail account, and you can mark things as read or important just as you would on a real email. You'll receive some crude messages instantly (creeps on Tinder do the same thing), but some will be genuinely friendly.
SEE ALSO: Tinder releases yet another feature to stop inappropriate messages AFF is not all badOnce you get past the in-your-face sexplosion of naked profile pictures, horny AIM-era profile names, and explicit videos, there are actually an impressive number of resources to help make your experience as satisfying as possible. Some will cost money even outside of the paid subscription, which is kind of dumb.
Aside from the NSFW content, the website is relatively straightforward (albeit ugly). Every feature is advertised in big letters, notifications are displayed clearly with labels, and you don't really have to click around to find anything. This makes it super accessible for users of all ages, even those who aren't tech-savvy and can't even figure out Facebook. Buttons are all over the place, but you figure it out after messing around for a few minutes.
Activities range from direct messaging, sending virtual gifts and tips, watching live videos of people in your feed, joining adult chat rooms that can get very niche, or entering photo contests.
AdultFriendFinder is like a PornHub that you can interact with.Think of AdultFriendFinder as the dating site version of New York City — it never sleeps. You'll find people who work the regular 9 to 5, people who work the night shift, and people in other time zones, so it's nearly impossible to log on and not have people to talk to. You know, like that booty call who's always awake when you text them.
Or at least that used to be the case... 10 years ago. What was once a hot site that a few Reddit users were quick to hype up is now one of the dating sites that Reddit users can't help but diss — in the few instances that AFF is even being discussed at all. It's notable that, on a site where online dating is such a mammoth topic of discussion, AdultFriendFinder has rarely been mentioned in a positive light since the early 2010s. The Reddit community is diverse and open-minded; if a dating site exists, someone on Reddit has used it and has an opinion. When an innocent soul does ask if it's legit, AFF usually gets dragged for sketchy pricing and being riddled with bots.
However, some Reddit members have praised AFF as a site for men meeting men. Even so, the site's still buggy and isn't exactly great for meeting real people who aren't, as one Reddit user so eloquently put it, "busted and unstable."
SEE ALSO: Is Bumble Premium worth it? I tried it for 2 months to find out. Paid memberships are where things get... interestingYou can do a decent amount of exploring without paying a cent: Limited messaging and emailing, visit and like most profiles, and enter some chat rooms. But just a few clicks on AdultFriendFinder can send you deep down the rabbit hole, and a lot of that juicier hidden content can only be unlocked with a paid membership (called the Gold membership) or by earning points.
Points are AdultFriendFinder's non-monetary currency. If you use the free version, you'll have to earn points through on-site activity to unlock stuff that's exclusive to paying members. It's kind of like a game, with points acting like dollar bills at the strip club.
A Gold membership is pretty much the standard if you're a guy looking for girls. While researching on Reddit, we found a few women who said they wouldn't meet a guy unless he's a Gold member. A Gold membership puts a little bit more credibility behind someone's profile and makes the whole encounter feel a bit safer. It's easier to believe that someone's a real person if they're a paying, active member of the site, and it's nice to know that they're taking it slightly seriously. Plus, if you see a picture or profile that looks like it's 10 years old, it really might be — there are a ton of non-active, non-paying profiles from old members and escorts still lingering.
AdultFriendFinder also gives members the option to confirm their identity with ConfirmID. If you do this, the site promises to give you two weeks of Gold for free. The ConfirmID works by entering your legal first and last name, home address, gender, and date of birth and uploading a copy of your driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID.
If you spend more quality time on the site than expected, becoming a paid member is definitely something to consider. Once you're paying, you basically become royalty on the site: Your profile will appear way higher in searches, you can use the most advanced searches, unlock profiles with private photo albums, check out video profiles, and message to your heart's content. A general rule is that increased involvement and payment on your end generally equals more success on the website, as your constant activity and heightened searchability make it easier for others to find you.
AdultFriendFinder pricingPrices for a Gold membership fluctuate but generally get cheaper the longer your subscription is: Get one month for $27.95, three months for $20.95 per month ($62.82 total), or 12 months for $14.95 per month ($179.40 total). The three-month membership is billed quarterly, while the 12-month membership is billed annually. With a Gold membership, free members cannot contact you, but they can still see your profile.
In addition to the Gold membership, AdultFriendFinder also offers Voyeur (enhanced profile gallery and hi-res member videos viewing) at $14.99 per month, Interaction (enhanced member-to-member interaction) at $14.99 per month, Chat Plus (enhanced direct member-to-member communication) at $9.99 per month, and Advanced Search and Highlight at $4.99 per month.
This is the pricing at the time of publishing, but according to AdultFriendFinder, pricing is subject to change.
Credit: Screenshot: AdultFriendFinder Good for: Very open-minded people looking to blow off steamStating the obvious, AdultFriendFinder is a space for people who want to bang with no strings attached, people who are in a sexual rut, people who are tired of porn, and people who find sites like eharmony boring. Getting to know someone for weeks before meeting up can be exhausting, and sometimes, you want to skip the small talk and do the dirty with a random. It's gonna get kinky out there, and that's great for those who are dying to blow off steam and want someone who will respond well to a brusque, sexy message.
People are so active on this site that it's impossible not to feel desired. You'll probably get a flood of message notifications, and once you come across your first legit suitor, you'll start to loosen up. Even if you're left on read a few times, you'll learn which opening lines and flirty comments work and which don't. But since the site is aimed toward casual sex and encounters and not serious relationships, the whole rejection thing isn't nearly as prevalent.
As with all dating sites, catfishing is a big buzzkill. Your chances of being pursued are way higher if you have a lot of pictures of the same person (AKA you), videos, and a genuine profile that lets people know they're not dealing with something sketchy. Even if you've had bad luck with online dating in the past, AdultFriendFinder is the place to be honest.
SEE ALSO: What is consensual non-monogamy? Bad for: People looking for a real relationship and the entire socially conscious communityYou know those warnings that thrill rides at amusement parks are required to put up that tell people who get dizzy easily or have heart problems to not get on the ride? AdultFriendFinder could use something like that. This site is not for the faint of heart — if you're a cynic, conservative by any means, get sketched out easily, or aren't a fan of dick pics, you'll probably hate it. Similarly, if you appreciate a well-crafted, aesthetically pleasing website that feels safe — no matter how badly you want to have sex — one glance at the landing page likely signals that it's not for you.
AdultFriendFinder is not the place to be if you're trying to make friends unless "with benefits" is tacked onto the end. Every inch of the site screams "this website is used to have sex," and you should really listen to that.
As illustrated by the recent flood of artsy activism guides on Instagram, it's clear what content appeals to young people on the internet: Something aesthetically pleasing, sharable, and digestible. The "sharable" part doesn't totally apply to online dating, but apps like Hinge and OkCupid closely follow this design trend by limiting the number of words (and ads) in each tab, steering clear of endless scrolling, and ensuring that important info isn't cluttered with flashing clickbait.
For instance, Pure is a modern, no-strings-attached hookup app that appeals to your horny side with a single, witty statement about sex rather than bombarding you with boobs and "Have sex in NYC now!" claims. Anyone older than a millennial may be totally used to this pop-up-ridden layout, which seemed to be popular in the early 2000s — but for younger folks, AFF's chaotic approach is way too reminiscent of Omegle.
AFF could do so much more to make people take it seriouslyThe entire website looks like an ad about hot MILFs that pops up when you're illegally streaming a movie. Seriously, it's bad. Even though the AFF website is technically legit, the pictures, word choice, and exclamation points everywhere scream "scam." No, AdultFriendFinder, "98,897,765 Hot Photos" is not the way to make potential new users trust you.
We're not knocking a quick hookup or no-strings-attached relations. This isn't about morals. Genitals are quite literally in your face from the moment you make an account, and that's just not cute. There are chiller ways to go about insinuating that this is a hookup website without feeling like you're trapped in a sex dungeon with strangers.
I could not get past the fact that the entire site looks like it's about to invite five viruses to your computer. We're talking terrible graphics that look like they were made on Microsoft Paint and pictures of women who look like they're from Pornhub in 2007. (That's when AdultFriendFinder was officially sold and rebranded from its original parent company.) Reddit user Snoo53279 summed it up in a comment from July 2020: "The people on AFF are definitely real, but there is a huge smattering of bots that also get in the way so it can be a bit of a PITA to use." If they're not bots, they could be men posing as a couple to seem less threatening.
The parade of women on the landing page is questionable for two reasons. This shouldn't even need to be clarified, but not everyone is looking for a woman. At the least, the advertising isn't inclusive — but this crosses into fetishization territory. The cherry on top is that the women in the photos (unsurprisingly) probably aren't even members of the site, according to a disclaimer at the bottom of the landing page.
SEE ALSO: What is cockfishing? Why some men lie about their size on dating apps.AdultFriendFinder's overall outdated vibe goes past an aesthetic annoyance — it's downright problematic at times. The lack of inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community is nearly unforgivable, and we'd be scared to see some of the related rhetoric that AFF users feel comfortable spewing. Without even a dash of social awareness, it's hard to see how anyone who's not an out-of-touch straight cis man would feel comfortable on this site.
Attempting to navigate the shoddy design might be enough to smother your horniness. Three main issues can make the site borderline unusable: It looks shady as hell, an alarming portion of the user base is made up of bots and spam accounts, and the user interface itself is outdated and rife with bugs.
Other Reddit users mention that the desktop web version won't even load for them at random times — an especially frustrating roadblock for people who want to end their membership and stop monthly charges. A solution to the laggy web version might be to clear your cache or use the smartphone app, but your experience probably won't improve. AFF's mobile page doesn't even mention an Android app, and the link to the iPhone app brings up a "not available" pop-up in the App Store. For a site that claims to have over 50 million visitors each month, the lack of accessibility to a smartphone app is just plain odd — especially in 2023.
Adding to the sketchiness, a network hack in 2016 exposed around 412 million accounts, including "deleted" accounts that weren't actually deleted from the database. If this is enough reason for you to fall back on Tinder for finding a friend with benefits, we don't blame you. Signing up with a burner email and avoiding using your real name as a username are wise moves (pick a naughty word and add 69 to the end, IDK), though keeping your personal information private is hard when credit cards are involved.
In 2007, AFF was involved in a lawsuit with the FTC over allegations that the site used malware to send explicit pop-up ads to computers owned by people who hadn't signed up for the service. Though we haven't seen reports like this recently, so we're hoping those ridiculous ads you see are at least confined to people who actually use the site.
The alternatives to AdultFriendFinderSurprisingly, AdultFriendFinder feels much more legit than its competitors. While other hookup sites like AdultFriendFinder have names like FreeSnapMilfs.com, Fuckswipe.com, and Instabang.com, AdultFriendFinder will be the one you'd hate showing up in your Google search history the least. Most have the same general idea: to find sexual partners, have cybersex, etc., but with names like those, the authenticity is way too questionable. AdultFriendFinder boasts a much larger audience and has built credibility in a Tinder-saturated market where these blunt, friskier competitors may have trouble gaining trust.
SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attachedNo matter how in the mood you are, your hungry eyes may not be able to look past AFF's heinous interface. We mentioned Pure earlier. The aesthetically pleasing, hella-millennial UX design is simply more palatable than AFF and the blueprint of what a modern hookup app should be. Kind of like a Snapchat for sex; your uploaded selfies, personal info, and conversations will self-destruct every 60 minutes. The app will send the hookup version of an Uber request to anyone close and ready to rumble, and you can choose what information to disclose from there.
Remember when we said AdultFriendFinder would be a nightmare for gay and bi women? Feeld is our favorite alternative app dedicated to singles and couples looking for threesomes, foursomes, or however many people you want — minus the unicorn hunting and rampant fetishization that many non-hetero, non-monogamous people face on traditional hookup sites and apps. Feeld went through a slight disaster of a rebrand and update in late 2023 that had us reevaluating its place among our recommendations due to bugs and location-related safety concerns. Feeld has since told Mashable that locations shared were not users' current exact locations, rather the name of the city, town, or borough.
The final verdict: Is AdultFriendFinder worth it?AdultFriendFinder is a low-pressure way to find a friends-with-benefits situation without insulting anyone. Everyone is pretty much there for the same reason — and though it'll feel pretty unorthodox if you've only ever used Tinder to scope this type of thing out, AFF's blunt advertising at least means you won't have to explain that you're not looking for a relationship. It's niche-friendly, well-populated, and has a ton of interactive outlets to indulge your primal urges.
But that freedom comes with a price — the price is feeling like one of those people who fall for the ads that pop up before a free Pornhub video. It's not that a site dedicated to sex and sexting is inherently scammy — it's that AdultFriendFinder drowns you with explicit photos on profiles that might not even be real people while asking you to pay for a subscription with every click.
Unfortunately, no matter how in the mood you are, some people aren't cut out for the nothing-left-to-the-imagination approach with grammar mistakes all over the place. It wants to be sex-positive so badly, but the language the site has used in reference to the trans community is the furthest thing from that.
The functionality and safety of the site and the mobile app aren't where they need to be in 2023. If security measures were tightened, graphics and photos were cleaned up to feel more relevant, and decision-makers behind the scenes were given a lesson in inclusivity and pronouns/identities, AdultFriendFinder could be a handy tool to find attachment-free hookups and connect with a community that's down for anything.
This isn't a dating or hookup site we would personally use, but if you're feeling brave, you can register for AdultFriendFinder here. Just don't try this at work.
Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder Learn MoreSAVE $100: As of April 1, Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise-canceling headphones are available for $329 at Amazon. That’s $100 off the regular $429 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra ANC Headphones $329 at AmazonIn my opinion, if your headphones don’t actively make your commute, your coworkers, or your existential dread disappear, they’re doing it wrong. Enter Bose QuietComfort Ultra, now down to $329 at Amazon — aka a full $100 off the usual $429 price. These are Bose’s top-tier headphones, and with this kind of discount, they’re practically daring you not to upgrade.
I tried to be chill about this price drop. I really did. But these headphones come with Bose Immersive Audio, which is basically spatial audio that doesn’t feel like a gimmick. CustomTune tech calibrates the sound specifically to your ears, which sounds like sci-fi but in reality just means your music slaps even harder.
SEE ALSO: Apple announces WWDC 2025 datesYou get three modes: Quiet, Aware, and Immersion. Immersion Mode pairs full noise cancellation with spatial audio, and let me tell you — it’s like being transported to your own private concert, minus the overpriced drinks and sticky floors. Calls sound crystal clear too, thanks to a mic that focuses on your voice and filters out background chaos.
Price: $329 $429
Retailer: Amazon
Color: Black (also available in Lunar Blue, White Smoke, and more)
Noise Cancellation: Quiet Mode, Aware Mode, and Immersion Mode with Bose Immersive Audio
Audio Tech: CustomTune personalized sound
Microphones: Enhanced voice clarity and background noise filtering
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours (18 with Immersive Audio); 15-min charge = up to 2.5 hours
Controls: Touch on earcups; motion-activated power
Bluetooth: Version 5.3, 30-foot range
App: Bose app for updates and customization
Comfort? Ridiculous. These things are plush, evenly balanced, and look way more expensive than they actually are right now. The 24-hour battery life (or 18 if you keep Immersive Audio on) means you’ll probably pass out before they do. And if you’re in a rush, a 15-minute charge gets you 2.5 hours of playtime.
There are touch controls, motion-powered on/off, and of course, the Bose app to tweak everything to your neurotic heart’s content. If you’ve been holding out for a serious upgrade, this $100 price cut is your green light.
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