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SAVE $15: As of April 16, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 43% on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick HD $19.99 at AmazonAmazon's HD Fire Stick is back on sale and for only the second time this year, it is reduced to under $20. The Fire TV Stick HD is a streaming device that plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. And as of April 16, you can buy it for $19.99.
The Fire Stick comes with a remote with Alexa built-in, allowing you to turn almost any TV into a smart TV. The Alexa feature is a great tool for searching through multiple platforms at once to find your favorite movie or comfort show, as well as using it to ask questions or search things on the internet.
SEE ALSO: How to watch 'Nickel Boys': One of our top films of 2024 is coming to Prime VideoAnd let's not forget, with this Fire Stick, you'll be enjoying these shows in beautiful HD quality.
The setup isn't confusing either, these handy remotes are so simple to use. All you need to do is pop the device into your TV's HDMI port, and that's it. You have instant access to a range of streaming platforms as well as many live channels.
Head to Amazon to grab this deal.
The last time I was around Tim Cook, I was screaming, "Queer kids need you" at the top of my lungs. Holding signs asking him to stop selling unsafe phones to kids, our team at the Heat Initiative — a nonprofit working to keep kids safe online — tried calling on someone who we thought was one of the last Big Tech CEOs with a heart. Being the first openly gay man to head a Fortune 500 company, I hoped he would shatter the glass ceiling, allowing more young LGBTQ+ people to envision a similar path of excellence. Instead, he carved out just enough space for him to step through, sealing it back up and joining the other tech oligarchs in their pristine detachment from the rest of society.
The Big Tech oligarchy was front and center at Trump’s inauguration, showing Americans who were really about to run our country. Watching Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg play teacher’s pet was expected. But Cook donating $1 million to Trump’s inauguration was a shock. Until then, I had relatively neutral-to-positive things to say about Cook’s leadership. I hoped the company’s failure to keep kids safe on their devices and platforms would end up being one of the rare black spots in Cook's rather impressive corporate history. One thing has become abundantly clear: Child safety is no longer the only black spot in Cook’s time at Apple. Tim Cook himself is harming Apple’s reputation.
Trump’s tariffs have been getting a lot of air time. Given that they impact working-class Americans' lives, I hoped my dissenting opinion on them would be proven wrong. After all, the idea of more manufacturing in the U.S. sounds good, I just think that using the livelihoods of Americans as a bargaining tool is wrong.
SEE ALSO: President Trump says semiconductor tariffs are nextBut tech giants like Apple are also being hammered by the tariffs, with their stock price see-sawing thanks to Trump's chaotic policy. It was refreshing to see that these attacks were not just happening to our most vulnerable, but also to our most powerful — including a giant corporation that has not done enough to protect vulnerable populations, like kids and LGBTQ+ Americans, from online dangers. Thanks to the tariffs, Cook's $1 million suck up donation to Trump was turning out to be a waste.
That was short lived. Suddenly, smartphones were now temporarily exempt from the tariffs, proving once again that it really is that easy to buy favors from the leader of the "free" world. With the exemption, presented to the public as a way to protect Americans' accessibility to devices, Cook could rest easy knowing that his stock price would bounce back and his and his stockholders' pockets would continue to fill. Then, Trump equivocated again, calling the exemption temporary. Maybe Cook's $1 million wasn't enough? Or maybe having a strong moral code, and standing up for what (and who) is right, is good business sense in the end.
SEE ALSO: Trump admin already walks back smartphone, laptop tariff exemptionThis past weekend, Cook’s alma mater, Auburn University, celebrated their famous alumni day. My team and I were on the ground, with a hilarious parody blimp of Cook holding money bags and a phone that says "profits over kids," talking to people on campus. We connected with an engineer that geeked out about hash matching technology, a privacy forward technology to detect known child sexual abuse material; a family talking about the regret of giving their daughter a phone too early; and young people aware of their iPhone addiction.
I miss the feeling of being excited about Apple’s newest technology. Here’s hoping Cook, thanks to Trump's treatment, has an epiphany and transforms back into the leader we know he should be.
Lennon Torres is a Public Voices Fellow on Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse with The OpEd Project. She is an LGBTQ+ advocate who grew up in the public eye, gaining national recognition as a young dancer on television shows. With a deep passion for storytelling, advocacy, and politics, Lennon now works to center the lived experience of herself and others as she crafts her professional career in online child safety at Heat Initiative. Lennon’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennon-torres-325b791b4/
"With so many 'rules' around what to do and what not to do anymore, who the **** knows," laments a Reddit user on a post about texting etiquette whilst dating. The goalposts continue to shift in the dating world, from waiting for a phone call to come the next day to now, an age of constant contactability. So, what exactly are the rules of engagement for texting in the early stages of dating?
As a relationship blooms, it can be hard to know what and how frequently to message. Difficult enough that Redditors have formed comprehensive "how-to" guides on navigating messaging in the "beginning stages" of a courtship. Some daters are keen to meet extremely quickly to the understandable discomfort of others, while others are happy to exchange lengthy messages until the situation enters pen pal territory.
SEE ALSO: Are we sharing too much too soon while dating online?Even after meeting IRL, how much are you supposed to stay in touch between dates one and two (if the vibe is there), and you want to keep up the momentum but save something for in-person? How can we create an image of the person we're trying to get to know if all we actually know of them is words on a screen? Without inflection, personality, or anything beyond a blue box and white text?
How do we create intimacy in those early stages and keep it alive before dates, and can digital intimacy meet our needs like physical intimacy? We asked daters and the experts.
How often should we be texting during early dating stages?Research by associate professor of psychology Dr Darcey N. Powell, then at Roanoke College and now at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, shows that in the early stages of dating, referred to as the talking stages, "there is less information shared, fewer physical acts of intimacy, and less commitment to the partner than when dating."
When talking to Mashable's features editor and author Rachel Thompson in The Love Fix, Powell says these stages are "a balancing act of trying to protect oneself because you're unsure of what's going to happen, but people aren't good at breaking up with each other or being rejected."
"I'll usually use a dating app to communicate up until a date has been set, and I'll probably check in once a day or maybe more if I'm really keen," says Polly, 29, an active dater from London. Polly, like other people Mashable spoke to, requested to go by their first name only for privacy reasons.
"Ideally, I want to be texting somebody I'm dating roughly four times back and forth each day. If it's less than that, then I'd prefer the texts to be longer and more detailed," she says. By the time she meets someone in person, WhatsApp is her preferred method of communication.
"I think the problem is that we know people are on their phones ALL the time, so we're now hardwired to expect people to respond instantly, and if they don't, we automatically assume they can't be that interested," says Polly.
This feeling isn't unique. A 2016 Harvard sociology study revealed that 94 percent of respondents (all millennials) said receiving, writing, or waiting for text messages can make them anxious. Reddit users, too, have experienced this, seeking help on subreddits such as r/SocialSkills.
Despite this common experience, the average American has 43 unread texts, according to 2021 research.
"Hypercommunication [constant exchanges] can negatively impact relationships by fostering an over-reliance on asynchronous messaging as a measure of relationship success, rather than meaningful in-person connection," says Caitlin Begg, author of the 2016 study, sociologist, and founder of research firm Authentic Social.
How do we create real intimacy?While some daters like to text about one's day, that's not the case for everyone.
"I only text if it's regarding planning or if I have a question. I hate being in constant contact with someone when I'm not physically with them," expresses a Reddit user in a comment on r/Dating Advice.
"I am a big fan of spending time in person and if that isn't possible, incorporating FaceTimes or phone calls," says Allison Raskin, writer and relationship coach.
"Having experiences together also creates intimacy because it creates memories and shows you what the other person is actually like in the world," Raskin continues, recognising that there is only so much you can glean through a screen. "Texting shows you people's thoughts but not how they behave in different situations."
We can text a romantic interest repeatedly, but what we learn about them is filtered through their mind, edited with rapid precision, and then read in a tone we create in our minds. Messaging can conjure an image we find attractive without offering a real-life experiment to test it.
SEE ALSO: Is the ick just a lack of attraction?Research also shows that the benefits of face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable. A 2022 paper in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication found that face-to-face interactions make us feel more connected and less lonely. Whilst voice calls brought some level of connection, texting and video calls were less beneficial.
"If you think about the best, most real conversations you've had, they usually happen when you're feeling your most relaxed, comfortable, and safe," says Dr Nikki Coleman, psychologist and wellness coach.
"Envision those late night/early morning conversations under a blanket. The things shared in those moments are intimate. Try to create that same energy even in the early stages," she recommends. "You have to get to know someone in 3D — the wild, outside — to be able to build intimacy. Until you really know someone in that way, you're really building a relationship with a fantasy in your mind."
What is the difference between 2D connection and 3D intimacy?"We learn slivers of information about a person and our brain does the rest, filling the gaps to make a whole person make sense in our heads — but it isn't real. It's a romanticised picture of a person that does not exist, and sometimes creates a narrative the real person cannot match," says Georgie, 24, an active dater in London.
While a text can bring a smile to your face and allow that touchpoint often lost in the days that can sometimes feel endless between seeing each other, a pinch of salt must be taken during digital exchanges.
The gap between first contact and meeting, or between dates, can stretch depending on diaries, desires, and other factors. Phone calls and voice notes might be too intimate for the level of connection being fostered at this stage, leaving texting as the most appropriate, accessible, and immediate method of communication in the interim. Texting is also the most ambiguous and open to interpretation.
"I once was super excited for a first date because we had been texting for a few weeks leading up to the date, and I thought he was hilarious," Georgie says.
"This person that I had in my head in no way matched up to the reality of the person I met. He was lovely, but most definitely not for me, which was probably exacerbated by my utter shock at the stranger that rocked up to the date when I had been mentally dating an entirely different human being," Georgie continues. "The date lasted all of 26 minutes."
This person that I had in my head in no way matched up to the reality of the person I met...The date lasted all of 26 minutes. - Dater Georgie What communication rules exist in dating?Digital communication is important today, especially when dating. However, a balance between real-life and digital interactions must be struck, with a dash of skepticism and the ability to look beyond the paragraphs on screens. To what extent? That's different for everybody.
"People love to give 'hard and fast' dating rules. 'Dating experts' and others try to prescribe set norms for digital communication in dating, but the reality is it's messy. This means it's key to find someone who aligns with your communication style," Begg believes.
And we can control more than we may think within these early stages.
"I would recommend that folks be honest and direct about the amount of communication they need, and to walk away from connections that can't meet those needs," recommends Melissa Fabello, PhD, sex and relationships educator.
"Co-creating that dynamic, which includes sharing when you desire more or less communication, is the real goal."
Each of us will have different expectations, desires, and comfort levels when dating. But what we can do is set our own expectations, recognise our needs, and be ready to respond appropriately — whether in person or digitally.
TL;DR: Save $417 on this AI stock-picking app that can help you navigate crazy markets and keep your cool.
I was watching the first of the month’s market crashes and wondered, ‘Does it make sense to invest right now?’ I’d always been curious about the stock market, at least in terms of how people actually got rich by practically gambling, but I didn’t have a single clue where to begin — let alone how to even buy a stock.
Once I saw a TikTok calling this period a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (take that with a grain of salt), I decided to take my chance. But I needed help researching everything: what stocks to choose and how to track them. That’s when I found Sterling Stock Picker, and made my first investment with their $68.99 lifetime subscription (reg. $486).
How I invested my first dollarMy biggest concern wasn’t that the market wouldn’t eventually recover, but that I would choose ‘bad’ stocks due to my lack of experience. Sterling Stock Picker helped me feel calm with the 5-minute questionnaire covering my wants and ability to handle risk.
Then, I started researching stocks with help from AI. I also learned about something called exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are like groups of stocks. I didn’t know what these were at first, so I consulted the AI assistant, Finley AI, and it told me that it’s like putting a stake into a huge nest of companies at once rather than individually.
Once I selected a few ETFs to invest in, I opened a free brokerage account (sadly, you can’t directly invest through Sterling Stock Picker). I purchased my shares and put the information into Sterling Stock Picker so I could view my portfolio with fun graphs and charts and get alerts when prices change — which may help me determine when to sell.
How it’s goingWell, it’s only been a few days since I’ve made my investments and, if you’ve been keeping up with the news, things have been up and down. One day, my $1,000 portfolio was up $100, and the next, it was down $20.
As a total beginner, I won’t offer any formal advice to you other than to do your research and be well-informed, and Sterling Stock Picker is a great tool to do just that.
Get a Sterling Stock Picker lifetime subscription for $68.99 (reg. $486).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: SSP Software Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $68.99TL;DR: Be prepared for anything with the FlashMini PRO, a 12-in-1 super bright utility flashlight, now just $14.97 (reg. $34) through April 27.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mutant Design Lab FlashMini PRO $14.97Power outages usually catch us by surprise. Being prepared for emergency situations can provide some peace of mind, and the FlashMini PRO is a convenient way to make sure you always have light.
The FlashMini PRO is a 12-in-1 super bright utility flashlight with a conveniently sleek design that can tag along anywhere. And right now, you can score one for only $14.97 (reg. $34).
Light the way with this multitasking flashlightLet the FlashMini PRO light the way at home and on the go, thanks to a built-in carabiner that easily attaches to keys to backpacks. If you're traveling light, you can pop it into your pocket.
Aside from serving as a powerful flashlight that shines 30 times brighter than your smartphone's flashlight, the FlashMini PRO offers seven quick-adjust light modes to suit your needs, available in white and yellow light. And a red warning light and emergency strobe are available if needed.
The FlashMini PRO includes a foldable kickstand to adjust the light at different angles. The magnetic base also allows it to attach easily to metal surfaces. And it doubles as a bottle opener, so it'll come in handy if you need to open a beverage.
Enjoy up to 3.5 hours of use from the rechargeable battery, or one hour of runtime at maximum brightness. It's easy to power back up.
Whether you're heading out on a hike, off on a camping trip, or simply making sure you're never stuck in the dark, the FlashMini PRO offers plenty of perks.
Get your own FlashMini PRO, a 12-in-1 super bright utility flashlight, now just $14.97 (reg. $34) through April 27.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: This Apple Mac mini M2 proves bigger isn't always better, and right now, this powerful, compact desktop computer is yours for $359.99.
Looking for a desktop computer that won't take up too much space? Enter the Apple Mac mini, a petite yet powerful device powered by Apple's lightning-fast M2 chip.
You can currently snag your own Apple Mac mini M2 for just $359.99, $140 off the usual price tag, right here.
Upgrade your workstation with this Apple Mac miniWhether you're working from home, studying, or setting up a dedicated gaming station, a desktop computer can give your workspace a more professional feel. And this Apple Mac mini M2 saves you much-needed desk space thanks to its tiny casing.
Don't be deceived by its small size; this Apple Mac mini is powered by an Apple M2 chip that allows for serious power, speedy multitasking, and even 8K video editing. Tackle even the heaviest lifts on your to-do list thanks to the 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
256GB of SSD storage allows you to save files right to the device. There's also plenty of input and output options available if you need to hook up an external hard drive with USB-A, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, Ethernet, and a headphone jack.
The Mac mini has macOS Ventura pre-installed, so you'll be running smoothly with your favorite apps in no time. And connectivity is a breeze thanks to the Wi-Fi 6E, which offers faster wireless speeds for smoother data transfers and easy cloud access.
Curious why you're securing such a great price? This model comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means your device will arrive in near-mint condition, but you'll still receive the discounted price.
Bring home your own Apple Mac mini 2 for just $359.99 (reg. $499) while supplies last.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac mini M2 (Early 2023) 8GB RAM 256GB SSD (Refurbished) $359.99BEST AMD CUSTOM PC: As of April 16, MAINGEAR’s RUSH Night Drive Artist Series PC is available for $3,498. You’re not saving money here, you’re spending smart: premium AMD parts, artist-driven design, zero bloatware, and hand-built precision with exceptional support.
Opens in a new window Credit: MAINGEAR MAINGEAR RUSH Night Drive Artist Series PC Shop NowI own this exact PC. I don’t mean I tested it for a week. I mean it’s sitting next to me, powered on, running smooth as ever while I write this. It’s the second system I’ve purchased from MAINGEAR, and I can say without hesitation that this Night Drive Artist Series build is the best gaming PC I’ve ever used. It’s easily the best money I’ve spent on tech.
I’ve been around the block when it comes to building PCs. I’ve spent Saturday afternoons hunched over a kitchen table with thermal paste in my hair. I’ve cursed the awkward shape of a budget mid-tower case while trying to route thick PSU cables through a spaghetti maze of sharp-edged metal. I’ve also spent plenty of time using and messing around with prebuilt systems from the major players, and I know exactly where they tend to fall short. Usually, it’s in ways you don’t notice until something goes wrong.
SEE ALSO: Nvidia vs. AMD: Putting the GPU giants side-by-sideSo when I say this: spending $3,498 on a MAINGEAR RUSH Night Drive Artist Series PC is absolutely worth it, I mean it in the most grounded, painfully practical way.
This isn’t me throwing around cash to flex on people with RGB. I’m not here to sell you on the most expensive thing just because it’s shiny. This is me, a seasoned PC user, explaining why I went with a hand-built custom machine from a boutique company over dozens of more affordable options with similar specs.
Let’s break it down, component by component, and experience by experience. Here’s why this setup is something genuinely special.
Specifications and featuresPrice: $3,498 for Night Drive Artist Series ($3,099 in standard Rush chassis)
Retailer: MAINGEAR
Case: RUSH Mk. IV - Night Drive
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT with 16GB GDDR6
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cooling: MAINGEAR Epic 360 RGB liquid cooler
Fans: 10-count premium RGB fans
Memory: 32GB T-Force Delta RGB
Storage: 1TB T-Force A440 NVMe SSD
Motherboard: MSI Pro B850-P WiFi
Power Supply: 850W MSI MAG A850GL
Power Cables: Stock
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Warranty: 1-year included
Shipping Time: Estimated 2 to 3 weeks
If you’re chasing raw power, this thing delivers. I chose the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card for a reason. It has 16GB of GDDR6 memory, excellent ray tracing capabilities, and a level of headroom that doesn’t require sacrificing performance just to keep thermals in check. It’s running cool and smooth even when I throw demanding titles at it on ultra settings.
This card is hard to find. At retail, it’s going for around $1,100 when it’s in stock, which is rarely. And that’s your first real value. MAINGEAR has access to the good stuff. You aren’t rolling the dice with your GPU order or crossing your fingers on shipping. You’re getting high-end hardware, installed, tested, and ready to roll.
The CPU? AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. This chip is a monster. It’s about $860 on its own and well worth it. It handles CPU-bound titles and productivity workloads without breaking a sweat. Games feel effortless. Renders move faster. And multitasking doesn’t even make the fans spin up.
Those two parts alone are nearly $2,000. That doesn’t include a case, cooler, RAM, SSD, motherboard, power supply, or the skilled labor that makes all the parts work together like a dream.
This is not a budget tower. It’s a work of art.The RUSH chassis is exclusive to MAINGEAR. I chose the Night Drive Artist Series upgrade, which gives the case a glossy, layered 3D finish. The result looks like a high-end collectible and not a plastic box from an outlet warehouse.
The panoramic tempered glass panel gives you full visibility into the system, which matters when everything inside is wired perfectly. This isn’t a half-effort cable job. Every wire is routed with intention. It looks like a demo unit you’d see at a trade show.
The RGB lighting setup is subtle and seamless. It doesn’t scream. It glows. And when you add the premium fan kit like I did, you get a full system that’s visually unified and acoustically chill. Even under load, this thing doesn’t sound like a stressed-out leaf blower.
Cooling that’s actually effectiveThermal performance is essential, especially in a rig with this much power. MAINGEAR’s Epic 360 RGB liquid cooler isn’t just about showing off. It does the job. Temps stay solid during long sessions, and airflow across the case is well-balanced.
GPU sag? Not happening. They include a custom bracket that supports the card, preventing pressure on the PCIe slot and saving your motherboard’s lifespan. It’s a small touch that shows the level of care that went into the build.
BIOS tweaks includedThe system arrives tuned. Not kind of tuned. Fully tweaked at the BIOS level. RAM timings are dialed in. Boost performance is validated. Thermals are tested. This is not what you get with a big box build where BIOS is left on stock settings and your RAM never runs at full speed.
You’re getting every bit of performance your hardware is capable of, and you’re getting it out of the box.
MAINGEAR support is next levelI had a minor issue with my MG-1 build’s RGB lighting. It wasn’t syncing right. I reached out, and their support didn’t just reply with a script. They worked through the problem with me, sent a fix, followed up, and included some extra swag for the trouble. That kind of service doesn’t happen with most manufacturers.
And it’s not a fluke. This build has had zero issues, but I know if something came up, I’d get the same fast, intelligent help again.
A bloat-free experienceMAINGEAR systems ship with clean Windows installs. There’s no antivirus trial waiting to ruin your startup sequence. No random manufacturer utilities trying to launch every time you boot. It’s your system from day one, not theirs.
I installed Steam, Discord, and a few launchers and was gaming within minutes. It’s refreshing not having to spend your first hour uninstalling trashware.
You can go all out or keep it simpleThe Night Drive design is part of MAINGEAR’s Artist Series. If the cyberpunk glow isn’t your thing, you can choose the Good Fortune theme or the industrial Machina design instead. They all cost the same and feature that same embossed texture and high-gloss finish.
If you want to keep it minimal and save a bit, MAINGEAR also offers this same build in the original Rush Mk. IV chassis. It has the same internal layout and airflow, just without the art finish. That version drops the price to $3,099.
Built for now. Ready for later.Here’s the part that really sealed the deal for me. This system isn’t just powerful now. It’s upgradable later. All the components are standard, not proprietary. You can add a new GPU, swap the RAM, drop in a faster SSD, or upgrade to a new CPU when it makes sense.
And if you don’t feel like doing it yourself? MAINGEAR will help you spec out the right upgrade path and even install it for you if you send your system back in. That kind of flexibility and support makes this feel like a long-term investment, not a short-term splash.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, April 16, 2025:
Across"T-t-t-turn up the heat!"The answer is Brr.
The answer is Fried.
The answer is Rando.
The answer is Issue.
The answer is Hex.
The answer is Brash.
The answer is Rinse.
The answer is Redux.
The answer is Fri.
The answer is Doe.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Track events that don't include running
Green: Played on a table
Blue: Sports teams that share a state
Purple: Share a first word/letter
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Throwing events
Green: Often found in a game room
Blue: Ohio sports teams
Purple: Words that can be preceded by "T-"
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #205 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayThrowing events - DISCUS, HAMMER, JAVELIN, SHOT PUT
Often found in a game room - AIR HOCKEY, FOOSBALL, PING PONG, POOL
Ohio sports teams - BEARCATS, BENGALS, CAVALIERS, REDS
Words that can be preceded by "T-" - BALL, MAC, SHIRT, WOLVES
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 16 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fore!The words are golf-related.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are what you swing to hit a golf ball.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is GolfClubs.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 16Driver
Wood
Putter
Iron
Wedge
Chipper
Utility
GolfClubs
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
TL;DR: Replace your monthly Dropbox subscription with a 10TB Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Plan on sale for £211.87 with code STORAGE20.
Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan £211.87Cloud storage subscriptions are expensive, even if they don't seem like it at first. Dropbox's cheapest plan is £7.56 per month for 2TB of cloud storage. It seems cheap, but that's a little over £90 every year, and you're never actually done paying for it.
If you want a cheaper alternative to Dropbox, Internxt just dropped the price for a 10TB cloud storage lifetime subscription. Now it's only £211.87 with code STORAGE20.
Pay once for a lifetime of cloud storageSpace isn't the only thing this cloud storage has going for it. Internxt is committed to keeping your data safe. That's why they use end-to-end encryption to secure files during transfer and at rest. Its zero-knowledge architecture means that files are encrypted in a way that Internxt itself cannot access. You're the only one who has access to your files.
You don't even have to manually upload. You can sync all your files and photos across platforms, even Linux. This focus on privacy even extends to its open-source design, so users can inspect the code for transparency and security.
This subscription lasts for life, with no recurring payments of any kind. You can access your cloud storage on unlimited devices, too.
Use code STORAGE20 by April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get an Internxt 10TB Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription on sale for £211.87.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
VPNs are seriously useful security tools that can protect your identity and data, bypass online restrictions to access extra content, and much more. If this is all very new to you, you've probably got a lot of questions. Don't worry, because we can help.
We've done all the hard work for you and thoroughly researched these services to provide the information that matters to you. Here's everything you need to know about VPNs.
What is a VPN?VPNs (or Virtual Private Networks) provide important protection for your data and identity when you're online. They offer this online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). This means that all of your activity is untraceable and secure.
Basically, you can think about VPNs as encrypted tunnels through which all of your online traffic passes through. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware.
Do you need a VPN?Any sort of activity on an unsecured WiFi network leaves your private information and browsing habits exposed to the world, unless you're using a VPN. There's no need to panic, because whether you're sending important emails, doing some online shopping, or paying essential bills, VPNs make sure that everything remains private and anonymous.
SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for your iPhoneFirst and foremost, VPNs are designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services: streaming more content from around the world. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming services into thinking that you are based in a different country. This means that you can watch all of the shows and films from global libraries, like all the extra content on U.S. Netflix. This is the quickest and easiest way of boosting your content options, without the need to rely on a dodgy stream.
What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to VPNs, but we don't have all day. Instead of listing off every feature offered by the best VPNs, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about.
Before you make any sort of decision, you should look out for connection speed, server network, number of logins, and more important features:
Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.
Connection speed — Using a VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept a significant drop that is going to result in buffering. Be sure to select a VPN that doesn't negatively impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or download a file without frustration.
Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.
Number of connections — Some VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. Others limit you to just a single device. You should look out for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time.
Server network — The very best VPNs provide access to literally thousands of geographically diverse servers. It's useful if a VPN has a lot of servers in key locations, because you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing anonymously. It's not a straightforward case of more is better, but it's always good to have options.
Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.
There are other things to consider, like price and subscription plans, but these features are a good place to start.
Should you use free VPNs?There are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. So why would you ever pay for a VPN?
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.
What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.
What is the best VPN?There are a lot of VPN providers out there all offering different sets of features, with different pricing structures. We recommend taking some time to carefully access your options, and decide on what you really need from a VPN. Once you have established your priorities, you can check out this definitive list of the best VPNs this month.
We have tracked down everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best VPNs for streaming, shopping, and everything else. We have tried to find something for everyone and every budget, and you can find popular services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN in this list. All you need to do is weigh up these options against your own set of priorities, and then pick a favourite from the bunch.
These are the best VPNs in 2025.
FREE LEGO: On May 4, build a Lego Grogu in a hover pram model at participating stores and take it home with you for free. Find participating stores here.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free Grogu for Star Wars Day Learn MoreLego has been running generous make-and-take events all year. Fans have been given the opportunity to build a Steering Wheel, Valentine's Day Heart, and Mother's Day Bouquet for free in 2025, and the giveaways aren't stopping there.
Lego is celebrating Star Wars Day in style this year: Visitors to select Lego Stores on May 4 will have the chance to participate in a Lego Star Wars Grogu Make and Take event. During this event, participants can build and bring home a model of Grogu in a hover pram. Availability varies by store and country, so be sure to check out Lego's Store Locator to see if this event will be featured at a store near you.
SEE ALSO: Building the 'Twilight' Lego set was the therapy session I didn’t know I neededMay 4 is a special date for fans of the franchise, so why not mark this occasion by taking home something exclusive for free. Celebrate your love for Star Wars and Grogu by making plans to attend your nearest event. You know it makes sense.
Build and take home an exclusive Lego Star Wars Grogu for free on May 4.
TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from North Carolina with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
More than a third of U.S. states have introduced restrictions for online adult content, including North Carolina. After the introduction of age verification laws, millions of users in North Carolina are now unable to access popular sites like Pornhub. There are complicated reasons for this restriction, but for those left in the dark, there is a simple workaround.
If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from North Carolina, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock Pornhub for free in North CarolinaVPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.
Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub
Visit Pornhub
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for Pornhub?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Pornhub for free in North Carolina with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Real Madrid vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Champions League quarter finals started with a number of really interesting games, but Arsenal vs. Real Madrid might have been the biggest story. Declan Rice shocked the world with two stunning free kicks to lead Arsenal towards a 3-0 victory. This game should be finished, but you can never count out Real Madrid.
If you want to watch Real Madrid vs. Arsenal in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Real Madrid vs. Arsenal?Real Madrid vs. Arsenal in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on April 16. This fixture takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
How to watch Real Madrid vs. Arsenal for freeReal Madrid vs. Arsenal is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Real Madrid vs. Arsenal for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Real Madrid vs. Arsenal for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Real Madrid vs. Arsenal (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Real Madrid vs. Arsenal in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Champions League matchup between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich is still hanging in the balance. Inter Milan won the first leg 2-1, but everything is still up for grabs. We're expecting a close battle between two talented sides as they do everything they can to progress to the semi-final stage.
If you want to watch Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich?Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on April 16. This fixture takes place at the San Siro.
How to watch Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich for freeInter Milan vs. Bayern Munich is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.
Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintA biscuit-like pastry.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerSCONE
Hurdle Word 2 hintStrength.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 16, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerPOWER
Hurdle Word 3 hintTo add up.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 16, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerCOUNT
Hurdle Word 4 hintThe name of something.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 16 Hurdle Word 4 answerTITLE
Final Hurdle hintSleek.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerSLICK
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
In this age of on-demand everything, hookup apps are the go-to for casual dating. If we can stream movies (thank you, Netflix) and order a takeaway with just a few taps, why shouldn't we find a potential partner the same way?
Sometimes all you want is a little fun, and there's an app for that.
How do you find a hookup?It's still possible to find a connection in the real world. Meeting in bars, clubs, parks, and other real-life locations still happens on a regular basis. You're simply shortening your odds by subscribing to a dating site.
Dating sites and sex apps allow you to get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals. Plus, you can save a lot of time, energy, and cash by testing out a potential relationship on an app before meeting up. We know that some dating apps can be expensive, but just think about all those wasted coffees you could avoid by chatting through an app first.
SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for sending naughty messagesUsing dating apps and sites is also a whole lot less intimidating than meeting someone face to face. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you dip your toe into the world of dating from the comfort of your own home.
Should you use free dating apps?The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are popular options with massive networks of users. Plus, most of the biggest and best dating sites have free versions with limitations on certain features. So yes, you can easily enter the online dating game without spending anything. However, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for with dating apps. And sometimes free apps just don't cut it.
For the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up some cash. We're sorry to break it to you, but the best dating sites don't come cheap. It all comes down to access to advanced and premium features. You can still find a hookup with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading.
What makes an app good for hooking up?There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hookup apps. What works for your friends might not work for you. Your best bet is to download a handful of options and see which one clicks with your vibe.
Skip the apps that are all about romance and happily ever afters (we're looking at you, eharmony). Instead, keep an eye out for apps that get straight to the point. The best hookup apps make chatting quick and easy (messaging, video calls, all that good stuff), and even the free ones should have features like profile verification to help keep you safe.
If you really want to pay for a premium membership, that's up to you. But we recommend starting with the free versions of cult faves like Tinder, Grindr, and Hinge. These popular dating apps give you just enough functionality to connect with potential partners for casual encounters — all without spending anything.
What is the best sex and dating app for hooking up?The good news is that there are absolutely loads of dating sites and sex apps out there for every type of dater and dating situation. The problem with this wealth of options is that deciding on the right site for you can be difficult. This is where we can help.
Whether you're looking to have a one-night stand, exchange nudes with strangers, or have some phone sex before you doze off, we've rounded up the most reliable hookup apps for every type of single. You can download them via Google Play or the App Store and start swiping in minutes.
These are the best hookup sites and apps in 2025.
Need a new pair of headphones? Of course you do. We all do. Headphones are absolutely essential in the modern Bluetooth-connected world, but technology moves at lightning speed. It's always time for an upgrade. The good news is, there are dozens of headphones and earbuds out there to consider. The bad news, however, is that finding the perfect pair to suit you and your lifestyle isn't always easy.
A good way to start is by asking yourself some key questions. What do you actually need thd headphones for? Working out? Commuting? Listening at home? There are more questions: Do you need a super long battery life or quick and easy charging? What about noise cancellation, so you can drown out the world around you? All headphones fundamentally promise the same thing — to deliver great sound — but some pairs are better tailored to your specific lifestyle.
Sure, you could always visit Amazon and nab the cheapest pair, but that’s never a long term solution. You should always do your research before buying a pair of headphones. Let us get the ball rolling with some helpful headphone information and a selection of the best headphones and earbuds available right now.
Which is better — over-ear headphones or earbuds?There’s no clear-cut winner. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like buds that drill tunes directly into their ears. There are benefits to both. Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, and therefore audiophiles should focus largely on over-ear style headphones. Earbuds meanwhile are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. Generally, earbuds will likely suit anyone who prioritises portability — whether that’s for commuting, air travel, or taking to the gym — and anyone who gets uncomfortable from long, sweaty sessions under padded headphones.
What is true wireless?This is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching headphones. But wireless is wireless, right? Well, not exactly. Technically there are different types of wireless headphones — particularly when it comes to earbuds. Regular “wireless” means they are independent from the device or stereo — as in, not connected by a wire — but the buds are still wired to each other. “True wireless” means the buds are completely independent and connect via Bluetooth.
Wireless over-ear headphones often aren’t “true wireless” as they might have an optional cable that can be plugged into your device, which is handy for when you run out of juice. Even so, wireless is usually the preference.
What is noise cancellation?This is another important feature that’s common in the latest headphones. It’s a built-in feature that keeps out or suppresses external noise, allowing you to fully immerse in the music without any distractions. There are two basic types of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation — or ANC — uses a system of small microphones to pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves that cancel them out.
There are other advanced modes, such as ANC that adapts to surroundings (known as adaptive noise cancellation), or a transparency mode that allows in certain ambient sounds. This is especially useful in you work in an office and need to tune into chats with colleagues, or for listening out for announcements on public transport.
What features to headphones have?Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick a perfect pair:
Bluetooth codecs — These are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.
Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, more natural sound. Closed-back are a go-to choice for commuting and loud environments.
Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. In over-ear headphones they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones. In earbuds, they measure between 8mm and 15mm.
Spatial audio — This is an audio technology that's becoming increasingly common, particularly with Apple's premium headphones or headphones that support Dolby Atmos. Spatial audio effectively creates a 3D soundstage and a virtual surround sound experience.
Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair.
What are the best headphones?We've checked out just about every set of headphones and earbuds, and taken notes to help you decide. Regardless of your budget or requirements, there's a perfect pair of headphones for your needs. Just pick the pair that, well, sounds best.
These are the best headphones in 2025.
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