Mashable

Mashable has been testing laptops for over 10 years, and I took the category's helm in 2023. Over the past year and a half alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tried more than 50 of the most promising configurations available. We use a meticulous testing procedure to score our contenders on the basis of performance, battery life, design/build quality, and value.

The following guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best-in-class models across different subcategories. For even more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.

What's new

I revamped this guide with a bunch of new picks in mid-2026 after a new round of testing. The 15-inch, M5-powered Apple MacBook Air is our new top MacBook, replacing its M4 predecessor. The Asus Zenbook A14 is our new favorite Windows laptop, succeeding the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, which got a price hike and a successor this spring. (I plan on testing the new version.) The MacBook Neo replaces the Acer Aspire 16 AI as the best budget laptop overall (but that's still the best cheap Windows laptop). The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is now our top Chromebook for most people, booting out the too-expensive Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14. Lastly, the HP OmniBook 3 16 is our new battery life champ, having beat our older pick, the HP OmniBook 5 14, by over seven hours of usage.

I also removed some previous picks that were no longer available at the time of writing, including the 2026 MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro).

A note about ARM-based Windows laptops

Many great Windows laptops we've tried run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and X2 series chips, which use ARM-based architecture instead of standard x86 architecture like Intel and AMD chips. (The Zenbook A14 and OmniBook 3 16 are both two outstanding Windows on ARM laptops.)

These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they're not compatible with some specialty software, PC games, and older PC accessories like scanners. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should dramatically improve in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you're a college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my best Windows laptops guide.

Morale at Meta is reportedly near the worst it's ever been. To help fix it, the tech giant will offer staff more snacks.

Business Insider reports that Meta's chief technology officer Andrew "Boz" Bosworth admitted the grim mood during an internal call earlier this month, stating that while employee morale has been worse before, the current situation is "probably up there" on the scale of severity. 

SEE ALSO: Meta faces employee backlash over tracking tool

"I can think Cambridge Analytica was probably the worst," Bosworth reportedly said in the June 2 meeting. The Cambridge Analytica scandal made international headlines in 2016 after it was discovered that the firm had acquired over 50 million Facebook users' data without informed consent and used it to target voters.

Meta's current cratering morale appears attributable to recent shake-ups by management. The company conducted a mass layoff of 8,000 workers last month — amounting to 10 percent of its workforce — while at least 6,500 others were involuntarily reassigned to work on its AI models in its new Applied AI division. Employees have reportedly found the work drudging, menial, and "soul-crushing," with the overwhelming majority deeply unhappy with the change. The tech giant is further facing backlash after announcing it would track U.S. employees' keystrokes and mouse movements to train AI.

Meta CTO Andrew "Boz" Bosworth promised more investment in employee perks in an attempt to boost morale. Credit: David Paul Morris / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bosworth acknowledged widespread employee dissatisfaction in an internal post this Monday, as reported by WIRED. Though he reportedly stated that employees will need to make sacrifices and work on jobs they find "don't find as personally fulfilling," he pledged to fix Meta's culture and make it a "fun and enjoyable" workplace.

"We've undermined the trust you have that your specific expertise and contribution will be valued, that you will grow and advance your career, and that this will be a place where you can actually have an impact," Bosworth wrote in the post seen by WIRED. "We shook up the management structure that was providing you stability while rapid changes in strategy, including the boom/bust cycle of hiring, left entire teams in the lurch."

As such, Bosworth stated that Meta will give managers a maximum of 20 direct reports and provide employees with more personalised support. He also assured employees that Meta doesn't intend to fully replace AI workers with AI, however they do need to know how to use it, and will be given access to optional "AI coaching" tools.

"We obviously did an atrocious job explaining the vision, giving people a clear picture of how we would support them and their careers in the shift, and painting a picture of how it would change over time," wrote Bosworth.

Bosworth further attempted to raise employees' spirits by promising improved snack areas, increased travel budgets, and investments in office social events. Considering the dire state of morale, it seems as though the time-honoured tradition of the office pizza party has a formidable amount of heavy lifting to do.

WIRED sighted internal memos earlier this month in which Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged there would be no further mass layoffs, and Applied AI vice president Maher Saba said that those who'd been reassigned to the team would now be allowed to apply for other roles within the company. Even so, assurances that their situation merely may not get worse is likely of little comfort to already disgruntled employees.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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 hint

Bodily fluid.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

LYMPH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hush hush.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 19, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

TABOO

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Scratchy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 19, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ITCHY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A string instrument.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

VIOLA

Final Hurdle hint

To hate.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

ABHOR

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

The lunar cycle is well underway, and the Moon is becoming more and more noticeable each night. Its bright crescent shape continues to grow as we head towards the First Quarter phase.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, June 19, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 33% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

With just your naked eye, tonight you'll be able to see the Mares Fecunditatis and Crisium. And with binoculars, you'll also catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater. If you have a telescope, this will help you see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot and the Mare Nectaris.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on June 29.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight recognised phases along the way. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it travels around Earth. As a result, we see the Moon appear in different shapes over the course of a month, from slender crescents and half moons to a bright Full Moon. This repeating sequence of phases is known as the lunar cycle.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 19, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 18, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 19 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 19 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 19 Pips

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a musician.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 19, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Savory eats

• Green: Instrumentals

• Blue: Popular publications

• Purple: To bring together

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Umami-rich foods

• Green: Things a beginner might learn on the piano

• Blue: Starting with magazines

• Purple: Ending in synonyms for "Aggregate"

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 #1104 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Umami-rich foods: MISO PASTE, PARMESAN, SOY SAUCE, VEGEMITE

• Things a beginner might learn on the piano: CHOPSTICKS, FÜR ELISE, HEART AND SOUL, THE ENTERTAINER

• Starting with magazines: FORTUNE COOKIE, PEOPLE PERSON, SPINDERELLA, TIME MACHINE

• Ending in synonyms for "Aggregate": COINCIDENTALLY, DIM SUM, TEETOTAL, VISCOUNT

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 19, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love cowboys.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 19, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Look to the West

The words are related to cowboys.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the Wild Wild West.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Cowpokes.

NYT Strands word list for June 19

• Saddle

• Cowpokes

• Jeans

• Spurs

• Stetson

• Bandana

• Chaps

• Boots

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to express yourself.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 19, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for June 19, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Digital icon.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

EMOJI

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

Disney's streaming service Disney+ is currently suffering a global outage, with users reporting that they're seeing an error message when attempting to log in.

Crowdsourced outage tracker Downdetector began receiving reports of issues with Disney+ just after 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m., with over 20,000 submitted by users in the U.S. alone by 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. (Disclosure: Mashable and Downdetector share the same parent company, Ziff Davis.) 

Though the cause of the Disney+ outage is currently unknown, Disney has acknowledged the issue in a post on the official Disney+ support X account.

"We’re currently investigating issues affecting login for some users and hope to have this resolved soon," the official Disney+ support X account posted at 8:49 p.m. ET / 5:49 p.m. PT. "Thank you for your patience!"

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The account has also been responding to X users' complaints by apologising and directing them to Disney+'s feedback form.

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Getting Disney+ back up soon is of the essence for many users, as the streaming service is airing the 2026 FIFA World Cup in some South American regions. Fortunately, it shouldn't be too disruptive to these soccer fans. Though matches featuring Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, and Uruguay will be aired on Disney+ Premium in their respective countries, none are scheduled for today. The match between Mexico and South Korea is currently scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

This is a developing story…

Thirty years after the original made us try to catch our toys in action, Toy Story 5 is here. And as a Pixar film, there's always one question on audience minds at the end of the film: Is there a secret scene during or after the credits?

Hidden credits scenes have become synonymous with the Disney studio, from the staged blooper reels of Monsters Inc. to the not-so-perfect dentist escape at the end of Finding Nemo. Elio has one. Inside Out 2 has one. While Toy Story's first film doesn't have an end-credits scene, Toy Story 2, 3 and 4 do.

And sure enough, there's fun in the credits of Toy Story 5.

SEE ALSO: 'Toy Story 5' review: AI toys are the hook, not the heart of this comedy

We won't spoil what happens in the scenes, but just know you should definitely stay for the credits for three reasons:

1. There's a mid-credits scene that's high drama.

2. There's a post-credits scene that's a sweet time.

3. Thousands of people worked on this film. It's nice to stay for the credits.

It's not the only Easter egg you'll find in Toy Story 5 either.

Toy Story 5 opens in cinemas on June 19.

Toy Story 5 is careening into cinemas with its foot to the floor, like a Pizza Planet employee behind on their deliveries. And if you're concentrating, you'll spy a very fast Easter egg that's become a staple in Pixar movies.

With Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the gang back for the fifth adventure in the franchise, I had my eyes peeled for any throwback moments. And while there aren't many, one is clear as day — though it's blink-and-you'll-miss-it-fast.

SEE ALSO: 'Toy Story 5' review: AI toys are the hook, not the heart of this comedy

Without spoiling the storyline, you can spot the reference in the third act of the film. A group of characters is travelling along a rural road when a vehicle approaches, causing them all to freeze in their signature Toy Story way. It absolutely fangs it past them.

That vehicle? It's a Pizza Planet truck. Unmistakeable in its yellow-and-white body and characteristic urgency, this is the vehicle of choice for the forever flustered delivery worker from the franchise's space-themed restaurant and arcade. Pizza Planet appeared all the way back in Toy Story, when Woody tried to trick Buzz into flying home to Star Command.

The Pizza Planet truck has become a bit of a cameo classic in most Pixar films from Turning Red to Onward — of course, there are Reddit threads — and appearing in every Toy Story film (even as a tattoo in Toy Story 4). Those pizzas have got to be ice cold by now.

Toy Story 5 opens in cinemas on June 19.

Best early Prime Day deals under $25 at a glance Best earbuds deal Soundcore P30i $24.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid $23.95 at Amazon (save $6.04) Get Deal Best streaming stick deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best smart home deal Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 pack) $19.99 at Amazon (save $6) Get Deal Best water bottle deal Owala FreeSip (24 ounces, off road) $23.99 at Amazon (save $6) Get Deal

Attention shoppers: Amazon Prime Day starts on June 23. In theory, you could wait to shop until Tuesday, but if you're in the mood to score some deals before the sale begins, you're in luck. Amazon tends to drop prices before the sale starts, and as long as you check on price history with camelcamelcamel to make sure you're actually getting a good deal, you might not have to wait.

For those sticking to a budget this Prime Day, consider that some of our favorite items are sitting at under $25. A great pair of budget earbuds, fancy smart bulbs, and an emotional-support water bottle are all on sale before Prime Day. Shop now, and you'll avoid potential shipping delays.

These are the top early Prime Day deals under $25, should you want to get a head start on shopping.

Best deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore P30i $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Soundcore P30i earbuds fall well within a budget price but don't skimp out on features. As an early Prime Day treat, Amazon has them on sale for only $24.99 in select colorways, down from the list price of $49.99 at Soundcore.

According to Mashable's list of the best budget earbuds, the Soundcore P30i have the most impressive sound for an option under $50 (now under $25). "The active noise cancellation on them is impressive for their price, able to block out the bustle of busy streets or the noisy gym," wrote Mashable Shopping Reporters Bethany Allard and Samantha Mangino.

More deals under $25

• Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs (2 pack) — $19.99 $25.99 (save $6)

• Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid — $23.95 $29.99 (save $6.04)

• Owala FreeSip (24 ounces, off road) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

SAVE $5: The Shashibo sensory fidget toy is down to $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount off its $24.99 typical price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shashibo Shashibo Sensory Fidget Toy $19.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $5   Shop Now

The Shashibo sensory fidget toy is down to $19.99 at Amazon, which is its lowest price this year. That’s a small drop from its usual $24.99 price, but it’s still nice to see it sitting closer to the lower end of its range as early Prime Day deals start to roll in.

The shape-shifting cube is built around simple hands-on play that keeps your mind lightly engaged. It transforms into over 100 different shapes, so it never really stays in one form for long. Each movement leads into the next, making it easy to keep going without really thinking about it.

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Beyond just something to pass time, it keeps your hands busy in a way that naturally gets you figuring out different shapes. Repeating patterns and snapping pieces into place uses memory and spatial thinking without feeling like a big effort.

It also fits easily into everyday use, whether on a desk, in a classroom, or at home between tasks. The built-in magnets let multiple cubes connect if you add more, opening up bigger structures to build.

Snag the Shashibo sensory fidget toy on Amazon and let your hands figure out the rest.

SAVE $270: As of June 18, the EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon. That’s 39% off its $699 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EF EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station $429 at Amazon
$699 Save $270   Get Deal

The EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon just ahead of Prime Day, a 39% discount off its $699 list price. It’s a solid drop for a 1,024Wh backup battery built to keep essentials running when the power goes out, or you’re off-grid. Portable power stations like this usually feel more relevant once you actually need it, not before.

The portable power station charges fast when plugged into a wall outlet, going from empty to 80% in about 50 minutes. That makes it easy to top up at home before a trip or keep it charged in case of a power outage.

SEE ALSO: These 9 early Prime Day outdoor deals will get you prepped for summer

The EF EcoFlow Delta 2 has a flexible setup depending on how much power you need. You can start with the main unit for everyday use and add extra batteries later if you want more capacity for longer trips or heavier use like RVs or off-grid stays. It’s built to last for years, with a long-life battery designed to handle repeated use without wearing out quickly.

You can recharge it in a few different ways, including a wall outlet or solar panels if you’re outdoors or off-grid. It also comes with basic accessories in the box, so you can get started without needing extra add-ons right away.

Catch the price dip on the EF EcoFlow Delta 2 portable power station at Amazon while it’s still live.

TL;DR: Get 5 years of flowkey Piano Learning for just $67.97 — the lowest price ever — and learn piano with interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and over 1,000 songs, with code SAVE15.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flowkey flowkey Piano Learning App: Classic Plan (5-Year Subscription) $67.99
$899 Save $831.01   Get Deal

Five years of piano lessons for $67.97 sounds like a typo. It isn’t.

The flowkey Piano-Learning App Classic Plan is available for just $67.97 (reg. $899), making this the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the app. The math is hard to ignore: that’s $831.03 off the regular price for five full years of access.

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Flowkey is designed to take someone from first notes to full songs using step-by-step lessons and real-time feedback. The app listens as you play, so you get instant corrections instead of guessing what went wrong.

It includes features like Wait Mode, which pauses progress until you hit the correct notes, as well as slow-motion playback, looping sections, and split-hand practice. You can also follow synced video performances alongside sheet music, which helps connect theory to actual playing.

The Classic Plan includes access to over 1,000 classical and public-domain pieces by composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Mozart, along with arrangements tailored to different skill levels.

There are also foundational courses covering music theory, chords, reading sheet music, and proper hand positioning. It’s structured to support both absolute beginners and returning players who want a refresher.

This fits beginners who want structured guidance without committing to in-person lessons, as well as intermediate players looking to rebuild or strengthen fundamentals. It also works across devices — including laptops, tablets, and phones — as long as you’re using a compatible keyboard or digital piano setup.

This learning app provides a low-risk way to build piano skills over time without recurring monthly costs or high lesson fees.

To learn a new skill and keep things simple, you’ll want structured lessons, interactive feedback, and long-term access with flowkey.

Get it today at its lowest price yet: $67.97 through June 28 at 11:59 p.m.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When it comes to Amazon Prime Day, many gadgets go on sale well ahead of time. Select smart home devices, big-screen TVs, and even flagship headphones get deep price cuts in the days or weeks leading up to the event. (This year, it runs from June 23 to 26.) Shoppers can scoop up early-bird discounts on these products to avoid day-of chaos, including potential inventory issues.

Not laptops, though. This year's early Prime Day laptop deals are... not good.

I'm Mashable's resident expert on all things PCs, and having covered Prime Day for seven years now, I can tell you that Amazon doesn't release many laptop deals until the sale actually starts. I'm talking legitimately excellent laptop deals on popular models, not sketchy listings that come from third-party sellers or unfamiliar brands, which are annoyingly common on Amazon.

The good news is that your patience usually pays off. Lots of Apple MacBooks and Windows laptops will fall to their lowest prices of the year at some point during Prime Day. The bad news is that, well, waiting sucks. (Then again, so does paying too much for a big-ticket item that goes on sale mere days later. But I digress.)

Fortunately, I will be personally updating this page with the best Prime Day laptop deals once they go live, so keep following Mashable's coverage and check back on June 23.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Amazon Prime Day: Dates, competition, and the best early deals to shop already What laptops will go on sale during Prime Day 2026?

While Amazon doesn't share the specifics of its Prime Day deals ahead of time, it has revealed some category-wide discounts that shoppers can expect to see during next week's sale. In the tech department, that includes savings of up to 35% on select laptops (and smartphones and tablets) from brands like HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. Keep that in mind, Team Windows.

On the MacBook side, I'd bet on seeing discounts of at least $200 on the M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which would match their previous all-time lows. The budget MacBook Neo has yet to get a proper discount on Amazon since launching in March, but Prime Day would be a good excuse as any for Amazon to drop it by $50 or so. My fingers are criss-crossed.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't be too loyal to Amazon during Prime Day if stellar laptop steals and deals are your priority. Other major retailers will be hosting competing sales, including Best Buy, which is promising up to 50% off devices, including laptops, during its upcoming Tech Fest. Notably, Best Buy has a much better selection of Windows laptops and older MacBooks than Amazon. (This week, it's offering $400 off high-end configurations of the M4 MacBook Air.)

If you are planning to check out Amazon's Prime Day laptop deals, bookmark this page. Below, I've collected a list of the laptop discounts that would get me to click the "Buy Now" button if they appeared on Prime Day. All of the models I've included are ones that we've tested ourselves and recommend, so you can be sure the laptop you're getting isn't just a cheap one, but a great one.

MacBook deals I want to see during Prime Day

• Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — now $589.99 $599 (save $9.01); new record low of $549?

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $949.99 $1,099 (save $149.01); previous all-time low was $899

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $1,149.99 $1,299 (save $149.01); previous all-time low was $1,099

• Apple MacBook Air, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,549 $1,699 (save $150); previous all-time low was $1,499

Windows laptop deals I want to see during Prime Day

• Acer Aspire 16 AI (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — now $699.99; previous all-time low was $429.99

• HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $859.99; previous all-time low was $449.99

• HP OmniBook 3 16 (Snapdragon X, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $991.30 $1,099.99 (save $108.69); new record low of $949.99?

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 15-inch (Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,499.99 $2,099.99 (save $700); previous all-time low was $1,049.99

• Acer Swift X 14 (Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $1,999.99; new record low of $1,799.99?

• MSI Stealth 16 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — now $3,099.99; new record low of $2,799.99?

We will be regularly updating this guide with the best laptop deals, so keep checking back. You can also visit our Prime Day 2026 hub for all the latest updates and price drops.

It's frustrating when you can see a better game inside of a game you enjoy. Case in point: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.

Square Enix's latest in a series of smaller, throwback-oriented "HD-2D" games (using the same tech and art style as games like Octopath Traveler 0) is clearly intended to appeal to people who like the old-school Legend of Zelda games. It's also got a big infusion of Chrono Trigger and some elements of other RPGs like the venerable, criminally underrated Ys series.

Those are all things I love, so naturally, I was pretty excited for this one.

Unfortunately, Adventures of Elliot's best qualities aren't enough to overshadow how half-baked its structure feels. Between that and a lackluster story that takes entirely too long to reach its zenith, it's hard to call this one of the best 2D Zelda homages, though it's still pretty fun and worth your time if you're into this sort of thing.

SEE ALSO: 'Octopath Traveler 0' is a hefty investment that rewards your patience Adventures of Elliot's best moments feel like an arcade game

In Adventures of Elliot, you play the eponymous adventurer. Elliot wears a cool hat. Elliot is a solid guy, known far and wide for being kind and reliable. I'd grab a beer with him if I could.

Some typical fantasy video game stuff happens in the game's first few hours, setting Elliot on a quest to save a princess. He's joined by an exceptionally talkative and annoying fairy named Faie. The two of them quickly gain the ability to travel through time, ultimately unlocking four different periods the player can freely explore.

Adventures of Elliot wears its Zelda inspiration on its sleeve. It's all about running around a relatively open-ended (but not very big) world, using a combination of Elliot's weapons and Faie's fairy powers to explore a cornucopia of caves and dungeons.

Faie's powers are one of the more novel aspects of the game, as you can control her separately with the right analog stick. The game will often ask you to direct her around obstacles that Elliot can't pass in order to light torches or carry items from one point to another.

This is one element of Adventures of Elliot that makes it stand out, and I appreciated it.

He's got swag, I can't lie. Credit: Square Enix

I found it fun to ignore quest objectives and idly explore Elliot's world, largely because the simple and accessible real-time action combat is the highlight of this adventure. Elliot quickly unlocks six different weapons, including a sword, a spear, a bow, and a hammer, and he can equip himself with any two of them at the same time.

None of the weapons are all that complex on their own — but there's a cool upgrade system which allows you to add unique traits to each one, unlocking an admirable amount of versatility. By the end of the game, my bow could do the following things, all at once:

1. Home in on enemies with a charged shot

2. Bounce additional arrows between enemies after the initial hit

3. Light any enemies who had been hit on fire

4. Cause explosions every time an arrow hit an enemy who was on fire

Every weapon has a unique, cascading set of upgrades like this, and it rocks. There's also a simple, arcade-like combo meter that goes up when you get a kill and resets when you take damage (the higher the number, the better the loot you'll get from enemies).

In short, combat is fast, fun, and generally a great time.

This time travel story does little with its premise The only town on the world map is basically the only part that meaningfully changes from one period to the next. Credit: Square Enix

Sadly, good combat is pretty much all Adventures of Elliot has to offer. There is a story with lots of cutscenes and voice acting, but most of it is a particularly forgettable brand of corny and overly sentimental.

There are worse sins for a fun action RPG to commit than having uninteresting cutscenes, though. And I regret to inform that Adventures of Elliot has other skeletons in its closet.

The time travel mechanic adds next to nothing to the game, aside from padding. There are four versions of the world map set across the ages, a la Chrono Trigger, but they simply aren't different enough from one another. The volcano zone is always a volcano zone and the swamp area is always a swamp area.

There are plenty of optional caves and dungeons, but the most Adventures of Elliot has to offer, if you're thorough about exploring every cave in every time period, is an extra treasure chest or two.

Ultimately teh game fails to make good on its premise, both mechanically and narratively. The different stories in the different time periods fail to meaningfully interact with one another until very late in the game's plot. Adventures of Elliot has multiple endings, and the path to the true ending is the only time the game does anything compelling at all in this regard.

I'm fine with a game saving its best for last, but a 25-hour adventure that is only just OK for the first 20 hours doesn't feel particularly satisfying .

The fact that Adventures of Elliot is fun to play only serves to make the rest of it more disappointing. This really could have been a neat fusion of Zelda and Chrono Trigger, but it's merely a fair imitation of the former and doesn't even come close to reaching the heights of the latter.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launches on June 18 for PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series consoles, and PC.

Get ready to say goodbye to some of Google's older smart home products.

The Nest MIni and Nest Audio smart speakers have been discontinued by the search engine giant, TechAdvisor reports. The former was a $35 entry-level smart speaker released in 2019, with the latter launching in 2019 as a $100 version that offered a larger form factor and better audio quality.

SEE ALSO: The new Google Home Speaker can run your house with Gemini for $99

“As we continue to build the future of the smart home, we are refining our portfolio of Google Home and Nest devices," Google told TechAdvisor via a statement. "As part of this evolution, we have ended production of the Google Nest Mini and Google Nest Audio.”

Google also said it would continue supporting the Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers via patches, security updates, and customer service.

Sunsetting products that launched more than five years ago is hardly unusual, and it's made all the more unsurprising by the fact that Google just unveiled a new, all-purpose $100 Google Home Speaker this week.

That device was made with Gemini AI interactions in mind, theoretically making it a more sophisticated and capable device. But if you want to keep using your old Nest speakers, you'll be fine — at least for a while.

TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The second round of 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage games includes some really interesting matchups, including USA vs. Australia. Both teams are tied on three points after impressive victories over Paraguay and Turkey respectively. Can Australia shock the hosts? Or will USA secure qualification to the knockout rounds?

If you want to watch USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Australia?

USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Seattle Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Australia for free

USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream USA vs. Australia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch USA vs. Australia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

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 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream USA vs. Australia (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream USA vs. Australia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

One of the biggest arguments at the 2026 World Cup isn't about football — it's about water.

Since the tournament began on June 11, every match has included mandatory 3-minute hydration breaks midway through each half. Referees stop play at a point of their choosing, players head to the sidelines, and in the U.S. some broadcasters cut to — you guessed it — commercials.

Those 3 minutes are worth real money. FIFA's broadcast rules give networks roughly two minutes and ten seconds of sellable airtime per half — enough for as many as 832 commercial slots across the tournament's 104 matches.

This inventory didn't exist at any previous World Cup. FIFA approved the monetization of breaks this past March.

That is a real change for a sport usually defined by its flow, not its ad breaks. Built-in pauses of this length seem much closer to the stop-start rhythm of American sports than that of traditional association football (a.k.a. soccer).

FIFA introduced the hydration break in 2025 as a player safety measure for a summer tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where heat and humidity are often major concerns.

But because the breaks apply to every match, regardless of how warm it is, the weather, or whether a stadium has a roof or air conditioning, they have quickly become one of the tournament’s biggest talking points among players, coaches, and fans.

Complaints began right from the start of the finals. During the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, Fox aired full-screen commercials during the hydration breaks and returned late from one of them, causing viewers to miss the restart.

Social media has been full of anger at the hiatuses. On X, comedian Kevin Fredericks called the hydration break "pure capitalism." Musician Lloyd Cole said U.S. television had "finally got their 4 quarters," Former Daily Show host Trevor Noah judged the rule to be simply about "ad breaks."

IRL, fans are showing up the same way they are online: loud. Thousands have been booing hydration breaks during matches.

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There is also evidence that these breaks may be affecting the matches themselves. Fans point to Curaçao’s game against Germany, the most heated example.

Curaçao’s Livano Comenencia scored in the 21st minute to make it 1-1 against the four-time World Cup champions. Then came the hydration break — after which Germany regrouped and eventually won 7-1.

Former England striker Alan Shearer later saying on The Rest is Football podcast that he “felt sorry” for Curaçao — because the stoppage had killed their momentum.

There is data to support the breaks too. One study out of Northwestern found that one week into the tournament, teams were attempting more shots in the 10 minutes after hydration breaks than in the 10 minutes before them.

Norway, Brazil, Scotland, and Australia all scored shortly after breaks, including Erling Haaland’s opener for Norway against Iraq.

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Not every viewer is experiencing the hydration breaks the same way. Telemundo, which holds Spanish-language broadcast rights in the U.S., made the opposite call to Fox before the tournament even started.

"We're going to be staying on the match feed," Telemundo senior vice president of sports content Miguel Lorenzo told Sports Business Journal ahead of the tournament. "Fans are going to be able to watch the players and the coach's interactions. Our goal is to create an authentic World Cup viewing experience."

During broadcasts, the network's commentary team has gone further. "This World Cup is ours," said one commentator during the Korea Republic vs. Czechia broadcast. "We're not taking a break from it."

U.K.-based commercial network ITV has also chosen not to air ads during hydration stoppage time — and its commentary team has pointed out the booing in stadiums during the breaks.

The split has driven a notable shift in viewing habits, with many English-speaking fans in the U.S. migrating to Telemundo's stream on Peacock even across the language barrier.

As the World Cup continues, the debate is likely to follow — whether or not FIFA wants everyone to cool down.