Apple unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 9 on Tuesday. The main upgrade is a new S9 chipset, which includes the wearable's first real CPU upgrade since the Series 6 in 2020 and helps enable features like a "double tap" gesture for controlling parts of apps hands-free. There's also a brighter display, a new neural engine, a fresh pink colorway and, according to Apple's product listing, a more expansive 64GB of storage. Designwise, however, the new watch looks much like the old ones.

Should you upgrade? We'll have to review the Series 9 to see, but for now, we've laid out how the new wearable compares to a couple top rivals, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the Google Pixel Watch, on the spec sheet. Specs can't tell the whole story, of course: WatchOS and Wear OS are different beasts, and many of Apple's biggest updates this year are software-based. Plus, just because two watches have similar sensors doesn't mean they're equally accurate. But if you're curious about what your money gets you in 2023, here's how the Series 9's hardware stacks up.

There is a caveat to this, as Google has already confirmed that a new Pixel Watch will arrive in October. That one will come with better water resistance and, in all likelihood, an improved chipset. That said, we won't have full rundown of its specs until next month, and Google's sneak preview suggests it'll be similar to the existing model physically.

The latest Apple AirPods Pro are back on sale for $199 at Amazon and Walmart. This is a deal we've seen for much of the past several months, but it's still $50 less than the cost of buying from Apple directly. Typically, this is as low as we see the wireless earphones drop at major retailers.

We gave the AirPods Pro a review score of 88 last September, and we currently list them as the "best for iOS" pick in our wireless earbuds buying guide. They continue to be the best true wireless model Apple sells, with a slightly bassy sound that plays well with most kinds of audio, effective active noise cancellation (ANC) and a top-notch transparency mode that blends outside noise with your music. Like all AirPods, they also come with a host of Apple-friendly features: fast pairing, automatic switching between active Apple devices, Find My tracking, spatial audio, audio sharing with other AirPods and Beats users, hands-free Siri and so on.

The six-hour battery life could be longer, there are better options for call quality and many of the other picks in our buying guide come with a richer feature set. There's no way to manually adjust the EQ or ANC strength, for instance. If you want a pair for working out, the Beats Fit Pro offer many of the same Apple-centric perks in a more gym-friendly design. Nevertheless, if you solely use Apple devices, there's still plenty to like here.

There is a caveat, though: Bloomberg reports that Apple will likely update the AirPods Pro with a new USB-C charging case as part of its iPhone event on September 12. (The current AirPods Pro case uses Lightning.) The new iPhones should switch to USB-C too, so if you'd prefer the updated port, it's worth waiting. That said, no other changes to the actual AirPods Pro hardware are expected, and the USB-C model may cost more than this discounted price to start. The earphones will receive new features later this year, but those'll be software-based, with iOS 17 adding a new "Adaptive Audio" mode and faster device switching, among other upgrades.

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Logitech’s G Pro X Superlight has been one of the most popular gaming mice among enthusiasts and esports professionals since it arrived in 2020, and today Logitech is refreshing it with a few key updates. The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, as the new wireless model is called, shares the same agreeable shape as its predecessor, but cleans up many of that device’s minor annoyances. It’s available starting today for $159.

For one, the G Pro X Superlight 2 charges and connects over USB-C, whereas the prior model was stuck with an ancient microUSB port. Instead of using fully mechanical switches, which can potentially introduce issues with unintended double-clicks over time, the new mouse also utilizes the “Lightforce” switches seen in Logitech’s G502 X series. This is a hybrid solution with both mechanical and optical parts, the idea being to balance the feel of the former with the faster speed and (typically) greater durability of the latter.

Beyond that, the battery life is now rated at 95 hours per charge, up from 70. A new “Hero 2” sensor is said to offer steadier tracking when quickly lifting or tilting the mouse. (It also raises the maximum DPI and tracking speed to 32,000 and 500 IPS, respectively, though both figures are overkill for most.) And the maximum polling rate has jumped from 1,000Hz to 2,000Hz – some gaming mice can reach as high as 8,000Hz, but that has little practical benefit unless you use a monitor with a particularly high refresh rate.

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

I’ve had the G Pro X Superlight 2 on hand for a few days. Just like the first Superlight, the main appeal here is the ambidextrous, “potato”-style shape, which should fit well with just about any hand size or grip type. It’s still a “jack of all trades, master of none” situation: The Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, for example, is contoured in a way that’s more accommodating to larger hands and palm grips. But this design is safe for a wider range of people.

At 60 grams, the G Pro X Superlight 2 is only about three grams lighter than its predecessor. Many options these days are technically lower-weight, but no serious person could call this heavy. The outer shell is still solid and devoid of “honeycomb”-style holes, and compared to the first Superlight, the texture on the plastic feels a bit higher-quality.

Unsurprisingly, I’ve also had zero issues with performance. Across multiplayer shooters like Halo Infinite, slower-paced RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 and everyday work, tracking has been accurate and consistent, while clicks have registered with no noticeable delay. The PTFE (aka Teflon) feet are marginally longer and wider than before, but they glide smoothly either way. (An optional PTFE cover for the USB receiver compartment on the back adds a little extra speed.) The scroll wheel can't tilt left or right, but it’s relatively quiet, grippy and precise.

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

The new optical-mechanical switches, meanwhile, give each press a distinct, tactile sensation. They sound bassier than the first Superlight, but they feel tighter. The fully optical switches on the DeathAdder V3 Pro – currently the top premium pick in my gaming mouse buying guide – come off as mushier by comparison. Logitech would not provide a specific estimate for how many clicks the main buttons can sustain, but in theory, this hybrid design should be more durable than traditional mechanical switches. If that’s a concern, Logitech lets you access an “optical only” mode through its G Hub software.

Some compromises have carried over. There’s no RGB lighting, no Bluetooth and no dedicated DPI switch button. There are two customizable shortcut buttons on the left side, but none on the right, so the mouse isn’t truly ambidextrous. Logitech’s G Hub software makes it fairly easy to assign macros and DPI profiles – including the ability to customize the sensitivity of horizontal and vertical movements separately – but plenty of people have found it buggy in the past. And none of this comes cheap. If you own the original Superlight, there probably isn’t enough new here to justify another $159.

That said, some of those omissions are to be expected given that the mouse is aimed squarely at competitive-minded players. I’ll have to verify Logitech’s battery life claims, but if you’re willing to spend for a high-performing mouse without an explicitly ergonomic shape, the G Pro X Superlight 2 looks to be a top option.

Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Besides the new mouse, Logitech has introduced a new wireless gaming keyboard, the G Pro X TKL. That tenkeyless model is also available today for $199. Here you’re looking at dual-shot PBT keycaps, per-key RGB backlighting, dedicated media keys, a sturdy metal base and the usual suite of software customizations through G Hub. It can connect over Bluetooth and a detachable USB-C cable in addition to a wireless dongle, and it’s available with Logitech’s tactile (GX Brown), linear (GX Red) or clicky (GX Blue) switches. Logitech says you can swap in third-party keycaps, and it rates the battery life at 50 hours.

In many ways, the G Pro X TKL is reminiscent of Logitech’s G915 TKL, only it uses traditional mechanical switches instead of low-profile ones. After using it for a few days, it seems fine: The keys are crisp, well-spaced and not noticeably rattly, the customizable RGB looks sharp, and Logitech’s wireless tech is dependable. It all comes with a useful carrying case, too. But the GX Brown switches on my unit are fairly loud, and it lacks some of the advanced features of other high-end gaming boards like the Wooting 60HE or SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL. There's no adjustable actuation, rapid trigger or hot-swappable switches. For $199, some may find the feature set lacking. But if you need a wireless mechanical keyboard in a TKL form factor, what’s here at least feels comfortable and well-built.

My favorite video game of 2023 involves a portly, balding pizza chef named Peppino Spaghetti scaling a medieval tower to defeat a sentient floating pie threatening to blow up his pizzeria. It was developed by a small independent studio named Tour de Pizza, led by a designer named McPig. Its soundtrack was largely composed by a first-time composer and a high school student. Its art style is at once expressive and grotesque. It’s called Pizza Tower, and it is, in all seriousness, one of the best 2D platformers I’ve played in a long time.

I’m late here, as Pizza Tower arrived on PC in January. Currently, it has the second-highest user rating of any 2023 release on Steam. The simplest way to describe it is to call it a modern Wario Land — really, the game’s structure is straight out of Wario Land 4. Almost all of its 20 stages are split into two halves. In the first, you can feel things out at a leisurely pace, collecting little pizza topping buddies, unlocking treasures and finding secret rooms. There’s a grading system based on how quickly and thoroughly you finish a level — but Peppino can’t die, and you don’t need a certain score to pass, so you’re free to move recklessly.

Then it’s “Pizza Time.” At the end of each stage is a pillar that, once knocked over, causes the whole level to begin collapsing on itself. The music intensifies and a timer appears. That’s your cue to hurry up and get the hell out of there. You can’t just go back the way you came, though; parts of the original path get blocked off, while certain secrets only become accessible during the mad dash back. Fail to reach the entrance in time, and the truly cursed Pizzaface hunts you down. It’s a simple dynamic, curiosity inverted by anxiety, but one that always worked for me. Each Pizza Tower stage concludes with the ending of Super Metroid, only you play as a funny pizza man trucking through fork-wielding cheeseballs and pepperoni goblins.

Tour de Pizza

It’s not just the structure that got me, though, it’s the speed, and how it’s deployed. In fact, I’d argue Pizza Tower is equal parts resuscitated Wario Land and better Sonic the Hedgehog. Quick explanation: I do not like Sonic. I didn’t when I was a five-year-old failing at Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on my great aunt’s Sega Genesis, and I don’t today after giving the original five games another shake last year. I get if you do. But for me, all Sonic provides is a bad kind of tension, an itch I can’t reach. Sonic can go fast, but his worlds do way too much to impede his momentum. The open fields of Green Hill Zone eventually give way to slow-moving platforms, hard-stopping ledges and suffocating water. When I’m halted, it takes several beats to speed back up again. The only way to consistently zoom through its stages is to memorize them.

Pizza Tower, on the other hand, knows exactly what it is. Peppino moves like the bus from Speed, bursting through walls and obliterating most enemies in his way. When you dash, his legs spin like a wheel and his body glows in technicolor. When you change direction, it sounds like a car screeching. When you pivot into a super jump, Peppino rockets infinitely into the air. The little guy beats the hell out of himself, smashing stomach-first onto bricks and slamming into dead ends. It’s a constant kinetic thrill, the kind I want from any platformer. Like Mario’s brisk hop or Donkey Kong’s weighty slams, Peppino’s runaway-train dashing feels distinctly his own.

The key is that you actually have space to explore this form of movement. The fact that Peppino can’t die plays a big role — less fear encourages less hesitation. Beyond that, it only takes a second to pick up speed, and the zoomed-out camera gives you just enough time to see what’s coming. Crucially, the controls are simple. Wall-running, wall-jumping and diving under ledges only requires one button press. Pizza Tower has you complete strings of precise moves, but it’s built on instinct more than memorization. It understands it’s partially a racing game, not just a platformer. Indeed, to get the highest rank in a stage, you must complete a “Lap 2.”

Tour de Pizza

Pizza Tower’s rousing kinetics are enough for me to like it. But what makes me love it is its Nintendo-like commitment to exploring new abilities and sensations. One moment you’re stampeding on a hot dog horse, the next you’re a loosely floating ghost, then you’re stopping to play a warped game of golf (a Wario nod). Importantly, Pizza Tower takes care to discard these ideas once they’ve run their course. Sometimes, it’ll introduce a mechanic only to subvert it in the back half of the same level.

Everything in Pizza Tower adds to its distinct sense of character. The art style looks like a dream you’d have after downing a meat-lovers pizza and falling asleep to a Rocko’s Modern Life marathon. Peppino is a realized character, scared and pissed, purely through the evocative animation and movement. The incredible soundtrack is funkyandfierce, itself a throwback to Dreamcast-era Sega yet completely its own. And it’s all funny! Not just in its natural physical comedy, but in its jokes — you haven’t truly hated The Noid until you play this game.

I haven’t even talked about the boss fights (honest duels that strike that “tough but fair” balance) or the ending (one of the most intense and cathartic sequences I’ve played) or the amazing WAR. But I’ll conclude by saying Pizza Tower is a model for how to make an homage game. Its inspirations are as clear as day, but it doesn’t rehash the past. Instead, Tour de Pizza has thought through how to ignite the spirit of a classic while making it rawer, livelier and a little more unhinged. Every year, I see people fawn over focus-tested blockbusters and pure pastiche projects. Pizza Tower’s thrilling wildness rejects them — it couldn’t be anything but itself.

Labor Day weekend isn't known as an especially fruitful time for tech deals, but we've found a few notable discounts on good gear ahead of the holiday anyway. Both the 13- and 15-inch versions of Apple's M2 MacBook Air are down to all-time lows, for one, as are Hisense's well-reviewed U6K and U8K TVs. The new Beats Studio Buds + are $40 off, while Solo Stove is running a sale on its popular smokeless fire pits. We're also seeing deals on Xbox gift cards, Roombas and Amazon's Echo Show 8, among others. Here are the best Labor Day tech sales we could find.

Apple MacBook Air

Apple's 15-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip is down to $1,099 at Amazon, while the 13-inch model is available for $899 at Best Buy. Both represent all-time lows. These prices apply to the entry-level configurations with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, so they're better suited for casual tasks than more involved work. Some reports suggest Apple may introduce a refreshed 13-inch Air later this year, too. Nevertheless, if you need a new notebook right now, the M2 MacBook Air should continue to check all the necessary boxes. Currently, it's top pick in our guide to the best laptops. 

Solo Stove Labor Day Sale

Solo Stove has discounted a number of its (mostly) smokeless fire pits for Labor Day, including the Bonfire 2.0 on sale for $240. While that's not an all-time low, it's still $160 off the stainless-steel pit's list price. We've sung the praises of Solo Stove's 2.0 fire pits in the past, and we recommend them in our guide to the best outdoor gear for the fall thanks to their sturdy frames, efficient burning and easy cleaning mechanisms. The Bonfire 2.0 is the company's medium-sized model, but at 23 pounds, it's still light enough to stash away when you're not using it.

Hisense U6K

The 55-inch Hisense U6K is available for an all-time low of $398, which is about $90 off its average street price in recent months. The 65-inch model is down to a low of $548. While we haven't reviewed the U6K ourselves, this TV has receivedpraise elsewhere for offering quantum dots, full-array local dimming and, most notably, a Mini LED backlight for a budget-level price. Its picture quality will still be a step behind the better options up the price bracket, and it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 ports, but it should deliver better contrast and color than most alternatives on the cheap. 

Elsewhere, the 55- and 65-inch versions of the TCL Q6 are down to new lows of $378 and $498, respectively. This is a notable budget TV for gamers, as it can play at a faster 120Hz refresh rate (albeit in a 1080p or 1440p resolution, not 4K). It lacks local dimming and Mini LEDs, however.

Hisense U8K

If you're willing to pay more for a TV upgrade, the Hisense U8K is down to $748 for a 55-inch model and $998 for a 65-inch model. We'll inevitably see the TV drop further over time, but for now, both of these prices represent all-time lows. The U8K has received consistentlyhighmarks for delivering brightness, contrast and colors that belie its mid-range price. It has a host of gaming-friendly features as well, including the ability to play up to 144Hz in 4K. It only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, though, and most reviews say its viewing angles are mediocre. In general, it won't be as vibrant as a good OLED TV. But if you want to stay under $1,000, or if you need a LED set for a brightly-lit room, this looks to be one of the better TV values of 2023. 

Amazon Echo Show 8

The Amazon Echo Show 8 is back down to $75. We've seen this deal several times over the last few months, and it's not an all-time low, but it's $55 off the smart display's list price either way. We recommend the Echo Show 8 in our guide to the best smart displays: If you prefer Alexa over the Google Assistant, it generally offers the best mix of price, performance and all-purpose size in Amazon's Echo Show lineup. Its 8-inch, 1,280 x 800 resolution display is comfortable enough for making video calls and viewing photos, while its built-in speakers can get loud enough to fill a room. And though no smart display like this is ideal for the privacy-conscious, this model at least has a physical camera shutter and mic mute button. We gave the Echo Show 8 a review score of 87 back in 2021.

Beats Studio Buds +

The Beats Studio Buds + are on sale for $130 at various retailers, which is an all-time low. Normally, Beats sells the true wireless earbuds for $170. We gave the Studio Buds + a review score of 84 in May, praising their improved sound, active noise cancellation (ANC) and call quality compared to the original Studio Buds. Find My tracking, fast pairing and hands-free Siri are nice to have, too, and they play nicer with Android phones than any set of AirPods. That said, they lack wear detection and wireless charging, and because they don't use an Apple-made chip, they don't have AirPods-style features like automatic device switching and audio sharing. Many of the picks in our wireless earbuds buying guide generally perform better. But if you like the Studio Buds +'s styling and want a cheaper set of Apple ANC earbuds than the AirPods Pro, they're a decent value at this price.

$100 Xbox Gift Card

As of this writing, Amazon is selling $100 digital Xbox gift cards for $90. There isn't much explanation required for this deal: If you already planned on picking up Starfield, a few months of Xbox Game Pass, Xbox-related accessories from Microsoft's online store or any of the titles in our list of the best Xbox games, it essentially gives you an extra $10 for free.

iRobot Roomba 694

The iRobot Roomba 694 is down to $179, which is a deal we've seen before but still comes within $5 of the device's all-time low. We consider this the best robot vacuum for those on a budget. It navigates semi-randomly instead of following a set path, so it'll bump into furniture around the house, but it cleans effectively, it's sturdily built and its companion app makes it easy to operate. iRobot says it can last 90 minutes on a charge, though you may get less depending on what surfaces you need to clean. 

Logitech K380

The Logitech K380 is on sale for $24, which isn't quite an all-time low but matches the lowest price we've seen this year. A version with a Mac-specific layout is available for the same price. Normally, the wireless keyboard retails around $30. We recommend the K380 in our MacBook accessories buying guide: Its compact frame is easy to transport, and it can pair with and quickly swap between three devices at a time, be it a desktop, tablet, smartphone or Apple TV. While it requires two AAA batteries for power, it can last around two years on a charge. It lacks backlighting, and the flat rounded keys aren't as luxurious as a good mechanical keyboard — but for a slim travel model, it's pleasant enough. 

Dashlane Premium

A good password manager is a simple way to enhance your online security and reduce the number of login credentials you need to remember. Dashlane is one of the services we recommend in our buying guide, particularly for those who often need to share passwords with others. If you think this might be worthwhile, new users can get a year of Dashlane's Premium service for $36 when they use the code LD40 at checkout. That's a $24 discount. While Dashlane does have a free tier, a Premium subscription lets you use the service across multiple devices. Dashlane says the deal will run through September 4.

TP-Link Deco XE75

The TP-Link Deco XE75 is the top pick in our guide to the best mesh WiFi systems: It doesn't have one immediate standout feature, but it struck the best balance of whole-home performance and user-friendliness of all the devices we tested. In our full review, we gave the WiFi 6E system a score of 87. If you're looking to improve the connection speeds in a larger home, TP-Link is selling a two-pack of the Deco XE75 for $210 with the checkout code 20DECOWIFI. That's about $35 below this config's average street price in recent months. If stock runs dry at TP-Link, you can get the two-pack for $10 more at Amazon; just make sure to clip the on-page coupon.

Sony HT-A7000

Sony's HT-A7000 soundbar is back down to $998, which certainly isn't cheap but matches the lowest price we've tracked. On average, the device has retailed closer to $1,150 over the past few months. The A7000 is the premium recommendation in our guide to the best soundbars. It's a powerful 7.1.2-channel unit with support for Dolby Atmos and Sony's own virtual surround sound tech. It can passthrough 4K HDR video at 120Hz, so it's fairly well-equipped for game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, plus it can receive audio via AirPlay, Chromecast and Spotify Connect. Unfortunately, its high cost doesn't get you a distinct subwoofer, but this deal helps lessen that blow a little bit. 

If you want to spend a little less, the Sony HT-A5000 is available for $798. That's not a particularly notable deal, but this model offers a similar feature set as the A7000 in a 5.1.2-channel configuration. 

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iRobot is running another sale on Roomba robot vacuums and Braava robot mops, which includes the Roomba 694 back down to $179. We've seen this deal pop up periodically over the past several months, but it's still $71 below the vacuum's typical street price. Outside of a very brief drop to $175 last November, it matches the lowest price we've tracked.

The Roomba 694 itself is the top pick in our guide to the best budget robot vacuums. It's an entry-level model that navigates around a room semi-randomly instead of mapping and following set paths, so it's not the most efficient cleaner, and it'll bonk into furniture around your house. That said, it's sturdily built, and we found it to work effectively across hard floors and carpet. We're particularly fond of iRobot's companion app, which makes it easy to quickly stop or start the vacuum, set a cleaning schedule, check the battery and the like. You don't need to connect to WiFi to use the device, however. iRobot says the Roomba 694 can run for up to 90 minutes before it has to roll back to its charging dock, though you'll get worse battery life depending on what floor surfaces you need to clean. 

A simpler device like this won't be as effective if you live in a particularly large home, but if you just want a no-frills option at a reasonable rate, we've found the Roomba 694 to be durable and dependable. And if something ever does break, replacement parts are readily available. 

If you're willing to pay up for a more feature-rich model, the sale also brings the Roomba j7+ down to $529. Normally, this model retails between $600 and $800. The j7+ comes with a self-emptying dock and more advanced mapping system than the 694, and it can identify and swerve away from obstacles like pet waste in real time. Currently, it's the runner up midrange pick in our guide to the best robot vacuums. Just note that, like many robot vacuums with its sort of obstacle avoidance, the j7 comes with a built-in camera, which may raise privacy concerns for some, particularly with Amazon in the process of acquiring iRobot.

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If you've been looking to pick up a spare gamepad for your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S or PC, it might be a good time to pull the trigger, as Microsoft's official Xbox Wireless Controller is on sale for $44 at Amazon and Walmart. Microsoft itself has the device for a dollar more. While this isn't an all-time low — we saw the controller go for $5 less over Black Friday, for instance — the Xbox pad has typically retailed in the $50 to $55 range in recent months. Note that this price applies to the white, black and red models; the pink, green and "electric volt" colorways, which usually cost $5 more, are each on sale for $49.

The Series X/S controller has the same broadly comfortable shape as older Xbox pads, with responsive face buttons and triggers, smooth joysticks and a pleasing sense of heft. Its d-pad is much more clicky than the one on Sony's DualSense PS5 controller, and it still uses an asymmetrical joystick layout, but whether those are negatives is largely a matter of preference. There's Bluetooth for pairing with a PC or mobile device, as well as a dedicated "Share" button for capturing screenshots and gameplay clips. While you don't get the advanced haptic feedback features of the DualSense, the whole thing is a bit less wide, and it's generally easier to use on a PC, especially if you use clients besides Steam. Alternatives like the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller and Microsoft's own Elite Series 2 pad (which is on sale for $140) offer a wider array of features, but if you just need the basics, the standard Xbox controller should do the job.

The main hang-up is that it still relies on AA batteries for power. That lets it last longer on a charge than the DualSense, but you'll have to buy a separate rechargeable battery pack if you don't want to swap out batteries on the regular. If you can live with that hassle, however, you can lessen the need to buy new batteries by grabbing a pair of rechargeable AAs like the Panasonic Eneloops. 

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This week's best tech deals include the 9th-gen iPad on sale for $250, which ties the lowest price we've seen. While the 10.2-inch slate is showing its age design-wise, it's still a good bargain for those who just need a tablet for the basics and want the most affordable Apple tablet possible. Elsewhere, Sony is still running a rare $50 discount on PlayStation 5, while Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max is within $2 of its best price to date. We're also seeing all-time lows on the top picks in our gaming headset and microSD card buying guides, plus Apple's third-gen AirPods. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today. 

Apple iPad (9th gen)

The 9th-gen Apple iPad is back down to $250 at Amazon, matching its all-time low. You should see the full discount at checkout. Apple sells the 10.2-inch tablet for $329, though we've regularly seen it retail closer to $275. 

The entry-level slate is certainly getting long in the tooth, as its non-laminated display, thick bezels and Lightning port give it an altogether more dated design than newer iPads. Its 64GB of storage is low, too. At this price, though, the 9th-gen iPad remains one of the better values in the tablet market, with a sturdy aluminum frame, 10 or so hours of battery life and fast-enough performance for casual media consumption. There's always a chance Apple will introduce new iPads later this year, but if you just want the cheapest route into iPadOS, this model should be enough.

Astro A40 TR

The Astro A40 TR is on sale for $100, which is $30 off its usual street price and ties the lowest price we've seen. The A40 TR is the top pick in our guide to the best gaming headsets, as its open-back design gives it a more spacious and enveloping sound that most competitors. It emphasizes the bass, but not to an overwhelming degree, and it's comfortable to wear to extended periods. That said, the built-in mic is just OK, and like any open-back headphone, the whole thing both leaks and lets in lots of outside noise, so it's not ideal if you usually play in a noisy room. In general, you can get better value from a pair of "normal" wired headphones than a dedicated gaming headset unless you need a mic. If you really want an all-in-one solution, though, the A40 TR is a worthwhile compromise. 

Samsung Pro Plus

The Samsung Pro Plus is the top pick in our microSD card buying guide, and right now its 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models are down to $12, $20 and $35, respectively. Each of those deals match an all-time low. The Pro Plus technically isn't the fastest microSD card you can buy, but at this price it's a fantastic value for a Nintendo Switch, GoPro or Android tablet, as it topped all the cards we tested in sequential write speeds and random read/write performance. It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Sony PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 is still on sale for $449 at various retailers, which is a $50 discount. We highlighted this deal when Sony kicked off its latest summer sale a couple of weeks ago, but the company says that is scheduled to end on August 19. Discounts for the PS5 have been exceedingly rare since the console arrived in late 2020, so consider this a last-minute PSA. We gave the device a review score of 87 at launch, though it's become a much better value proposition over the last three years as it's built out its games library.

Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller

In other PS5 deals, the DualSense wireless controller is still on sale for $49 in various colors. Depending on which model you pick, that's $20 or $25 off. This matches the lowest outright discount we've seen for the gamepad, which is also compatible with Steam. Elsewhere, console covers for the PS5 are down to $45 at the PlayStation Direct store. That's a $10 discount. 

PS5 and PS4 exclusive game sale

A number of PlayStation-exclusive games we recommend are discounted as well, including God of War Ragnarök for $49 and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales for $20. The thrilling roguelike Returnal and the charming action game Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart are both down to $29, while the open-world samurai game Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut is available for a buck more. Elsewhere, Death Stranding: Director's Cut is on sale for $19, while a PS4 copy of Horizon Forbidden West (which includes a free upgrade to the digital PS5 version) is down to $29. We've seen all of these deals before, but if you need something new to play, each matches or at least comes within a few dollars of the lowest price we've seen. 

Anker 622 Magnetic Battery

The Anker 622 Magnetic Battery is back on sale for $40, which isn't quite an all-time low but still comes in $10 below the device's typical street price. This portable wireless charger has a slim frame that snaps easily onto the back of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone. It also includes a built-in kickstand for propping your phone up. This deal applies to the "Upgraded Version" of the battery, with a USB-C port on the side; an older variant places that port on the bottom, which is a bit less convenient for pass-through charging. Just note that, like many wireless power packs, the 622 can't deliver a particularly fast charge (only 7.5W), nor does it have a high capacity (5,000mAh). It can get hot, too. Still, if you want a truly cable-free way to extend an iPhone's battery on the go, it's a decent value at this price.

Apple AirPods (3rd gen)

The third-gen Apple AirPods are back down to $140, tying its all-time low. Apple sells the wireless earbuds for $169, though we often see them go for $10 or $20 less elsewhere. This open-back pair has a more balanced sound than most unsealed earbuds, with more bass depth than usual (albeit not a ton). There’s no ANC, as expected, but you still get wireless charging, relatively intuitive touch controls and the usual Apple-friendly features like fast pairing and Find My tracking. Just note that the earpieces are a little large, so they may not fit well with certain ear shapes. This set is also pricey, and like any other open-back pair, it doesn't isolate much outside noise. Still, if you own an iPhone and hate the feeling of traditional in-ear headphones, it might work. We gave the AirPods a score of 88 in late 2021.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is down to $27, which is $2 more than the lowest price we've seen but still roughly $20 below the 4K streamer's usual street price. This is Amazon's fastest streaming stick, with support for all the necessary apps and HDR standards, plus Alexa voice controls built into its remote. We generally prefer Roku's and Google's respective streaming platforms over Amazon's Fire OS, as the latter is more aggressive about displaying ads and promoting Amazon's own content across the UI. But if you just want an affordable device for casual 4K streaming, or if you regularly use Amazon services like Prime Video, this is a fine option. 

Amazon Echo Studio

The Amazon Echo Studio is on sale for $160, which is a $40 discount and within $5 of the smart speaker's all-time low. This is the largest and best-sounding option in Amazon's Echo lineup. Though we recommend the newer Sonos Era 100 to most people looking for an audio-focused smart speaker, the Echo Studio is still a strong alternative for those who want to save some cash or add a centerpiece to an existing set of Echo devices.

Logitech Litra Glow

The Logitech Litra Glow is back down to $50, which is a deal we've seen a few times before but still takes $10 off the device's usual going rate. The Litra Glow is a USB-powered video light we recommend in our guide to the best game-streaming gear, as we found it to deliver relatively soft and pleasant lighting without harsh edges or shadows. The hardware clips onto the top of a monitor and is easy to rotate or tilt, and you can customize the lighting's brightness and color temperature through built-in control buttons or Logitech's companion software. While Logitech markets the device toward content creators, it can also be useful for those who frequently have to take Zoom calls in a room with poor natural lighting. 

Instant Pot Duo (3-quart)

If you've been thinking about jumping on the Instant Pot bandwagon, the 3-quart Instant Pot Duo is now on sale for $60, or $20 below its typical street price. While that's not an all-time low, it does match the best price we've seen in 2023. We recommend this smaller variant to those who want an electric pressure cooker for individual use or smaller kitchens in our Instant Pot buying guide. It's one of the more basic options available, but it's still easy to operate, and it comes with modes for sautéing, slow cooking, steaming and making rice or yogurt, among others. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

The 256GB Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is down to $900 at Amazon with an on-page coupon, which is a $100 discount for a phone that only went on sale earlier this month. If you shop at Amazon regularly, you can also get the foldable phone with a $150 Amazon gift card, but you'll have to pay the standard $1,000 MSRP. We gave the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a review score of 88 earlier this month, and we currently list it as the "best foldable for selfies" in our guide to the best smartphones. The big upgrades are a larger 3.4-inch cover display that's more useful for quickly checking notifications or using apps and a redesigned hinge that lets the device fold flat. You still give up some battery life and camera performance compared to more traditional flagship phones around this price, and like any foldable device, you have to take extra care when handling it. But if the idea of a phone you can fold in half appeals to you, this is the new leader in that market. 

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If you've been looking to pick up Samsung's new Galaxy Z Flip 5, the foldable phone is now down to $900 at Amazon for a 256GB model. That's a $100 discount for a device that only officially went on sale last week. You'll just need to clip an on-page coupon to see the deal at checkout. 

Previously, Amazon ran a pre-order deal that bundled the 512GB version of the Z Flip 5 with a $150 Amazon gift card for $1,000. This new offer isn't quite as strong of a value, but it's the first cash discount we've seen for the device. If you shop at Amazon regularly, you can still get the 256GB model with that $150 gift card, but you have to pay $1,000 upfront. 

In any event, we gave the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a review score of 88 earlier this month, and we currently list it as the "best foldable for selfies" in our guide to the best smartphones. As our Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low notes in her review, the big upgrade this year is a roomier cover display; at 3.4 inches, it's much more useful for replying to texts, checking notifications, using apps, and yes, taking selfies without having to physically unfold the phone. You have to jump through a few hoops to get any app to work in full on the outer display, but once you do, it becomes a bit more versatile. 

Beyond that, there's a new hinge that lets the whole thing fold flat when closed. The device is still capable as a "normal" phone, with a flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a vibrant 6.7-inch OLED interior display. Samsung also promises four years of OS updates and five years of security patches, which is more extensive than many Android manufacturers.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is still a foldable, so you'll have to take more care than usual when handling it. Its IPX8 water-resistance rating means it can survive a brief dunking, but it may be more susceptible to damage from dust or sand. Its camera performance isn't as impressive as the best standard phones in its price range, particularly in low-light settings, and its battery life is only so-so by comparison. There's a visible crease on the interior display as well. Nevertheless, this is the best flip-style foldable you can buy, and this deal makes it a little more affordable.  

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Amazon is running another sale on its Fire TV Stick media streamers, with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max available for $27. We've seen the 4K streaming stick fall as low as $25 in recent weeks, but this deal is still roughly $20 below the device's average street price. The standard Fire TV Stick is also on sale for $25, but since the Max brings a performance boost for only a couple dollars more, we recommend getting the higher-end model instead.

Though it's a couple years old, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is still relatively fast to load menus and switch between apps. Its remote has Alexa support baked in, so it can tie neatly into other Alexa-compatible smart home devices. It supports just about all the major streaming services and HDR standards, as well as Dolby Atmos audio. Unlike the base Fire TV Stick 4K, it also includes a WiFi 6 radio, though you'll need a compatible router and a particularly fast internet connection to see any advantage from that.

The main caveat, as with most Fire TV devices, is software. Compared to similarly-priced streamers from Roku and Google, Amazon's Fire OS is generally more aggressive about displaying ads on the home screen and nudging you toward the company's own services throughout the UI. You'll get the most out of it if you already use services like Prime Video on a regular basis. There's also no support for Google Cast (unlike Google's Chromecast) or Apple AirPlay (unlike various Roku streamers). 

We broadly recommend the Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Google Chromecast to most people in the market for an affordable streaming stick for those reasons. Right now, though, both of those devices cost about $20 more. If all you need is a cheap and quick way to get more streaming apps on your TV, the Fire TV Stick 4K is still a fine value at this price.

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