Graduation is one of those unique milestones in life that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s worth celebrating, but it also marks a new chapter that can feel overwhelming. That’s why your grad will surely appreciate a little support as they step into the next phase of their life, whether that be college or their first job.
Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of gifts that are designed to make the transition into post-grad life a little smoother. Our picks cover essentials they might need for their first apartment or dorm — from kitchenware to tools — along with a few gifts to remindthemof home. We’ve also sprinkled in a ton of gadgets to set them up for success, including e-readers and portable chargers. And because they’ve certainly earned some downtime, we’ve included a selection of other ideas to help them unwind and celebrate a job well done.
May and June are rarely considered the best time of year to land a streaming deal, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save if you can forgo big-name services like Netflix and Hulu. Now through May 30th, for instance, both new and returning subscribers can sign up for a year of ad-supported Peacock Premium for just $24.99 ($55 off) when they use promo code SPRINGSAVINGS at checkout.
Admittedly, Peacock doesn’t carry the same kind of prestige as other services, but it still has plenty to offer in the way of TV shows and movies. The second season of Poker Face, Rian Johnson’s Columbo-inspired series starring Natasha Lyonne, premiered less than a week ago, and Oscar darling Wickedmade its streaming debut exclusively on Peacock just recently. And if you want something to look forward to, Greg Daniels’ latestmockumentary series, a spinoff of The Office called The Paper,will hit the streaming platform in September.
One caveat to keep in mind with Peacock’s ongoing promo is that you’ll be automatically charged the full subscription price (currently $79.99) at the end of the 12-month period. Thankfully, you can turn off Peacock’s auto-renew feature and still access the full slate of programming until the end of your billing cycle, ensuring you won’t be charged whatever price hike will inevitably go into effect before then.
More ways to save today
The cool weather might be winding down in many parts of the US, but if you’re someone who could still use a little heat in your home, Vornado’s vintage-looking Vheat is on sale at Amazon in select colors starting at $120.24 (about $50 off). The simple space heater packs a lot of the same functionality as other Vornado models — it’s got two heat settings, an auto-off function, and a 47-degree pivoting head — only it sports an all-metal build that’s far more attractive than anything you might pick up at The Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Once again, Costco has restocked what might very well be the best Insta360 X5 bundle out there, making it a great time to snag Insta360’s excellent action camera. The X5 can capture 4K footage up to 120fps, and like the last-gen X4, it can film in 8K up to 30fps or in 5.7K up to 60fps (with better low-light performance and the ability to swap lenses). The $549.99 package nets you a total of two batteries, a selfie stick, and a lens cap, along with a 256GB microSD card for stowing footage of all your adventures. Read our review.
The delightfully unique Sharge Pouch is down to an all-time low of $49.99 ($50 off) at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon for an additional $10 off. The compact, 40W USB-C charger is a bit different than your standard offerings from Anker and Baseus in that it functions as a wearable battery with a built-in cable, which allows you to easily take it with you on the go. Just ask our own Sean Hollister, who gave the chic(-ish) charger a whirl last year.
Smartwatches have come along way since the first Apple Watch arrived on the scene more than a decade ago. However, despite how ubiquitous they’ve become, they’re still nowhere near as discrete — or long-lasting — as a smart ring like the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Thankfully, if you’re looking to ditch the watch, Samsung’s first-gen smart ring is available with a $100 gift card at Best Buy and Amazon, where you can pick it up in a variety of sizes starting at $299.99 ($100 off), an all-time low.
In many ways, the Android-only Galaxy Ring is more of an accessory for existing Samsung users than it is a standalone device. It’s not as a capable as the Oura Ring 4, our No. 1 pick for the best smart ring, though it does showcase excellent hardware and comes in wide ranges of sizes, from 5 to 15. Plus, unlike the Oura, the Galaxy Ring provides standard activity and sleep tracking without requiring you to pay a monthly fee. That’s a boon for anyone with subscription fatigue.
In terms of basics, Samsung’s IP68 water-resistant ring can measure your blood oxygen level, skin temperature, heart rate, and track your steps and workouts. That being said, you’ll need a Galaxy phone to leverage all of Samsung’s ecosystem-centric tricks, including the ability to access insights about your quality of sleep and Samsung’s Energy Score feature, which attempts to quantify your fatigue levels. If you own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or Ultra, you’ll even get several additional days of battery life, thanks in part to the way Samsung’s Health app prioritizes which device’s sensors to pull from.
All that is to say that the Galaxy Ring remains best suited for existing Samsung users, rather than those tapped into other ecosystems. But if that’s you, the current promo is the best deal we’ve seen.
The holidays might be a ways off, but that also means it’s the best time of the year to load up on discounted decorations. Right now, for instance, Govee’s 50-foot Outdoor Dots String Lights are on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $89.99 ($90 off) — the lowest price we’ve seen on the Matter-compatible, smart LED string.
I’m a firm believer in bone conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, which leave your ears more exposed while working out. Thankfully, if you haven’t tried them before, they’re available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $139.95 ($40 off), matching their all-time low. The latest open-ear Shokz still offer big sound and plenty of bass, only this time around, they now support USB-C charging and AI noise cancellation. Read our review.
The Xbox Series X version of Metaphor: ReFantazio, a game that deftly build upon a winning RPG formula with a powerful narrative and harrowing turn-based combat, is going for $24.99 ($45 off) at Woot this weekend. It was easily one of our favorite games of 2024, even if it does feel like a remixed Persona title. Read our review.
For the longest time, we considered the Beats Fit Pro to be the best gym earbuds around. However, with the arrival of the Powerbeats Pro 2 in February, Beats’ last-gen earbuds have become somewhat dated and a lot harder to recommend at full price. That’s especially true today, given the Powerbeats Pro 2 are now on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo in multiple colors for an all-time low of $199.95 ($50 off).
The Pro 2 are, by all accounts, some of the best wireless earbuds you can get. They still tout the signature ear hook design found on previous models, though the hooks themselves are noticeably smaller this time around (as is the wireless charging case). The comfortable earbuds also feature active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode — both absent from the first-gen model from 2019 —so you can stay in sync with what’s going on around you while exercising.
As for other hallmarks, the fitness-focused Pro 2 sport IPX4 water resistance, easy-to-use physical buttons, and native support for both Android and Apple features — including head-tracking spatial audio, automatic device switching, and Find My integration for iPhone users. They also offer heart rate monitoring thanks to built-in sensors in each earbud; however, sadly, they can’t play music and broadcast heart rate to gym equipment at the same time when paired with an iOS device, which makes the Pro 2 a better heart rate monitoring alternative for Android users than iPhone users.
Thankfully, if bass-heavy sound is what you’re after and not necessarily the ability to track your heart rate, rest assured that this pair of Beats delivers great sound with enough low-end oomph to make the latest tracks from Kendrick Lamar and Saba shine. They can’t rival the latest AirPods Pro or Sony’s XM5, but that’s not really the point, is it?
The Google Pixel9A, which is arguably the best budget phone you can buy right now, is available from Best Buy and Google for $499 with a free $100 gift card (or store credit, in the case of Google). The terrific midrange handset is outfitted with Google’s reliable Tensor G4 chipset and a 6.3-inch OLED screen, the latter of which is bigger and brighter than the panel on last year’s 8A. It also packs a robust IP68 rating and seven years of software updates — an impressive feat for a phone that retails for under $500. Read our review.
Star Wars Day might technically be behind us, but you can still grab a Goliath Power Saber at Amazon for $15.28 (about $6 off), which is the best price we’ve seen. The lightsaber-like saber isn’t an official Star Wars toy — blame Hasbro — but it is the first light-up blade that can automatically extend and retract with the push of a button. It will also collapse when you press it against something, meaning you needn’t worry (too much) about giving it to a kid.
If you’re looking for a cheap charger to take on the go, Anker’s 10,000mAh Zolo Power Bank is on sale at Amazon in a slew of colors for $12.94 ($13 off), matching its best price to date. The 30W battery pack isn’t the most robust in terms of capacity, though it can deliver up to two full charges to an iPhone 16 Pro; it also features an integrated 5.4-inch USB-C cable for added convenience.
Following a brief delay stemming from the Trump administration’s on-again, off-again tariff policy, Nintendo officially opened up preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2. As expected, the initial rollout process at Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers on April 24th was an absolute mess — and GameStop didn’t fare much better later in the week.
As of right now, none of the aforementioned retailers are accepting reservations for the $449 gaming console ahead of its release on June 5th. Nintendo is still accepting sign-ups for those looking to secure a Switch 2, though, if you do go that route, be aware that there are strict requirements. Nintendo also can’t guarantee an invite ahead of launch due to “the very high demand” for the console. Surprising, I know.
We don’t know when the next Switch 2 preorders will open up, at least at traditional US retailers. Additional preorder inventory has popped up intermittently at Walmart and GameStop in recent days; however, so far, none of the major retailers have announced when they will resume accepting preorders, if at all. That being said, if you’re trying to secure a Switch 2, we suggest keeping an eye on the retailers below and taking a few steps to ensure you’re set up for success if they re-open.
At launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be available in two distinct configurations: a $449.99 standard version and a $499.99 bundle that includes the latest Mario Kart title, Mario Kart World. Nintendo is on record saying the bundle will only be available through fall 2025 (or while supplies last), which is a shame, considering picking up the console / game combo saves you $30 on what is easily the Switch 2’s biggest launch title. If you don’t manage to secure the bundle, you’ll have to pick up Mario Kart World separately for a whopping $79.
It’s also worth noting that prices could change down the line. Nintendo recently raised the price of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons and the Switch 2 Pro Controller in response to tariffs, and has said that “other adjustments to the price of any Nintendo product are also possible in the future depending on market conditions.” The starting price of the Nintendo Switch 2 remains unchanged, but at this point, it feels like the only way to guarantee a console at $449.99 is to purchase one at launch.
A few essentials tips to keep in mind
If the initial preorder launch of the Switch 2 is any indication, retailers are woefully under-equipped to handle the massive influx of interest in console preorders. Inventory for the Switch 2 seems to be limited despite the fact Nintendo supposedly had time to build up an inventory of the next-gen system “on a global basis.” That being the case, we suggest taking a few steps to set yourself up for success ahead of when preorders drop next.
We’ll continue to do our best to let you know which retailers have inventory as we approach June 5th, but in the meantime, we’ve rounded up a few helpful tips that should help you improve your chances.
Create accounts for every retailer
First things first: create accounts at Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, and other retailers if you haven’t done so already. Both Best Buy and Walmart implemented a queue system when taking Switch 2 preorders in an effort to deter scalpers — a tactic also employed during the rollout of the PlayStation 5. That’s why it’s in your best interest to ensure your account is set up with the appropriate credentials. Confirm your location and delivery info, get your payment details in order, and log in to your account prior to making your purchase.
… most retailers won’t hold your console while you’re in the checkout line
Setting up and verifying this information in advance will help streamline the checkout process, thus allowing you to save precious seconds. This is crucial, given most retailers won’t hold your console while you’re in the checkout line.
Download the mobile apps
If you own a smartphone, we recommend downloading — and logging into — the respective retailer apps for Walmart, Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and Target. In the past, we’ve found that the dedicated mobile apps for various retailers are faster than using a traditional browser; they also provide an additional means of procuring a console, thus increasing your chances of securing a Switch 2 at launch.
Sign up for retailer notifications
A couple of retailers, specifically Best Buy and GameStop, allow you to sign up for preorder updates regarding the Nintendo Switch 2, games, and accessories. So far, neither retailer has divulged much beyond what is available on their retail sites; however, they do serve as yet another opportunity to stay informed regarding how each retailer plans to handle the Switch 2 rollout going forward.
Skip the accessories
Nintendo will have a raft of new accessories available for the Switch 2 at launch, including a Switch 2 Pro Controller, carrying cases, and even a camera accessory for video chats. And while it might be tempting to stack your cart with add-ons, preordering Nintendo’s first-party peripherals takes time that’s better spent on securing a console. Plus, accessory preorders don’t typically sell out nearly as fast as consoles, meaning you can always circle back for extras at Walmart, Best Buy, and other retailers once you’ve managed to reserve your Switch 2.
Try your local brick-and-mortar store
This might come as a surprise in 2025, but preorders aren’t only available online. A handful of retailers, including Best Buy and GameStop, opened in-store preorders for the Switch 2 shortly following their online release. Each store has only been allocated a handful of launch units — the GameStop location our own Ash Parrish visited had been allotted 44 bundles and 19 regular Switch 2 consoles — so it can’t hurt to ask the folks at the store nearest you if they’re still accepting preorders. The chances are slim, sure, but who knows? You might get lucky.
Follow us (and others)
As you might expect, we’ll be closely monitoring Switch 2 inventory over the next month or so — or longer if it remains unavailable following its release on June 5th. Bookmark our main deals hub, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to our Verge Dealsnewsletter! We’ll be sending special alerts as preorders become available; it’s also a great way to stay in the know regarding the latest deals and discounts, all of which come from a Verge staffer.
A number of other social media accounts — including Wario64, IGN, and Matt Swider of The Shortcut — are likely going to be tracking preorder inventory for the foreseeable future as well, if you’re looking for additional publications / users to follow in the run-up to the Switch 2 launch.
Where can I preorder the Switch 2?
Right now, the only confirmed retailers for the Nintendo Switch 2 are Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Newegg, and Sam’s Club. We anticipate Amazon opening preorders at some point, but based on previous console launches, the rollout at Amazon is likely to be sporadic and unpredictable. Either way, we’ll update this post accordingly if Amazon and other retailers begin offering preorders.
My Nintendo Store
Unsurprisingly, one of the few confirmed retailers is the My Nintendo Store, which comes with a string of eligibility requirements — one of which requires you to register your interest in advance. To do so, you’ll need to sign in with your Nintendo account and select the console configuration you prefer, along with any desired accessories. Then, you’ll receive an invitation email when it’s time to buy it, assuming you’ve satisfied several other conditions.
Currently, the reservation process is limited to Nintendo account holders in the US and Canada who are at least 18 years of age. Invitations will be valid for 72 hours and will be “prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis,” according to Nintendo; you’ll also need to have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months and have logged 50 hours of gameplay on the original Switch as of April 2nd, 2025, to be eligible. What’s more, you must have opted in to share gameplay data with Nintendo (you can see if you’ve done so in the privacy section when logged into your account).
Console and accessory purchases will be limited to one per eligible account …
Once invitations have been sent to account holders who have met these criteria, Nintendo says it will send invitations to “remaining eligible registrants” on a first-come, first-served basis. The invitations will be nontransferable and sent to the email address you provided while registering your interest with Nintendo. Console and accessory purchases will be limited to one per eligible account, at least during the initial invitation period, which will begin with the first batch of invitations on May 8th.
Additional invitations will follow periodically, though Nintendo hasn’t specified details beyond that. However, in a recent update to its site, Nintendo specified that, due to “the very high demand” for the console, “delivery by June 5 is not guaranteed” and that “your invitation email may arrive after the Nintendo Switch 2 launch.”
Walmart
Walmart is no longer accepting preorders for the standalone Switch 2 ($449) or the Mario Kart World bundle ($499), though you can still preorder games like Donkey Kong Bananza ($69) and accessories like the Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector ($39.88). That being said, Walmart’s website still indicates that, if you manage to preorder a console before 8AM ET on June 4th, you should receive it before 9AM ET on June 5th.
GameStop
GameStop currently isn’t accepting preorders for the standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle. If you’re looking to bring the cost down in the future, though, it offers up to $175 off a Switch 2 when you trade in a Switch OLED, or up to $125 off when you trade in a regular Switch. In both instances, you’ll need everything that came with your console — specifically the Switch, its dock, two working Joy-Con controllers (with wrist straps), an HDMI cable, and a power cord. GameStop also confirmed to Gizmodo that the exact valuation will depend on the condition of your console, including whether your Joy-Cons are experiencing the dreaded stick drift.
Best Buy
Best Buy isn’t accepting online preorders for the standalone console or the Mario Kart World bundle right now, but if you do manage to reserve a console through Best Buy, the retailer has announced that most stores in the US will open at 12AM ET, 11PM CT, 10PM MT, and 9PM PT on June 5th for preorder pickup.
Additionally, if you’re a My Best Buy Plus or Total member, you can currently score $20 in credit for every $150 you spend (up to $100) on Nintendo games and gear (excluding all Switch and Switch 2 hardware). That privilege will run you at least $49.99 a year, though both membership tiers also grant you access to a number of exclusive perks, including limited-time discounts and free two-day shipping.
As far as we know, neither Newegg nor Sam’s Club opened preorders on April 24th. However, Newegg has published a landing page for both the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle, indicating it will have Switch 2 stock at some point. The same applies to Sam’s Club, which currently has a retail listing for the bundle. You’ll need a Club membership ($50 a year) to take advantage of the latter; however, given Sam’s Club requires you to sign up for a premium subscription to shop, you might have better luck when preorders do open.
Update, April 26th: Updated to include the latest information on Switch 2 preorders, along with several additional tips for securing Nintendo’s newest console at launch.
Chances are, your mom changed your diaper, packed your lunch, and helped guide you through your teenage years - all without expecting anything in return. She deserves a standing ovation, but since that's difficult to wrap, a thoughtful Mother's Day gift can make for a fine alternative.
This year, we rounded up a collection of gifts that we think do a much better job of showing appreciation than a bouquet of flowers or a card ever could. Many of our picks, such as Tapo's inexpensive robot vacuum and Ohom's self-heating mug / charger, are designed to make her day run a little smoother, while others are aimed at helping her unwind with music, exercise, and - of course - soft serve ice cream.
No matter what kind of mom you're shopping for, there's something here that'll make her feel truly seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little spoiled.
Update, May 9th: Adjusted pricing / availability and added several new recommendations, including the latest iPad and Houdini's electric corkscrew.
Unlike some promos, today’s discount applies to both the 42mm and 46mm configurations.
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger on the Apple Watch Series 10, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better time than now. That’s because Apple’s latest flagship is on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy right now in its 42mm base configuration starting at $299 ($100 off), matching its lowest price to date. You can also purchase the 46mm model with Wi-Fi at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for just $329 ($100 off), which remains the best price we’ve seen for the larger configuration since its debut in September.
Overall, the Series 10 is a relatively minor upgrade over the Series 9 — though, that’s not a bad thing. The last-gen model was an excellent smartwatch, and the Series 10 primarily builds upon it with a bigger, brighter wide-angle OLED display that makes reading texts and notifications that much easier. What’s more it does so without adding any unwanted bulk; in fact, the Series 10 is actually 10 percent thinner than the Series 9 and a whopping 30 percent thinner than the Apple Watch Ultra, ensuring it will likely never catch on your sleeves.
As for other changes, the Series 10 charges significantly faster than the last-gen model, allowing your watch to go from zero to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. It features Apple’s newest S10 SiP (System in Package), as well as FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and a range of fitness-centric features. Some of those — such as the new Vitals app and the ability to pause your Activity Rings — come courtesy of watchOS 11 as opposed to the new hardware, though they’re welcome all the same.
If you’re looking to outfit your home with some brick-ified, faux greenery, Lego’s Lucky Bamboo set is on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Target for an all-time low of $23.99 ($6 off). It’s not quite as intricate as Lego’s Wildflower Bouquet or some of the other models in the Botanicals Collection, but the excellent 325-piece kit includes three stems, pebbles, and a pot with a wood-effect plenth.
We’re big fans of Elgato’s macro controllers here at The Verge, so much so we’ve written an entire article rounding up our favorite hacks. Thankfully, if you don’t own one, the Stream Deck MK.2 is down to $129.99 ($20 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The MK.2 is essentially the midrange model; it comes with a detachable stand, a swappable faceplate, and 15 programmable LCD keys, which you can use to carry out shortcuts across Windows and macOS.
8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller is receiving its first discount at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $53.99 ($6 off) thanks to an on-page coupon. It’s not a vast departure from the original model 8BitDo launched in 2022, though the updated version adds color-changing LED lighting and an extra pair of customizable shoulder buttons. Best of all, it’s equipped with tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) joysticks, which draw less power and are even more durable than Hall effect sticks.
After yearsofrumors, Nintendo has finally announced a release date for the Switch 2. The long-awaited successor to the Switch will be available onJune 5th for $449.99, bringing a handful of games and accessories along with it.
Nintendo initially announced the Switch 2 would be available for preorder in the US as both a standalone console and as a limited-edition bundle with Mario Kart World starting on April 9th for $499.99. In a strange turn, Nintendo delayed preorders in response to tariffs, but we now have a confirmed preorder date for the console, its accessories, and its games: Thursday, April 24th. The console’s price is unchanged, although some accessories have increased slightly in price.
As predicted, the Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch LCD display, with support for 1080p resolution and HDR, 256GB of built-in storage, and up to 6.5 hours of battery life. The Joy-Cons are bigger, too, and now magnetically attach to the console instead of relying on a pair of sliding rails to snap into place. They also offer mouse-like functionality with select games, and the right Joy-Con sports a “C” button, which can be used for in-game chat features, screensharing, and other actions.
Below, we’ve rounded up all the preorder information you need if you want to be one of the first to get your hands on it. We’ll be updating this post regularly as more information becomes available, so bookmark this page if you’re keen on learning more ahead of the launch.
When can I preorder the Nintendo Switch 2?
Initially, Nintendo planned to launch preorders for the Switch 2 through third-party retailers on April 9th for $449.99. But the same week, the company delayed the start of preorders due to concerns over President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Here’s the company’s statement, sent to The Verge by Eddie Garcia on behalf of Nintendo:
Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions. Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.
Fortunately, Nintendo confirmed last week that preorders for the Switch 2 will open on April 24th in both the US and Canada. The following chart summarizes when preorders open; however, you can also find additional preorder details — including landing pages for the console, accessories, and games — in the retailer sections below.
Retailer
Online Preorders
Preorder Configurations
Nintendo
Invitation-only
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
Walmart
12AM ET on April 24th
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
Target
12AM ET on April 24th
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
Best Buy
12AM ET on April 24th
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
GameStop
11AM ET on April 24th
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
Amazon
TBD
Nintendo Switch 2 / Mario Kart World Bundle
How to preorder via Nintendo
As expected, one of the few confirmed retailers right now is the My Nintendo Store, which comes with a string of eligibility requirements — one of which requires you to register your interest in advance. To do so, you’ll need to sign in with your Nintendo account and choose which console configuration you prefer (and which accessories). Then, you’ll receive an invitation email when it’s time to buy it, assuming you’ve satisfied several other conditions.
As of right now, the reservation process is limited to Nintendo account holders in the US and Canada who are at least 18 years old. Invitations will be valid for 72 hours and will be “prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis,” according to Nintendo; you’ll also need to have purchased a Nintendo Switch Online membership for a minimum of 12 months and have logged 50 hours of gameplay on the original Switch as of April 2nd, 2025, to be eligible. What’s more, you must have opted in to share gameplay data with Nintendo (you can see if you’ve done so in the privacy section when logged into your account).
Once invitations have been sent to account holders who have met these criteria, Nintendo says it will send invitations to “remaining eligible registrants” on a first-come, first-served basis. Unsurprisingly, the invitations will be nontransferable and sent to the email address you used while registering your interest with Nintendo. Console and accessory purchases will be limited to one per eligible account, at least during the initial invitation period, with the first batch of invitations going out on May 8th.
Additional invitations will follow periodically, though Nintendo hasn’t specified details beyond that.
How to preorder at Best Buy
Thankfully, if Nintendo’s strict requirements are an issue, the preorder process at Best Buy appears to be far more straightforward. Once preorders start at 12AM on April 24th, Best Buy will open preorders via its Best Buy app and BestBuy.com. What’s more, most stores in the US will open at 12AM ET, 11PM CT, 10PM MT, and 9PM PT on June 5th for preorder pickup, signaling a welcome return to a more old-school, midnight release schedule we last saw prior to the pandemic.
Details are sparse beyond that; however, My Best Buy Plus and Total members can land a $20 certificate for every $150 they spend (up to $100) on Nintendo games and gear, which is a nice perk for members of Best Buy’s premium loyalty program. That privilege will run you at least $49.99 a year, though both membership tiers will also grant you access to exclusive discounts, free two-day shipping, and other perks.
As of writing, we’re unsure whether the retailer intends to implement a queue system, as it did with the PlayStation 5 release. In the meantime, we recommend signing up to receive notifications regarding the Switch 2 and keeping an eye on Best Buy’s respective landing pages for the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle.
How to preorder at Walmart
Walmart hasn’t dished out many details regarding the Switch 2 launch via its public channels, but company spokesperson Leigh Stidham tells The Verge that the retailer plans to open preorders at 12AM ET on April 24th. Walmart’s website also indicates that, if you preorder the console by 8AM ET on June 4th, you should receive it before 9AM on June 25th. There are also already dedicated landing pages for both the standalone Switch 2 ($449) and the Mario Kart World bundle ($499), along with games like Donkey Kong Bananza ($69) and the Switch 2 version of Breath of the Wild ($69).
How to preorder at Target
Target is in a similar camp to Walmart; however, the retailer has specified that preorders for the console, games, and accessories will begin at 12AM ET on April 24th. Target has also already published retailer listings for both the standalone Switch 2 and the Mario Kart World bundle, along with listings for a handful of Switch 2 and Switch 2 Edition games.
How to preorder at GameStop
GameStop has confirmed that in-store preorders for the Switch 2 will begin when “doors open” on April 24th, with online preorders starting the same day at 11AM ET. Like Best Buy, you can also sign up to receive notifications about the upcoming console, and there are dedicated landing pages for both the standalone console and the Mario Kart World bundle if you prefer to keep tabs on availability yourself.
The company said that “all stores” will open on June 5th at 12AM ET / June 4th at 9PM PT for the console’s launch, providing another opportunity to attend the midnight release. Additionally, as our friends at Polygonrecently pointed out, GameStop will also offer up to $175 in credit toward the purchase of a Switch 2 when you trade in a previous Nintendo Switch console, with the exact amount varying based on model.
How to preorder elsewhere
Not all of the major retailers have provided any insight into how preorders will work when they open. Like with previous launches, we anticipate that Amazon will have limited stock of the console, as well. But despite Nintendo “taking risks” to ensure it can meet demands, reports indicate that US retailers might not have enough Switch 2 consoles to meet preorder demands. With any luck, Nintendo’s stringent reservation requirements and (potentially) those of other retailers will thwart any aspiring scalpers.
Update, April 21st: Updated to include new preorder details from Best Buy and GameStop.
Forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday — or Prime Day, for that matter. For the second year in a row, Amazon has launched a spring sales event, which will run through Monday, March 31st, offering Prime and non-Prime members alike an opportunity to save big well ahead of the traditional shopping season.
As you might expect, not every item discounted for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is a winner. But it is a great time to pick up a pair of headphones, that e-reader you’ve been eyeing, or a clever charging gadget. Thankfully, our deal experts have been poring through the discounts and consulting our price-tracking tools to find actual deals on the gadgets we love, many of which we’ve rigorously tested.
We’re tracking the latest deals as we encounter them, so you can rest assured you won’t have to wait until the holidays to roll around just to score a worthwhile discount on your (soon-to-be) favorite gizmo.
The Select 4 Go, Soundcore’s latest Bluetooth speaker, is on sale starting at just $19.99 for a limited time.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is happening now through the end of today, March 31st, with several dozen good-to-great deals available that don’t require an Amazon Prime membership. Our main roundup has you covered with more than 100 deals on Verge-favorite gear with quite a high price ceiling. But, for this post, we wanted to provide some low-cost alternatives that, to us, are just as appealing as the pricey ones.
All of these deals come from Amazon, with the exception of one that’s on Woot (which is owned by Amazon). We’ll keep our eyes out for more $30 and under candidates as the sale nears its final hours, just in case you’re hoping to pick up an inexpensive pair of earbuds, a retractable charger, or another accessory before the clock strikes midnight.
Update, March 31st: Verified existing discounts are still in effect and added several new deals, including those for SwitchBot’s Smart Switch Button Pusher and Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.
The Colorsoft is like a souped-up Kindle Paperwhite, but that isn’t such a bad thing.
When we reviewed the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition late last year, one of our biggest gripes was the e-reader’s initial starting price of $279.99. It’s a high price to pay for an ebook reader, particularly given its smaller 7-inch display and lack of stylus support, but those shortcomings are more forgivable now that the ebook reader is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for an all-time low of $224.99 ($55 off).
At its core, the Colorsoft is really just a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition with a color screen. It’s the first Kindle to utilize E Ink’s color screen technology, which provides more vibrancy than Kobo’s like-minded Libra Colour — even if the 300ppi resolution is halved in color mode. The resulting contrast and color make browsing and reading books (or comics!) more pleasant and engaging, but don’t expect the kind of glossy, high-res images you might get on a dedicated tablet with an OLED or LCD display.
That said, the Colorsoft benefits from all the upgrades you’ll find on Amazon’s newer Kindles, as well as a slew of recent software updates. It features an auto-adjusting front light, robust IPX8 waterproofing, and faster page-turning performance than prior models. You’ll also get up to two months of battery life and wireless charging, not to mention a healthy 32GB of storage and zero ads. It’s the e-reader to get if you want a color screen and want to stick with Amazon.
Amazon’s first big sale event of 2025, the Big Spring Sale, is officially in the bag. Many of the best deals have since disappeared, but, fortunately, a few of our favorites are still hanging around. We’ve rounded up the cream of the crop below, which includes deals on everything from headphones and robot vacuums to chargers and OLED TVs.
Even better, while having a Prime subscription means your packages will arrive more quickly, you don’t necessarily need to be a member to get in on these tried-and-tested Verge favorites (only in rare cases are deals exclusive to Prime members, and we’ll note when that’s the case). We’ve also highlighted deals at competing retailers, including Best Buy and Walmart, just in case you don’t want to shop from Amazon.
The Dreame L20 Ultra is on sale for $599.99 ($400 off) a new low of $549.99 ($450 off) at Amazon. It lacks the self-retracting arms found on the newer, more powerful X40, but otherwise it’s a great cleaning machine. The dual mop pads can still extend to clean baseboard and corners, while its 7,000Pa of suction power does a good job of sucking up unwanted dirt and debris. The robovac is also capable of emptying its own dust bin and water tanks (as well as refilling them), in addition to washing and drying its own mop pads.
Headphone and earbud deals
The Beats Studio Pro are on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $199.95 ($150 off). Looks-wise, they’re not drastically different than prior Beats models, though they tack on a useful transparency mode, personalized spatial audio, and lossless playback over USB-C. Plus, unlike most noise-canceling headphones, they offer native support for both iOS and Android software features. Read our review.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — aka, the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy — are available at Amazon starting at $295.60 (about $103 off), or from Bower & Wilkins or Best Buy for $319 ($80 off). The British audio brand isn’t as well-known as Sony or Bose, though with the S2E, you’re getting superb sound, superior build quality, and controls that rely on physical buttons as opposed to the sometimes finicky tap/swipe gestures found on mainstream noise-canceling headphones like Sony’s XM5. Read our review.
The Beats Solo 4 have returned to $129.95 ($70 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which represents their second-best price to date. It’s a shame they lack noise cancellation, but the headphones still offer good value with bass-rich sound as well as features like spatial audio and lossless playback over USB-C (or 3.5mm). They also offer native support for both iOS and Android, making them a good buy if you want some platform flexibility. Read our review.
Portable charger and cable deals
If you’re not ready to pony up for a Qi2 charger, Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station has fallen to $23.99 ($12 off) at Amazon, which is about $2 shy of its all-time low. Unlike the newer Qi2 offerings that provide 15W charging speeds, Ugreen’s charger can only supply 7.5W of power to MagSafe-compatible devices, or 5W to a pair of wireless earbuds or any Qi-ready device if you’re using the integrated charging stand located on the bottom.
Speaker and soundbar deals
JBL’s Charge 5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart in multiple colors starting at $119.95 ($60 off), which is the best price we’ve seen on the portable speaker since July. We’re not huge fans of the oversized JBL logo, but the powerful Bluetooth speaker hits all the right marks when it comes to functionality and performance, offering an impressive 20 hours of battery life and a built-in USB-A port that lets you top off your phone while listening to music.
Despite the fact the Sonos app has been a bit of a debacle as of late, I have few qualms about recommending the Sonos Era 100 for around $199 ($50 off), its current price at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos’ online storefront. It’s a great smart speaker with stereo sound, privacy-conscious microphone controls, and support for both Bluetooth and line-in connections. It can also connect to Spotify and every other music service you can think of and supports AirPlay 2, letting you stream content from Apple devices. Read our review.
Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $48 ($12 off), matching its second-best price to date. Despite the fact that it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it hiking or to the pool without worrying. Read our review.
Smart home deals
The newer Eero Max 7 routers are also down to some of their best prices to date, with Amazon and Eero selling a single router, which can cover 2,500 square feet, for $479.99 ($120 off). You can also buy two for $919.99 ($230 off) or three for $1,359.99 ($340 off). The mesh routers support Wi-Fi 7 and feature a pair of 10GB ethernet ports, along with two 2.5GB ethernet ports. They also support Matter as well as Zigbee, and can act as a Thread border router.
You can buy the Eve Energy Smart Plug and Power Meter at Amazon for $29.95 ($10 off), an all-time low. Like other smart plugs, Eve’s handy device can turn traditional indoor gadgets like lamps and fans into smart devices; it’s also capable of monitoring your energy use and works with all the major smart home platforms (Amazon Alexa, Google Home, etc.) thanks to its support for the newer Matter standard.
The best outdoors gadgets and goods deals
Having access to clean drinking water everywhere you are is a privilege, but not guaranteed. If you’ll be out in the wild, or if you’re vacationing but want to be cautious when it comes to water intake, the LifeStraw Peak is worth picking up at Amazon for its current price of $18.62 ($6 off). It’s essentially a thick straw outfitted with a filter that’s capable of removing 99.9 percent of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from the water you’re drinking.
Other Verge favorites
The Blue Yeti microphone is on sale at Amazon in a myriad of colors starting at $90.99 ($39 off). That’s not the lowest price we’ve seen — it’s fallen to around $70 in the past — but it’s still a good deal on what has become a certifiable classic USB mic in the era of never-ending Zoom meetings. The versatile mic is easy to set up and simple to use, with a three-capsule microphone that can capture clear, warm sound that should appeal to both amateur podcasters and anyone wanting a more professional setup.
Update, April 1st: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability and to reflect the fact that Amazon’s spring sales event has ended.
Spring has sprung — and so has Amazon’s latest sales event. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale kicks off tomorrow, March 25th, and runs through Monday, March 31st, bringing with it a slew of discounts on gardening supplies, bedding, grilling essentials, and other springtime favorites. And while the discounts aren’t as steep as during tentpole events like Prime Day, you can still find steep savings on cheap security cameras, smartwatches, portable speakers, and loads of other tech.
As is typical of Amazon, the retailer has already dropped a handful of deals in the run-up to the event, many of which we anticipate will stick around through the seven-day promo period. Most deals don’t require you to cough up $14.99 a month for a Prime subscription, either, making it a great time to snag a tried-and-tested Verge favorite.
We’ll be digging into all the deals and discounts as soon as the sale gets underway; however, in the meantime, you can peruse a selection of the best early deals below, all of which have been handpicked and tested by a Verge staffer at one point or another.
Featured deals
Other deal recommendations
The Beats Studio Pro are on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $179.95 ($170 off), which remains one of the best prices we’ve seen. Looks-wise, they’re not drastically different than prior Beats models, though they tack on a useful transparency mode, personalized spatial audio, and lossless playback over USB-C. Plus, unlike most noise-canceling headphones, they offer native support for both iOS and Android software features. Read our review.
If you prefer a pair of noise-canceling earbuds that support native software features on both iOS and Android, the Beats Studio Buds Plus are available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $130 ($40 off), nearly matching their best price to date. Yes, their lack of wireless charging and in-ear detection stings a bit at their typical list price, but their see-through design is slick enough that the shortcomings are (almost) forgivable. Read our review.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — aka, the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy — are available at Amazon starting at $296.71 (about $102 off), or from Bower & Wilkins or Best Buy for $319.99 ($80 off). The British audio brand isn’t as well-known as Sony or Bose, though with the S2E, you’re getting superb sound, superior build quality, and controls that rely on physical buttons as opposed to the tap/swipe gestures found on mainstream noise-canceling headphones like Sony’s XM5. Read our review.
Amazon’s ad-supported Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy right now with 32GB of storage starting at $94.99 ($45 off), or about $20 shy of its lowest price to date. The 2023 model sports USB-C charging, a 10.1-inch, 1080p display, and 3GB of RAM, which is plenty if all you’re doing is streaming or browsing. Just be aware that, like all of Amazon’s budget-minded tablets, it’s really focused on serving up Amazon content at every turn.
JBL’s Charge 5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart in multiple colors starting at $119.95 ($60 off), which is the best price we’ve seen on the portable speaker since July. We’re not huge fans of the oversized JBL logo, but the powerful Bluetooth speaker hits all the right marks when it comes to functionality and performance, offering an impressive 20 hours of battery life and a built-in USB-A port that lets you top off your phone while listening to music.
Despite the fact the Sonos app has been a bit of a debacle as of late, I have few qualms about recommending the Sonos Era 100 for $199 ($50 off), its current price at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos’ online storefront. It’s a great smart speaker with stereo sound, privacy-conscious microphone controls, and support for both Bluetooth and line-in connections. It can also connect to Spotify and every other music service you can think of and supports AirPlay 2, letting you stream content from Apple devices. Read our review.
Ring’s latest Indoor Cam is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and The Home Depot for $39.99 ($20 off), matching its second-best price to date. The 1080p security camera boasts all the same features as the prior model — including two-way talk, color night vision, and a built-in siren — only it’s equipped with a redesigned mount that makes it easier to adjust. That said, you’ll need a Ring Protect Plan ($4.99 a month / $49.99 a year) to share or view video recordings.
For a limited time, Garmin’s InReach Mini 2 is available at Amazon starting at $293.79 (about $106 off), an all-time low. The rugged, palm-sized satellite communicator might seem a little unnecessary given many recent phones now support satellite messaging, but the subscription-based gadget is still great for texting, sharing your location in the backcountry, and triggering an SOS alert in the event of an emergency. It can also last up to 30 days on a single charge, which is significantly more than your smartphone.
The Blue Yeti microphone is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo in a myriad of colors for $89.99 ($40 off). That’s not the lowest price we’ve seen — it’s fallen to around $70 in the past — but it’s still a good deal on what has become a certifiable classic USB mic in the era of never-ending Zoom meetings. The versatile mic is easy to set up and simple to use, with a three-capsule microphone that can capture clear, warm sound that should appeal to both amateur podcasters and anyone wanting a more professional setup.
One of our go-to gift guide picks, the Instant Pot Duo Plus, is currently available for an all-time low of $89.95 ($40 off) at Amazon. Multiple Verge staffers swear by the six-quart multi-cooker, which is similar to the base-model instant pot but comes with a few additional smart programs, including a customizable sous vide setting and a cake option that lets you pressure cook at high temperature for 40 minutes. That’s in addition to the ability to cook rice, steam veggies, and sauté, among other actions.
We’ve said it severaltimes before, but if all you need is a basic monochrome laser printer, just buy whatever Brother model is on sale. Right now, that’s the Brother HL-L2400Dprinter, which is matching its all-time low of $99.99 ($20 off) at Amazon as part of the retailer’s spring sales event. It’s not really suited for photo use or anything fancy, but it connects to Wi-Fi, works reliably, and lasts ages on a single toner cartridge. It also supports automatic duplex printing, so, you know, it has that going for it.
Amazon’s latest Echo Dot is down to $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Kohl’s. The tiny, orb-shaped smart speaker features onboard microphones and produces good sound for its size, making it a solid option for listening to music, issuing smart home commands, checking the weather, and making other various Alexa requests. It also includes a built-in temperature sensor, which can tell you the temperature in the room and trigger various Alexa Routines, if necessary. Read our review.
Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker is available at Amazon and Best Buy for around $48 ($12 off) or at Target for $39.99 if you’re a member of the retailer’s free loyalty program. Despite the fact it’s tiny, the Bluetooth speaker delivers crisp, clear sound along with up to 16 hours of continuous battery life. It also sports IP67 dust and water resistance, so you can take it hiking or to the pool without worrying. Read our review.
Want a compact smart display for your nightstand? Amazon’s latest Echo Show 5is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $69.99 ($20 off), which is a pretty typical discount. The Alexa-enabled smart display is Amazon’s smallest at 5.5 inches, though it’s still plenty big enough for managing smart home devices and controlling music playback. It also has a 2-megapixel camera (with an integrated privacy shutter), just in case you want to use it for more than a smart alarm clock.
Update, March 24th: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability and several new deals, including those for Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and Sony’s SRS-XB100 speaker.
Amazon’s latest promo applies to both the dock and dock-less configurations, too.
Amazon’s next Prime Day event likely won’t occur until July; however, that hasn’t stopped the retail giant from launching a slew of seasonal promos. The next one comes in the form of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which kicks off on March 25th and runs through March 31st. And, in typical Amazon fashion, we’re already seeing a number of early deals on Bose headphones, Fire TV devices, and video doorbells.
The bulk of the discounts we’ve seen thus far are pretty ho-hum — that is, aside from the current promo on Google’s Pixel Tablet, which is on sale at Amazon with its speaker dock starting at $399 ($100 off) or without the magnetic dock for an all-time low of $279 ($120 off). If you prefer a retailer other than Amazon, you can also grab the base-model tablet from Best Buy and Google for the same price.
Despite having launched in 2023, Google’s latest slate is still arguably the best Android tablet available. Google’s app ecosystem isn’t as robust or as optimized for larger screens as Apple’s, but the Pixel tablet is still a great device for streaming, browsing the web, and some light gaming. The Google-made Tensor G2 processor is speedy and reliable, and thanks to the tablet’s four-speaker sound array, you actually get some decent stereo separation. The optional dock charging dock provides even fuller sound while allowing the tablet to function as an ad hoc smart display, which is handy if you want to control your smart home devices via Google Assistant or the tablet’s 11-inch LCD display.
The Amazfit Active 2 is probably the best bang for your buck as far as fitness trackers go, but if you want something truly minimalist, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is on sale at Wellbots for $74.95 ($25 off) with promo code VERGE25. It’s a pretty basic fitness band, though you do get Fitbit’s excellent sleep tracking, stress management features, and irregular heart rate notifications. It’s also outfitted with a bright OLED display and up to 10 days of battery life with the always-on display disabled, which, frankly, isn’t something you’re going to get with most smartwatches. Read our impressions.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on March 20th; however, if you want to save on Ubisoft’s latest open-world title, the Xbox Series X / S version is already available for preorder at Newegg for $59.99 ($10 off) when you use coupon code ACSPPXD at checkout. Based on our time with the game, it’s more of a refinement of previous titles than a complete reinvention, but it’s nice to see Ubisoft finally embrace the setting fans have been clamoring for since the franchise’s inception. Well, that and the welcome return of the dual protagonist system from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
If you’re looking for a budget drawing tablet, Wacom’s One 12 pen display is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart with its customizable stylus for $249.95 ($50 off), matching its all-time low. The 11.6-inch display packs 1920 x 1080p resolution with 99 percent sRGB coverage, and unlike most display tablets geared toward creative professionals, it uses a single USB-C cable for connectivity. It also supports Windows, macOS, Android, and Chrome OS, so you shouldn’t run into any trouble regardless of which OS you prefer.
If you haven’t cleared your weekend already, now might be the time.
Spring has (almost) sprung, but if you’re looking to get a headstart on the array of seasonal sales that are surely on the horizon, Valve has you covered. That’s because now until 1PM ET on March 20th, PC gamers can save on a smorgasbord of great titles as part of the Steam Spring Sale, which encapsulates everything from classic Japanese RPGs and newer deckbuilding titles to one truly hellish shooter.
The bulk of the deals are not necessarily “new,” though they are a great way to catch up on newer games you may have missed and revisit landmark titles from gaming’s past. For instance, if you’ve been itching to revisit Chrono Trigger in honor of the game’s 30th anniversarythis week, you can now snag Square Enix’s fabled SNES RPG for $3.74 (about $11 off). Want something modern? Cyberpunk 2077 is down to $42.76 (about $40 off) with its excellent Phantom Liberty expansion, while the 2016 Doom reboot is going for a mere $1.99 ($18 off).
It’s not all about studios with a AAA budget, either. Collectible card games like Inscryption (now $7.99) and Slay the Spire(now $6.24) — both of which offer deep mechanics and various roguelike elements — are steeply discounted this weekend, while the bullet hell survival game that is Vampire Survivors is going for $3.74 (about $1 off). And if you know nothing about the latter, well, rest assured there is now an official wiki that outlines any question you might ever think to ask.
More ways to save right now
There’s been a spate of terrific Sonos deals over the last couple of weeks; however, if you’re looking for something somewhat budget-friendly, you can still grab Sonos Ray at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $179 ($100 off). The 22-inch stereo soundbar makes some concessions to keep the cost down (RIP, HDMI), but it still manages to deliver excellent dialogue clarity and crisp, balanced sound that one-ups most other soundbars in its price range. It also taps into the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, naturally, and supports AirPlay 2 for streaming from various Apple devices. Read our review.
Sleep Awareness Week is a thing, apparently, and the reason why Headspace has dropped the price of its annual subscription to $41.99 ($28 off) through March 18th. A subscription grants you access to a robust catalog of well-curated sleepcasts, not to mention guided meditation sessions, focus music, and daily inspirational videos. The app’s searchability and the gradual progression of the courses remain the best parts of Headpace, though, especially if you’re a relative newcomer to mindfulness exercises.
If you’re looking to catch up on Andor before the second season’s April 22nd debut on Disney Plus, there’s a solid deal on both Disney Plus and Hulu. Now through March 30th, you can get the ad-supported Disney Plus, Hulu Bundle Basic plan for $2.99 per month for the first four months. Usually this bundle goes for $10.99 per month, so altogether that equates to a savings of around $32. The discount is available to both new and qualifying returning Disney Plus, Hulu, and/or ESPN Plus subscribers.
If you don’t mind watching the occasional ad, the basic plan is nearly identical to the Premium tier. You can’t download content, but otherwise you still get to watch all the thousands of movies and shows available in both Hulu’s and Disney Plus’ library. That means not only can you stream Andor, you can also watch Disney’s new Daredevil series, Moana 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, X-Men ‘97, and other films and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and even National Geographic. You also get to watch Hulu’s library — which encompasses everything from the forthcoming final season of The Handmaid’s Tale to The Kardashians, Shogun, and Futurama — on multiple devices.
Just remember to mark your calendars, though; after the four-month promotion period ends, the bundle with automatically renew at the normal price of $10.99.
More ways to save right now
Sony’s WH-CH520 are on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $38 ($22 off), which is only $2 more than their lowest price to date. The budget pair of on-ear headphones aren’t going to compete with the company’s noise-canceling WH-1000XM5 — nor should they, given the price — but they do support Fast Pair pair on Android and multipoint connectivity, allowing you to quickly switch between two devices. They also offer up to 50 hours of battery life, which is a rarity even on high-end headphones.
The Twelve South AirFly SE is down to its all-time low price of $28.99 ($6 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. The Bluetooth transmitter comes with an integrated 3.5mm cable, so you can listen to in-flight entertainment systems more comfortable using your own pair of wireless earbuds or noise-canceling headphones. It also works with other devices that offer a standard audio jack, including compatible treadmills and the Nintendo Switch.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is on sale for $379.99 ($70 off) at Wellbots when you apply the code VERGEF265, which is just $20 shy of its all-time low price. It’s also available for $399.99 at Amazon and REI. The smartwatch is a good choice for runners, offering a wide number of running metrics that includes stride length and cadence. It also includes Garmin’s Race Predictor feature, which estimates the time it’d take for you to run different types of marathons based on your long-term running data. The wearable also sports multiband GPS for more precise tracking along with a vibrant OLED display with good battery life, lasting about a week on a single charge. Read our review.
The biggest Apple news of the week was the announcement of a sky blue MacBook Air and an M3-powered iPad Air; however, in the deals world, it was all about the Apple Watch Series 10. That’s because, right now, Apple’s flagship smartwatch is on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy in its 42mm base configuration with Wi-Fi starting at $299 ($100 off), its lowest price to date. You can also grab it in the larger 46mm variant at Amazon and Best Buy for $329 (also $100 off).
Apple’s latest mainline watch is a pretty minor update of the Series 9, though that’s not to say the iterative changes aren’t welcome. The bigger, wide-angle OLED display makes text more visible from just about every angle, and at a mere 9.7mm thick, it’s noticeably thinner than the Apple Watch Ultra. The latest Series is also outfitted with a larger charging coil inside, which translates into significantly faster charging. In fact, the Series 10 can go from zero to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, which makes its 18-hour battery far less of a concern.
That said, the more significant updates arguably come in the form of FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and support for watchOS 11. The former leverages the watch’s accelerometer while you sleep to detect minor wrist movements linked with breathing disturbances, which Apple can use to alert you of either moderate or severe sleep apnea. Support for the latest version of watchOS, meanwhile, means you’ll be able to make use of several training-focused fitness features, smarter widgets, and — my personal favorite — the ability to pause your Activity Rings. After all, recovery days are essential, too.
New and eligible returning subscribers who sign up before March 31st can get four months of Disney Bundle Duo Basic for just $2.99 a month, which equates to about $32 in savings. The twofer of a deal provides access to both Hulu and Disney Plus (with ads), though keep in mind the plan will auto-renew at its usual price of $10.99 a month at the end of the promotion window. Still, even if you decide not to renew your subscription, that’s plenty of time to check out Disney’s new Daredevil series and catch up on Andor before the second season arrives on April 22nd.
Now through March 16th, you can grab a refurbished Xgimi MoGo 2 Proon sale at eBay for about $207 when you use promo code STARTFRESH, which knocks nearly $400 off the MSRP. The Android TV projector isn’t as compact as the nifty Aurzen Zip we reviewed last month, though it’s still a reasonable size, with good picture quality and sound. You can also run the all-in-one projector via a USB-C power bank and, unlike the Zip, cast Netflix from your phone thanks to built-in Chromecast support. Read our review.
Belkin’s 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Travel Pad — which kind of functions like a Qi2-certified successor to Apple’s ill-fated MagSafe Duo — is currently down to $60.99 ($59 off) at Best Buy, which is easily the lowest price we’ve seen. The fabric-wrapped charger can supply up to 15W of power to any MagSafe-equipped iPhone while simultaneously charging either an Apple Watch or a pair of AirPods; the square pads also conveniently fold into a stack when you need to head out, making it great for travel.
Unlike previous models, the latest Fire TV Stick 4K Max can showcase artwork and widgets when idle.
Planning on spending your Sunday watching the 97th annual Academy Awards or catching up on the latest episode of Severance? If you don’t already own a smart TV, Amazon’s latest Fire TV Stick 4K Max can make setup easy and inexpensive, especially now that it’s down to just $39.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That’s just $7 shy of its lowest price to date and the best price we’ve seen this year.
Amazon’s newest 4K-capable streaming device functions a lot like its predecessor, only with a few added benefits. It features an upgraded processor for faster performance, for one thing, along with twice the storage (16GB vs. 8GB) and support for Wi-Fi 6E. It also can function more akin to an Echo Show when idle, allowing you to check the weather, gloss reminders, and view a host of widgets at a glance. You can also have it display famous works of art or a series of AI-generated images, which you can personalize with a simple Alexa prompt.
Additionally, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max provides access to a wide selection of streaming apps and Dolby Atmos, allowing for more immersive audio. It offers broad HDR support — including support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus — and works impressively well with Alexa, to the point where you can make commands as specific as “Alexa, turn to ESPN on Sling TV” via the included Alexa remote. Admittedly, the interface is too Prime-centric for some of us at The Verge, but hey, they can’t all be as slick as Google’s TV Streamer.
More deals and discounts
All eyes were on Framework’s 4.5-liter gaming desktop this week, but if you could care less for customizable aesthetics and AMD’s Strix Halo, Apple’s M4 Mac Mini is on sale at Amazon with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage starting at $557 ($42 off). The step-up M4 Pro model offers faster Thunderbolt 5 storage and the option to upgrade to 10-gigabit ethernet; however, the compact entry-level configuration remains a fantastic value with outstanding performance and plenty of I/O. Read our review.
Nomad’s annual Overstock Saleis in full effect, giving you a chance to save up to 70 percent on chargers, cables, cases, and a variety of other goods through Monday, March 3rd. Personally, I’m partial to the Modern Leather Foio case for the iPhone 16 (now $49 $70) and the second-gen Stand One charger (now $88 $110), the latter of which features a hefty metal-and-glass design and can provide up to 15W of power to MagSafe-equipped iPhones. That being said, Nomad is also discounting a ton of “vintage” accessories, meaning you’re in luck if you’ve been holding out for a premium leather case for your *checks notes* Google Pixel 4.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting Thomas Ricker’s review of the forthcoming Aurzen Zip, which is still available on Kickstarter for $299 ($100 off) thanks to early bird pricing. The tri-fold projector — which is slated to launch later this month — can mirror your iPhone or Android device in portrait or landscape orientation, yet it’s compact enough that you can place it just about anywhere. It also offers 100 lumens of brightness and up to 80 minutes of battery life, though, sadly, it can’t stream from services like Netflix, Disney Plus, or Amazon Prime due to DRM restrictions.
The next Elden Ring entry welcomes all Tarnished on May 30th.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s rocky network test might have left some fans disappointed this week, but I sincerely doubt a few breif server issues did much to diminish the growing anticipation for FromSoftware’s next soulslike for Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. Thankfully, if you were still planning on picking up the Elden Ring spin-off when it launches on May 30th, it’s already available for preorder with a $10 gift card at Best Buy for $39.99 or from Fanatical for $35.19 (about $5 off).
From what we’ve seen, and our own Ash Parrish has experienced, Neightrein isn’t so much a sequel to Elden Ring as it is a standalone co-op title set in a parallel universe. It’s got all the visual hallmarks of FromSoftware’s 2022 epic — sweeping vistas, haunting ruins, etc. etc. — along with the brutal boss battles and combat on display in both the original game and its excellent DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.
The big difference between Nightreign and previous ER titles is that you’re forced to tackle the new region of Limveld over a three-day span, either solo or in a team of three. Then you throw in a few character classes, a leveling system, and a Fortnite-like storm that shrinks the map over time, making each run absolute chaos. If it seems like an amalgamation of multiplayer games, well, it kind of is.
More ways to save this weekend
The Presidents Day sales are in full swing right now — including at Mill’s online storefront, where you can grab the Mill Food Recycler for an all-time low of $874 ($125 off). The smart trash can is about as niche as the model we tested back in 2023; however, if you’re the kind of person who’s been dying to turn your leftovers into commercial-grade chicken feed or compost for your garden, the second-gen model is far quicker than the original, allowing you to process your scraps in about two and a half hours.
You can get Yogasleep’s Dohm Sound Machine for $39.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Target, and Chewy, which is its second-best price to date. The inexpensive white noise machine is a Verge favorite for helping babies (or yourself) get some rest, as it can mask the sound of traffic, pets, and other unwanted distractions. The device’s built-in fan doesn’t output any air, to be clear, but there are two-speed options for adjustable tone and volume.
Microsoft’s refreshed Xbox Wireless Headset has fallen to an all-time low of $98 ($12 off) at Amazon and Walmart. The previous model was a terrific budget headset with a comfortable design and rotating ear cup dials for adjusting the volume and game/audio chat balance, which the new model builds upon with an upgraded microphone array and an extended 20 hours of battery life. Plus, it supports Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth 5.3, meaning you can now pair it with Xbox consoles, mobile devices, and PC.
Last month, Fortnite Festival, the game’s Rock Band-like music mode, rolled out local multiplayer on PlayStation and Xbox. It’s a great addition if you and up to three buddies want to relive the halcyon days of ‘07 on a single TV, particularly if you’re using a nostalgia-inducing peripheral like the PDP Riffmaster — which is now available from Amazon, Best Buy, and PDP for an all-time low of $109.99 ($20 off).
Much like the old guitars developed for Rock Band, PDP’s wireless gamepad allows you to strum along with real songs in both Rock Band 4 (RIP) and the free-to-play Fortnite Festival. It offers a lot of the same functionality as previous controllers, though, seeing as it’s been nearly a decade since Mad Catz’s last Stratocaster-style gamepad, the Riffmaster introduces a few modern tricks. That includes USB-C charging and a 3.5mm audio jack, along with a dedicated analog stick on the back of the neck for more straightforward navigation.
In true RB4 fashion, the Riffmaster is also outfitted with five color-coded buttons higher up the neck and a second set lower down, each of which you can use to hammer out the various notes as they appear in their respective lanes. A strummer and a whammy bar make good on the classic Rock Band experience, letting you unleash vibrato on the Xbox, PlayStation, or PC with the included USB dongle.
More ways to save this weekend
If you’re looking for a cheap way to stream Super Bowl LIX next weekend, Amazon’s latest Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $29.99 ($20 off), nearly matching its second-best price to date. It’s not quite as capable as the step-up Max model — blame its lack of Wi-Fi 6E support and 8GB of storage — but the 4K streamer still offers Wi-Fi 6 and broad HDR support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10 Plus.
The PlayStation version of Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition is down to an all-time low of $39.99 ($35 off) at Woot through 12:59AM ET on February 29th. The excellent remaster pulls together the first six Final Fantasy titles with revamped pixel graphics and rearranged orchestral scores, as well as an array of gameplay tweaks and quality-of-life improvements. I, for one, welcome the ability to turn off random encounters, which remain the bane of ‘90s-era JRPGs (sorry, not sorry).
Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, a thin-and-light Windows laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor and 16GB of RAM, is going for $899.99 ($500 off) at Best Buy through the end of today, February 2nd. That’s a new low on the 15-inch machine, which, despite its bummer trackpad and other shortcomings, remains a solid rec thanks to good all-around performance, fantastic port selection, and bright 120Hz LCD display. Read our review.
