If you’ve been wanting to grab a subscription to Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud game streaming service, now’s a good time to commit. That’s because six-month subs to its mid-tier Performance subscription — which offers ad-free 1440p gameplay, short queue times, plus ray-tracing on supported games — is 40 percent off. Instead of $49.99, you’ll pay $29.99, a reasonable price if you don’t have a gaming PC, or just want a reliable way to play many (but maybe not all) of your Steam, Epic Games Store, and other titles away from your PC.
Each tier of GeForce Now offers different session lengths; the Performance tier caps you at six hours of playtime before freeing up your virtual machine for another player. However, you can simply start a new session immediately after. This deal will be active through July 6th, and after your six months are up, you’ll be charged the full price unless you cancel beforehand.
This discount comes at an especially opportune time for Steam Deck owners, as the official GeForce Now should be launching soon for Valve’s handheld, although an exact date hasn’t been publicly confirmed. Now, it might seem kind of redundant to play Steam games via the cloud when you can simply load them onto a Steam Deck’s storage, but Nvidia’s virtual machines are more powerful. You’ll be gaining visual fidelity not possible on the Deck, but adding some input latency — a given with any and all cloud game streaming services.
If you ask me, there’s always space in my games catalog for a fun third-person shooter that I can play with my buds online. Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 delivers some of the best blood-gushing, bug-crushing action, filling a Gears of War void that I didn’t know needed filling. You can jump into the fray while saving some money, as Space Marine 2 has hit its lowest price yet at Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy. Normally $69.99, it costs $39.99 for the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
Other deals worth checking out
If you find yourself in a position of needing more storage for your original Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, or some other device, there’s a great deal happening on Samsung’s 512GB microSD card at Amazon. You can get it for $29.99, a price we’ve seen before, but one that’s still good enough that it’s worth sharing again.
My colleague Sheena recently highlighted some of the great discounts happening on LG’s C4 OLEDs in time for Memorial Day. The lowest price, of course, is on the the smallest 42-inch version, which currently costs $796.99 (roughly half off). The price drops apply to larger sizes, too, like the 65-inch version that’s down to $1,299.99 at Best Buy, which I consider to be a stellar deal.
Editions is the name of a new game publishing label launched by Lost in Cult, the same company known for making gorgeous books about video games, like Outer Wilds: Design Works. The new label’s aim is to preserve indie games, including some that haven’t been released on physical media before, and to celebrate their artistic contributions to the medium by including plenty of extra goodies. Notably, Lost in Cult is working with DoesItPlay? to validate its titles before they’re released. The group specializes in game preservation, ensuring that games can be run from the physical media they’re stored on without the need for a download or an internet connection.
The focus on elegantly preserving these titles is similar to what we’ve seen from Limited Run Games, while Editions’ focus on indie games reminds me of the Criterion Collection’s approach. Each game included in the Editions lineup will come with a fold-out poster, a sticker, a numbered authenticity card, a 40-page essay and developer interview, and gorgeous cover art, along with the game itself. The first three games to launch under the label include Immortality, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, and Thank Goodness You’re Here. Editions plans to announce a new game every month, starting in July.
Each of the three games is available to preorder through the Lost in Cult site starting at £59.99, with the option to choose between Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 editions when applicable. PS5 owners can opt to buy the entire first run of Editions games at a discounted price, containing Immortality and Thank Goodness You’re Here, and they’ll get a third (as of yet, unannounced) Editions title when it launches in July. Lost in Cult is asking for patience with shipments, which may take up to six months. But if they’re as good as the books, the wait will be worth it.
WizKids did Baldur’s Gate 3 dirty with its new D&D Icons of the Realms collection of miniature figures. The anticipated collection based on the beloved RPG (my personal 2023 GOTY) launched in April, and some buyers noticed that the characters look nothing — and I mean nothing — like how they were advertised. These cursed recreations of Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach, Gale, Wyll, and Lae’zel look like unlicensed knockoffs when they are, in fact, officially licensed by Wizards of the Coast. And, it costs $50 for the set!
Anyone who has played the game, or at least seen its cover art numerous times, knows what these characters should look like. They don’t look like 3D-printed discards predestined for the garbage bin, with little to no effort made to look authentic, unless perhaps you’re squinting from 10 feet away.
In response to buyers posting pictures of the botched figures on social media and retail sites, and likely from GamesRadar and other sites posting about it last week, WizKids posted an apology to buyers — and to Wizards of the Coast. In it, it details how to get a refund or a replacement to anyone who bought them online or at a local games store. Keep them, replace them, destroy them, pray to them. It’s up to you.
The portable and capable Sonos Move 2 wireless speaker just hit its lowest price yet at Amazon and Best Buy, costing $336 (was $449) for each of its three available colors. It’s still pricey, but now it’s a better deal. Its built-in battery can last up to 24 hours of continuous playback, and, like the Era speaker lineup, the Move 2 boasts line-in support (but only after you buy the required $19 USB-C adapter) to let you plug in any 3.5mm audio source. Additionally, any audio you stream via Bluetooth to the Move 2 can be synched across any other Sonos speakers you have, which is a feature that’s not present in the first-gen model. Read our review.
Other deals we’re digging
Depending on your location, you might be able to find an open-box PlayStation Portal game streaming handheld for the PS5 at a nearby Best Buy that’s up to $70 or so off the usual $199.99 asking price. Pricing and availability will likely vary, but I can nab one in “excellent” condition for $135.99, which is reasonable enough for me to consider taking the leap. Perhaps, it will be for you, too. In addition to streaming PS5 games straight from your console, the Portal can also play cloud-based PS5 games, but only if you have a PS Plus Premium account.
I don’t particularly like recommending sound systems that claim to support Dolby Atmos, but that don’t have the upward-firing speakers necessary to really deliver a proper Atmos experience. However, Vizio’s 5.1 system (model SV510X-0806) is a bit too good of a deal to pass up, if you’re in need of a sleek, compact, and affordable kit. This four-piece system that’s down to $187.99 at Walmart (was $228) includes a 33-inch soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, and two satellite speakers for surround sound.
Some microSD Express cards have shot up in price since the news broke that the Switch 2 supports this kind of expandable storage, and 1TB cards are out of stock across the board for now. Some 256GB models have gone up to $70 or higher, but you shouldn’t spend that much. PNY’s 256GB card microSD Express card is $55.99 at Amazon. That’s roughly the same price as GameStop’s 256GB model that releases on June 5, the same day as the Switch 2.
The wireless GameCube controller that’s for use exclusively with the Nintendo Switch 2 can now be pre-ordered by those who have a Switch Online account. The controller costs $64.99, and is currently limited to one per account. For those who’ve bought one, you’ll get it on Switch 2’s launch date, which is June 5th. There’s no waiting room this time, unlike Nintendo’s previous rollout of preorders on May 13.
While GameCube controller support on the original Switch is nothing new (made possible thanks to the GameCube controller plug-to-USB adapter, or with newer third-party USB versions based on the original controller’s design), game support for the new wireless version is quite a bit more limited. It won’t be compatible with Switch backwards compatible titles that work on the Switch 2, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or at least support hasn’t been confirmed yet. Instead, its use is limited to the GameCube games that are coming to Switch Online’s Expansion Pack tier, which at launch will include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcalibur 2, and more.
This GameCube controller has USB-C charging, and comes with the C button that’s used to summon GameChat features. Just a reminder: GameChat will be free to use for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners through March 31st, 2026.
Update, May 22nd: Preorders have opened again for the wireless GameCube controller, so we’ve updated this post with relevant information.
Samsung may not be the first (or perhaps not even the fifth) company that springs to mind when you consider the major players in smart speakers, but it’s tough to argue with the appeal of a speaker that’s also a mountable frame. Similar to the discontinued Ikea x Sonos Symfonisk, Samsung’s Music Frame can play tunes from one of many audio sources, though it’s more customizable, letting you slot in up to a 8 x 10-inch physical image (8 x 8 is also an option). It’s elegant and capable, like the company’s own very popular The Frame TV lineup, and it’s 69 percent off right now at Woot.
The Music Frame is $124.99 (originally $399.99), and comes with a one-year manufacturer warranty through Woot. This handily beats the previous low price of $195 at Amazon back in March.
This multitalented smart speaker can rest upon its included stand or be mounted to your wall. It supports Spotify Connect, Chromecast, Tidal Hi-Fi content, and Apple AirPlay. If you have select Samsung entertainment products, it supports Q-Symphony to serve as an extra channel in your surround sound setup. As an alternative to slotting in a photo, you can customize your own Art Panel via Shutterfly to fit over the Music Frame’s 12.9 x 12.9-inch face.
Woot limits purchases to three per user, and it’s kind of wild to think that buying that many through Woot would still have you saving $25 off the current cost of a single Music Frame via Samsung or Amazon.
The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t even out yet (it’s coming June 5th), and one of its launch window games already has a preorder discount at Costco. With a membership, you can get Donkey Kong Bananza — the first 3D platformer for this character since Donkey Kong 64 — for $62.99. A $7 discount may not seem like much to write home about, but it’s notable given that Nintendo games rarely go on sale, and any discount in this economy is a win. Bananza launches on July 17th.
Other noteworthy deals
If you’re looking for a solid Bluetooth speaker that sounds and looks good, is waterproof, and won’t break the bank, Bose has you covered. Specifically, Bose’s eBay outlet is selling refurbished SoundLink Flex SE speakers in black for $69 (originally $129). The SoundLink Flex was crowned the best Bluetooth speaker under $200 in our buying guide. This discounted version differs only in that it lacks a microphone, which could be used for speakerphone functionality. Not a terrible feature to lose if it means saving around $80 off the cost of buying new.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is now available to preorder at Samsung ahead of its May 30th release date. The super-thin Android phone starts at $1,099.99 for the 256GB version, going up to $1,219.99 for the upgrade to 512GB of storage. As a bonus for preordering now, you’ll get a $50 Samsung credit, a free storage upgrade (as in, the 512GB version will cost the same as the phone with 256GB), and boosted trade-in credit.
Portable Apple Watch chargers are increasingly easy to find at somewhat affordable prices. A brand called Joyroom is selling one in black or white that’s discounted to $15.99, down from its usual $19.99 once you select the 20 percent off coupon on the Amazon product page. It comes with 2,500mAh capacity and a built-in USB-C cable for recharging, and it can charge every Apple Watch in the lineup (from the Series 2 to the Series 10, plus the Apple Watch Ultra).
One of the most convenient USB-C cables around is back down to its lowest price ever, which we last saw in early March. Anker’s 2-in-1, braided USB-C cable that can charge two devices from one power source is down to $17.99 for the four-foot version at Amazon (it normally sells between $23 and $25.99). The cable also comes in a six-foot option that’s going for $19.99. Both sizes come in black or white.
So long as you have a power brick or portable battery that supports 140W charging (such as this Ugreen model), Anker’s cable supports that speed when a single cable head is plugged in. This makes it fast enough to quickly charge some laptops, including some 16-inch MacBook Pro models, not to mention other, less power-hungry gadgets. In terms of how the cable decides how much juice each device gets with different power bricks and batteries, Anker has a chart here that breaks it down.
Other notable deals
Criterion is offering 30 percent off all of its releases, including both new releases and preorders, through May 26. This gives you a chance to snag DVDs or 4K Blu-rays of your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) films. Best Picture award-winning film Anora just released on April 29th. Alternatively, if you were captivated by the recent trailer for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, featuring Denzel Washington, you should buy the 1963 Akira Kurosawa thriller High and Low, which the upcoming movie is based on.
Some PC gamers may be deciding between a new OLED gaming monitor with a 480Hz refresh rate versus one with a 240Hz refresh rate. Either route you choose to take will yield good deals today, as two 27-inch options are selling with discounts. The 27-inch 1440p LG 27GX790A-Bwith a 480Hz refresh rate and DisplayPort 2.1 is down to $799.99 ($200 off) at Amazon, while opting for Alienware’s 4K AW2725Q — which halves the refresh rate — will run you just $30 more. Prefer a 32-inch curved 4K QD-OLED monitor with many of the same specs? Alienware’s 3225QF is down to $899.99 ($300 off) at Dell’s site.
You still have a week to grab a value-packed XCOM Steam PC game bundle at Humble. For $10, you can nab 17 items, comprising every major XCOM release as well as DLC. It’s worth it alone for XCOM 2 and all of its stellar add-ons, but it’s also great to get the older titles, just to see how far the series has come. Proceeds benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Lastly, it’s not too common to find a great all-around 85-inch TV for $999.99. TCL’s Q7 4K QLED television with Google TV software is selling for that price at Best Buy ($700 off), and its HDMI 2.1 ports enable fast refresh rates from consoles and PCs alike. TCL claims that this specific size features more than 1,500 local dimming zones for dimming or illuminating scenes with accuracy (the more dimming zones, the better). That doesn’t compare favorably to Sony’s Bravia 9 QLED, which features around that many in its 65-inch version, but at less than half the price, TCL’s model isn’t a bad deal.
Building (or rebuilding) a gaming PC can be difficult. It’s complex stuff, making sure everything’s compatible and whatnot. The next toughest part is finding a deal — and having the patience to wait for price drops without getting so antsy you buy everything at full price (shamefully raises hand). If you’re considering an AMD build, Micro Center has a great deal on a hardware bundle that includes the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (last-gen, but still among the mightiest CPUs around for gaming, according to our review), a motherboard, and RAM. Normally around $579.99, you can snag the bundle in-store only for $499.99 if you have a Micro Center nearby.
In addition to the 7800X3D processor ($389.99 by itself), which was only recently supplanted by the higher-end 9800X3D processor, you’ll get an Asus TUF B650-E motherboard (valued at $194.99), plus 32GB of G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5-6,000MHz RAM (valued at $89.99). You’ll save $175 instead of paying $675 for all three components, giving you more pocket change for a GPU.
The 7800X3D utilizes the AM5 motherboard socket, used on the newer 9000-series processors. It seems likely that AMD will stick with AM5 in the near future, so you’ll have at least a couple of CPU generations to pick from should you ever need to upgrade. As for the motherboard, it has three M.2 slots (one of which is PCIe 5.0, while the others are PCIe 4.0), support for USB-C ports on the front and back of your case, and Wi-Fi 6E built-in, among other niceties. If you’d prefer to have Corsair Vengeance RAM instead of what’s included with this bundle, you can elect to pay a $15 price increase when you pick up the bundle in-store.
All of the best lessons from Google’s Chromecast lineup through the years were filtered into the TV Streamer 4K, its fastest and smartest set-top box currently available. While the last-gen Chromecast 4K with Google TV nailed the software aspect, this gadget brings the hardware to make it sing. And, presumably for a limited time, you can get one for $79 at Amazon and Walmart, or pay an extra dollar to get it at Best Buy for $79.99 (was $99.99).
The TV Streamer 4K has a bundle of features we’ve long wished for in a Chromecast, including built-in ethernet (it was in the Chromecast Ultra, but still, nice to have), smart home compatibility with Matter and Thread, more RAM, and more storage. For those who are enmeshed in Google’s ecosystem — and even those who previously weren’t — the streaming UI is among the best out there. And yet, it’s not a perfect device, and it doesn’t come with an HDMI cable. Read our review.
More deals and discounts
Anker’s 525 7-in-1 charging station is one of the best ways to splice one power outlet into three, while also adding two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. It can deliver up to 65W of combined power through said ports. Normally $65.99, this power strip is $29.99 at Amazon — a price that’s exclusive to Prime members. It’s $39.99 for everyone else, which is still a pretty solid discount. If you need more power, Anker’s Nano 7-in-1 charging station bumps up to 100W and costs $49.99 at Amazon.
The 4K Blu-ray version of Arcane season 1, the fabulous animated series based on League of Legends that streams on Netflix, is just $29.99 (it has previously hovered in the $40 territory) at Amazon. It’s well worth buying if you want to add the show to your collection of discs. But you’ll need a 4K Blu-ray player (either a dedicated one, like the Panasonic DP-UB420-K, or any PS5 / Xbox Series X with a disc drive). Read our review of season 1.
While it’s not the latest super-thin iPad Pro with the M4 chip (that also has the front-facing camera is the right spot), the 2022 12.9-inch iPad Pro that has the M2 chip is hundreds of dollars off today only at Best Buy, costing $1,199. Notably, this version has a whopping 2TB of storage, plus a great Mini LED screen. One of the biggest features this model introduced over its predecessor was the Apple Pencil’s “hover” functionality, which lets you hold the Pencil from about 12mm off the screen to see different actions happen. Yeah, it’s nothing too exciting, but it’s a very solid tablet that remains speedy to this day. Read our review.
Buying a refurbished device rather than a new one can save you a ton of money.It can also be a savvy method of getting what you want during yet another moment of global trade instability, with the latest blow coming from the Trump administration’s intense tariffs on US imports from China. However, these products don’t usually receive any spotlight from retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo. You also won’t find them sitting on the homepage of Apple, Google, Nintendo, Sonos, or Microsoft, to name a few. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find refurbs on these sites.
First, a quick description of what “refurbished” means. If a product has been refurbished and is for sale again, that likely means the product was either broken or roughed up enough to warrant a repair. It could also mean that whoever bought it simply decided they didn’t want it and returned it to the store. The definition of what makes for a refurbished product varies depending on the seller, though something that may ease some worry is that there are US laws that prevent once-used tech from being sold as new, even if it’s in new condition.
For more information on what defines a refurbished product and what the best strategy is when shopping for refurbished devices and other items, check out our detailed guide on how to purchase refurbished electronics. If you’ve already decided that you’d like to go the refurb route, here are some places to try.
Best Buy Outlet, as it’s called, is the retailer’s dedicated site for refurbished tech. Here’s Best Buy’s claim for its refurbs:
Refurbished products have been restored to like-new condition. All vital parts and accessories that would have been included with the original product are present, and our thorough inspection process ensures that the product is clean and in working condition.
Products purchased through Best Buy Outlet are subject to the company’s standard return policy. In terms of warranty coverage, it says that refurbished products sold through its Outlet “often include a limited warranty through Best Buy.” Given that it doesn’t broadly provide all refurbished products with a warranty, it’s worth investigating a product before you buy it.
You can also browse for the product you’re actually looking for on Best Buy’s website, then scroll down the page until you see the “More Buying Options” section. Click it to see some other, more affordable options for buying similar devices. Sometimes what you’ll see are refurbs, but most of the time, they are simply open-box returns in varying states of condition.
Amazon Warehouse is the section of the retailer’s site dedicated to used, refurbished products — or “renewed,” as Amazon calls it. If you shop regularly for tech on Amazon, you stand to save some money here. There are sometimes special discounts during Prime Day and other seasonal sales. Here is the fine print from Amazon on its renewed devices:
Amazon Renewed is your trusted destination for pre-owned, refurbished products. Products sold on Amazon Renewed are professionally inspected and tested to work as expected by an Amazon qualified and performance-managed supplier. If we source products from a third-party seller, the third-party seller tests and inspects the product.
You can find renewed versions of lots of tech items here, all of which have a 90-day money-back guarantee. You can also find Warehouse deals by looking at the “New & Used” options on the product page of the device you’re interested in. If Amazon offers a refurbished or used option, it will be listed right at the top. In the “condition” section listed next to the price, it will include any disclaimers you should be aware of in relation to the product’s condition.
As if Amazon didn’t already dominate enough of the online commerce space, it also owns an online retailer called Wootthat often has appealing deals on refurbished tech. That site is usually upfront about warranty information for each device, as well as the condition that it’s in. Woot applies a 90-day limited warranty to most of its products (in some cases, tech comes with the original manufacturer warranty).
Additionally, eBay has a certified refurbished program, which provides a one- or two-year warranty from Allstate for each product listed. The online seller promises hassle-free returns if you’re unhappy with the purchase or a money-back guarantee if your item arrives in a condition that doesn’t match the listing description. Typically, you can find items from Bose, Acer, iRobot, Lenovo, Razer, and a range of other products on eBay’s refurbished page. It guarantees that you’ll get new accessories, new manuals, and manufacturer-sealed packaging with each purchase.
Apple has one of the best refurbishment programs around. All products sold as refurbished will arrive in “like new” condition with at least 15 percent in savings compared to the cost of a brand-new device. Products will ship in a box with all of the original accessories. In addition to coming with a one-year limited warranty, you can buy AppleCare for your refurbished purchase. Just to give you an idea of the level of care Apple puts into its refurbs: it replaces the battery and the outer shell of all iOS devices, and they all receive new cables.
The Google Store has long had a refurbished section on its site, though it remained mostly dormant with no refurbished products for what seemed like years. As of 2025, it’s populated with phones, ranging from the Pixel 6A to the Pixel 7 Pro. The prices aren’t as cheap as you’d likely be able to find buying a secondhand phone via Craigslist or Swappa. However, each phone comes with a one-year Google warranty.
Sonos sells refurbished audio products on its site, each of which comes with a one-year warranty from the company and a 30-day return policy. Additionally, Sonos says each product has received internal and external cleaning and inspection, and it comes in a brand-new box with all the original accessories and cables.
Nintendo sells refurbished Switch consoles, and they’re listed at the bottom of this page. When this was originally written, it was sold out due to the demand spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that supply and demand have mostly stabilized, you can save some money on a refurbished unit of the Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite. Here’s what Nintendo says of the process on each of its refurbished product pages:
The Nintendo Switch is now available as an Authentic Nintendo Refurbished set only from Nintendo, and it comes with our standard one year warranty. Although it may have minor cosmetic blemishes, it is guaranteed to be fully functional. We think you will find the standards for Authentic Nintendo Refurbished Products are VERY high.
Valve’s Steam Deck (both the LCD and OLED models) is available in refurbished condition. Stock quickly sells out, but you can sometimes find handhelds starting at $279, going up to $519. Whichever one you find, the chances are good that it’s over $100 off its original price. And yet, it’ll come with a one-year warranty, a refurbished power supply, and a carrying case.
Microsofthas a part of its store specifically dedicated to products that it has refurbished. There, you’ll find the likes of the latest Surface Pro tablets and laptops, along with Xbox consoles. Microsoft says that people who buy refurbished products get the same kind of tech support as those who purchase new products. While Surface products get a year of warranty service, Xbox consoles are only covered for 90 days, though there’s an option to extend coverage at a cost.
BackMarket is one of many online storefronts that sells refurbished tech at steeply discounted prices. Each product page clearly lists what condition the device is in, what kind of warranty it comes with, and exactly which refurbishment company helped to restore it. It’s one of the more transparent resellers, and it offers one-year warranties on all of its products with a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchases if you aren’t happy.
Not sure if your favorite brand sells refurbished? Just search!
The chances are in your favor that your favorite brand sells refurbished tech. I was in the market for an upgraded desktop graphics card recently, and I found that Zotac has a somewhat regular restocking cadence of refurbished graphics cards. The PC builder iBuyPower also sells refurbished graphics cards on its site, as well as laptops and PCs. The odds were also in my favor when I was looking for refurbished lenses for my Olympus camera (they’re sold on an OM System Outlet eBay page now). Nikon offers its own refurbished products, too. Just search!
It’s possible that some brands don’t offer their own dedicated shop for refurbished goods. In that case, sites like Decluttr and others offer refurbs — and usually with a good warranty. If you’re just looking for secondhand products that, in most cases, haven’t been restored and are being sold as-is, check out Swappa.
Update April 15th, 2025:This article was originally published on May 15th, 2020. The information for various vendors has been updated, along with some links and images.
Gadgets get a second life when you buy refurbished. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Most people know that buying a refurbished tech product will save you money compared to buying it new. It also gives a device a second life instead of sending it off to be recycled. Not only that, buying refurbished is sometimes a clever workaround for finding new or tough-to-find products at a lower price. If youâre gifting tech for the holidays, a birthday, or buying for yourself, itâs not a bad idea to see what kinds of stuff you can find refurbished across the web.
Those are all good things â yet ârefurbishedâ is still a loaded word for a lot of people. New means new, a product that nobody else has used. On the other hand, buying something refurbished can be a gamble, despite the fact that the product is probably significantly more affordable.
If something has been refurbished, that could mean the product was either broken or roughed up enough to warrant a repair. It could also mean that whoever bought it simply decided they didnât want it and returned it to the store. The definition of what makes for a refurbished product varies depending on the seller, though something that may ease some worry is that there are US laws that prevent once-used tech from being sol …
Due to the fluctuating tariff situation, a lot of people are seriously mulling over tech purchases they might otherwise be content to put off for a while. And it makes sense. While I don’t endorse panic buying, your reasons for buying now are more justified because prices may increase. In light of that instability, it’s refreshing to find discounts, such as this small but welcome $30 price drop on the Meta Quest 3S. It’s $269.99 at Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart, and still comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow, plus a three-month trial of Quest Plus. That’s Meta’s Game Pass-like subscription that lets you play over 25 games, with new games added to the catalog every month (normally $7.99 per month).
The Quest 3S is Meta’s latest standalone virtual reality headset. While newer than the Quest 3, it’s more of a half-step successor to the popular Quest 2. Its speed matches that of the Quest 3, but the lenses, field of view and per-eye screen resolution are the same as on the Quest 2. It’s a strange batch of upgrades, but it works — especially at this price. Read our review.
With the Quest 3S, you can play all of the most demanding titles on the platform. And, if you have a gaming PC, you can wirelessly link up your headset via Meta’s AirLink app, or the official Steam Link app, to play your PC-based virtual reality titles, such as Half-Life: Alyx.
Whether you have an Asus ROG Ally, a Steam Deck, or a Nintendo Switch, Asus’ 65W TV dock is a suitable all-in-one dock and charger that’s steeply discounted at Best Buy. Normally $64.99 (not a great price), it’s currently $29.99. It features an HDMI 2.0 port for pushing 4K at 60Hz, or lesser resolutions at up to 120Hz, depending on whether your display supports fast frame rates. It also has a USB-A 2.0 port for connecting an accessory to your handheld of choice.
If you like board games and Lego bricks, there’s a great title that’s available at a clearance price at Woot. It’s called Monkey Palace: A Lego Board Game, and our Polygon pals described it in their review as “Scrabble for STEM kids.” Normally a great deal around $20, you can snag it for a limited time for $10.99.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has entered the ring, possibly complicating your decision of which handheld to buy this year. While Nintendoâs new console, which comes out on June 5th, may seem similar to handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, thereâs a lot that sets them apart. Everything like how you buy and play games, their control methods, how powerful they are, and how you can expand their storage makes them different. Unique doesnât always mean âgood,â by the way.
While tech-savvy folks likely understand the key differences between each of the major handhelds, possibly enough to establish a preference, some could use a hand breaking things down. Thatâs exactly what Iâm going to do here, specifically comparing the Switch 2 to the Asus ROG Ally and the Ally X, two of the most popular handheld gaming PCs that arenât a Steam Deck (in small part because theyâre easy to buy at Best Buy). Iâve already compared the Switch 2 to Valveâs console, so my focus here is exclusively on Asusâ consoles that have a dedicated fanbase and some great specs.
Pricing and availability
As mentioned, the Switch 2 will launch on June 5th. Preorders were initially s …
After a bit of a brief, unexpected delay due to a component issue, the Google Pixel 9A is here — and it was worth the wait. Allison Johnson’s review of the midrange phone just went live today, and the 9A seems like the ideal phone for those who want many of the same perks found in the pricier 9 Pro series crammed into a smaller, cheaper package. And yes, there are deals already.
The only one (so far) that doesn’t require a carrier commitment is through the Google Store, where you can trade up your old phone to get an unlocked Pixel 9A for $100 or less out of pocket. Not only that, through April 23rd you’ll get a $100 Google Store credit added to your account to use on anything from cases and screen protectors to wireless earbuds. It won’t be enough to cover the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or the Pixel Watch 3, but it’ll knock a serious chunk of change off their respective prices.
In terms of phones you can trade to the Google Store to get the Pixel 9A for cheap (or free), there’s the Pixel Fold ($499 trade-in value), the Pixel 8 Pro ($400), the iPhone 15 Pro and up ($425 and up), Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 ($500), and the S24 Ultra ($480).
Elsewhere, you can get the Pixel 9A for free (paid back in billing credits over a two-year period) with a new Google Fi account. AT&T is offering the Pixel 9A for $2.99 per month on any unlimited plan, plus a free pair of Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds if they order before April 24th. At Verizon, it’s free (via billing credits over three years) for new lines on any myPlan accounts, and you’ll get 50 percent off Google One AI Premium each month ($10 instead of $20).
While the Pixel 9A is listed on Amazon, its product page shows a June 1st delivery date. That will likely change soon, though it’s up in the air if the retailer will offer any promotional gift of its own. As far as Best Buy goes, we expect that retailer to stock the phone, although links aren’t currently live.
More deals and discounts
Red Dead Redemption 2 is down to $14.99 on your platform of choice. That’s how much you’ll pay for a copy on Steam, a digital Xbox copy, as well as on PlayStation. While there hasn’t been a major update to the game in some time (Rockstar seems keen to ignore current gen console upgrades, perhaps to focus fully on GTA VI), it’s a fantastic price for a title with lots to offer, especially when it comes to realism. Recently, I learned via an Any Austin YouTube essay that all of the in-game streams and rivers are realistically supplied by larger bodies of water — a testament to Rockstar’s commitment to the little things. Read our review.
In terms of a notable new release that’s already discounted, Blue Prince is 10 percent off on Steam through April 20th, costing $26.99 instead of $29.99. It’s a minor deal on what could be one of the most beloved games of 2025. You may not have to buy it at all if you have a PlayStation or Xbox subscription. The game is available to play now via PlayStation Plus Extra, or through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Alienware’s 27-inch 4K QD-OLED, the AW2725Q, hit shelves about a month ago. It was the first of several faster, better models to launch after being announced at CES 2025, with a 240Hz refresh rate, VRR, and a high 166 pixels per inch display. In short, it rules, so I’m tickled to find it already selling at a 17 percent discount at Dell’s site. Normally $899, it sank to its all-time best price of $746.99 before tax. There’s a slight catch, which is that you can only get this price if you’re signed up for Dell Rewards (they’re free to enable when you create a Dell account). The good thing is that you can sign up right now to get a user-specific coupon code to use on this purchase.
Once you’re signed in, go to your Dell Rewards page here, click the “Benefits” button at the middle of the page, the, select “Dell Benefits.” From there, you’ll be able to generate a code to get 10% off an Alienware monitor.
Some more context on the value here: In March, Alienware announced a 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitor coming this summer for $549.99. The company acknowledged this price could change due to tariffs — even before the recent, stock market-crashing import taxes were announced. That means it may not actually cost $549.99 when it comes out, so consider this monitor, with its higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and more features, a very good value for just $200 more.
If you sat out the first couple waves of OLED gaming monitor releases, you’ll find the tech has matured nicely. On top of Alienware’s 3-year warranty that protects against burn-in, the AW2725Q sports an anti-reflective coating that looks more glossy than other OLED monitors I’ve tested (not TV levels of glossy, but somewhere between matte and glossy).
More deals and discounts
The Lego Icons Atreides Royal Ornithopter set from the Dune films is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon. A 20 percent discount may not seem like much (a final price of $131.95), but it’s the cheapest we’ve ever seen for this 1,369-piece kit. It includes the Ornithopter vehicle, plus eight mini figures, from Paul Atreides and other major and minor characters to “long Baron,” a name that I’ve lovingly given the extremely silly and tall Baron Harkonnen mini figure.
Xbox gift cards are 10 percent off at Newegg, so you can get $100 digital gift cards for $90. These gift cards can be used on anything available on the Xbox or Microsoft store, ranging from Fortnite in-game currency to snatching Game Pass, or renting a movie.
If you’re on the hunt for a not-too-expensive gaming laptop (and you aren’t the most discerning person when it comes to specs), this Asus TUF model sports a 16.1-inch 1080p screen with a 165Hz refresh rate. As for its internal hardware, it’s packed with the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, a Radeon RX7700S GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Normally $1,099.99, it’s $699.99 through Best Buy’s eBay seller page.
I’m always on the lookout for deals on Philips Hue gear, in part because that stuff’s expensive and I’m not keen on paying full price. Still, it’s worth the money to get the lighting exactly how I want it in each room — down to the precise color temperature that fits the mood or time of day. Woot is offering deals on a mix of new, open-box, and refurbished Philips Hue products, and through today, April 4, you can save an additional 15 percent off each one with the offer code 15OFF at checkout.
Here are just a couple that I plucked out, but there are several others on the landing page linked above, including filament bulbs, light bars, and spotlights.
More deals and discounts
The Beats Pill regularly gets $50 lopped off its original $150 price, but we’re resurfacing the discount here today in case you didn’t know that. It’s $99.99 in a variety of colors from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Apple’s remastered version of the iconic Pill Bluetooth speaker came out last summer. It’s the perfect time to snag one as the weather gets nicer. Reviewer Chris Welch was delighted by some unexpected features in this iteration of the Pill, including lossless audio via USB-C, speakerphone support, plus native features that work on Android and iOS. Read the review.
Woot is where you’ll find a deal on the Baseus retractable 3.3-foot USB-C cable that The Verge’s David Pierce loves. Better yet, the price is even lower than Amazon’s recent Big Spring Sale. Normally $19.99, it’s just $8.49 with the offer code 15OFF, a code that’s valid only on April 4th. This cable supports 100W charging and retracts into its small, puck-like hub.
The biggest threat to the Steam Deck in 2025 wonât be the arrival of other Windows-based handheld gaming PCs. Instead, itâll likely be the Nintendo Switch 2, which arrives on June 5 for $449.99 â smack dab between the cost of the $399 Steam Deck LCD and the $549 Steam Deck OLED.Â
Ironically, the Steam Deck is also the Switch 2âs biggest threat. While Nintendoâs new console may have Valveâs beat on screen resolution, refresh rate, and a custom Nvidia processor capable of DLSS and ray tracing, Steam trumps it in value, particularly with game prices.
I get it, I get it. Theyâre totally different devices. So even though comparing Nintendo and Valveâs hardware and software philosophies is an apples versus oranges exercise, the two devices â and companies â are more aligned than you might think. And thatâs especially true when consumers, whether because of tariffs or other economic reasons, need to choose between one or the other.
Youâve come to the right place, as weâll break down all of the specs worth caring about to show how they stack up.
Pricing and availability
As mentioned, the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck have somewhat similar prices. The Switch 2 …
Accessories like the Xbox Wireless Headset let you make the most of Microsoft’s latest consoles. | The Verge
The Xbox Series X and Series S are excellent machines directly out of the box, but thereâs always room for improvement. Add-on accessories like the Elite Series 2 Controller and the Xbox Wireless Headset can help you get the most out of your new gaming console, while others, like Seagate and Western Digitalâs expansion cards, can help ensure you have ample storage space to stow all of your favorite games.
Below, weâve listed some of the best accessories available for the Series X and Series S, many of which often go on sale at most major retailers.
The last-gen Xbox wireless controller from the Xbox One generation is compatible with the Series X / S consoles. However, the older controller lacks a few features only found in the newer, better version. For instance, the revised controller (which comes with every new Series X and Series S) has a dedicated button for saving and sharing clips and screenshots, a USB-C port for wired use or charging Microsoftâs play-and-charge rechargeable battery, and an improved D-pad.
