When spinning up a VPS or a local LXC, reaching for Ubuntu has almost become reflexive for me. It's what most tutorials assume, the server images are tuned for it, and it's what many of the internet's Linux instances already run, but you hardly see it land on an enthusiast's daily-driver desktop anymore. The preferred distros for desktop use have firmly shifted toward Arch-based flavors, Fedora, and Mint. If you've been paying attention, you'd know that this is hardly an accident, and one particular design decision explains a lot of it: Canonical's all-in bet on snap packages.

I used to treat YouTube videos as part of my research, which I would usually forget about. They were useful, but having to open another tab, after already having too many open, and trying to remember where I saw a part with the info I wanted to review, started to feel like too much. However, once I started adding YouTube videos to my NotebookLM notebooks, they became a single place to ask questions about them, reducing my tab chaos. It didn’t replace watching the videos, especially when visuals are important, but I can say that it made my research process feel less scattered.

We live and breathe home lab here at XDA, but knowing where to start can be tricky. Not everyone wants bulky ex-enterprise hardware in their home, let alone the associated noise and power usage, and that's where this deal comes in. The Bosgame E5 is a mini PC with everything that we want to see in a home lab mini server, and it sips power so you can worry about what to run, not what it'll cost to run.

Summer is the season of gathering. Whether you're hosting a watch party for a big game, feeding a backyard full of family, or simply trying to keep everyone hydrated through long, hot afternoons, access to clean, great-tasting water at home makes more of a difference than you'd think.

Most of what I do with local LLMs is text-based work like research, brainstorming, summarization, and the occasional fact-checking. Some of the models I run have vision and that's been genuinely useful too, especially for analyzing UI screenshots and working through layout ideas, but the vision side just reads images and gives you back text, it doesn't generate anything visual.

Whether you have a smart TV or a projector, how do you know that the manufacturer's specifications are accurate? They might not be, and it doesn't have to be because the manufacturer fudged the numbers. I have a colorimeter that I use on every display that comes into my office, and that's what we're going to use to change some settings on the TV for the best picture.

Frontend work is where AI coding tools usually expose their real personality. Almost every model can generate a working layout, wire up buttons, and make a page look decent at first glance.

As a journalist and a business owner, I spend a lot of time in meetings. Some of these meetings are interviews, while others are discussions or client calls. Additionally, I tend to take a lot of voice notes, recording my thoughts and personal research about things that I might be working on throughout the day.

Amazon’s Prime Day is on, and it’s happening for the next four days. Prime members can jump into the deals now until the sale officially ends at 3:01AM ET / 12:01AM PT June 27th. Many discounts will remain the same throughout the duration.We’ve been covering Prime Day in-depth since the shopping event debuted over a decade ago. Each year, the quantity of deals has grown, making it tougher to spot the quality ones. But we know what we like, and we have a pretty good sense of what Verge readers might like, too. Our writers flagged dozens of deals that got their attention across various categories, including new products and some slightly older favorites, and we think you might want to see them.If you’re got a Prime subscription (via a free trial, or a discounted student membership), then scroll through to see the best that day one of Prime Day has to offer.Laptop dealsThe days of multi-hundred-dollar discounts on MacBooks are behind us for now, but the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip for $1,549 ($150 off) at Amazon and Best Buy is still a solid deal. It’s powerful enough for the average content creator, comes with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, and has lots of ports. Read our review.Apple MacBook Air (M5)Apple’s 2026 MacBook Air has an M5 chip and starts with 512GB of storage that’s significantly faster than previous generations. It’s still as excellent as ever despite a higher base price. Read our review.Where to Buy: $1099 $949.99 at Amazon (13-inch) $1099 $949 at Best Buy (13-inch) $1299 $1149.99 at Amazon (15-inch)2025 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14Asus’ ROG Zephyrus G14 is the go-to choice for a portable gaming machine that’s great at regular laptop duties. It’s got a lovely OLED display, great keyboard and trackpad, and solid battery life. There’s a new Intel model that’s much pricier, but the 2025 version with AMD chips is still a great choice.Where to Buy: $2299.99 $1449.99 at Best Buy (Ryzen 9 270, RTX 5060, 16GB, 1TB) $3169.99 $2699.99 at Best Buy (Ryzen AI 9 HX, RTX 5080, 32GB, 2TB)E-reader dealsThe tiny, charming 4.3-inch Xteink X4 e-reader that can magnetically snap onto surfaces, even to the back of MagSafe-ready phones, is down to $55.20 at Amazon (originally $69). Read our review.Kindle Paperwhite (12th-gen)Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite — aka our favorite ebook reader — is waterproof, has a seven-inch display, and lasts weeks per charge. Read our review.Where to Buy: $159.99 $124.99 at Amazon (with ads) $179.99 $144.99 at Amazon (without ads)Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (its moniker for the 32GB version that supports wireless charging and has an auto-adjusting front light) is down to its best-ever price when purchased as a bundle. The “Essentials Bundle” that includes the e-reader, a leather cover, and a wireless charging dock is $257.97 at Amazon. Its normal price was previously around $354. The 16GB version that lacks the Signature features but includes the leather cover is $182.97 at Amazon. Read our review.The other color e-reader that Amazon sells, the Scribe Colorsoft, is available in a bundle that’s steeply discounted. The 32GB model that includes a pen, leather folio, and a power adapter is $549.97 at Amazon, down from its usual sale price of $729.97. It’s a fantastic deal considering just the tablet and pen typically sell for $629.99 and hasn’t previously been discounted. Read our review.Kindle (11th-gen) Amazon’s latest entry-level Kindle retains a six-inch, 300ppi display and USB-C charger. It’s brighter and slightly faster than its predecessor, though, and features longer battery life.Where to Buy: $109.99 $81.99 at Amazon (with ads) $129.99 $104.99 at Amazon (without ads)Headphone and earbud dealsSony WH-1000XM6Sony’s latest pair of flagship headphones feature improved comfort, better noise cancellation, and the ability to charge while in use. They even fold down for travel, which can’t be said about the last-gen XM5. Read our initial impressions.Where to Buy: $449.99 $378 at Amazon $449.99 $378 at Best Buy $449.99 $399.99 at TargetSony’s last-gen WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are selling for $198 at Amazon, which is the retailer’s best price yet. The set debuted for $399.99 and only really started dropping in price when its successor was released. While the XM6 gets the edge in terms of sound quality, comfort, and for having a foldable design, the XM5 are still fantastic — arguably the best over-ear headphones you can get at this price.AirPods Max 2We haven’t previously seen this set of over-ear headphones sell below $479, so this price drop is staggering.Where to Buy: $549 $399 at Amazon $549 $399 at WalmartBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)The second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation currently available in a pair of true wireless earbuds. They’re a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.Where to Buy: $299 $249 at Amazon $299 $249 at Walmart $299 $249 at Best BuyThe second-gen Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones are selling for $379, one of their best prices yet, at Amazon. Originally $449, the noise-canceling headphones boast improved battery life with ANC switched on (up to 30 hours per charge), plus the ability to play lossless audio via their USB-C port, just like the AirPods Max 2.Pixel Buds 2aGoogle’s latest pair of wireless earbuds feature crisp sound quality, a comfortable design, and solid active noise cancellation, which is great considering the budget-friendly price tag. They even offer built-in support for Gemini and, unlike the entry-level AirPods, a purple option! Read our review.Where to Buy: $129 $99 at Amazon $129 $109 at Google $129 $109 at Best BuyJBL might not be the first brand you associate with great over-ear noise-canceling headphones, but its Tour One M3 Smart Tx are a sleeper hit that’s currently down to its best price yet at Amazon. You can grab them for $249.99, which is $200 off their original price. They’re comfortable, and they sound great. But what sets them apart from competitors is the Auracast-compatible audio transmitter that lets the headphones connect to (and share) audio with other Auracast devices.AirPods Pro 3The AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.Where to Buy: $249 $179.99 at Amazon $249.99 $199 at Walmart $249 $179.99 at Best BuyCharger and battery dealsAnker Laptop Power BankAnker’s aptly titled Laptop Power Bank is a lifesaver for anyone who works or studies on the go. With an impressive 25,000mAh capacity and a total output of 165W, it can quickly charge a beefy MacBook Pro to 50 percent capacity in under 30 minutes. Plus, with three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, you can power multiple devices at once, including phones, tablets, and handheld consoles.Where to Buy: $119.99 $91.19 at Amazon (with Prime) $119.99 at Anker $119.99 $91.99 at Newegg (w/ code FTTF5859)Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15WBelkin’s triple charging stand achieves 15W MagSafe wireless iPhone charging speeds and keeps your phone and Apple Watch elevated for easy reading.Where to Buy: $119.99 $63.16 at Amazon (black) $119.99 $69.99 at Amazon (white)Belkin Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2The case also features a small pocket to stow an AirTag (or other similarly sized Bluetooth tracker).Where to Buy: $69.99 $54.49 at AmazonSmartwatch and wearable dealsFitbit AirThe screenless Fitbit Air is the company’s take on the Whoop tracker. Compared to smartwatches, the Air doesn’t buzz for notifications (just alarms), though it tracks fitness and wellness metrics. This is its first price cut.Where to Buy: $99.99 $84.99 at Best Buy The Apple Watch Series 11 has dropped to $279 in the 42mm GPS configuration (originally $399) at Amazon, which is $20 lower than it has previously sold for. $299 has been the normal sale price for the past few months, but those patiently waiting for another price drop have been rewarded. If you want the larger 46mm GPS model, that’s down to $309 at Amazon, which is another new low. Given it’s the latest model, it will support watchOS 27 as well as at least a few major software updates to come. Read our review.Apple Watch SE 3The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.Where to Buy: $249 $199 at Amazon (40mm, GPS) $299 $249 at Amazon (40mm, LTE) $279 $229 at Amazon (44mm, GPS)Google’s Pixel Watch 4 has gotten discounts in both 41mm and 45mm sizes, whether you want the basic Wi-Fi/GPS feature offering, or you want to upgrade to the model that supports LTE. Originally $349.99, the 41mm GPS model is $289.99 at Amazon, while the 45mm version is $319.99. The LTE versions are $100 off their original prices, costing $349.99 and $399.99, respectively. The Pixel Watch 4 is the best smartwatch for Android users (perhaps until the leaked Pixel Watch 5 launches), particularly for those who use a Pixel phone. Read our review.Fitbit Ace LTEThe Ace LTE sports some of the same hardware found on the Google Pixel Watch 2 and a variety of step-activated games, which can help motivate your child to keep moving. It also offers calling, messaging, and location sharing when you sign up for a monthly or annual data plan. Read our hands-on impressions.Where to Buy: $179.99 $59.95 at Amazon $179.99 $69.99 at Google $179.99 $69.99 at Best BuyFor Android smartwatch options that costs less, and are really only useful for Samsung phone owners, the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic are discounted to $237.99 and $349.99, respectively. These are savings of $100 at minimum. Read our review.Oura Ring 4The Oura Ring 4 is slimmer and more accurate than its predecessor, while adding new AI-powered tools and longer battery life. Read our review.Where to Buy: $349 $226.99 at Amazon $349 at Best Buy $349 $240 at OuraPhone dealsGoogle Pixel 10AGoogle’s new Pixel 10A introduces faster wired charging, Satellite SOS, and new AI tools like Camera Coach and Auto Best Take. Otherwise, it’s basically the Pixel 9A, with the same Tensor G4 chip and a dual-camera system. Read our hands-on impressions.Where to Buy: $499 $399 at Amazon (128GB) $499 $399 at Best Buy (128GB) $599 $499 at Amazon (256GB)Google Pixel 10 ProThe Pixel 10 Pro has a 6.3-inch OLED display, Google’s Tensor G5 processor, 16GB of RAM, Pixelsnap wireless charging at 15W, support for Wi-Fi 7, and an Ultra-Wideband chip.Where to Buy: $999 $699 at Amazon $999 $699 at Google Store $999 $699 at Best BuyThe Nothing 4A Pro is down to $509.99 at Amazon, a hearty discount from its original $599 price. It’s the biggest, most high-end phone you can get for around this price, if you don’t want to settle for the Pixel 10A. Its 6.83-inch screen has a 144Hz refresh rate, but really what sets this one apart is its unique design. The Glyph Matrix display on its rear that can show the time or show an icon to alert you of notifications.Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung’s 6.9-inch S26 Ultra is the only model in the lineup with the new privacy display, designed to limit what people around you can see on your screen. It also includes the S Pen and upgrades the camera hardware, adding dual telephoto lenses alongside a 200-megapixel main sensor. Read our review.Where to Buy: $1299.99 $949.99 at Amazon (256GB) $1299.99 at Best Buy (256GB) $1499.99 $1149.99 at Amazon (512GB)Google Pixel Pro 10 FoldThe Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a 6.4-inch outer screen and eight-inch inner screen. The new foldable has Google’s Tensor G5 processor, 16GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 7 support, Pixelsnap wireless charging at 15W, and an IP68 rating.Where to Buy: $1799 $1399 at Amazon (256GB) $1799 at Google (256GB) $1799 $1499 at Best Buy (256GB)Gaming dealsNex PlaygroundThe Nex Playground is a motion-controlled console that connects to your TV and uses a built-in camera and AI to track your movements as you play. Designed for ages five and up, it comes with games like Fruit Ninja and Whack-a-Mole Deluxe. You can download more games, including titles featuring popular characters like Elmo, with a paid Play Pass subscription.Where to Buy: $299 $239 at Amazon $299 $239 at Walmart $299 $239 at Best BuyOLED gaming monitors that offer super-fast refresh rates are cheaper than usual during Prime Day, and several of them are from Asus. The company’s Strix XG27ACDNG 26.5-inch 1440p QD-OLED with a 360Hz refresh rate is down to $549.99 at Amazon. Its previous best price was $599.99, and it didn’t come around often. The next step up is the Swift PG27AQDP WOLED 1440p monitor with 480Hz refresh rate. It costs $679 during Prime Day at Amazon, down from around $800. Finally, the Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM, a 4K QD-OLED with a 240Hz refresh rate, is $947 at Amazon — its best price yet that’s $250 off its original price.Meta Quest 3SIf you bought a Meta Quest 2, you’re a prime candidate for the Quest 3S. It’s a faster, more comfortable VR headset that runs the same chipset as the pricier Quest 3. While its screen resolution hasn’t improved, nearly everything else about the hardware has. Read our review.Where to Buy: $349.99 $296.79 at Amazon (128GB) $349.99 $249 at Walmart (128GB) $349.99 at Best Buy (128GB)Gigabyte 27-inch 1440p W-OLED gaming monitorIt’s fairly common to find semi-affordable QD-OLED gaming monitors, but W-OLEDs are slightly more rare in the sub-$500 range. The MO27Q28GR features a 280Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate support, built-in KVM, HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C connectivity, and more.Where to Buy: $599.99 $454.99 at AmazonAcer Predator 26.5-inch 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitorThe X27U is a lot of monitor for the price, packing a 240Hz refresh rate QD-OLED panel, a versatile stand, two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, plus two HDMI 2.1 ports for console and PC.Where to Buy: $549.99 $314.99 at AmazonRobot vacuum and mop dealsEufy Omni C28The Eufy Omni C28 combines excellent mopping performance with a small self-cleaning dock that’s well suited for apartments and other smaller spaces. It navigates around furniture and into tight areas with ease, while its roller mop does a great job cleaning hard floors.Where to Buy: $799.99 $449.98 at Amazon $799.99 $449.99 at Eufy (with code WS24C28200NEW)Dreame’s L40 Ultra Gen 2 is on sale for $459.99 ($340 off) at Amazon and directly from Dreame. It delivers powerful 25,000Pa suction, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a self-cleaning dock that empties the dustbin, washes the mop, and refills its water tanks. Unlike the X50 Ultra, however, it lacks the ability to climb high thresholds or stairs.Switchbot K11 PlusThe Matter-compatible SwitchBot K11 Plus is ideal for small apartments, bedrooms, and home offices. It can easily navigate around chair and desk legs and into tight spaces that most other bots miss. It also features a commendable 6,000Pa of suction power — which is great for this price point — and works well on both hardwood and carpet.Where to Buy: $399.99 $189.99 at Amazon (black) $399.99 $188 at SwitchBot (with code PDDAY53) $399.99 $189.99 at Amazon (white)Narwal Flow 2Where to Buy: $1499.99 $1049.99 at Amazon $1499.99 $1049.99 at Narwal4K TV and monitor dealsLG C5 OLED TVLG’s midrange C5 TV is an excellent way to get OLED performance without paying top dollar. It has a good amount of brightness, excellent color accuracy out of the box, and great gaming features, including a max 144Hz refresh rate.Where to Buy: $2699.99 $1199.99 at Amazon (65-inch) $1999.99 $1099.99 at Best Buy (55-inch) $1999.99 $1099.99 at Amazon (55-inch)65 inches is a sweet spot for TVs, and getting one as good as the TCL QM6K for only $527.99 at Amazon is worth it. It’s particularly good for someone looking for a lower-priced gaming TV, as it supports high refresh rates up to 4K/144Hz with a PC (or 1080p at 288Hz) with VRR and has low input lag. It’s not the light cannon that more expensive TCL TVs are, but in a light-controlled room there’s enough brightness for watching or playing anything.Samsung S90FSamsung’s S90F is a premium OLED TV with a 120Hz panel, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and access to game streaming services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now via Samsung’s Gaming Hub.Where to Buy: $1799.99 $997 at Amazon (55-inch) $2499.99 $1197.99 at Amazon (65-inch) $3499.99 $1797.99 at Amazon (77-inch)The 32-inch Asus ProArt 6K display is $999.99 at Amazon during Prime Day, down from its original list price of $1,299. The IPS monitor can display up to 6,016 x 3,384 resolution, and it covers 98 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut and 100 percent of the sRGB gamut. It features HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports that can deliver up to 96W of power for laptops and be used to daisychain with other monitors.A smaller 27-inch 5K ProArt display from Asus is down to $649.99 at Amazon (usually around $780), marking its best price yet. The PA27JCV seems like a solid alternative if Apple’s Studio Display or other options are a little too pricey. The ProArt monitor features a built-in KVM switch, HDR support, and a bevy of connectivity options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C (with up to 96W charging).Dell makes a 27-inch 4K monitor with USB-C video-out, and it’s selling for just $264.99 (originally $349.99) at Amazon. Beyond being a good pick for easy connectivity with a Mac, or a Windows machine that supports USB-C video, the display has solid specs, like a 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium adaptive sync to prevent screen tearing, and USB-C charging up to 65W PD. A 1440p version with similar specs (but a faster 144Hz refresh rate) is just $199.99.Home theater dealsThe WiiM Sound smart speaker (in black or white) that has a built-in circular display and supports multi-room pairing is down to $239.20 at Amazon from $299. The HomePod-esque speaker uses AI to adjust sound to fit your room, and it’s platform-agnostic, so it can work with practically any streaming service.Sonos FiveAs the flagship desk speaker in Sonos’ lineup, the Sonos Five provides superb sound quality that outperforms any other smart speaker in its price range. It also has an auxiliary input for playing other audio sources (like a turntable) through your Sonos system.Where to Buy: $549 $449 at Amazon $549 $449 at Sonos $549.99 $439.99 at Best BuyHisense’s Dolby Atmos-ready 5.1.4 soundbar system is discounted during Prime Day. The AX5140Q costs $329.99 at Amazon, which is $70 off its original price. The 40-inch soundbar includes forward- and upward-firing speakers, a wireless subwoofer, plus two wireless satellite speakers that have their own forward- and upward-firing drivers. I wish I had gotten this set instead of the Vizio Elevate SE — it’s good, but this seems a lot better for the price. The soundbar features multiple ways to connect devices, including aux-in, optical-in, plus two HDMI inputs, one of which supports eARC.Sonos Era 100Sonos’ Era 100 smart speaker is a replacement for the older Sonos One, utilizing two tweeters (left and right) and one larger woofer. In addition to Wi-Fi, the Era 100 supports Bluetooth audio and line-in playback via an optional adapter.Where to Buy: $249 $179 at Amazon $249 $179 at Sonos $249 $179 at Best BuyThe Era 100 SL that lacks a microphone is $20 less, costing $159 at Amazon during Prime Day. If you don’t feel the desire to get chatty with your electronics, this is an easy way to save $20 on your next Sonos speaker.Sony’s Bravia Theater Bar 9 soundbar is down to $998 at Amazon during Prime Day. It typically retails for $1,498, though it also typically sells at this very discount during other big shopping events, like Black Friday. The 43.3-inch soundbar packs a whopping 13 speakers, including a mix of forward-, side- and upward-firing speakers. Bose TV SpeakerThe Bose TV Speaker delivers a rich, immersive sound in a compact design. It features a three-speaker setup, a dedicated dialog mode, and Bluetooth connectivity, so you can use the soundbar to listen to music or podcasts.Where to Buy: $279 $199 at Amazon $279 $199.99 at Best Buy $279 $199 at BoseBose’s Smart Ultra soundbar has dropped to $699, down from its original $999 price, at Amazon. To be transparent, this price was available ahead of Prime Day, so it’s not a brand-spankin’-new deal. However, it’s a good deal if you’re considering building out a Bose speaker ecosystem with a few of its Lifestyle Ultra wireless speakers that can extend the sound.Streaming device dealsGoogle TV Streamer (4K)Google’s terrific TV Streamer (4K) is the company’s best attempt at a streaming device yet, with built-in ethernet, an excellent interface, and smart home compatibility with both Matter and Thread. Read our review.Where to Buy: $99.99 $74.99 at Amazon $99.99 $79.99 at Google $99.99 $79.99 at Best BuyAmazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is its highest-end streaming stick, and it costs $34.99 at Amazon. It’s a good price considering its relatively speedy performance, plus support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus HDR formats, along with Dolby Atmos audio. It works with Wi-Fi 6E routers, too.Most people looking for an affordable streaming stick should opt for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but if you want to save a little money and don’t mind slower performance (and fewer features), the Fire TV Stick 4K Select will get the job done. It’s down to $17.99 at Amazon, which is just $2 more than the model that tops out at 1080p resolution.Smart home dealsRing Battery Doorbell Plus (second-gen)The 2026 doorbell offers 2K video and 6x zoom, plus a removable battery. It supports Ring’s Retinal Vision, which uses AI to improve footage quality.Where to Buy: $239.99 $119.99 at Amazon (includes Indoor Cam Plus)The foundation of a good smart home is Wi-Fi, so if you’re still rocking a router with Wi-Fi 6 or even 5, Prime Day is a good time to upgrade. All of Amazon’s eero mesh Wifi routers are on sale, and its flagship eero Wifi 7 Pro is down to $549.99 from $699.99. If you don’t need that much power, the equally capable eero Wifi 6E is down to $329 for a three-pack.Google Nest Wifi ProIf you’re a Google smart home user, the Google Nest WiFi sporting 6E is almost 40 percent off for a 3-pack. In addition to Wi-Fi 6E, the Pro supports Matter and Thread smart home connectivity, Where to Buy: $399.99 $249.99 at Amazon (three)The rubbed-bronze version of the versatile Yale Assure Lock 2 with WiFi is $70 off on Prime Day. This lock features a real keypad, not a touchscreen, along with support for all the major smart home platforms, including Apple Home (although it doesn’t work with Home Key).Aqara Smart Lock U400The only smart lock that works with Apple Home’s hands-free Home Key feature, the U400 is down to its lowest price. Aqara’s first UWB-enabled smart lock also features fingerprint access, a keypad, a keyway, and support for tap-to-unlock with iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, thanks to Aliro.Where to Buy: $269.99 $219.49 at AmazonSwitchBot BotIf you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set. Where to Buy: $29.99 $19.99 at Amazon $29.99 $20.09 at SwitchBot (with code PDDAY33)Misc. gadget dealsXreal One ProThe Xreal One Pro project a huge virtual display that feels like a 171-inch screen, using micro-OLED panels, a 57-degree field of view, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Powered by Xreal’s X1 chip, the smart glasses offer low-latency tracking with optional 6DoF spatial anchoring so your screen stays fixed in place. They also feature built-in speakers and work with a wide range of USB-C devices.Where to Buy: $599 $549 at Amazon $599 $549 at Best Buy $599 $549 at XrealThe company’s Xreal 1S smart glasses are also discounted during Prime Day. You can pick up a pair for $399.99 (normally $449) at Amazon. While nearly identical in terms of design to the pricier One Pro (they also feature three degrees of freedom, letting you pin virtual content in place), their field of view and clarity aren’t as good. Additionally, their optics let in more light, so they aren’t as good of a pick unless you intend to view content mostly in dimly-lit spaces. Still, they’re comfortable, with great build quality, and they’re easy to use.Hoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit ProHoto’s rechargeable screwdriver is ideal for small repairs. It offers three torque modes, a rotational speed of up to 220RPM, and a helpful circular LED to illuminate dark spaces. The durable case also holds all 25 steel bits and an extension bar for getting into hard-to-reach places.Where to Buy: $49.99 $28.49 at AmazonCuisinart 8-in-1 1800W toaster ovenYour life may be improved immeasurably with a good toaster oven. There’s no need for a standalone microwave, an air fryer when this model can evenly heat most food. They’re particularly great for reheating leftovers, or for quickly making a side of roasted veggies.Where to Buy: $219.99 $159.99 at AmazonCricut’s Maker 4, a capable cutting machine that can make detailed cuts, draw, write, engrave, and more, is down to $379 during Prime Day at Amazon. It’s a big discount off its usual $449 price, and the best price we’ve seen since an early January discount.For something simpler and smaller, the Cricut Joy 2 Essential Bundle includes the Joy 2 automatic cutting and drawing machine, plus numerous materials to get you started. It’s down to $109 (originally $139) at Amazon, the lowest price we’ve seen. The Ultimate Bundle with even more materials and tools is $146 (originally $209) at Amazon. Read our review. Ninja Creami Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream MakerIt’s time to fill that freezer with ice cream, but not just any ice cream will do. Make the flavors you want, complete with experimental mix-ins, with Ninja’s Creami Deluxe.Where to Buy: $249.99 $199.95 at AmazonWearable lights from Glocusent that make it easier to read or do hobbies with your hands are always popular with Verge readers. The company’s bendable neck light that supports three color temperatures and six levels of brightness is down to $16.24 (originally $28.99) at Amazon. It’s not a big discount from its normal price of about $19, but it’s also not a lot of money for what might become a staple in your everyday carry setup. It’s rechargeable via USB-C, and can last up to 80 hours per charge.Birdbuddy Pro (solar)Birdbuddy’s charming, camera-equipped feeder identifies and snaps shots of each bird that stops by, supplementing its 5-megapixel stills with insightful facts via an app. The solar roof helps keep the camera’s battery topped up even when it’s cloudy outside.Where to Buy: $299 $168 at Amazon $299 $239 at Birdbuddy

You can't go wrong by adding a security camera to your home or office space. An extra set of eyes brings peace of mind, and it can be had for dirt cheap if you know where to look. You can always try to build your own, but we think going with an off-the-shelf solution is better for beginners.

Ever since AMD's AM4 showed how long a socket could last, platform longevity has been a key consideration for PC builders. After all, if you get to keep your motherboard when upgrading your CPU, you save a lot of money and effort. While AMD's AM4 and AM5 platforms have championed socket longevity, Intel has severely lagged in this regard, a gap that might disappear with Nova Lake. That said, a long-lasting socket is only as good as the motherboard quality. An entry-level or cheap motherboard might become the bottleneck long before the socket gets outdated. You don't just need CPU compatibility to make a PC last; you also need future-ready connectivity, expansion, and I/O features. And your VRMs might only prove adequate for your existing CPU, nothing more. The socket decides which CPU upgrades are possible, but the motherboard decides which upgrades are viable.

If you look at the historical Nvidia vs. AMD market share in the discrete desktop GPU space, you'll see a healthy 64–36 split back in 2018. This was before the launch of the RTX 20 series, and Nvidia was still the leader, but AMD had a very respectable 36% share of the market. Since then, AMD's share has steadily declined, standing at a mere 5% at the end of 2025. While there are many reasons people keep buying Nvidia over AMD despite the latter offering more VRAM and value per dollar, my focus here is on the objective compromises you make when going with AMD. Lower ray tracing performance is probably the first thing that gamers think about, even after the vastly improved results of the RX 90 series. However, only a handful of ray-traced titles are truly transformative, and most people prefer more FPS to better lighting, reflections, and shadows. The more visible compromises associated with an AMD GPU are linked to software maturity, ecosystem play, and compatibility with productivity programs. A gamer might not care about these factors, but it matters to consumers who value the entire infrastructure around their graphics cards.