Technology

The best Black Friday headphone and earbud deals

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2024

The best Black Friday headphone and earbud deals

There’s no better time than the holidays to treat yourself (or someone you care about) to an overdue upgrade and pick up a fresh pair of earbuds or headphones. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a great opportunity to save big on the latest products from Apple, Bose, Google, Samsung, Sony, Sennheiser, and countless other brands. Plus, the extended return period at many retailers gives you ample time to test out whatever you buy and make sure it’s the ideal choice.

While you browse through the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, be sure to reference our buying guides for the best wireless earbuds and best noise-canceling headphones, which break down the strengths and weaknesses of many of the products featured below.

Update November 29th: Updated to reflect current pricing and availability.

Technology

Artificial intelligence changes across the US

Published

2 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

Artificial intelligence changes across the US

An increasing number of companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) for everyday tasks. Much of the technology is helping with productivity and keeping the public safer. However, some industries are pushing back against certain aspects of AI. And some industry leaders are working to balance the good and the bad.

“We are looking at critical infrastructure owners and operators, businesses from water and health care and transportation and communication, some of which are starting to integrate some of these AI capabilities,” said U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly. “We want to make sure that they’re integrating them in a way where they are not introducing a lot of new risk.”

US AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY TESTS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: ‘A LOT OF POTENTIAL’

Consulting firm Deloitte recently surveyed leaders of business organizations from around the world. The findings showed uncertainty over government regulations was a bigger issue than actually implementing AI technology. When asked about the top barrier to deploying AI tools, 36% ranked regulatory compliance first, 30% said difficulty managing risks, and 29% said lack of a governance model.

Easterly says despite some of the risks AI can pose, she said she is not surprised that the government has not taken more steps to regulate the technology.

“These are going to be the most powerful technologies of our century, probably more,” Easterly said. “Most of these technologies are being built by private companies that are incentivized to provide returns for their shareholders. So we do need to ensure that government has a role in establishing safeguards to ensure that these technologies are being built in a way that prioritizes security. And that’s where I think that Congress can have a role in ensuring that these technologies are as safe and secure to be used and implemented by the American people.”

An increasing number of companies are using AI for everyday tasks. (iStock)

Congress has considered overarching protections for AI, but it has mostly been state governments enacting the rules.

“There are certainly many things that are positive about what AI does. It also, when fallen into the hands of bad actors, it can destroy [the music] industry,” said Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn., while signing state legislation in March to protect musicians from AI.

The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act, or ELVIS Act, classifies vocal likeness as a property right. Lee signed the legislation this year, making Tennessee the first state to enact protections for singers. Illinois and California have since passed similar laws. Other states, including Tennessee, have laws that determine names, photographs and likenesses are also considered a property right.

“Our voices and likenesses are indelible parts of us that have enabled us to showcase our talents and grow our audiences, not mere digital kibble for a machine to duplicate without consent,” country recording artist Lainey Wilson said during a congressional hearing on AI and intellectual property.

AI HORROR FLICK STAR KATHERINE WATERSTON ADMITS NEW TECH IS ‘TERRIFYING’

Wilson argued her image and likeness were used through AI to sell products that she had not previously endorsed.

“For decades, we have taken advantage of technology that, frankly, was not created to be secure. It was created for speed to market or cool features. And frankly, that’s why we have cybersecurity,” Easterly said.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cracked down on some deceptive AI marketing techniques. It launched “Operation AI Comply” in September, which tackles unfair and deceptive business practices using AI, such as fake reviews written by chatbots.

“I am a technologist at heart, and I am an optimist at heart. And so I am incredibly excited about some of these capabilities. And I am not concerned about some of the Skynet things. I do want to make sure that this technology is designed and developed and tested and delivered in a way to ensure that security is prioritized,” Easterly said.

ChatGPT app shown on a iPhone screen with many apps.

A close-up of the icon of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot app logo on a cellphone screen. (iStock)

Chatbots have had some good reviews. Hawaii approved a law this year to invest more in research utilizing AI tools in the health care field. It comes as one study finds, OpenAI’s chatbot outperformed doctors in diagnosing medical conditions. The experiment compared doctors using ChatGPT with those using conventional resources. Both groups scored around 75% accuracy, while the chatbot alone scored above 90%.

AI isn’t just being used for disease detection, it’s also helping emergency crews detect catastrophic events. After deadly wildfires devastated Maui, Hawaii state lawmakers also allocated funds to the University of Hawaii to map statewide wildfire risks and improve forecasting technologies. It also includes $1 million for an AI-driven platform. Hawaiian Electric is also deploying high-resolution cameras across the state.

AI DETECTS WOMAN’S BREAST CANCER AFTER ROUTINE SCREENING MISSED IT: ‘DEEPLY GRATEFUL’

“It will learn over months over years to be more sensitive to what is a fire and what is not,” said Energy Department Under Secretary for AI and Technology Dimitri Kusnezov.

California and Colorado have similar technology. Within minutes, the AI can detect when a fire begins and where it may spread.

AI is also being used to keep students safe. Several school districts around the country now have firearm detection systems. One in Utah notifies officials within seconds of when a gun might be on campus.

“We want to create an inviting, educational environment that’s secure. But we don’t want the security to impact the education,” said Park City, Utah, School District CEO Michael Tanner.

Search and rescue personnel conduct operations in fire-damaged areas in Lahania, Hawaii, Aug. 18, 2023. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Maryland and Massachusetts are also considering state funds to implement similar technology. Both states voted to establish commissions to study emerging firearm technologies. Maryland’s commission will determine whether to use school construction funding to build the systems. Massachusetts members will look at risks associated with the new technology.

“We want to use these capabilities to ensure that we can better defend the critical infrastructure that Americans rely on every hour of every day,” Easterly said.

The European Union passed regulations for AI this year. It ranks risks from minimal, which have no regulations, to unacceptable, which are banned. Chatbots are classified as specific transparency and are required to inform users they are interacting with a machine. Software for critical infrastructure is considered high risk and must comply with strict requirements. Most technology that profiles individuals or uses public images to build-up databases is considered unacceptable.

The U.S. has some guidelines for AI use and implementation, but experts say they believe it will not go as far as the EU classifying risks.

“We need to stay ahead in America to ensure that we win this race for artificial intelligence. And so it takes the investment, it takes the innovation,” Easterly said. “We have to be an engine of innovation that makes America the greatest economy on the face of the earth.”

Bret Baier currently serves as FOX News Channel’s (FNC) anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights at 6-7PM/ET), chief political anchor of the network and co-anchor of the network’s election coverage. Baier is also host of FOX News Audio’s “The Bret Baier Podcast” which includes Common Ground and The All-Star Panel. He joined FNC in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau and is now based in Washington, D.C.

Technology

The best Black Friday tech deals we’ve found (so far)

Published

10 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

The best Black Friday tech deals we’ve found (so far)

Now that Thanksgiving is done and dusted, the holiday we’ve actually been waiting for is here: Black Friday. The biggest shopping event of the year has officially kicked off, folks, and as expected, there is a dizzying array of deals available just about everywhere you look. Thankfully, we at The Verge know a thing or two about how to find the best deals.

Many of the writers and editors at The Verge have spent years testing and toying with various gadgets, many of which can be found in our buying guides, reviews, and deal coverage. Our team has also spent more hours than we care to admit sifting through spreadsheets and retailer listings, cross-checking prices and our own recommendations to pull together a list of deals that earn our stamp of approval.

Below, you’ll find deals on everything from Sonos speakers and the PlayStation 5 to Apple’s latest AirPods Pro, the newest Kindle, and even streaming services like Hulu. We’ve also added a few non-tech goodies from our Favorites program, like Hoto’s electric screwdriver and the AeroPress Original. We’ll be continuously updating this roundup as more deals drop throughout the day, so keep checking back!

Featured deals

Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro photographed on a reflective black surface.

The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our review.

The word hulu against a black background with light green circles radiating out.

Until December 2nd at 11:59PM PT, you can get a year of ad-supported Hulu for 99 cents a month or $11.88 for the year. You can also get a Hulu with Disney Plus bundle for $2.99 a month for the next year.

Ultimate Ear’s latest disc-shaped Bluetooth speaker is small and affordable, with a built-in strap for attaching it to your belongings. It also charges via USB-C and features an IP67 rating against dust and water, along with up to 12 hours of battery life.

Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite features a larger seven-inch display and noticeably faster performance. It also boasts longer battery life than the previous model, retains IPX8 waterproofing, and includes a USB-C port.

Screenshot from Tears of the Kingdom featuring Link, a blond-haired slight build man, falling through the sky as Hyrule unfolds below him.

Tears of the Kingdom is the latest installment in the Zelda franchise. The storyline and gameplay are similar to Breath of the Wild’s, but enough has changed to make Link’s return to Hyrule plenty special. Read our review.

Developed by both Ray-Ban and Meta, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses can perform a range of tasks, including playing music and capturing photos and videos. Read our review.

These smart lights have beautiful colors, a nice selection of festive scenes, and an easy-to-use app. They are super reliable when paired with a Hue Bridge and also work over Bluetooth. They come in two lengths, work with all the major smart home platforms, and are Matter-compatible.

A 10th-gen iPad in an Apple Magic Keyboard Folio.

Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is the successor to the older ninth-gen model. In exchange for its revised design, landscape-oriented webcam, USB-C port, larger 10.9-inch screen, and faster processor, it ditched the headphone jack and home button. Read our review.

Hoto’s electric screwdriver is perfect for making small- to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller sitting flat on a two-colored backdrop.

The Switch Pro released alongside the Switch console in 2017, and it’s a tough controller to beat. It offers an unmatched set of features (HD rumble, motion controls, NFC), and it’s one of the most comfortable Switch controllers out there.

With top-notch vacuuming performance, an easy-to-use app, and built-in voice control, the S8 MaxV Ultra is a superb vacuum and good mop. It features Roborock’s best obstacle avoidance, innovative features like dirt detection, and a hands-free dock that makes it an expensive but excellent choice.

A man in a dark bedroom wears a neck lamp that illuminates just his face and the book he’s holding while sitting upright in bed.

Glocuscent’s book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.

Rear view of the Anker 8-in-1 orb showing three AC outlets, two USB-A, and two USB-C ports.

Anker’s MagGo Magnetic Charging Station 8-in-1 is a wireless charging stand capable of delivering Qi2 speeds (15W) of power to newer iPhone models. The magnetic, orb-shaped gadget also features a three-outlet power strip and multiple USB-C and USB-A ports.

An AirTag wedged into some planks of wood.

Apple’s AirTags are unobtrusive, waterproof, and tap into the massive Find My network for out-of-range locating. Read our review.

Woman holding a purse while modeling the Stripes watchface on the Apple Watch SE (2022)

The latest SE borrows a few features from the Series 8, including the same chipset and Crash Detection feature, but it’s an otherwise subtle upgrade from the last-gen SE. Read our review.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has a larger, wide-angle OLED display with up to 30 percent more screen area. It’s also thinner and lighter than its predecessors. Read our review.

You can buy the last-gen iPad with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage for its all-time low of $199.99 ($129 off) at Best Buy and Target. The 2021 tablet features a smaller 10.2-inch screen than the newer model, a slower A13 Bionic chip, and a Lightning charging port. However, it’s still snappy enough for streaming, browsing the web, sending emails, and performing other typical tablet tasks, making it great for kids or anybody looking for an affordable tablet. It even features a 3.5mm headphone jack — a welcome rarity.
If you want the latest and greatest, the new iPad Mini is available at ~~Amazon~~ ~~with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage starting at $459 ($40 off)~~ Amazon or at Best Buy for $469 ($30 off). Apple’s 8.3-inch tablet is pretty similar to the outgoing model from 2021, only it features faster Wi-Fi speeds and support for the newer Apple Pencil Pro. It also leverages the new Apple A17 Pro chip, which allows for various AI-based Apple Intelligence features. Read our review.
The latest 11-inch iPad Pro with M4 processor, 256GB of storage, and that lovely OLED display is $849 ($150 off) at Amazon when you click the on-page coupon. And if you prefer the larger model, the 12.9-inch M4 iPad Pro is $1,099 ($200 off) at Amazon. The latest round of iPad Pros are incredibly thin and sleek, making them easier to hold during note-taking, drawing, or if you’re using one as a laptop replacement with added accessories. Of course, they don’t do much more than previous generations, but they certainly look great doing it. Read our review.
Verizon is offering up to $1,000 off an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max and up to $830 off an iPhone 16 when you trade in any phone in any condition, provided you’re signed on to a “select Unlimited plan.” AT&T is also offering $1,000 off the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max or $830 off an iPhone 16 with trade-in. You can get the same Verizon and AT&T deals through Best Buy, in which case you’ll get a $100 Best Buy gift card with your purchase.

The M2 MacBook Air is opened, facing the camera. Its display is on, showcasing a psychedelic purple and black wallpaper created by The Verge’s art and illustration team.

The 2022 MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apple’s M2 chip. The M2 model touts an improved 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor, while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging. Read our review.

An open and powered on laptop against a blue background sitting on top of a bright yellow mat.

The MacBook Air M3 is a jack-of-all-trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You don’t need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs — it just will. Read our review.

If you want a larger laptop from Apple, the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air with base 256GB storage and 16GB of RAM is going for $1,044 ($255 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. That’s matching the lowest price we’ve seen for Apple’s larger Air, which sports an excellent display and a couple of extra speakers over the 13-inch model that sound great.
The M4-powered iMac is on sale starting at $1,149 ($150 off) at Amazon with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU M4 chip, 16GB of memory, and 256GB of storage when you clip the onpage coupon. It’s a shame the base model only comes with four ports, but otherwise, the iMac is a good desktop computer that offers minor upgrades over its predecessor, including faster performance and a better 12MP webcam with support for Apple’s Center Stage feature. And of course, the 24-inch display continues to come in a number of fun colors. Read our review.
You can buy Apple’s official iPhone 16 Clear Case with MagSafe from Amazon starting at $37 ($12 off), which is its best price yet. Apple designed the polycarbonate case so that it works well with the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control button. The company also added a “glossy scratch-resistant coating,” likely after many complained about how last year’s FineWoven cases scratched easily.
If you prefer to buy first-party, now through December 2nd, Apple is hosting its own rare sales event. You can get up to $200 on select MacBook Airs, while certain iPads will net you $100 in credit. Apple will also give you anywhere between $25–$75 in credit when you purchase select iPhones, AirPods, styli, streaming devices, and more.

The best wireless earbuds and headphone deals

A photo of the Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones.

With lossless USB-C audio, 50-hour battery life, Find My, spatial audio, and more comfy ear cups, the Beats Solo 4 gained significant quality-of-life improvements over their eight-year-old predecessors. They still deliver that bass-rich Beats sound, too. Read our review.

With dynamic, rich sound and the best noise cancellation available in true wireless earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a terrific pick if you want to listen to your music in peace. Read our review.

Jabra may have stopped selling consumer earbuds, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t discounts available on the existing models. Right now, for instance, you can purchase the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 for an all-time low of $199.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. In addition to noise cancellation, the semi-open Elite 10 come with an LE Audio charging case, which lets you wirelessly transmit audio from an external device. They also feature physical buttons and support other essentials, including multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
You can also pick up Jabra’s Elite 8 Active Gen 2 for $169.99 ($60 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen. The fitness-focused earbuds offer a robust IP68 water resistance rating that can withstand sweaty workouts, along with a secure fit and adaptive ANC. They also support multipoint pairing and wireless charging, and like the Elite 10, come with an LE Audio charging case.

A hands-on photo of the Sonos Ace headphones at an event in New York City.

The Sonos Ace are the company’s first wireless headphones. They feature a premium comfortable build and active noise cancellation, along with compatibility with Sonos Arc and other Sonos soundbars. Read our review.

A hands-on photo of Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds.

Significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 also offer stronger noise cancellation, a crystal-clear transparency mode, and lengthy battery life. Read our review.

A hands-on photo of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earbuds.

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are Samsung’s best-sounding wireless earbuds yet. They have a stemmed design similar to the AirPods Pro, but even if their design is a little bland, the Buds 3 Pro make up for it with great call quality, useful voice commands, and more. Read our review.

The Nothing Ear (a) are on sale for $69 ($30 off) directly from Nothing and at Amazon, if you’re a Prime member. The noise-canceling earbuds are our favorite pair for under $100, with surprisingly good sound for the price. They also offer an impressive feature set that includes multipoint Bluetooth pairing, a decent IP54 dust and water resistance rating, and even a low-latency mode for gaming. Read our hands-on impressions.

Shokz’s flagship bone conduction headphones are designed for sports and outdoor use, allowing you to keep abreast of your surroundings. The open-ear headphones weigh just 29 grams and are IP55-rated for water and sweat resistance.

The WH-1000XM4, Sony’s last-gen flagship headphones, are on sale starting at $198 ($152 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. That’s not the shockingly low $130 they dropped to earlier this year, but it’s still a great price for a pair of cans that offer some of the best sound quality and noise cancellation performance around. They offer 30 hours of battery life, a foldable design, and flexible ambient audio modes, including a speak-to-chat feature that reduces volume while you’re talking. Read our review.

A photo of Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless headphones on a table.

With marathon 60-hour battery life and sublime comfort, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless also make good on the company’s reputation for detailed, rich sound quality. Read our review.

Sony’s wireless headphones offer noise cancellation and up to 35 hours of battery life on a single charge. They also come in blue, white, and black.

Amazon’s second-gen Echo Buds offer a comfortable design, good ANC, and a natural ambient sound mode. They support hands-free Alexa commands as well. Read our review.

You can also buy Amazon’s newer Echo Buds for just $24.99 ($25 off) at Amazon. The wireless earbuds lack noise cancellation, but they support multipoint pairing and integrate well with Amazon Alexa for hands-free control. They also feature a semi-open design that makes it easier to hear your surroundings.

The best speaker and smart display deals

A photo of a Sonos Era 100 beside a turntable.

Sonos’ 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. Read our review.

The Sonos Roam 2 is available for $139 ($40 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos. The compact smart speaker is far easier to set up than the prior model, thanks to a dedicated Bluetooth button, meaning you can start listening to tunes without first setting it up in the Sonos app. It also lasts 10 hours per charge and features support for both AirPlay 2 and Amazon Alexa, not to mention an IP67 rating for dust and water protection. You can even sync it with other Sonos speakers like most other Sonos products.
If you want a portable Sonos speaker with bigger sound and substantially longer battery life, the Sonos Move 2 is on sale for $359 ($90 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sonos’ online storefront. It packs multiple speakers for stereo sound, and it supports USB-C line-in in addition to the usual wireless streaming options. It’s not exactly small or light (it’s chunky at 6.61 pounds), but the Move 2 can be ideal if you want a single Sonos device to enjoy outdoors or move from room to room in your home Read our review.

The latest version of Tribit’s StormBox Micro is a small Bluetooth speaker that offers great sound for its size and attaches to a variety of objects with its built-in strap. The Micro 2 has improved battery life over its predecessor and can be used as a portable power bank to charge your phone.

The fifth-gen Echo Dot touts a temperature sensor, better sound, and faster response time than the prior model. It can also act as an extender for your Eero Wi-Fi system. Read our review.

A purple Echo Pop smart speaker on a table surrounded by Ring Pop candy.

Amazon’s colorful Echo Pop offers a unique semisphere form factor and can function as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender. Read our review.

If you want a smart alarm clock with a great display and zero mics / cameras, the latest Echo Spot is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $44.99 ($60 off), matching its lowest price to date. The 2.83-inch touchscreen can’t display videos or double as a digital photo frame, but it can tell you the weather when you wake up and allows you to control various smart home devices via Alexa. Read our review.

Samsung’s Music Frame speaker sitting on a brown cabinet beside a pair of cameras and some plants.

Samsung’s Music Frame is a 12.9 x 12.9-inch picture frame with a physical print at the front that you can customize with art or a photo. Along with support for Dolby Atmos, it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby.

A photo of the 2024 Beats Pill portable Bluetooth speaker.

The 2024 Beats Pill offers improved sound, USB-C, and native support for Find My and voice assistants on both iOS and Android. It also bests the previous model with double the battery life (24 hours) and IP67 water resistance. Read our review.

The Echo Show 8 (third-gen), the latest version of Amazon’s midsize smart display, is down to $79.99 ($70 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. You can also buy it with an Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb for the same price at Amazon in black and white. The eight-inch device looks a lot like previous models, but it’s got widget support for added versatility, a more responsive touchscreen, and nice-sounding speakers. Just don’t expect to take any Zoom meetings on it, as only Alexa video calls are currently supported. Read our review.

The third-gen Echo Show 5 turned on while on a desk in front of the window during a rainy day.

The latest Echo Show 5 is just as small as its predecessor but features updated mics and a speaker system that delivers double the bass and clearer sound quality.

The best tablet deals

A Pixel Tablet mounted on its speaker dock showing a Weather Frog screensaver.

Google’s 11-inch Pixel Tablet uses the same Tensor G2 chip found in the Pixel 7 lineup. It’s also compatible with a magnetic charging dock, which you can use as a de facto smart display. Read our review.

The OnePlus Pad 2 attached to its smart keyboard and stylus.

OnePlus’ latest Android tablet sports a crisp 12.1-inch display with fast 144Hz refresh and loud speakers. The optional stylus and smart keyboard case for making it a bit more laptop-like cost a total of around $250. Read our review.

If you’re looking for a basic tablet for under $100, Amazon is also discounting many of the cheaper models. The latest Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy with ads and 32GB of storage starting at $54.99 ($45 off), an all-time low. The 8-inch Fire HD 8 is a decent entertainment device for playing games, streaming, and other basic tasks, even if it’s not anywhere near as capable as the higher-end alternatives from Apple and Google.
The latest Fire HD 10 is down to its all-time low of $74.99 ($65 off) with ads and 32GB of storage at Amazon and Best Buy. The Fire HD 10 offers a sharper 1080p display than the Fire HD 8, along with support for both the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen and Amazon’s handwriting recognition technology.

An Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet in its keyboard case on a wooden table.

Amazon’s highest-end tablet features an 11-inch LCD display with 2000 x 1200 resolution as well as options for an add-on keyboard and stylus. Read our review.

The best e-reader deals

The Boox Palma is a 6.1-inch smartphone-sized e-reader that’s highly portable. It also runs on Android and comes with the Google Play Store built in, allowing you to download apps for other digital bookstores, newspapers, note-taking apps, and more.

The ad-free Kobo Libra Colour is a color e-reader with physical page-turning buttons and a 7-inch E Ink display. It also boasts IPX8 waterproofing and compatibility with the Kobo Stylus 2. Read our review.

You can get Amazon’s newest Kindle with lockscreen ads for $84.99 ($25 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, or without lockscreen ads at Amazon for $104.99 ($25 off). The 2024 ebook reader is more of an iterative update compared to previous models, with a backlight that’s 25 percent brighter. It’s also a touch lighter, a bit faster, and lasts a bit longer (up to eight weeks).

The Kobo Elipsa 2E is an ad-free, 10.3-inch e-reader you can write on with the included stylus. It offers a whole host of useful features, like the ability to convert handwriting to typed text and a great selection of pen types.

The best laptop and desktop deals

A photo of Microsoft’s 2024 Surface Pro.

The new Surface Pro maintains its winning form factor, which sets it apart from traditional laptops. It now houses the battery-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset, however, and the detachable keyboard has been improved with bolder, brighter keys and a Copilot button. Read our review.

The 15-inch Surface Laptop offers more connectivity options than the smaller 13.8-inch model. It gains a second Thunderbolt 4 port and a USB-A port but touts the same AI-ready Snapdragon X Elite chipset, a Copilot key, and design tweaks to minimize display bezels. Read our review.

Microsoft’s base version of its 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 is on sale for $899.99 ($300 off) at Best Buy with a Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The Arm-based laptop offers excellent MacBook Air-like battery life that easily lasts through a day of work. It performs well, though Windows on Arm does have some compatibility issues with some games and software — so be sure what you need to work is supported.
The Dell XPS 13 is down to its all-time low of $999.99 ($500 off) at Best Buy with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. This particular model is especially worth it since it’s the configuration with a lovely 13.4-inch OLED touchscreen — and 2560 x 1600 resolution — in a very portable package that offers great battery life and value.

MSI’s Cyborg 14 is a portable, modestly specced gaming laptop. It’s got a 1920 x 1200 display with 144Hz refresh, an Intel Core i7 13620H processor, RTX 4060 discrete graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — all in a fairly slim and affordable package, complete with see-through chassis.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar X3D on a green background decorated with yellow Post-it notes.

The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D is one of the fastest gaming laptops you can get, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D processor and Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU. With 32GB of RAM, 1TB storage, and a 240Hz 1440p screen, it’s the high-end laptop to beat.

The MSI Stealth A16 AI Plus is on sale at Best Buy with a new Ryzen AI 9 chip, an RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for $1,699.99 ($300 off), matching its best price to date. The mid-tier Stealth is one of MSI’s best-selling gaming laptops, as it balances a whole lot of gaming performance without the eye-watering prices of higher-end models. The 16-inch laptop isn’t exactly small, but it’s thin enough to take places, and its QHD panel supports up to a speedy 240Hz refresh rate.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus — which features a lovely 15.6-inch OLED display, an Intel Core 3 Series 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage — is down to $599.99 ($100 off) at Best Buy. The latest version of Samsung’s higher-end Chromebook is one of the first with Google’s new Quick Insert button, which repurposes the Caps Lock key to double as a shortcut for Gemini AI help or other non-AI productivity tasks.

The best robot vacuum / mop deals

The Combo j9 Plus is our favorite Roomba robot vacuum. The first Roomba that can refill its own mop tank and empty its own bin, its redesigned dock that doubles as a table. Neat! It has increased suction power and a new SmartScrub feature that moves back and forth to mop more effectively.

At over 50 percent off, the Roomba j7 Plus is a great deal for our former top Roomba pick. It features obstacle avoidance that allows it to navigate around furniture and smaller objects that it deems hazardous. In addition to cleaning on a set schedule, the j7 can jump to work via voice commands or the Roomba app. Read our review.

The Roomba Combo 10 Max is matching its all-time low of around $999 ($400 off) directly from Amazon, iRobot, and Best Buy. The new flagship model from iRobot has all the same features as the j9 Combo, plus a new dock that can clean and dry the robot’s mop, refill its water tank, and empty its bin.
The iRobot Roomba Combo j7 Plus is on sale for around $699 ($300 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of its better prices to date. The j7 Plus is similar to the Roomba Combo j9 Plus, as it offers AI obstacle avoidance and a mop that automatically lifts to keep your carpets dry. The main difference is that the Combo j9 Plus offers longer batter life and can refill its own mop tank; it also features a new dirt detection feature. Read our review.
Amazon, Best Buy, and Narwal are selling Narwal Freo X Ultra for $799.99 ($600 off), which is the best price we’ve seen on the terrific mopping bot to date. The vac’s anti-tangle brush and 8,200Pa suction do a nice job on most carpets, but where it excels is on hard floors. In fact, the X Ultra is smart enough that it will go back and re-mop areas it deems as dirty. It touts relatively quiet operation, too, thanks in part to an onboard compression bin that only needs to be emptied every 60 days or so.

The Q5 Pro has a big 770ml bin, 5,500Pa of suction power, and can be paired with an auto-empty dock, making it a great budget option when it’s on sale. It also mops with a removable mopping pad with a small built-in water tank. It has dual rubber brushes, lidar mapping, and keep-out zones, and the app is very good.

With a handy ability to remove and reattach its mop pads, the Dreame X40 solves the problem of vacuuming carpets while also mopping hard floors. Its mops can also swing out and under low furniture, getting where most bots can’t reach. An extendable side brush helps get dirt out of corners and a whopping 12,000Pa of suction makes this a great vac.

Our pick for the best budget robot vacuum and mop, the Dreame D10 Plus, is on sale at Amazon and Dreame’s online storefront for $259.99 ($140 off), an all-time low. It’s a solid vacuum that can also mop and self-empty. The lidar-equipped bot can also map your home and lets you add keep-out zones, which is a rare feature at this price point.
If you’re hoping to pick up a solid midrange robot vacuum, Eufy’s X10 Pro Omni is matching its all-time low of $549.99 ($250 off) at Amazon and Eufy’s online storefront (with promo code WS24T2351). While not quite as proficient at picking up dirt and debris as some of our top robovac picks, it boasts a pair of powerful oscillating mops, great AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a compact dock that’s far less obtrusive than most.
If you really want to save money, the budget-friendly Roomba Combo Essential vacuum and mop is on sale for $157 ($117 off) at Amazon and for $3 more directly from iRobot. The robovac / mop hybrid is the successor to the Roomba 694, with iRobot claiming it offers 20 times more suction power and longer battery life. Unlike pricier robovac / mop hybrids, however, there’s no option for an auto-empty dock.

The best smart home deals

Philips Hue’s starter kit is a great option for those looking to get started with smart lighting, one that comes with two color-changing A19 bulbs and a Philips Hue Bridge.

The latest version of Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat offers a new, sleeker design, support for Matter, and a Soli radar sensor to detect a person approaching it. It also includes one remote Temperature Sensor (second-gen) for monitoring the temp in a room of your choosing. Read our hands-on impressions.

Designed to mimic an actual skylight, Nanoleaf’s smart ceiling lights offer tunable LEDs as well as hundreds of lighting scenes — including AI-generated dynamic effects.

The lovely Aqara Ceiling Light T1M light fixture is $40 off at Amazon, down to $109.99 from $149.99. You can add ambiance and function to a room with this dual, addressable LED ceiling light. For easier control, pick up this Aqara smart switch for $28.79 ($7 off) at Amazon. An Aqara Zigbee hub is also required. Read our review.
Govee’s Christmas String Lights 2 are on sale in a 66-foot configuration for $63.99 ($36 off) at Amazon, which is their best price yet. The smart string lights offer more than 130 preset lighting effects, though you can also create your own custom displays. The IP65-rated lights also work with Matter, so you can connect them to any major smart home platform.

Nanoleaf’s modular lights can showcase over 16 million colors and are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant.

Nanoleaf’s hexagonal panels represent a unique spin on smart lighting, with a wooden look that’s designed to be an attractive accent in your home even when they’re not illuminated. The LED panels can be arranged in a layout of your choosing, too.

Eero’s Pro 6E mesh router is available for an all-time low of $159.99 ($90 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, or as part of a two-pack for $259.99 (Amazon, Best Buy) or a three-pack for $349.99 (Amazon, Best Buy). It doesn’t support Wi-Fi 7 like the newer Eero Max, but it does support the 6GHz Wi-Fi band with speeds of up to 1.3Gbps. It also can cover up to 2,000 square feet per unit and conveniently features a pair of ethernet ports. Read our review.

White Google Nest Wifi Pro router on a white table in front of a window.

The Nest Wifi Pro is an upgraded version of the standard model, and it’s equipped with Matter and Thread support in addition to Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Read our review.

If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what Switchbot’s Smart Switch 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.

Mill is offering $200 off its high-tech smart bin, which grinds and dehydrates kitchen scraps overnight into a compost-like material. You can buy the bin outright for $799, down from $999, at Mill’s website. It’s a great way to keep stinky odors out of your kitchen, reduce food waste, and cut down on how much trash you generate. Read our review.

White plug plugged into electrical socket.

Kasa’s smart plugs let you add voice controls and scheduling to any outlet. They can also help you monitor your energy usage and work with Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Amazon’s apt-titled Smart Plug doesn’t require a hub and lets you add Alexa functionality to any outlet, allowing you to control a range of devices with just your voice.

The best smart security deals

A black wireless camera mounted on a wall.

The 1080p Blink Outdoor 4 security camera offers support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. There’s the option of local recording with the bundled Sync Module 2 (the newer Sync Module XR is out, but we haven’t tested it yet), and unlike the third-gen model, it supports person detection and has a wider field of view.

The black Blink Video Doorbell hung up on a brick wall outside of a house.

Blink’s buzzer is the best if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life.

Arlo’s new Wired Floodlight Camera is seeing its first sale at $99.99 ($50 off) at The Home Depot through November 29th. Arlo’s battery-powered Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Cam is one of our top picks for a floodlight camera, and the wired version means no more worrying about recharging it. However, Arlo’s monthly subscription plan for recorded video is expensive, starting at $8 a month.

Our top pick for a smart lock supports Apple Home and will auto-unlock as you approach your door. For an extra $80, an onboard Wi-Fi module adds out-of-home control and more smart home support. There are also versions with a fingerprint reader and Apple Home Key, but not both. Read our review.

The svelte retrofit August Wi-Fi (4th-gen) smart lock is just $110.04 right now at Amazon, down from $229.99. This is a great price for this excellent retrofit lock that works with all the major smart home platforms and doesn’t require a separate bridge or hub to connect to Wi-Fi. Pro tip: pick up a value pack of these CR123A batteries that are on sale for $32 at Amazon, as it eats through batteries, and they’re expensive. Read our review.

Aqara’s budget door lock, the U50, is a basic but great lock. It has a touchscreen keypad for key-free access and works with Apple Home Key as well as a regular key. It needs an Aqara Hub or Apple Home Hub for out-of-home control, and it’s Matter compatible, so it works with all the major smart home platforms. Read our review.

Ring’s Stick Up Cam Battery is on sale for an all-time low of $54.99 ($45 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The battery-powered 1080p camera offers weatherproofing, so you can mount and use it outside and inside, but you’ll have to pay for a Ring Protect plan to record video. Thankfully, basics like two-way audio, night video, and motion alerts are available for free.
The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam is available at Amazon and Best Buy for $29.99 ($30 off), which matches its best price to date. Unlike its predecessor, the indoor security camera features color night vision and a physical privacy cover, allowing you to turn off video and audio recording. The wired camera is similar to its predecessor otherwise and features sharp 1080p HD resolution, a built-in siren, and two-way audio.

A Google Nest Cam attached to two bright, adjustable floodlights, this camera has free video recording, powerful lights, and on-device processing of smart alerts for people, vehicles, and animals. There’s no siren, but there is 24/7 recording and facial recognition. Read our review.

You can buy Google’s wired Nest Cam for $69.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which matches its all-time low. The indoor 1080p camera offers snappy performance and free smart alerts for people and pets. It also comes with 24/7 recording and other useful features, including a Familiar Faces tool that lets you know who is in a room. However, you’ll have to pay for Google’s Nest Aware plan to enable those features. Read our review.
Our favorite video doorbell, the wired Nest Doorbell, is around $98 ($81 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store, which is by far the lowest price we’ve seen. It may not offer 1080p resolution like other video doorbells in its range (it’s limited to 960 x 1280), but it still produces a clear picture and is one of the few options that can manage 24/7 recording. It also supports facial recognition with smart alerts. Read our review.

White device labeled Meross with black and red wires coming out

Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.

A large silver door lock on a door above a lever handle

Expensive but with a premium feel, this smart lock is reliable, feels good in your hand, and doesn’t require switching out your entire deadbolt. You can keep your existing key, and it will auto-unlock as you arrive home. But beware of the poor battery life and prepare to stockpile those CR123 batteries. Read our guide to the best smart locks.

The best fitness tracker and smartwatch deals

Google’s new Pixel Watch 3 is bigger and brighter than its predecessor. It also features more advanced running capabilities, offline Google Maps functionality, and deeper integration with other Google devices. Read our review.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is available from Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store for $69.95 ($30 off), matching its all-time low. The minimalist band lacks built-in GPS and doesn’t offer as many health and fitness features as the Charge 6, but it packs a bright OLED display and does a good job with the basics. It supports both irregular heart rate notifications and advanced sleep tracking, along with several stress management features. Read our hands-on impressions.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is now at a fresh all-time low of $160.95 ($60 off) at Amazon, or you can get it for $179.95 ($50 off) at Best Buy and Google’s online storefront. Designed for kids, its bubbly design is a bit more playful than most Fitbits. You can play games on it and even take care of a Tamagotchi-like pet, and the tracker periodically pauses the fun until your child has gotten more steps in. Parents can also use it to exchange messages with their children and monitor their real-time location, assuming they opt for the $9.99-a-month Ace Pass data plan.

Fitbit Charge 6 showing exercise app on screen.

The Fitbit Charge 6 features a haptic side button, an improved heart rate algorithm, turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps, and the ability to broadcast your heart rate on certain Bluetooth gym equipment. Read our review.

If you’re looking for a terrific Fitbit alternative, the Garmin Venu Sq 2 is a great pick that’s down to a new all-time low of $144.99 ($105 off) at Amazon or $149.99 ($100 off) at Walmart and Garmin’s online storefront. It’s a shame it lacks built-in GPS, but it does offer a lot of health features not found on rivals like the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4, including hydration tracking and access to Garmin Coach, which provides marathon training plans. These features aren’t locked behind a paywall, either, making the wearable an even better deal. Read our review.

The OnePlus Watch 2 has Wear OS 4, multiday battery life, dual-frequency GPS, and helps fill the void left by Fossil exiting the Android smartwatch space. Read our review.

The Oura Ring Gen 3 sitting in a jewelry tray with other rings.

The Oura Ring Gen 3 is a discreet sleep and recovery tracker that tracks heart rate, body temperature, and activity. It comes with a six-month free trial, with a $5.99 monthly subscription after that. Read our review.

The Amazfit Band 7 is an unassuming, basic fitness tracker with a bright OLED display, long battery life, and an incredible feature set for the price. Read our review.

The Garmin Fenix 7S Pro, one of the best fitness trackers you can buy, is on sale exclusively for Verge readers. Now through Cyber Monday, you can get the multi-sport fitness watch for just $529.99 ($270 off) at Wellbots with promo code VERGEBF270. In addition to a smorgasbord of health sensors and workout tracking, it has reliable multiband GPS, solar charging, military-grade durability, and weekslong battery life. Read our review.

The Withings Scanwatch Light is a hybrid analog smartwatch that tracks the basics like steps and activities, while delivering up to 30 days of battery life. Read our review.

The best TV, streaming device, and soundbar deals

An image of the Google Chromecast, the best streaming stick of 2021 for most people, resting on a soundbar.

The Chromecast with Google TV (4K) features a dedicated remote and intuitive software that pulls together recommendations from all of your streaming services. It also supports 4K HDR content with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10 Plus. Read our review.

Amazon’s highest-end streaming stick is faster than its predecessor with Wi-Fi 6E and double the storage. It also now displays widgets and artwork when idle while continuing to offer a terrific selection of streaming apps and Alexa integration.

LG’s G4 OLED TV is on sale in the 55-inch configuration starting at $1,796.99 (about $803 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is its best price yet. The 4K TV sports many of the C4’s standout features — including a 144Hz refresh rate — but it offers brighter picture quality and more accurate colors.
The LG B4 OLED is another solid gaming TV, and you can get a 48-inch model for $599.99 ($200 off) at Best Buy or a 55-inch model for $999.99 ($400 off). It has an older processor and a dimmer screen than the costlier “Evo” models, but it’s a fine option if you’re looking for a relatively affordable way to experience 4K 120Hz gaming on an OLED panel.

The LG C4 is similar to its predecessor, with support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate tech. However, it now sports a max 144Hz refresh rate, a brighter panel, and overall better picture quality.

You can get the 65-inch Samsung S90D OLED starting at $1,397.99 ($800 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung, which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the 4K TV. It’s just a small step down from the S95D OLED, as it doesn’t have a glare-reduction panel, but you still get sharp picture quality and a slew of gaming features, including a 120Hz variable refresh rate. Unfortunately, Samsung TVs still exclude Dolby Vision, so you’ll have to look elsewhere if that’s important to you.

Samsung’s art-inspired 4K TV uses an anti-glare matte QLED display, which provides artwork and photos with qualities that resemble an actual canvas.

The budget-friendly Hisense U6 Series supports Dolby Vision HDR and full-array local dimming, allowing it to deliver punchy colors and good contrast. It also comes with Google’s TV software built-in, along with Dolby Atmos support for more immersive sound.

The Xgimi MoGo 2 Pro is a portable smart projector and Bluetooth speaker that delivers surprisingly good picture and sound quality for its size. Read our review.

Whether you’re outfitting a bathroom or need some sensory stimulation for a newborn’s nursery, there’s still a bit of room in the world for 32-inch, 720p TVs like the Insignia F20 —which is on sale for only $69.99 ($60 off) at Best Buy. You won’t get many tricks, but it has HDMI Arc and it’s a Fire TV, meaning you have the convenience of voice-activated content discovery across hundreds of apps via the included Alexa Voice Remote.
The Sonos Ray is available for just $169 ($110 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, and the Sonos storefront. The compact soundbar isn’t as powerful as other models in the brand’s lineup, but it should easily best your TV’s built-in speakers. It’s not our first choice for a soundbar — it lacks HDMI (and thus doesn’t support the helpful eARC tech) — but it’s an affordable way to add a Sonos piece to your home theater setup if you don’t mind using optical. Read our review.

A photo of a man leaning over on a couch and using LG’s StanbyME Go briefcase TV.

LG’s StanbyME Go is a fun 27-inch panel nestled within a briefcase. The basic 1080p display doesn’t offer high-end specs, though it does come with a selection of preloaded games, versatile viewing options, and a wide selection of streaming apps. Read our review.

The latest Sonos Beam fits into the middle of Sonos’ soundbar lineup. It supports Dolby Atmos through virtualized surround sound and offers eARC compatibility with newer TVs. Read our review.

An image of the front of the Sonos Arc soundbar with a TV in the background.

The Sonos Arc is a powerful Dolby Atmos speaker that also integrates with the company’s multiroom audio platform. With extra capabilities like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s AirPlay 2, it’s a feature-rich soundbar that sounds just as good when playing music. Read our review.

Paramount Plus and Showtime grant you ad-free access to live sports as well as movies and shows from both platforms, including Star Trek, Top Gun: Maverick, and Yellowjackets. New and returning subscribers can sign up for the ad-free Paramount Plus with Showtime plan for $2.99 a month for two months until December 4th.

Now until 3AM ET on December 2nd, you can get an entire year of ad-supported Peacock Premium for $19.99 or six months for $1.99 a month. The streaming service is great for sports fans, featuring live broadcasts for NFL Sunday Night Football games, college basketball, Premier League soccer, WWE premium live events, golf, and more. It features scores of other programming, too, including on-demand movies and original shows.

Max is home to Game of Thrones and its spinoff, House of the Dragon, as well as shows and movies like Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Dune: Prophecy, The Last of Us, The Penguin, and more. As a part of its Black Friday / Cyber Monday promotion, Max is letting new and returning subscribers sign up for its monthly, ad-supported tier for just $2.99 for the first six months.

The best smartphone and mobile accessory deals

Google Pixel 9 on a pink and green background.

Google’s new Pixel 9 has a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display than its predecessor, along with a new Tensor G4 processor, a bigger battery, 12GB of RAM, and a dual rear camera setup with a new 48-megapixel sensor for its ultrawide. Read our review.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a 6.3-inch outer screen and an eight-inch inner screen once it’s unfolded — both of which are larger than the original Pixel Fold. The new foldable also lays flat when opened, sports IPX8 weather resistance, and offers a thinner design than the last-gen model. Read our review.

The Google Pixel 8A is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store starting at $399 ($100 off), which is $20 more than its lowest price to date. You’ll get a pure Android experience that’s guaranteed to receive updates over the next seven years, and the device should last you well into that timeline thanks to its IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. It also has wireless charging, a speedy Tensor G3 chip, a 120Hz OLED display, and a dual-camera array that works pretty well. Read our review.

The S24 “Fan Edition” is the least expensive of Samsung’s S-series and has two major selling points: a dedicated 3x telephoto camera and a big 6.7-inch display. Read our review.

The 2024 Razr Plus is Motorola’s best foldable yet, with an improved cover screen UI and one of the biggest front displays on any modern flip phone. Read our review.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra showing a blue and yellow homescreen, on a blue and yellow background with green translucent rectangles.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is just loaded with goodies including a big, beautiful display, an integrated stylus, and two telephoto cameras. Read our review.

The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is matching its all-time low of $299.99 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s online storefront. It comes with a robust IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it should survive a brief swim in a puddle or… you know. Coupled with a strong software support policy with five years of promised security updates, it’s a great deal in the under-$500 class.
The OnePlus Open is going for $1,199.99, down from $1,699.99, which is an excellent price for a great folding phone. It’s a year old at this point, but it should still receive another four years of security updates. You can get an extra $100 off with a trade-in if you go through OnePlus directly, but the discounted price is also available from Amazon and Best Buy.

OnePlus 12R on a green background with blue translucent squares.

The OnePlus 12R comes with an excellent screen and a top-notch processor, making it feel much more expensive than its $500 price tag. Read our review.

Photo of DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and smartphone on table

The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is a compact smartphone gimbal that allows you to easily stabilize your videos. The latest version is similar to previous models, only it touts a small OLED display to manage various shooting modes and a more portable, foldable design.

Now through November 29th, Moft is taking up to $60 off a variety of cases, stands, and other accessories. The ongoing promo includes Moft’s Invisible Phone Stand and Wallet, which is capable of holding up to three cards and was our favorite adhesive phone grip in 2022. To get the $60 discount, you’ll have to order over $200 and apply the code BF60. However, you can also spend much less and still save, with Moft offering $10 off if you spend over $50 (with code BF10); $20 off if you spend more than $100 (using code BF20); and $37 off if you spend over $150 (with code BF37).

The best charger deals

A compact, flexible Qi2 charger for vent and dash mounting. Read our review.

The latest version of Anker’s magnetic MagGo charging pads supports 15W Qi2 and has a five-foot USB-C cable.

If you’re not ready to pony up for a Qi2 charger, Ugreen’s Magnetic Wireless Charging Station has fallen to an all-time low of $23.99 ($16 off) at Amazon. 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.
If transparent electronics are your thing, you can pick up the Shargeek 170 Power Bank at Amazon for $134.90 ($64 off) or directly from Sharge for $129.90 ($69 off). The handsome prism-shaped charger features a 24,000-mAh capacity and a maximum output of 170 watts, allowing you to fast-charge most everything you own. It even offers a color display so you can see the remaining battery life, output, and other helpful info at a glance.
Belkin’s BoostCharge Dual Wall Charger 42W has dropped to a new low of $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon. It has one USB-C and one USB-A port for simultaneous charging and folding prongs that make it easier to slip into a bag or pocket while traveling. Its USB-C Power Delivery port meets the fast charging speeds of most smartphones, but you can also use it to charge tablets and laptops at a respectable rate.

The latest version of Belkin’s 3-in-1 BoostCharge Pro stand uses Qi2 for 15W wireless charging and a refined design allowing the attached phone to tilt. It also comes with a compact 36W USB-C power adapter.

An iPhone and Apple Watch wirelessly charging on a Nomad Stand One Max three-in-one charger. The iPhone is horizontal in StandBy mode and a person is tapping on the Apple Watch screen.

Nomad’s updated 3-in-1 Stand One Max adds Qi2 support for charging compatible iPhones at 15W. It can simultaneously charge AirPods and fast-charge an Apple Watch.

Sony’s new standard PlayStation 5 includes a removable disc drive, dual front-facing USB-C ports, 1TB of storage, and a slightly smaller and lighter design.

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, serving as its most powerful (and biggest) option focused on fast, 4K gameplay. Read our review.

The Xbox Series S is down to around $249 ($50 off) at Best Buy and Target. It’s the most affordable option in Microsoft’s latest console generation, namely because it features less processing power and caps gaming at 1440p resolution. It also lacks a disc drive and only has 512GB of storage instead of 1TB. However, it’s still capable of playing all the same games as the Series X. Read our review.
One of Best Buy’s doorbusters is the Asus ROG Ally, which is matching its all-time low of $499.99 ($150 off) with a Z1 Extreme processor and 512GB of storage (My Best Buy Plus and Total members can save another $50). The handheld lets you play PC games on the go, thanks to its seven-inch 1080p display, and while there are faster alternatives, it’s still serviceable for esports shooters, indie gems, and other lightweight titles. Read our review.

With an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a 1TB SSD, and 24GB of RAM, the ROG Ally X is one of the most powerful PC gaming handhelds available. It also features a 7-inch 1080p variable refresh rate display and longer battery life than the original Ally. Read our review.

The Hori Split Pad Pro, our favorite Nintendo Switch controller for handheld mode, is on sale for $38.99 ($11 off) at Walmart and Target. The comfortable Joy-Con alternative is outfitted with large triggers, analog sticks, and a set of easy-to-reach buttons, along with more than enough grip that it shouldn’t pose any problems over long gaming sessions.
If you have a wireless mouse that supports it, Logitech’s G PowerPlay Wireless Charging System is on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $86.62, down from $119.99. Mice like the G502 X Lightspeed support the wireless charging pad, as does the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, both of which will grant you infinite playtime without a single second of tethering.

The Backbone One can connect to Android phones and iPhones as far back as the 6S, depending on the model. It’s a fully featured controller complete with dual analog sticks, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and its own software for capturing screenshots and connecting to game streaming services.

The controller designed for the PS5, featuring adaptive triggers, a built-in microphone, and haptic feedback technologies. Read our review.

Microsoft’s official Xbox Wireless Controller is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target in a variety of colors starting at $39.99 ($20 off). You can save on the special edition models, including the translucent ghost cipher and blue cipher models, which are starting at $45 (about $25 off) at Amazon, Target and Best Buy. All of them are compatible with the Xbox One and Series X / S, too, or with Windows PCs and mobile devices using Bluetooth or USB-C.
Amazon’s Luna wireless controller has reached an all-time low of $39.99 ($30) at Amazon. The gamepad is designed for the retailer’s cloud gaming service, exclusively enabling features like server-side low-latency control and automatic screen switching on Amazon Fire TVs and devices. That said, you can use the controller with other games and platforms, including Windows, macOS, and mobile devices via Bluetooth and USB-C.

The Fusion Pro 3 is the latest version of PowerA’s affordable alternative to premium controllers like the Xbox Elite Series 2. It comes with swappable sticks, friction rings, a compact zip-up case, and features four programmable buttons built into its rear.

The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller propped up against an Xbox Series X.

The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is a good budget-friendly alternative to the Switch Pro Controller. It features remappable back buttons as well as Bluetooth connectivity and comes in a variety of designs and colorways.

If you enjoyed HBO’s fantastic adaptation of The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part I is on sale for the PlayStation 5 at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop starting at $29.99 ($40 off), an all-time low. It’s a remarkable remake of the classic title from 2013, with faster load times, better visuals, and other welcome tweaks. Read our review.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is on sale for the PS5 at Amazon and Best Buy for $39.99 ($30 off), an all-time low. The sophomore game in Square Enix’s reboot trilogy is arguably better than the original, with added gameplay tweaks, improved visuals, and welcome character development that deftly expands upon the classic PS1 RPG. It’s all killer, no filler.
Nintendo’s neon blue and red Joy-Con controllers are receiving a rare discount at Walmart and Best Buy, which drops them to around $59 ($21 off) for a limited time. The detachable controllers are still a great option if you play in handheld mode or while your Nintendo Switch is docket, even if they’re not the most comfortable over long gaming sessions.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is seeing its first notable discount, with the physical PlayStation 5 version selling for $54 (about $16 off) at Amazon. It’s been nearly 10 years since the last major BioWare RPG in the world of Dragon Age, and The Veilguard is a worthwhile follow-up that looks great and continues the signature storytelling and relationship building the series is known for. Read our review.

Star Wars Outlaws is an original open-world adventure set in the vast universe of the iconic film series. It stars Kay Vess, a protagonist looking to steal from criminal overlords to gain her freedom. A new expansion featuring Lando Calrissian just launched, alongside an update that improves stealth and some of the game’s most glaring issues. Read our review.

Screenshot from Astro Bot featuring Astro riding a DualSense controller over a gorgeous ocean

Astro Bot is the kind of game you buy a PlayStation 5 for. The refreshing title features gorgeous environments and wildly inventive mechanics, many of which turn tried-and-true platforming mechanics on their head. It doesn’t hurt that Sony’s titular robot is as adorable as ever. Read our review.

A screenshot from Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition includes the base game as well as CDPR’s excellent Phantom Liberty expansion, which improves the game significantly. The spy thriller DLC introduces players to a new area of Night City, along with a host of new quests and items.

Insomniac’s Wolverine could be years away; however, if you have yet to play the studio’s other superhero title, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has fallen to a new low of $39.99 ($30 off) at Best Buy, GameStop, and Target. It’s a terrific sequel to the 2018 open-world title, with new mechanics, more baddies, and the ability to play as two — count ‘em, two — spider-men. Read our review.
It might not be Mario’s latest romp for the Nintendo Switch, but Super Mario Odyssey is on sale for $29.99 ($30 off) at Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, which remains one of its best prices to date. The excellent 3D platformer offers plenty of twists and charm on the classic Mario formula, mostly due to a new mechanic (read: a hat) that lets Nintendo’s iconic mascot possess a variety of objects and characters. Read our review.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest from the creators of the Persona series, which is easy to tell based on its cell-shaded art style. The heavy-hitting story is less noticeable, though, and there’s a lot to unpack as you play through the medieval-era, turn-based RPG.

Alan Wake 2 is the culmination of everything Remedy Entertainment has been building toward. The inventive third-person survival game is both horrifying and strange, with dual campaigns that are more than a little meta.

Screenshot from Final Fantasy XVI featuring Cid, Torgal the wolf, Clive, and Jill

The latest mainline Final Fantasy game is a bombastic rollercoaster of an RPG infused with a dose of Game of Thrones medieval intrigue and gritty violence. It’s also quite the cinematic spectacle of the PS5’s graphical prowess. Read our review.

The PS5 version of Gran Turismo 7 has dropped to $29.99 ($40 off) at Best Buy and Target, nearly matching its best price to date. The sim racer has elegance and reverential regard for racing culture. It features hundreds of cars that you can deeply customize with fully tunable vehicles and unique liveries. You can also race in virtual reality with a PlayStation VR2 headset. Read our review.
Sony’s InZone Buds for PC and PlayStation have dropped to a new low of around $168 ($32 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The gaming-centric wireless earbuds come with a USB-C dongle and deliver great sound, namely because they use the same drivers and offer the same noise cancellation capabilities as Sony’s WF-1000XM5 — our pick for the best wireless earbuds; they also offer robust customization via Sony’s InZone Hub software.

Sony sells a bundle consisting of its PSVR 2, controllers, and a physical copy of Horizon Call of the Mountain for the PS5.

A Seagate 1TB Expansion Card plugged into the back of an Xbox Series X console.

Proprietary SSD expansion for the Xbox Series X / S consoles. The plug-and-play drives are designed to be as fast as the Xbox internal SSD and are sold in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.

The 2TB WD_Black SN850P SSD is on sale with a PS5-ready heatsink for $159.99 ($100 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and SanDisk’s online store. While it misses the all-time low mark by $30, it’s still a good price for a package that makes it easy to add storage to your PS5. With traditional external SSDs and hard drives, you’d still need to transfer games to the PS5’s internal storage. You can also slot it into an available M.2 slot in your gaming PC.
Need some affordable but sizable storage for your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck? The SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSD card is just $35.99 (around $7 off) at Amazon. It’s been slightly cheaper before, but remains one of the most affordable ways to fit many more digital games onto a handheld.

Sony’s PlayStation Pulse Elite is an over-ear headset with a retractable boom mic. It’s designed to filter out background noise, deliver low latency and lossless audio, and work with the PlayStation Portal or the PlayStation 5, PC, and Mac via the PlayStation Link USB adapter.

The Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset supports active noise cancellation, swappable batteries, Bluetooth support, and compatibility with PC and most consoles — including Xbox and PlayStation. This model includes a base station that makes it easy to toggle crucial sound settings. Read our review.

The best location tracker deals

The Pebblebee Clip supports Apple’s Find My network but also has a 500-foot Bluetooth range, LEDs that flash to help you locate it, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 12 months on a single charge.

The latest Tile Pro is the company’s most capable Bluetooth tracker and has an even wider range than its predecessor at 500 feet along with a user-replaceable battery, unlike other Tiles. Like the 2024 Tile Mate, however, it’s platform-agnostic and can also send SOS alerts if you pay for the $14.99 monthly Life360 Gold subscription.

The 2024 Tile Mate is available for an all-time low from Amazon and Tile, where you can grab it starting at $19.98 ($5 off). The platform-agnostic Bluetooth tracker helps you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet wider than its predecessor’s range. It also now can send SOS alerts to your loved ones and even emergency services if you pay for the $14.99-a-month Life360 Gold subscription.
Eufy’s new SmartTrack Card E30 is on sale for $23.99 ($11 off) at Amazon and directly from Eufy (with promo code WS24T87B1). Unlike its predecessor, the Eufy Security SmartTrack Card, Eufy’s latest tracker is rechargeable and should last you up to a year before you need to charge it again. It also sports a slim design — which makes it ideal for a wallet — and compatibility with Apple’s vast Find My network.
If you’re really tight on cash, the last-gen Eufy Security SmartTrack Card is also on sale for $16.88 ($14 off) at Amazon, which is nearly its best price to date. Just bear in mind it doesn’t have a replaceable battery, though the one it does should last for up to three years.

Other miscellaneous deals

Lego’s 327-piece Plum Blossom set is a unique way to add faux flora to your home environment. The “plant” emanates from a blue-and-gold flowerpot that’s sitting on a depicted wooden stand when fully assembled.

The Ember Mug 2 is a temperature-controlled smart mug that keeps beverages hot. The accompanying iOS and Android apps allow you to dial in a specific temperature, from 120 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ChomChom is a reusable cat and dog hair remover that works great for furniture.

A hand holding up the white Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 against a green slide.

Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 12 is the best instant camera for most people. While it lacks more advanced features, the simple instant camera takes good-quality shots quickly and easily and offers a built-in selfie mode. It’s sold in a variety of fun colors that’ll especially appeal to kids and tweens.

A number of other Ember smart mugs are also on sale right now — including the 12-ounce Travel Mug 2 Plus, which you can buy from Ember for $149.96 ($50 off) through December 1st when you apply promo code BLACKFRIDAY24. Unlike the Mug 2, the Travel Mug 2 Plus supports Apple’s Find My network, so you can keep tabs on it using an iPhone or Mac. It also comes with onboard controls and LED status lights.
You can buy the Hatch Restore 2 directly from Hatch for an all-time low of $139.99 ($30 off) when you use promo code BFCM30 (you can also buy it for $5 more at Amazon and Best Buy). The TikTok-famous smart clock, which also functions as a sunrise lamp and sound machine, is one of our favorite sleep gadgets. It offers a simulated sunrise, peaceful alarms, guided meditation exercises, and a selection of white noise so you gently wake up and fall asleep more easily. Read our review.
The Te-Rich Weighted Jump Rope is on sale for an all-time low of $13.48 (about $4 off) at Amazon for Prime subscribers. The adjustable smart rope isn’t particularly fancy, but it does offer a built-in LCD display with a reliable jump counter and timer.

This walking pad can connect over Bluetooth with Mobvoi and other Android smartwatches.

Headspace offers hundreds of guided meditations that are destined to relieve stress, improve productivity, and help you exercise. Right now, you can subscribe to an annual plan for $34.99, which is a 50 percent discount.

The AeroPress has made a name among enthusiasts for its great brewing ability. Its simplistic hands-on operation can make your morning coffee rituals more fun and engaging than a traditional drip-style maker.

The Epomaker TH80 Pro is a well-equipped wireless mechanical keyboard. It’s customizable and feels good to type on while also being relatively affordable.

LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.

A close-up image of Mattel’s Xbox 360 replica on a white background.

Mattel’s Mega Xbox 360 Collector Building Set comes with more than 1,300 pieces you can use to assemble an interactive replica of the original Xbox 360, a controller, and a “copy” of Halo 3.

As part of its early Black Friday promo, Oaky is taking up to 25 percent off several desks, chargers, docks, and other wooden accessories. Right now, for instance, you can buy its attractive Laptop Stand for $120 ($30 off) or an 80 x 19-inch Floating Shelf for $195.50 ($35 off), both of which are available with either oak or walnut construction.
The EcoFlow Wave 2 is a heat pump that is uniquely powered by both a battery and solar power, and it’s currently available for $799 ($200 off) from both Ecoflow and Amazon (with a coupon). The highly portable device combines an air conditioner and heater, and while it struggles with more extreme climates, it does a particularly good job of cooling and heating small spaces in temperate ones. Read our review.
If you’re looking for a more “innovative” way to eat cereal, the CrunchCup is on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $17.56 (about $6 off). The absurd, two-cup contraption takes some getting used to, but once you get it down, it’s a handy way to consume breakfast on the go. Just pick your cereal wisely — not everything Kellogg’s makes is spout-friendly.

Breville’s Barista Express certainly isn’t the cheapest option out there, but it’s elegant, straightforward, and relatively easy to maintain.

A chomping plant built out of lego bricks, complete with green warp pipe underneath

Lego’s 540-piece Piranha Plant set remains one of the more affordable Lego Mario kits you can buy. It’s got a massive mouth, posable leaves, and comes with two coins inspired by the classic franchise.

The Victrola Stream Onyx may be a cheaper alternative to the higher-end Stream Carbon, but it still features a metal platter and the ability to stream records straight to a Sonos system.

Azul, a four-player puzzle game that challenges you to tile mosaics in a palace, is down to $19.99 (50 percent off) at Amazon and Target, which isn’t far off from the all-time low. It’s easy to learn and suitable for ages eight and older, but it has just the right amount of depth and competitiveness to keep family and friends coming back for more.
Ticket to Ride is another classic board game down that’s starting at $24.99 (about $30 off) at Amazon and Target. That’s one of the better prices lately on a cutthroat card game, which challenges you to build the longest locomotive route across classic America before your other tycoon opponents.
Love Letter, a tabletop card game that’s a mainstay in our gift guides, is on sale for just $9.99 ($5 off) at Amazon, nearly matching its lowest price to date. This game is the perfect ice breaker at parties, as it’s simple to pick up and play and it gets people casually competing with a fun card-counting mechanic.

A strategy card game in which players compete to build Renaissance Europe’s most lucrative and prestigious jewelry business.

In the iconic board game classic Catan, players strategically compete and trade for resources.

Travel adaptor on power strip connected to phones and laptop.

Epicka’s universal travel adapter is an all-in-one adapter that includes four different plugs that cover over 150 countries.

DJI’s last-gen Mini 3 remains a great drone for beginners. The lightweight quadcopter offers a 4K sensor, excellent image stabilization, and 38 minutes of flight time on a standard battery. It’s also light enough that it doesn’t require a permit — a boon for first-time flyers.

Wildfire season might be behind us (for now), but you can still pick up the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty from Amazon and Coway for around $141 ($99 off), which matches its second-best price to date. The compact HEPA air purifier features a four-stage filtration system, and though we don’t do a ton of dedicated air purifier testing here at The Verge, we can personally attest to the effectiveness of this midrange model for smaller rooms.

Allison Johnson, Antonio G. Di Benedetto, Victoria Song, and Jennifer Pattison Tuohy also contributed to this post.

Update, November 29th: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability.

Technology

6 sneaky gift card scams to watch out for this holiday season

Published

10 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

6 sneaky gift card scams to watch out for this holiday season

With the holiday season just around the corner, many of us are gearing up to spread some cheer with gift cards.

However, it’s important to remember that these convenient gifts are also a favorite target for scammers. We’re going to break down six sneaky gift card tricks that could leave you out of pocket during this time of year.

Don’t worry, though. We’ve got your back with solid tips on how to outsmart these scammers and keep your hard-earned cash safe.

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Image of a holiday gift card (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. Display rack gift card trick

One of the latest gift card tricks involves tampering with the gift cards on the display racks at retail stores. Scammers will record the activation code on the card or place a custom barcode sticker over the real barcode, which allows them to secretly load the cash onto their own card immediately after you purchase the gift card. This means that when you or your recipient try to use the gift card, it will be empty or invalid.

How to avoid this scam

Check the packaging of the gift card before buying it. Look for signs of tampering, such as the wrapping being torn or resealed or stickers placed over the barcode or card number. Also, choose a card from the back of the rack, as scammers often place their fraudulent cards at the front of the display.

Fake scratch-off label on top of already scratched-off gift card label (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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2. Impersonation gift card trick

Another common gift card trick scammers use involves impersonating someone you know or trust, such as a family member, a romantic interest, a company or the government. Scammers will contact you by phone, text, email or social media and create a fake story or emergency that requires you to send them money urgently.

They will ask you to buy a gift card or multiple gift cards and then send them a photo of the card or the numbers on the back of the card. Once they have the gift card information, they will disappear with your money and cut off contact.

How to avoid this scam

Never send money or gift cards to anyone you don’t know personally or haven’t met in person. If someone claims to be someone you know or trust, verify their identity by contacting them directly through a different channel.

Don’t trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof phone numbers. Don’t be pressured by threats or promises, as scammers use emotional manipulation to get you to act quickly and without thinking. And remember, no legitimate company or government agency will ever ask you to pay them with a gift card.

A person holding a gift card (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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3. Resale gift card trick

Another gift card trick involves buying or selling gift cards on online platforms, such as websites, apps or social media groups. Scammers will offer to sell you gift cards at a discounted price or buy your unwanted gift cards for cash.

However, they will either send you a fake or empty gift card or take your gift card information and money without sending you anything in return. They may also use stolen credit cards or hacked accounts to buy or sell gift cards, which can put you at risk of fraud or identity theft.

How to avoid this scam

Only buy or sell gift cards from reputable sources, such as official retailers, authorized resellers or trusted friends and family. Avoid buying or selling gift cards from strangers online, especially if they offer a deal that sounds too good to be true.

Don’t share your gift card information or personal details with anyone you don’t know or trust. And use a secure payment method that offers protection, such as a credit card or PayPal, instead of a gift card, wire transfer or cash.

A person giving a gift card as a present (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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4. Phishing gift card trick

A very popular gift card trick this holiday season involves phishing, which is a type of online fraud that tries to trick you into revealing your personal or financial information. Scammers will send you an email, text or pop-up message that looks like it comes from a legitimate company, such as a retailer, bank or tech support service.

They will claim that there is a problem with your account, your order, your device or your security and that you need to verify your identity, update your information or fix an issue. They will then ask you to click on a link, open an attachment or call a number and then request that you pay them with a gift card or provide them with your gift card information.

How to avoid this scam

Never click on links, open attachments or call numbers from unsolicited messages, as they may lead to fake or malicious websites or software. Don’t provide any personal or financial information, such as your passwords, PINs, account numbers or gift card numbers, to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Don’t trust messages that create a sense of urgency, pressure or fear, as they are designed to make you act without thinking. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a message, contact the company directly using a verified website, phone number or email address.

Using antivirus protection will help to protect you against scammers and hackers who try to steal your money and personal information using gift card tricks, especially through phishing. The best way to protect yourself from clicking on any malicious links, fake websites, phishing emails and text messages is to have strong antivirus protection installed and actively running on all your devices. It’s the best to help stop and alert you of any malware in your system and ultimately protect you from being hacked.

Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

A person purchasing a gift card online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5. Loyalty program gift card trick

This gift card trick involves loyalty programs, which are rewards programs that offer you points, discounts or freebies for being a loyal customer. Scammers will pretend to be representatives of a loyalty program that you are a member of or that you are eligible to join.

They will tell you that you have won a prize, sweepstakes or a promotion and that you need to pay a fee, a tax or a shipping cost to claim it. They will then ask you to pay them with a gift card or provide them with your gift card information.

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How to avoid this scam

Be wary of any unsolicited offers or notifications that claim that you have won something, especially if you don’t remember entering or signing up for anything. Don’t pay any money or fees to receive a prize, as legitimate loyalty programs will never ask you to do that. Don’t provide any personal or financial information, such as your passwords, account numbers or gift card numbers, to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Don’t trust messages that create a sense of excitement, curiosity or greed, as they are designed to make you act impulsively. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a message, contact the loyalty program directly using a verified website, phone number or email address.

A person purchasing a gift card online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

6. Fake balance checker scam

In this scam, fraudsters set up fake websites or phone services that claim to check the balance of your gift cards. Victims are lured into providing their gift card numbers and PINs under the guise of verifying their balance. Once the information is entered, scammers can drain the funds from the card almost immediately.

How to avoid this scam

To avoid this scam, always use official websites or apps from reputable retailers to check your gift card balance. Be wary of unsolicited calls or messages asking for your gift card information, especially if they claim to be from a legitimate company. It is important never to enter your gift card details on unfamiliar websites.

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How to safely give and receive gift cards

Buy gift cards online instead of physical cards directly from the store, not from third parties. You can also use these favorite sites and apps that will reward you with a percentage back on all gift card purchases.
Avoid gift card racks at retail stores like the grocery store. If you still want to buy one at the store, dig back into the pile without taking the first ones off the rack. Inspect them like a detective before you buy them to make sure they are unaltered.
Register the gift card directly with the retailer if offered, which also helps track the card balance.
Never engage in any gift card transactions from callers making unusual claims. It is likely a scam.
Avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites like eBay.
Never provide personal financial information beyond a method of payment to anyone offering gift cards in-store or online.
Use strong antivirus protection. Strong antivirus software is a must-have to protect against scammers and hackers who try to steal your money and personal information using gift card tricks, especially through phishing. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

I’ve been scammed! What to do next?

Below are some next steps if you find you or your loved one is a victim of identity theft as a result of a gift card trick by scammers or hackers.

1. If you can regain control of your accounts, change your passwords and inform the account provider.

2. Look through bank statements and checking account transactions to see where outlier activity started.

3. Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. Some of the best parts of using an identity theft protection service include identity theft insurance to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

4. Report any breaches to official government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the gift card company.

5. Get the professional advice of a lawyer before speaking to law enforcement, especially when you are dealing with criminal identity theft and if being a victim of criminal identity theft leaves you unable to secure employment or housing.

6. Alert all three major credit bureaus and possibly place a fraud alert on your credit report.

7. Run your own background check or request a copy of one if that is how you discovered your information has been used by a criminal.

If you are a victim of identity theft because of a gift card scam, the most important thing to do is to take immediate action to mitigate the damage and prevent further harm.

Kurt’s key takeaways

As we head into the holiday season, it’s important to keep an eye out for these six gift card scams we’ve talked about. If something feels off or sounds too good to be true, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to ask questions or walk away. Gift cards are meant to bring joy, not stress, so keep these tips in mind as you shop and share this season.

Have you ever fallen victim to a gift card scam? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.