Brandon Widder | The Verge

Sony is offering up to 50 percent off some of our favorite PS5 games

2026-05-27T12:41:48-04:00

Even without E3, the transition from spring to summer is a busy time for the gaming industry. Summer Game Fest is right around the corner, and Sony is kicking things off with a State of Play on June 2nd with an extended look at Insomniac’s upcoming Wolverine game. To mark the occasion, Sony is also hosting another Days of Play sale, giving you a chance to save on headsets, games, DualSense controllers, earbuds, and other first-party hardware / licensed products through June 10th.

Needless to say, there’s a lot on offer, with Sony’s first-party exclusives being some of the most notable. Right now, for instance, you can pick up the open-world samurai epic that is Ghost of Yōtei at Amazon, Best Buy, and Sony’s PlayStation Direct storefront for an all-time low of $49.99 ($20 off). The Last of Us Part II Remastered ($29.99) and Astro Bot ($39.99) are also discounted for a limited time, the latter of which remains one of the best platforming titles of the last decade.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks from the ongoing promotion, all of which are on sale for more than 25 percent off.

Ghost of Yōtei

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The Last of Us Part II Remastered

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Horizon Forbidden West

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Astro Bot

Where to Buy:

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Where to Buy:

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Where to Buy:

Demon’s Souls

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Helldivers 2

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More deals and discounts

As part of its Summer Kickoff Sale, Our Place’s 31.7-quart Wonder Oven is now available from both Amazon and Our Place in select colors starting at $175 ($70 off), an all-time low. The compact 6-in-1 countertop appliance is a little pricey for what it offers; however, it’s incredibly easy to use and showcases a lovely, muted aesthetic that’s likely going to be far more attractive in your kitchen than anything from Cuisinart (sorry, not sorry). Truth be told, I’ve probably used it more than any other wedding gift I received last year.
I’ve been super eager to follow up with John Martson ever since Rockstar announced that Red Dead Redemption was making its way to current-gen titles — including the Nintendo Switch 2. And now, thanks to a discount at Amazon and Walmart, you can pick up a physical copy of the open-world Western for the OG Switch for $24.99 ($5 off), which is the best price we’ve seen. Afterward, you can upgrade to the overhauled Switch 2 version free of charge.
Govee’s massive Lightwall is receiving its first discount at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $399.99 ($50 off) for a limited time. The nifty water-resistant display measures 7.9 feet wide and 5.3 feet tall, with 1,536 color-changing LEDs that are spaced about 2 inches apart in a grid. The LEDs themselves can create one of 200 preset scenes or simple animations, or, if you prefer, you can choose from 10 different music modes in Govee’s Home app, all of which are designed to sync with your music. Hell, you can even sketch your own image or use simple text prompts to create custom GIFs, which you can throw on the self-standing display within seconds.

Govee’s colorful, JBL-tuned Lamp Pro 2 is matching its best price to date

2026-05-22T11:55:59-04:00

They say that Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. I have my doubts given the less-than-balmy weather in many parts of the US this weekend, though that doesn’t mean it’s not an appropriate time to pick up some summer essentials — including a portable speaker / smart lamp like Govee’s Table Lamp 2 Pro. Right now, it’s matching its all-time low of $134.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Govee’s online storefront ahead of the holiday on May 25th.

Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro X Sound by JBL

Where to Buy:

Govee currently has several color-changing table lamps in its stable, with the Lamp 2 Pro being the most capable of the bunch. It essentially combines a color-changing smart lamp with a capable JBL Bluetooth speaker, resulting in a device that can blanket your home with glitzy RGB lighting effects while playing your favorite T-Swift or Bad Bunny cuts (or whatever the kids are into these days). It’s not waterproof, sadly, but it is relatively portable at just 5 pounds; it also features a 5,200mAh battery, which delivers around 4.5 hours of runtime per charge.

For its 360-degree lighting array, the Lamp 2 Pro uses 210 LED beads, each individually controllable and capable of displaying both color and up to 600 lumens of tunable white light. There are a staggering 100 presents to choose from — all of which are strikingly vivid, 16 of which sync with music — and you can quickly swap between them using the Govee app over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home). The Matter-equipped lamp also offers a slew of ambient sounds, from chirping birds and waves to a crackling fireplace, just in case you’d rather wind down than rave at the end of the night.

As for the integrated JBL speaker, it’s good enough. It produces clear highs and decent mids, making it well-suited for listening to the radio or your favorite podcast. The bass response is pretty limited, though it does get loud enough to use for your next backyard shindig.

Read our full Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro review.

More Verge summer favorites

Owala’s FreeSip Sway, a frequent recommendation in our gift guides and my personal water bottle, is on sale at Amazon and Target in several vibrant hues for $27.99 ($7 off), matching its lowest price to date. Personally, I consider the 30-ounce drinking vessel to be the best of both worlds, as it features a built-in straw and a wide-mouth spout for when you prefer a swig. It’s also tapered just enough at the bottom that it fits in your standard cupholder, which was my biggest gripe with prior models.
By most accounts, wildfire season in the American West is not looking good. However, if you are in a smoke-prone area or you’re simply not a fan of pollen, Coway’s Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH is available from Amazon, Walmart, and Coway for $159.99 ($80 off). That’s not the best price we’ve seen in recent months — it dropped to $154 toward the end of April — but it’s still a great price for an efficient air purifier with a relatively compact design and a three-stage filtration system, including a true HEPA filter.
The Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repellent is down to $38.49 (about $17 off) at Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve seen this year. The device’s 20-foot protection zone is probably one of the best solutions I’ve found for keeping unwanted bugs at bay, though I wish it came with more than one 12-hour cartridge and a charging dock like the E65 (also on sale at Amazon for $39.99). Still, you do get about nine hours of use per charge once topped off via a USB cable, which is plenty for surviving most summer evenings.

The noise-canceling Nothing Headphone A are down to their lowest price to date

2026-05-19T13:34:24-04:00

In the crowded world of noise-canceling headphones, Nothing has made a name for itself with solid specs and a distinctive aesthetic, often relying on a retro-transparent design or bold color choices, especially in its budget-friendly CMF line. The Headphone A take a somewhat more conventional approach, but they’re strikingly similar to last year’s Headphone 1. And now, they’re available at Amazon and Nothing’s online storefront for $169 ($30 off), which is a new low price.

Nothing Headphone A

Where to Buy:

In essence, Nothing’s second pair of over-ear headphones retain the best parts of the Headphone 1, only at a significantly lower price point. The earpieces sport a similar rectangular shape with oval enclosures; however, they use opaque colors rather than see-through housing, giving them a more subdued look. The headband and memory foam cups were comfortable enough in our testing, too, while a set of physical controls let you manage playback, volume, noise cancellation, and other facets without fiddling with capacitive buttons. They even carry an IP52 rating — meaning they can handle sweat and light rain — and support wired listening via their USB-C and 3.5mm ports.

As for the sound quality, it can be somewhat middling out of the box. Fortunately, the default presets are relatively easy to address with the EQ in the Nothing X app for Android and iOS, which offers some serious customization for a pair of sub-$200 headphones. The active noise cancellation, while not on par with more expensive sets from Sony and Bose, is also good for the price, allowing you to effortlessly tune out the lower frequencies of the outside world using one of three levels (there’s also a handy adaptive option). Just don’t expect the noise cancellation on the microphone end to be as effective for calls.

Read our full Headphone A review.

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More ways to save today

The Sonos Move 2 is on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $399 ($100 off) as part of a larger Memorial Day promo, which is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen. The second-gen speaker isn’t as portable or water-resistant as the new Sonos Play, but it does offer punchier, fuller sound if you don’t mind the extra weight. It also works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and comes with a charging base that lets you top it off whenever you’re at home. Read our review.
Amazon’s best streaming stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, is available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $39.99 ($20 off), matching its second-best price to date. The 4K streamer supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, packs 16GB of storage, and supports Wi-Fi 6E. More importantly, however, it now supports Amazon’s redesigned Fire TV OS, which is far more organized, better-looking, and easier to navigate than prior versions.
If you’re in the market for a fancy mechanical keyboard, Keychron’s ZMK-based Q6 Ultra is on sale for $36 off, dropping it to an all-time low of $203.99 at Amazon and Best Buy. The hot-swappable wireless board features an aluminum case and the company’s new Silk POM switches, as well as a double-gasket design for a softer typing feel. Plus, because it’s a full-size board and not a 75-percent layout like the Q1 Ultra, you actually get a legit numpad.

BioLite’s stakeable solar lights are down to a new low price for Memorial Day

2026-05-15T12:16:00-04:00

The Memorial Day deals have arrived — err, at least some of them. BioLite, purveyors of all things solar, has kicked off a larger holiday promo ahead of May 26th, resulting in reduced pricing on smokeless fire pits, headlamps, and solar-powered stoves, just in time for summer. The company’s Site Lights are also on sale at Amazon, REI, and direct from BioLite for $74.89 ($25 off) through May 26th, which is the best price we’ve seen on the excellent solar-powered lighting system.

BioLite Site Lights

Where to Buy:

While still somewhat expensive for a six-bulb set, I’ve found the Site Lights to be worth it given their sheer convenience and versatility. Each IPX4-rated bulb can illuminate your campsite for up to 20 hours on the lowest brightness setting — or six hours on the highest — letting you light a path back to your tent or blanket a 1,000-square-foot area with ambient mood lighting. What’s more, the hangeable lights can easily slot onto the six included ABS stakes, which also double as tent pegs when necessary. It’s a nifty trick, though I do wish the attachment mechanism for mounting the lights was slightly more secure.

The mounting options are only part of the equation, though. The Site Lights come with a solar-powered charging case that functions similarly to a set of wireless earbuds. The clamshell charger provides enough juice to charge each shatterproof bulb at least twice on a full battery, and when they’re diminished, you just plop them in like you would a set of AirPods. Zepath’s rechargeable AA batteries use a similar charging technique, which, as we’ve mentioned before, is super useful because it means you don’t have to plug in each cell individually. I just wish I lived in a state where sunshine was easier to come by.

More ways to save today

Just in time for summer shenanigans, Insta360’s X5 is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for around $464.95 ($85 off), matching its best price to date. The company’s latest 360-degree action cam is a notable step in pretty much every way over the prior model, with the ability to capture 4K footage at up to 120fps, 8K video at up to 30fps, or 5.7K at 60fps. It also features larger 1/1.28-inch sensors, better low-light performance, and user-replaceable lenses (with a $29.99 kit), though keep in mind that it’s not compatible with batteries from prior models. Read our review.
Anker’s lightweight 747 GaN charger is available on Amazon for $59.99 ($50 off), which is the first notable discount we’ve seen in over a year. The foldable, 150W wall adapter remains a great option for charging a laptop and any larger electronics you have lying around, especially since it features three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, letting you juice a variety of gadgets simultaneously.
If you’re going to spring for an Atari 2600 Plus, you might as well go all in on the Pac-Man Edition, which is on sale at Amazon for an all-time low of $93.81 (about $76 off). It’s still a fully functional, 80 percent scale version of Atari’s classic console that supports both 2600 and 7800 game cartridges, except that the Pac-Man-inspired model features a set of illuminated character icons on the front and a snazzy yellow paint job. It also comes with a couple of Pac-Man titles, including the first home version of the game.

Garmin’s mini satellite communicators are on sale for up to 40 percent off

2026-05-13T11:09:20-04:00

REI’s annual Anniversary Sale doesn’t start until March 15th, but that hasn’t stopped Garmin from rolling out discounts on a range of devices — including its InReach Mini satellite communicators. Right now, for instance, you can grab the Mini 2 at Amazon, REI, and Garmin for $249.99 ($150 off) or the Mini 3 for $399.99 ($50 off) through the same retailers (Amazon, REI, and Garmin). That’s the lowest price we’ve seen on the newer InReach model, which launched in late December.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Where to Buy:

Garmin InReach Mini 3

Where to Buy:

As someone who has used both the Mini 2 and Mini 3 in the backcountry, I’m a big fan of dedicated satellite communicators over smartphones, even those with support for satellite SOS and messaging. Both the Mini 2 and Mini 3 are far more rugged than your average phone, for one thing, and each device offers multi-day battery life, which certainly isn’t the case with iPhone 17-series phones and Google’s newer Pixel phones. They also operate in higher temperatures and allow you to pull the weather report, which is a massive plus when you’re off the grid and exposed to ever-changing weather patterns.

The core functionality of the Mini 2 and Mini 3 is largely the same, however. The two palm-sized satellite communicators leverage the Iridium satellite network for coverage, allowing you to send text messages, share your location, and even trigger SOS alerts in the event of an emergency. The big differences between the last-gen model and the Mini 3 are that the latter features a color touchscreen interface, which makes it far easier to navigate menus and type messages (the Mini 3 Plus also adds support for photos and voice messages).

Keep in mind that whichever model you choose, you’ll need to sign up for one of Garmin’s InReach Consumer Plans, which start at $7.99 a month for the most basic plan. Each tier requires a $39.99 activation fee and includes a set number of messages per month; however, if you run out, you’ll have to pay an additional fee per message (live tracking always costs extra). Personally, I’ve never found the messaging limits to be that restrictive — my aim in the backcountry is to avoid copious amounts of human contact — but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning a longer trek in the woods or need more constant communication with someone back home.

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More ways to save today

It’s never been our No. 1 pick, but if you’re looking for a wireless outdoor camera, Blink’s Outdoor 4 Floodlight Camera is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $54.99 ($45 off), which is just $5 shy of its best price to date. The battery-powered, 700-lumen cam offers up to two years of battery life, Alexa support, and two-way audio, though, like most budget 1080p cameras, you’ll have to shell out for a premium subscription to leverage its more advanced features.
Lego’s 2,660-piece replica of Hogwarts Castle is down to $136.99 ($33 off) at Amazon and Target, nearly matching its all-time low. Is it as cool as Lego’s recently announced, LOTR-inspired Minas Tirith set? Probably not, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan obsessed with all things witchcraft and wizardry, the small scale model is a neat way to tide you over until the new HBO series kicks off on December 25th. It’s also, like, significantly cheaper.
One of our favorite pieces of beauty tech, L’Oréal’s Colorsonic Hair Color Device, is available from Amazon and Target for $87.49 (about $28 off), one of its lowest prices to date. The clever gadget is designed to make at-home hair dyeing less of a hassle, and while we have some gripes about its ability to cover grays and how long the cartridges last, it’s relatively straightforward to use and far quicker than box dye or a trip to your local salon. Read our review.

These great digital gifts will arrive just in time for Mother’s Day

2026-05-10T21:21:14-04:00

And just like that, Mother’s Day is tomorrow, May 10th, which is too soon for most online purchases to arrive in time. That said, you aren’t alone if you waited too long to pick up a gift this year, and you definitely aren’t alone in feeling guilty for considering digital gifts instead of something your mom can unwrap. But here’s the thing: digital gifts can still unlock memorable experiences, be it movies, games, or music. They can also let your mom choose exactly what she wants, making them both convenient and versatile.

Below, we’ve curated a list of some of the best digital goodies that folks at The Verge have used or gifted. The list is curated by interests, too, so you can find the perfect present whether your mom is into the arts, exercise, or something else entirely. That way, you’ll at least be able to gift something more thoughtful than an Amazon or Walmart gift card — even if those are still totally viable options in our book.

Gifts for film and TV buffs

Whether your mom is a movie buff or an avid sports fan, there are a number of subscriptions that’ll grant her access to a wide range of content. Below are some of the most popular, as well as a few catered toward anime diehards, horror lovers, and those looking for something more niche.

Disney Plus gift card

You can buy Disney Plus gift cards in increments of $25 up to $500. They’re usable toward Disney Plus subscriptions and bundles that include access to Disney Plus and Hulu, which start at $12.99 a month. That way, the family can stream everything from Andor and Paradise to The Bear and Percy Jackson.

Where to Buy:

$25 at Disney Store

A gift card to a major streaming service like Netflix (Amazon , Best Buy, Walmart), Peacock (Peacock), or Paramount Plus (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart) is a good gift that’ll cater to all kinds of passions. With a Netflix account, your mom can binge Stranger Things and Bridgerton, while Peacock provides access to shows like The Paper, Parks and Recreation, and Downton Abbey. A Paramount Plus subscription, meanwhile, lets her dive into Survivor 50, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and the entire Taylor Sheridan universe — including newer series like Landman and The Madison.
A Criterion Channel gift card grants access to more than a thousand classic and contemporary Hollywood, international, arthouse, and independent films. It also features programming that spotlights directors, stars, genres, and themes, including a “15-minute-a-month film school.”
For the anime lovers in your life, a Crunchyroll gift card provides access to hundreds of anime shows and films shortly after they air in Japan, including Jujutsu Kaisen, Blue Lock, and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. They can even use the gift to purchase Crunchyroll’s extensive collection of anime figures, vinyl records, and clothes.

Gifts for the gamers

If you’re not sure which type of games your mom prefers, you can gift her an Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo subscription. Not only will these memberships grant them access to free digital games, but they also include perks such as online multiplayer and cloud saves, among other incentives.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (three-month subscription)

Giving the gift of Game Pass unlocks hundreds of great games to play, whether your recipient is a console or PC gamer. If you’re gaming on an Xbox, it also allows for online multiplayer.

Where to Buy:

If your mom owns a PlayStation 5, a PlayStation Plus membership grants them access to free titles and discounts every month, lets her play games online, and allows her to access cloud-based backups. PlayStation Plus memberships start at $9.99 a month, and you can subscribe directly via PlayStation or buy a subscription with a PlayStation Plus gift card, which is available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target in denominations starting at $10 and going up to $250.
Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 lovers, meanwhile, might enjoy an annual subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, which starts at $19.99 a year (Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop). The membership lets your mom play more than 150 retro games released during the NES, SNES, and original Game Boy eras. She can also play online with friends, access cloud saves for games, and listen to her favorite Nintendo tunes via the Nintendo Music mobile app.
If you’re willing to fork out extra money, you can also buy an annual Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. In addition to offering all the same benefits as the Switch Online membership, it also grants access to Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and Nintendo 64 games, as well as DLC content for select titles. One of the latest additions is that the Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are included as free downloads for members. Individual annual plans cost $49.99 (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart), while a family plan — which allows for up to eight accounts — is available via gift card at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy for $79.98.
Alternatively, you could buy a gift card to a store like GameStop (GameStop), which is helpful if you don’t know which console your mom prefers, or if you want to give her the option of buying accessories and games.

Gifts for the adventurers and globe-trotters

Is your mom in dire need of a screen break? Fortunately, the internet is filled with travel-oriented gifts, ranging from the obvious — like airline gift cards — to national park passes.

America the Beautiful National Park Pass

The America the Beautiful pass grants entry to all 63 national parks, from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite, along with over 2,000 recreation sites across the country.

Where to Buy:

$80 at US Park Pass

A GetYourGuide gift card provides an easy way to take advantage of guided tours and fun tourist attractions at various destinations around the world, allowing your mom to swim with sharks in Cape Verde or explore volcanoes like Italy’s Mount Etna (when it’s not erupting).
For aspiring polyglots, a Rosetta Stone membership makes it easy to learn French, Arabic, Japanese, and other languages from the comfort of home. In addition to lessons, memberships come with helpful extras, including speech recognition tech to get the accent just right.
Finally, a gift card to a rideshare service like Lyft (Amazon, Best Buy, Target) or Uber (Amazon, Best Buy, Target) — the latter of which is also good toward Uber Eats — will come in handy if she ever needs a ride to the airport and you’re (gasp!) unavailable to take her.

Gifts for health and wellness fans

For health and wellness enthusiasts, many services offer a wealth of streamable fitness classes to help them get fit at home. Other gifts can help your giftee practice self-care and lighten their load with meditation or massage. Below, we’ve listed out a range of options that’ll help your mom take care of both her body and mind.

Peloton gift card

Peloton’s monthly subscription offers thousands of streamable fitness classes revolving around a variety of different workouts, ranging from strength training to stretching. It’s a service that’s available to everybody, so you don’t need to own a Peloton device to use it.

Where to Buy:

$12.99 at Peloton (App One)

A gift card for Headspace, a popular mindfulness app, offers members access to hundreds of expert-taught meditations, each designed to help her relax, sleep better, and improve her mental health. A gift subscription will run you $38.99 for three months, or you can save by getting 12 months for $68.99.
If your mom prefers in-person classes to virtual ones, a gift card toward a ClassPass subscription will let her try thousands of gyms and fitness studios in her local area, not to mention nearby salons and spas.
If your mom is too busy to prepare healthy meals every day, a gift card to Blue Apron, HelloFresh, or any meal prep service that offers a healthy selection of meal kits will be very welcome.

Gifts for foodies

Whether mom is a diehard foodie, a wine connoisseur, or a caffeine addict, the internet is filled with subscriptions and gift cards for all types. Below are just a few of our favorites.

Eater Wine Club

With a subscription to Eater’s Wine Club, your giftee will automatically receive either two, four, or six bottles of wine carefully chosen by an Eater expert every month. Past boxes have showcased wines from all over the world.

Where to Buy:

A Sur La Table gift card (Sur La Table, Kroger, Staples) is a great gift for the beloved chef in your life. Your mom can use it to buy whatever she needs for the kitchen, as well as to take online cooking classes in which live instructors help students make everything from chicken piccata to tiramisu. Classes start at $39 per household and last 90 to 120 minutes.
If your mom has a sweet tooth, Goldbelly’s monthly ice cream subscription allows her to enjoy up to six pints of ice cream or 24 ice cream sandwiches a month, all of which are sourced from small creameries all over the country. It’s a pricey subscription, however, with a three-month plan going for an eye-watering $298.95. You can explore other subscription types, too, from BBQ to New York City staples, or get a gift card so your mom can order whatever she’d like.
Counter Culture roasts delicious bags of coffee sourced from all around the globe. If you’re lucky enough to find them in local stores, well, lucky you! For coffee lovers looking to try their next great bag of beans, grab a gift card that can pay for a one-off order, or enroll in the company’s subscription service that sends coffee to you as frequently as you’d like.
Sometimes, it’s better to leave the cooking to somebody else. If your mom is a foodie, a gift card to a food delivery service like DoorDash (Amazon, Best Buy, Target) lets her nab some crab rangoons from her favorite Chinese restaurant without leaving home.

Gifts for music lovers

Whether your mom is a musician or just loves to unwind with music, there are plenty of digital gifts catered toward her interests. We all know about Spotify gift cards (Best Buy), but there are also other streaming services that you can gift as a subscription, some of which we’ve highlighted below.

Apple Music

Apple Music is a great gift for casual listeners, offering more than 100 million ad-free songs alongside support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. There’s no designated gift card for Apple Music, so you’ll have to buy a regular Apple gift card, but that’s not a bad thing, as it means they can also use the card to buy the latest set of AirPods.

Where to Buy:

If you think that your mom might want to learn how to play the guitar, a Fender Play subscription can help them do so thanks to a continuously updated catalog of hundreds of instructor-led video lessons. You can gift them six months for $49.99 or 12 months for $149.99.
Lastly, a Ticketmaster or StubHub (Amazon, Best Buy, Staples) gift card is a present that lets your mom buy a ticket to see her favorite musicians perform live.

Gifts for the bookworms

Obviously, you could just gift a bibliophile a book, and they’d probably be happy. But what if you want to give them more than one option? In that case, a gift card to her favorite bookstore or a subscription to something like Kindle Unlimited — which grants members access to millions of ebooks and select audiobooks — is a good idea. That said, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite alternatives below.

Audible Premium Plus (one-month subscription)

An Audible Premium Plus subscription grants instant access to thousands of audiobooks and podcasts, as well as one premium audiobook a month.

Where to Buy:

$15 at Amazon

For fans of Marvel and DC comics, as well as manga like Fairy Tale, a Comixology Unlimited subscription is perfect. For $5.99 a month, your mom will be able to enjoy over 45,000 comics and graphic novels, not to mention more than 2,400 manga titles from her phone or tablet. Subscribers also get discounts on select digital books.
You can also gift your mom a Book of the Month membership, which currently starts at $59.99 for a three-book plan. The company curates a small selection of five to seven bestsellers and classics for members every month, making it easy to choose something to read quickly.
If your mom prefers to pick up books from a brick-and-mortar bookstore, a gift card to Barnes & Noble (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Best Buy) might be a good idea. For those who want to support local bookstores, there’s also a gift card for Bookshop.org.
For those who prefer traditional newspapers and magazines, you can gift a subscription to The New York Times or The Washington Post, or publications catered to specific interests, like Cosmopolitan and National Geographic.

Gifts for the creatives

Movie buffs and bibliophiles are easy to shop for, but what do you get the creative mom? It’s actually not that hard — just buy her something to help her create, whether that’s an online course or access to a new tool. Below are a few subscriptions and gift cards that creators will love, all of which you can buy at the last minute.

Skillshare subscription

A subscription to Skillshare grants subscribers access to over 34,000 online classes related to graphic design, painting, photography, film, music, coding, and more.

Where to Buy:

A MasterClass membership — which normally starts at $10 a month but is currently 50 percent off for all tiers — provides access to classes taught by world leaders and other subject matter experts, including screenwriters, musicians, and business experts. Going for a Masterclass Plus or Premium subscription allows concurrent viewing on two or six devices, respectively, and also unlocks offline viewing.
An Adobe Creative Cloud subscription ($69.99 a month) is a great gift for aspiring and experienced creative professionals alike, one that provides access to popular tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and InDesign. Adobe doesn’t support gifting subscriptions, so you’ll need to create a new account or log in to an existing account your mom may have. You can also purchase digitally redeemable Creative Cloud subscription codes from partner retailers like Best Buy, which is currently selling a 12-month plan for $406.99 (about $373 off) right now.
If you think your mom might be interested in coding, a subscription to the coding educational platform Codecademy ($29.99 a month) can help her build her portfolio with online courses, a community, fun events, cheat sheets, and other resources. There’s even a $39.99-a-month plan for those looking to change career paths, which offers all the above, plus technical interview help.
For giftees into arts and crafts, a Craftsy membership (normally $123 a year) grants access to more than 2,000 live and on-demand classes led by experts covering everything from baking and cake decorating to woodworking and painting. Members also get to connect with other crafters in the Craftsy community and attend live events.

Gift cards for pretty much anyone

Amazon gift card

Amazon gift cards start at $25 and can be used toward purchases across a variety of departments. They’re also good for various Amazon services, including Amazon Prime Video, Audible, and Amazon Music Unlimited.

Where to Buy:

Sometimes the best gift card is one that’ll give your mom a ton of options, especially if you’re having a hard time figuring out what she wants. Gift cards from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target are perfect in these situations, namely because they’ll let your mom choose whatever she likes from a wide range of departments.

Govee’s new solar-powered string lights are on sale for 20 percent off

2026-05-08T12:57:44-04:00

I’m not sure if we’ve mentioned this yet, but Govee has been on a tear lately, having recently announced everything from rechargeable table lamps to multicolor, Matter-compatible ceiling lights that can display custom images with retro, pixelated flair. In April, the company also unveiled a 34-foot set of Outdoor Solar String Lights, which are now on sale at Amazon for $79.99 ($20 off) thanks to an on-page coupon.

Govee Outdoor Solar String Lights

Where to Buy:

Although you can charge Govee’s first set of solar-powered string lights via USB-C, they can last up to 13 hours using the included 6W panel and its integrated 4,800mAh battery, which requires a single day of sunlight to fully charge. Each of the eight all-weather, IP67-rated LED bulbs has a maximum brightness of 50 lumens, though, unsurprisingly, Govee’s runtime estimates assume you limit the brightness to just 10 lumens. The higher the intensity, the shorter the battery life.

Like most of Govee’s color-changing smart bulbs, the company’s Solar String Lights can produce warm white light or one of 16 million different hues, which you can set using Govee’s accompanying mobile app for Android and iOS. There, you’ll also be able to choose from 100 preset scenes, schedule the lights and their brightness intensity, or even set them to dynamically react to whatever music is playing in the background. I’ve always found the latter feature to be somewhat gimmicky party trick, but hey, to each their own, right?

More ways to save today

Amazon Pet Days doesn’t kick off until May 11th; however, you can already save on the Petcube Fountain at Amazon, where you can grab it with a stainless steel basin starting at $59.99 ($10 off). The excellent fountain features a spacious 57-ounce water tank, four-layer filtration, a 2,600mAh battery that can last about three weeks per charge, and a UV-C light that supposedly keeps unwanted bacteria at bay. It’s also surprisingly quiet, which is one of the reasons we flagged it as one of our favorite pieces of pet tech.
Now through May 10th (or while supplies last), Verge readers can purchase the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra at Wellbots for $786.75 (about $393 off) when they use promo code VERGEAQUA25 at checkout. The roller-style mopping vacuum is one of Dreame’s more unique models in that it packs 30,000Pa of suction power and, more impressively, the ability to clean itself in real time. It also has lidar navigation, can climb small (read: 3.15-inch) thresholds, and comes with a multifunction charging dock that isn’t a total eyesore.
I admit, I am nowhere near as jazzed about the upcoming Star Fox game as some of my colleagues. That said, if Fox McCloud’s recent appearance in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the mere thought of replaying Star Fox 64 with redesigned characters and upgraded visuals have you excited, you can preorder a physical copy at Amazon and Walmart for $49.94 ($10 off). That’s the same price as the digital edition, mind you, but given Nintendo is now charging $10 more for the physical edition of all upcoming Switch 2 titles, it’s still a welcome discount for anyone who prefers a hard copy.

The new AirPods Max 2 are already on sale for $40 off

2026-05-05T12:01:34-04:00

In terms of pricing, the original AirPods Max remained stubbornly high even years after their debut, which made them hard to recommend over the Bose QC Ultra or Sony’s XM series headphones unless you were an Apple die-hard. The AirPods Max 2, however, have been out for just over a month, and we’re already seeing a $40 discount at Amazon and Best Buy, bringing the price down to $509 across all five colors.

AirPods Max 2

Where to Buy:

Unlike the refreshed AirPods Max Apple put out in 2024, the Max 2 are a true sequel. The company’s latest pair of over-ear headphones still feature the same 40-millimeter drivers as the original, but they’re now paired with a new high dynamic range amplifier, allowing for better bass response and terrific sound across the board. They also support lossless audio at 24-bit / 48kHz via USB-C and, construction-wise, continue to sport the same combo of aluminum, stainless steel, and knit mesh fabric. They’re still heavy at 385 grams, but they feel premium, which isn’t always the case, even with high-end headphones.

I’d argue the real upgrade to the AirPods Max 2, though, comes in the form of Apple’s H2 chip. It’s older, having made its debut in the second-gen AirPods Pro in 2022, but it adds a lot of functionality that wasn’t available on the first-gen Max. The latest Max 2 support adaptive audio, conversation awareness, personalized volume, voice isolation, and live translation, along with automatic device switching, spatial audio, and all the ecosystem tricks you’ve come to expect with owning a pair of Apple headphones. Plus, their active noise cancellation is a step up from that of the last-gen model, ensuring you can always drown out the outside world while listening to your favorite tracks.

Read our full AirPods Max review.

More deals and discounts of note

Logitech’s latest magic mousepad, the Powerplay 2, is currently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo for $89.99 ($10 off), which is the first discount we’ve seen. We were big fans of the original Powerplay system, and while the second-gen model cuts some corners to reach its reduced price, it still delivers nonstop wireless charging to select Logitech mice. Just don’t expect a built-in wireless mouse receiver or a USB-C cable this time around.
Fellow is running a Mother’s Day sale through May 10th, giving you a chance to save on the company’s full slate of coffee gadgets. I’m personally a fan of the Aiden Precision Coffee Maker, which you can grab from Amazon and Fellow for $339.95 ($60 off), as well as the Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle, which is available via the same retailers (Amazon / Fellow) for $152.95 ($27 off). I’ve used them both, but I prefer Fellow’s handsome pour-over kettle as my daily driver, namely because I refuse to kick the French press.
The Echo Dot Max, Amazon’s biggest little smart speaker, is matching its all-time low of $74.99 ($25 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The hardware on the Max is nicer than that of prior models, and being that it’s the first Echo speaker with a separate tweeter and woofer, it also sounds noticeably better for its size. It supports Matter and Thread, too, rendering it a capable smart home hub that lets you connect locally to any Alexa-compatible Matter or Zigbee devices strewn about your home. Read our review.

Aurzen’s tiny trifold projector is almost 40 percent off right now

2026-05-01T13:43:13-04:00

Not all trifolds are created equal — just ask our own Allison Johnson, who recently spent time with Samsung’s ill-fated Galaxy phone. Aurzen’s Zip projector is the kind of trifold gadget we can fully get behind, though, and it’s currently on sale at Amazon for $259.99 ($140 off). You can also pick it up in several colors directly from Aurzen for the same price, or in the gold shade for a new low of $249.99.

Aurzen Zip Tri-Fold Portable Mini Projector

Where to Buy:

While not nearly as powerful as Anker’s Nebula P1 and other portable projectors we’ve recently tested, the Zip is surprisingly capable despite its small stature and battery-powered operation. The snake-like 720p projector offers up to 100 lumens of brightness — meaning it will work best in dark environments, or in brighter rooms when viewing a smaller image — while its built-in battery should last about 80 minutes based on our real-world testing. That’s not exactly marathon battery life, but it’s easy enough to top off the Zip using a power bank or wall adapter.

In terms of support, the Zip can quickly connect to iPhones via AirPlay and to Android devices over Miracast, Smart View, and similar standards, allowing you to wirelessly mirror everything you can see on your phone. You can use it to watch any movies you’ve downloaded on your device, peruse your social feeds, or get in a quick session with your favorite game. It works in both landscape and portrait orientations, too, and supports Bluetooth, letting you listen privately with headphones or pair it to your favorite speaker.

The biggest downside to the Zip, at least for some folks, is that you won’t be able to use it to watch content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max due to copyright restrictions. Aurzen does make a USB-C dongle that allows you to stream DRM-protected content, if you truly can’t get by without watching the latest episode of Euphoria. You’ll have to pay a whopping $109 for the privilege, or find another way.

Read our full Aurzen Zip Projector review.

More ways to save today

As part of Garmin’s ongoing Mother’s Day celebration, the Venu 4 is currently on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and REI in both the 41mm and 45mm configurations for $499.99 ($50 off), matching its best price to date. The Venu 4 is essentially a refreshed version of the Venu 3, only with expanded sleep tracking, the ability to log lifestyle habits (like caffeine intake), and extra accessibility features. Typically, the smartwatch is $100 more expensive than the last-gen model, meaning this limited-time promo takes the sting out a bit.
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is still available at Woot for $16.09 with code FIRE30, but if you want a more capable streaming device, Google’s speedy TV Streamer (4K) is available at Amazon and Best Buy for $76.99 ($23 off). That’s nearly the best price we’ve seen for the terrific set-top box, which offers built-in Google Assistant, serves as a Matter-ready smart home hub, and pulls together recs from across your favorite streaming services. Read our review.
Microsoft’s latest Xbox Wireless Headset is down to $89.99 ($40 off) at Amazon and Target, which is about $10 shy of its lowest price to date. The first-party gaming headset features Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth 5.3 support, as well as similar ear cup dials to the original model, which we found fantastic. You also get a solid 20 hours of battery life and better mics, which sound just as good with Xbox consoles and mobile devices as they do on PC.

Google’s handsome Pixel Watch 4 is on sale for $40 off in both size configurations

2026-04-24T13:29:18-04:00

Spring has sprung, as they say, and to mark the occasion, Google is running a spring-centric promo until Sunday, April 26th. The limited-time discounts apply to a number of Google’s first-party devices, from the Pixel 10 Pro to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, as well as the wearables like the Pixel Watch 4. In fact, Google’s latest watch is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store in its 41mm / Wi-Fi configuration starting at $309.99 ($40 off) — or in the 45mm config for $359.99 ($40 off) — which is one of the better prices we’ve seen in recent months.

Google Pixel Watch 4

Where to Buy:

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the Pixel Watch 4 is the Android watch to beat. Google’s newest wearable still works best for Pixel phone owners, though its overall performance, attractive 3,000-nit domed display, and host of upgrades over the third-gen model make it a suitable option for pretty much everyone. You still get a wide range of health and fitness tools, allowing you to track everything from your blood oxygen levels to your heart rate, along with the ability to automatically record certain cardio activities for at least 15 minutes. It also features emergency satellite SOS (in the case of an emergency) and dual-frequency GPS, the latter of which provides improved navigation in challenging environments such as cities and dense forests.

Unsurprisingly, the Pixel Watch 4 integrates well with Google’s slate of services — Google Maps, Google Wallet, Google Assistant, etc., etc. — and works with Gemini, now quickly accessible from your wrist using a convenient raise-to-talk gesture. It also benefits from a new speaker, a bigger battery, and a power-efficient processor, which, in our initial testing, allowed us to eke out a commendable 45 hours of battery life with the 45mm model. Much of the watch is now repairable, too, so should you ever break the glass or damage the battery, you don’t need to shell out for an entirely new watch. That’s a welcome design change, one we wish more wearable manufacturers would adopt.

Read our full Pixel Watch 4 review.

More ways to save today

Verge readers can pick up the third-gen Theragun Mini at Wellbots for $159.99 ($60 off) with code VERGETHERA60, which drops it to its lowest price to date. As someone who routinely uses the three-speed massage gun to soothe minor aches and pains, I can tell you it delivers a surprising amount of pressure for its pint-sized stature. It also comes with a trio of attachments, including a thumb add-on that’s ideal for areas that require more precise pressure.
Now through May 21st, you can grab Dreo’s Tower Fan Nomad One on Amazon in either black or white for $59.88 (about $20 off), an all-time low. The four-speed, oscillating fan isn’t particularly fancy (sorry, no Matter support), but with summer right around the corner, the staff favorite is a practical pickup that can blow air up to 34 feet away. The bladeless fan has even found its way into our upcoming graduation gift guide, if you need more convincing.
It’s not a new deal, per se, but you can still grab AirPods 4 at Amazon and Walmart for $99 ($30 off), which is a great price for Apple’s entry-level earbuds. The standard model sounds just as good as the step-up version with active noise cancellation, and because they’re outfitted with Apple’s H2 chip, those with a Mac or iPhone can leverage all sorts of ecosystem tricks, from automatic device switching to hands-free Siri commands. Read our review.