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For two years, I was TechRadar's chief vacuum tester. That wasn't my actual job title (more's the pity) but that is mostly what I was doing. My main takeaway from those very housework-heavy times is that most people should ignore the flashy cordless stick vacuums and just buy a corded upright. And that's especially true for anyone with pets, lots of carpet, or a home with many people living in it.
I'll get into exactly why I've turned into such a corded upright evangelist below, but I'd like to flag up first that if you were going to convert, now would be a great time to do so. We're just nearing the end of the Amazon Prime Day sales and there are a ton of discounts on corded upright vacuums from Shark — if you're quick. (Want to see? Skip my waffle and jump straight to the deals.)
• View the full Amazon Prime Day sale
Why buy a corded upright?Why are corded upright vacuums the superior type of vacuum? Three big reasons:
#1. The suction is better
The main reason to choose a corded upright is because, as a general rule of thumb, the suction is almost always better than on a cordless model. If you have carpet, hairy pets, or a high-traffic household, it's just going to be much more effective at keeping it clean.
#2. They last longer
Speaking generally, corded uprights are typically more robust and longer-lasting than cordless options — possibly because often, on a cordless vacuum, the first thing to expire will be the battery. A decent lifespan on a cordless stick vac might be 2-5 years, whereas many upright models can run and run... my mum has a corded upright that used to belong to my grandmother, and has been in use for maybe two decades. It's still going strong.
#3. You can clean, uninterrupted, for longer
With a corded vacuum, you're never going to run out of juice mid-clean. Perhaps even more significant is that the dust cups are much bigger — the cup on a cordless stick vacuum generally be 0.8L at the most (many are smaller), whereas it's common to see 2L cups on uprights. If you're dealing with pet hair in particular, it's such a blessing not to have to traipse to the bin every 10 minutes.
Shark cordless upright dealsOkay then, let's get into the deals. We're nearing the end of Amazon Prime Day, but there are still some bargains to be had, if you're speedy. These Shark corded uprights all have decent discounts that are well worth checking out.
Shark Powerdetect Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner Az3900uktbk Shark Detect XL Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner La791ukt Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner Nv602uk Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner Nz801ukt Shark Detect Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner La450uktbk Shark Corded Upright Vacuum Cleaner Nv602ukt Which should I buy?How do I tell the difference between these vacuums, I hear you ask? Well, some of them are slightly older models, but that might not be immediately obvious. Most are designed around the same 'lift away' system, where you can remove and hold the canister while you use the floorhead on the wand attached to the flexible nozzle.
A key differentiator to pay attention to is the attachments included. Most will come with your standard narrow nozzle and 'multi-tool' but some might also have a mini motorized head that's designed for use on furniture, and is especially useful at getting hair off upholstery.
The fanciest models will also have some advanced 'detection' features — for instance, they might be able to sense carpet or room edges and increase suction in response. The PowerDetect Upright has a nifty trick where it will suck up (rather than showploughing) debris when it's being pulled backwards. That feature makes a surprisingly big difference to how fast you can clean.
Cordless alternativesNot convinced? There are some situations where a cordless vacuum is still a better choice. For instance, if you have mostly hard flooring (so don't need a ton of suction power for effective cleaning), or your home has lots of stairs (which would require some awkward traversing with a bulky, heavy upright), or you're trying to navigate many nooks and crannies (in which case the cord and chunky form factor is going to get annoying).
Here are the Prime Day deals I'd recommend on Shark cordless stick vacuums:
Shark Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner With Anti Hair Wrap Plus, Clean Sense Iq & Anti-Odour Technology, 60 Mins Run-Time, Removable Battery, 2 Attachments, Charcoal/rose Gold Iz400uk Shark Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro Stick Vacuum Cleaner With Anti Hair Wrap Plus, Clean Sense Iq, Duoclean, 60min Run-Time, Removable Battery, 4 Tools, Anti-Allergen, White/navy Iz402uktsb Shark Shark Powerpro Cordless Stick Vacuum | Reveal Technology | Anti Hair Wrap | Floordetect Technology | Multi-Surface Cleaning | 50 Min Runtime | Iz381uk More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UK- Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
- Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
- Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
- Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & De'Longhi
- Fans: from £20
- Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
- Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
- Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
- Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura
- New Grand Theft Auto 6 details might have emerged from an Amazon Brazil listing
- The game apparently features NPCs with their own routines and "random events"
- Players may be able to switch between Jason and Lucia during missions
Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders have officially begun, and thanks to Amazon Brazil's listing, new details about the game's open world may have emerged.
Alongside a larger Vice City map, which Rockstar has previously said will allow players to explore several regions of Leonida, the product listing description also states that players will be able to switch between co-protagonists Jason and Lucia during the story and "participate in missions as a duo."
This sounds similar to GTA 5, so we could expect certain missions to be playable by either character, but it could also mean players can choose who to complete a mission with, regardless.
It also looks like GTA 6's world will be highly detailed with a "greater sense of immersion", as non-player characters (NPCs) will have their own "routines", which could mean daily and nightly activities, "random events" that players can encounter, and "interactive establishments."
The latter could be a reference to shops, tattoo parlours, and salons, but could also describe places like strip clubs, bars, and gun stores, which haven't been revealed yet but can also be found in GTA 5.
The mention of "random events" sounds like a feature drawn from Red Dead Redemption 2, allowing players to come across them while roaming the map, including things like isolated interactions and unmarked encounters.
@techradar ♬ original sound - TechRadarGTA 6 will also reportedly feature "integrated social networks" that mimic real life, and players can "watch viral videos, follow influencers, and discover world events through your in-game mobile phone."
The game is built for current-gen, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S, and the description confirms that it will offer "next-generation graphics" that include "advanced lighting, dynamic weather, more natural animations, and a high level of detail in environments."
At the moment it's unclear whether these details have come from Rockstar themselves, or have been added by a third-party but they certainly sound very plausible.
GTA 6 launches on November 19 and will cost $79.99 / AU$129.95 / £69.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 / AU$159.95 / £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition. Pre-loads begin on November 12.
However, physical copies won't have a disc and only include a digital download code in the box.
Prime Day is nearly over, ending midnight tonight, so today is your last chance to get Amazon's own TVs for a great price. There's no better model than the Ember Mini-LED and right now, you can get the 55-inch Ember Mini-LED for $499 (was $819.99) at Amazon US.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
In the UK, the same 55-inch Ember Mini-LED is £599 (was £849.99) at Amazon UK. While it is a very good TV, Amazon Prime Day is the only time to buy this TV. Any other time, it's overpriced and faces tough competition from other budget mini-LEDs form TCL and Hisense. But, during Prime Day, this TV is great value.
I've got my full thoughts on this TV below, but really, its strength is in how good for sports it is out-of-the-box. So, if you're still on the hunt for a TV for the World Cup (with over three weeks of the tournament still to go), this could the TV for you.
Today's best Amazon Ember Mini-LED TV dealsThe Amazon Ember MIni-LED is the best TV in Amazon's TV lineup. It delivers rich, natural colors, decent contrast and stong motion out-of-the-box in its sports mode. It's also well suited for gamers with 4K 144Hz and VRR support. Prime Day is the time of year to buy this TV, and the 55-inch model is down to $499.99 — a great price. Other sizes:
65-inch: was $1,089.99 now $879.99
75-inch: was $1,499.99 now $1,099.99View Deal
The best time of yeat to pick up the Ember Mini-LED is Prime Day, as the 55-inch has dropped to £599.99, its best price. This TV is great for sports, gaming and movies, delivering natural colors, smooth motion and a good suite of gaming features. Other sizes:
65-inch: was £1,149.99 now £769.99
75-inch: was £1,599.99 now £999.99View Deal
I've tested the majority of Amazon's own TVs, and the Ember Mini-LED (formally known as Fire TV Omni Mini-LED) is easily the best in the lineup. I awarded it four stars in my review, but one its highlights was not what I expected.
When I test sport on TVs, I often find I have to do lot of motion settings tweaks, unless its one of the very best TVs (and even then there's still some work to be done). So I was surprised, and impressed, by just how accurate the Ember Mini-LED's motion was out-of-the-box.
I often avoid the Sports picture mode on a TV as its motion can be heavy-handed and the picture can look artificial, with over-sharp textures and too-bright colors, but the Ember Mini-LED's mode was ready to go and as I watched a soccer game on Prime Video, the action looked smooth with no signs of artifacts and the picture was solid throughout. A pleasant surprise for a mid-range mini-LED.
For other content, the Ember Mini-LED produces natural, but punchy colors that looked great in movies like La La Land. For darker movies, its contrast was solid and while black tones weren't perfect, they were decent enough. Textures on the other hand were very good, balancing a lifelike and crisp look.
The Ember Mini-LED has a suite of features that competes with the best gaming TVs. It supports 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM. It has a measured 13.4ms input lag time and while playing Battlefield V, I found snapping between targets and moving around to be smooth with pretty quick response times.
More Prime Day deals in the US- Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
- Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
- Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
- Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
- Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
- Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
- Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
- Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
- Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
- Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
- Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
- Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34
- Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
- Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
- Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
- Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
- Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
- Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
- Essentials: household goods from £5
- Fans: from £20
- Fashion: up to 50% off
- Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
- Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
- Laptops: from £149
- Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
- Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
- TVs: from £129.99
- Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
- Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura
- Google Wallet now lets you track parcels
- It also now includes TSA PreCheck Touchless ID
- But these features only work in the US
Google Wallet is becoming a lot more than just a wallet, as two new features have just rolled out for it — one of which helps you track parcels, and the other of which could speed your journeys through airports.
First up, there’s now the ability to see receipts, tracking numbers, and the shipping status of parcels you’re waiting for, directly from Google Wallet. For more detailed tracking information you’ll still have to head to the carrier’s website, but a new ‘track package’ button in Wallet will take you straight there.
You’ll see all deliveries that are due soon alongside your passes on the Google Wallet home screen, while your other orders can be seen by tapping ‘view more’.
That said, all of this will of course only appear if your order is linked to your Gmail account, and even then, only if it’s from a supported merchant. You'll also need to have package tracking enabled, which can be done from the Gmail app on your phone by heading to Menu > Settings, then tapping your account name, followed by General > Package tracking.
So it’s not quite a comprehensive package tracking solution, but it’s a good step in that direction — though right now this feature is only available in the US.
A travel upgrade(Image credit: Google)As for the other new Google Wallet update, it has become the first digital wallet to support TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. This means that rather than having to show your ID at security, you can pre-register with the TSA through Google Wallet.
If you’re eligible, you can do this by first creating an ID pass in Google Wallet using your passport information, and then adding a boarding pass to Google Wallet. You’ll then see a ‘get started’ button on the pass that allows you to securely share your ID and boarding pass with the TSA.
Once done, you’ll be able to use the express TSA PreCheck Touchless ID line at the airport, saving you time.
However, this currently only works at 65 US airports and with 100 participating airlines, so while it’s quite widespread it won’t work on all flights from all US airports.
- Shop the full Prime Day sale
- Amazon Prime Day Yeti deals
- Seasonal offers at Yeti.com
- Yeti sale at Dick's Sporting Goods
- Like-new coolers at Yeti Rescues
- Yeti sales, deals, and outlet at REI
Amazon Prime Day is a great time to look for a Yeti cooler, and you'll find some great discounts on soft coolers in particular, but it's not the only place you should be looking. I previously worked as the editor of a website dedicated to backcountry adventures, and I learned that you often need to look further afield for the biggest discounts, especially if you've got your heart set on a hard cooler for summer camping and fishing expeditions.
Here you'll find my top recommendations from Amazon, as well as Dick's Sporting Goods and Yeti Rescues, where you can find like-new coolers with huge discounts, all with the green light from the company itself.
Amazon Prime Day dealsThe Hopper M Series is great for beach days, and has hit a record low price for Prime Day. This navy blue version has received the biggest price chop, but you can also get the same bag-style cooler in black for $262.50.View Deal
This compact cooler, perfect for cans, has been $240 for most of the year so far, but has received an extra $15 price cut for Prime Day. The deal applies to two colors: Cherry Blossom, shown here, and Firefly Yellow.View Deal
Similar to the classic M Series, but with backpack straps that make it easier to carry long distances. You'll get the same 25% Prime Day discount whether you opt for the Sandstone Pink colorway, shown here, or Cherry Blossom. View Deal
OK, so this backpack isn't a cooler, but it's still a great Prime Day deal for your summer camping and hiking escapades. If you don't like this dark purple Dusk color, you can also get this backpack in Cherry Blossom or Classic Navy for the same price.View Deal
Need more space? This slightly larger version of the Ranchero is also down to its lowest-ever price for Prime Day 2026, but only in Cherry Blossom (other colors have received a discount as well, but it's not as generous).View Deal
This jug keeps your coffee/water/iced tea at the correct hot or cold temperature for hours, and it's a record-low price for Prime Day. Amazon cheekily bumped it up to the full list price earlier in the week (naughty) but it usually sells for over £100 so this is a genuinely good deal.View Deal
This double-walled insulated tumbler is also down to al all-time low price for Prime Day 2026. Only the Firefly Yellow version is on offer at the moment.View Deal
Yeti.com dealsYeti's online store often holds seasonal sales and special deals on selected colors and product lines. Here are today's best offers.
20% off Cherry Blossom at YETI US
Yeti is clearing out all stock in the pale lilac Cherry Blossom colorway, so this is a great time to grab a bargain on soft coolers, drinkware, and accessories.View Deal
20% off Firefly Yellow at YETI US
Yeti is also clearing out stock in FIrefly Yellow, and it looks like it's selling out faster than Cherry Blossom so you'll need to be quick to grab an item before it's gone.View Deal
20% off Ranchero 12L & 18L Backpacks at YETI US
These everyday carry backpacks are on offer in Black Forest Green, Cherry Blossom, Classic Navy, Black, and Cape Dark Taupe. View Deal
30% off Rambler 42oz Straw Mugs at YETI US
A few colors have already sold out, but you can still get this handy insulated mug in Firefly Yellow, Key Lime, and Lowcountry Peach, plus core colors.View Deal
Can't see the cooler you want in the Black Friday sale? Take a look at Yeti Rescues — an official Yeti program that takes coolers and other equipment that's not brand spanking new (products that have been returned, for example, or that Yeti has used for demos or displays), inspects them, cleans them, and sells them at a bargain price.
This compact hard-sided cooler is in 'peak' condition, so although it doesn't have its original box, but is otherwise practically perfect, and $40 off. Just the right size for cans of beer and bottle of wine this summer.View Deal
$45 off the original price. This particular cooler, in attractive Seafoam blue, is in 'peak' condition, meaning it's unboxed but in near-perfect condition. You can also grab it in Navy or White for the same price if you prefer.View Deal
This 65-liter cooler is big enough to use as a casting platform for days by the lake, and can hold enough food for a four-person weekend away. It's in 'peak' condition, and is also available in Seafoam, White, or Tan.View Deal
Camping in the backcountry? This wheeled cooler is tough, puncture-proof, and will get you from your car to your pitch with ease. This particular cooler is in 'like new' condition, which means it might have a few marks, but you'll need to look closely to see them. That seems fine to me, especially since it knocks $90 off the price.View Deal
One of Yeti's smallest hard coolers, this little number (shown here in Bimini Pink) is just right for taking on a paddleboard or kayak, or just to the park if you prefer to stay on terra firma. In 'peak' condition.View Deal
This king-sized cool bag is big enough to hold a whole case of beer. What more reason do you need? Available in a huge range of colors, but my personal favorite is this stunning Ultramarine Violet (in 'peak' condition).View Deal
More Yeti dealsAmazon and Yeti Rescues aren't your only options when you're shopping for a cheap Yeti cooler. Dick's Sporting Goods has a decent selection of offers as well. I've rounded up a handful of the best below, but you can also check out the full sale yourself.
Perfect for drinks, this soft cooler can hold up to 24 cans, and is super insulated so ice stays frozen and drinks remain cold all day. With $50 off, this is a great offer — and you don't need Amazon Prime to get it.View Deal
This cute cooler in Aquifer Blue is just the right size for cans and wine bottles, and its non-slip feet mean you can take it safely on a boat, kayak, or even a paddle board for a day of fun. You'll need to be quick though — the Cherry Blossom colorway has already sold out.View Deal
This Firefly Yellow colorway is great fun, and will help you stand out and stay safe when you're adventuring in the backcountry. A huge $55 saving doesn't hurt either. Who needs Amazon, right?View Deal
More Prime Day deals- Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
- Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
- Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
- Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
- Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
- Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
- Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
- Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
- Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
- Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
- Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
- Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34
- Physical Editions of Grand Theft Auto 6 won't come with a disc
- Many fans are disappointed, and it's stirred conversation about the value of physical and digital games
- Fans in 2013 had similar conversations with the launch of GTA 5
Now that Grand Theft Auto 6 pre-orders are live, it feels like the countdown to the game's launch later this year can truly begin in earnest. And yet, despite the hype around the most anticipated game of all time, some fans are disappointed by the announcement that physical editions won't come with a disc, but rather a digital download code in the box.
It has stirred up conversation around whether physically owning the game even matters in the grand scheme of things; dedicated fans who have waited a long time for GTA 6 will buy the game either way, right?
"Obviously I’m going to get this game but 13 years of waiting & this is all physical editions are getting? A f****** code in a box? For the biggest game to ever launch & that’s all the effort you’re putting in for physical? So damn disappointed man," one said.
But it seems that even during the launch period of GTA 5 all the way in 2013, fans were debating the value of physical and digital games, though it seems that many leaned on the side of being able to physically own their copy.
"I have been playing the game since launch, because my brother bought it and never played it. He recently moved and took the game with him, so I need to buy it myself. I have an external hard drive which I can store the game on so I don't have to worry if the Xbox breaks. Now what would you recommend?" asked a fan on a 12-year-old Reddit post.
One fan jumped to say that "Physical is seemingly better in every way aside from you have to remove the disk [from the console]."
Others agreed, with one saying, "Plus, if you ever want to get rid of it, you can always trade it in for another game or sell it."
However, it's a different conversation today as GTA 6 physical editions will have a download code instead, unlike GTA 5 over a decade ago, meaning players won't be able to resell their copy later on.
@techradar ♬ original sound - TechRadarOne fan disagreed, saying, "Wow. Really everyone is still on physical what is this the 20th century?" But another argued that physical is better because they could display their collection proudly.
"Physical, as the price is usually the same as digital," a user replied, but nowadays, that's not typically the case, while another said "Physical, cause you get the map. Not cause its useful just cause its cool!"
Sadly, unlike GTA 5 and even Red Dead Redemption 2, neither the Standard nor the Ultimate Edition of GTA 6 will include a map.
Before GTA 5 was released, hours of gameplay footage leaked online after early copies were illegally uploaded to torrent sites. One explanation for GTA 6 physical editions not including a disc could be that Rockstar is trying to minimize the potential for leaks this time around.
Some fans also considering skipping the day one purchase in hopes of a disc being produced later down the line. However, for now, it looks like all players will own a digital license for the game instead.
GTA 6 launches on November 19 and will cost $79.99 / AU$129.95 / £69.99 for the Standard Edition and $99.99 / AU$159.95 / £89.99 for the Ultimate Edition. Pre-loads begin on November 12.
I am extremely pumped for GTA 6 now, with my hype getting a huge injection this week with GTA 6 pre-orders opening up.
It's going to be such a huge release and moment in video games and wider culture, and we're almost there. Almost. We just have a few months to go before it'll start arriving through the internet or through our doors.
And so in the meantime, as well as other games in one's backlog, some folks, like me, might be wondering what to play for a bit of GTA 6 preparation. So I've racked my brains and consulted with colleagues to come up with the list below, any of which would be perfect to play in the run-up to GTA 6. Be they blockbusters from Rockstar (obviously), crime boss-themed games, fabulous driving games, and open world beauties, all of them echo some part of what makes the Grand Theft Auto series so special.
• View all of Amazon's current prices and Prime Day deals on video games
Even if these games aren't part of the wider Amazon Prime Day deals, they're still absolutely worth your time and money — some of them are a bit older too, so offer great value — and are great experiences in their own right.
Amazon Prime Day game deals- PS5 games: God of War Ragnarok for just $32 and more
- Xbox games: loads of deals, including NBA 2K26 for just $10
- Nintendo Switch 2 games: Save $12 on the likes of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition
- Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
- Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
- Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
- Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
- Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
- Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
- Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
- Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
- Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
- Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
- Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
- Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34
Depending on where you reside, over the last 72 hours, you'll have lived through a pretty intense heatwave, significant lightning and thunderstorms, or just, er, something (perhaps even everything) in between.
Luckily, the weather is nothing if not changeable. So if you can't get outside now, you absolutely will be able to very soon. And if you're tired of listening to music indoors and want to get out into nature, one of these portable little beauties is the way to go.
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale
All of these deals have been tested and approved by TechRadar, and all are heavily discounted right now. That said, I can't promise how long said savings will last, since you may have noticed it's Amazon Prime Day right now — until midnight at least.
Which to pick, since we're in a rush? That depends. For me, you simply cannot go wrong with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 as a travel companion; it's mug-sized, you can stereo-pair two of them, it's more than loud enough for the tent or picnic table, and the audio is tight and accurate.
Both the Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 and slightly older JBL Go 4 are cheaper and smaller than the UE Wonderboom, so better suited to a solo trip, where the Bose Soundlink Flex 2 and JBL Flip 7 are that bit bigger if you're looking to start a party.
The JBL Grip is a relatively new model for the Bluetooth speaker and hi-fi giant, and I have to say, that purple finish is delightful, isn't it? But for me, top of the style pile would be the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore. It's like a very very chic can of beans that plays music and totes a carabiner. I feel as if I'm not selling it well with that description, but trust me, it's a handsome little speaker.
Need something bigger, ideally with a shoulder strap? The Tribit Stormbox Lava is a great shout at this price. For audio quality, I didn't love it at full price, but you can't really complain when it's $45 off… and in that 'not too big, not too small, just right' Goldilocks area of speakers, is the wine bottle-shaped JBL Flip 7. And that sounds every bit as good as its dimensions can possibly allow.
OK then, happy shopping, and get ready for that rain-check!
The cheap Bluetooth speakers we recommend Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 JBL Go 4 Tribit Stormbox Micro 3 Bose SoundLink Flex gen 2 Tribit Stormbox Lava JBL Grip JBL Flip 7 Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore- FCC Chairman seeks public consultation regarding E-Rate program
- Introduced in 1997, it offers schools 20-90% discounts on internet
- School bus Wi-Fi has already been pulled amid educational impact concerns
The FCC is considering ending the long-running E-Rate program in the US, which currently provides around $2 billion annually to help public facilities like schools and libraries pay for internet connections and networking infrastructure.
Chairman Brendan Carr has ordered a review of the scheme to determine whether it still fulfils its original purpose.
It launched in 1997 as a way to democratize access to internet during the web's infancy, but rising screen time is now being slated for impacting education.
FCC worries about internet's impact on schoolchildrenCarr referenced research that linked excessive screen use with lower reading performance, declining math scores, poorer cognitive development and more distraction.
"More than half of students now use a computer for up to four hours a day, and a quarter of them spend more than four hours on screens," he said.
A notice now asks whether the E-Rate program should be limited or sunset entirely, and the FCC is now seeking public consultation. Some potential measures could include new safeguards around educational use, a reduction in funding or even ending the program entirely.
The FCC already pulled funding for Wi-Fi on school buses in a bid to reassert the program's position as one to support educational internet use – not one to provide schoolchildren with Wi-Fi for personal use.
Current discounts for schools and libraries range from 20-90%, with lower-income and rural locations typically receiving more support. Pulling the funding could impact these regions more.
Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass) warned it could reverse nearly three decades of work.
As for now, the future of E-Rate remains unconfirmed.
We've spent all week trawling through Amazon's Prime Day sale and it's been a doozy, with some record-breaking deals, first-time discounts and a flurry of top-rated products at excellent prices.
It's also been a week where the importance of saving some cash feels more pertinent than ever; Apple just announced price increases on many of its latest products, while Microsoft announced yet another price hike for the Xbox.
Meanwhile, GTA VI pre-orders launched but with an undercurrent of frustration at the code-in-a-box physical copies, and the Steam Machine pricing was finally revealed and met with a sigh of frustration.
That aside, it's been a genuinely good Prime Day this year. Deals might be fewer in volume than they once were, but they feel better curated, and that's a win for fans of big-name brands such as Apple and Samsung as well as broad-appeal household names including Ninja, Dyson and more.
So, I've asked each of the TechRadar team (or at least, those who were available) to tell me about their favorite products currently on offer. Act fast; sales end tonight at midnight.
Note: some products are only on sale in specific countries, but I've indicated where that is the case
Best Amazon device dealsStarting strong with some of the best deals every Prime Day; naturally, these are on Amazon's own devices.
It's a topic myself and my colleage Mackenzie Frazier, our lead deals editor and savings expert in the US, agree on:
"I say this every Prime Day, but the best deals are always on Amazon's own devices. Every year, I end up buying an Amazon device I've had my eye on because the gadgets are on sale at record-low prices and offer fantastic value.
"This year's sale includes record-low prices on Kindles, Echo Speakers and smart displays, Blink security cameras, Ring Doorbells, and Fire TV Sticks. Amazon devices are rarely discounted otherwise, so it's worth taking advantage of the deep discounts Prime Day offers."
My own top pick is on Amazon's latest and greatest Dot; the Echo Dot Max. Aimed at a more discerning audiophile audience, the Dot Max packs an 0.8-inch tweeter and 2.5-inch woofer, and while on its own it's a little pared-back, the real power is in rigging up the Dot Max with another Dot Max, some Echo Studios and even an Echo Sub for surround or stereo sound.
Plus, it's powered by the zippy AZ3 chip for faster Alexa experiences, and it's Alexa+ compatible right out of the box. It's at a record-low price in both the US and the UK, so it's well worth checking out.
Kindle Colorsoft(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)Our Editor-at-large Lance Ulanoff suggests one of his favorite gadgets:
"If you love to read graphic novels but hate carrying them around, the Amazon Kindle Colorsoft my be your perfect gadget.
"It's the size of a monochrome E ink Kindle, but brings full color for the comics and photo-rich magazines. This is the best price I've ever seen and makes it easy to choose it over the Kindle Paperwhite. Plus, you can carry around dozens of great graphic novel reads and never feel the weight."
Best computing dealsLogitech Lift Mouse(Image credit: Logitech)Our Phones Editor Axel Metz is up next with some personal experience on desk ergonomics.
He says: "I was always pretty skeptical about vertical mice, until I began to notice aching pain in my elbow and wrist after using my conventional mouse for only a few hours. Normal mice force our forearms into a twisted, unnatural position, which can lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) of the sort that stop you working altogether.
"Vertical mice like the Logitech Lift aim to neutralize that awkward alignment, putting your hand at a more comfortable, natural-feeling 57-degree angle. I switched to the Lift almost two months ago, and I'll never go back to a conventional mouse. It's currently on sale at Amazon in both the US and UK, though even if it wasn't, it'd still be worth the investment."
AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0Our News Writer, Isaiah Williams, really knows how to live, judging by this pick:
"If you're on the lookout for a new gaming chair that effectively ticks all the boxes in terms of comfort, adjustability, and longevity, then the AutoFull M6 Ultra 2.0 is your best bet. The UK has the leading deal, where it's currently 19% off, available at £483.99, down from £599.99, but in the US you can save a neat $100, too.
"While that still seems like a steep price to pay, you're certainly getting your money's worth, especially if reclining is a must (and you want to avoid snapping your back like I almost did with my old chair). With dual-zone massaging, 2-in-1 ventilation and heating, and dynamic lumbar support, there's not much more to ask for."
Dell 14 PlusMatt Hanson, our Managing Editor of Core Tech and expert in all-things computing, has a great laptop recommendation, especially in light of the recent MacBook Neo price increases.
"Thanks to a massive $570 price cut, the Dell 14 Plus is now cheaper than the MacBook Neo, but it's the same price; however it offers a much better spec thanks to its 6-core AMD CPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. It's a great example of a Windows 11 laptop now being much better value than the Neo after Apple's rather drastic price rises."
Note: this deal is only available in the US
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 5 340
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
The Dell 14 Plus is one of our favorite mid-range Windows laptops thanks to its excellent design and competitive specs. If I were looking for a decent everyday laptop for everything from work to demanding productivity applications, then I'd be very tempted by this deal.View Deal
Best phone and tablet dealsiPad Air (2026, M4)(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Another from Axel Metz here:
"The iPad Air fell victim to Apple's unexpected-but-sort-of-expected price hikes this week, making Amazon's Prime Day deals on that very product all the more appealing.
"Indeed, the model keeps dipping in and out of stock at various retailers, suggesting buyers are rushing to make use of this rare (and perhaps never-to-be-seen-again) buying opportunity.
"As iPads go, the iPad Air is a great all-rounder tablet. It's powered by Apple's superfast M4 chip and boasts a crisp Liquid Retina display, making it perfect for both streaming and productivity."
Best audio, TV and home entertainment dealsWiiM Sound / Sound Lite(Image credit: WiiM)Our Global Editor-in-Chief, Marc McLaren, is emphatic in his recommendation for WiiM deals this Prime Day:
"Six months ago I made the biggest change to my audio setup in about 15 years: I ditched Sonos and bought myself a WiiM Sound.
"Don't know WiiM? It's a relatively new AV company which has won itself a ton of fans through its streaming devices, amps and — now — it's standalone smart speakers. The WiiM Sound was its first smart speaker, and having owned one for six months I want to sing its praises to the world.
"And there's plenty to be vocal about — for instance, its surprisingly full, bass-friendly sound, 100W of power, excellent connectivity and — best of all — its love of hi-res audio: it supports up to 24-bit/192kHz tunes and plays nicely with the likes of Qobuz and Tidal.
"The color touchscreen is another nice feature, although if you want to save a little cash you can ditch that and buy the Sound Lite instead — there's no other difference between them. Or better still, buy both and pair them in a multi-room setup; your ears will thank you."
Sony WH-1000XM6(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)Our Senior Editor of Engagement, Amelia Schwanke, recommends something I see her constantly using in our office to block out the noise (it's me, I'm the noise):
"I'm not the first person to sing the praises of Sony's flagship headphones and I know I won't be the last. Beloved by most of the TechRadar team, the WH-1000XM6 sit atop our best headphones guide — a spot their predecessor-but-one, the WH-1000XM4, held for a long time before them.
"There's good reason for that, too. They ticked just about every check box in our testing, from expansive sound quality to the comfortable design for all-day wearing. The only real downside is the price, which is exactly why the Prime Day discounts this week are the deals I'd pull out of the sale first.
"Over-ear headphones of this quality don't come cheap, making sales like this the ideal time to finally act on a wish-list purchase. I promise you, if you've seriously been considering buying them, you won't regret it. I wear mine every day and won't travel without them anymore."
Sennheiser HD 660S2Another headphone pick here, but more for the music producers among you; this comes from our Reviews Editor Josh Russell:
"As both an audio reviewer and someone who produces music in his free time, I'll admit I've had my eye on the Sennheiser HD 660S2 for a long time.
"With their open-backed design, they're able to really precisely convey a sense of space in the music you're listening to. On top of this, the spread of their frequency range is canyon-esque, stretching from 8 - 41,500Hz, for seriously expressive sound. And now you can buy them for $321 / £181 off on Amazon, I'm fully ready to add these to my basket."
AirPods Max 2Our fabulous Audio Editor, Becky Scarrott, is my go-to for all things earbuds and headphones, and she's got a top pick for the US:
"Yes, these are the new new, second-generation March 2026 edition AirPods Max 2, with the H2 chips (I know, one in each ear cup!) and all of the upticks in performance that brings.
"What are the upticks I speak of? Of course: ANC that's 1.5 times better than before (I tested them side by side and I can vouch for that claim; it's almost scarily good for that serene bubble of silence effect), punchier audio, gestural support, Live Translation, Conversation Awareness and the Camera Remote on the digital crown. And while many might have predicted an Apple-style $50 saving for Prime Day (yawn), this $150-off steal is crazy! Nobody had this on their bingo card for Prime Day.
"Let me be abundantly clear: the noise cancellation, sound and overall user experience here are all hugely upgraded, even if the aesthetic is unchanged — and I know, because I reviewed them…"
Note: this deal is only available in the US
Amazon has the all-new AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399, which is the lowest price we've seen. The over-ear headphones now include Apple's H2 chip, which delivers adaptive audio, personalized volume, and improved voice isolation, resulting in superior sound. You're also getting up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation and 20 hours of battery life.
Read our full AirPods Max 2 reviewView Deal
Next up from Becky, a neat UK deal:
"Just look at my 'Sonic Sangria' set though! I get so many compliments wearing them, honestly. And now, they're £40 cheaper than I've ever seen them, because Black Friday late last year was the first-ever saving I saw on this set of 5-star late 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds (reviewed by yours truly), which saw them go from £299 to £249.
"For me, at £209 the ANC makes them a no-brainer if you need noise cancellation in an in-ear design. Here's the other thing: Bose products rarely ever see discounts, and that is because they basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 — but if you don't own an iPhone, I don't recommend those, whatever the deal). A lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please."
Note: this deal is only available in the UK
Prime Day deal alert! The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), our 'best overall' noise cancelling earbuds choice, are currently enjoying a £90 discount at Amazon. View Deal
Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2(Image credit: Future)Our Senior Reviews writer and bluetooth speaker aficonado Harry Padoan recommends this deal:
"A huge saving on the Bluetooth speaker I use at home just about every day. The Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 offers a delightful blend of clean, well-balanced sound, stellar looks, and a durable build — with a drop-resistant and IP67 waterproof design.
"I also love how easy it is to customize via Bose's companion app, its programmable shortcut button, and its range of funky colors. At less than $100 / £100, this is an absolute steal."
LG B5So, what about TVs? Well, James Davidson, our TV Hardware Staff Writer who constantly has his eyes glued to some kind of big screen, says:
"The best value OLED TV you can get right now is the LG B5. Its successor the B6 has arrived, so there's no better time to buy the B5. It delivers brilliant picture quality with rich colors and strong contrast, with those inky black tones you look for in an OLED, as well as super-smooth motion that's perfect for sports.
"It's also a superb gaming TV, kitted out with four HDMI 2,1 ports, supporting 4K 120Hz, full VRR including FreeSync and G-Sync and it boasts a measured 9.1ms input lag for razor-sharp gaming performance.
"At this size and price, you won't find many better TVs."
Note: this deal is only available in the UK
LG's best value OLED hits its lowest ever price with this Prime Day deal, with the 48-inch LG B5 hitting £549, superb value for a 48-inch OLED. Perfect for bedroom gaming, the B5 has a full suite of gaming features and delivers smooth gameplay. View Deal
Best home and appliance dealsRoborock Saros 10/R(Image credit: Future)Ruth Hamilton, our Collections Editor, has extensive experience in vacuums and robovac testing, and she's a real sucker for her top pick:
"This is one of my most-used gadgets — I've been using my Saros 10 robot vacuum every night for the past two years, and it's the main thing preventing me from being overwhelmed by dog hair. With 42% off in the UK it's now at a new lowest-ever price (In the US, the more performant 10R is 45% off; bonus!) — the reason for that chunky price drop is likely because a few newer Roborock bots have since joined the fleet, but the Saros 10 is still an incredible performer, more than holding its own against newer options I've used.
"The vacuuming is efficient and effective, the navigation and object avoidance is reliable, and the mopping is effective and thorough. Plus, it comes with a dock that takes care of a bunch of maintenance tasks, so I barely need to get involved at all."
Philips BaristinaOur Homes Editor Cat Ellis (who is also a trained barista) comes in with this recommendation, but unfortunately this one's a US-exclusive:
"The Philips Baristina is the smallest bean-to-cup coffee maker I've ever tested, and also one of the best. It's incredibly easy to use, doing all the dosing, grinding, and tamping for you before pulling your shot of espresso — and unlike most automatic coffee makers, it's a piece of cake to keep clean.
"It's a great option if you're just getting into coffee, or thinking of upgrading from a capsule coffee maker to fresh beans."
Note: this deal is only available in the US
The Baristina is a compact coffee maker that makes brewing delicious espresso effortless, and it's half price at Amazon. It was already one of the cheapest bean-to-cup machines around, so this deal is frankly amazing.View Deal
Suri 2.0 electric toothbrush(Image credit: Future)This comes from our Senior Deals Editor, James Pickard, who's a deft hand at finding the best deals during events such as Prime Day.
He says: "When I picked up the Suri Sonic Electric Toothbrush, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Over $50/£50 feels like a lot for an electric toothbrush, but the Suri, with its 40-day battery life, magnetic mounting, aluminum body and plant-based heads, and convenient charging options, all changed my mind. It’s been 100% worth the investment.
"Not only does it do its job incredibly well, but all of those key features are so useful. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had to charge it so far, while the body and brush heads feel so much nicer to use than the usual icky plastic designs."
Best fitness & wearables dealsSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)Matt Evans, our Senior Fitness and Wearables Editor, is keeping his recommendation short and sweet:
"You can get 47% off in the US and 45% off in the UK on the very popular Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, its top watch with up to 100 hours of battery life, rugged nigh-unbreakable case, and fitness tracking/navigation features to rival the Apple Watch Ultra."
Speaks for itself!
Garmin Vivoactive 5(Image credit: Future)Graham Barlow, our Senior Editor of AI by day, Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert by night, is impressed by this year's Garmin Vivoactive deal:
"I've been waiting for Amazon Prime Day to get a smartwatch. I wanted one that had a long battery life (11 days) and could cover all the bases like general notifications, step counting, sleep tracking and health information.
"I found that the Garmin Vivoactive was hard to beat. The latest Garmin Vivoactive is version 6, but the previous version 5 still has most of the features that you'll use all the time, and it's available for a knock-down price thanks to an Amazon Prime Day deal that's still going.
"In the US, it's currently 37% off, now $189.99 (was $299.99), but it's not sold at list price there at all this year. However, in the UK, you can get the Vivoactive 5 for £141.55 (was £209.99) which is a huge 33% saving.
"Yes, version 6 has a few extra features like smart alarm clock and a Body Battery score, but all the essentials are still available in the Vivoactive 5, for a lot less."
Oura Ring 4(Image credit: Future/Matt Evans)Another from Matt Evans here, but I can also concur as I write this while wearing one;
"This huge price cut shaves £150 off the Oura Ring 4 in the UK due to the appearance of the 5 last month, but at this price the 4 is clearly the better-value option. Even with the premium subscription, it's a good deal for Oura's exceptional smart ring — it's like getting 2.5 years free. It's a similar deal in the US, with the Oura Ring 4 reduced from $349 to just $226."
Best gaming dealsThrustmaster ESWAP X2(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Our Managing Editor of Gaming and Entertainment Rob Dwiar picked out a controller I'm putting straight in my basket, especially at its low UK price.
He says: "This premium Xbox and PC controller is down to a stupidly low price right now. It's the Xbox controller I use most, and has a wonderful modular design so you can shape it how you want, as well as excellent buttons with quick actuation, and a robust design and build quality. Great value at this wildly low price in the UK."
The US deal isn't quite as mind-blowing but it's a decent deal on a great product nonetheless.
SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds(Image credit: Future)Rob's feeling greedy today as he's offered another option for gamers:
"Literally the best gaming earbuds money can buy in our eyes, and now down to a ridiculous lowest-ever price with nearly 50% off.
"If you want a set of gaming earbuds, no matter the platforms, that can do it all, from great features to comfort, and awesome audio to super battery life, then these are the buds to get right now."
SteelSeries Arctis Nova EliteAnd Rob also spotted another deal well worth checking out (steady on, mate) in excess of the two picks above available on both sides of the pond, this time a UK-exclusive on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite;
"The most complete premium headset on the market right now, and the best gaming headset I have ever tested, the Elite is a high-end beast that offers everything. This 10% discount takes it down to a record low too, so now the best in the biz can be yours for less."
A whole 10% off the best gaming headset I have tested is a big deal for one this premium and new. If you're looking for the complete gaming headset experience in one awesome bit of kit, then this is it.View Deal
Dell 14 PlusMatt Hanson, our Managing Editor of Core Tech and expert in all-things computing, has a great laptop recommendation, especially in light of the recent MacBook Neo price increases.
"Thanks to a massive $570 price cut, the Dell 14 Plus is now cheaper than the MacBook Neo; however it offers much better spec thanks to its 6-core AMD CPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. It's a great example of a Windows 11 laptop now being much better value than the Neo after Apple's rather drastic price rises."
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 5 340
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
The Dell 14 Plus is one of our favorite mid-range Windows laptops thanks to its excellent design and competitive specs. If I were looking for a decent everyday laptop for everything from work to demanding productivity applications, then I'd be very tempted by this deal.View Deal
Hopefully there's something above for everyone — but remember, Prime Day finishes today, so if you don't want to miss out, make sure you don't leave it too late. See you next year!


