News
The Scuf Valor Wired is a mid-range wired PC and Xbox controller. It’s actually the second controller to bear this moniker, with the previous version equipped with the less-sensitive Hall-effect thumbsticks rather than the TMR ones here. But is a wired controller worth the investment right now, when there are so many cheap wireless alternatives to pick from?
Despite its mid-market price, the Valor Wired feels suitably premium in the hand. Thanks to its lightly textured grips and thumbsticks, I always felt like I had a firm grasp on it, even with sweaty palms during particularly stress-filled FPS tournaments. I also love the silky-smooth plastic of its faceplate, while the Smoke colorway I tested looked gorgeous, with its translucent gray body and orange highlights.
The Valor Wired isn't a poser, though: many of its features equal those of the best Xbox controllers on the market, even if it can’t fully eclipse them.
Rocking the TMR thumbsticks more usually seen in premium pads, the Valor Wired won’t succumb to stick drift and should prove more sensitive than Hall-effect alternatives. Meanwhile, its dual-mode shoulder triggers allow you to switch between full-range analog movement and clicky micro-switches — sadly, they’re not quite as sensitive as the more premium TMR triggers of some pads — and provide discrete vibrations from the grips for more immersive gameplay. Remappable back buttons deliver plenty of options for in-game shortcuts, although I’d rather its face buttons were of the faster micro-switch variety than the more spongy ones here.
Many of these inputs are customizable in Scuf’s flexible and easy-to-use companion app, available for both Windows and Xbox. Whipping up personal profiles for shooting and racing games took barely any time at all — I was able to tweak dead zones and set custom curves based on my needs, as well as remap buttons to suit my requirements. Saving my preferred profiles to one of three slots on the controller was simple, and I could rapidly flip between them in-game with a single press of a button.
But how does all of this translate to performance? Pretty efficiently, it turns out.
Not only do those TMR thumbsticks offer better durability, but they felt sensitive and responsive, delivering great control over the steering wheel in Forza Horizon 6. I’m already fully converted to the benefits of dual-mode triggers, and they’re fantastic here, enabling me to fire off effective parries in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, even if it wasn’t quite as snappy as on my more premium Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless. And the separate rumble function in the triggers is a fun addition, even if I wouldn’t say it's a revolution in immersion.
And those custom profiles I created definitely seemed to have a material impact on my performance. With its dynamic response curves and trimmed dead zones for the triggers, my racing profile felt like it offered more granular control over the gas and brake pedals, enabling me go from seventh in some races to first place. Meanwhile, aggressive trigger curves in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 made squeezing off headshots faster — although not quite as fast as when using the triggers’ micro-switch mode.
All things being equal, the Scuf Valor Wired is a strong PC and Xbox controller. Its TMR thumbsticks, dual-mode triggers, and sheer customizability are impressive. Its lack of wireless connectivity, TMR triggers, and micro-switch buttons stop it from being truly top-tier, though. Having said that, it's the price that makes it truly compelling. Getting so many features in a pad for $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$179.99 is fantastic, even if that means sacrificing the flexibility of wireless connectivity and the most premium features.
(Image credit: Future)Scuf Valor Wired review: price & availability- Launched on March 31, 2026
- Available from $89.99 / £69.99 / AU$179.99
Released on March 31, 2026, the Scuf Valor Wired is available now. While its list price is $99.99 / £94.99 / AU$179.99, we're already seeing reductions in some markets, seeing it go down to $89.99 / £69.99 in the US and UK.
Rather than a bunch of different versions for different platforms, the one-size-fits-all Scuf Valor Wired is just for Xbox and PC, so if you’re a PlayStation gamer this isn't for you.
On the plus side, it's available in a huge range of colorways — from the ash-colored body and orange detailing of the Light Grey to the red-and-black, dragon-bedecked Prosperity. Plus, removable face plates mean you can purchase multiple colorways to switch things up when you fancy a new look.
Scuf Valor Wired review: specsPrice
$89.99 / £69.99
Compatibility
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type
Wired (Detachable 10ft / 3.6m braided USB-C to USB-A cable)
Battery life
N/A
Features
Endurance TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) thumbsticks, 4 customizable rear paddles, adjustable instant triggers, onboard audio control system, 3 onboard profile slots, wraparound bumpers, removable faceplate, textured performance grip, 3.5mm headset jack, 1,000Hz polling rate on PC
Software
Scuf Companion App
(Image credit: Future)Scuf Valor Wired review: Design & featuresAs soon as I got my hands on the Scuf Valor Wired, I was struck by how comfortable it is to hold. It’s pleasingly ergonomic, perfectly tailored to the shape of my palms, and using it feels effortless even over longer gaming sessions. The satin-smooth finish of its faceplate is wonderfully tactile, too, giving a distinctly premium vibe despite its mid-market price.
While I don’t always love coarser textures for controller grips, the hexagonal print on the rubber here meant the Valor Wired had decent traction in my hands. On top of this, the light texturing on its triggers and around its stock thumbsticks prevents either feeling slippery, even during the sweatiest shootouts I encountered while playing FPS games.
But the Valor Wired tickled more of my senses than touch alone. Visually, I’d say it’s a knockout — I legit love the translucent charcoal casing and orange highlights of the Smoke colorway I tested here. If that isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of alternative options, such as the sakura-bedecked Cherry Blossom or the cyberpunk-coded purple and magenta Respawn. And if you’re perennially indecisive like me, its faceplate is easily removable, meaning you can buy a bunch of options to switch out depending on your mood on a given day.
Let’s talk inputs. Probably the most immediate attention grabber is its thumbsticks. Unlike Scuf’s previous Valor Wired controller, this incarnation comes with TMR sticks, rather than Hall-effect ones. So not only can you breathe easy knowing your controller won’t eventually succumb to the dreaded stick drift, but it should also offer far better sensitivity, more granular tracking, and better centering.
(Image credit: Future)Like some of the more premium pads on the market, each of the Valor Wired’s triggers has a toggle that allows you to switch between full-range analog movement and micro-switches, giving you more rapid response for games such as shooters. While these aren’t the super-precise TMR triggers you’ll see on controllers such as the ROG Raikiri II, they do have their own discrete rumble function, which at least promises to add to the in-game immersion.
Perhaps a little less premium-feeling are the Valor Wired’s buttons. I’ll admit it took me a while to warm up to snappier micro-switch face buttons on my controllers, but now I find that the spongier buttons featured on this pad feel a bit less precise.
On the plus side, the mappable back buttons trigger with a satisfying click. However, their horizontal arrangement is a little unorthodox, forcing you to hold the pad in a certain way. When I rested just my index fingers on the pad’s triggers, the rest of my digits naturally found their way to these switches — but if you prefer to double up your index and middle fingers on the shoulder buttons and triggers, activating these switches feels more awkward. A vertical alignment would make the pad feel a little more grip-agnostic.
An equally novel — but definitely less controversial — design decision Scuf has made here is to include two distinct volume controls on either side of the 3.5mm headphone jack, one for controlling the volume of your mic and the other for in-game sound.
Admittedly, I don’t play a lot of online games — a skill issue more than a lack-of-friends issue — but I can absolutely still see the appeal here for those who do. Despite the fact that both dials are lightly notched, I’d say they still feel a little loose to offer super-precise control. Fortunately, though, their position at the base of the controller means you’re unlikely to knock them accidentally, so this is unlikely to cause you too much stress during day-to-day use.
(Image credit: Future)So that’s it as far as hardware goes. But what about software?
Honestly, the Scuf Valor companion app is very strong. Not only is it easy to download and use on both PC and Xbox, but it also delivers a lot of granular control over various settings on the Valor Wired, which you can then save to custom profiles. You can remap all of its inputs, customize trigger and thumbstick curves and dead zones, and tweak the intensity of trigger or grip vibration. Once you’ve saved the resulting profile, you can then save it to one of three slots on the pad as either red, green, or blue.
Switching between these profiles on-the-fly is super easy. Any time I wanted to change to a different profile, I just had to tap the profile button on the back to cycle through them. Reaching this button can sometimes feel like a bit of a stretch — but, being charitable, this might be an intentional move on Scuf's part to reduce the risk of an accidental knock in the midst of a heated gun battle.
All things considered, the Scuf Valor Wired is well-featured and designed for its price. It may not come with cutting-edge tech such as TMR triggers or micro-switch face buttons, and — spoiler alert — it’s not wireless. But in return for sacrificing a few of those premium features, you get a seriously solid spec for a much lower price. So where’s the downside?
(Image credit: Future)Scuf Valor Wired review: performanceWell, a major downside would be that the features the Scuf Valor Wired offers don’t translate to great performance. Fortunately, this isn't the case — while it can’t quite compete with the best Xbox and PC controllers I’ve ever used, it still does a pretty decent job.
First off, let’s start with those TMR thumbsticks. Not only did their action feel nice and smooth, but they rapidly spring back to their dead zone, making gentle steering corrections in Forza Horizon 6 a breeze. And thanks to that superior sensing tech, their responsiveness really wowed me, always feeling smooth and in control.
In addition, the discrete trigger vibration delivered some decent additional feedback for racing titles, offering a bit of haptic response as my tires locked when drifting around corners. I wouldn’t expect too much here, though — we’re not talking about a PlayStation DualSense level of immersive haptic feedback; it’s not going to substantially up the realism.
In my mind, there’s only one game that provides a worthy test of how responsive shoulder triggers can be: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Using the analog triggers, parrying attacks from new enemies could still be punishingly difficult, but after switching them to micro-switch mode, I found the Catapult Sakapatate's cannon attack in the Endless Night Sanctuary much easier to rebuff. That said, during some of the game's more complex combos, I still found myself flailing around like strips of flypaper glued to an electric drill, suggesting these triggers aren’t quite as responsive as some of the TMR options on the market.
But I wasn’t satisfied simply testing the Valor Wired’s stock settings. I wanted to get to the nitty-gritty of how you can really customize the controller to suit your play style. So I whipped up a couple of custom profiles: a Racing profile and my Pew Pew! profile (FPSes, for anyone with an emotional age of more than eight).
(Image credit: Future)Trying out the pad’s default profile in Forza Horizon 6, I found I was regularly finishing center of the pack. Basically the only way I could keep control of my 2022 Toyota GR86 was to feather the accelerator approaching the bends, then pump the brake trigger to prevent my wheels from locking. But once I’d activated my Racing profile with reduced trigger dead zones and dynamic response curves, it was far easier to reduce the throttle in a controlled way before easing on the brakes for far more controlled drifts. After this, I happily netted several first-place spots on the podium.
By contrast, for my tailor-made profile for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I remapped the faceplate buttons to the rear paddles and stuck the triggers to an aggressive response curve. While it took some getting used to, the remapped controls made it easy to control the in-game action without ever taking my thumb off the stick. By contrast, the sharper trigger curve made a small difference, but it was switching on the Valor Wired’s micro-switches that really helped me click some heads.
And the nicest part about all of this is how easy it was to tweak these settings on the fly. My chief complaint about my beloved ROG Raikiri II is that I can’t access its Gear Link software on Xbox, meaning I have to fire up my PC whenever I want to tweak a setting. By contrast, updating my settings or swapping out the profile saved to the controller here was easy to do on either platform — I simply had to switch to the app mid-game, edit and save my profiles, and then I could leap back into the action.
Ultimately, the Scuf Valor Wired offers great performance. On many fronts, it comes close to many premium controllers in its performance, feeling highly responsive and customizable. While a physical umbilical cord connecting your pad to your console is a definite compromise, it’s one of the few sacrifices you have to make here to get snappy, pro-feeling performance without having to pay through the nose.
(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Scuf Valor Wired?Buy it if…You want impressive performance for a mid-range price
With its more sensitive, drift-free TMR thumbsticks, dual-function micro-switch triggers and mappable rear buttons, the Scuf Valor Wired offers pro-level performance without the premium price tag.
You want good looks and a solid build
Not only does it come in a wide range of styles to suit pretty much every taste, the Valor Wired is beautifully built, whether it’s the textured grips or super-smooth satin-finish faceplate.
You want the best controller you can get your hands on
The Scuf Valor Wired is a strong controller but that doesn’t mean there aren’t even more powerful pads out there. If you want premium features such as TMR triggers or mechanical buttons, it’s worth spending more.
You want a wireless controller
This one has a wire. But if you want low-latency connectivity, make sure you get one with 2.4GHz connectivity.
SCUF Valor Wired with TMR
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless
Thrustmaster eSwap X2
Price
$89.99 / £69.99
$149.99 / £139.99
$169.99 / £149.99
Compatibility
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type
Wired (detachable 10ft / 3.6m braided USB-C cable)
Tri-mode wireless (2.4GHz RF, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C wired)
Wired (detachable USB-C cable)
Battery life
N/A
Up to 50 hours (2.4GHz wireless with RGB/audio off)
N/A
Features
Endurance TMR thumbsticks, 4 remappable rear paddles, adjustable instant triggers, onboard audio controls, 3 profile slots, wraparound bumpers, removable faceplate
Anti-drift TMR joysticks, dual-mode triggers (TMR/micro-switch), 4 micro-switch rear buttons, micro-switch face buttons/D-pad, 1,000Hz polling rate (PC)
Hot-Swap modular thumbstick/D-pad system, mechanical micro-switch face buttons, 4 remappable rear buttons, physical trigger locks
Software
Scuf Companion App
Armoury Crate / ROG Gear Link
ThrustmapperX software
Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless
There’s a reason the ROG Raikiri II has earned a place in my home setup. With both TMR thumbsticks and TMR dual-mode triggers, not to mention 1K polling and a minimum 3.5ms input latency, it offers blisteringly fast performance. It also offers wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth connectivity, and remappable back buttons. While it’s a touch frustrating that its software doesn’t run on Xbox and there are no saveable profiles on the pad itself, this pad still delivers serious punch.
Read my full Asus ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless review
Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E
At $179.99 / £139.99, the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E might feel decidedly pricey compared to the Scuf Valor Wired. It's wired, too, and also features slightly less fancy Hall-effect thumbsticks to boot. But it does have a pretty major trick up its sleeve: its modular design. You can hot-swap out its modules to replace them, upgrade them, or even switch up their layout, making it a flexible pad that’s in it for the long haul.
Read our full Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E review.
(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Scuf Valor Wired- Tested over four days
- Tried out on a range of platforms and games
- Many years experience writing about gadgets
I tested the Scuf Valor Wired over a long weekend. I tried it out on both my Xbox Series X and my gaming PC, as well as playing a range of games of different genres, including racing games, FPSes, and RPGs. I particularly focused on the sensitivity and responsiveness of the TMR thumbsticks, the triggers, and the buttons to see how they compared to other controllers.
To really test the Valor Wired’s capabilities, I customized its settings in multiple ways. I experimented with different dead zones, utilizing different response curves for its thumbsticks and triggers, saving them to multiple profiles to see how they impacted different styles of game. I also created various custom button mappings to gauge their impact on play.
Alongside working and writing about tech and gadgets for over seven years, I’ve been playing games all my life. I play across multiple platforms, on my desktop PC, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam Deck.
- First reviewed: August 2026
- Read more about how we test
Sound quality is important to me. Whether I'm listening to hi-res mixes on Tidal or making music of my own, I want to hear it in the absolute best detail I can. That's why, during Prime Day this July, I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Sennheiser HD 660S2. But since then, I've started to wonder whether getting a DAC is essential to unlocking the loftiest realms of sonic sophistication.
While the Sennheiser HD 660S2 aren't the most expensive headphones I've ever owned, I'd argue they are the most premium, sonically speaking. Compared to wireless headphones where a decent chunk of your spend is going on Bluetooth chipsets, ANC and fancy features, wired headphones such as the HD 660S2 are a pure audio play. Pretty much every cent you spend goes towards their engineering for sound quality.
As a result, it's not surprising that my initial response to these cans has been positive. They don't have the most strongly flavored sound profile — for example, there wasn't throbbing bass pounding my ear drums like Neil Peart trying to slaughter a fleet-footed fly crawling across his skins. But their frequency balance is as judicious as any of the best headphones, neglecting no part of the spectrum.
Another huge factor is their open-backed design. As they let in near enough every perceivable external sound, the idea of using them on the subway brings me out in a cold sweat — ain't nobody there to hear fellow passengers discuss nasty medical ailments in graphic detail before breakfast. But that same transparency gives them a seriously spacious sound that allows each element a decent amount of room to breathe, already making them a great upgrade over their closed-back cousins.
Perhaps the biggest win in their corner is the very fact that they're wired. As they don't have to contend with the limited bit- and sample rates of Bluetooth headphones, they're free from lossy compression (in themselves at least — they can't help your source material if it's not up to the job), meaning they can maintain the original source's resolution and detail. While that might matter less when you're using a flimsy $30 / £20 / AU$40 pair of cans, in more premium headphones, you can absolutely hear lossless formats the way they're meant to be heard.
This all comes with a pretty serious asterisk though. As alluded to above, unlike their wireless rivals, wired headphones aren't packing their own DAC, meaning those digital files you're listening to need to be converted to analog audio before passing along that wire. And while laptops — and the few phones that still have 3.5mm jacks — have their own built-in DACs, these usually lack the power to drive heavy duty cans like the HD 660S2.
Don't get me wrong: while I knew the Sennheisers wouldn't necessarily be giving me their A-game without a DAC, their sound has still been impressive, which is no mean feat. But it has started me wondering: what am I missing? Could one of the best DACs help me unlock the loftiest realms of audio quality?
I resolved to find out.
DAC-seat driver(Image credit: Future)Given iFi created many of our picks for our best DACs guide, it seemed a sensible place to start and I eventually settled on the iFi Zen DAC 3. Not only is this portable DAC capable of audio resolutions of up to 32-bit/768kHz, its 390mW amplifier should have plenty of power to drive the 300-ohm resistance of the Sennheiser HD 660S2.
Setting it up is simplicity itself. All I had to do was hook it up to my laptop with a USB-C cable, plug the HD 660S2's chonky 6.3mm jack in its front port and I was all set to start comparing the quality of some tunes.
Mid-range frequencies fared surprisingly well, even without a DAC. During Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon, I felt like I was sat right at the heart of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's choir and there was some really tasty detail to the low toms in the percussion. Once I'd plugged in the iFi, there was some improvement, with a little more dynamism to those vocals and a bit more spaciousness in the mix, but the changes were very subtle.
Treble is a similar story. Before I plugged the DAC in, Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac sounded bright and crisp — the strumming of the guitars felt suitably tight and had a decent amount of bite, without feeling brittle. Hooking the the HD 660S up to the DAC didn't substantially transform the treble, but the iFi did allow for even more low-end heft to the track without overshadowing the pinpoint definition of those guitars. Honestly, this is probably the first time I've ever felt like this track actually sounded bassy.
In light of this, you won't be surprised to hear that low-end performance is where iFi's DAC made the biggest difference, making Otomo by Bonobo sound truly ridiculous. Even without the DAC, the HD 660S2 made the bass sound warm and punchy, without harming the clarity of the percussion or those tribal choral vocals. But when using Zen DAC 3, the impact bass during the drop was unreal — the sub bass is so strong it feels like it hits you right in the brain stem.
This increased low-end clarity and dynamism also helps when it comes to precision and separation too. Deprived of DAC, the HD 660S2 did an excellent job of rendering I Need the Night by London Grammar — those reverberant vocals sounded wonderfully detailed and gorgeously expressed, even when the beat kicked in. But with a DAC picking up the slack, the sustained guitars and bass were able to shine more without encroaching on the vocals, while the beat still felt suitably punchy.
So the iFi Zen DAC 3 definitely added some spit and polish to my tunes.
DAC to reality(Image credit: Future)Still, all of the improvements I've noted above feel incremental at best. Attempting to jack up my listening experience with a DAC resulted in what I'd class more as a 5% improvement, rather than the revolutionary experience I was expecting. So what gives?
Turns out, some sacred cows need to be put out to pasture. While there are plenty of people who will swear blind that you need a discrete DAC for a pair of high-impedance headphones like the HD 660S2 (which come with a rating of 300 ohms), that's not actually always true. Because, if you're lucky, you may find that your gear's built-in DAC is plenty powerful enough on its own.
I should have dug into the specs of my hardware a little more. Both the MacBook Air M5 I use at home and the MacBook Pro M4 I use at work have a pretty sophisticated DAC built-in — if you're driving some low-impedance wired earbuds, it'll deliver a far lower voltage but when you pop in a pair of audiophile-grade headphones like the Sennheiser HD 660S2, it'll deliver substantially more power. That's why these cans sounded so great out of the box to me.
While that's great news for me — and for anyone else who's happy to drop $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,099 on a MacBook just as an expensive network audio player — it's not that illuminating on whether your more humble devices will benefit from the help of an external device.
So I guess it's DAC to the drawing board.
To hell and DAC(Image credit: Future)Like all great technologists, I know every catastrophic failure is just a fantastic opportunity to pivot. So I redesigned my experiment on the fly. I grabbed one of our testing smartphones — the skilled yet affordable OnePlus Nord CE5 — plugged in a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter and jacked in the Sennheiser HD 660S2. And boy, was it a... whatever the opposite of a revelation is.
When drip-fed on the meager power a phone outputs, the HD 660S2 sound like a completely different pair of headphones. As you'd expect, their output is much quieter and mids lack impact. On Painted Wolf by O’Flynn, the Rhodes-style keyboard and strings sounded far more hollowed out than when listening with the DAC, which gave that fiddle part real body and texture.
Without the Zen DAC, the phone struggled to deliver much treble either. Thanks to its bright presentation, Crash into Me by Dave Matthews Band quickly shows up any glassiness or sibilance in a pair of headphones high-end, yet here it sounded rolled off and lacking in confidence. Conversely, once hooked up to iFi Zen DAC 3, the HD 660S2 made each of those densely layered guitar parts feel distinct and detailed — I could practically hear the vibration of the plectrum as it scrapes over the strings.
One area I'll give the Sennheisers their due though is when it comes to bass. Even without a lot of power behind them, the low end of Listen by Pola & Bryson and Goddard. still sounded pretty tasty — those snarling D&B bass warps still felt deep and beautifully detailed and there was a soupçon of sub beneath it all. The DAC still delivered here too though, swaddling you in lush pads, while that bassline genuinely sounds like you’re being hit full-force in the chest by a Funktion One rig.
It isn't just the frequency balance that felt off either: the lack of DAC limited the HD 660S2's to present its soundstage with quite as much dynamism or distinction. Playing Breathe This Air by Jon Hopkins with the Zen DAC 3 plugged in, I found the wonderful interplay of piano strikes across the stereo field to be genuinely breathtaking. Thanks to the Sennheisers' open-back design, they were still able to get a decent stereo spread without the iFi's help but the pinging of each element across the soundstage felt considerably less dynamic than before.
So a DAC absolutely makes a huge difference. If you're playing music off a cheaper or more portable device, any increased investment in higher-quality headphones may well be wiped out if you don't pair it with a discrete DAC. But don't assume you need one by default, as the days of all built-in DACs being dreadful are well behind us.
Another sales event is here, and so there's another chance for me to mull over the idea of buying a fancy coffee machine for my home. This time I'm considering the Breville Barista Express Impress on Amazon for $649.95 (was $799.95), as that's the lowest price it's been all year — outside of Prime Day.
• Browse the full Labor Day sale at Amazon
I'm just thinking about all the coffee I buy on the days I commute to the office or while I'm out of the house, and while the odd treat is nice, it does seem more sensible for me to make coffee at home to save money. Yes, this would be a considerable upfront investment, but it will surely make its money back in the long run.
Even though it was $50 cheaper during Prime Day, this is still a tempting offer that I'd strongly consider before this year's Labor Day sales come to an end.
Today's best espresso machine dealThe Breville Barista Express Impress is up there with some of the best espresso machines we've reviewed here at TechRadar. It has a higher learning curve than the average espresso machine, but it allows you to hone your coffee skills to make drinks exactly how you like them. This is just $50 more than the record-low price for the mid-range espresso maker, and it remains a best-seller on Amazon, so it's looking like a good time for an upgrade.View Deal
What's convincing me even more is that we awarded the Breville Barista Express Impress an impressive 4.5-stars in our review. Our main takeaway is that it "makes it easy to achieve great-tasting coffee in the comfort of your home." So, if that's what you're after, then there's little reason to look any further.
With its ability to make all sorts of hot drinks with ease, a vast array of adjustable settings, a handy integrated grinder, and a powerful steam wand for milk texturing, it stands out as one of the best espresso machines we've tested.
Sure, there may be simpler, smaller, and potentially less expensive coffee machines out there that may suit my needs as well, but I do like the idea of learning how to use this slightly more advanced option. If you're also still a little put off by the price, some other espresso machine deals that are currently available are below.
Jump to...
1. Top deals
2. Appliances
3. TVs
4. Apple devices
5. Laptops
6. Smart home
7. Headphones
8. Smartwatches
Labor Day is officially here, and I'm here to bring you all of the top bargains. As TechRadar's deals expert with over nine years of experience covering Labor Day sales, I've combed through offers from all the major retailers to share today's best deals worth buying.
Labor Day marks the end of summer, which means retailers are offering clearance prices on outdoor items like grills and patio furniture, as well as record-low prices on big-ticket items like mattresses and major appliances. Today's sales also include some of our best-rated tech, including TVs, Apple devices, laptops, and headphones.
Below, you'll find links to today's best Labor Day sales, followed by the top deals my team and I vetted, so you know you're getting a genuine bargain. Highlights include LG's 55-inch B6E OLED TV on sale for $799.99 (was $1,299.99), up to 45% off major appliances at Best Buy, and Amazon's most popular smart home devices starting at $17.99.
We'll be live-blogging across Labor Day, highlighting our favorite deals on products that we love. Keep in mind, these are limited-time offers, and most sales will end tonight, so it's likely your best chance to score some excellent deals until Black Friday in November.
The best Labor Day sales — quick links- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
- Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $99
- Appliances: up to $1,200 at Samsung
- Best Buy: 60% off appliances, TVs, laptops & more
- Casper: up to 30% off mattresses
- Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
- DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses, 66% off bundles
- Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
- Lowe's: $1,000 off appliances, patio & tools
- Nectar: up to 50% off mattresses, deals from $349
- Saatva: up to $625 off luxury mattresses
- Samsung: up to $2,000 off 4K, QLED & OLED TVs
- Target: 45% off clothing, tech & furniture
- Walmart: 58% off back-to-school, furniture, & clothing
Forerunner 265: was $449.99 now $349.99
Here's a healthy $100 saving on one of Garmin's best running watches. The smartwatch delivers amazing performance and an abundance of features that accurately track your runs. We also love the AMOLED touchscreen that delivers bright visuals, even on a sunny day.View Deal
XPS 13 Laptop: was $999.99 now $699.99
Display - 13.4 inches
Processor - Intel Core 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
The Dell XPS 13 has regularly been one of our favorite laptops here at TechRadar, and this brand-new version continues that trend. With an Intel Core 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it has everything you need for solid all-around performance at work or college. Students can also save an extra $100, bringing the price down to a ridiculously low $599.View Deal
The AirPods 4 are Apple's cheapest AirPods, and you can find them on sale for $99, which is the lowest price we've seen this year and just $30 shy of the record-low. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for wireless charging via USB-C.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 reviewView Deal
Fire TV Stick 4K Select: was $49.99 now $17.99
Amazon's newest 4K streaming stick is down to just $17.99 for Labor Day. Since it's only a few bucks more than the cheaper HD version, you might as well pay for the upgrade and get higher-resolution streaming—as long as you have a 4K TV. It lacks a few premium features found in the more expensive Plus and Max models, such as improved Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos, but that is more than enough for everyday use.View Deal
55-inch B6E Series OLED 4K Smart TV: was $1299.99 now $799.99
LG's 2026 B6E is the budget version of the popular LG B6, and thanks to Best Buy's Labor Day sale, you can get the 55-inch model for an incredible price of $799.99. The LG B6E is packed with premium features, like LG's speedy Alpha 8 Gen 3 AI processor, Dolby Vision support, extensive gaming features, and webOS 26 - all for under $800.View Deal
Home Depot Labor Day sale: indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations from $10
If you're like me and love Halloween, then you'll want to head to Lowe's to save on popular indoor and outdoor decorations. You can find large inflatables, giant skeletons, spooky ghosts, and more.View Deal
Nutri-Blender Pro Personal Blender: was $109.99 now $79.97
Amazon's Labor Day sale has the best compact, single-serve blender for under $80. This is an ideal solution for your daily smoothie or protein shake. The Ninja Pro features two Auto-iQ preset programs that are uniquely timed for smoothies & crushed ice , and the included 24-oz cups are perfect to make your favorite creation just before leaving the house.View Deal
QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $209.99
I can't speak too much about the overall quality of this TV given we haven't had extensive testing time, but I can't deny that it's a super low price for a TV of this size. It also sports the budget version of Hisense's QLED tech, which offers superior brightness and more vivid colors, although it's not as powerful as the premium displays. Still, this is a big and cheap TV that will be ideal for general everyday viewing and streaming for someone who isn't too bothered about getting the very best picture possible.View Deal
Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum: was $199.99 now $159.99
If you're looking for a powerful upright vacuum but don't want to spend a lot on a Dyson, Amazon has the best-selling Shark Navigator on sale for $159.99. The upright vacuum works on carpet and hard floors, and its lightweight design makes it ultra-portable.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Celeron N4500
RAM - 4GB
Storage - 64GB
This HP Chromebook 14 is a basic device, but it's cheap, making it a great buy for light use such as general browsing and schoolwork. It also boasts full-day battery life thanks to the lean but perfectly functional Chrome OS from Google, meaning it's best suited for students or those always on the move. If you have around $200 to spend and need a cheap laptop, then it's one of the best options right now.View Deal
77-inch B5 OLED 4K Smart TV: was $2999.99 now $1499.99
The LG B5 is this year's best budget OLED TV, and Best Buy has a massive 50% discount on the 77-inch model. Released last year, the LG B5 is TechRadar's best budget OLED TV and was awarded four and a half stars in our review. The LG display delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast. You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports and new AI tools, including AI Search, AI Concierge, and an improved AI Chatbot.
Read our full LG B5 reviewView Deal
DreamCloud Mattress: was $1,892 now from $699 at DreamCloud
DreamCloud's Labor Day sale is live with up to 60% off mattresses, bringing the flagship DreamCloud mattress down to $699 for a queen size. The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that layers bouncy pocket coils and sink-in memory foam, topped with a luxurious cashmere-blend cover. It sleeps cool and absorbs movement well.View Deal
Amazon's Echo Spot is a solid smart alarm clock that pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or, of course, schedule alarms. This Labor Day deal brings the price down to $69.99.View Deal
Best Labor Day appliance dealsBest Buy Labor Day appliance sale: save up to 45%, plus free delivery
Best Buy's official Labor Day appliance sale is now live, and you can save up to 45% on major appliances at the retailer. This includes up to $1,000 in savings on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and kitchen packages from brands like GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, and LG. The retailer is also throwing in free delivery and a price match guarantee.View Deal
Home Depot Labor Day sale: save up to 40% off major appliances
Appliances are a Labor Day specialty, and right now Home Depot is offering up to $1,000 off major appliances. You can save big on refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, and more from brands like Samsung, GE, and Whirlpool. You can also score free delivery on orders over $998. View Deal
Refrigerators: up to $1,700 off at Samsung
The Samsung Labor sale is now live and some of the brand's best savings can be found on its wide selection of refrigerators. Shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to $1,700 on popular models, including French-door styles, Bespoke designs, and fridge-freezer combos. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen or replacing an old appliance, now is a great time to consider something new.View Deal
K-Mini single-serve coffee machine: was $59.99 now $49.99
Thanks to its compact size, this Keurig K-Mini coffee maker is a great choice for those working with a small kitchen space. It can brew a cup in minutes and is less than five inches wide. Today's Amazon deal brings the price down to just $49.99.View Deal
The Breville Barista Express Impress is up there with some of the best espresso machines we've reviewed here at TechRadar. It has a higher learning curve than the average espresso machine, but it allows you to hone your coffee skills to make drinks exactly how you like them. This is just $50 more than the record-low price for the mid-range espresso maker, and it remains a best-seller on Amazon, so it's looking like a good time for an upgrade.View Deal
Pro Coffee Maker: was $59.99 now $29.99
This will never be one of the best coffee makers you can buy, but there's no denying that it is dirt cheap. It's a basic and no-frills drip filter coffee maker that can brew up to 12 cups at once, has a programmable timer so you can wake up to a fresh pot, and dishwasher-safe components that make it easy to clean.View Deal
4 qt Touchscreen Slim Air Fryer: was $69.99 now $59.99
The Bella Pro is exclusive to Best Buy, and we have seen this four-quart model a little cheaper in previous sales. However, for under $60, this is excellent value for money this weekend if you just need a compact air fryer for a small household or kitchen.View Deal
Nutri-Blender Pro Personal Blender: was $109.99 now $79.97
Amazon's Labor Day sale has the best compact, single-serve blender for under $80. This is an ideal solution for your daily smoothie or protein shake. The Ninja Pro features two Auto-iQ preset programs that are uniquely timed for smoothies & crushed ice , and the included 24-oz cups are perfect to make your favorite creation just before leaving the house.View Deal
Pot Vortex 6QT XL Air Fryer: was $139.99 now $89.99
For just $89.99, you're getting a dependable, affordable air fryer. You're getting a six-quart basket and four different functions, allowing you to air fry, bake, reheat, and roast with the touch of a button. View Deal
Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Deep Cleaner: was $99.99 now $88.99
Bissell portable carpet cleaners are breakout stars at holiday sales like Labor Day, and Amazon has the top-rated Little Green Mini model for $88.99. Perfect for pet owners and parents, the portable carpet cleaner can magically erase spills and stains from carpets, couches, auto interiors, and more.View Deal
Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum: was $199.99 now $159.99
If you're looking for a powerful upright vacuum but don't want to spend a lot on a Dyson, Amazon has the best-selling Shark Navigator on sale for $159.99. The upright vacuum works on carpet and hard floors, and its lightweight design makes it ultra-portable.View Deal
V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum: was $565 now $449.99
The Dyson V11 is plenty powerful, packing several attachments and an LCD display to help you achieve the deep clean of your dreams. It can conveniently transform into a handheld vacuum and offers up to 60 minutes of run time.View Deal
Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum: was $299.99 now $169
There's a $130 discount on this top-rated Shark cordless vacuum at Amazon. Designed for pet owners, the Shark Pet features a low-profile design to get under furniture and delivers powerful suction on both bare floors and carpets..View Deal
24-inch Select Series HD Smart TV: was $121.67 now $99.99
Amazon's Labor Day sale has Roku's best-selling 24-inch HD smart TV for just $99.99. For that price, you get HD resolution, an enhanced voice remote, and Roku's excellent smart TV interface.View Deal
32-inch 2-Series HD Fire TV: was $159.99 now $143.99
If you're looking for a cheap set for an extra bedroom, Amazon's best-selling 32-inch 2-Series HD smart TV is $143.99. While the Amazon 2-Series TV lacks 4K resolution, it offers smart capabilities through the Fire TV experience and Amazon Alexa, providing hands-free control.View Deal
43-inch F50 Series HD 4K Smart Fire TV: was $199.99 now $139.99
If you're looking for a small budget TV, this 43-inch Insignia display is an incredible deal at just $139.99. The Insignia F50 Series TV features 4K HD resolution, DTS Studio Sound, smart capabilities with the Fire TV operating system, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal
B6 48-inch 4K OLED TV: was $999.99 now $699.99
The LG B6 is the brand's latest entry-level OLED TV for 2026 and a great choice if you want great picture quality and gaming chops on a budget. It features four HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K gaming at 120Hz, variable refresh rate modes, HGiG, and support for Dolby Vision Gaming. Our only criticism with this model is that it didn't provide a massive upgrade over the previous LG B5 model, but it's still an excellent entry-level OLED TV that ticks a lot of the right boxes.
Read our full LG B6 OLED TV reviewView Deal
Fire TV 55-inch Omni QLED 4K TV: was $499.99 now $329.99
The latest Amazon Omni QLED is a brilliant budget TV that delivers solid picture quality and strong gaming features, including 4K 60Hz, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, at an affordable price. This Labor Day discount brings the 55-inch model to $329.99, which is an incredible price for a QLED display of this size.View Deal
55-inch F70 Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Fire TV: was $699.99 now $299.99
Insignia's F70 Series QLED TV boasts Mini-LED and Quantum Dot technology, delivering bold, vibrant colors and lifelike images. You also get Dolby Atmos Audio, smart capabilities with the Fire operating system, and a voice remote with hands-free Alexa, so you can use your voice to control your TV.View Deal
55-inch C6 OLED TV: was $1599.99 now $1499.99
The LG C6 is the successor to our best-rated TV, LG's C5 OLED, and the 55-inch model is on sale for $1,499.99. The 2026 OLED TV delivers more accurate, brighter colors than the C5 with powerful contrast thanks to its new Alpha 11 AI processor. The C6 also includes impressive gaming features and LG's intuitive smart TV platform.
Read our full LG C6 reviewView Deal
65-inch Q6F Series QLED TV: was $599.99 now $449.99
A 65-inch QLED display for $450 is an unbelievable deal. Samsung's 2025 Q6F Series TV delivers brilliant colors and contrast for which these QLED displays are known. It only supports a 60Hz refresh rate, so if you're looking for speedy gaming action, go for one of the more premium models.View Deal
65-inch U7 Mini-LED QLED TV: was $1499.99 now $897.99
This Hisense U7 Series delivers top TV tech for the money in a reasonably sized display, including a bright, vibrant QLED panel with excellent contrast and a high 165Hz refresh rate for smooth images. It will excel as a TV for watching sports, streaming all your favorite shows and movies, and playing the latest games.View Deal
65-inch LS03FA The Frame QLED TV: was $1599.99 now $999.99
If you've been eyeing Samsung's gorgeous The Frame QLED TV, Best Buy has the 65-inch model on sale for its lowest price yet. The 2025 Samsung Frame TV features Pantone art-validated colors that deliver lifelike images. The display now comes with Streams, a complimentary set of artwork streamed from the Samsung Art Store.View Deal
55-inch B6E Series OLED 4K Smart TV: was $1299.99 now $799.99
LG's 2026 B6E is the budget version of the popular LG B6, and thanks to Best Buy's Labor Day sale, you can get the 55-inch model for an incredible price of $799.99. The LG B6E is packed with premium features, like LG's speedy Alpha 8 Gen 3 AI processor, Dolby Vision support, extensive gaming features, and webOS 26 - all for under $800.View Deal
QD50 58-inch Hi-QLED 4K TV: was $399.99 now $209.99
I can't speak too much about the overall quality of this TV given we haven't had extensive testing time, but I can't deny that it's a super low price for a TV of this size. It also sports the budget version of Hisense's QLED tech, which offers superior brightness and more vivid colors, although it's not as powerful as the premium displays. Still, this is a big and cheap TV that will be ideal for general everyday viewing and streaming for someone who isn't too bothered about getting the very best picture possible.View Deal
75-inch C350 4K Fire TV: was $729.99 now $369.99
If you're looking for a cheap big-screen TV, Best Buy has the popular 75-inch Toshiba C350 4K Fire TV for an incredible $369.99. Toshiba's C350 is a 4K TV with HDR support, delivering solid picture quality for everyday viewing. Access streaming apps easily with the Fire TV OS, which puts Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and more at your fingertips. It's not as powerful as many premium options, but if you're on a tight budget and want a big display, this is an excellent option.View Deal
75-inch S5 4K LED Fire TV: was $649.99 now $419.99
The TCL 75-inch S5 4K LED TV supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 Plus, HDR10, and HLG, while there’s Dolby Atmos sound and a built-in subwoofer. It also has a dedicated Game Mode for lower input lag and latency, and Motion Rate 240 technology for smoother motion. It’s all wrapped up in a highly attractive price tag for a screen of this size.View Deal
77-inch G6 OLED 4K TV: was $4499.99 now $3799.99
The LG G6 is a pricey TV, but this flagship OLED delivers superb picture quality and unbeatable gaming performance. It uses a new-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel and a new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor to deliver a better bright-room viewing experience than the previous model. With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting a full suite of features, the G6 is also a fantastic gaming display.
Read our full LG G6 reviewView Deal
77-inch B5 OLED 4K Smart TV: was $2999.99 now $1499.99
The LG B5 is this year's best budget OLED TV, and Best Buy has a massive 50% discount on the 77-inch model. Released last year, the LG B5 is TechRadar's best budget OLED TV and was awarded four and a half stars in our review. The LG display delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast. You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports and new AI tools, including AI Search, AI Concierge, and an improved AI Chatbot.
Read our full LG B5 reviewView Deal
85-inch QM6K Series Mini LED QLED TV: was $1197.99 now $1056.68
Here is an Amazon exclusive deal on a massive display. You can get TCL's 85-inch QM6K Series for $1,056.68, which is an incredible price for a TV of this size. A truly great budget mini-LED TV, the TCL QM6K delivers vibrant picture quality and solid gaming features for a price that won't break the bank.View Deal
AirTag 4 Pack (2nd generation): was $99 now $79.99
You can get the best-selling Apple AirTag 4 Pack for $79.99, which is the lowest price we've ever seen. A great way to track a child's backpack or luggage, the AirTag can be attached to anything you don't want to lose, and your iPhone can locate it.View Deal
EarPods Headphones with Lightning Connector: was $19 now $14.88
If you haven't heard, wired headphones are all the rage, which is why Apple's EarPods for $14.88 are an excellent early Prime Day deal. A slim, quality-looking design, clear sound, and comfortable fit are just a few of their best qualities. This model works with all devices that have a Lightning connector – which is iPhone 14 and before – so if you've got a newer iPhone, you'll instead want the USB-C version ($16.99 at Amazon).View Deal
The AirPods 4 are Apple's cheapest AirPods, and you can find them on sale for $99, which is the lowest price we've seen this year and just $30 shy of the record-low. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for wireless charging via USB-C.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 reviewView Deal
Amazon has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation on sale for $148.99, which is the best deal you can find right now. The AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC reviewView Deal
AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $199
Apple's premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds deliver true flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding. Today's deal is the best price you can find on Apple's newest AirPods.View Deal
AirPods Max 2 (USB-C): was $549 now $479
The over-ear headphones now include Apple's H2 chip, which delivers adaptive audio, personalized volume, and improved voice isolation for superior sound. You're also getting up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation and 20 hours of battery life.View Deal
Watch Series 11: was $399 now $369
Deals on the Apple Watch 11 are hard to find right now, but Best Buy has a $30 discount on the 42mm model. The thinnest Apple Watch yet, with a wraparound LTPO3 OLED display, it looks great and packs Apple Intelligence-powered smarts and a boosted battery, clocking in at 24 hours of average use.
Read our full Apple Watch 11 reviewView Deal
iPad 11-inch (A16, 2025): was $449 now $399
Apple's latest base iPad is $50 off at Amazon, bringing the price to $ 399.99. The biggest upgrade over the previous generation is the newer A16 chip for faster performance, and you'll also get double the standard storage (128GB instead of 64GB). Other features include a sharp 11-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 12MP front- and rear-facing cameras, making this iPad the best for casual streamers and scrollers.
Read our full 11-inch iPad A16 reviewView Deal
11-inch iPad Air M4,: was $749 now $649.99
The 2026 iPad Air M4 is now on sale at Amazon for $649 - that's the lowest price we've seen since Apple's price hikes in June. The 11-inch iPad Air delivers laptop-like speed and power thanks to Apple's M4 processor, plus you're getting 12GB of RAM, Bluetooth 6 support, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
Read our full 11-inch iPad Air M4 reviewView Deal
The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) is the most powerful iPad to date, with the latest iPadOS to boot. Its 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR Display delivers outstanding color accuracy and plenty of useful features, including P3 wide color and True Tone. Best Buy's Labor Day sale has shaved $50 off the retail price.View Deal
The MacBook Neo is in stock in all colors at Amazon, with a small $10 price cut. While we've seen the budget MacBook drop to $589.99, this is the best deal we've seen since the price hike in July. It's also an incredible price for a feature-packed MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.
MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M5 chip: was $1799 now $1699
Best Buy has a $100 discount on Apple's popular 13-inch MacBook Air M5. The powerful MacBook packs Apple's M5 chip, delivering exceptional performance and speed, plus AI capabilities and 18 hours of battery life.View Deal
MacBook Pro 14.2-inch (M5): was $1999 now $1849.99
Apple's M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) is paired with 16GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD, in a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 24 hours of battery life. Amazon's Labor Day discount is the best price you can find right now.View Deal
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Celeron N4500
RAM - 4GB
Storage - 64GB
This HP Chromebook 14 is a basic device, but it's cheap, making it a great buy for light use such as general browsing and schoolwork. It also boasts full-day battery life thanks to the lean but perfectly functional Chrome OS from Google, meaning it's best suited for students or those always on the move. If you have around $200 to spend and need a cheap laptop, then it's one of the best options right now.View Deal
Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 540
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
You don't always find a laptop with 8GB of memory for under $300, so this Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook really stands out in Best Buy's Labor Day sale. Other components are good for light use, but that bump to 8GB of RAM will really help with everyday performance and load times. It's still a fairly basic laptop, but with enough extra power to avoid dramatic slowdown when multitasking.View Deal
CX34 Chromebook: was $729 now $379
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel Core i5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 128GB
This version of the Asus Chromebook Plus offers an impressive amount of power for the price. It includes 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 processor, boosting performance, boot times and load times. Storage of 128GB is a bit miserly for the price, but battery life is solid. That's more than enough to last a full working day. At a little under $400, it's a smart buy for school or college, or just as a home laptop for light use and everyday tasks.View Deal
Aspire Go 15: was $699.99 now $499.99
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
The Acer Aspire Go is undoubtedly one of the best budget Windows 11 laptops you can buy right now, as attested in our review of this very model. This configuration in particular features a powerful chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious storage drive for a really compelling price at Best Buy. If you just want a great value laptop that can handle working from home or basic tasks, then this is one of the top options available at this week's sales. View Deal
15 Laptop: was $849.99 now $479.99
Processor: Intel Core Core i5
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Dell's entry-level 15-inch laptops are always a solid option if you're looking for a good value machine for everyday use. This particular configuration features a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — that's more than enough for the basics like web browsing or shopping. While not a high-end machine by any stretch, this is a sensible buy with plenty of storage space for essential files and applications.View Deal
XPS 13 Laptop: was $999.99 now $699.99
Display - 13.4 inches
Processor - Intel Core 5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 512GB
The Dell XPS 13 has regularly been one of our favorite laptops here at TechRadar, and this brand-new version continues that trend. With an Intel Core 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it has everything you need for solid all-around performance at work or college. Students can also save an extra $100, bringing the price down to a ridiculously low $599.View Deal
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
This OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is a top pick if you want a mid-to-high-end laptop in the HP Labor Day sale. Not only do you get 16GB of RAM and a decent-sized 512GB SSD, but you also get one of the latest Intel Ultra 7 chipsets for plenty of power under the hood. This particular model also features a handy 2-in-1 form factor as well as a high-end 3K OLED display for added flexibility and sharp visuals.View Deal
OmniBook 3: was $799.99 now $649.99
Display - 14 inches
Processor - Snapdragon X
RAM - 16GB
Storage - 512GB
This is a solid discount on a modern laptop powered by one of the efficient Snapdragon X CPUs. As well as excellent levels of all-around performance, this device boasts a huge all-day battery life of up to 41 hours, so you won't need to worry about being attached to a charger at all times. Storage is also solid with a 512GB SSD, so this is an impressive laptop for the price for everyday, college and business use.View Deal
Swift Go 16: was $1499.99 now $999.99
Display - 16 inches
Processor - AMD Ryzen AI 9
RAM - 32GB
Storage - 1TB
There's a massive $500 price cut on this powerful high-end laptop, which boasts an AMD Ryzen AI 9, a performance-boosting 32GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD. This is a great pick for business and productivity needs, with enough power to multitask with ease and battery life that lasts a full day.View Deal
Best Labor Day smart home dealsFire TV Stick 4K Select: was $49.99 now $17.99
Amazon's newest 4K streaming stick is down to just $17.99 for Labor Day. Since it's only a few bucks more than the cheaper HD version, you might as well pay for the upgrade and get higher-resolution streaming—as long as you have a 4K TV. It lacks a few premium features found in the more expensive Plus and Max models, such as improved Wi-Fi and Dolby Atmos, but that is more than enough for everyday use.View Deal
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max streams the same content at the same quality as the standard 4K version, but the extra power inside delivers faster app navigation. Plus, it uses Wi-Fi 6E technology to deliver a more stable, consistent streaming experience.View Deal
Battery Doorbell 2K (newest model): was $99.99 now $69.99
I already own the best-selling Ring Video Doorbell and can't imagine living without it. The smart doorbell features a built-in battery and lets you see, hear, and speak to anyone from your phone or computer. You also get 2K video resolution, so your videos are crisp and clear. View Deal
Battery Doorbell 2K+: was $69.99 now $41.99
You can get the all-new Blink Video Doorbell 2K+ for only $41.99. The Blink doorbell alerts you when it detects motion and features infrared night vision, two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and an expanded field of view.View Deal
If you're looking for a robust smart speaker, Amazon has the Echo Dot on sale for $54.99. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers an improved audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor and all the handy features from Alexa, like playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather, completely hands-free.View Deal
Amazon's Echo Spot is a solid smart alarm clock that pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or, of course, schedule alarms. This Labor Day deal brings the price down to $69.99.View Deal
Whether you want advanced features like Lossless High-Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or you just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice.View Deal
Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is down to $69.99. The latest version of the Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. Voice controls are enabled through Amazon Alexa, while you can use the smart screen to listen to podcasts, watch movies, stream videos, play music, and more.View Deal
Amazon's larger smart display is $60 off at Amazon's Labor Day sale. The Echo Show 11 boasts a vibrant 11-inch Full HD screen and spatial audio support for room-filling sound when you listen to music or watch videos. With Alexa+ support, too, you get access to all of its advanced AI features and an easy way to connect and control other smart devices around your home.View Deal
Best Labor Day headphone dealsEarPods Headphones with Lightning Connector: was $19 now $14.88
If you haven't heard, wired headphones are all the rage, which is why Apple's EarPods for $14.88 are an excellent early Prime Day deal. A slim, quality-looking design, clear sound, and comfortable fit are just a few of their best qualities. This model works with all devices that have a Lightning connector – which is iPhone 14 and before – so if you've got a newer iPhone, you'll instead want the USB-C version ($16.99 at Amazon).View Deal
The AirPods 4 are Apple's cheapest AirPods, and you can find them on sale for $99, which is the lowest price we've seen this year and just $30 shy of the record-low. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for wireless charging via USB-C.
Read our full Apple AirPods 4 reviewView Deal
Amazon has the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation on sale for $148.99, which is the best deal you can find right now. The AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC reviewView Deal
The Beats Solo 4 are getting old now, but this is a great price for a pair of solid headphones. This model supports lossless audio that you can listen to via USB-C or 3.5mm audio cable and Spatial Audio that uses head tracking to enhance your listening experience. These headphones also last up to 50 hours on a single charge and can regain five hours of playback time in just 10 minutes of charging.View Deal
If you want more affordable over-ears that don't compromise on quality, then consider these Bose QuietComfort Headphones while they are down to their lowest price this year at Best Buy. As with the Ultra version, you get impressive noise cancellation, top-tier audio quality and 24 hours of battery life, but in a much more affordable package.View Deal
Ace Wireless Headphones: was $399 now $299
The Sonos Ace delivers powerful, clear, and cinematic sound with excellent Dolby Atmos support, making them fantastic for watching movies without disturbing the whole house. You get wired or wireless hi-res audio and excellent connectivity options with Sonos soundbars to make it easy to switch between your TV and headphones audio. While not the best for music, they're still a solid choice, with up to 30 hours of battery life and a comfortable fit. All of this is now available for a record-low price at Best Buy.View Deal
Right now, you can grab the incredible Sony WH-1000XM6 for $60 less in the Best Buy anniversary sale, bringing them back down to the cheapest they've ever been. These headphones offer beautifully balanced audio output, top-tier touch controls, a comfortable fit, and noise-crushing ANC to block out unwanted sounds.View Deal
AirPods Max 2 (USB-C): was $549 now $449
The AirPods Max use an Apple-designed dynamic driver to provide high-fidelity audio – and they sound fantastic for it. Exceptional active noise cancellation, personalized Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos support all reinforce that. They feel good on your head as well, thanks to the knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions, so you can easily wear them for the full 20 hours of battery life if you ever want or need to.View Deal
Bose is the best brand around for providing excellent active noise cancellation features, and you can now get these fantastic and affordable earbuds for a great low price. With the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, you get fewer options than the high-end range, but you still get up to 8.5 hours of battery life, the ability to adjust the equalizer and a very comfy fit. They’ll instantly make your commute, your runs, or your walks far more enjoyable.View Deal
OpenRun Pro 2: was $179.99 now $139.99
Treat yourself to one of the best pairs of bone conduction headphones at just $10 more than the lowest-ever price. Not only do they deliver outstanding sound, but they're also incredibly comfortable. They're highly recommended by our Fitness & Wearables Editor, Matt Evans, and are now more affordable.View Deal
Forerunner 265: was $449.99 now $349.99
Here's a healthy $100 saving on one of Garmin's best running watches. The smartwatch delivers amazing performance and an abundance of features that accurately track your runs. We also love the AMOLED touchscreen that delivers bright visuals, even on a sunny day.View Deal
It's not every day that we see a discount on a top-rated Garmin smartwatch — especially one that's our number one pick from all of the manufacturer's wearables. The Venu 4 is the perfect all-rounder, excelling in usability, performance, and design.View Deal
Fenix 8 (43mm): was $999.99 now $749.99
Save an impressive $250 off the listing price of the Garmin Fenix 8. You can normally find them discounted to around $850 during sales events, but this is the cheapest Fenix 8 model we've ever seen. The 43mm size discount is only available in Silver and Whitestone, with black models costing more.
Garmin Fenix 8 (47mm): was $999.99 now $838.99
Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal
Welcome to this evening's coverage of the best Labor Day sales. I'm hand-picking the top deals on appliances, TVs, mattresses, tech gadgets, laptops, and more from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung, and Walmart.
Many of today's bargains have been reviewed by the team here at TechRadar, so you can learn more about the product before you buy. Remember that today's offers are some of the lowest prices of the year as retailers try to clear out their summer stock, and most sales will end tomorrow.
When our fitness editor, Matt Evans, first tested the Garmin Forerunner 265, he called it "the best running watch for most people". It may be a couple of years older now, but it's still an excellent option, thanks to its crisp AMOLED display, slick design, and comprehensive tracking features.
Garmin Forerunner 265: was $449.99 now $349.99 at Best Buy
September 6, 2026 – 8:05 PMAnother chance to save on the dream coffee machine(Image credit: Future)I've had my eye on the Breville Barista Express for several recent sales events, but I'm still yet to pull the trigger on a purchase — even though I know how much it'll likely save me over time making coffee at home instead of buying when I'm out. And now I'm here considering hitting the buy button again, as the 4.5-star espresso machine (and one of the best coffee makers we've tested) is down to its lowest price since Prime Day.
Breville Barista Express Impress: was $799.95 now $649.95 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:07 PMThe smart doorbell for only $36(Image credit: Blink)The Blink Video Doorbell is one of Amazon's best-selling devices, and it's on sale for just $35.99 - a fantastic value.
A super handy gadget, the Blink doorbell alerts you when motion is detected and features infrared night vision, two-way audio, a two-year battery life, and an expanded field of view.
Blink Video Doorbell: was $69.99 now $35.99 at Amazon
If you're looking for a new appliance this Labor Day, head to Samsung's Labor Day sale. The retailer is offering up to $1,500 in savings on its best-selling, top-rated appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves.
The most popular products include the stylish Bespoke refrigerator, which lets you customize the panels to match your home. Another popular Samsung appliance included in its Labor Day sale is the Bespoke AI Laundry combo, which washes and dries clothes in one machine, saving space and eliminating the need to transfer clothes.
Refrigerators: up to $1,700 off at Samsung
The Samsung Labor sale is now live and some of the brand's best savings can be found on its wide selection of refrigerators. Shoppers can enjoy discounts of up to $1,700 on popular models, including French-door styles, Bespoke designs, and fridge-freezer combos. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen or replacing an old appliance, now is a great time to consider something new.View Deal
Dishwashers: up to $400 off at Samsung
The Samsung Labor Day sale also includes dishwashers this week with discounts of up to $400. Multiple styles, colors, and finishes are on sale today, so you'll have plenty of options to match your kitchen. Features include whisper-quiet operation and smart home integration, like auto-door operation. View Deal
Ranges: up to $1,350 off at Samsung
Next up are the brand's ranges, which include gas, electric, and induction models in both freestanding and slide-in designs. Whether you're a casual cook or a kitchen pro, a model suits your style, with premium features like ambient edge lighting, internal cameras to monitor your meals, and seamless smart home integration. View Deal
Washers and dryers: up to $1,100 off at Samsung
Samsung’s Labor Day sale is also delivering big savings on washers and dryers, with discounts available on a wide range of models. Whether you’re looking for front-load, top-load, or space-saving all-in-one units, now is the perfect time to upgrade your laundry setup, since you can save up to $1,100. View Deal
If you're looking for Apple's cheapest AirPods, the all-new AirPods 4 are on sale for just $99 for Labor Day.
The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and feature Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and USB-C wireless charging support.
Apple AirPods 4: was $129.99 now $99 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:17 PMGrab some of the world's best headphones for less(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)Scoring an impressive 4.5-stars in our review, here's your chance to get the fantastic Sony WH-1000XM6 for the best price we've seen since Black Friday. These are a tempting buy for audiophiles who love the over-ear design, high-quality audio, and industry-leading noise-cancellation.
Sony WH-1000XM6: was $458 now $398 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:26 PMThe 4K Fire TV Stick for only $18(Image credit: Future)Amazon has the all-new Fire TV Stick 4K Select on sale for only $17.99 when you apply code 4KSAVEFTV at checkout.
As the name suggests, the Fire TV Stick 4K streams shows and movies to your TV in ultra-high-definition 4K resolution. Amazon claims the newest Select model is the fastest 4K stick under $20, featuring Amazon Alexa, which lets you launch movies and shows with just your voice.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select: was $39.99 now $17.99 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:31 PMA compact soundbar upgrade for less(Image credit: Future)If your built-in TV speakers just aren't cutting it, but you don't have the space or the budget for a full surround sound system, then the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) could be just what you're looking for. The compact and powerful soundbar is one of our top picks from the manufacturer — especially since there's now a chance to save $100 at Amazon.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2): was $499 now $399 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:37 PM12-FT giant-sized skeleton? Yes, please(Image credit: Home Depot/edited by Gemini)Home Depot's Labor Day sale is one of my favorite places to shop for fall essentials, including up to 45% off patio furniture, grills, mums, Halloween decor, and outdoor tools. I have the viral 12-ft giant skeleton in my cart, currently in stock for $299.
Home Depot's best labor Day dealsHome Depot Labor Day sale: indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations from $10
If you're like me and love Halloween, then you'll want to head to Lowe's to save on popular indoor and outdoor decorations. You can find large inflatables, giant skeletons, spooky ghosts, and more.View Deal
Home Depot Labor Day sale: save up to 40% off major appliances
Appliances are a Labor Day specialty, and right now Home Depot is offering up to $1,000 off major appliances. You can save big on refrigerators, washers and dryers, ranges, and more from brands like Samsung, GE, and Whirlpool. You can also score free delivery on orders over $998. View Deal
Home Depot Labor Day sale: up to $400 off patio furniture
My favorite offer from Home Depot's Labor Day sale is on its best-selling patio furniture. You can score clearance prices on high-quality furniture, including sets of chairs, umbrellas, dining furniture, fire pits, decor, and more.View Deal
Home Depot Labor Day sale: grills and accessories starting at $99
You can kick off the upcoming fall football season with a new grill at Home Depot's Labor Day sale. Find deals starting at just $99 on gas, charcoal, and portable grills from brands like Weber, Traeger, and more.View Deal
With the rising costs of PC components, it's actually been wise to go for a pre-built gaming PC in recent months. In a change from the norm, the cost of getting a machine this way has been substantially cheaper — especially during a sales event.
One place holding a sale right now is iBuyPower, where you can get up to $350 off some of its ready-built PCs that cost over $999. Savings are potentially strong here, with machines featuring powerful components such as the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, RTX 5080, and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, all on offer.
• View the full iBuyPower Labor Day sale
September 6, 2026 – 8:45 PM$40 off Shark's most popular vacuum(Image credit: Future)This specific Shark model is a best-seller with over 30,000 positive reviews, and Amazon's Labor Day sale has shaved $50 off the price.
The upright vacuum works on both carpet and hard floors, with lift-away technology that lets you easily clean hard-to-reach areas by lifting the pod.
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum: was $199.99 now $159.99 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 8:49 PMGet a 55-inch LG OLED TV for only $799.99(Image credit: LG,Best Buy/Edited by Gemini)LG's 2026 B6E is the budget version of the popular LG B6, and thanks to Best Buy's Labor Day sale, you can get the 55-inch model for an incredible price of $799.99. The LG B6E is packed with premium features, like LG's speedy Alpha 8 Gen 3 AI processor, Dolby Vision support, extensive gaming features, and webOS 26 - all for under $800.
LG 55-inch B6E OLED TV: was $1,299.99 now $799.99 at Best Buy
Here's another popular Amazon device on sale for Labor Day: the Blink Mini 2K+ for just $21.99.
This popular little security cam offers two-way audio, a hi-res 2K camera, a spotlight for nighttime visibility, and can even send alerts to your phone when it detects movement.
Blink Mini 2K+: was $39.99 now $21.99 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 9:13 PMApple's best-selling iPad for $399(Image credit: Future)Amazon's Labor Day sale has Apple's best-selling 11-inch iPad on sale for $399, which is the best price you can find.
The latest entry-level tablet features the powerful A16 chipset, making it an excellent choice for everyday tasks such as browsing, shopping, and watching content.
Apple 10.9 iPad: was $349 now $399 at Amazon
Best Buy's Labor Day appliance sale offers up to 45% off major appliances. This includes up to $1,000 in savings on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and kitchen packages from brands like GE, Whirlpool, Samsung, and LG. The retailer is also throwing in free delivery and a price match guarantee.
Best Buy Labor Day appliance sale: save up to 45%, plus free delivery
DreamCloud's Labor Day sale is one of the best, with up to 60% off mattresses, bringing the flagship DreamCloud mattress down to $699 for a queen size. The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that layers bouncy pocket coils and sink-in memory foam, topped with a luxurious cashmere-blend cover. It sleeps cool and absorbs movement well.
DreamCloud Mattress: was $1,892 now from $699 at DreamCloud
If you are looking for a Labor Day deal on a Dyson vacuum, this V11 model is an excellent option, thanks to Amazon's impressive 20% discount.
This vacuum is simple but effective, with good suction, decent runtimes, and a nimble design. It's also one of the cheapest Dysons on the market.
Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum: was $565 now $449.99 at Amazon
The Dell XPS 13 has long been one of our favorite laptops at TechRadar, and this new version continues that trend. With an Intel Core 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, it has everything you need for solid all-around performance at work or college.
Students can also save an extra $100, bringing the price down to a ridiculously low $599.
Dell XPS 13 Laptop: was $999.99 now $699.99 at Dell
September 6, 2026 – 10:09 PMHere are some of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy(Image credit: Future)Bose makes some of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy, so I'll always shout out deals on the manufacturer's top-rated cans. Like these Bose QuietComfort Headphones, which are now down to a near-record-low price for Labor Day. Excellent sound quality, top-tier sound blocking, and a comfortable fit all for under $200? What more do you need?
Bose QuietComfort Headphones: was $359 now $199.99 at Best Buy
September 6, 2026 – 10:18 PMMy smart alarm clock is on sale for its lowest price yet(Image credit: Amazon)I already own Amazon's Echo Spot (a smart alarm clock and speaker), and I can't recommend it enough, especially now that it's on sale for $69.99.
The Echo Spot pairs a 2.83-inch touchscreen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, making it an ideal smart alarm clock. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or even schedule alarms.
Amazon Echo Spot: was $109.99 now $69.99 at Amazon
September 6, 2026 – 10:57 PMAvoid the Apple price hikes with this MacBook Air deal(Image credit: Future)Best Buy has a $100 discount on the popular 13-inch MacBook Air M5 after Apple's summer price hikes. The powerful MacBook packs Apple's M5 chip, delivering exceptional performance and speed, plus AI capabilities and 18 hours of battery life.
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5, 512GB): was $1,799 now $1,649.99 at Best Buy
September 6, 2026 – 11:12 PMA rare storage deal in 2026(Image credit: Future / Samsung / Edited with Gemini)PC storage prices are more than a little ridiculous lately, so we're always a little tentative about recommending deals at this time. However, it doesn't look like prices are going to come back down any time soon, so if you're desperate for a new SSD for your PC or PS5, then this is one of the lowest prices you'll find today for a 2TB drive. It sucks, but unfortunately, this is the situation we're in.
Samsung 990 2TB NVMe SSD: was $529.99 now $339.99 at Amazon
September 7, 2026 – 5:12 AMHey folks, James Pickard here, picking up where Mack left off last night with our Labor Day sales coverage. Expect more of my top picks from the various events going on today and any last-minute bargains I've spotted that I think are worth buying before it all ends tonight.
September 7, 2026 – 7:14 AMStill searching for a new laptop for school or college?(Image credit: Dell)I'm amazed this offer on the Dell XPS 13 is still available as it's incredible value for money. Getting this slick and powerful device for $699.99, which boasts an Intel Core 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, is already a steal. But eligible students can also get an extra $100 off, bringing it down to a frankly ridiculous $599. As far as Labor Day laptop sales go, it's one of the best out there.
Dell XPS 13: was $999 now $699.99 at Dell (or $599 for students)
September 7, 2026 – 8:45 AM45% off Blink's best-selling outdoor camera(Image credit: Future)Amazon has slashed the price of the Blink Outdoor 4 Camera, which I won and love, by an impressive 43%, bringing it down to $43.99. They also offer bundle deals for up to eight cameras if you need a full home security system.
The Blink Outdoor 4 is an easy and affordable way to add smart home tech to your house, with its long-lasting 2-year battery, wireless setup, and included sync module that lets you respond to visitors, get alerts, and browse footage on your phone.
Blink Outdoor 4 Camera: was $79.99 now $43.99 at Amazon
September 7, 2026 – 8:57 AMLabor Day's best Garmin Fenix 8 deals(Image credit: Craig Hale)It seems like the Garmin Fenix 9 (and the ultra-premium Garmin Fenix 9 Pro) has just been unveiled, but we're already seeing price crashes on the previous generation, the Garmin Fenix 8. Amazon's Labor Day sale is offering some lowest-ever prices on the Garmin Fenix 8 range, with savings of $250.
Fenix 8 (43mm): was $999.99 now $749.99
Save an impressive $250 off the listing price of the Garmin Fenix 8. You can normally find them discounted to around $850 during sales events, but this is the cheapest Fenix 8 model we've ever seen. The 43mm size discount is only available in Silver and Whitestone, with black models costing more.
Garmin Fenix 8 (47mm): was $999.99 now $838.99
Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 reviewView Deal
Fenix 8 Pro (47mm, AMOLED): was $1199.99 now $949.99
Save another $250 off the top-end Garmin Fenix 8 Pro. An unbelievable watch, as well as all the cool stuff in the Garmin Fenix 8, you get two-way satellite connectivity, allowing you to send emergency messages for free (and two-way messaging with a Garmin inReach subscription) along with LTE connectivity to make it a true smartwatch.
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (51mm): was $1,299.99 now $1,049.99
Read our full Garmin Fenix 8 Pro (MicroLED) reviewView Deal
September 7, 2026 – 9:16 AMOur best budget OLED TV for only $699.99(Image credit: Disney / Future )The LG B6 is the brand's latest entry-level OLED TV for 2026 and a great choice if you want great picture quality and gaming chops on a budget.
It features four HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K gaming at 120Hz, variable refresh rate modes, HGiG, and support for Dolby Vision Gaming. Our only criticism is that it didn't offer a massive upgrade over the previous LG B5 model, but it's still an excellent entry-level OLED TV that ticks a lot of the right boxes.
LG B6 48-inch 4K OLED TV: was $999.99 now $699.99 at Best Buy
Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking.
Today's Labor Day deal shaves $50 off the price, which is the best deal you can find right now.
Apple AirPods Pro 3: was $249.99 now $199.99 at Amazon
If it's a premium soundbar that you're interested in from this year's Labor Day sales, then I'd suggest checking out the Sonos Arc Ultra. We've called it the "best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price" in our four-star review, and it's currently $200 off at Amazon.
Sonos Arc Ultra: was $1,099 now $899 at Amazon
My TechRadar colleagues and I have said multiple times that good sound quality doesn’t always have to cost the earth. As my guide to the best wireless earbuds in Australia proves, there is excellent value to be found up and down the budget spectrum, and you can get a great audio experience for little outlay.
Which is why I felt compelled to put together this list of five pairs that promise that excellent experience, with prices ranging from AU$70 up to AU$349. Two of the pairs — from Technics and Bose — do actually already feature in my guide to the best ‘buds, and now they’re currently on the receiving end of discounts at Amazon — making them even easier to recommend.
I’ll list my five top pairs for all budgets in price-ascending order, and of course, to check out more headphone deals, including those on over-ear models, head to Amazon.
Air Pro 3: was $129.07 now $69.99
Already affordable, these wireless buds get a further 46% discount, bringing them within touching distance of their lowest-ever price — and for a pair of earbuds we gave 4.5 stars in our review, that’s quite compelling. For AU$70, you’re getting a comfortable fit, decent ANC and a punchy, engaging sound. Battery life is also excellent, beating pairs on this list, and you get multipoint pairing. Supreme value. View Deal
Ear (3a): was $179 now $122.82
The (3a) is Nothing’s current budget-focused earbuds and successor to the excellent Nothing (a). They’re arguably an incremental upgrade — the sound has been tweaked ever so slightly (and you’ll still want to adjust EQ settings for optimal results), they get a curvier case and static spatial audio. They’re still incredibly comfortable, and the ANC is excellent for the money. Our only gripe is a call-recording feature that screams ‘covert surveillance’.
The Nothing Ear (a) is also discounted to AU$99.46 at the time of writing.View Deal
QuietComfort Earbuds: was $289.95 now $198
While these earbuds may not have all the advanced technology of Bose’s Ultra earbuds, they offer very good noise cancellation, up to 8.5 hours of battery life, customisable tap control and a comfortable and secure fit. They miss out on some higher-res audio codecs, and the case is a bit chunky, but otherwise these Bose buds are superb.View Deal
Tour Pro 3: was $399.95 now $299.95
This feature-packed pair of earbuds doesn't normally come cheap, so it's good to see 25% shaved off the price. Headline features include a handy touchscreen on the case (the case itself can be a Bluetooth transmitter to the buds), brilliant head-tracked spatial audio and a competitive 55 hours of battery life (when recharged with the case). Sound quality is vibrant and detailed, while ANC is good, just not quite class-leading.View Deal
My current pick as the best earbuds you can buy, the Technics EAH-AZ100, are simply stunning. They sound exceptional, employ effective ANC, are comfortable to wear and they benefit from impressive features, including triple device multipoint connectivity. Plus, the deal price here is exceptionally close to their all-time low of AU$344.99 — a terrific buy.View Deal
Most PC cases keep the main chassis relatively close to the desk or floor, but a growing number of new designs are doing something much more fun, yet practical, with the space underneath.
Our favourites deliberately add a gap that gives the case a floating effect. Others take a simpler approach and raise the whole chassis on a stand or base. Either way, manufacturers are paying much more attention to the underside of your PC.
The new designs are definitely about style, particularly as panoramic glass cases have become more popular, but there’s a practical side to floating cases too.
Opening up the lower part of a build gives manufacturers new ways to get cool air towards one of its hottest components: the graphics card. Some designs can also keep the PSU’s airflow separate from the main component chamber.
Of course, not everyone wants to DIY a new build, so for anyone who would rather buy a complete system, it’s worth checking out our guide to the best gaming PCs.
Why are PC cases starting to float?Panoramic cases, often called fish-tank cases, have become increasingly popular, often replacing conventional mesh panels with extensive glass. While glass makes it easy to see your new CPU cooler’s built-in display, it does mean manufacturers need to take a fresh approach with airflow.
One of the most distinctive new designs is the floating style, where the lower part of the case is deliberately separated or recessed so the main body looks like it’s suspended above the base.
The Cougar CFV235 is one of our favourite examples. Cougar separates the PSU cabin from the main component chamber, leaving an open section between them that becomes part of both the case’s appearance and its ventilation. Our colleagues over at Tom’s Hardware highlighted the design’s 270-degree airflow when the CFV235 was unveiled, with air able to enter the floating section from several directions.
The DarkFlash Floatron F1 creates a similar visual effect in a different way, suspending the main chassis above an extended base that draws air in through the bottom and sides. The look certainly caught the attention of our friends over at PC Gamer at Computex 2026, where it was described as “sort of ugly but also sort of neat”.
DarkFlash Floatron F1 caseDarkFlashDarkFlashDarkFlashMore are coming too. MSI showed its MPG VIXTA 300R Airflow PZ at Computex 2026 with a 75mm (3in) recessed section beneath the main chassis. PC Gamer highlighted its “innovative floating base design”, which gives the case substantially more clearance underneath for incoming air.
Hyte also showed the upcoming Y50 RGB, which it describes as having a floating base and stepped internal floor. Tom’s Hardware noted its relatively affordable price, showing that this style is beginning to reach cheaper cases too.
The floating look can also help airflowThe empty or recessed space underneath isn’t only decorative, and it’s a key way to bring air into the lower part of the PC.
Exactly how that is achieved varies from case to case. The Cougar CFV235 turns the open section between its two chambers into a large ventilation area. DarkFlash feeds air through the bottom and sides of its raised base, while MSI uses the space beneath the VIXTA as part of its lower intake design.
So while the implementations differ, the space underneath is deliberately designed as part of the intake path.
This setup can be particularly useful for graphics card cooling. A GPU normally sits towards the bottom of a case, so cooler air entering below it can take a relatively direct path to the graphics card.
MSI MPG Maestro Vixta 300R PC caseFutureMSI MPG Maestro Vixta 300R PC caseFutureMSI MPG Maestro Vixta 300R PC caseFutureFloating-style optionsThese are the options to consider if the floating look is the priority, with both using the space beneath the main chassis as part of the design.
This is our favourite option if you want the full floating look, with its main chamber visibly separated from the PSU enclosure below.
The F1 uses an extended base with a thinner support column, which hides the PSU, making it a standout option for compact M-ATX builds with good airflow. It's a brand new case, and currently we can't see it in stock, but we've included it here for when it does become available.
A raised base can achieve something similarYou don’t need the full floating style to get some of the same airflow advantages. Many manufacturers take a simpler approach and raise the entire chassis using a stand or customised legs.
The Phanteks Evolv X2 offers wrap-around glass, but raises the base to help feed a bottom-to-top airflow layout.
The Tryx Luca L70 uses a 40mm (1.6in) X-shaped base to increase the clearance beneath the chassis. Tryx also showed a smaller Luca L50 at Computex 2026 with a bottom fan bracket that can sit flat or be angled towards the components.
These cases can still look partially suspended, but structurally the whole chassis is raised on a purpose-built base.
That extra clearance can be especially useful if the PC sits on the floor, because it keeps bottom intakes further away from carpet that might otherwise obstruct airflow.
Raised-base optionsThese cases lift the whole chassis to create extra clearance for bottom-mounted fans and intakes.
The Luca L70 sits 40mm (1.6in) above an X-shaped stand, with room for up to three 120mm or 140mm bottom fans.
Phanteks raises the chassis above its base and supports three 120mm fans underneath as part of its bottom-to-top airflow layout. It also scored 84% in PC Gamer's review, which praised its distinctive design and chimney-style cooling.
Does a lower intake actually improve cooling?The graphics card is often a major source of heat in a gaming PC, particularly at the high end, and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090, for example, has a total graphics power rating of 575W. If you’re building around one of the models in our guide to the best graphics cards, cooling it effectively becomes particularly important.
If you’re adding or replacing case fans, PC Gamer’s guide to the best PC fans is also a great resource.
Testing by PC Gamer and Tom’s Hardware suggests lower intake can make a difference, although the result depends on the rest of the case design.
PC Gamer gave the Corsair Frame 4500X 80% in its review and found that adding three bottom fans lowered its GPU temperature by 4°C.
FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureTom’s Hardware’s review of the Montech HS02 Pro similarly praised its focus on GPU cooling. The case, which is designed around three bottom intake fans, delivered the best GPU temperatures of the four cases in testing at the same noise level, while also allowing the graphics card’s own fans to run slower than in any of the competing cases.
There’s an important catch, though. Montech’s GPU-focused layout was less effective at cooling an air-cooled CPU. Your CPU cooler matters too, and Tom’s Hardware has a regularly updated guide to the best CPU coolers. Fan speed, dust filters, radiators and other internal obstructions can also change the result.
The tests support the broader idea rather than any one case style: getting cool air into the lower part of the chassis and directing it towards the graphics card can improve GPU cooling. A floating-style or raised-base design can make that easier, but neither guarantees lower temperatures on its own.
Bottom airflow doesn’t require a floating caseOther manufacturers are tackling the same airflow challenge without raising the case at all, using several different layouts to free up or make better use of the space below the GPU.
In a conventional layout, the PSU usually sits along the bottom of the chassis, often beneath a shroud. That occupies space that could otherwise be used for a larger floor intake or fans closer to the GPU. Moving the PSU into a separate chamber, towards the front or to the top gives manufacturers more freedom to use that lower area for cooling.
One approach is to put the PSU in a separate side or rear chamber. The Antec Constellation C8 ARGB separates the CPU and GPU from the PSU and drives, while the Corsair Air 5400 uses a dedicated chamber for the PSU, cables and storage. Lian Li's O11 cases use a similar multi-chamber approach.
AntecOkinosAntecCorsairAnother option is to move the PSU towards the front. The Antec Flux M does this so the bottom can be opened up for a large mesh intake and fans beneath the GPU. The Okinos Air Cross and DeepCool's CL6600 take a similar approach, with the CL6600 also separating its 360mm radiator into an upper chamber.
A third approach is to put the PSU at the top. Fractal Design's Torrent Compact combines a top-mounted PSU with expansive base intakes and support for up to three 120mm or two 140mm bottom fans. The newer Hyte X50 and X50 Air use a top-mounted PSU canopy to open the floor for what Hyte calls Cold-Floor Cooling, with support for up to three 120mm fans beneath the graphics card.
Other cases improve lower airflow without relocating the PSU. The Montech HS02 Pro builds its cooling around three intake fans in the floor, the Antec P30 Air puts two reverse-blade fans on top of the PSU shroud and feeds them through a lower-side intake, and the NZXT H5 Flow RGB 2024 supports two 120mm fans in the lower section to feed air towards the GPU. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini V2 instead angles its bottom fan mounts upwards by 10 degrees.
Floating-style cases are the most visually obvious part of the trend, but the bigger shift is manufacturers redesigning the lower part of the chassis around graphics card airflow, whether that means relocating the PSU, separating cooling hardware or simply finding better ways to direct cool air towards the GPU.
Other bottom-airflow optionsThese are our picks if improving lower GPU airflow matters more than getting the full floating look.
The P30 Air puts two reverse-blade fans on top of the PSU shroud beneath the graphics card, with a large lower-side mesh intake supplying them with air.
The Air Cross moves the PSU towards the front of the chassis and uses two 120mm reverse-blade fans beneath the graphics card to create a direct lower intake path.
The CL6600 moves the PSU towards the front and uses two 120mm reverse-blade bottom fans beneath the GPU, while a separate upper chamber houses its 360mm radiator.
The C8 ARGB comes with two 160mm reverse-blade fans in the floor, feeding cool air directly towards the graphics card from below.
The Air 5400 pairs three 120mm reverse-rotor bottom intake fans with dedicated ducts designed to channel that incoming air through the GPU chamber.
The H5 Flow uses a more conventional chassis layout, but supports two 120mm fans in the lower section to feed cool air towards the graphics card.
Lian Li O11 Dynamic Mini V2 Flow
Lian Li angles the bottom section upwards by 10 degrees to direct incoming air towards the GPU, and the Flow version comes with three bottom intake fans already installed.
Hyte combines a panoramic showcase design with room for up to three 120mm or two 140mm bottom fans. We gave the closely related original Y70 Touch 4.5 out of 5 in our review, praising its airflow despite the extensive use of glass.
Lian Li's glass-heavy showcase case offers extensive support for cooling beneath the graphics card and was named Best Case in the 2026 TechRadar Australian PC Awards.
Full spoilers immediately follow for Lanterns, up to and including episode 4.
Lanterns episode 4 has premiered on HBO Max — and we finally know who among Rushville's population is the Manhunter.
After weeks of speculation, the DC Universe (DCU) TV show has lifted the lid on one of its two biggest secrets to date. Of course, the other is who killed Hal Jordan in Lanterns episode 1, but that's a conversation for another day.
So, who has the Manhunter been disguised as? Why has Rushville's townsfolk being keeping them safe from prying eyes? And what will Jordan and his Green Lantern protégé John Stewart do next? Activate your power ring, and let's dive in together…
Lanterns episode 4 confirms Zoe is the ManhunterWell, that puts the proverbial cat among the pigeons... (Image credit: HBO Max)That's right, Zoe Macon, the wife and enigmatic benefactor of Rushville ranch owner William Macon, and John Stewart's love interest, is revealed to be the Manhunter.
Zoe was one of three characters I predicted to be the extraterrestrial android in my Manhunters in Lanterns explained article, so I'm absolutely counting that a correct guess on my part.
Wait, hang on: wasn't Zoe killed when her pick-up truck was obliterated by a giant red lazer after she slept with Stewart again? It certainly appeared that way, but there was always something off about Stewart's incredibly muted reaction to her death. That's something Jordan picks up on before the end of the HBO Max show's latest entry, too, so Zoe clearly walked away from that attack unscathed.
Some viewers thought William Macon was the Manhunter (Image credit: John Johnson/HBO Max)There are other telling signs in episode 4, titled 'The Weenie', that indicated that Zoe was the Manhunter.
For one, after Stewart and Jordan are captured following their botched infiltration of Macon Ranch, William tells them that Zoe not only nursed him back to health after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but also cured him of said disease.
Sure, the high-tech, alien equipment that Stewart and Jordan find in one of the ranch's compounds will have helped to treat Macon. Nonetheless, someone would need to operate said equipment — and, frankly, Macon wouldn't be able to use it if he was as sick as he implies. Alongside her clear medical expertise that far outweighs the scientific knowledge that humanity possesses, Zoe would be the only one capable of using this technology to save Macon's life, and subsequently earn his trust and unwavering devotion to keep her secret safe.
Stewart and Jordan's investigation leads them to a high-tech slaughterhouse (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)That's not to say that Lanterns doesn't try and distract us about Zoe being the Manhunter. Indeed, the DCU Chapter One TV series' fourth installment attempts to further pull the wool over our eyes when Jordan and Stewart investigate Zoe's apparent demise.
With Sheriff Kerry Kane's help, they learn the lazer satellite manufacturer is Atlas Inc. Primarily a slaughterhouse firm, Atlas is owned by someone named Hector Hammond, who partnered with William Macon 30 years earlier to develop innovative technology to refine and improve the meat processing industry. Hey, Macon is a cattle herder, so it makes sense that he'd go into business with someone like Hammond.
Anyway, when Jordan and Stewart pay Hammond a visit, the latter seems to confirm that Macon is the Manhunter. Of course, this is a massive fake out designed to throw us, Stewart, and Jordan off the scent over the Manhunter's real identity. Luckily, Jordan sees through the façade and, after an incredibly tense stand-off that almost sees Hammond activate another of his weaponized satellites to annihilate Stewart's parents, Jordan forces Hammond to reveal the truth about the Manhunter's true identity.
What'll happen in Lanterns episode 5?Hal Jordan is surely gunning for Zoe in next week's episode (Image credit: DC Studios/HBO Max)Very few people know the answer to that question — and, predictably, those that do aren't going to spoil anything ahead of time. Even so, Zoe being outed as the Manhunter raises plenty of questions heading into the sci-fi crime drama's next episode.
Considering Will Macon has been the main beneficiary of Zoe's help, why is Rushville's entire population steadfast in its desire to maintain her secret? Have they all been aided or manipulated by Zoe, too?
Furthermore, what's up with Stewart agreeing to help Zoe fake her own death? And, now that Jordan knows Stewart lied to him about Zoe and left him trapped in a crashed car, will Jordan take matters into his own hands and take on the entire Nebraskan town alone?
What will John Stewart do in Lanterns' fifth episode? (Image credit: HBO)Alternatively, if Jordan and Stewart somehow make peace with each other, and if they take the fight to Zoe and the people of Rushville, how much are the latter willing to risk to sacrifice to defend their home? Lastly, how will Antaan and his alien brethren, who want revenge on Zoe after she committed mass genocide on their home world, factor into all of this?
I'm certain we'll get answers to the above when Lanterns' fifth episode debuts on HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services, on September 13/14.
Right now, one thing is clear: if Jordan and/or Stewart plan on killing Zoe, they'll have to do so while she's in human form. Remember, in episode 2, Antaan told Stewart that Manhunters are easier to execute as humans. Slaying her before she takes her true form, or builds herself a new body if she's critically injured in the fight to come, then, is the only way to end the threat for good.
What do you think will happen in episode 5? Let me know in the comments. And check back in with me when Lanterns' next chapter has been released for a breakdown of its biggest talking points.