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I’ve Tested 17 Different Alexa Speakers in the Last 3 Years. These Are the Ones Worth Buying

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I’ve Tested 17 Different Alexa Speakers in the Last 3 Years. These Are the Ones Worth Buying


Comparing Our Favorite Alexa Speakers

Other Alexa (or Alexa-Compatible) Speakers

There are a lot of Echo devices out there, and some third-party speakers that are Amazon Alexa–compatible. Here’s every Alexa smart speaker we’ve tried and what we thought of it.

Amazon Echo (4th Gen) for $80: Amazon’s fourth-generation Echo notably changed the shape of the cylindrical speaker into a sphere. It was previously our top pick, but now has been discontinued as Amazon has launched new speakers, and there’s very limited stock available at third-party retailers like Walmart.

Amazon Echo Hub for $180: The Amazon Echo Hub is similar to an Echo Show, but without the speaker. Instead it’s a thin device that feels a bit like a tablet, designed to be mounted on the wall (or placed on a separately purchased stand, which is how I used it) and used to control your smart home devices. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants something focused on smart home control only. You can still ask Alexa questions and even play music, but the thin speakers aren’t worth playing music from. But you can tell your Echo Hub to play music on a different set of speakers, and even set up default speakers to work with it. It’s a great companion device if you already have a smart home setup.

Amazon Echo Pop for $40: The Echo Pop is a perfectly fine little speaker, and the cutest one in Amazon’s lineup. Does it have great sound? No. It’s fine enough for background tunes or if you’re limited to a dorm room, but you’ll get much better sound for a similar size from the Echo Dot (but you’ll pay a little more, and you won’t get as cute of colors!)

Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) for $90: This smart display is another just-fine option, but it’s too small to be a great display, and the included camera makes it a no for a bedside table; better to go with the above Echo Spot or an Echo Dot.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) for $180: I usually love an Echo Show 8, but this model didn’t have the same sound quality as the older model. If you’re going to get one of Amazon’s new displays, you’re better off getting the Echo Show 11 ($220) for the same experience with a slightly larger screen (while it’s a three inch difference, it doesn’t feel that big) and better sound.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) for $250: This smart display has big sound, but its wonky shape makes it hard to seamlessly fit into your home. It’s cool that it can follow you around while you speak to it, but also kinda weird. It’s great if you have a big kitchen island you’re always moving around, but not much else. It’s been out of stock for a while now, though, and with the new Echo Show 11 out, we’re guessing we won’t see it return.

Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) for $300: This smart display is a good display, but it clearly wants to double as a TV and isn’t very good at it yet. I’m hoping we see better TV-related performance in the future to make it worth adding to a kitchen or office. It does a great job with widgets, though, thanks to the massive 15.6-inch screen. There’s also the larger Echo Show 21 ($400), which is essentially the same thing but larger.

Amazon Echo Sub for $130: This subwoofer was our top pick for bass, which can be paired with other Echo speakers to add some bass to your jam sessions. It’s currently unavailable on Amazon but still around for third-party retailers like Best Buy, and we’re keeping a eye out to see if it comes back in stock or not. Amazon did not confirm whether or not it would when asked.

JBL Authentics 200 for $380: This JBL smart speaker speaks both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, letting you split between the two for different tasks without having to switch your preference in the app. That makes this speaker particularly appealing for folks with a sprawling collection of smart products from both.

Sonos Era 100 for $199: If you’re looking for a speaker that can talk to Alexa but isn’t necessarily made by Amazon, the Sonos Era 100 is a great option. We just wished we liked the Sonos app better. You can catch our entire guide to the Sonos ecosystem here.

Meet Alexa+

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Amazon has started rolling out the new and improved Amazon Alexa, named Alexa+. It’s available right now for free in early access, though you’ll have to join a waiting list and wait to get selected. I got to check out Alexa+ on my Echo Show devices (which are the only devices you can use Alexa+ on during early access), and it’s been a pretty positive experience. I like the updated, more conversational voice, and Alexa+ did a good job answering all kinds of questions quickly and thoughtfully. Check out our early access hands-on for everything I thought while testing.

Alexa+ has caused some changes, even for those not using it. It requires that all voice recordings be sent to Amazon to be processed. Amazon has changed its features wholesale—now all recordings with regular Alexa go to Amazon, too. There used to be a “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” privacy feature that you could select to have voice requests processed locally, but that feature was killed on March 28, 2025, per an email Amazon sent out to current users of that feature.

There isn’t a timeline for when early access will be done and the final version will roll out. Once out of early access, Alexa+ will be available for $20 a month, or free if you have an Amazon Prime membership. While you likely have a membership if you added an Alexa device to your home, it’s a big jump from the previously free assistant. Still, it’s a nice upgrade and much more on par with the AI assistants of the world, which isn’t a surprise since it’s built on generative AI.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between an Echo and an Echo Show?

A regular Echo is a smart speaker, or a speaker with microphones in it so it can hear you speak to it and respond. An Echo Show is a smart display, which has a screen and a camera to let you make video calls, stream content, and see your questions answered on a screen. Both have similar capabilities when it comes to smart home control, answering questions, and playing music, but Echo Shows have extra abilities thanks to the screen. All Echo Shows have a camera and come with a physical camera cover for privacy.

When’s the Best Time to Buy an Echo?

The best time to buy any Amazon speaker is during a major sale event like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, when there are often steep discounts. You’ll often see the cheaper speakers discounted for around 50 percent off, and the larger speakers see some nice sale prices too.

How and Where Should You Set Up Your Alexa?

Alexa speakers get the best use in spaces you’re in often. I like setting mine up in my kitchen and living room—usually a display in the kitchen, so I can pull up a recipe or the weather while I make my morning cup of tea, and a speaker in the living room so I can play music and command the lights without a screen to distract from the TV or playing with my son. You can also set one up in the bedroom to use as an alarm clock, but make sure it’s a model without a camera for the best privacy.

Ultimately, what’s most important is that the speaker is somewhere it can hear your commands. Where that will be will vary based on your home, but think about where you’ll be when you ask for the weather or to dim the lights, and place your speaker accordingly.

You’ll set up Alexa speakers using the Alexa app, which allows you to manage multiple Alexa speakers if you own more than one through your Amazon account. Third-party speaker setup methods may vary.

Is Alexa Always Listening?

Alexa is always listening, to a certain extent. It’s designed to only listen for its wake word, and shouldn’t be recording or processing any audio unless it hears that word. But Alexa can sometimes mishear a word and think it’s the wake word, or hear a word similar enough to activate the speaker. If you’ve owned an Alexa, there’s likely been times that the assistant suddenly responds when you weren’t speaking to it. Once it hears the wake word (or what it believes to be is the wake word) it will start listening to everything in an attempt to hear what you need and respond.

Alexa+, the latest version of Alexa, will also remain on for a little bit after you ask a question to listen for follow-up questions, no wake word required. Both Alexa and Alexa+ light up in some fashion (regular speakers will turn the light ring blue, while the displays will have a blue bar appear on the screen) to let you know the assistant is listening. Most Echo devices also have a physical mute button, and will display a red light or red bar to let you know when the mute is activated.

How Do You Remove Ads and Spam From an Echo Show?

If you’re using an Echo Show device, you’ve likely noticed there’s tons of default content the device will show you. Sports scores! Local news! A recipe you might be interested in! It makes the device exhausting and annoying to be near.

Here’s how you can control what you see:

  • Swipe down from the top of your Echo Show to pull up the menu, and select Settings.
  • In the Settings menu, choose Home Content.
  • There are upward of 40 options you can toggle on and off on this menu, and you should remove as many as you can that you don’t use. I usually remove all but weather forecasts and recently played audio.

While you’re able to turn off interest-based ads from third-party skills (this is under Alexa Privacy in the Settings menu), it won’t stop all ads. The only setting that is ad-free is choosing Photo Display mode, which can use either Amazon’s included library of photos or your own. The downside is that that turns it into a digital photo frame, so you won’t even see a clock or features like widgets.

Can I Have My Alexa Requests Locally Processed, or Do They Have to Go to the Cloud?

There used to be a privacy feature called Do Not Send Voice Recordings that let you have all your voice requests processed locally on your Alexa device, instead of being sent to Amazon’s cloud storage. That feature was killed in March 2025 to support Alexa+, and even if you continue to use the old Alexa, you don’t have access to that feature any longer.

Alexa+ is still only in early access, and you can only get it by joining the wait list and waiting to be selected. It’s random, and so far Amazon doesn’t have a timeline for when everyone on the list will get it or when early access will be over. You’ll just have to join the wait list and wait to see when you’re chosen. Once you do, check out our hands-on for what we liked about Alexa+ so far.

How Does WIRED Select Smart Speakers to Test? How Are These Speakers Tested?

For this guide, we specifically test speakers that are compatible with Amazon Alexa. It’s a big limitation and narrows down the options significantly, especially compared to speaker options you’ll see in our other guides like the Best Bluetooth Speakers. That’s mainly Amazon’s own ecosystem of speakers, and while there are third party options, the best options tend to be of Amazon’s own design to work with its own voice assistant.

Each speaker gets installed in a tester’s home to test for day-to-day use, as well as to see how the microphone performs, how the speaker sounds with different types of music, how well the smart home control features work with compatible devices such as smart lights and video doorbells, and other features as necessary (e.g., streaming features on smart displays).

How Does WIRED Get Models? What Does WIRED Do After Testing Them?

We acquire review units usually as a press sample, though we will also independently purchase samples if need be. All review units in this guide were provided as press samples with no obligation to cover or promises for what that coverage would be.

After testing, we keep most of our picks either installed for long-term testing in our homes, or in storage to compare against updated models and new speakers that come out. If the sample becomes irrelevant or unnecessary to keep, we donate it locally.

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Every Model of this New Snoopy MoonSwatch Is Different—And You Can Only Get One When It Snows

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Every Model of this New Snoopy MoonSwatch Is Different—And You Can Only Get One When It Snows


First a confession: I own more MoonSwatches than I care to admit. Never let it be said that WIRED does not walk the walk when it comes to recommending products—Swatch has assiduously extracted a considerable amount of cash from me, all in $285 increments. This was no doubt the Swiss company’s dastardly plan all along, to lure us in, then, oh so gently, get watch fans hooked. The horological equivalent of boiling a frog. It’s worked, too—Swatch has, so far, netted hundreds of millions of dollars from MoonSwatch sales.

But while I’ve been a fan of the Omega X Swatch mashup since we reported on exactly how the hugely lucrative collaboration came to be in the first place, I have never liked the iterative Moonshine Gold versions. Employing a sliver of Omega’s exclusive 18K pale yellow gold alloy in marginally different ways on each design, they seemed almost cynical—a way of milking the MoonSwatch superfans on the hunt to complete the set.

A hidden Snoopy message on the Cold Moon’s dial is revealed under UV light.

Photograph: Courtesy of Swatch

Image may contain Wristwatch Arm Body Part and Person

The MoonSwatch comes with a rubber strap upgrade over the original launch models.

Photograph: Courtesy of Swatch

Now, though, just when I thought I was done with MoonSwatch—having gone as far as to upgrade all of mine with official $45 color-matching rubber straps—Swatch has managed to ensnare me once again, and with a Moonshine Gold model: the new MoonSwatch Mission To Earthphase Moonshine Gold Cold Moon.

Clumsy moniker aside, this version takes the all-white 2024 Snoopy model (WIRED’s top pick of the entire collection), mixes it with the Earthphase MoonSwatches, and replaces the inferior original strap for a superior white and blue Swatch rubber velcro one. Aesthetically, it’s definitely a win, but this is not the Cold Moon’s party trick.

On each $450 Cold Moon MoonSwatch, a snowflake is lasered onto its Moonshine Gold moon phase indicator—and, just like a real snowflake, Swatch claims each one will be completely unique. When you consider the volumes of MoonSwatches Swatch produces each year, this is no mean feat.

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The unique golden snowflakes appear on the moon phase dial of the Cold Moon.

Photograph: Courtesy of Swatch



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These Are the Best Tech Deals to Shop This Cyber Monday

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These Are the Best Tech Deals to Shop This Cyber Monday


Welcome to WIRED’s guide to the best Cyber Monday tech deals, where we can promise you two things: these devices are worth buying (we’ve tested and recommended every one of them), and these are actual discounts (not the year-round price). So, whether you need an upgrade, want to treat yourself, or are seeking a great gift, we have you covered.

Want a wider range of deals? Check out the Absolute Best Black Friday Deals roundup to find more bargains this sale weekend.

Updated November 30: We’ve added deals on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7, Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, Apple AirPods Pro 2, and Apple Watch SE 3.

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The Google Pixel 10 is one of the best Android phones you can buy. Easy to recommend at full price, the Pixel 10 is an absolute bargain with this discount. You get an excellent triple-camera system with a 5X optical zoom sensor, support for Qi2 wireless charging, so you can magnetically attach to wireless chargers and docks, and Google’s super smart software features (Call Screen to filter out spam calls is our favorite). Learn more in the Best Pixel Phones guide.

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The Pixel 9a is our top smartphone choice for most people, and it’s now $50 cheaper than it was on Black Friday itself. At $349, you’re getting a smooth-performing smartphone with a reliable dual-camera system that’s unmatched at this price, not to mention day-long battery life and a completely flat camera lens system for anyone who hates giant camera bumps. Oh, and it’ll get 7 years of software updates.

Sony A7IV Camera Body

Photograph: Sony

Sony’s A7 IV is the best mirrorless camera on the market (for most people). It’s a 33-megapixel, full-frame camera with a brilliant autofocus system, impressive dynamic range, and crisp images. There’s an expansive range of 4K video options as well, along with customizable buttons to set up your preferences, so you don’t have to always rummage through the menus. Reviewer Scott Gilbertson found the grip to be super comfortable and the camera to be light enough to endure for long periods without any back strain. —Boutayna Chokrane

Image may contain: Electronics, Mobile Phone, and Phone

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

Soundcore by Anker

Aeroclip

If you’re shopping for open earbuds so that you can enjoy your music but still be aware of your surroundings, the Soundcore Aeroclip is the best we’ve tested so far. Reviewer Ryan Waniata praises the comfort, sound quality, usability, and value. The sound is wide and balanced, and the built-in controls are ideal for runs. Waniata likes to use them during outdoor activities, like hiking or biking, but he finds them especially helpful when he’s cooking dinner and needs to stay alert for his newborn’s cries. —Boutayna Chokrane

Child's wrist with a digital wristwatch and the screen showing the time and game points earned

Photograph: Adrienne So

Editor Adrienne So says the Fitbit Ace LTE is the first fitness tracker she’s gotten her kids to use. It’s a fitness tracker (designed with Fitbit’s health sensors), gaming device, and location tracker. The $10/monthly subscription includes both LTE connectivity and Fitbit Arcade, which has a variety of movement-based games that get children on their feet and incentivize them to keep their watches on. They can call and text their guardians (and other approved contacts) through the Fitbit Ace app, and their location is trackable via Google Find My. —Boutayna Chokrane

Philips Hue Festavia lights

Photograph: Philips

This is a rare and tasty deal on my favorite Xmas lights. They work indoors or out, can be scheduled, and support a bunch of lovely animated effects. While I’m mentioning Philips Hue and its excellent but horribly expensive wares, you might want to check out some of its other Cyber Monday deals. My picks would be the wall washers ($316), TV lightstrip ($129), and HDMI sync box ($270).

Asus RT-BE58U, a black angular wi-fi router with 4 antennae sticking up from the back

Photograph: Simon Hill

The Asus RT-BE58U is perhaps the ideal Wi-Fi 7 upgrade for modest homes and apartments still struggling with the crappy router their internet service provider sent, and that’s why it tops our Best Wi-Fi Routers guide. It’s easy to set up and use, can cover up to 2,000 square feet, and boasts plenty of ports. As a dual-band router, it lacks the 6-GHz band, but has all the other advantages of Wi-Fi 7. There’s also support for VPN service, separate IoT or guest networks, and Ai Mesh.

Image may contain: Adapter, Electronics, Computer, Laptop, Pc, Computer Hardware, Hardware, and Computer Keyboard

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

Don’t ask me why they keep taking our ports away. God forbid you should want to plug something into your laptop. Well, you can stick it to those minimalist designers with the best laptop docking station. This one doubles as a wedge to prop your laptop up and has a storage slot.

Sony WH-1000MX5 headphones

Courtesy of Sony

These wireless noise-canceling headphones may not be the latest release from Sony, but they are still an excellent pair of cans with a far deeper discount. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are relatively light and comfortable, producing accomplished sound in every scenario, and have great control options.

Image may contain: Electronics, Screen, Computer Hardware, Hardware, Monitor, TV, Person, Adult, Ball, Football, and Soccer

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

You can spend a lot on a TV, but you can also get a great screen without breaking the bank, and the TCL QM6K proves it. This is the best TV for most people right now as it offers excellent color and processing, all the apps you want, and great performance, even in bright rooms. There are discounts across the range of screen sizes.

Image may contain: Electronics, Remote Control, Adapter, and Smoke Pipe

Photograph: Parker Hall

Roku

Streaming Stick Plus (2025)

If you want to get the latest streaming apps on an older TV, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is for you. It’s easy to set up, works reliably, and has a handy voice remote that makes finding content easier than ever. It slots neatly behind most TVs, and Roku’s interface is nice and clear.

  • Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

  • Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

Apple doesn’t really do sales, but other retailers do. This is the lowest price we’ve seen on a solid iPad the whole family can enjoy. The Apple iPad (A16, 2025) performs great for most tasks, looks pretty nice, and has a 12-megapixel camera. It is honestly all the iPad most folks need for surfing the web and streaming shows in bed. With iPadOS 26 and the new windowing apps feature, you can even comfortably do some work if you pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Small rounded rectangular bright blue device beside a black rectangular device, both with strap handles.

Photograph: Simon Hill

Handy as they are for keeping you connected when your phone dies unexpectedly, portable chargers can be very same-y. The reason the Nimble Champ tops our Best Power Banks guide is Nimble’s focus on the environment. It’s made from 90 percent certified recycled plastic and comes in fully biodegradable packaging. It also works well, with capacities starting from 5,200 mAh, with USB-A and USB-C ports, and up to 15-watt charging.

  • Photograph: Nena Farrell

  • Photograph: Nena Farrell

  • Courtesy of Amazon

Amazon

Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 12th Generation)

Yes, you should read more, and Amazon’s Kindle e-readers make it easier to do exactly that. Our current favorite is the Kindle Paperwhite (12th generation). It has a sharp 7-inch display, auto-adjusting warm light, three-month battery life, snappy performance, and it’s slim and light, making it comfortable to hold. It even has integration with Overdrive for your library books and support for several languages.

  • Photograph: Nena Farrell

The reMarkable 2 is one of the best digital notebooks, offering a paperlike writing experience, intuitive software, and several weeks of battery life. This is a budget model, so it lacks front light and color, but it’s still a decent device. Bundles where you choose both a marker and folio are heavily discounted right now, and they’re not often on sale, so it’s a good time to snap one up.

Image may contain: Computer, Computer Hardware, Computer Keyboard, Electronics, and Hardware

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Keychron boards are popular here at WIRED, and the Q6 HE is our current pick of the best mechanical keyboards. Sturdy, satisfying to type on, with a lovely retro aesthetic, what more do you need? Well, the Q6 HE also boasts hot-swappable Hall Effect switches, four macro keys, and is relatively easy to customize or repair.

Slender black charger with two metal prongs protruding

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Nomad

65W Slim Power Adapter

The great thing about Nomad’s 65-watt charger is that it’s incredibly slim, with flip-out prongs, so it can slip easily into small pockets in your bag or purse. You get dual USB-C ports, and can pull 45 watts out of the left port and 20 out of the right. Or, if you’re just charging one device, the full 65 watts is enough for any phone, most tablets, and even some MacBooks or Windows laptops (though they may not charge at top speed).

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

You know what I don’t miss in the slightest? Mowing the lawn. A good robot mower, like this relatively affordable one from newcomer Anthbot, will do it for you, quietly. No wire required; it recharges itself, you just set a schedule and relax. OK, it sometimes leaves a verge, but the only model I’ve tried that doesn’t is more than twice the price.

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

Sharp 2K video, color night vision, a wide 160-degree field of view, and clear two-way audio make the Arlo Pro 5S easy to recommend for folks seeking a security camera. You also get AI recognition for people and pets, a siren to scare intruders, and the quick-loading Arlo app. But you need Arlo Secure ($8 per month for one camera or $13 per month for unlimited cameras) for subject recognition, smart alerts, and cloud storage. The Arlo Pro 5S is our pick of the best outdoor security cameras.

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

  • Photograph: Simon Hill

I love my Oura Ring 4. It accurately tracks my sleep, activity, and stress levels and offers insights that I find genuinely useful. It’s also very comfortable, the app is super slick, with new features being added all the time, and it’s far less obtrusive than any other kind of tracker you could wear. The catch is a subscription, but this is still the best of the best smart rings.

Yellow semi-clear video game controller with long backplate connecting each side. Left side has a joystick and directional pad. Right side has 4 buttons and a joystick.

Photograph: Simon Hill

It’s the thoughtful design that elevates the Backbone One above the rest of the best mobile controllers. Slot your phone into the compact cradle, with a USB-C jack for speedy connectivity, and you get satisfyingly clicky and responsive controls plus a 3.5-mm headphone port. You can also customize it for different games, or even use Backbone’s software as a one-stop gaming hub, if you’re willing to pay a subscription.

Black sunglasses beside a brown carrying case, both sitting on a beige carpet

Photograph: Adrienne So

Ray-Ban

Meta Smart Glasses

Yes, there is a new version of the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers, but the good news is that the old pair is now on sale. If you can stomach Meta AI’s privacy policies, there’s a strong argument that it has won the smart glasses race already (at least, so far). The best smart glasses must be easy to wear, and these look great and help offload things from your phone, so you don’t have to dip into that pocket quite as much.

  • Photograph: Ryan Waniata

  • Photograph: Ryan Waniata

  • Photograph: Ryan Waniata

The JBL Flip 7 is the Bluetooth speaker that has it all. It’s durable, it has stamina, it produces a punchy sound, and it comes in fun colors. As the best Bluetooth speaker you can buy, this deal is for real.

Tonies Toniebox speaker

Courtesy of Tonies

Toniebox is our favorite speaker for young kids, particularly ages three through seven. It’s essentially a squishy cube that plays stories and songs tied to different characters (aka Tonies). It’s activated when your child places the figurine on top of the speaker. There are so many Tonies to choose from. Peppa Pig, Moana, Winnie the Pooh, the list goes on. You can also buy Creative Tonies to record your own audio. Super easy to use, and the cutesy ears double as volume controls. —Boutayna Chokrane

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup book cover

Courtesy of Vintage

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

The best tech books unpack the rise and fall of the characters that invented the stuff that runs our lives. The New York Times and former Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou writes about Elizabeth Holmes, as she miserably fails to build a blood testing machine that would allegedly eliminate the need for hypodermic needles. Her company raised hundreds of millions of dollars, but its technology was inaccurate. Rather than admit defeat, she pressed on, which is why Holmes was put on trial for fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison. —Boutayna Chokrane

Rear view of three smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra) showing the camera lenses of each

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Samsung

Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 has been heavily discounted all Cyber Weekend, probably because its successors are right around the corner (the Galaxy S26 series is expected to be announced in January). But we still love these excellent smartphones. The S25 is the smallest, the S25+ gets a few extra perks, plus a bigger screen and better battery life, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra has a dual telephoto camera system, integrated S Pen stylus, and a beefy battery. Be sure to check out the Best Samsung Phones guide for the full scoop. —Molly Higgins

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7

You’re not like other girls; you have a folding phone. In all seriousness, folding phones are not as fragile as they used to be, with durability improving while remaining slim. We love the Galaxy Z Fold7 because it’s amazingly slim and versatile. You can use the front screen like normal, and when you need extra real estate, open the device up. You can view apps on a much larger scale or easily split-screen two apps. If you’re not feeling a folding phone, the updated Galaxy Z Flip7 has a more usable front screen. Read our Best Folding Phones guide to decide which is best for you at the discounted price this Cyber Weekend. —Molly Higgins

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Courtesy of Lenovo

Lenovo

Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is super cheap and compact, with a small touchscreen for more versatility. Especially with the Cyber Monday discount, it’s one of the most affordable Chromebook Plus models you can find, plus WIRED reviewer Luke Larsen thinks it’s in a whole different league over standard Chromebooks at this price because of its improved screen with a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen, fast performance, more storage, and crisp webcam. —Molly Higgins

Apple AirPods Pro 2, two white earbuds, in an open oval shaped case sitting on a wooden surface

Photograph: Christopher Null

Apple

AirPods Pro 2 (With USB-C)

Even though they’re an older model, we like these AirPods because of their hearing aid feature, comfort, and outstanding streaming experience. If you’re an iPhone user, you should have some AirPods, and we still think these are a good choice for most people because of their active noise cancellation, sound quality, and easy pairing within the Apple ecosystem. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they’re nearly 25 percent off for Cyber Monday. —Molly Higgins

Photograph: Adrienne So

We on the WIRED Reviews team still think this is the best Apple Watch for most people. With its newest upgrade, it now has the latest S10 chip, a Liquid Glass display, Workout Buddy, and wrist-flick gestures. If you have an iPhone, this accessory is a no-brainer. It makes a great gift for yourself or others, and is seriously discounted at only $200 right now. —Molly Higgins


Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.



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Dreaming of a Thuma Bed Frame? Don’t Miss the Black Friday Sale

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Dreaming of a Thuma Bed Frame? Don’t Miss the Black Friday Sale


Thuma knows what it’s doing when it comes to bed frames, which is why we’re so excited to see Thuma’s Black Friday deals. Two different frames from Thuma are the top picks in our Best Bed Frames guide, and our reviewers have reported how not only high-quality and and sturdy the brand’s frames are, but also how easy it is to put the frame together thanks to Japanese-style joinery.

While our top pick isn’t on sale, our second-favorite is on Thuma’s site during this Black Friday weekend, and it’s a great price for the quality you’ll get. And it’s not the only thing Thuma has on sale, either, if you’re looking for more Thuma goodness around your bedroom and home.

If you’re looking for more great sleep deals, don’t miss our guide to the Best Black Friday Mattress and Bedding Deals, plus you can catch more sleep deals on our guide to the Absolute Best Black Friday Deals.

The Best Thuma Bed Frame Deal

Courtesy of Thuma

Thuma’s Signature Bed is one of our all-time favorite bed frames. It’s on the new side, launching back in February as Thuma’s first upholstered bed. It still uses Japanese wood joinery, but the frame is covered in two different fabric options, depending on what you choose. There’s a soft Italian felted wool and a performance linen; our reviewer tested the wool version for a few months with great results.

Even with the fabric covering, it still only takes minutes to assemble this bed, and there’s not a squeak to be heard since it was built. WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar says the plush headboard feels pillow-soft, so much so that he’s tempted to try to lie directly on it. The frame can come with or without a headboard, and both variants are on sale right now.

If it’s still out of your budget, check out our guide to the Best Thuma Dupes to see if any on-sale options are a fit for you. But there’s really no better time to get a Thuma frame of your own than during this sale, especially since we’re such big fans of this model.

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