Tech
The Sony XM6 earbuds are the best audio product Ive tested this year — and theyre back at their lowest price ever
Save $31.99: Take 10% off the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds at Amazon as of April 20. This brings them down to $298, instead of their list price of $329.99.
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As a headphones reviewer, I get plenty experience testing out the latest and greatest audio has to offer. As a budget-buys lover, I don't always see the point of increasingly high price points.
Then, I tried the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds. At $329.99, these earbuds aren't cheap, sitting at an even higher price than Bose's flagship earbuds and the Technics EAH-AZ1000, another Mashable favorite. However, as of April 20, the Sony buds are down to a slightly better $298, marking a return to their lowest price ever.
Don't get me wrong — I get that $300 isn't exactly chump change. That said, I consider these earbuds an investment for anyone who wants the absolute best blend of sound, comfort, and noise cancellation. To be clear, I still think the Bose QC Ultra 2 buds lead the category on the comfort scale, but between the best noise cancellation and sound I've tried on a pair of earbuds, I get why these are priced the way they are.
As these are Sony buds, the companion app also offers great customization, with a 10-band equalizer for finding the sound that's just right. At eight hours per charge, their battery life is also competitive with other noise-cancelling favorites of Mashable's, like the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
I loved the XM6 earbuds when I first reviewed them earlier this year, and I continue to love them months later. Unless the audio space throws a real curveball, I imagine these will be one of the best releases of the year.
SAVE $14: As of April 14, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Nintendo Switch and Windows PC is on sale at Amazon for just $75.99 instead of its usual $89.99. That's 16% in savings and its lowest price in months.
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If you're seeking a beginner-friendly fight stick to accompany your Nintendo Switch or PC gaming, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is calling your name. Not only is it an eye-catching NES-like nostalgic comfort, but it's fully customizable for just about any preference you may have. Plus, more importantly, it's on sale for its lowest price in months.
As of April 14, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is down to just $75.99 at Amazon instead of its usual $89.99. That's 16% in savings and the lowest price we've seen since January.
Our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) dubbed the Arcade Stick an Editors' Choice for budget joysticks. They called it a "capable wireless controller that’s ideal for playing classic arcade games on the PC or Switch," adding that it's a great entry-level fight stick that offers room to grow.
While the Arcade Stick doesn't actually pack high-grade arcade parts, the build quality is solid, the controls are responsive, and the joystick is "satisfyingly clicky." Plus, it's designed with modding in mind, so you can pop open the hood and replace the base parts with whatever you wish.
It can wirelessly connect to a Nintendo Switch or Windows PC through Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz USB receiver and offers between 30 and 40 hours of battery life depending on which you choose. Of course, you can also keep a wired connection if you want to minimize any input lag. Unfortunately, it's not compatible with Android or any other gaming consoles. Still, for a more arcade-like experience from the comfort of your own home, check out the 8BitDo Arcade Stick while it's on sale.
Save $120: As of April 13, you can grab the Beelink SER5 MAX 7735HS mini PC with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for just $539, thanks to an on-page coupon at Amazon. Usually, this mini PC costs $659, so this deal saves you 18%.
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at Amazon
$659.01
Save $120.01
Despite its security flaws, OpenClaw's popularity as an open-source AI assistant has catapulted it to proper viral status (at least, within the AI community). While many users were running to pick up Mac Minis to run the assistant, the Apple computer isn't exactly at its cheapest right now.
Don't get us wrong — you can catch the Mac Mini on sale from time to time. But as of April 13, the $599 regular M4 version is unavailable at Amazon, and the more expensive M4 Pro model will run you $1,419.99 — not exactly the most cost effective solution.
Our advice? Check out other mini PCs on the market. At the time of writing, the Beelink SER5 MAX 7735HS mini PC with AMD Ryzen 7, 24GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is on sale for $539 with an on-page coupon, knocking $120 off its usual $659. Even when the M4 Mac mini is available, it can be harder to find it below $549, making this an especially competitive price for the Beelink PC.
Just a note: its important to be aware of the security risks that come with using this open source AI tool. And if you're already using OpenClaw, be sure to update to the latest version immediately.
SAVE 30%: As of April 13, you can get the DJI Mini 4K for $209, down from $299, at Amazon. That's a 30% discount or $90 savings.
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My dad and my cousin are obsessed with drones, so I've spent enough time watching them fly to know two things: the really good ones are usually very expensive, and they're easy to crash if you don't know what you're doing (and sometimes, even if you do!).
If you've been wanting to get into the hobby without the steep learning curve (or the high price tag), this DJI model is a great place to start. Right now, the DJI Mini 4K is listed at $299, but if you clip the on-page coupon, it drops to $209.
Despite its tiny size, this drone has the practical features you need to get in the air quickly. It has a 4K Ultra HD camera paired with a 3-axis gimbal to keep your footage smooth and cinematic. Because it weighs under 249 grams, you don't have to worry about FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational use. It also has a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, Level 5 wind resistance (stable in winds up to 38kph), and a 10km video transmission range.
If you're worried about flying it into a tree or the ocean, it features one-tap takeoff and landing, stable hovering, and a GPS Return to Home (RTH) function, so you don't have to panic if you lose it. It even comes with intelligent QuickShots modes that automatically fly the drone in cinematic patterns to get you professional-looking shots with just a few taps (which could be good if you're a real estate agent or photographer!).
The nostalgic 8BitDo Arcade Stick is at its cheapest price in months
Looking to run OpenClaw on the cheap? This mini PC deal has got you covered.
This beginner-friendly 4K drone just hit its best price ever thanks to a hidden coupon
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