Latest from Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Tom's Guide
I've kept iPhones for 5 years and Nutribullets for 8 — here's how I nurture my tech and stretch its lifespan
Yes, it's true. Tech is expensive and I am poor. Luckily, I've been able to keep iPhones going for over 5 years (multiple times!), Nutribullets for 8 years, and I'm into my third year with my beloved MacBook Pro (and it runs just as well today as it did when I unboxed it). So how do I do it? Well, I follow the guidelines set out by the manufacturers — I don't push my gadgets to the limits and I respect their desire to rest. Secondly, I ensure I future-proof my gear by getting the best specs for my personal requirements, which means I don't have to upgrade very often. And the most important one of all? I take care of my stuff. I clean it and store it properly. If you follow my tips, I'm sure you'll be able to keep tech going for as long as possible. If a phone's instructions say "don't submerge in water", then don't submerge your phone in water. All jokes aside, this is actually a really important point. It's the most important point in this article. Nutribullet advises against blending dry ingredients as it can damage the blades. More often than not, home appliances like coffee machines and air fryers specify "suitable for private domestic use only." Products like these are only intended to be used a few times a day. Think of it like this: if a coffee machine is used thirty times a day for a year, that's almost 11,000 coffees. However, if a coffee machine is used twice a day for a year, that's only 730 coffees, meaning it would take 15 years to make the same amount of beverages. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As a result, I don't expect my tech to do more than it promises. My iPhone 11 lasted 5 years before I upgraded. I didn't even need to upgrade (it still worked perfectly fine). I upgraded to my current phone because I'd just sold my car and I had a bit of spare cash (for the first time ever). Why did my iPhone last so long? I don't overuse it. My screen time is maximum 4 hours a day and I tend not to use my phone for hours on cellular. However, if you use your phone for work, you obviously won't have this luxury. I recommend following the phone manufacturer's advice in this case: Apple, for instance, recommends updating software often and using low power mode. This advice may change based on manufacturer. This is the Nutribullet I've had since 2016. It's still going strong today because I look after it. I follow all Nutribullet's instructions, I clean it well, and I store the blades properly. Now, I would recommend getting the Nutribullet 900W to last even longer. To illustrate this point, I'm going to take you back to 2017. I needed a new MacBook, seeing as I was at college and taking my incredibly heavy laptop into school was too laborious and gave me permanent backache. I was also a student, so I wasn't exactly rolling in cash. I went to the Apple Store and bought the cheapest MacBook there — it cost me about £900 ($1,200 roughly). It also had a 128GB SSD and just 8GB of RAM. Did this MacBook last me a long time? Yes and no. I ended up using this laptop until 2022 when it quite literally died. It only worked while plugged in and if I tried to run more than one app at once it sounded like a jet engine. I also had to have an external hard drive plugged in at all times to access my files. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it'll last a long time. It's about evaluating what you need for the future. So in 2022, when I finally had scrounged enough money to upgrade, I got the top-of-the-range model. I upgraded from an M1 chip to an M1 Max, upgraded to 1TB of storage, and upgraded the RAM. And now? Three years later, my MacBook Pro still runs like the day I unboxed it. It runs games, video editing software, and other demanding apps without breaking a sweat. So I would recommend getting the top end product (if you can afford it, of course). In other cases, this would look like getting a (highly-rated) $800 espresso machine instead of an "it'll do" $200 one. If you don't need to replace something as often, you'll save money in the long run. Just because something is expensive, though, doesn't mean it'll last a long time. It's about evaluating what you need for the future. I learned from my 2017 mistake and I didn't impulsively buy my new MacBook. I consolidated all the information available to me, researched my specs, and made the purchase only once I was 100% certain. I know this one seems obvious, but it's actually really important. Maintenance encompasses loads of stuff: cleaning, storing in the appropriate place and replacing faulty parts. For example, if your screen cracks, you should probably go and get a replacement before the crack gets worse. Similarly, if you throw your headphones on the floor instead of keeping them in the case, they probably won't last for very long. My iPhone 11 screen never cracked because I had a really good phone case and screen protector. Now, with my iPhone 16, I have the best iPhone 16 phone case to ensure my phone doesn't smash again. This goes for everything I own: I empty and clean my Dyson Gen5Detect vacuum regularly, I descale my De'Longhi La Specialista Opera every month (I live in a hard water area), and I dust my Bose Smart Soundbar every few days (this prevents particles getting in the speaker mechanism). If you follow these three tips, then you'll probably end up saving money in the long run. Your tech will last longer and, in time, save you $$$.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
My job is testing running shoes — here are 5 shoes on sale for under $100 I'd recommend
I get to test and review the best running shoes for a living and, yes, it's a pretty sweet gig all round. I usually test around 50 pairs of shoes a year, and love being able to recommend the right shoe to a runner, especially when that shoe is available at a big discount. Running shoes are not cheap, so I keep track of my favorites that I expect to drop in price in the sales, and when they do I like to tell the world so runners don't miss out. Right now there are five shoes I know will be perfect for a whole lot of runners that have been reduced to under $100, so if you're in need of new running kicks right now, don't miss out on these excellent deals. The Hoka Mach 6 is a shoe I go back to time and time again, because it's a simple but highly versatile option for daily training, and I also like the look of it for casual use. The lightweight design still has enough cushioning underfoot to be comfortable over long distances, and the rocker shape helps you to roll smoothly along at any pace, from easy plods to all-out intervals. The men's shoe is down to $97 in the Hoka sale, while the women's Mach 6 is available for $111, which is still a good deal. The Rebel v4 is one of the best shoes I've tested in the last year, with an incredibly lightweight but still cushioned and stable design that makes it suitable for all kinds of runs and all kinds of runners. The Rebel v5 has just launched, meaning the Rebel v4 is ripe for discounts, and having tested both models I'd say the Rebel v4 is the one I'd go for given this saving as there isn't a big upgrade with the new shoe. The women's Rebel v4 is also reduced to $99 in the Running Warehouse sale. The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 wasn't a shoe that dazzled me during testing, but I thought it was a good value daily trainer at its full price of $140, so would absolutely recommend considering it for just $70 in the Adidas sale. Both the women's and men's Supernova Rise 2 are reduced by 50% right now, and it's a nimble but cushioned daily trainer that's also highly durable. One of the most popular and reliable running shoes around, the Nike Pegasus has been around for 41 years and the latest version is a strong addition to the line. I found it comfortable for easy and long runs, and good for walking as well, and there are a range of deals on the Pegasus 41 available in the Nike sale. The women's Pegasus 41 is down to $105, and there are some NFL/college team editions reduced to $82. While it's not a shoe that wows you on the run with its speed or springiness, the Brooks Ghost 16 is comfortable, durable and just incredibly dependable. It's a shoe I often recommend to new runners, but works well for runners of any level really, and both the women's and men's Brooks Ghost 16 are reduced to under $100 on Amazon. I'm just testing the Ghost 17 now, and wouldn't say the new shoe is worth paying a lot more for than the Ghost 16, so this deal is worth picking up.
Tom's Guide
an hour ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I'm a sleep tech tester and the product I swear by for falling asleep fast is $26.99 in Amazon sale
As a sleep tech writer, I've spent the last 10 months searching the market for, and testing, the latest snooze-improving innovations. This has included gadgets and gizmos from smart sleep masks and sleep headbands to sleep trackers, top-rated sunrise alarm clocks and this year's best smart beds. But there's only one gadget I absolutely can't sleep without: a red light clip that attaches to my book. Dutifully obeying our sleep editor's advice around following a nighttime routine for better sleep, reading a few pages in the evening has become non-negotiable for me, and this clip light completes my bedtime routine. In current sleep sales, you can save 10% on the Szokled reading light clip at Amazon. This nudges the price from $29.99 to $26.99 — a small price to pay for a device that can help you cut out tossing and turning and fall asleep fast. And even better, you may be offered a 15% off coupon that takes the price down even further. Szokled Red Light Clip: was $29.99 now $26.99 at AmazonThe Szokled clip light has two modes: red light and warm light. The red light is ideal for pre-bedtime reading, protecting the eyes and bolstering your ability to fall asleep fast. While the warm light can create a cosy atmosphere any time of day. It comes with a timer, meaning the light will automatically turn off after you fall asleep, helping you snooze peacefully while saving energy. Amazon promises this red light clip has a 10-hour battery life and it's equipped with a USB-C port for convenient charging. Watch out for a 15% off coupon when you order! Red light exposure positively influences sleep onset, sleep duration and overall sleep efficiency by stimulating the production of melatonin, the all-important sleep-inducing hormone. Melatonin is responsible for making us feel sleepy. While bright white light suppresses this hormone, warm red light prompts the brain, specifically the pineal gland, to release it. So if you already have one of the best mattresses but you're still not getting enough sleep, a shortage of melatonin could be to blame. In fact, light is a key circadian cue and you can regulate your circadian rhythm with carefully-timed light exposure. Specifically, evening red light exposure and morning sunlight exposure helps your body get used to producing sleep-wake hormones at the right time of day so you fall asleep fast at night and wake up refreshed in the morning. What I really love about a red light clip is that it's lightweight and portable enough to take with me wherever I go. I stay away from home one night a week for work, and packing up my other sleep tech, namely my beloved Eight Sleep Pod 4 and Hatch sunrise alarm clock, wouldn't be so practical. Therefore, I rely on a red light clip to help me unwind in unfamiliar environments, and after six months of using it it's yet to fail me. I also recommend using a red light LED face mask as part of your bedtime routine if you're looking for a gadget that can help you wind down at night while taking care of your skin.
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Best Amazon deals under $50 ahead of Prime Day — 21 deals I'd shop now on Yeti, Carhartt, Lego, Switch games, headphones, smart home tech and more
We're just a few weeks out from Amazon Prime Day deals, but you don't need to wait a day longer to start making some savings. Some of my favorite products have seen epic discounts ahead of the event, with many dropping under the $50 mark. For example, right now you can get up to 20% off Yeti tumblers, mugs and coolers. This includes the popular Yeti Rambler 42 oz Straw Mug on sale for $36 at Amazon. Plus, you can currently shop Carhartt deals from $9 and Lego deals from $8. And coming right in under $50 is the Ring Battery Doorbell on sale for $49 at Amazon. We rank this as one of the best video doorbells you can buy, and it's a steal at this price. Keep scrolling to see all my favorite Amazon deals under $50. Plus, check out our Amazon promo codes, and see this Ring sale at Amazon with up to 50% off. YETI sale: up to 25% off @ AmazonIf you're a fan of YETI, you know that a sale doesn't come around often enough. That's why now is the perfect opportunity to save big on drinkware and cooler deals starting at just $15. So don't wait — snag a new cooler or water bottle before these discounts disappear! Adidas sale: deals from $6 @ AmazonThe Adidas Store at Amazon is offering a wide variety of deals on men's/women's/children's sweat pants, hoodies, socks, and more. After discount, deals start as low as $6. Lego sale: deals from $8 @ AmazonThe best Lego deals can usually be found in November and December, but early Prime deals are slashing the prices of select sets. You can get everything from Disney to Star Wars as well as generic sets. This little SanDisk drive holds up to 128GB of your files in a lightweight plastic chassis that fits in the palm of your hand. The drive has a rotating plastic cover that shields either the USB-A or USB-C end from the world while freeing the other up to plug into your laptop, PC, smartphone or tablet, allowing you to easily move up to 128GB of files between devices. It's since been replaced by another model, but the Iniu 10000mAh Portable Charger is a previous winner on our list of the best power banks. Combining its compact size, 10,000 mAh battery capacity, and two USB-A ports, it's the affordable portable charger for anyone that needs on-the-go power. Nothing adds outdoor ambiance like a killer playlist and the very best solar lights. This outdoor-rated pack is built with shatterproof plastic bulbs that are currently 54% off at Amazon. Plug them in when the sun sets and enjoy 27 feet-worth and up to six full hours of a soft, white glow. Switch games sale: deals from $19 @ AmazonAmazon is offering big discounts on Switch games. As part of this week's sale, you can find popular titles on sale from $19. The sale includes Just Dance 2025, Sonic Superstars and more. Adidas sale: deals from $6 @ AmazonThe Adidas Store at Amazon is offering a wide variety of deals on men's/women's/children's sweat pants, hoodies, socks, and more. After discount, deals start as low as $6. Carhartt sale: deals from $9 @ AmazonIf you're looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Carhartt has tons of rugged and stylish pieces you'll want to rock all season long. Skechers shoes/apparel: from $11 @ AmazonAmazon is having a massive Skechers sale. This includes sneakers and apparel for men, women, and children on sale from $11. Score these comfortable Skechers sneakers starting from $21. They feature a Skechers memory foam footbed and come in four stylish color options. Reviewers on Amazon say these are sturdy and fit true to size. If you're willing to live without active noise-cancellation, these Soundcore by Anker P20i buds are fantastic value for money. Offering 10mm drivers for impressive "big" bass, along with Bluetooth 5.3, 30-hour battery life, water-resistance, 22 preset EQs and in-app customisation, which is great for this price. While they aren't technically true wireless, on account of the wire that connects the buds, the Flex are a great pair of fitness earbuds. They're super comfortable thanks to their lightweight, and this deal is a solid discount. They may cost less than $55, but the 1More SonoFlow SE are still an incredible pair of headphones. Packing 50-hour battery life, robust sound, great ANC and excellent sound quality, these 'phones delivery pretty much everything you could want for a very low price. In our 1More SonoFlow SE review, we rated them 4/5 stars. The Sony SRS-XB100 is one of the best cheap Bluetooth speakers we've tested. In our Sony SRS-XB100 review, we praised its strong sound quality, portable design, and long battery life. It offers a playback range of 131 feet and is IP67 rated against sun, sand, rain and accidental submersion. The Blink Outdoor is a fully wireless home security camera that records video in 1080p, lets you store video locally (or in the cloud) and has a two-year battery life. The Editor's Choice camera holds a spot in our list of the best home security cameras. At just $49, the best value Ring Video Doorbell got even better. The newest of Ring's doorbells has head-to-toe video and package detection. You can't replace its battery, but it's a fantastic option at this price. Not a fan of straws or chug lids? The Stanley All Day Slim Bottle Water Bottle has a twist lid and a slim design that you can easily sip and effortlessly slip into your bag or backpack. Like many Stanley cups, it's insulated to keep your drinks at their optimum temperature and it fits in most car cup holders. The MZOO sleep mask is an Amazon best seller sporting over 73,500 perfect reviews from customers who give it the "night shifter seal of approval," and say it provides 100% darkness while the pressure it puts on the eyes is "just perfect." This sleep mask will see you through your summer flights with more $$$ to spend on snacks onboard. The 42oz Rambler Straw Mug is on sale for a nice 20% discount. With its large handle and straw, it's one of the most comfortable Yeti mugs to drink from and it has the capacity to keep you hydrated all day. We can't forget about our furry friends! This orthopedic dog bed is designed to give your pet a deep, dreamy sleep and provide the perfect amount of pressure relief and joint support. It comes in several sizes for all kinds of pups and dozens of fun colors. A buzzy TikTok product, this heat tool promises to straighten hair in a few passes, offering 5 temperatures to choose from. Its amassed more than 56,000 positive reviews for taming frizzy manes into a head full of smooth strands.
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Tom's Guide
How to watch NBA Finals Game 6 on Hulu + Live TV (free trial)
You can watch NBA Finals Game 6 live on Hulu + Live TV, which carries ABC and offers new customers a 3-day FREE trial. Time it right, and that free trial will let you tune into Game 7 on Sunday should it get there. Thunder came flying out of the blocks on Monday with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's side taking the opening two quarters 59-45. This left Rick Carlisle's side in a world of trouble and while they fought back well, it was ultimately to big of a gap to breach. Tonight they will looking for a way back in and will know that successive wins is a must if they want to take the trophy home. Can you access Hulu + Live TV in Canada, the U.K. or Australia? Read on and we'll show you how to watch NBA Finals Game 6 live streams from anywhere with a VPN for FREE. Basketball fans in the U.S. can watch NBA Finals Game 6 live for FREE on Hulu + Live TV. If you don't already have an account, sign up to Hulu + Live TV using your email address, date of birth and gender. The 3-day free trial is exclusive to the Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV plan, which costs $82.99 per month. NBA Finals Game 3 is on ABC. Outside the U.S at the moment? Use NordVPN or another VPN service to appear as if you're still in your home country. Although Hulu + Live TV is only available in the U.S., if you're from the U.S. but visiting the likes of Canada, the U.K. and Australia, you can still stream it through the use of VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software sets your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where on the planet you are. It's ideal for sports fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN, the best on the market: There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 7,000 servers, across 110 countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. You can even get an Amazon gift card worth up to $50 right now. Get up to 70% off! Using a VPN is incredibly simple. 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in Canada and want to view an American service, you'd select U.S. from the list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Hulu + Live TV or another streaming service and watch the action. Hulu + Live TV is a streaming service that provides access to more than 100 TV channels for a fraction of the price of an equivalent cable package. One of those channels is ABC, which is showing NBA Finals Game 3, along with every other game of the series. Game 6 tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, June 19, and ABC's live coverage runs from 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT to 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT. Analysis comes from Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon. Remember: Use NordVPN if you're outside the U.S. on vacation. Android phones and tablets (Android 7.1 and newer) Apple iPhones and iPads (iOS 16.4 or later) Chrome (latest version) Firefox (latest version) Safari (latest version) Edge (latest version) Apple TV (tvOS 15.3 and up) Amazon Fire TV (Fire OS 5.0 and newer, exluding Fire TV Stick Gen 1) Android TV (Sony Bravia 2015 and up, Nvidia Shield, Hisense Android TV, select Xiaomi models) Chromecast (Gen 2 or newer) LG Smart TV (webOS 3.5 or higher & select webOS 3.0 models) Nintendo Switch (R1 and Lite) PlayStation (PS4 & PS5) Roku (including Roku 2, Roku 3, Express, Express+, Premiere, Premiere+ , Streaming Stick, Streaming Stick+, Ultra, Ultra LT) Samsung TV (2016 or later) Vizio (2016 or later) Xumo (Xumo TV, Xumo XiOne Box) Game 1 | Pacers 111-110 ThunderGame 2 | Pacers 107-123 ThunderGame 3 | Thunder 107-116 Pacers Game 4 | Thunder 111-104 Pacers Game 5 | Pacers 109-120 Thunder — 8:30 p.m., Monday June 16 (ABC)Game 6 | Thunder vs Pacers — 8:30 p.m., Thursday June 19 (ABC)Game 7 | Pacers vs Thunder — 8 p.m., Sunday June 22 (ABC) We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
