Rikka Altland

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s beloved and compact iPad mini 6 now back in stock with $99 discount to $400
• Start the new year with Google’s Pixel 7/Pro smartphones on sale from $499 (Save $100+)
• DJI’s just-released Mini 3 quadcopter sees first discount to $499 in cert. refurb sale (Orig. $559)

Best Buy today is announcing a new change to its rewards program to help it get an edge over Amazon Prime to start 2023. Normally in order to score free shipping at Best Buy, you’ll need to exceed the $35 minimum purchase threshold to have your package arrive at no additional cost. Now the retailer is nixing the minimum all-together, offering its My Best Buy subscribers no-cost delivery on everything.

Last week, we shared a look at the upcoming LEGO Disney BrickHeadz that’ll be kicking off the 100th anniversary series when the 4-pack drops next month. But as we originally reported, it looks like the LEGO Group and Disney have plenty more in store with a lineup of new summer 2023 sets. As the official wave of the collection, we’re getting a better idea of what to expect with nine confirmed sets so far.

As more rumors come out on what to expect from the 2023 LEGO lineup at large, 9to5Toys today can confirm a report that has been circulating this week on the future of the company’s collaboration with SEGA. Come this summer, everyone’s favorite blue blur is going to be getting the brick-built treatment once again in a lineup of five LEGO Sonic sets due out in the summer of 2023.

Amazon now offers the original Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for $87.97 shipped. This new all-time low arrives from the original $200 price tag and is well below our previous $100 mention from back over the holiday shopping season. It’s the best price we’ve ever seen and a notable option compared to the more recent Galaxy Buds Pro 2 that sell for $190. Samsung’s original flagship earbuds arrive with all of the notable specs you would expect ranging from active noise cancellation and an Ambient sound mode to a true wireless design, water-resistance, and seamless pairing to your Galaxy handset. There’s also the added perk of spatial audio which is rounded out by 28 hours of playback on a single charge. We noted that they are “simply excellent” in our hands-on review, and that sentiment holds up even better with today’s all-time low price cut. Head below for more.

Ring has become something of the name in smart home security, and now for the New Year is looking to extend that reach even further. Debuting its very first dash camera, the new Ring Car Cam debuts with the same stable of features you’d expect from its at-home releases and is now available for pre-order with some savings attached.

Belkin’s New Year’s sale is in full swing as we head into the weekend, discounting a collection of charging tech to outfit your setup with some new gear for 2023. Right now applying code NY23 at checkout will take 15% off everything the site sells, including already-discounted accessories and more with free shipping across the board. A highlight has the BoostCharge Pro 15W 2-in-1 MagSafe Stand at $72.24 from its usual $100 going rate. Delivering the best we’ve seen in months, this $28 discount is $3 under our previous mention and the third-best price to date. Belkin’s 2-in-1 charging stand delivers a place to refuel your iPhone 14, as well as 13 and 12 series handsets alongside a pair of AirPods or other earbuds thanks to its upright design. Its main 15W MagSafe charger holds up your smartphone above the secondary 5W Qi pad in a streamlined design that won’t take up too much space on your desk or nightstand. You can get a closer look in our launch coverage, but then be sure to head below for more.

Amongst all of the other reveals now that CES 2023 is officially underway, Anker is also getting in on the showcase by offering up a look at a suite of new releases. Launching all throughout the coming year, the company has a wide range of releases including everything from new workstation docking stations to chargers, microphones, and more.

Amazon is currently offering the LIFX Color A19 HomeKit Light Bulb for $24.99 shipped. Down from the usual $50 price tag you’ll normally pay, today’s offer stacks up to a new all-time low. The 32% discount beats our previous mention by $6 and even manages to undercut the holiday pricing by $1, too. Delivering 1,100-lumens of brightness, this smart LED light doesn’t require an external hub in order to work with Siri, Alexa, and Assistant setups right out of the box. Its full color output pairs with various white temperatures for setting the perfect scene be it during movie nights or to add a pop of color to your office. Head below for more.

Ending the work week, Amazon is now offering iPhone 13 series owners a chance to outfit their handset with a new official case. Delivering some of the best discounts ever across Apple’s assortment of iPhone 13 MagSafe cases, pricing starts at $21 and comes backed by free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $25. Delivering cases for all four of Apple’s latest handsets, you’ll find covers in more premium leather builds to its popular silicone cases to add a bit of color into your iPhone this spring as well as clear designs for showing off the smartphone’s own style. Spanning multiple colorways too, you’ll want to scroll through this page to see the entire lot. Or just go get the full breakdown of what’s on sale below.

Back in October, the LEGO Group announced how it would be partnering with Wizards of the Coast in order to bring the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons to life in brick-built form. Today we finally know just what that collaboration is going to look like, as the results of the LEGO Ideas contest have now come to a close.

Update: Both of LEGO’s new Botanical Collection sets are now available for purchase. That includes the Wildflower Bouquet at $59.99 and the Dried Flower Centerpiece at $49.99.

Having quickly become one of the most popular LEGO themes for older builders, the Botanical Collection is now being expanded into 2023. Today, we’re getting a look at two new kits that join the other builds from the series and branch out into some eye-catching new directions. Both the LEGO Wildflower Bouquet and Dried Flower Centerpiece will be hitting store shelves next month as the theme’s latest kits.

The CES 2023 news continues today as Nomad, one of our favorite Apple accessories, is debuting its latest offering. Bringing the usual premium stylings that we expect to Apple Watch, the new Nomad Aluminum Band is just the latest accessory to hit the scene from the brand. Pairing the usual elegant build with an easier-to-swallow price tag.

Helping you start the New Year off with a new smartphone, Visible Wireless today is kicking off its latest promotion on Apple’s new iPhone 14 series. Delivering the best pre-paid value to date since launch last fall, all four of Apple’s latest handsets now come bundled with a $200 gift card to nearly any retailer as well as a pair of Apple’s new AirPods Pro 2. This is the best offer yet for those who want to skip going with a carrier-locked solution or avoid the monthly contract with $449 in savings. Pricing starts at $829 shipped across the lineup.

Apple’s latest lineup of iPhone 14 series smartphones arrive centered around the new A16 Bionic chip for the Pro/Max models, delivering the best performance yet. There’s also the nifty new Dynamic Island camera cutout on the front of the always-on Super Retina XDR displays, which now sport up to 2,000-nits peak brightness. And while you’ll hope not to need it, there’s also Crash Detection features and built-in satellite connectivity for some added safety. Learn more over at 9to5Mac. Head below for more.

GE today at CES 2023 is announcing its latest collection of smart home lighting accessories, including the first additions to the lineup compatible with Matter. Also joining the new reveals are some more novel lights that take aim at the likes of Nanoleaf and Govee, delivering more vibrant colors and unique designs as part of the fittingly named Dynamic Effects lineup.

Update: The new 100th anniversary Disney BrickHeadz pack is now available for purchase for $39.99.

Late last year, 9to5Toys was first able to report that the LEGO Group would be once again teaming up with Disney to deliver some 100th anniversary fanfare. Now that 2023 has arrived, we’re getting an official first look at just how all of that will stack up. Arriving as a collection of BrickHeadz figures, four Disney icons are fittingly making their debut in the upcoming 100th anniversary set. 

A new year is now underway and with it comes an entire collection of LEGO sets. This time around for 2023, you’ll find everything from the latest Star Wars and Marvel recreations to Technic, City, Ninjago, the new LEGO Jazz Club, and many other new sets. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available for January 2023, which are now available for purchase.

Throughout 2022, we’ve reviewed a collection of the latest true wireless earbuds. Including a wide range of brands, form-factors, and price points, we’ve settled on five of our favorite alternatives to first-party offerings from Apple, Google, and Samsung. Including Anker’s new Soundcore Liberty 4, the stylish Sennheiser Momentum 4s, and some utterly unique offerings from Sony, you’ll find all of the best earbuds of 2022 outlined below.

The new year is right around the corner and to celebrate 2023, Twelve South today is now launching its latest sale. This time taking 20% off everything the brand sells, adding any of the popular Apple accessories to your cart will automatically deliver some of the best discounts to date. Shipping is free across the board in orders over $50. Our top pick is the new Twelve South Curve Flex MacBook Stand at $63.99. Still marking one of the first times we’ve seen this new release on sale, you’re looking at a new all-time low. This is down from the usual $80 going rate and well under our previous $70 mention from back over the holidays. Twelve South just refreshed its popular MacBook stand last month with the new Curve Flex. This all-aluminum offering arrives with an adjustable design that lets you elevate your machine in plenty of different ways. I walked away quite impressed in my hands-on review, which you can read for a more in-depth look at the features. Then head below for some other highlights from the Twelve South sale.

Another year of LEGO is now one for the history books. While we’re gearing up to start covering all of the new creations come 2023, beforehand we’re taking a retrospective look at what this year already delivered. Ranging from new creations that take the throne of largest set to authentic recreations of both historic and cinematic marvels, you’ll want to head below for our best LEGO sets of 2022.

Today, the LEGO Group is officially revealing the first expansion to its Art lineup for 2023. Hokusai: The Great Wave is one of the most instantly-recognizable paintings of all time, especially those of Japanese origins. Now for next year, it’s getting the brick-built treatment with a new 1,800-piece kit launching in January.

Now that the winter lineup of LEGO Star Wars sets has been solidified for at least the start of the year, 9to5Toys is now able to report on what to expect from the upcoming summer wave. Even with the spring sets that will come out before, we’re jumping ahead to some of the final kits from a galaxy far, far away to launch in 2023. With eight different Star Wars sets coming out in the summer wave, we have set numbers, price points, and part counts for the upcoming LEGO builds including unique $200 kit launching in September.

Christmas and Hanukkah have come and gone this holiday weekend as the rest of the season comes to an end, and now that the end of the year is on the horizon, the LEGO Group is launching a rare sale. Courtesy of the official LEGO Shop Online, there are a collection of kits all at 20% off or more. Many of these are on sale for some of the first times, and if not delivering all-time lows are extremely rare chances to save in the first place. You can shop the entire sale here, or we break down all of the highlights below.

This year is coming to a close, which has all of the writers here at 9to5Toys getting a bit retrospective on all of the gear we’ve taken a look at in 2022. Alongside all of the tech, toys, and fashion we’ve reviewed since January, there is a selection of things each of us bought for ourselves that weren’t covered. Ranging from must-have charging tech for your everyday carry to electric scooters, M1 iPads, and more, you’ll find all of 9to5Toys’ Favorite Things of 2022 down below.

It truly is a Christmas miracle! Earlier this fall we reported that the LEGO Group would be returning to its vault in order to dish out some remakes of old school sets as new, nostalgia-fueled creations. Today we’re able to share a first look at two of the upcoming builds, including the new BIONICLE gift with purchase and the long-awaited return of LEGO Blacktron. Arriving as freebies through the month of January, the LEGO BIONICLE Tahu and Takua set joins the 2023 return of another classic theme with the Blacktron Cruiser.

A tradition of the holiday season here around 9to5Toys; each December we dive in to see what the latest LEGO Advent Calendars have in store. And for 2022, there’s so much to be excited about. With 24 days of different creations on tap, we’ll be taking a day-by-day look to highlight all of the miniature creations, minifigures, and other builds in the countdown to the end of the month. This year, we’re taking a look at what’s included with the latest LEGO Star Wars and Marvel kits. So whether you’re following along at home or just checking out the builds to get in on the festivities, be sure to head below the fold to see how the 2022 Star Wars and Marvel LEGO Advent Calendars stack up. 

Delivering better than Black Friday pricing, Amazon is now offering Apple’s latest M2 MacBook Pro 256GB for $1,099 shipped. Normally fetching $1,299, today’s offer is marking the first chance to save in over a month while delivering a new all-time low. The $200 discount clocks in at $50 below our previous Thanksgiving Week holiday pricing, too. Apple’s new M2 MacBook Pro just launched earlier in the summer as the latest entry-level prosumer-level macOS machine. This time around you’re looking at all of the performance improvements offered by the M2 chip and its 10-core GPU to go alongside upwards of 8GB of memory and at least 256GB of storage. The 13.3-inch Retina Display and its 500 nits of brightness with P3 wide color support are complemented by a pair of Thunderbolt ports, Wi-Fi 6, and the latest backlit Magic Keyboard. Head below for more.

Amazon is now offering the Google Nest Wifi 2-Node Mesh System for $129 shipped. Normally fetching $299, you’re looking at a new all-time low at $170 off. This is well below our previous mention of $175 from earlier in the fall, too. Google’s Nest Wifi system provides up to 4,400-square feet of 802.11ac coverage to your space thanks to the 2-node setup with support for up to 2.2Gb/s speeds in tow. Alongside handling all of your home’s Wi-Fi connectivity, the included main router doubles as an Assistant speaker. To complete the package, you’ll also find four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the system. It might be cutting it close, but the before Christmas delivery means you can lock-in a new mesh system to refresh the Wi-Fi before the in-laws come over. You can get a closer look in our hands-on review. Head below for more.

Amazon is now offering the Fossil Carlie Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatch for $179.55 shipped in several styles when clipping the on-page coupon. Normally fetching $229, you’re looking at the very first price cut since launching earlier in the year with $49 in savings stacking up to deliver a new all-time low. Sporting a circular screen design, the Fossil Carlie takes on a different approach thanks to an e-ink panel that steps in over your usual color display. That lets it deliver on the hybrid naming scheme, pairing a traditional watch mechanism with the added smart features for showing off notifications and fitness metrics. Which speaking off, the Gen 6 smartwatch can monitor everything from workouts and heart rate to wellness, sleep, and SpO2. We just recently reviewed the Wellness edition of the latest Fossil wearable over at 9to5Google, too.

Over the last few weeks, our team here at 9to5Toys has curated our own gift guides for just about anyone on your holiday shopping gift. But now that the window for actually securing a gift is coming to a close, shoppers hoping to score the perfect gift are still in luck. We’ve all put together a selection of last-minute gifts, all of which are ready to be delivered in time for Christmas. Hit the jump for all of our top picks and easy last-minute gifts.

Earlier this year, Marshall refreshed nearly its entire lineup of speakers from the portable offerings to models meant for rocking out at home. We already reviewed a pair of the battery-powered form-factors, and now ahead of the holidays are back to take a look at the brand’s latest at-home speakers. Wrapped in the iconic stylings you’d expect from Marshall, we’re going hands-on with its new III series speakers to see how the Acton, Stanmore, and Woburn stack up.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Here’s your last chance to score AirPods Pro 2 before Christmas with $49 discount to $200
• Apple Watch Ultra style hit second-best prices at $749 and deliver before Christmas (Save $50)
• Apple’s latest M1 Mac mini gets in on pre-holiday savings with $100 discount to $599

Whether you’re looking to score some extra juice for your iPhone 14 on-the-go or need to lock-in a last-minute gift, Anker makes some of our favorite chargers here at 9to5Toys. Recently the company sent over its latest lineup of MagSafe power banks, and today we’re going hands-on with three different models to see how each of the new releases stack up and compare to other models on the market.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s latest 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro sees up to $99 off holiday discounts from $1,039
• Belkin’s latest 3-in-1 MagSafe Stands hit lows with Apple Watch fast charging from $130
• Apple’s latest iPhone SE 3 sees rare refurbished discount to lows from $300 (Orig. $429)

Today only, as part of its Very Merry Deals, Amazon is now offering the Theragun Pro Massage Gun for $319 shipped. Normally fetching $599, you’re looking at a $280 discount as well as a new all-time low. This is well below our previous $399 mention over the Black Friday shopping season and a rare chance to save. As Theragun’s flagship massage gun, this model lives up to its pro name with an adjustable motor that can deliver deep muscle treatment for pre- or post-workout relief. Support for the companion iOS app lets you adjust settings from your iPhone or the onboard OLED display, and the pair of included rechargeable batteries deliver up to 300 minutes of combined runtime. Head below for more.

Amazon is now offering the Apple Watch Series 7 41mm GPS + Cellular Stainless Steel for $559 shipped. Normally fetching $749, today’s offer amounts to $190 in savings. This is a match of the all-time low and marking only the second time it has dropped this low. While it’s not the all-new version, Apple Watch Series 7 still packs quite a punch for your fitness kit for far less than either of Apple’s latest. There’s a similar build centered around the brightest screen Apple makes, as well as all-day battery life backed by a fast charging mode for overnight wear. And while there’s no onboard temperature sensor like Series 8, you’ll still find onboard heart rate monitoring, the ability to keep tabs on blood oxygen levels, and even take ECGs. All with watchOS 9 at the center of the experience. Head below for more.

After getting a first look at the new LEGO Star Wars 2023 kits earlier in the month, today the official reveals are live with a look at three upcoming kits. Including the long-awaited TIE Bomber, there’s also official looks at the upcoming 501st Battle Pack and Slave 1 Microfighter.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro now $499 off in 1-day Woot refurbished sale from $800, more
• Amazon takes extra 15% off Philips Hue color, dimmable, and filament smart bulbs from $22
• New all-time lows land on Lenovo’s Smart Clock 2 with Assistant from $20 (Reg. $70+)

Best Buy is now offering a new all-time low on the the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Wireless Charging Dock, which now drops down to far below the Black Friday pricing from last month. Currently sitting at $24.99, you’re looking at 72% in savings from the usual $90 going rate at $20 under our previous mention. Shipping is free in orders over $35. Lenovo’s latest second-generation Smart Clock just hit the scene in the latter half of last year and arrives powered by Google Assistant. Alongside living up to its name by doubling as an alarm clock, there’s the usual feature set you’d expect from Assistant like smart home device control and more. Plus, you’ll find the bundled charging dock that delivers a 10W Qi pad and 2.4A USB-A port for a streamlined nightstand setup. Dive into our hands-on review for all of the details, and then head below for more.

Amazon is now discounting a selection of Philips Hue smart bulbs, delivering an extra 15% in savings across a wide range of gear for your smart home setup. Just clip the on-page coupon for each of the listings to lock-in the savings, of which shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Our top pick brings the Color Ambiance High Lumen Smart Bulb for $55.33. Down from $65, this is one of the lowest prices of the year, the second-best since its MSRP bumped up in May, and good for $10 in savings. Delivering the brightest color bulb from Philips Hue yet, its recent release has a higher lumen output that’s the equivalent of a 100W traditional bulb. Other than providing more light for your space, there’s the same notable feature set as its other offerings like Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with Alexa or Assistant devices, Zigbee for integrating into a HomeKit setup, and the ability to add a pop of color to any space. Head below for more from $22.

Through the end of the day, Woot is now marking down a collection of certified refurbished MacBooks and iPads to some of the best prices ever. Shipping is free for Prime members as we’ve come to expect, with a $6 delivery fee applying otherwise. Our top pick puts Apple’s 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro in the spotlight, discounting cellular configurations starting at $799.99 for the 128GB capacity. That’s down from the original $1,299 going rate, a new all-time low, and $499 in savings. There are also higher-end models at up to $1,299 off.

Apple’s previous-generation iPad Pro provides the most compelling experience yet from iPadOS with a long list of notable features headlined by a Liquid Retina XDR display with 1,600 nits of peak brightness and ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate. That’s of course alongside an M1 chip to power the experience which is backed by Thunderbolt connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Apple Pencil support, and Face ID. So if Apple’s newer and less-capable iPadOS device won’t cut it, today’s price cuts make it a little more affordable to step up to the pro side of the lineup. Includes a 90-day warranty. Dive into our hands-on review and then head below for more.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• M2 MacBook Air arrives before Christmas at new all-time lows of $999 (Save $200)
• Apple’s OG MagSafe Leather Wallet hits best price of the holiday season at $25 (Orig. $59)
• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II return to all-time low with rare $50 discount to $249

Today, the LEGO Group is officially revealing its latest Modular Building. The popular series only gets one new creation a year to start off the winter lineup in January, and today we’re getting a look at what 2023 will be delivering come the new year. The upcoming LEGO Jazz Club stacks up to just shy of 2,900 pieces and will be hitting the scene on January 1.

Amazon now offers the Chromecast with Google TV for $39.99 shipped. Other retailers like Best Buy, and Walmart are also getting in on the savings. Marking the second-best price to date at within $1 of the all-time low, today’s offer is the lowest we’ve seen this holiday season. It’s down from the usual $50 going rate and delivers 20% in savings along the way. Google’s latest flagship streaming media player arrives with 4K HDR playback and support for all of your favorite content from the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, or even Apple TV+. The Google TV features step up from what we’ve seen from Android TV in the past to deliver a convenient place to peruse, search, and find new shows to watch in one hub. Get a better idea of what to expect from the home theater upgrade in our hands-on review and then head below for more.

Nostalgic tech is making a comeback to close out 2022, and today we’re taking a look at a charger imbued with all of the charm of a classic Macintosh. Having launched earlier in the year, the recent Shargeek Retro 35 arrives with the latest GaN III tech to power your entire Apple setup with an eye-catching design.