Karthik Iyer

Today, on this new edition of our 9to5Toys Travel Kit series, we’re taking a quick look at the gear I’ll actually be carrying with me for an upcoming holiday-season trip. This isn’t a work-heavy trip by any means, so I’m keeping things fairly light, while still covering the essentials – staying charged, keeping track of my stuff, and having a camera ready when I need it. Below is a quick look at the tech I’m packing into my EDC this time around, and why each of these items made the cut for the journey ahead.

While there are still some solid holiday discounts floating around on Samsung’s existing Odyssey lineup — including a massive $1,450 price cut on the 2nd-gen 55-inch 4K Odyssey Ark — the company is already looking ahead. Samsung is going big for 2026, and it has unveiled as many as five new models. Two of these are particularly noteworthy as they stand out as the ‘world’s first 6K Glasses-Free 3D’ and the ‘world’s first 1,040Hz Refresh Rate’ models for gaming. We’ve rounded up all the details below, so hit the jump to see what Samsung has in store for 2026.

We’ve already shared our holiday picks for Apple fans, content creators, gamers, and more, along with a roundup of last-minute Amazon finds under $50. Now, as we hit the final stretch of holiday shopping, we’re zeroing in on gifts for him under $25. These are some practical tech, desk gear, everyday carry items, and small lifestyle upgrades he’ll actually receive in time for Christmas and use on a daily basis. There’s still time snag these stocking stuffers and easy last-minute wins with Christmas delivery, so jump in there now.

We’ve already shared our holiday favorites for Apple fans, content creators, gamers, and so on, with dedicated gift guides. Now, as we enter the final stretch of holiday shopping and your budget is starting to get thinner after all the shopping, we got just the right round-up for you with last-minute tech finds you can still grab for under $50 – all with Christmas delivery. You’ll also find some super affordable under $10 items thrown into the mix there to fill those stockings.

Buying budget wireless headphones usually meant living with obvious trade-offs – at least until a few years ago. Even today, plenty of premium models still have their own shortcomings. That being said, there’s no shortage of affordable options out there that are slowly catching up and punch well above their weight class to challenge headphones that cost $300 or more. The Baseus Inspire XH1 I’ve been using over the past few weeks is a great example, delivering effective ANC, surprisingly good sound quality, and excellent battery life. They’ve easily become my favorite budget headphones of the year – and you can read on to find out why.

UGREEN’s 15W Qi2 3-in-1 MagFlow charger quickly became one of my favorites when I went hands-on with it earlier this year. The new model we’re checking out today builds on it with faster 25W Qi2.2 charging and a more compact design that fits better on smaller desks and packs easily for travel. I’ve been using UGREEN’s latest 3-in-1 Qi2.2 25W charging station for a few weeks now, and it has honestly been an excellent upgrade – especially since my desk has gotten more crowded with some new gear. Hit the jump to learn more about this charger in detail.

Today only, as part of the ongoing Game Awards flash sale, Amazon is offering Samsung’s Odyssey 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor for $359.99 shipped. This fairly new monitor launched in October at $550 and dipped to $400 for Black Friday. Today’s flash deal offer shaves an additional $40 off that price to mark a new best price to beat. This is the lowest price we have tracked for this monitor, and you can learn more about it in detail below along with deals on other monitors and gaming gear.

Creating content may look easy, but anyone who’s tried it knows there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. The right gear can make a huge difference, and choosing something to gift that’s actually useful – and not wildly expensive – can be tricky. Whether they’re filming TikToks, YouTube videos, streaming, podcasting, or just trying to look better on video calls, this guide rounds up practical, creator-friendly gifts that can instantly level up their setup.

The holiday season is right around the corner, which means it’s time for our annual gift guides to help you find the perfect picks for friends and family. We’ve already covered Apple fans, and today we’re spotlighting our favorite PC gaming upgrades to level up any battlestation. Whether you’re shopping for essential accessories to enhance an existing setup or looking at new gaming PCs and laptops to build one from scratch, we’ve rounded up the top recommendations for every PC gamer on your list. We’ve also included some deals that you can get your hands on right now to save some cash while also taking care of your loved ones. Head below for a curated selection of the best gifts for anyone who loves gaming.

The Black Friday Week sale events at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers have been delivering some solid deals over the last few days, instead of making us wait for the actual Black Friday this year. A bunch of new deals went live earlier as well for Thanksgiving Day, and they’re waiting for you over at our dedicated Black Friday hub. We’ve tracked some solid deals on gaming gear, and we’re now going to check out some unmissable offers on gaming laptops, monitors, SSDs, and more.

The full lineup of Black Friday 2025 deals on Xbox accessories, games, and more has finally landed! While Xbox consoles themselves aren’t discounted – at least not yet – there are still plenty of savings to take advantage of. There has never been a better time to expand your game library, with titles now marked down by up to 75%. And if you’re new to Game Pass, you can dive into the entire library for as little as $1. Jump in and explore all the offers while they’re live.

Update 11/20: The official Black Friday AirPods deals are now live including the all-time low on AirPods Pro 3:

• AirPods Pro 3 $220 (Reg. $249) – all-time low
• AirPods 4 with ANC $110 (Reg. $179) – all-time low

Best Buy’s official 2025 Black Friday main sale event is now live for everyone. Like most other retailers, Best Buy stretched its Black Friday promotions into a full month-long shopping extravaganza, rolling out everything from weekly Doorbusters to frequent and fresh price drops. But with Black Friday week officially here, we’ve now hit the peak of the sale. That means you’ll now find the year’s best prices across nearly every category on the retailer’s main event page right here – live until November 29. More details await below.

Newegg, just like other retailers, has been dishing out early Black Friday deals for a couple of weeks now, but we just got our first look at its official 2025 Black Friday ad. The retailer is rolling out a 27-page catalog packed with deals on gaming PCs, laptops, components, peripherals, and more, and the main sale officially runs from November 20 to November 29. You don’t have to wait, though – Newegg already has a pre–Black Friday event live right now, complete with price protection, so you can shop early without worry. Check out the early offers, then dive into the full breakdown of what’s coming below.

Walmart wasted no time rolling out its 2025 Black Friday sale details now that Amazon, Best Buy, and more have made their official announcements. Just hours after revealing its lineup, Walmart is already offering a sneak peek at the deals you can score when the sale officially kicks off on November 14. These offers are expected to be part of Walmart’s first of three Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, featuring discounts of up to 75% on everything from LEGO sets and Apple gear to TVs and more. Keep reading for an early look at what’s on the way.

Valve made a huge splash yesterday by announcing the launch of its new hardware, including the all-new Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and more. It’s safe to say that the brand is going all-in on hardware, and you can learn more about it in detail right here. While the Steam Machine is said to have a customizable front plate, which you can swap out for different ones with unique design, the folks over at Dbrand, as usual, are taking things a step further with a new “Companion Cube.” Head below for a closer look and more details.

Following the success of Steam Deck, Valve is doubling down on the hardware department with a range of new hardware. Leading the pack is the all-new Steam Machine, which you’ll be able to pair with long-rumored VR headset called the Steam Frame. There’s also a brand-new Steam Controller to go with the new console, which you’ll be able to bundle with the console itself or buy separately. With these new additions joining the already popular Steam Deck, it’s safe to say that Valve is betting big on hardware, going head-to-head with the likes of Sony and Microsoft. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Much like the Backbone One controller that got the Xbox Edition treatment earlier this year, the Pro model is now getting a similar facelift. The Backbone Pro – Xbox Edition is now up for grabs at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly at Backbone’s site for $179.99 shipped. That, in case you’re wondering, is $10 more than the standard Pro model that you can grab for $169.99 shipped. It offers the same functionality as the standard one, but comes with Xbox-specific buttons and shortcuts. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Alongside the new Japan-exclusive PS5 Digital Edition, Sony has introduced its first-ever PlayStation-branded gaming monitor during its State of Play Japan showcase. It’s a 27-inch QHD display with a blazing 240Hz refresh rate, and it also features several other notable highlights, which are detailed below. The monitor is slated to launch next year in both the U.S. and Japan, though Sony has yet to announce its official pricing.

Singles’ Day 2025 is here, and we’re tracking some solid PC gaming deals that are landing just in time for the 11.11 holiday. With early Black Friday offers overlapping the holiday, it’s proving to be one of the best times to upgrade your battlestation. We’re looking at markdowns on gaming laptops, desktops, and monitors, along with discounts on a wide range of accessories. Whether you’re setting up a new battlestation or refreshing your existing setup, these deals are definitely worth a look. Scope out all the details below.

Welcome to 9to5Toys Battlestation Weekly – your go-to spot for the notable deals and latest releases in PC gaming at a glance every Saturday morning. This week was headlined by Best Buy’s early Black Friday deals rollout, delivering up to $900 off gaming laptops, desktops, Copilot+ PCs, and more. We also saw steep Samsung monitor discounts, with the likes of the brand’s Odyssey G6 “world’s first 500Hz OLED” monitor hitting fresh lows. There was no shortage of deals on peripherals like keyboards, mice, and controllers either, many of which are still live and waiting for you below in this week’s Battlestation Weekly.

Walmart has already teased some of its upcoming Black Friday 2025 deals, and we now have another sneak peek as we get closer to the big sale next week. This fresh batch of offers will officially go live on November 14 as part of the first of Walmart’s three Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, bringing discounts of up to $800 on everything from LEGO sets and Apple gear to TVs and more. With other retailers like Best Buy also rolling out early Black Friday deals, it’s clear the holiday shopping season is kicking off ahead of schedule. Here’s an early look at what’s coming.

After debuting the new MX Master 4 ergonomic mouse not too long ago, Logitech is now back with another new peripheral. This time, it’s debuting a new keyboard called the Alto Keys K98M, which is now joining the brand’s growing lineup. This one, however, is different from the ones we’ve seen from Logitech, and it’s now going after enthusiasts with some neat features. The Alto Keys K98M is now up for grabs in Off-White, Graphite, and Lilac colorways, and you can snag one for $119.99 shipped. Head below for a closer look and more details.

SanDisk’s has unleashed its new Extreme Fit USB-C flash drive, which it’s touting to be the “world’s smallest 1TB USB-C flash drive.” This new model is available in capacities ranging from 64GB to 1TB, and they’re all up for grabs now, starting at $15.99 shipped directly from SanDisk and Amazon. There are plenty of compact flash drives out there, but this new model definitely takes the crown for being an ultra-tiny flash drive that’s super easy to carry around. Head below for a closer look and more details.

It’s true that most modern cars come equipped with a couple of USB ports or even wireless charging pads, but nothing quite matches the convenience of a dedicated charger that plugs into the auxiliary port for fast, reliable power delivery. While Amazon is packed with car chargers of every kind, the Baseus PrimeTrip VR2 Max model, we’re checking out today, stands out from the crowd. This unit not only features multiple ports and connectors to charge up to four devices at once, but it also swivels and rotates for flexible positioning. That means you can easily adjust it to your seating setup for added convenience. I recently took it along on a road trip, and it’s quickly become my go-to car charger. Here’s a closer look at why I believe it’s such a dependable and well-designed pick.

Following the likes of Best Buy, Walmart, Dell, and many others who have already given us a glimpse of the deals to come over the next few days, leading up to the big day, Lenovo has now officially kicked off its early Black Friday sale event. The brand is dishing out offers of up to 70% as part of its 2025 Black Friday Deal Days event, and you’ll find pretty much everything from ultrabooks, Legion, and LOQ gaming laptops, desktops, and more discounted right now. The prices for items included in the sale start at just $13, and you’ll find more details below.

SanDisk is getting playful with its new launch, teaming up with Crayola to introduce a lineup of USB-C flash drives shaped like actual crayons. Available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacities, these colorful drives come in Cerulean Blue, Electric Lime, Mango Tango, and Vivid Violet, and the pricing starts at $14.99 shipped. Best Buy appears to be stocking them as well, though only the blue version is currently listed – and marked “Sold out” for now. We’ll be keeping tabs and updating this space once more buying options go live. Head below for all the details.

After debuting its officially licensed Switch 2-compatible Express microSD earlier this year, Samsung is back again with another Express memory card called P9 Express. This new model is available in 256GB and 512GB capacities, and they’re both up for pre-order now at Amazon starting at $54.99 shipped. The 512GB variant is even seeing a launch deal down to $94.99 shipped with an on-page coupon. Deals on these Express microSD cards are hard to come by – and they often sell out quickly – so this is a great chance to secure one if you’ve been looking to boost your Switch 2’s storage. Head below for more details.

After rolling out its Pokémon-themed accessory lineup a couple of months ago, Razer is back with a fresh drop – this time leaning fully into a translucent white aesthetic. It’s calling it the Phantom White Collection, and this lineup mirrors the earlier Phantom Green series but swaps the color for a sleek, translucent white finish. The collection includes five peripherals, including the Kishi V3 smartphone controller grip and BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard, with prices starting at $110. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Update: Microsoft’s new Xbox ROG Ally and ROG Ally X PC gaming handhelds are now available to purchase. Best Buy currently has them in stock and shipping with prices starting at $599.99 shipped for the standard Xbox ROG Ally. More details in the original post below.

A little over a month after Xbox confirmed the release date of its upcoming gaming handhelds, the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X are now available for pre-order. That also puts an end to all the speculation around pricing. The ROG Ally is priced at $599.99 shipped, while the more powerful ROG Ally X comes in at $999.99 shipped. The standard ROG Ally, which comes in white, can be pre-ordered from Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The beefier ROG Ally X, available in black, can be grabbed from Best Buy and Microsoft’s official store. Both of these models start shipping on October 16. Head below for more details.

UGREEN was among the first to roll out its Qi2.2 25W chargers, joining brands like Anker and ESR in bringing the new standard to market. We’ve already tested its Qi2 25W 2-in-1 MagSafe charger and its 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank, and now, we’re taking a closer look at the MagFlow 3-in-1 Qi2.2 25W MagSafe wireless charging station. This has now become my go-to bedside charging station to power my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. I’ve been using it on my nightstand for the past couple of weeks, and here’s a detailed look at how it’s held up.

Microsoft is shaking things up with Xbox Game Pass, rebranding certain subscription tiers while also increasing the prices. As announced on Xbox Wire, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan is jumping from $19.99 to $29.99 per month starting today – a straight-up $10 increase. Other tiers are also seeing adjustments, and we’ve broken down all the details from today’s announcement below.

Update: The new Blink Outdoor 2K+ and Blink Mini 2K+ cameras are now available to pre-order. More details in the original post below.

• Blink Outdoor 2K+ $89.99
  • 2-pack $159.99
  • 3-pack $219.99
  • 5-pack $349.99
  • Add-on camera (without Sync module) $89.99
• Blink Mini 2K+ $49.99
  • 2-pack $89.99
• Blink Arc bundle $99.99

Amazon has debuted a bunch of new devices as part of its fall hardware event, including a new lineup for 2K security cameras. Amazon’s security camera brand Blink will have two new security cameras up for grabs later today – the Outdoor 2K+ and the Mini 2K+, both with support for up to 2K resolution. Additionally, we also got a new accessory called Blink Arc, which will let you combine two Blink Mini 2K+ cameras into a single unit for a seamlessly stitched 180-degree FoV feed. The Blink Outdoor 2K+ is priced at $89.99 shipped, while the Mini 2K+ will cost you $49.99 shipped. Head below for more details on the new cameras as well as the Arc accessory.

There’s no shortage of MagSafe power banks out there these days, but this UGREEN 10,000mAh MagFlow model stands out for a big reason – it’s the world’s first Qi2.2-certified 25W portable charger. Even now – a couple of months after its debut – there aren’t many 25W Qi2 power banks readily available on the market, which makes this unit all the more remarkable. I’ve been carrying it as part of my EDC for a couple of weeks, and it’s quickly become my everyday go-to. Here’s everything you need to know about it in case you’re planning to pick one of these up.

Corsair is following up Logitech’s G Pro X2 Superstrike launch with a new wireless mouse of its own – the Sabre V2 Pro. Unlike Logitech’s new model that packs in rapid trigger and haptic feedback tech, this one keeps things simple and focuses on weight. It’s an insanely lightweight mouse that weighs just 36 grams, making it one of the lightest gaming mice available for competitive gamers. The Sabre V2 Pro is now up for grabs in black and white colors, and you can score one now for $99.99 shipped. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Logitech has introduced a new ultra-light wireless gaming mouse, the G Pro X2 Superstrike, and it comes with a few tricks to stand out from the sea of other options out there. Instead of traditional mechanical switches, this flagship model will ship with an analog system, adding haptic actuators to mimic the feel of a click. It’s set to launch early next year at $179.99 shipped and will come in a black and white color scheme. Logitech has also introduced the new G Pro X Superlight 2C, which is now up for grabs at $159.99 shipped in three colors. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Apple’s new iPhone 17 lineup now supports faster 25W wireless charging, but you’ll need one of the newer Qi2.2-certified chargers to unlock those speeds. A wave of fresh Qi2.2 options debuted at IFA this year just before the iPhone 17’s debut, including the UGREEN 2-in-1 MagFlow charging station we’re checking out today. I’ve been using it as my daily charger for the past few days, and here’s everything you need to know about it if planning to scoop one of these up.

Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup is officially open for orders, and you might want to lock in your unit before ship dates slip into October or beyond. We’ve already rounded up all of the best deals on iPhone 17 cases here if you’re shopping for new ones to protect your device from day one, but here’s another one that gets you a 3-pack of LISEN translucent MagSafe cases for $19.99 Prime shipped (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). Don’t forget to clip the on-page coupon to see the discounted price during checkout. LISEN’s latest iPhone 17 case lineup launched just days ago at $30, later settling at $25. Thanks to today’s coupon, you can grab the 3-pack for just $19.99, which works out to about $6.50 each – a solid price for what appears to be reliable, protective MagSafe-ready cases for daily use.

Nintendo has been rolling out new Super Mario Bros. metal displays, and just weeks after the Super Mario Bros. 2 version, a fresh Super Mario Bros. unit has now arrived. This piece, much like the other two we saw recently, is a Nintendo Switch Online exclusive, and it’s now up for grabs at the My Nintendo Store. We expect this one to go out quickly as it appears to be available in limited quantity, so get in now if you want one after getting more details below.

If you travel often and rely on your phone or a handheld like the Switch 2 during flights, this new accessory offers a far more convenient alternative to holding it in your hands. Mechanism – known for its mounts and accessories for handheld devices like phones, the Switch 2, Steam Deck, Kindle, and more – has introduced a new Tray Table Mount, available for $19 Prime shipped. It attaches to the seat in front of you with the help of a magnetic grip (see below), freeing up your hands so you can use a controller comfortably or simply relax while watching a movie on your device. This adjustable tray table arm mount is perfect for planes, desks, or anywhere you need a stable hold, and you can learn more about it below.

Apple’s iPhone 17 launch has sparked a flurry of new cases, some of which are even discounted right now. Ringke’s extensive lineup of iPhone 17 cases are also live now via its official storefront on Amazon, where you’ll also find the brand offering screen and camera lens protectors. These are also some of the most affordable options out there for the new iPhone, with prices starting at just $15.99 Prime shipped. From simple clear, and silicone cases to more rugged options, there’s a good mix of options to choose from Ringke, and you can check them out below.

Right on cue with today’s iPhone 17 unveiling, Lexar’s newly launched ES5 magnetic portable SSD is now up for pre-orders at Amazon. It’s available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, and they’re both up for grabs at Amazon. The 1TB variant is priced at $119.99, and it starts shipping tomorrow, while the 2TB model is at $199.99 shipped and it hits the shelves on October 1. It’s a good option to consider for on-the-go creators looking to pick up a speedy drive, and you can learn more about it in detail below.

Lenovo has a history of showcasing wild concepts at IFA, and this year was no exception. In addition to confirming the pricing and availability details of its Legion Go 2 PC gaming handhelds, it showcased some cool new concepts this year, one of which is a laptop with a rotating screen to switch between portrait and landscape orientation. The ThinkBook VertiFlex concept, just like the Auto Twist AI PC the brand showcased last year, has a versatile display that you can use in different ways. Head below for more details.

After first showing up at CES in January and making its way through multiple leaks, Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 PC gaming handheld is now officially up for pre-order. Lenovo is offering two configurations of Legion Go 2 – one powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 for $1,099.99 and another with the beefier Z2 Extreme at $1,349.99 shipped. You can pre-order the handhelds from Best Buy now and be among the first to get your hands on them when they officially hit the shelves next month. This new model brings several upgrades over the original Legion Go while retaining many of the features that made the original one popular, like detachable controllers, a built-in kickstand, and more. Head below for more details, along with a closer look at the handheld and its specifications.

Baseus is stepping into the spotlight at IFA alongside Anker, UGREEN, and Aukey with a new charger called the EnerGeek GT01. This clever solution pairs a 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank with a wall adapter that sports foldable prongs. The two snap together for a compact all-in-one unit, or you can detach the battery for portable charging while leaving a 27W USB-C adapter plugged into the outlet for your other devices. It’s one of the most versatile charging units out there, and it has plenty of other neat features which you can learn more about below.

UGREEN is jumping in on the action today as Qi2.2 25W chargers flood the news, this time with a new 3-in-1 charging station. This one’s now up for grabs at Amazon for $139.99 shipped, and joins the rest of the models in the MagFlow series. The model featured here comes with a foldable Qi2.2 wireless charging pad and a pop-out Apple Watch puck, and you can learn more about it in detail below along with other options in the lineup.