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.
We’re getting a first look at five new 2024 LEGO BrickHeadz today ahead of their debut next month. Bringing five new iconic characters into the collection of brick-built figures, soon you’ll be able to assemble Stitch, a potted version of Groot, Peter Parker in his Iron Spider suit, and a combo pack with two Sonic the Hedgehog characters.
One of the biggest waves of LEGO sets all year is launching today to start off 2024. As the LEGO Group normally does every January 1, the company is launching a whole batch of all-new creations. This time around, you’ll find everything from the latest Star Wars and Marvel recreations to Technic, City, Ninjago, the new LEGO Ideas Polaroid, and many other new sets. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available for January 2024.
As has become a tradition around 9to5Toys as the year comes to a close, all of the writers here on the site are getting a bit retrospective on all of the gear we’ve taken a look at in 2023. 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 might not have been covered – or perhaps that we just want to highlight again. You’ll find all of 9to5Toys’ Favorite Things of 2023 down below, including Fujifilm cameras, PreSonus speakers, and more.
The year is coming to an end after seeing hundreds of different LEGO sets hit store shelves. While we’re gearing up to start covering all of the new creations come 2024, beforehand we’re taking a retrospective look at what this year already delivered. Including some of the largest models ever made to more affordable and display-worthy creations, you’ll want to head below for our best LEGO sets of 2023.
We are now rounding up all of our favorite on-the-go storage options in our 2023 collection of the best portable SSDs. While we didn’t see a ton of big-time standout new releases in 2023, there have been some next-generation releases from major brands worth consideration. Something like the new Samsung T5 Evo with up to 8TB capacities is going to be far less universally appealing to most folks, but its new T9 and mainstay T7 series is quite the opposite, much like the new X9 and X10 Pro models from Crucial. This year has also seen some unfortunate controversy in the portable SSD space with some issues arising among the formerly quite popular SanDisk Extreme lineup – my units work just fine, but there have been a ton of failures reported across the interwebs – however there are plenty of reliable solutions out there and we are breaking down our favorite options right now in our 2023 collection of the best portable SSDs to close out the year. Check them out below.
It is now time for our annual roundup of the best iPhone cases of the year. As we approach the new year, we come together to choose our favorite models in each category for Apple’s latest handsets. While you’ll find our wider range of favorites across a large selection of brands and styles in our collection of the best iPhone 15 cases right here, this is the place to find some particular highlights in various categories – this year marks the return of some mainstays, but a few new options are standing out among the pack in 2023 as well. Head below for a breakdown of some of our favorite iPhone cases of the year.
Throughout 2023, 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 Sony’s new XM5, Anker’s latest budget-friendly buds, and some other unique offerings, you’ll find all of the best earbuds of 2023 outlined below.
Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Harber London Leather Tech Dopp Kit. We have come away impressed with the brand’s higher-end leather carriers this year, including its MacBook backpacks, MacBook sleeve, as well as the iPhone 15 leather pouches, and now it’s time to test out the brand’s tech accessory solution. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London Leather Tech Dopp Kit as part of the latest entry in the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Now that the holidays are officially behind us, it’s time to continue an annual tradition here at 9to5Toys – Write-Off Week. The year is winding down and time is running out to make last-minute purchases to deduct from 2023’s taxes. Many have been on the work-from-home journey for well over a year, and some are just starting out. It doesn’t matter what camp you’re in, this week is your last chance to score some tax deductible gear that’s able to be written off in April. Keep reading for all of our favorite Write-Off Week deals.
Running for almost a decade at this point, each December we kick off the annual tradition of seeing what’s in the year’s LEGO Advent Calendars. And for 2023, 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 checking out the latest LEGO Star Wars, Marvel, City, and Friends Advent Calendars for 2023.
Meta has launched a holiday sale offering up to 60% off of more than 175 games, valid through January 2, 2024. Head below to learn more about our top five picks for Meta Quest fitness VR games.
Normally when we talk about Decluttr here at 9to5Toys, it’s because the company is our official trade-in partner. But with the holidays approaching and the goal to get all of the best tech for everyone on your list without spending full price, we’d be remiss to not mention all of the great deals you can score by shopping Decluttr and its catalog of refurbished gadgets.
After getting a chance to go hands-on with the brand’s gorgeous leather iPhone 15 case, it’s time to weigh-in on the new SANDMARC Leather MagSafe wallet. The brand unleashed its very first foray into the leather MagSafe wallet business at the tail end of September, shortly after the debut of the new series 15 handsets, to expand its growing lineup of iPhone accessories. Considering how much I love its leather iPhone cases I had high hopes for the new wallet add-on, but you’ll definitely want to review our hands-on impressions below before dropping any cash down on one.
As more direct-drive wheelbases become available, and some of them at a more entry-level torque power, the need for an affordable sim-racing cockpit that supports direct-drive wheelbases is growing. Next Level Racing, which provides entry-level wheel stands up to robot-like robust sim racing cockpits saw the need and now has the GTRacer that we are looking at today. Coming in at $399, it’s a setup from the foldable GTLite for those who need a bit more stability for more powerful wheelbases. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.
If you can’t decide what to gift the special someone on your list, a Setapp subscription is going to do just the trick. On top of not having to worry about shipping times, Setapp offers gift cards for its curated collection of Mac and iOS apps by MacPaw that are sure to help supercharge their workflow to start off 2024.
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.
Remember Apple’s MagSafe Duo? Because Twelve South sure does. The company just launched its new ButterFly portable charger earlier in the month with a design that looks and feels like the next-generation of Apple’s 2-in-1 charger. I’ve been using it the past few weeks and have to say that it really is everything I’ve wanted from a portable MagSafe and Apple Watch charger.
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.
The LEGO Ideas team today is officially revealing what’s next on tap for the Ideas theme. With a record-breaking 71 different creations vying for the chance to be turned into an official set, now two have been chosen. And they are some pretty interesting ideas. Coming to the LEGO Ideas lineup, the builders will be able to soon assemble a Botanical Garden, and the Cullen House from Twilight.
Just after leaked rumors on a potential upcoming PS5 Pro were divulged, it appears as though malicious hackers have gleamed details on upcoming projects coming from Spider-Man 2 developer Insomniac. After releasing arguably the most exciting PS5 title of the year with the latest web-slinging adventure, not to mention Marvel’s Wolverine officially on the horizon, it looks as though more details about the dev’s partnership with Sony and other Marvel IP have now surfaced. Head below for the details.
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.
TOPDON makes some of the most popular car jump starters on Amazon, and there’s certainly a reason why! Alongside being able to provide enough juice to get your car running in a pinch when the battery gives out, the company’s jump starters can also kickstart motorcycles and snowblowers, not to mention heavier duty vehicles like trucks and even boats. Both of versatile additions to your ride, that can even double as portable power banks when not saving the day.
We have a late contender for best MagSafe accessory of the year. DURACELL’s new lineup of portable power stations is finally shipping, delivering what is effectively just an upscaled battery. They can charge more than just a gizmo, with upwards of 250W of power and built-in MagSafe charging pads.
Aqara – a high-tech all-in-one smart home brand we feature around here regularly – is now offering some serious price drops ahead of holiday get togethers and gift giving. Featuring loads of fully integrated gadgets to make your home a more intelligent, conformable, and convenient one, we are now tracking up to 30% or more in savings on its Apple Home Key smart lock, its multi-function smart home switch, entryway sensors, and the powerful hub to link them altogether. Head below for more details and a closer look at this year’s Aqara smart home holiday offers.
elago has been rounding out its collection of vintage Nintendo-inspired Game Boy-style accessories this year, first with its new MagSafe wallet, and now with the new Game Boy Apple charger cover. The brand uses its fun designs to standout from the crowd and the sea of standard matte treatments out there, much like the Game Boy AirPods cover we have featured a number of times over the years and the vintage Macintosh MagSafe stand we took a closer look at recently. Today, it is reaching back its retro Nintendo design to wrap Apple’s 35W wall charger in a fun, nostalgic vibe at just $15. Head below for more details.
Password managers are invaluable tools these days, and 1Password now offers much more than just a 40% discount for the holidays. Easily one of the best out there, its ability to deliver a fast, easy, and organized system to securely store all of your passwords is just the beginning of what 1Password provides with its subscription plan. It is now offering a seriously notable 40% price drop as part of its holiday promotion.
Vactidy, a smart home appliance manufacturer, has launched its new Nimble T8 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo that combines powerful suction capabilities with efficient mopping functionality. Now available for purchase, this robotic cleaning device boasts a spacious 250ml dust bin and a 230ml water tank, providing ample volume to complete thorough cleaning tasks.
Today we are taking a look at the Reolink outdoor smart home security systems. Including everything from smart video doorbells to driveway and garage cams and full-on Wi-Fi 6 systems to blanket your entire property, all of it is now on sale for the holidays. The brand is now offering up to $120 in savings with gear starting from $75 shipped via its official Amazon storefront with no additional fees added, and you’ll find all of the details you need waiting below the fold.
Friends and family each year always ask me what to get the techy in their lives, and like clockwork I am being summoned again to answer the call. As I do each holiday season here at 9to5Toys, I am back to write about my favorite smart home gear in this year’s gift guide.
The prebuild PC market has continued to pick up steam over the past few years, but there’s one brand that has been rising above the rest lately. I’ve heard so much raving about MAINGEAR and its lineup of pre-built PCs that I had to test one out myself, and so over the past few months I’ve had the MG-1 Gold as the centerpiece to my battlestation.
There’s no way that a pair of $30 earbuds actually sound good right? Well, Skullcandy would at least like to have a word. Because if you’re going to make that claim you haven’t listened to its new Dime 3 buds. Packed with increased battery life and other notable inclusions like multipoint pairing, I am checking out to see if the new Skullcandy Dime 3 can make a last-minute cut on my list of favorite earbuds in 2023.
Whether you’re shopping for a PC gamer in your life or you’re a gamer looking to upgrade to something better, there seems to be an endless amount of brands and options for PC gaming gear. It can be a daunting challenge when you first commit to upgrading your battlestation, especially if you’re new to the scene or shopping on a budget. That’s why I’ve put together this rundown of the most notable brands offering the best deals on quality gaming equipment, so that, hopefully, we can help you cast aside those worries and take your gameplay to the next level. I’ve taken great care to include plenty of budget-friendly options that still boast quality performance, so head below to check out all the top picks.
The folks at MEATER have changed the game with their line of wireless smart thermometers. MEATER thermometers use innovative wireless technology to monitor internal and external temperatures while alerting you every step of the way through their user-friendly app. They recently debuted their new MEATER 2 Plus, which features a higher temperature limit, more robust design, and longer range. Use this probe in any cooker and anywhere – grill, oven, deep fryer, air fryer, pan, smoker, or sous vide. They sent me one to try out, and I’m not going to lie, I’m incredibly impressed.
Update: While we are still awaiting a complete list of new features and additions, Insomniac has now officially confirmed a March 7, 2024 launch for its title update to Spider-Man 2:
Our title update for Marvel’s #SpiderMan2PS5 arrives next month and adds highly requested features like New Game+, new suits, and more!
Watch our social media for a complete list of features closer to release.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 was clearly one of the biggest and most exciting PlayStation 5 releases this year, and after becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all-time, the next update for the game is a highly-anticipated one to say the least. Developer Insomniac Games recently took to its official X (Twitter) account to give players an update on what was next for the game, including new gameplay and quality of life enhancements, but it looks like the studio has now pushed everything back until 2024. Head below for more details.
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.
Lexar has now unleashed its new handheld SSD known as the Play 2230. With new handhelds on the scene, including the latest Steam Deck, the new ASUS ROG Ally, and more, the compact 2230 SSD standard has become even more desirable and there’s another notable option on the market courtesy of Lexar. Now available for purchase at Amazon and elsewhere, you can take a deeper dive into what the new Play 2230 can bring to your on-the-go gaming setup down below.
After getting a chance to try out the brand’s new iPhone 15 cases, it’s now time to give the MUJJO leather MagSafe wallet a run for its money. The brand issued some new iPhone case colorways this year and, in turn, did the same for its leather MagSafe wallets that match perfectly. We came away pleased with the brand’s iPhone 15 cases this year, and now it’s time to see if its leather MagSafe wallets can leave us with the same impression. Head below for the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Ubiquiti today is launching another addition to its catalogue of networking gear with the grand entrance of its new UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE. I know, I know there’s normally nothing all too exciting about an Ethernet switch, but you’re going to want to see all of the neat tech that Ubiquiti has baked into its new release, including the debut of a new rack management features that the company calls Etherlighting.
As 2023 comes to a close and with Christmas just a couple of weeks away, there is still time to find the perfect gift for the exercise enthusiast in your life at an affordable price. While the fitness market can be overwhelming to navigate as a consumer, I have narrowed down my top five best fitness finds for under $50 that range from athletic apparel to a massage gun that helps your body recover from a hard workout. Keep reading below the fold for details on my favorite fitness finds under $50.
It has been an exciting year for Nintendo fans with the release of some major titles, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and now it’s time to take it all in with the official yearly recap. For the last few years Nintendo has provided its gamers with a fun and nostalgic way to look back on their greatest achievements in the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond, vote on their favorite games, and more by way of its official yearly review and personalized wrap-up. Head below for more details.
Sony debuted the PS5 Slim console back in October, but we might be getting that PS5 Pro after all. While all of this is to be taken with more than just a grain of salt, rumor has it some of the specs of the new pro-grade machine might have already leaked with others saying Sony is expecting a leak sometime this month. The PS5 Slim was more of cross-grade over what was the standard PS5, introducing a new attachable disc drive, a slimmer form-factor, and a marginally different design, but some of the potentially leaked details are pointing towards what could be a full-on PS5 Pro upgrade. More details below.
It doesn’t matter how far into the lifecycle it is, the Nintendo Switch is going to continue dominating the holiday season. If the stacked roster of new games wasn’t already enough to ensure consoles flew off shelves bundles like this Nintendo Switch OLED package with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would make it even more compelling. And with the fighting game’s 5th birthday, Nintendo sent one of these bundles over for me to check out to ensure I could getting in on the celebration.
It’s that time of year when the holiday parties and family gatherings seem to never end. If you are like me, the hustle and bustle can make for a stressful time, but I’ve learned over the years that it doesn’t have to be that way. If you like to host parties or know someone who does, there are some simple products you can have on hand at all times or gift to your favorite party host that add fun and ease to pretty much any gathering. So head below for the best gift ideas for your favorite party host/hostess, or snag a few for yourself if that person is you!
The next LEGO Ideas set has been revealed. Launching next year, the upcoming LEGO Polaroid Instant Camera will look to give the classic OneStep release the brick-built treatment. It will stack up to over 500 pieces when it does hit store shelves as an adorable recreation of the iconic instant camera.
UGREEN has launched its new Nexode 100W 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank and Charger, ideal for travelling or when you’re away from a power source. Now available for purchase, this device offers three USB ports that allows users to fast charge up to three devices simultaneously with speeds of up to 100W, and can recharge in just two hours.
Designed to support a modern lifestyle
The Nexode 100W portable charger features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, letting you fast charge up to three devices simultaneously with speeds up to 100W. For example, the USB C1 port is able to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro to a 42% battery in just 30 minutes, while an iPhone 15 can reach a 60% battery charge in the same timeframe, which means you’ll deal with less waiting time and get more enjoyment out of your devices.
It boasts a rapid recharge capability through its USB-C1 port, which not only fast charges any connected devices but also provides 65W of efficient charging to the charger itself. When the charger is empty, it only takes two hours to fully recharge it, making it five times faster than standard power banks and eliminating prolonged wait times.
This portable power bank has been designed to support the modern lifestyle, engineered for five to seven days of battery life. Its digital LED screen provides a clear indication of the remaining battery level, giving you an accurate reading of your device’s status with a quick and easy glance. Not just powerful, this power bank and charger is also designed 20% lighter than similar models for portability and to save space without compromising its charging efficiency.
You’ll have all the support you need for a large variety of devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and even smaller devices like AirPods, fitness trackers, and smartwatches too.
The Nexode 100W power bank is now available for purchase
ESR announced its first lineup of 15W MagSafe chargers back in August, with the actual launch of its new flagship charging station looming over the past few months. Now, it’s finally here. The new ESR 100W 6-in-1 MagSafe charger debuts on Amazon alongside a launch discount just in time for the holidays.
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.
