battery/batteries Archives

Best Amazon Black Friday deals on tech and everything

Just about everything on Amazon is on sale. Here’s a handy link to the top Black Friday deals. New ones are popping up all day, so it’s worth checking a few times.

✅ Oh, and here are all the coupons available right now on one money-saving page. Yeah, you’ll def want to bookmark that link. Happy shopping!

These Beats Solo 4 headphones have 50 hours of battery life and are ergonomically angled for max comfiness (50% off, $99.99).
The Amazon Echo Show 5 lets you make video calls, stream videos and call the family to dinner (50% off, $44.99).
This Insignia 32-inch smart TV has Alexa voice control and Fire TV built in (46% off, $69.99).
RedTiger’s dashcam has 4K resolution, night vision, wide angle and parking mode (38% off, $123.47).
This KitchenAid Series 5 stand mixer comes in 21 different colors and holds up to five quarts (27% off, $329.95).
A Ring battery-powered doorbell protects your house with two-way talk, motion detection and head-to-toe video (40% off, $59.99).
Keurig’s K‑Mini single-serve coffee maker brews cups up to 12 ounces (51% off, $49).
This Dell 31.5-inch curved monitor is a sweet upgrade that’s easier on your eyes than a standard model (35% off, $129.89).
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet comes with parental controls and a kidproof case (42% off, $109.99).
An Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a 6‑in‑1 multicooker that can air fry, broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, crisp and reheat (43% off, $79.99).
The Roku Express works with Google Home, Apple AirPlay and Alexa (40% off, $17.99).
A water dental flosser gently cleans your teeth and gums (50% off, $19.99).
Govee’s RGBIC floor lamp works with all smart home assistants and adds ambiance to any room (45% off, $54.99).
This HiLIFE steamer is portable, light and way easier than ironing (46% off, $24.69).
The Ankar Zolo charger powers up an iPhone 15 battery from 0% to 57% in just 30 minutes (40% off, $15.59).
Suede leather ankle boots are warm, stylish and way more affordable than Uggs (55% off, $44.95).
Carote’s cookware set is nonstick and comes with 11 pieces (54% off, $54.99).
This Samsonite hard-side luggage set includes two expandable suitcases with double-spinner wheels (57% off, $204.68).
Shark’s wet-dry cleaner is a super-lightweight vacuum and mop that cleans itself when you charge it (48% off, $129.99).
The ASUS 15.6-inch laptop is a steal, with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and Windows 11 (30% off, $159.99).
This Hunter Dual knife set has 15 pieces and comes in a sleek black color (60% off, $39.99).
Vera Wang Eau de Parfum smells like iris, lilies and sandalwood (69% off, $26.41).
Ninja’s Nutri Pro personal blender is compact and can break through ice and any other frozen goodies (40% off, $59.99).
This L’ange ceramic flat iron is fast-heating and comes in a cute pink color (60% off, $27.30).

‘Kim, what about a present for my …’

I’ve got your back. I whipped up lists for all the people in your life:

💸 Or shop by price: Under $10 | Under $25 | Under $50

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Antivirus isn't just for your computer - Here's why you should protect your smartphone, too

You probably know that antivirus software is essential for your computer. Without it, you’re browsing without protection, exposing yourself to ransomware, viruses, Trojans, spyware and countless other threats. But your computer isn’t the only gadget that needs antivirus protection.

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You’re getting sleepy

👑 One-third of our lives is spent sleeping. These gifts will make your recipient feel like royalty doing it.

A glass mushroom lamp ($25) gives their room a cool ‘70s vibe. Groovy!
A bedside water carafe? Talk about luxury. 💅
The best word to describe these stained-glass light bulbs is “whimsical.” They’re hand-painted!
For the art lover (or the dramatic one), gift wireless gallery lights (28% off). They’re battery-powered and easy to install.
Velvet blackout drapes ($34) curtain-ly make every room a whole lot cozier.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

You’re hitting the road and your phone battery is low: Rats. Set the route in your GPS app before you leave, then switch your phone into Airplane mode. You’ll still follow your route thanks to your phone’s built-in GPS, but you’ll save battery life by cutting off data-hungry apps. Smart.

It’s miles ahead: Toyota’s long-awaited solid-state battery is nearing production. It will go 745 miles on a single charge, tackling “range anxiety” once and for all. They’re also lighter and more compact than lithium-ion batteries, which means more legroom and cargo space. Finally.

If you won’t be using your e-bike for a while, how much charge should you leave on the battery? Is it 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%?

Find the answer here! →

How to make your phone feel brand-new again

One of the best parts of getting a new phone is how fresh it feels inside and out. The screen is scratch-free, your storage is empty, and the phone is zippy, no matter what. And the battery life? Oh, buddy.

The clock starts ticking the moment you take your new phone out of its box. Let’s give yours that fresh-from-the-factory feel again.

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True or false: You need antivirus protection for your phone

Ah, the wide world of tech myths. I’ve heard ‘em all:

Macs are immune to viruses. Stick a wet phone in rice and it’ll be as good as new. Always run your battery down to 0% before you charge.

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Gifts for the person who has everything

🤪 Sometimes, you just need to get a little creative.

Make ‘em feel like they’re living in “The Fast and the Furious” with interior RGB car lights ($29). I’m tempted to get these …
A portable record player that won’t break the bank — under $50!
A budget-friendly bidet ($25), because everyone secretly wants one of these.
If Apple AirPods are too expensive, check out Raycon.* Their earbuds sound great, get a ton of battery life and are a fraction of the price.
Anyone would relish getting a hot dog toaster ($20) for Christmas.
Let’s taco ‘bout how cute this burrito blanket ($16) is!
Getting stuck in traffic behind a huge truck is more bearable with a portable air purifier (44% off).

Nothing here? Check out this link for more ideas!

💸 Or shop by price: Under $10 | Under $25 | Under $50

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Home-run tech gifts

✅ Stop searching — I did the hard work for you.

A MacBook Air (23% off) is small enough to fit in a backpack and has up to 18 hours of battery life. That’s a lot of Netflix.
A 55-inch Samsung 4K QLED TV for under $500? Say less.
Swap their crusty, old phone for a fancy, new Samsung S24 (27% off). It comes in eight colors! I like the violet.
The most voracious reader you know definitely wants a new Kindle Paperwhite (19% off).
Catch Santa before he steals all the milk and cookies with a Google Nest outdoor camera (36% off, $209.99).
The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is under $75 right now.
An Amazon Echo Dot is the perfect intro to smart home gear (54% off, $22.99).
Bet you know someone who’d love a PS5 (15% off, $424). It’s backward compatible so they can play PS4 games, too.
A Lenovo Chromebook is already affordable, but 40% off? An absolute steal!
The Fitbit Versa 4 smartwatch (40% off) for your health-obsessed friend.

💸 Or shop by price: Under $10 | Under $25 | Under $50

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Only you can prevent garbage fires: Batteries, especially lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium types, should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center, not tossed in the trash. Search online for your city or town’s name plus the term “electronics disposal.” Or use this handy site.

Wallet, keys, phone, kids: Found with these trackers

My husband, Barry, loses track of everything. Well, he did until I AirTagged his life. That’s where Bluetooth trackers come in handy. These tiny devices attach to what you don’t want to lose, and they sync directly to your phone. The tracker shares its location when you can’t find it.

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Keep your battery level over 0%: Letting your phone die does more than leave you without a way to play Wordle. It can also degrade your battery over time. Keep a portable charger on hand and power up before you hit 0%.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

“Do I have to charge you again?” Apple Watches have notoriously short battery life, but this can make a big difference. Open Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On. Disable the setting so your screen isn’t hogging your battery life all day long.

Every home needs one

There’s an emergency and your phone is out of commission. Don’t panic — grab an emergency radio. It can be the difference between staying safe and being trapped with no communication. My husband, Barry, owns several!

The Midland ER310 ($69.66) recharges by hand crank, solar power or battery. It’s got a built-in SOS beacon, weather alerts and an ultrasonic dog whistle so rescue teams can find you more easily.
The Midland ER210 model ($49.99) is a more affordable option with the same features, but it’s smaller and has a shorter battery life.
Want a reliable budget option? Here’s one for around $35 with all the essential features you’d need.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

GPS dog collars are smart: Use Battery Optimization mode so you don’t have to charge the collar so frequently. As long as your furbaby stays in a safe zone, it’ll check less often, saving your battery. If they leave the safe zone, real-time tracking will kick in. My golden retriever, Abby, wears a Fi collar, and this is her favorite ball (10% off today!).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Good stuff you’ll use all the time

From smart gadgets to handy accessories, these deals were too good not to share.

Portable phone charger: Never get caught with a dead battery again. (Under $25)
Wireless hand massager: Three levels of compression, combined with soothing heat, make this the perfect remedy for tired hands after hours at the computer. (Under $70; cheaper than a massage!)
Magnetic phone mount: Good for when your car doesn’t have a decent spot built in. (Under $15)
LED night-lights: This six-pack has dusk-to-dawn sensors so they auto-illuminate dark places in your house. (Under $10)
3-in-1 Apple charging station: Charge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods in one spot. (57% off!)
Wi-Fi extender/booster: No more dead zones when you plug in this puppy! (Under $25)
Power strip: This one has six outlets and three USB ports, so no more fighting for an outlet. (Under $12)

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🚴 Have an e-bike? Here’s one thing that ruins the battery: Letting it drain completely before you recharge. Lithium-ion batteries perform best when kept charged between 20% to 80%. Keep your e-bike inside, too, once the temps drop for winter. Anything below 32 degrees is no bueno for your battery life.

Can your phone be rigged to explode?

This past week, a frenzy of small explosions rocked Lebanon, causing thousands of injuries and killing at least 25 people. The cause? Thousands of Apollo AR924 pagers and ICOM walkie-talkies blew up in the hands of members of Hezbollah leaders and their families.

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🔥 Anker power bank recall: You risk a fire if you’re using an Anker 334 MagGo Battery (PowerCore 10K), Anker Power Bank and Anker MagGo Power Bank with a model number of A1642, A1647 or A1652. These were all sold between Jan. 3, 2024, and Sept. 17, 2024. If you own one, stop using it immediately and fill out the recall form.